San Rafael Glacier & National Park
Explore one of Aysen’s best kept secrets by boat – the San Rafael glacier, hidden in a rainforest and calving icebergs into a freezing lagoon.
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Reasons to explore the Marble Caves
- Visit this beautiful natural wonder that's unique in Patagonia
- Get close by kayaking or by boat to caves polished only by the lapping of the lake over thousands of years
- Take a boat trip to the majestic San Rafael Glacier deep in the rainforest to see it calve icebergs into a lagoon
- Strap on crampons to ice hike on Exploradores Glacier, discovering pure blue ice caves
- Explore more of Aysen, with easy access to the Marble Caves from Cerro Castillo National Park and beyond
Kayaking to the Marble Caves
Colours of the Marble Caves
Marble Caves
Boat trip to the Marble Caves
Looking out across Lago General Carrera
Inside the Marble Caves
Ice hiking on Exploradores glacier
What are the Marble Caves?
Inside the Marble Caves
The Chapel at the Marble Caves
The Marble Caves (known locally as Capillas de Mármol) lie almost in the centre of Aysen, on the edge of Lago General Carrera, close to the town of Puerto Rio Tranquillo and only accessible by water.
They are a series of caves carved from the exposed marble cliffs that plunge into the lake, and which have been slowly eroded into surreal shapes by waves from the lake. This is geology at its most beautiful: there are spires and spindles rising from the waters or seemingly dripping down from the cavern ceilings, forming a maze just above water level. They sometimes appear as if they have been scooped straight from the rock: an impression only heightened by the ripples of colour running through them like mineral ice cream.
The most famous of the caves are the Marble Cathedral (Catedral de Mármol) and Cave (Caverna de Mármol), with their beautiful buttresses, and the Chapel (Capella de Mármol), which is a free-standing rock island topped with plants, with dainty eroded marble at its base.
Most visitors take a trip to the caves at Puerto Rio Tranquillo, but there is a second and more remote set at Puerto Sánchez.
What to see & do at the Marble Caves
Kayaking to the Marble Caves
For active travellers, the best way to experience the Marble Caves is by kayak. Small groups led by an experienced guide explore the caves from Puerto Tranquillo; all equipment is provided. It generally takes around 30 minutes to paddle to the caves, though this can be longer on a windy day.
On a sunny day the bright blue water look sdeceptively tropical, but dipping q hand in gives a sharp reminder of its glacial origins!
In a kayak, you can reach parts of the caves that are inaccessible to larger boats, and floating silently through them as the light from the water bounces around you is a powerful experience.
Kayaking through the Marble Caves
Boat trips to the Marble Caves
Boats make the short trip to the Marble Caves every day from the jetty at Puerto Rio Tranquillo every day. The boats are small and only carry around half a dozen passengers, to allow you to safely approach the caves. Not all the caves are large enough to navigate inside with a boat, but it’s still possible to see most of them up close, not least the bizarrely carved natural pillar of the Chapel.
The scenic ride across Lago General Carrera is very beautiful, but if a stiff breeze picks up you’ll be thankful for bringing an extra windproof layer, as the wind can bite just as hard as it does anywhere in Patagonia.
Boat trip to the Marble Caves
Felipe says
What makes the Marble Caves so magic is the way the light bounces around inside them, rippling off the water to paint the rocks in a constantly changing picture. It's a complete delight.
Felipe Cruzat Patagonia Sales Consultant
Boat trips to San Rafael glacier
The San Rafael glacier is another of Aysen’s great natural wonders, and can be visited on a day trip from the Marble Caves area. The glacier is a rarity in Chile in that it is surrounded by temperate rainforest, so that its blue tongue emerges from a forest of deep green, into a vast lagoon where the icebergs calve from its face into the waters.
Trips start with a drive along the Exploradores Valley, before jumping in a boat through the fjords to Laguna San Rafael. The boats are small but secure, and you can travel straight up to the glacier face to watch the ice show. You'll still have a roof over your head so that you can get out of the elements in bad weather.
San Rafael glacier
Ice hiking on Exploradores glacier
To get really up close and personal with some big ice, it’s possible to take a full day excursion from the Marble Caves area to go ice hiking on the Exploradores glacier.
The adventure starts with a boardwalk hike through forest to reach the moraine-covered glacier. With a guide, you pick your path towards the bright white wall, enjoying mountain views including Monte Valentine, Chile’s highest peak.
Deeper on the glacier, you put on crampons and hard hats to spend two hours exploring the glacier, seeing crevasses, arches and even ice caves that can often climb into for a photo opportunity.
Ice cave on the Exploradores glacier
Swoop says
The Marble Caves are protected, and it’s forbidden to climb on them or touch them. Extra care is required when exploring by kayak: your guide will show you the best way to experience them while protecting them for future generations.
Where to stay at the Marble Caves
The most convenient place to stay in to visit the Marble Caves is in Puerto Rio Tranquillo itself, from where the boat and kayaking trips depart, but it’s possible to base yourself as far away as Cerro Castillo and still visit the caves (albeit on a long day trip).
The shores of Lago General Carrera are an ideal setting for charming lakeside lodges. Some of our favourites here include the natural decor of El Mirador de Guadal at Puerto Guadal, and the nearby private land of Mallin Colorado Lodge. In Puerto Rio Tranquillo itself, El Puesto Lodge is another great option.
Cabin at Mirador Guadal
How to get to the Marble Caves
The Marble Caves are accessible from Puerto Rio Tranquillo on the Carretera Austral, making it an easy stop-off for those doing a self-drive adventure down the famous road. It is easily accessible from Puerto Guadal, Cochrane and even Cerro Castillo.
This whole section of the Lago General Carrera shore is full of hidden marble caves and islands, and if you want to get off the beaten track and have a time, you can visit different caves from nearby villages. These often require slightly longer boat trips and bumpy dirt roads – perfect for those seeking a little more adventure.
What our customers think of Marble Caves
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Discover MoreThe Marble Caves: FAQs
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How do I get to the Marble Caves?
The Marble Caves are accessible from Puerto Rio Tranquillo on the Carretera Austral. They are easily accessible from Puerto Guadal, Cochrane and can even be combined with a stay in Cerro Castillo National Park.
Puerto Rio Tranquillo is about five hours drive from Balmaceda airport, or six hours from Coyhaique.
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Do I need experience to kayak to the Marble Caves?
Provided you have a reasonable level of fitness, you do need need any prior experience to kayak to the Marble Caves. All equipment is provided and the expert guide will provide a full safety briefing and guidance before departing. In fair weather, it usually takes around half an hour to paddle to the caves.
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Can I swim in the Marble Caves?
No. The Marble Caves are protected and it it forbidden to swim or climb on them.
Swimming is allowed at other caves further along the lake, but be warned that the glacial water is very cold. A wetsuit is required, but there are no facilities to rent one in the area.
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What else is there to do at the Marble Caves?
The Marble Caves are well located to build into a longer Aysen itinerary. As well as the day trips to see the San Rafael glacier or hike on the Exploradores glacier, they combine well with time in Cerro Castillo National Park. There are day hikes that can be done int he area or you can just relax on the shores of Lago General Carrera.
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