Tortel, Chile Cruises

Tortel, Chile Cruise Port

Located in the southern Patagonia region of Chile, Tortel is a small commune made up of fewer than 500 people that sits where the Baker and Pascua rivers let out. It’s situated between the Northern and Southern Patagonian ice fields amidst an archipelago consisting of numerous islands, fjords, estuaries, and channels. Its geography is quite diverse, and contains an intricate wilderness, steep, rugged mountains, many winding rivers, and an impressive glacial field. The principle settlement is called Caleta Tortel, which is a lumber town with many stilt houses lining its streets. The homes and small businesses that line the coast were designed in the traditional Chilota style architecture. This settlement doesn’t have conventional streets but rather wooden walkways that run through town and around the cove—or caleta—giving this “footbridge city” a distinct look and feel. Despite being Chile’s sixth largest commune, Tortel has the smallest population.

• For a bit of Arctic adventure, you can travel 30 nautical miles in a small boat to Glacier Jorge Montt. This enormous glacier is especially stunning when calving.
   
• Isla de los Muertos or the “Island of the Dead” offers guided tours across elevated walkways throughout a heavily forested area. You’ll learn about the area’s biodiversity and how so many people tragically lost their lives in this area.
   
• A hike up the muddy hills of Sendero Cerro La Bandera will bring you to a serene elevated spot that offers panoramic views of the village, river, and all the mountains.
   
• While smaller than some of its relatives, Steffen Glacier can be reached by foot. In roughly 90 minutes, you can walk up to the field, bask in its greatness and pose for close-up pictures.