Catedral de Marmol
Catedral de Marmol
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Gonzalo Seriche Vega
Santiago, Chile25 contributions
Aug 2021
Please, take the long trip, it is about three hours of history, natural view, you can see condors and sheep. You will visit the Puerto Sanchez caverns, the old miner boat, and a hospital boat.
The visit start from the Puerto Sanchez to the Catedral de Marmol.
The visit start from the Puerto Sanchez to the Catedral de Marmol.
Written 24 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas P
Valparaiso, Chile113 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
First, this place is amazing. It's unique, the colours are breath-taking, and there are still few people who visit it.
There are two options to visit the Capilla de Marmol & Catedral de Marmol: take a boat tour from Puerto Rio Tranquilo, or drive a few kilometers to a place called Puerto Marmol, much closer to the site, where there is a small pier. From there, you can take a boat or rent a kayak, which my girlfriend and I did. We arranged it through our hotel El Puesto, and they took care of everything -although we had to driver there. It cost 30,000 pesos (about US$50), but it's not that expensive considering you are with a professional guide for 2 hours.
You can choose the kayak option even if you are a beginner: It was my girlfriend's first time on a kayak, and she did not have problems to manage, as the lake is not difficult (unless when it's windy). The great thing about the kayak is that it allows you to get inside most parts of the marble caves and even disembark in a few places.
A good idea, if you go with the guide from El Puesto Expediciones, is to come with two cameras, so that you can keep one with you in your kayak, and give the other to him, so that he takes pictures of you with the kayak and the monument.
Although this was already a great experience, I would recommend even more another place in the same area with much more marble caves: It is called Puerto Sanchez, on the same Lake General Carrera. There is an island there that has close to 1 kilometer of marble caves! It is less accessible as the dirt road to the town of Puerto Sanchez is a bit difficult (but it has beautiful landscapes and views!), but it is even more spectacular than the Marble Chapel & and the Marble Cathedral. Contact Luis Alarcon for a fairly priced boat tour from Puerto Sanchez. He is a good, friendly and knowledgeable guide and boat driver, and a pioneer of the tourism at the marble caves: lualo1@hotmail.com
There are two options to visit the Capilla de Marmol & Catedral de Marmol: take a boat tour from Puerto Rio Tranquilo, or drive a few kilometers to a place called Puerto Marmol, much closer to the site, where there is a small pier. From there, you can take a boat or rent a kayak, which my girlfriend and I did. We arranged it through our hotel El Puesto, and they took care of everything -although we had to driver there. It cost 30,000 pesos (about US$50), but it's not that expensive considering you are with a professional guide for 2 hours.
You can choose the kayak option even if you are a beginner: It was my girlfriend's first time on a kayak, and she did not have problems to manage, as the lake is not difficult (unless when it's windy). The great thing about the kayak is that it allows you to get inside most parts of the marble caves and even disembark in a few places.
A good idea, if you go with the guide from El Puesto Expediciones, is to come with two cameras, so that you can keep one with you in your kayak, and give the other to him, so that he takes pictures of you with the kayak and the monument.
Although this was already a great experience, I would recommend even more another place in the same area with much more marble caves: It is called Puerto Sanchez, on the same Lake General Carrera. There is an island there that has close to 1 kilometer of marble caves! It is less accessible as the dirt road to the town of Puerto Sanchez is a bit difficult (but it has beautiful landscapes and views!), but it is even more spectacular than the Marble Chapel & and the Marble Cathedral. Contact Luis Alarcon for a fairly priced boat tour from Puerto Sanchez. He is a good, friendly and knowledgeable guide and boat driver, and a pioneer of the tourism at the marble caves: lualo1@hotmail.com
Written 12 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia B
Munich, Germany22 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
The caves where great and it's definitely worth a visit.
You can you to balmaceda by plane and there is a shuttle which will drive you to coyhaique. There are different hostels and it would be better to stay there a night. I can recommend the hostel salamandra which is quite up in the hills.
You can buy a bus ticket for puerto rio tranqillo at the bus terminal in the town, you can buy it on the day you want to go. You need to take the bus to Cochrane. But sometimes the busses are full so I recommend go there quite early. It will cost about $ 10,000.
The bus needs about five to six hours to get there. It's not a nice road at all and you cannot drive that fast.
In Puerto Rio tranquilo are a lot of different hostels. There is nothing else there, so the food and the restaurants are really expensive compared to other parts of Chile. I stayed in the hostel casa and it was really nice there. It has mixed dorm and costs (I think) about $10,000 per night.
When you want to visit the caves you just go to the lake where a lot of tourist agencies are. You can buy your ticket on the day you want to go and there are different tours. I really recommend the longer one which was about $25,000 but you where aloud to go into some of the caves.
Sometimes they close the port because of the weather so it might be better planning to stay a couple of days there.
The caves are really beautiful! Don't miss this spot! :)
If you find this information useful, I would be happy if you mark it with the helpful button :)
You can you to balmaceda by plane and there is a shuttle which will drive you to coyhaique. There are different hostels and it would be better to stay there a night. I can recommend the hostel salamandra which is quite up in the hills.
You can buy a bus ticket for puerto rio tranqillo at the bus terminal in the town, you can buy it on the day you want to go. You need to take the bus to Cochrane. But sometimes the busses are full so I recommend go there quite early. It will cost about $ 10,000.
The bus needs about five to six hours to get there. It's not a nice road at all and you cannot drive that fast.
In Puerto Rio tranquilo are a lot of different hostels. There is nothing else there, so the food and the restaurants are really expensive compared to other parts of Chile. I stayed in the hostel casa and it was really nice there. It has mixed dorm and costs (I think) about $10,000 per night.
When you want to visit the caves you just go to the lake where a lot of tourist agencies are. You can buy your ticket on the day you want to go and there are different tours. I really recommend the longer one which was about $25,000 but you where aloud to go into some of the caves.
Sometimes they close the port because of the weather so it might be better planning to stay a couple of days there.
The caves are really beautiful! Don't miss this spot! :)
If you find this information useful, I would be happy if you mark it with the helpful button :)
Written 12 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard C
Cork, Ireland380 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
This is the "main" cave and is contained within a small "island" at the western end of the section of coastline (of Lago General Carrera) containing the Marble Caves of Chile. It is a beautiful attraction when seen during early morning in bright sunshine. The best way of seeing it is by small boat from Bahia Mansa (about 5 k out of Puerto Rio Tranquilo to the southwest). The cathedral is only a 5 minute boat trip away! The boats from here cost about $15/head for a one hour trip.
The best way of visiting is to rent a kayak on returning to the jetty at about $20 per hour. 2 hours would be enough to see the cathedral and the best of the caves. For anyone in the area, it is a must-see. For many, it is the main reason for visiting this region. We are just under 70 and loved it!
The best way of visiting is to rent a kayak on returning to the jetty at about $20 per hour. 2 hours would be enough to see the cathedral and the best of the caves. For anyone in the area, it is a must-see. For many, it is the main reason for visiting this region. We are just under 70 and loved it!
Written 28 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deefa85
Perth, Australia81 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We hired a car from Balmaceda Airport and drove to Rio Tranquilo. The drive is worth it alone, it was absolutely stunning! Snow capped mountains, clean rivers and beautiful forests. There is minimal traffic too. I am not an experienced international driver and I had no worries with it. The roads can get very slippery though (as half of it is unpaved) so a 4WD would be a safer option if you're not too confident driving a 2WD on slippery, muddy roads. We arrived into Rio Tranquilo about 3 hours after leaving Balmaceda. Its a tiny town, not much going on, very laid back. It was late in the arvo and we were tired and hungry so we decided to leave the Marble Caves for the following morning. We got a room from the little hostel / B&B across from where the tourism centre is. It was comfortable, warm, with beautiful views, friendly owner and best of all FANTASTIC home made soup. Well worth staying there if you are staying in Tranquilo for the night.
the caves themselves are magnificent. Set on the Azure blue Lago Carrera, they really are a must see if you can afford the time and small amount of money it costs to see them. The boat driver gives you plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photos. They really must be seen to be believed. if there is a bit of wind around ake sure you take your wet weather gear! The caves themselves are protected, but the trip too and from the town can be very bumpy and wet.
the caves themselves are magnificent. Set on the Azure blue Lago Carrera, they really are a must see if you can afford the time and small amount of money it costs to see them. The boat driver gives you plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photos. They really must be seen to be believed. if there is a bit of wind around ake sure you take your wet weather gear! The caves themselves are protected, but the trip too and from the town can be very bumpy and wet.
Written 21 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoisDeZweed
Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands852 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
A good tour which you cannot miss when you are at Puerto Rio Tranquilo. The colour of the marble looks so good in several ways that you view it. Very nice.
There are a lot of agencies at the river bank which offer the tour. It costs 10.000 per person and it doesn't really matter which agency you go to. They all do the same: navigate to the caves, visit 3 spots of Marble Caves, go into these caves with the boat, navigate back.
I advise you to go in the morning, because the low sun shines into the caves and the colour of the marble is much more beautiful.
Most tours leave at 8 am or 4 pm. They do not go when the lake is too rough due to the wind or when it is raining.
Have fun!
There are a lot of agencies at the river bank which offer the tour. It costs 10.000 per person and it doesn't really matter which agency you go to. They all do the same: navigate to the caves, visit 3 spots of Marble Caves, go into these caves with the boat, navigate back.
I advise you to go in the morning, because the low sun shines into the caves and the colour of the marble is much more beautiful.
Most tours leave at 8 am or 4 pm. They do not go when the lake is too rough due to the wind or when it is raining.
Have fun!
Written 31 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacey E
17 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
i just came back from marble caves and wanted to share some logistics info. i was coming from Bariloche in Argentina. took bus that arrived at 8pm in los antiguos. border hours state 10pm but not sure if that is true. i stayed overnight in los antiguos and learned that taxis and buses stopped going across border about a month and half ago because of costs imposed to do so. i took taxi to Argentino border for 35 AR$. then hitched a ride with a family going to chile. i left my hotel in the morning at 8:20 and was in Chile Chicos by 9:10am. i booked bus with Martin Peacador to Rio Tranquilo. i walked to bank machine while i was waiting and got Chilean pesos out with my mastercard debit card. Martin will take AR$ or Chilean but i had heard that i would need cash for Rio Tranquilo which is true. bus left at 10:30am and we got to Rio Tranquilo about 2:45pm. ride is beautiful but a girl in front of me was terrified because road in some places is on side of mountain. Rio Tranquilo is tiny. 400 people. all of the boat companies line the street you come in on. essentially all the same. there were 5 of us that decided to go on boat together to th caves at puerto sanchez and the cathedral cave closer to Rio Tranquilo. we paid 90k chilean pesos. we decided to go at 7am the next morning. in hindsight, i might have changed that. when we arrived the day was beautiful. i would skip puerto sanchez as i didn't see anything more beautiful there and just done the 1hr-90min caves nearby. i would have done it as soon as i got there and then returned on the bus that goes. back at 5pm. all depended on weather. the morning we went was very windy and they stopped going out after we went. the lake is enormous so more like being on the ocean when there is bad weather. we tried to hitchhike back out earlier from Rio Tranquilo to Chile Chicos but there really is no one going out. took bus back at 5pm and arrived in Chile Chico at 9:30pm. driver suggested hospedeja rafael which i would not recommend. 8,000 chilean pesos for the night. a few of us were going back to Argentina. we all walked/hitch hiked back across border. challenge is if you are going to bariloche, you essentially need to stay night in Chile chico because border is closed by the time you get back from Rio Tranquilo and then stay next night in Los antiguos because bus goes at 7am and border does not open until 8am. so you need like 4-5 nights just to do Rio Tranquilo for one day. i was going to el chalten and the bus goes at 8pm so only had to spend day in Los antiguos and not another night. would I recommend the caves? it is a lot of time and effort to get there. i had time so i did it but not sure i would say it should be on your list. was nice but not 'amazing'. pictures on google seem to be 'enhanced'
Written 2 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mat_ldn
London, UK158 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
It's worth it!! All the travel effort will be gratified with stunning sights of this remarkable work of nature. Believe me.
Mind, caves have different colours depending on the season, angle of the light and lake levels. so don't be fooled by many internet photos as they can be edited. just prepare yourself to observe a natural beauty and take the most of it.
The trip is 10.000 CLP (1hr) or 20.000 CLP (2-3hrs) depending on the length. despite many "agencies" in the port, they are all selling the same trips, with the same itinerary and the same price. Is it worth to take the longer one? In my humble opinion, YES. it gives you more sites and incredible views of the lake.
Also, don't worry about accomodation and don't book overpriced booking.com offers. In Rio Tranquilo you can get a bed in many private owned hostels that don't advertise on the internet. Price from 10.000-15.000 CLP, some with breakfast (but remember that in high season you might end up sleeping in a tent due to the amount of people).
HOW TO GET TO CAVES FROM LOS ANTIGUOS/CHILE CHICO
Many travellers, including me, are trying to get there after seeing beauties of Fitz Roy and El Calafate. Unfortunately, internet does not give you a lot of answers. So here they are.
There are two companies that run from LA to CC on a daily basis. Cost is 250 ARS and service takes about an hour (this is because you have to cross the border in Chile and their custom control is quite severe). Times of the buses: 8.30, 11.00, 13.30, 18.30 (Nov 2019). Bus goes other way round at 16.00.
From CC you take another bus. it seems that company called Martin Pescador has monopoly in that area (you can contact them via WhatsApp). However, it doesn't seem they have one proper bus schedule to Rio Tranquilo. Don't worry. Either text Martin or go to office number 1 in Chile Chico Bus Terminal. Our service was meant to be at 11 but left 11:45 (cost 15.000 CLP). the drive takes 3hours.
That allows you to take the capillas tour on the same day (!). so potentially you can either go back to Chile Chico (arrange with the driver) or go to Cohayique or Cerro Castillo (another hike similar to Fitz Roy). Buses to Cohayique run 3 times a day. That's a "public" service which costs 12.000 CLP (company called Sao Paulo). Again, be careful as the bus might be full as it starts in Cochrane so best to book in advance. Times have to be confirmed (we took service 8.30am but arrived late half an hour). Bus to Cohayique is 4-5hrs (Cerro Castillo one hour less).
If you have any other questions, just DM.
Mind, caves have different colours depending on the season, angle of the light and lake levels. so don't be fooled by many internet photos as they can be edited. just prepare yourself to observe a natural beauty and take the most of it.
The trip is 10.000 CLP (1hr) or 20.000 CLP (2-3hrs) depending on the length. despite many "agencies" in the port, they are all selling the same trips, with the same itinerary and the same price. Is it worth to take the longer one? In my humble opinion, YES. it gives you more sites and incredible views of the lake.
Also, don't worry about accomodation and don't book overpriced booking.com offers. In Rio Tranquilo you can get a bed in many private owned hostels that don't advertise on the internet. Price from 10.000-15.000 CLP, some with breakfast (but remember that in high season you might end up sleeping in a tent due to the amount of people).
HOW TO GET TO CAVES FROM LOS ANTIGUOS/CHILE CHICO
Many travellers, including me, are trying to get there after seeing beauties of Fitz Roy and El Calafate. Unfortunately, internet does not give you a lot of answers. So here they are.
There are two companies that run from LA to CC on a daily basis. Cost is 250 ARS and service takes about an hour (this is because you have to cross the border in Chile and their custom control is quite severe). Times of the buses: 8.30, 11.00, 13.30, 18.30 (Nov 2019). Bus goes other way round at 16.00.
From CC you take another bus. it seems that company called Martin Pescador has monopoly in that area (you can contact them via WhatsApp). However, it doesn't seem they have one proper bus schedule to Rio Tranquilo. Don't worry. Either text Martin or go to office number 1 in Chile Chico Bus Terminal. Our service was meant to be at 11 but left 11:45 (cost 15.000 CLP). the drive takes 3hours.
That allows you to take the capillas tour on the same day (!). so potentially you can either go back to Chile Chico (arrange with the driver) or go to Cohayique or Cerro Castillo (another hike similar to Fitz Roy). Buses to Cohayique run 3 times a day. That's a "public" service which costs 12.000 CLP (company called Sao Paulo). Again, be careful as the bus might be full as it starts in Cochrane so best to book in advance. Times have to be confirmed (we took service 8.30am but arrived late half an hour). Bus to Cohayique is 4-5hrs (Cerro Castillo one hour less).
If you have any other questions, just DM.
Written 18 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane L
Los Lagos Region, Chile44 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
No words can adequately express the beauty of the caves. Be sure to take a boat tour with Hostal El Puesto's tour company for they took us to different caves that other boats did not go to. I also recommend staying at Hostal El Puesto which is in the town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
Written 28 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLudlow22
Woking7 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
If you plan to go to Patagonia, it's very likely that you'll end up visiting Torres del Paine, Calafate or Tierra del Fuego - but if you end up going to Aysén region this is a must visit - Lago General Carrera is truly beautiful and remarkable - and the Catedral de Marmol is an incredible sight. There are TONNES of boat tours but if you can do it by Kayak - as I did with some friends - I would definitely recommend it.
Written 27 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola! Quiero viajar en enero de 2023. Hay transporte desde Los antiguos hasta Puerto río tranquilo o cruzar la frontera. Mí idea es quedarme 2 o tres días
Written 4 September 2023
Hola en qué época del año funciona el tour a las catedrales de mármol ?
Written 23 April 2023
Hola Ricardo, me gusto tu comentario , nosotros vamos a ir desde chile chico a Puerto tranqyuilo en auto en setiembre 2022 y ahi tomariamos un bote, ustedes desde donde fueron y con que agencia?
Written 24 August 2022
Hola! Alguien podría recomendarme algún TOUR OPERADOR para ir a las catedrales y parque nacional quelat? Gracias por los datos. 😁
Written 7 January 2022
samuca01
Tokyo, Japan
I'm looking for the one day tour mable chapel from Coyhaique.. not by boat but by kayak, Please let me know some tour company in Coyhaique?
コジャイケ発のツアーでマーブルカテドラに行くものの中で、ボートトリップではなく、カヌーを行えるツアーはあるのでしょうか。
トランキーロのツアーしかないのでしょうか。
サンチャゴ→コジャイケ→トランキーロの行程を一人で行うのは渡航スケジュールに不安があるため
コジャイケ発のどのツアーもマーブルカテドラは午後になると思うのですが、カヤックの選択があるものを探しています。
Written 3 March 2020
Algun dato de kayak barato?? (app 20.000 por persona). Ví en unas opiniones que algunas personas pagaron eso. favor si alguien me puede facilitar algún contacto que haga el servicio por este precio mas menos.
Written 13 February 2020
Hay varios prestadores, te recomiendo que llegues allá y lo hables ahí. Te pueden hacer algún descuento
Written 13 February 2020
Hi,
What town would you recommend to stay to visit the caves?
Thank you
Written 11 January 2020
We stayed in Coyhaique but the drive was long. Google maps claims 4 tours 11 minutes on a mostly dirt road but that is without stops. We took about 5 hours to get there, 1.5 hours in Puerto Rio Tranquilo to see the caves and 4.5 hours back. I recommend you stay in Puerto Rio Tranquilo. The caves are fantastic. Do take the longer boat ride. Check photos and details in our web site
travelingwithcyg-blogspot-com
If you stay in Puerto Rio Tranquilo you can take a tour to a glacier and, I think (pleas check) even walk on it.
Written 11 January 2020
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