Go around and talk with the local guides to learn about their tours. Cave Spikes are Limestone. In addition to the marble structure of these caves, the stunning location is cherry on the top. She truly has a knack for creating the best itineraries!During her travels, Jenny loves volunteering with animals on conservation projects. Spend time along the Carretera Austral and every lake, mountain or village will have something to make you stop in your tracks. NEXT READ: What to do along the Carretera Austral. This unique geological formation cannot be directly accessed by land. The Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile, are beautiful vibrant blue caverns, partially submerged in the equally stunning turquoise waters of Carrera Lake. Coyhaique is already quite remote from Santiago (1,700 km), Puerto Montt (700 km) or El Chalten in Argentina (850 km), so it requires a bit of organisation and time to get to the Marble Caves. From El Chalten, Argentina, there are 2 ways to start the Carretera Austral: 1) a boat and a 2-day trek crossing the border to Villa O’Higgins, where you will need to make your way up from the start of the Carretera Austral (this will take a few days) or 2) a night bus to the town Los Antigos, and then cross the border to the Chilean town of Chile Chico. Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile Dubbed as the most beautiful cave network in the world, Cuevas de Marmol (Marble Caves) is a 6,000-year-old sculpture hewn by the crashing waves of Lake General Carrera of Patagonia in Southern Chile. These caves were formed by flowing water and marble. Here is a list of 3 places we know about through friends or we visited during our trip. Jenny – Owner, writer & photographerJenny, 34, French, has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. Thanks for a very useful post and the photos are awesome. It requires a short ride by speedboat or, with good … So let’s not say never, you might have the chance to go there one day If it is a dream, I am sure you’ll make it happen. Do not hesitate to negotiate the price if you are a group of people, you should be able to drop the price a little. From Puerto Rio Tranquilo, you can take a couple of other day excursions to the Glacier National Park and visit the Valle Exploradores by mountain bike or on foot. It’s all I wish for you. Situated in Chile Chico, Aysen Region Chile on General Carrera Lake which is the fifth largest lake in … Thanks! Chile’s Cavernas de Mármol, or “Marble Caves,” is one of those places, but that didn't stop us from curating some photos that showcase this system of caves in Patagonia. While 2 of our friends got lucky and hitched a ride, 7 of us hopped in a paid mini-van. I don’t think you should be worried about having a boat in December. The only way to get there is by taking a cab or walking the few kilometres from the bus station to the Argentinian border control. Facts about Marble Mountain The interior of the Marble Mountains is full of this material, marble. We are also on the platform and we love pinning great travel tips. I have a calendar from about 3 years ago that has a beautiful photo of the marble caves. In this article, you will learn more about the incredible Marble Caves of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, and of course, how to get there and visit them. The remarkable Marble caves, called Cuevas de Marmol in Spanish, have slowly been carved by nature for over 6,000 years. Actually with all the downtime currently, we decided to make our own travel blog – Travel Made Me Do It (travelmademedoit.com). Moreover, as from the 1st of April, Patagonia shut down! Until the completion of the road, many villages in the region were only accessible by sea or land, via Argentina, where the Gauchos ruled the transport routes. Great thing to do particularly when the weather isn’t good. This is how we found ourselves walking 5 km to the Chilean border control. Many people class this network of marble caves as the most beautiful cave … 2 hours later, we were back in Chile and still had 200 km to travel before reaching the little village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo. It is the famous Patagonian wind and the waves which are the maestros of this incredible carving work on the solid marble bordering the lake.. What about saving this post to your Pinterest board? In this part of Patagonia, most of the tourists found here are either cycling or hitch-hiking the Carretera Austral as part of a long-term trip. The main marble caves are accessible from Puerto Tranquilo, a small town right on the Carretera Austral, making it an easy stop-off for those doing a self-drive adventure down the famous road.From Puerto Tranquilo, you can take a kayak or boat trip right into the maze of marble caves… Local people living in the Marlbank area many years ago believed the rock in the was Marble, hence … General Carrera Lake is the biggest lake in Chile and second biggest fresh-water lake in South America. The buses usually stop, on a daily basis around 11 am, on the side on the main road,  Dagoberto Godoy. In Puerto Rio Tranquilo, the town by the lake, you will find a dozen shacks with travel agencies. For the people willing to camp, we would recommend the Camping Pudu, and for those with a higher budget, you should consider the Cabaña Valle Exploradores which is very cosy and offers more comfort. It took thousands of years. The Cathedral, the Chapel and the Cave are the three formations that make up this natural spectacle that will certainly leave you breathless. It takes about 4.5 hours and cost 10,000 CLP (€15). Hi Michelle!!! The Marble Caves of Puerto Rio Tranquilo | Chile. The Marble Caves (Most famous of them is the “Capilla de Mármol” - Marble Chapel) are located on Lake General Carrera/Buenos Aires (Depends which side of the lake you are on) Patagonia, Chile, the boat tours usually leave from Puerto Tranquillo (a little town), Río Ibáñez. The Marble Caves Chile Chico – is the largest deposit of marble on the earth. So knowledgeable & passionate about what he does! PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: These caves are one of the most spectacular caves in the world. The remarkable Marble caves, called Cuevas de Marmol in Spanish, have slowly been carved by nature for over 6,000 years. There is no bus terminal in Puerto Tranquilo. Keep reading. For these reasons, it is recommended to get to the Marble caves before April but if you find yourself in Coyhaique during the off-season, check the road conditions with the locals. It is a beautiful attraction when seen during early morning in bright sunshine. Learn how your comment data is processed. We reached Los Antigos at sunrise and tried to reach the border which was opening at 8 am. The highlights are the beautiful rock formations named “the Chapel” and the “Cathedral”. These are brilliant places to take pictures and witness the gorgeous myriad of colours dropping into the General Carrera lake. Her favourite moment? In general, it is advised to travel along the Carretera Austral before the end of March, mainly if you travel by bus as the local transportation and most of the accommodations shut down from April 1st… At this period of the year, the road may be closed because of the weather. Those spikes are made with the same materials as limestone. This unique geological formation cannot be directly accessed by land. Super helpful. More specifically, the Marble Caves are sitting on a peninsula of marble that borders Lake General Carrera (as it is called in Chile). The marble caves are stunning all year long but it is best to visit during the austral summer, from December to March. Bookmarking this for when we eventually get there, Hi Meryl, Patagonia is incredible. Seeing a whale breaching or a turtle hatching…>> Favourite countries: New-Zealand, Bolivia, Ireland and Canada.>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Newfoundland, Alaska and African Savanna.>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. The town has now opened a bit to tourism, so you can find a few hostels, hospedajes and cabanas. You can find these fascinating formations on the outskirts of Lake General Carrera along the Chile/Argentina border. You can take a local bus to or from Coyhaique (Cochrane route). The famous Patagonian wind is also often a real pain, so think… Read more ». Great craic too & so friendly. The Marble Caves (Most famous of them is the “Capilla de Mármol” – Marble Chapel) are located on Lake General Carrera/Buenos Aires (Depends which side of the lake you are on) Patagonia, Chile, the boat tours usually leave from Puerto Tranquillo (a little town), Río Ibáñez. Cabana – for 6 people: 10,000 CLP pp/pn (€14) – same price as a bed in a dorm, Marble Caves by boat: 9,000 CLP (€12.60) – Negotiated; Expect twice more to rent a kayak, Read more about all of the Amazing Things to do in the region. Bus – El Chalten – Los Antigos: 1,140 ARS (€70 pp)Los Antigos – Border Arg/Chile: free (hitchhiking)Collectivo – Chilean border to Rio Tranquilo: 10,000 CLP (€14)pp – mini-van shared by 7 people. 1.2 1907–1908: Great Boulder Chamber and dye tracing. He, therefore, started to build the 1,200 km long road going from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins, right at the border with the Argentinian town of El Chalten. This is great information. These marble caves are one of a kind and a true spectacle. The Marble Caves is geological formation of unusual beauty. At its deepest, it has a depth of 1,923 feet (586 m). From Santiago de Chile, I would recommend to fly to Balmaceda (nearest airport to Coyhaique) and continue from there by car. Thank you for your support. Marble has the lively effect for it has the low index of refraction. 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. You can travel in a small boat or kayak, (only when the weather is nice and the water is mostly still). Exploring the marble caves in Chile is going to be the cave exploration you didn’t know you needed. Thanks for all the wonderful info. Although it has a more appeasing appearance than limestone, it can also be very pricey. The caves are situated in the Patagonian Andes. To read how remote it is to get there I will probably never visit, but thanks to your very informative article I learned a lot. But the small town has limited space can lead to full-vacancies and the lack of internet makes reserving complicated. Nestled deep in the Patagonian Andes, you can find the Cuevas de Mármol (Marble Caves) on a peninsula of solid marble. Note that in the middle of the Austral Winter, it is not advised to try to get there because the Carretera Austral is usually closed. With the sun, the waving shapes of blue, yellow and white light, reflect into the crystal clear water below. The lake itself GEN-Carrera is one of ten deepest lakes in the world – it reaches a depth of 590 meters and an area of approximately 1,850 square kilometers. The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark contains some of the finest landscapes in the north of Ireland. Marble Caves The Marble Caves is a group of caves made of marble, situated in the Chile portion of the General Carrera Lake, in South ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PHOTOS AND TEXTS CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION This is one of the most remote parts of Chile with only one road from North to South. The lake itself is on the border of Argentina and Chile, with the caves located on the Chilean side. The Marble Caves in Patagonia, are situated along the Carretera Austral, 220km south of Coyhaique, the biggest city in the region. You can book the day before or in the morning of the tour! , the boat tours usually leave from Puerto Tranquillo (a little town), Río Ibáñez. The Marble Cave Mining Company ceased all operations after only four and a half years. Marble Arch Caves- … I tore it out and have been looking at it on my wall ever since. Or are they available in plentiful during this time of year? the Chapel (La Capilla), the Cathedral (El Catedral), and the Cave (La Cueva). It is a unique geological formation featuring a group of caverns, tunnels and pillars created in monoliths of marble and formed by waves over the last 6,000 years or so. It is the famous Patagonian wind and the waves which are the maestros of this incredible carving work on the solid marble bordering the lake. Since I travelled for 18 months in Latin America, I packed for all 4 seasons and I used everything in Patagonia. Brilliant trip to the Marble Arch Caves on Friday 9th Oct. Our tour guide Victor was fantastic! © COPYRIGHT TALES FROM THE LENS Catedral de Marmol or Capilla de Mármol AKA Marble Caves is stunning but rather remote natural attraction that’s located on the shores of General Garrera Lake near by the small settlement called Puerto Rio Tranquillo in central Chilean Patagonia. Im considering going next year, but will probably only have time in early May so I’m not sure if that is still a possibility. The only issue could be the… Read more ». Ranging from rugged uplands, lakes and forests through to gently rolling drumlins, the landscapes of the Geopark represent a complex Earth history dating back as far as 895 million years ago. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. Hi Des, this is an excellent question. Myself and my travel partner are planning on adding the Marble Caves into our roadtrip itinerary from Santiago to Punta Arenas. thanks for the comment. You can then choose to head towards Chiloe Island or to continue the Carretera via Puyuhuapi and Queulat National Park, Futaleufu and Chaiten. talesfromthelens.com. And even if the road is open, be aware the local transportation stops during the cold snowy months and a lot of the locals head north,  looking for sun, so there wont be much cars to hitch-hike with. We recently went to the Marble Caves. The clear waters and designs of the marble caves. Danang-marble mountains are open daily on schedule from the 7 to the 17: 00 in an uninterrupted way. Travelling all this way just for the Marble Caves would be a very complicated and long journey. It helped to plan our trip. This is the case for the Marble Caves located near the tiny village of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, in southern Chile. The Marble Caves (Most famous of them is the. You cannot be on a tight schedule to see the Marble Caves as it will take a lot of time just to get there. Cheers, Dan & Beck – Travel Made Me Do It, Home - About - Private Policy Thank you for sharing this. 1.1 18th–19th century: The Junction, Grand Gallery and Pool Chamber. Its reserves are estimated at 5,000 million tons. Finished in the 2000s, the road can now be travelled through entirely, but it is still an adventure! Crossing the Los Antigos / Chile Chico border, What To Do In Bariloche For Free or On A Budget, Chile’s Lake District, Puerto Varas & Frutillar, An off-the-beaten-path guide to Chiloe Island, Ferry From Puerto Chacabuco To Chiloe Island, The Marble Caves of Puerto Rio Tranquilo: Marvel of Patagonia, El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier: all you need to know, 7-Day “O” Trek in Torres del Paine, Chile, Seeing the King Penguins in South America, Looking for Orcas at the Peninsula Valdes, Punta Tombo, How To See 1 Million Magellanic Penguins, Camping Pudu (1 tent) – 8,000 CLP – no online booking, Cabaña Silvana – Cabana for 4/6 people: 50,000 CLP (€70) or dorm 10,000 pp (€14) – no online booking. Patagonia is on our bucket list! This started the Marble Cave Mining Company, although later it was realized that there was never any marble in the cave. Please note │ This blog post may also include affiliate links to hostels or products we recommend, which means if you buy something following a link on this page, we’ll get a small commission. They are one of the most inspiring and beautiful places we have had the chance to see in this part of the world. What was the weather like the time you went and what kind of warm clothes did you pack? Yassss !! These happen to be on the second largest freshwater lakes in South America. I was wondering what time of the year you were visiting the caves though? This happened to me too. As you approach the caves, the marble shows its most vibrant colours. The amazing vibrant blue and grey cave chambers, (submerged to some extent) all lay in memorizing turquoise waters of Carrera/B.A Lake. The caves are accessible by boat. 1.5 1982–1985: show cave development. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Puerto Rio Tranquilo is a very remote places and internet is still very sporadic which is probably one of the reasons why booking is not possible for now online. The sma... Walter Towers in Prague, Czech Republic, is the latest from modern architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group. The lake its on is the Carrera Lake. Thanks for all the great information provided. I say a photo of it and had to see this beauty. As we drove through the very bumpy gravel road along the General Carrera Lake, we were amazed by the landscapes and the brilliant blues of the lake, the biggest and deepest in Chile (1,850 km² and as deep as 580 m).