Day 48 – Cruise by the Amalia Glacier and El Brujo Glacier, Chile

This morning we leapt out of bed, all enthusiastic for more glacier excitement. At about 10.30 we stopped alongside the Amalia Glacier, which is located in the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, one of Chile’s most remote and protected areas. It forms part of the southern Patagonian Ice Field, the third largest ice mass on earth after Antarctica and Greenland. Its extremely remote location ensures it remains completely unspoiled and largely untroubled by tourists. Over 80% of South America’s glaciers are located in Chile.

The southern Patagonian Ice Field was formed thousands of years ago and covered the whole of southern Chile during the ice age. The Amalia glacier stands at approximately 400 feet above the water and is approximately 2 miles across. It is an arresting sight for those who have never seen a glacier up close before.

After lunch, at about 2 pm, we sailed to and stopped by the El Brujo Glacier and we both agreed that it was even more stunning, atmospheric and beautiful than the Amalia glacier. The ship lingered at the glacier for over an hour, constantly performing 360° turns to allow everyone to view the glacier from all angles.