Waves Over Centuries Has Carved this Marble Cave into Stunning Shapes and Swirling Patterns

If the much-visited tourist destinations fail to excite you, there’s one destination that’s certain to give you the thrills. This destination is the marble caves of Patagonia located in southern Chile, South America. Known as the Cuevas de Mármol, these caves are situated on a peninsula of solid marble that’s carved into the Patagonian Andes. The caves border a remote glacial lake – Lake General Carrera – that lies on the Chile-Argentina border.

A visit to Patagonia is enough to make you realize that this 6000-year-old marble cave network is the most beautiful in the world. The constant action of the waves over centuries has carved the marble into stunning shapes and swirling patterns. The beauty of the caves is further enhanced by the azure waters of the lake that change in intensity and color, depending on the time of the year and the water level.

The months between September and February are the best to visit these marble caves. This is the time when the ice thaws, turning the lake water a bright turquoise. The marble caves never fail to surprise. They constantly change their appearance and color depending upon the season.

During spring, the shallow waters are infused with delightful shades of blue that shimmer against the caves’ white crystalline walls. In summer months the water level rises due to the melting ice of the surrounding glaciers, imbuing a deep blue color to the waters. The reflection of this deep blue hue on the marble walls makes the caves look totally captivating.

You can visit this cave network only by means of a boat since it’s located far from the road head. The boat ride only adds to the fun and regular 30-minute boat tours are available, being operated by a local company. The best time to take the boat tour is early morning since the sun provides the best lighting to click perfect pictures. Of course, the boat tour depends upon the weather. Ferries too ply from Chile Chico for the marble caves.

If you’re keen on visiting the marble caves Chile location, you’ll need to take a flight to Santiago, the Chilean capital. From here, you’ll need to embark on an 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) journey on the country’s major highways and reach Coyhaique, the gateway to the remote parts of Patagonia. Another 200 miles (322 kilometers) on dirt roads will get you to Lake General Carrera and the marble caves.

Despite this long and arduous journey, the enchanting marble caves of Patagonia are worth all the trouble.




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An otherworldly experience: Patagonia’s Marble Caves’ is one of the most isolated natural treasures on the planet (according to @chiletravel) and is the perfect post peak-bagging activity (who doesn’t love a relaxing afternoon on the water?). Its intricate network of colorful caves flaunts vibrant swirls that change hue with the seasons, ranging from rosy pinks to deep blues depending on water levels. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: @integratravel ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #VirtuosoTravel #MarbleCaves #VisitPatagonia #Patagonia #PatagoniaChile #luxurytravel #luxelife #luxurytraveladvisor #Virtuoso

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They say these Marble Caves formed over 6000 years as the lake water washed up against the rocks shaping their form one wave at a time. I will never forget that morning floating around and in between these caves, more beautiful than anything I could imagine in my wildest dreams. ✨ . . . . #wearetravelgirls #wildernessbabes #outdoorwomen #girlslovetravel #girlswhotravel #darlingescapes #andshesdopetoo #sheexplores  #outdoorlife #getoutdoors  #adventurethatislife #adventurevisuals #adventureculture #in2nature #liveunscripted  #chile #visitchile #chiletravel #thisischile #travelchile #visitsouthamerica #discoversouthamerica #patagonia #instachile #Chilegram #patagoniachilena #surdechile #coyhaique

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We bundled into 5 different layers of clothing and hopped on a tiny boat to explore these colorful caves in southern Chile. 🚣🏼‍♀️ Nature is a bit like a mad scientist, constantly trying to see what else it can mix, match and create. In this case, some of the coolest cave formations that I've ever seen 💙 – On a side note, we just arrived at Torres Del Paine and everything seems to be sold out for the rest of the season. If anyone has tips for things that we can still do around here, we’re all ears! 🙏🏻 . . . . #wearetravelgirls #wildernessbabes #outdoorwomen #girlslovetravel #girlswhotravel #darlingescapes #andshesdopetoo #sheexplores #outdoorlife #getoutdoors #adventurethatislife #adventurevisuals #adventureculture #in2nature #liveunscripted #chile #visitchile #chiletravel #thisischile #travelchile #visitsouthamerica #discoversouthamerica #patagonia #instachile #Chilegram #patagoniachilena #surdechile #coyhaique

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The Marble Caves in Chile was one of the strangest locations that I have ever visited and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind ever since we left. I feel like this place captures so many things that I love about travel and photography – how something as simple as a rock can also be so inspirational and unique, not afraid to stand out. 💛 A reminder that the parts of us that are a bit weird, corky and different also set us apart in a beautiful way. After all, if we were all the same, what would be the fun in that? 😉 . . . . #wearetravelgirls #wildernessbabes #outdoorwomen #girlslovetravel #girlswhotravel #darlingescapes #andshesdopetoo #sheexplores #outdoorlife #getoutdoors #adventurethatislife #adventurevisuals #adventureculture #in2nature #liveunscripted #chile #visitchile #chiletravel #thisischile #travelchile #visitsouthamerica #discoversouthamerica #patagonia #instachile #Chilegram #patagoniachilena #surdechile #coyhaique

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View this post on Instagram

We bundled into 5 different layers of clothing and hopped on a tiny boat to explore these colorful caves in southern Chile. 🚣🏼‍♀️ Nature is a bit like a mad scientist, constantly trying to see what else it can mix, match and create. In this case, some of the coolest cave formations that I've ever seen 💙 – On a side note, we just arrived at Torres Del Paine and everything seems to be sold out for the rest of the season. If anyone has tips for things that we can still do around here, we’re all ears! 🙏🏻 . . . . #wearetravelgirls #wildernessbabes #outdoorwomen #girlslovetravel #girlswhotravel #darlingescapes #andshesdopetoo #sheexplores #outdoorlife #getoutdoors #adventurethatislife #adventurevisuals #adventureculture #in2nature #liveunscripted #chile #visitchile #chiletravel #thisischile #travelchile #visitsouthamerica #discoversouthamerica #patagonia #instachile #Chilegram #patagoniachilena #surdechile #coyhaique

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