Chile s Parks Central Zone

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1 Chile s Parks Central Zone INTRODUCTION Servicio Nacional de Turismo Av. Providencia 1550, Santiago de Chile (56-2) (56-2) National Tourism Service Chile Free guide Not for sale Chile has 100 state-designated Protected Wilderness Areas, which include 35 parks, 49 reserves and 16 monuments. Together, they cover almost 20 percent of the nation s territory. The National Parks differ from the National Reserves and Natural Monuments in that the natural resources within the parks may not be used for economic purposes and must be protected. The country also has ecological reserves established by the private sector, all with a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism and all contributing to the conservation of our ecosystems. Look for this quality seal

2 PARKS IN CHILE S CENTRAL ZONE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PARKS USEFUL INFORMATION REGIONES: ARICA Y PARINACOTA TARAPACÁ Emergencias Ambulance 131 Police 133 Firefighters 132 Search and Rescue 136 Poison control (56 2) ANTOFAGASTA How to make calls in Chile Calling abroad from Chile carrier + country code + area code + telephone number ATACAMA Parks in the Central Zone Calling another city in Chile carrier + area code + telephone number COQUIMBO VALPARAÍSO METROPOLITANA O HIGGINS DEL MAULE BIOBÍO ARAUCANÍA LOS RÍOS LOS LAGOS P.N. Rapa Nui P.N. Archipiélago Juan fernandez P.N. La Campana Reserva Nacional El Yali Monumento Natural El Morado P. N. Radal Siete Tazas Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay Chile s central zone is home to the country s most important urban, manufacturing and agricultural centers. But despite this urban development, a large number of Protected Wilderness Areas create veritable oases for enjoying the area s rich biodiversity. Most outstanding are places like the La Campana National Park, considered a World Biosphere Reserve with its abundance of Chilean palm trees, the El Morado Natural Monument, an icon of outdoor sports in the Metropolitan Region and the Radal Siete Tazas National Park, and its succession of waterfalls. And then there are the parks on Chile s islands, like the Juan Fernández Archipelago and Easter Island, both home to unique biodiversity that has evolved in isolation, hundreds of kilometers from the continent in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. From a landline to a mobile phone in Chile 09 + telephone number From a mobile phone to a landline 0 + area code + telephone number Transportation phone numbers Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (56 2) Electrical voltage 220 volts and 50 hertz AYSÉN MAGALLANES Currency denominations Bills 1,000 pesos 2,000 pesos 5,000 pesos 10,000 pesos 20,000 pesos Coins 1 peso 5 pesos 10 pesos 50 pesos 100 pesos 500 pesos Symbols ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Monuments and Natural Protection Areas (SNASPE)

3 LA CAMPANA NATIONAL PARK Valparaíso Region This park is part of the coastal mountain range, the Cordillera de la Costa, an area visited by Charles Darwin in It is characterized by a high concentration of plant species and is a World Biosphere Reserve. La Campana has a very important number of Chilean palm trees, all more than 50 years old, located in the Ocoa sector. Must-See Attractions: From the Granizo sector, you can access the 7-km Andinista trail, which winds through forests of boldo, roble, peumo and quillay to the top of the La Campana mountain (1,884 m above sea level). From the top of the trail, you can see both the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Other activities: The Ocoa palm grove has an abundance of palm trees, especially in the El Amasijo ravine. Nearby, you can also hike to the 30-m high La Cortadera waterfall, located at the end of a 6-km trail. How to get there: The Granizo and Cajón Grande sectors can be accessed from the town of Olmué. To reach the Ocoa sector, follow Route 5 towards the town of Ocoa, and then follow Route 314 for 14 km. Regional CONAF office. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]. SERNATUR Valparaíso. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]

4 EL YALI NATIONAL RESERVE Valparaíso Region This wetlands area has international importance and is protected by the RAMSAR Convention. It is home to 139 bird species, including 33 migratory bird species, as well as many different mammal and reptile species. Must-See Attractions: This is an ideal site for bird watching, since one quarter of all of Chile s different species can be found here. Most are aquatic birds, including flamingos, swans, Franklin Gulls and Brown-hooded Gulls, numerous duck species, Cocoi heron, burrowing owls and many more. How to get there: It is 35 km south of Santo Domingo and 135 km south of Valparaíso. From Santo Domingo, take Route 66 to El Convento and then take the coastal road to the reserve. Regional CONAF office. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected] SERNATUR Valparaíso. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]

5 RAPA NUI NATIONAL PARK Valparaíso Region The moai - carved stone statues unlike anything else in the world - are the most distinctive feature of this park and of Easter Island. The site has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 because of the cultural and anthropological legacy represented by the statues and because of the island s one-of-a-kind ecosystem. Must-See Attractions: The summit of the Rano Kau volcano, found on the extreme southwest part of the island, offers a striking view into the crater of volcano, where a lagoon has formed by the accumulation of rainwater. Rano Raraku was the main quarry and carving area for the moai, and a visit will reveal more about how these colossal statues were carved from volcanic rock. The island s most colorful event - the Tapati Rapa Nui - takes place during the first weeks of February with sports and artistic competitions. Other activities: Both the Poike sector, with its carved head of Vai a Heva, and the Papa ui Hetu area, with its petroglyphs, are popular stargazing sites. The peninsula can be accessed by horse or on foot. How to get there: LAN airlines flies from Santiago to Easter Island seven times a week. Naval vessels visit monthly. CONAF Isla de Pascua. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]. SERNATUR Valparaíso. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]

6 ARCHIPELAGO JUAN FERNÁNDEZ NATIONAL PARK Valparaíso Region The most outstanding thing about this park is its endemic vegetation, with plant species varying from one island to the next. The archipelago is also home to the Juan Fernández Firecrown, a rare, endemic hummingbird. Must-See Attractions: Trekking is possible on Robinson Crusoe island, by following a 1.8-km trail to the Alejandro Selkirk lookout. The trail can be quite steep, 30 degrees at some points. The best time for visiting the park is between October and March, when the island s relatively heavy rainfall (1 meter per year) lessens. Other activities: It is possible to scuba dive around the island. You can also camp on different parts of the island, including the areas around Puerto Francés, Villagra, Vaquería and Puerto Inglés. How to get there: Local airlines - LASSA and ATA - make weekly flights from Santiago. Naval vessels make the trip regularly in December and February, and intermittently the rest of the year. The boat trip takes 1.5 days from Valparaíso. CONAF Juan Fernández: Mobile Phone: (56-09) , [email protected] SERNATUR Valparaíso. Phone: (56-32) , [email protected]

7 EL MORADO NATURAL MONUMENT Metropolitan Region El Morado is 93 km from Santiago in the Baños Morales sector of the Cajón del Maipo. It is an outdoor sports paradise for people from Santiago that encompasses 3,009 hectares of land. There are numerous trekking and mountain climbing routes. Must-See Attractions: Expert climbers can scale El Morado (5,060 m) and El Mirador del Morado (4,320 m). Other activities: Trekking is the most popular activity. One of the best-known trails takes you to Laguna El Morado at the foot of the San Francisco glacier, an 8 km hike. It provides an excellent chance to observe the local flora and fauna. How to get there: Take Metrobus MB-72 from the Vicuña Mackenna bus stop 14 directly to the Baños Morales turnoff. This bus runs only from December through March and takes you to within 400 yards of the park administration office. In a private vehicle, follow Route G-25, which is paved until San Gabriel. From there, it is 23 km on gravel to Baños Morales. You need four-wheel drive during the fall, winter and spring. Regional CONAF Office Phone: (56-2) and ask for Areas Silvestres, [email protected] Address: Paseo Bulnes 285, Office 703 SERNATUR Santiago. Av. Providencia 1550, [email protected] Phone: (56 2) El Morado Phone: (56-9) , contact: Guillermo Bravo

8 RADAL SIETE TAZAS NATIONAL PARK Maule Region The main attraction here is the sequence of seven waterfalls and their respective cups, or natural pools that the Río Claro de Molina has carved out of the hard basalt rock over thousands of years. Must-See Attractions: This is an attractive destination for river kayakers, who can dart through the numerous waterfalls and rapids on the Claro river. The rapids vary in difficulty, including beginner and expert levels. Other activities: There are camping areas, scenic viewpoints and trails for the handicapped. Trekking and sport fishing are also popular. How to get there: The main entrance to the park is along the road connecting the city of Molina with the mountain region of Parque Inglés. The road is paved the first 25 km and the rest is gravel. It is accessible year-round. You can also find shared taxi service (colectivos) from the Molina bus terminal. Regional CONAF Office. Phone: (56-71) , SERNATUR Maule. Phone: (56-71) ,

9 ALTOS DE LIRCAY NATIONAL RESERVE Maule Region This reserve showcases ancient, thousand-year-old hardwood forests of roble, lenga and coihues, as well as huge volcanoes like the Descabezado Volcano and the Quizapu Volcano. It is also famous for its excellent trekking trails. Must-See Attractions: There is a 7 km trekking trail in the Enladrillado sector that takes 11 hours, round trip, ascending through the forest until you reach a triangular flat area at the top of the mountain. Many believe this was once a UFO landing site and Ufologists have organized expeditions to the location. Other activities: Camping, observing the animal and plant life, and nature photography are all popular, especially in autumn when the trees turn orange and red. How to get there: The reserve is located 66 km east of Talca, passing through the town of San Clemente. 40 km are paved, 26 are gravel. It is accessible year round, but the winter months can be complicated because of snow on the final 4 km of the road. Regional CONAF Office. Phone: (56-71) , [email protected] SERNATUR Maule. Phone: (56-71) , [email protected]

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