Walking by the shoreline, fresh wind blows on our faces. The rhythm of the waves set the pace as we pass through shrubs, cactus and rocks. Penguins, sea lions and seabirds give narrative to the immense ocean.
In Coigüe we have designed a program based on two short walks that allows you to maximize the opportunities of enjoyment and contemplation in direct contact with the wild nature present on Chile Central Coast; full of biodiversity, endemism and amazing landscapes.
Come with your family and friends to live a unique experience with us, and let’s explore together the natural attributes present in the meeting of land and sea.
Driving two hours north from Santiago (116 miles) we will arrive to our first destination; Puquén, Los Molles Bio-park is a pristine protected area that maintains the natural wonders of Chile central coast which represents a unique scenic beauty thanks to its geography and great biodiversity. Here, visitors can admire species represented by steppe shrub and abundant flowers that paint the landscape with a wide palette of colours.
In this recognized priority site for conservation we can also observe multiple geological formations that comprise the place. Among the main attractions, we will find a blowhole called Puquén, which in Molle language means “whale blow”. It consists of a sea cave produced by water erosion that when the tide is high the water passes landwards through a vertical shaft resulting in blasts of water and wind reaching amazing heights. Next to this, we can admire a “Lobera”; an island that contains a huge colony of South American sea lions, where it is possible to see their activities and listen to their shouts. Also there is another island, where it is possible to see a population of Peruvians boobies during their reproductive period (from November to February).
We can also find a paleontological interest zone near the shore, where we will see a giant rock with fossil records of plants from the Triassic period.
By the afternoon we will drive south for about 30 minutes until Cachagua passing by the coastal towns of Papudo and Zapallar. At this last stop a short walk of 1.5 miles is offered by a beautiful trail that goes along the coast line. During the way we´ll have the opportunity to encounter amazing wildlife, highly recommended for bird lovers. We will pass by the tourquers watters of Las Cujas beach and finish at Cachagua beach. At a corner of this extensive sand field the group will have some moment to watch –from about 300 feet away- a refuge of an amazing wildlife; The Natural Monument of Cachagua Island in which 14 species of coastal and oceanic birds have been registered, making this protected area a fragile and unique ecosystem. Among these birds, there is one that can only survive thanks to the conditions offered by this island; The Humboldt Penguin; An endemic bird of the Humboldt current which inhabits almost the entire Chilean coast and the south of Peru. Here you can closely contemplate a population of these flightless birds, and If we’re lucky we can meet the Chungungo, the smallest marine mammal in the world.
* Whole circuit back to start point
PAX | USD |
---|---|
4 + | 160 |
3 | 180 |
2 | 220 |
1 | 330 |
Not included:
Pictures taken on November 16, 2014.