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PUMALIN
PARK
Text: Freddy Neira
Photos: Freddy Neira and Franco Repetto
To
appreciate pristine nature, and to value and protect biodiversity
while acquiring a greater consciousness of the magic and beauty of
the natural world is part of the purpose of Pumalín Park.
Open year-round, those who visit must comply with certain
environmental standards in order to keep this natural paradise intact for
future generations.
Located
in the tenth region in the province of Palena between Hornopirén
and Chaitén, the park consists of approximately 300,000
hectares set aside to be converted into a nature sanctuary and
subsequently transferred to a Chilean organization, the Fundación
Pumalín, to make up the world's largest private
park.
The
idea for the creation of this model project of conservation
was born in 1991 by the iniciative of North American
environmentalist Douglas Tompkin, a regular visitor to
Chile in the 1970's. Gradually, through the environmental
foundation Conservation Land Trust, he acquired lands of an
environmental value unique in the world with the idea of
protecting it from eventual exploitation. Later, he donated
this land to the Pumalín Foundation and was later given charge of its
administration and development.
How to get
there
The
park has entrances to the north and south with Caleta
Gonzalo being in the center, the place where the
infrastructure of public access is found as well as trails for
hikes and access to the sea
lion colony.
The
method of transportation used to get to Caleta Gonzalo depends on the
time of year: in January and February it's by water-route on the
ferry which leaves from Hornopirén every day in direction of
Caleta Gonzalo. For the rest of the year it is necessary to
arrive first in the city of Chaitén (60 kilometers south of
Caleta Gonzalo) and from there travel by ground transportation to
the park. There are two alternatives to get to
Chaitén: there is a ferry from Puerto Montt or from the
island of Chiloé, or it is possible to fly from Puerto
Montt.
In
Chaitén the project Pumalín is centered in an information center
where it is possible to learn about the project history; in
addition, top-notch accommodation is offered in the Puma Verde
guest house.
What to visit?
Leaving
from Chaitén by the main road Austral,
innumerable natural attractions appear, the majority of which are
possible to visit.
The
first of these deserving attention is the Sendero de los Alerces, an
easy-level hike, across an ancient larch tree grove which deserves
proper appreciation at close range, millenarian
trees which populated much of our country before the
arrival of the conquistadors. The path has special signs
informing of the biology and history of the place set aside to
create a consciousness about the importance of conservation of
this unique place on the planet.
At
12 kilometers outside of Caleta Gonzalo is the
Sendero Tronador consisting of a one and a half hour ascent
including crossing a spectacular hanging bridge to arrive at the
base of a lake amphitheatre.
At
only 5 minutes from the trail, nature lovers can appreciate a
scenic view characterized by a series of waterfalls
creating a simply spectacular scene.
Caleta Gonzalo
Numerous
installations making up the coordinating center of the park can be
found such as: camping
areas, information
center, cafeteria
and cabins constructed under strict rules of
conservation.
From
here water excursions are organized along the fiord where it is possible
in a short trip to visit the sea lion colony.
Another
excursion possible from Caleta Gonzalo is the Cascada path, a
3-hour hike through the leafy rainforest to arrive at a beautiful
waterfall in truly amazing natural
surroundings.
For
eco-tourism lovers, Pumalín is without a doubt one of the greatest
places in Chile to practice this form of
tourism with such high calibar regardless of age and physical
ability.
For
this, the construction of 22 camping areas and 12 guided paths within the park
are projected. To date, half of the camps have been authorized, 7 paths in
between Caleta Gonzalo and Chaitén, and one in Termas de Cahuelmó (Cahuelmó
Thermal Baths).
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LOGISTICS
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Access
By land and sea:
If the point of departure is Puerto Montt and you wish
to arrive at the park through Caleta Gonzalo, you have
to make the trip with two ferries. The first crosses
the Estuario de Reloncaví and the trip lasts a half
hour. There are nine daily departures and reservations
are not necessary, tickets are sold first come, first
serve. The second ferry has to be taken in Hornopirén
to Caleta Gonzalo and operates in the summer (January
and February), leaves once a day, the trip lasts five
hours.
Sea: Another way to get to the park is by taking
a direct ferry in Puerto Montt.
Air: The third and final alternative is to travel
in a plane to Puerto Montt. To go to Puerto Montt from
Santiago, see our section on flights.
Accommodations
Alternatives for places to stay in Chaitén
are at Hotel
Mi Casa and Yelcho
Lodge.
Packages
To see
more alternatives of packages for visiting the area,
see our section on packages.
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Find more information about the Park
in www.parquepumalin.cl
Thanks to:
Carolina Morgado
Mireya González
Nicolás La Penna
Rodrigo Eichholz
Venado
Casa Serra
Aeromet
Chaitur
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