Monday, 23 March 2015

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in the country. A world biosphere reserve, it has a huge variety of plant and animal species which, with its incredibly beautiful setting has made it an almost unequalled destination for hikers and backpackers, ecology-lovers and adventure sportsmen alike. Snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading rivers and waterfalls, glaciers and mirrored lakes: in all respects Torres del Paine national park deserves its reputation.

Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978, the Torres del Paine national park (situated in the Magallanes 12th region in Chile) is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful, unique and uncontaminated places on the planet. It is a place of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, forests and incredible wildlife, all of which make it an exciting destination for wildlife observers and adventure sportsmen alike.

Location
Region of Magallanes y Antártica Chilena, 400 km to the NE of Punta Arenas. Puerto Natales lies 112km to the south east. (Park Map).


How to get there
Santiago to Punta Arenas: by air. Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales: overground. From Puerto Natales to the park (by private and public road), it is posible to go one of two ways. The first is : from the north exit of the city, after approximately 23 km, take the turn-off to the left, 122 km more to the Administrative office. 2) On the same exit north of Puerto Natales, but take the turn-off to the right at kilometer 23, and on this route, you will enter the park through the Porteria Sarmiento, the park main gate.

When to go
Year round.

Opening Hours
Everyday from 8:30 to 20:30

Nearby Attractions
Bernardo Higgins National Park, Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument.

Activities
Fishing, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, kayaking, wildlife observation, photography.

Climate
It is trasandino climate and weather heights ice . The stations with better weather conditions are spring and summer. Average summer temperature : 10.8 ° C . Average maximum summer temperature: 23.5 ° C . Minimum average summer temperature: 0.8 ° C .

Services
Accommodation, meals, transportation


Lauca National Park

Lauca National Park is located in Chiles far north, in the Andean range and is one of the top tourist attractions in Chile. The most spectacular feature in Lauca is the beautiful Lago Chungara, one of the world’s highest lakes. Looming over it is the impossibly perfect cone of Volcan Parinacota, a dormant volcano with a twin brother, Volcan Pomerape, just across the border with Bolivia.

With a surface area of 137,883 ha (303,342 acres), this Global Biosphere Reserve covers the pre-Andean mountain chain and the high plateau of the northeast end of the region of Tarapaca. It has a dry climate with well-defined day and night thermal variations. This park is well-known for being home to a great wealth of flora and fauna, its highly interesting culture and history, and sites of uncultivated beauty. More than 130 different bird species live in this park, in addition to the distinctive vicunas, vizcachas, and condors. A major attraction of the park is the astonishing Lake Chungara, one of the highest lakes in the world, located at the foot of the Payachata twin volcanoes.

Location
Arica y Parinacota Region , 145 km ( 91 mi ) east of Arica. Putre is located approximately 12 km (7.5 mi ) west .


How to get there

antiago-Arica by airplane, public or private transportation. You can go from Arica to Parinacota by bus. By car, leave Arica taking the International Highway CH-11. The border of the park are about 145 km (91 MI) away.

When to go
Year round

Activities
Fishing, mountain climbing, trekking, flora and fauna observation, and cultural tours.

Climate
There is rain in summer and snow in winter. Dry climate with an annual rainfall index of 280 mm (11 in). The average temperature fluctuates between 12° and 20° C (54° and 68°F) during the day and –3° and –10°C (26.6° and 14°F) at night.

Services
Lodging, food, trails.

 
 
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