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CHACABUCO
Aysén and río Simpson Nature Reserve (Full-day)
You will be collected at the pier in Puerto Chacabuco and will drive on the famous Carretera Austral towards
Puerto Aysen, the second biggest city of the region, with about 15.000 inhabitants. Have a stopover at the local
cemetery to visit the grave of father Antonio Ronchi, al Patagonian pilgrim. He is very famous here because of
his constant fight to improve the bad life conditions of the poor. Your next stop is at the coastal road and its
impressive hanging bridge – a perfect place for great pictures. The tour continues to the Rio Simpson Nature
Reserve of 41,161 hectares. It has a small museum of flora and fauna, an arboretum and a thick “lenga”
(Notofagus pumilio) trunk with its rings dated between 1578 and 1970 where Chile’s history is represented.
Take a stroll to the Simpson River and take photos of the beautiful rough landscape, including the impressive
waterfall “Salto de la Novia”. Afterwards, we will visit the handicraft center at the exit of the city in route to
the pier in Puerto Chacabuco.
Reserva Nacional río Simpson (Half-day)
60 and Coyhaique
You will be collected at the pier in Puerto Chacabuco and will drive eastward along the Río Aysén, towards
Coyhaique. Along the way, you will stop at the Río Simpson Nature Reserve to admire its many waterfalls
tumbling down the steep cliffs, among the most stunning of which are the Bride’s Veil Waterfall (Velo de la
Novia) and the Virgin’s Waterfall (Salto de la Virgen). A small museum in the reserve introduces you to the
region’s unique flora and fauna. When you arrive in Coyhaique, you will visit the Plaza de Armas with its
bustling crafts fair; if you like, you can relax in one of the cafés at the square to watch the busy streets. On
your return to the coast you will stop at a lookout above the Río Simpson to see the “Indian Rock” (Piedra del
Indio), which has eroded into the shape of a human profile. From here you will be taken back to the harbour
in Puerto Chacabuco.