{"id":25024,"date":"2024-11-26T13:00:47","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T16:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.midev.cl\/chiletravel\/uncategorized\/destionation-chile-an-eco-experience-with-native-flora-2\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T15:24:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T18:24:37","slug":"destionation-chile-an-eco-experience-with-native-flora-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chile.travel\/en\/blog\/destionation-chile-an-eco-experience-with-native-flora-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecotourism in Chile: An experience for nature fans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know Chile is one of the main ecotourism destinations in the world? Our country has a strong commitment to sustainability, which can be seen in the protection of ecosystems, the promotion of responsible practices and conscious tourism with nature.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Atacama Desert to the Patagonia, the diversity of Chilean native species is impressive. It\u2019s one of the richest countries in terms of flora<\/a> worldwide. It has around 7,000 native species, out of a total of 298,000 in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of fauna, it also has high endemism<\/strong>, with 63 amphibious species, 590 birds, 167 mammals and at least 1120 autochthonous fish.\u00a0In addition, there is enormous diversity:<\/strong>\u00a0from the llamas and alpacas in the north to the whales on the coast.\u00a0Moreover, it\u2019s the country with the highest number of different species of penguins!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to visit Chile but don\u2019t know where to start? We will give you a few recommendations here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The miraculous Atacama Desert<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stretching over 105,000 km2 is the impressive\u00a0Atacama Desert<\/a>, the dryest in the world. Nature here is a true example of resilience, developing unique forms to adapt to the low humidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The animals in the area drink water from the wetlands, salt flats and lagoons. That\u2019s the situation for the South American camelids. Llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicu\u00f1as are used to height and to living under extreme conditions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flora also adapts to the lack of water, with cacti variations that can reach seven meters in height.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And on occasions, the impressive phenomenon of the Bloom Desert<\/a> happens here. Because of the \u201cEl Ni\u00f1o Southern Oscillation\u201d and the Humboldt current, rain falls in the Atacama Desert every few years, giving life to about 200 species of flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

White huilles, yellow a\u00f1a\u00f1ucas and guanaco paws are part of this flower carpet,which can be seen between July and November depending on the rain.<\/strong>\u00a0It can be seen near the locations of Huasco, Vallenar, Copiap\u00f3, Caldera and\u00a0La Serena<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central zone flora and fauna<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the Mediterranean weather and its fertile soils, the central part of Chile is the biggest contributor to the agriculture industry,<\/strong>\u00a0especially in fruit harvesting.\u00a0Cherries are grown here, a real exportation delicacy,<\/a>\u00a0while\u00a0the best wines in the world<\/a> are being produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important treasures in this destination is the Chilean palm<\/strong>, which breaks many records for being the most southern and long-lived palm on the planet. It blooms at 60 years old, and it can live for up to a thousand years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This endemic specie is found in a small area of central Chile, especially in the La Campana National Park,<\/a>\u00a0located 60 km from Valpara\u00edso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of fauna, there is an immense variety of shorebirds along the coast line, while towards the mountains there are species like the\u00a0monito del monte\u00a0or the condor, part of the coat of arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impressive nature of the south of Chile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the south of Chile, one of the last temperate rainforests in the world is preserved, with millenary species like the\u00a0alerce<\/strong>. Also known as lah\u00faan (grandparent), it\u2019s the highest native tree in south America and the second most long-lived specie in the world.\u00a0In fact, in the Alerce Costero National Park you can find the Gran Abuelo, the oldest tree in the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Araucaria<\/strong> also prevails in the south of Chile, a sacred Mapuche tree that was declared a Natural Monument. You can find it in national parks such as the Conguill\u00edo, the Tolhuaca, or the Laguna del Laja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another important specie is the copihue, the national Chilean flower.<\/strong> According to the ancestral tales, its name is attributed to the blood of a heroic and indigenous princess who was in love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo:\u00a0@copihues_chile<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t stop visiting the selva valdiviana (Valdivian Temperate Forest) <\/strong>either, one of the first existing forests on Earth. <\/strong>Out of the total occupation of this ecological region in the world, one third is in the south of Chile.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pumal\u00edn National Park<\/strong>Is one of the most important Nature Sanctuaries in the south of the country, <\/strong>donated by the American Douglas Tompkins, a businessman and committed conservationist to the preservation of biodiversity. This true nature sanctuary is ideal to do ecotourism in Chile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And further to the southernmost corner of the world you can find the Torres del Paine National Park<\/strong>.<\/a> Known as the eighth wonder of the world, it is one of the most important biosphere reserves in the world and one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Sernatur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit the national Parks and reserves in Chile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More than 20% of the territory is a national park or reserve in Chile.<\/strong> They\u2019re areas that reflect the commitment of the country with the conservation of biodiversity, contributing to the protection of our ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a large part of the territory of Rapa Nui is even part of a national park.<\/strong> Famous for its imponent moai statues, this island offers a unique biodiversity and impressive landscapes, with white-sand beaches and shuddering volcanic craters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n