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- Lircay River gorge and waterfalls — Narrow, rocky channels where the river cuts through the reserve make for dramatic cascades and clear swimming pools. The sound of water and narrow canyon walls give it a canyon-like feel you don’t get on flatter forest walks; great for cooling off after a steep climb and for photography.
- Nothofagus (southern beech) forests — Dense stands of lenga and raulí with moss-draped trunks and a shady understory feel almost cathedral-like. The light filtering through these native trees and the rich understory plants make the forest a highlight—calmer, wilder and more primeval than many commercial park trails.
- Panoramic ridge viewpoints — A handful of short climbs open onto broad ridgelines with sweeping views of the Maule valley and the Andean foothills
- Lircay River gorge and waterfalls — Narrow, rocky channels where the river cuts through the reserve make for dramatic cascades and clear swimming pools. The sound of water and narrow canyon walls give it a canyon-like feel you don’t get on flatter forest walks; great for cooling off after a steep climb and for photography.
- Nothofagus (southern beech) forests — Dense stands of lenga and raulí with moss-draped trunks and a shady understory feel almost cathedral-like. The light filtering through these native trees and the rich understory plants make the forest a highlight—calmer, wilder and more primeval than many commercial park trails.
- Panoramic ridge viewpoints — A handful of short climbs open onto broad ridgelines with sweeping views of the Maule valley and the Andean foothills beyond. These lookout points are the payoff for the effort: wide skies, layered mountains, and especially special at sunrise or late afternoon when the light sculpts the landscape.
- High-altitude meadows and seasonal wildflowers — Above the tree line the trail crosses open, grassy pockets that explode with color in spring and summer. It’s a quieter, more exposed landscape where small streams thread the meadow and you can really appreciate the contrast between forest and puna-like scenery.
- Quiet wildlife and birdwatching opportunities — The reserve hosts a mix of small mammals and birds adapted to central Chile’s mountains; expect to hear chucao-like song, spot small birds flitting through the understory, and occasionally glimpse a fox or other shy mammals. Fewer crowds means better chances of seeing animals behaving naturally.
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Gong Bath in the Magic Forest in San Pedro de Atacama
Geysers del Tatio
Aire Libre - Astro Tour with big telescopes
Ascent of Toco Volcano
Full Atacama - SORBAC (group tours)
Arica-Lake Chungara-Salar de Surire (3diasy2nights)
Sandboard activity in Iquique with transfer
Astrophotographic tour with Andean worldview
Private Tour of the Moon Valley
Best Backpacking
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.