The Cochamó Valley is not officially protected by the Chilean government. Its landscapes and natural attractions are within public and private lands, where access has been opened to the general public, under the slogan of conscious access to the mountain.
In the Cochamó Valley, tourism has grown considerably and in the absence of government support, civil organizations have been working collaboratively for its protection for more than a decade.
Today the authorities have the opportunity to declare "Valle Cochamó Nature Sanctuary", a cultural and natural treasure, and thus join the work of the local community and all the people who watch over its care.
The area has a total of 11,432.8 hectares, between the Hijuelas 5 fiscal property and the private properties that voluntarily wanted to be part of this protection figure".
1000-year-old alerce trees next to 1000-meter granite walls.
What is a sanctuary?
Nature Sanctuaries are all those terrestrial or marine sites that offer special possibilities for geological, paleontological, zoological, botanical or ecological studies and research, or that possess natural formations whose conservation is of interest to science or the State.
Why a sanctuary?
A nature sanctuary recognizes environmental values and is conciliatory with the lifestyles and culture of the people who live there.
A sanctuary allows for the future administration of more coherent organizations, which in this case is the community itself, as has been the case up to now.
Trekkers and guachos sharing a trail in the valley.
Real estate development: impacts the rural communities and biodiversity.
Road development: threaten current sources of employment, livelihoods and traditions; they are also a source of pollution and increase the risk of forest fires and other hazards.
Unregulated tourism: Cochamó Valley is one of the main tourist destinations in the region. To prevent and mitigate its negative effects on the culture and the environment, it's necessary to have a long-term plan.
1. To continue to be a responsible and sustainable tourism destination over time, striving always to minimize our impact.
2. That the ways of life of the local community are respected and preserved.
3. That the natural and cultural heritage be protected, safeguarding its resources for future generations.
4. That the habitat of flora, fauna and fungus species are preserved and are a contribution to science and to the mitigation of the effects of climate change.
5. That its imposing granite walls are protected, ensuring that we can all enjoy them.
6. That people can visit it with awareness and that in tourism development the care of the heritage and its objects of conservation are a priority.
7. That local communities can be part of the governance of the site and participate in responsible tourism.
Ecological and scientific importance
• The native forests present in Cochamó
• The Cochamó River
• The riverside wetlands
• Northern Patagonia's batholith
• The diversity of fauna (pudú, monito del monte, Darwin's frog, puma, Andean condor, puye grande).
• The alerce trees
• Geodiversity (La Paloma, Cerro Arcoíris, Toboganes de la Junta, Cerro Trinidad, Cerro Anfiteatro)
Socio-cultural importance
• Indigenous peoples
• The gaucho mountain trails
• The gaucho's self-sustaining culture
• Sustainable tourism
