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Visiting Cochamó Valley means also to see, touch and
smell one of the biologically richest forest in Chile. The evergreen
rainforest has huge stands of native trees, bushes, flowers, edible
fruits and plants. A well marked Nature Trail at Campo Aventura mountain
lodge, accessibe by horse while riding The Pioneer Trail gives detailed information about flora and fauna.
The monarch of the ancient Chilean forest is ALERCE (Fitzroya
cupressoides), the oldest and, at up to 4 metres in diameter, among the
largest trees in the southern hemisphere. Named lahuén by the mapuche
Indians, the Alerce seeds only when 200 years old and lives up to 3,600
years. Like the Sequoia and the Red Cedar of the Pacific Northwest,
Alerce produces a straight-grained, rot-resistant, red-brown wood. It is
easy to work and is widely used for split shakes and shingles. Alerce only
grows in the cool wet climate found between 39th° and 43rd. Because of
the high quality of the wood it was heavily logged in the past which led
to overexploitation. Since 1976 Alerce is protected as part of Chile's
Natural Heritage. The greatest concentration of Alerce trees can be
found between the fjord Reloncaví and the Volcanó Hornopiren. The slow
growing Alerce can be visited in the following areas: La Junta at Cochamó
Valley, El Arco at Cochamó Valley, National Park Alerce Andino and at
the Pumalin Park. Alerce trees are categorised by UNO as one of the
wonders of the world.
The ARRAYAN tree, (Luma apiculata) is and was used for its medicinal
properties. The aromatic leaves of the Arrayán are used in teas, in any relation of
estomacal infection or diarea. In the past Arrayán was not only known as a
friend of the estomac, but the leaves are used to treat gripal infection,
cough, mouth infection or tooth pain (to gargle, to do lavages). These
are only a few properties of this nice tree, which has optimal growing
conditions in the Cochamó Valley. Arrayán leaves treat perfectly cough,
any mouth infection or tooth pain.
Traditionally the indians planted a CANELO tree (Drimys Winteri) with
every child borned, as a symbol of peace. Especially the leaves and the
bark of the Canelo tree is and was used in local medecine long ago. They ate
the powder of the
bark for estomac and made teas from leaves and bark to treat headaches,
estomacal pain, high temperature, curvey and tiredness. Canelo is known as the
cinnamon tree, the sacred tree of the Mapuche Indians is also considered
as one of the most ancient angiosperms of the planet. Adding Canelo
leaves to your bath is very efficient to treat any reumatical pain.
The beautiful, summer-flowering ULMO tree (Eucryphia Cordifoliatree) is
indigenous in the south of Chile and famous for its distinctive honey.
The abundant white flowers, 4 to 5 cm big (similar to wild roses and
also because of their sweet perfume) mark a lively contrast in the dark
green rainforest. The caracteristic taste of the nectar made "miel de
Ulmo" a speciality of the south.
While hiking through this dense rainforest, not only the big trees are
impressive but Chile's firebush, the wild fuchsia, the wonderful
national flower, named Copihue as a lot of other bushes with even edible
berries.
Bird watching is fantastic at Cochamó Valley, even when you are not a
specialist you'll recognize different kinds of hummingbirds, seen from
spring to autumn.
The most impressive bird is the andean condor. Watch for this huge bird
which is common at La Junta; it can be recognized by its white fluffy
neg. The condor, "Vultur gryphus" has the largest wings of any bird (almost
2m2 surface). There are over 450 species of birds in southern Chile.
The large blue and orange colored kingfisher is very common in the lower
part of Cochamó River. They dive into the water to catch fish with their
long beaks. They build their nests in burrows in the riverbank.
In the valley, you can hear calling different typical birds of the area.
One of them is the Chucao with its musical chuckle from which it takes
its name; it is said that if it calls from the right side to portend
good luck. Another very common sound is the buff necked ibis or
bandurria as well as the chilean lapwing, a famous protector of the
fauna due to its alarming cry. The chilean lapwing, (Queltehue or Treile)
nests on the ground and uses lots of ploys to drive everybody away.
Not to forget the Puma living throughout the Andes and Cochamó Valley;
he is mostly nocturnal and very shy. Young Pumas are born with spots
which disappear with age. Other chilean forest cats are the gato montes
andino or the güiña (gato pintado), living up in the trees which is
their favourite refuge. The Pudú inhabits the valdivian rainforest, eats
herbs leaves and a wide range of vegetables.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, DETAILS AND PICTURES ABOUT THIS ECOLOGICALLY
SIGNIFICANT VALLEY ORDER THE BOOKLET ABOUT
COCHAMO VALLEY, CHILE'S NATURAL SECRET, edited by campo aventura, 38
pages, full colored, photos, english language
Order by e-mail: info@campo-aventura.com
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