Natural heritage ·
Forest, volcanoes and water: the natural heritage of the Mocho Choshuenco destination
Temperate rainforest, a Biosphere Reserve and a river basin that starts in Argentina and reaches the Pacific.
Within a few kilometres, the Mocho Choshuenco destination brings together glaciers, volcanoes, rivers, lakes and one of the planet's most unique forest ecosystems.
Temperate rainforest of the southern Andes
The Valdivian rainforest is one of the few temperate rainforests in the world, with a high share of species found nowhere else. Coigüe, raulí, roble, ulmo and tepa grow on its slopes, giving way to lenga forests higher up. It is home to the pudú, the monito del monte, the Magellanic woodpecker, the chucao and the huet-huet.
Biosphere Reserve
In 2007 UNESCO designated the Bosques Templados Lluviosos de los Andes Australes Biosphere Reserve, covering parts of the La Araucanía and Los Ríos regions, to balance forest conservation with the development of local communities.
A binational basin
The water you see in Choshuenco travels a long way. The Valdivia River basin starts in Argentina at Lake Lácar and crosses the Andes along the Hua Hum River to Lake Pirihueico. From there it follows the Fuy and Llanquihue rivers into Lake Panguipulli, then the Enco River to Lake Riñihue, and via the San Pedro and Calle-Calle rivers reaches Valdivia and the Pacific Ocean.
The volcanic complex
Mocho (2,422 m) and Choshuenco (2,415 m) crown the destination with glaciers that feed rivers and lakes all year round.
A shared heritage
Exploring with local guides, staying on trails and practising Leave No Trace is the best way to enjoy this land and keep it alive for future generations.
By Angel Delgado Cárdenas, trip leader de Wechuntu Outdoor · ANGM Mountain Guide No. 37028