There are several incredible attractions in the city of Valdivia, Chile that you must visit, and lately, a series of attractions found in the outskirts of the city offering unique encounters with exuberating nature.

 

Some of them are easily accessed in vehicles, walking or on horseback, and others through navigation.  You cannot forget that Valdivia is well-known for its over 280 km of navigable rivers.  In town you can find a wide range of tour companies who offer from one hour navigation programs up to a whole day, including meals and tours through the Valdivia, Cruces, Calle Calle and Cau Cau rivers.  Here are some of the new destinations:

 

1. Fundo Teja Norte: The place features open spaced areas and native forests with trails to cover on foot or horseback.  Despite its closeness to the city, it showcases a surprising selection of Valdiviana rainforest vegetation, sheltering big sized trees, climbing, ferns and herbaceous plants, not forgetting the bird communities proper of these ancient forests.

 

2. Altos de Cutipay Park: This private conservation initiative is located 4 km away from Niebla.  Its main attraction is the conservation of birds that nest during the summer.  The premise is equipped with an interesting educational forest, integrating a guided trail network and a wide range of equipment to learn more about the environment while enjoying the outdoors.

 

3. Senderos del Bosque: Located within a 31 hectare area only a few kilometers away from Valdivia, it shelters a biological treasure in a place filled with symbolism.  It can be accessed on public transport from Valdivia, leaving you 3 km away from the area, where accommodation and food services are found.

 

4. Punucapa: On the western shores of the Cruces river, enjoy nature and the presence of cormorants, black-necked swans, or listen to the chucao.

 

5. Carlos Anwandter Nature Sanctuary: It originated in the 1960 cataclysm, when large riverside areas of the Cruces River sunk resulting in a one and only 6 thousand hectare wetland.  This area became the most important breeding ground worldwide for black-necked swans.  You can reach it by way of land or navigating.

 

6. Punta Curiñanco Reserve: It is accessible through public transport or on vehicle on the coastal route.  On the “murta” and “chungungo” trails, not only is it possible to observe land fauna, but marine as well.  On the other hand, the “olivillo” coastal trail leads to an impressive cathedral forest of amazing extent, reached by crossing an altered area undergoing a recovery process.

 

7. Pilunkura Reserve: Walking tours along trails with specialized guides are offered, oriented mainly towards environmental education.  Here you can discover a great diversity of fauna, going from the Darwin frog, the black woodpecker and the chucao, up to dolphins and whales, that show up during summer and fall.