The cruise from Puerto Montt to Puerto Chacabuco is part of the routes of what is called Patagonian Cruise or Chilean Fjords Cruise.
The Rio Simpson National Reserve which is in between Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Coyhaique boasts some of the most beautiful landscape in Patagonia.
Puerto Aisen which is 9 Km upstream of Puerto Chacabuco was once the main port in the Aisen Fjords. Over the years, the waterway however was rendered less navigable as a result of silting by ashes from the great burnings of the Patagonian forests and soil erosion. The port was moved further to the coast where Puerto Chacabuco now stands for better navigation. According to the local guide, the forest burning took years to finally die off because fire burnt deep into the peat soil and dry roots deep below the ground.
Burning of forests to create pasture lands and crop lands is a traditional practice but has since been outlawed in many parts of the world. Still, this practice persists. The recent massive Brazilian fires in August 2019 were said to be human-lid with the intention to create cattle ranges and farm lands.
According to the local guide, Rio Simpson Reserve was once virgin jungle grown with massive huge trees. After the fires, much of the areas is scrublands and grasslands. It will take years before the replanted trees become Giants!
Puerto Aisen which is 9 Km upstream of Puerto Chacabuco was once the main port in the Aisen Fjords. Over the years, the waterway however was rendered less navigable as a result of silting by ashes from the great burnings of the Patagonian forests and soil erosion. The port was moved further to the coast where Puerto Chacabuco now stands for better navigation. According to the local guide, the forest burning took years to finally die off because fire burnt deep into the peat soil and dry roots deep below the ground.
Burning of forests to create pasture lands and crop lands is a traditional practice but has since been outlawed in many parts of the world. Still, this practice persists. The recent massive Brazilian fires in August 2019 were said to be human-lid with the intention to create cattle ranges and farm lands.
According to the local guide, Rio Simpson Reserve was once virgin jungle grown with massive huge trees. After the fires, much of the areas is scrublands and grasslands. It will take years before the replanted trees become Giants!
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| The mountainous Rio Simpson National Reserve has many snow-covered ridges and peaks. |
Virgin Falls along Puerto Chacabuco - Coyhaique Road.
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Have we been to Coyhaique? We did, for just 30 minutes, barely enough time to pick up a cup of coffee and to look at souvenirs and stuff at some of the little stores targeting tourists!
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Snow-capped mountains clearly visible from our cruise ship berthed at Puerto Chacabuco.
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