- Address: Ualayue, Los Lagos, Chile;
- Website: parquepumalin.cl;
- Phone: +56 65 225 0079;
- Area: 3300 km ²;
- Foundation date: 1991.
Pumalin Nature Reserve invariably attracts tourists who have found themselves in the territory of this country. To date, it has one of the most developed infrastructures in Chile , there is a large administrative center, excellent regular transport links, the park employs specially trained personnel, separate campsites and hiking areas.
History of the park
Pumalin has a rich and very interesting history. In 1991, a well-known environmentalist and climber Douglas Tompkins purchased a deserted plot of land in the riverbed of the Renyue River. At that time, he was engaged in Chile in the rescue of the forests of Valdivian, and so he became fired with the idea of creating a nature reserve on the desert lands near the Renyu River. Tomkins began to expand the land, acquiring neighboring land from the landowners. To date, almost the entire area of the Pumalin Nature Park is the territory acquired by Douglas Tompkins. Since 2005 the reserve began to receive visitors, at the very beginning of activity it was about 1000 people a year, by now this number has grown at times.
What is interesting about the park?
Pumalin Nature Park is located in the Chilean province of Palena, its area is 3300 sq.km. This is one of the few non-state parks, it belongs to a private person, in 2005 it was granted the status of a natural monument.
The main purpose of the creation of this park was the preservation of many species of animals listed in the Red Book and wild plants found only in this region. Along with this, the goal was to admit a man into this wild and beautiful nature so that he could be alone with forests, mountains and waterfalls, independently explore the surrounding and unknown world.
The basis of the park Pumalin - evergreen broadleaf forests, among which there are many endemic species that can be found only in this region. For example, only in this reserve you can find an evergreen fitzroy tree, which has grown beautifully on the territory, thanks to the climate of these places, because in the year about 6000 mm of precipitation falls here. In the midst of vegetation among the footpaths one can sometimes find a Chilean deer pood.
Among the wild vegetation of the park you can find small cheesemakers, apiaries and shops with local products and souvenirs. Not far from the large administrative building of the park are the weaving workshops with benches where you can buy bedspreads and clothes made of natural wool.
In the park in several places are campsites. You can come here with your own tent or rent it in the administrative center. On the territory of the campsite there are barbecues, tables and water. Near the campground are medical stations. Also in Pumalin there is a tourist center where you can relax after a long walk, as well as a restaurant with a national cuisine.
Pumalin is located in the immediate vicinity of Chaiten volcano, after the eruption of which in 2008 the park was closed for visitors for two years. It was one of the strongest volcanic eruptions in the country in the last 15 years.
How to get to the park?
You can get to Pumalin in summer by ferry, which regularly circulates between the village of Ornopiren and the natural park. Summer is the best season for traveling here. The weather is quite mild without long rains and gusty wind.