about

What is Valle Cochamó?

In Valle Cochamó, or Cochamó Valley, the Patagonian Andes mountain range rises steeply up from both sides of the turqoise Cochamó River to form sheer granite walls and domes. The constant crash of nearby waterfalls whispers through the alerce trees. In an open meadow next to the river, colorful tents, a refugio and old barn shelters nature lovers that gather to explore the valley's wonders. To learn more about Valle Cochamó, view our photos or read about the news.

Why go to Cochamó Valley?

With no roads and only trails penetrating the valley, Valle Cochamó has become trekker's paradise, climber's Yosemite-like mecca and nature-lover's haven. It's a place to escape the beaten path and enter an area of enormous natural beauty. The valley is filled with outdoor activities such as trekking, climbing, caving, sliding down waterfalls, swimming, hiking, tubing or just bathing on the beach. It's been relatively unknown to the outside world until recently, and once you get to know it, you'll wonder why it's not a park already.

Why does Conservación Cochamó want to protect this valley?

The Cochamó Valley in Chile's northern Patagonia region covers a narrow 250,000 sq. ha. in a u-shaped river basin characterized by granite domes and ancient Valdivian rainforest. It is unique in all the Andes geologically, ecologically, culturally and historically. Since no roads reach the upper valley, it has ever been commercially logged. But there are no current regulations protecting such threats. The discoveries this year of two potentially new species - a carnivorous plant and a previously unknown frog - have attested both to the wealth of bio-diversity possible only in a mature, intact ecosystems and the paucity of sufficient research on the interconnected coastal and mountain forest ecology of southern Chile.

Most recently, internationally known power companies have asked for water rights to build six hydro electric plants throughout the valley and its main tributaries. This has become the most immediate threat to destruction in the valley along with others looming in the distance. To protect both the vistors that enjoy the valley's undisturbed nature and the unique environment of biodiversity, Conservación Cochamó works to intergrate sustainable tourism into the community at a local and national level and solidify legal protection from against commercial use. Please make a contribution to our cause by going to our donate page.

Facts about the valley