Cochrane

Cochrane is the provincial capital and the last town that crosses the Carretera Austral, has around 4 thousand inhabitants and it is 207 miles to the south of Coihaique. ; The city of Cochrane was founded in 1954 under the name of Pueblo Nuevo (New Town), today under the name of Cochrane is the flight connection hub towards the inner lakes and the coast.

Cochrane was discovered in 1899 by explorer Hans Steffen, who traveled the Baker River for the first time. In 1908, this land was rented to the Overexploitation Society of the River Baker (Sociedad Explotadora del Rio Baker), constituted by cattle dealers from Magallanes who brought sheeps from Argentina. Its administrator and main partner was Lucas Bridges, son of the Anglican shepherd who founded Ushuaia and second man of white race born in Tierra del Fuego. Today, the Estancia Valle Chacabuco survives, and has around 62 thousand hectares.

Cochrane was drawn up in 1930, in order of the government interest to create urban areas in the yet isolated Chilean territory.

Nevertheless, until 1954 only counted on a school and on one grocery store. That year the public services were settled. Today the town of Cochrane has lodgings, supermarket, gasoline, telephone, fax, hospital, bank and a cultural center that has began to gather its recent history in a museum.

From Cochrane, you will be able to visit the Baker River waterfalls, where there is a footpath that you can go through: the North Ice Field, the Cochrane lake, among others. During your journet you will observe the local fauna and its most noble national representative: the huemul, protected in the Tamango National Reserve.

Highlights in the area:

Tamango National Reserve

The Tamango National Reserve is located 5 miles from Cochrane and occupies a surface of 6,925 hectares protected by CONAF.

Here, in the Tamango National Reserve, a large community of huemules that belongs to the Cervidae family, that reaches 39 inches of height and 154 pounds of weight, are protected.

The flora of the Tamango National Reserve is constituted mainly by lenga and coihues that can be observed in the guided visits that are carried out.

There are cabins, camping  and picnic areas as lodging options.

Puerto Bertrand

Puerto Bertrand is a colorful village that received the production of the Gran Estancia Sociedad Explotadora de Baker, a cattle ranch; founded in 1908 and which had its center in the Cochrane Valley. counts on telephone, warehouse, emergency hospital, school, wharf, excellent boats in leasing, hostel, inn cabins, lodge of fishing and camping.

Baker River

The Baker River displays waters of an impressive turquoise color and a surface full of whirlpools. It is the mightiest river of Chile and crosses 124 miles until the sea, in Caleta Tortel.

In mile 12 are located the five cabins Rapids of the Bakú River, with a restaurant for visitors. In this place are organized fishing trips. In mile 19, hike to the Cuesta del Diablo hill, from which you can be observed the encounter of the Baker river with the Nef River of milky waters originating from the ventisquero[1]..

Baker Fall

Asking for clearance in the Cabins Field Baker (Cabañas Campo Baker), in Puerto Bertrand, you can walk through a footpath of 1.968 feet to visit it.

North Ice Field and San Valentin Mountain

It is an enormous continental ice field with ravines and summits appears among eternal ices. There are numerous ventisqueros that flow into rivers and lakes which end into the Baker River. It is impressive as the river and the quarry cross this ice bulk that continues in the South Ice Field until the Torres del Paine.

San Lorenzo Hill

The San Lorenzo hill is located 26 miles from Cochrane, by the Southeast. It has abundant vegetation on the slopes and reaches 12.139 feet of height. Its summit remains with snow throughout the year.

Cochrane Lake National Reserve

The Cochrane Lake National Reserve is 6 miles to the east of Cochrane and its surface is of 10.796 miles, shared with the Argentine Republic. As its relief is rough, you can arrive to it by sailing through the Cochrane River. Its waters shines with  an intense blue color and are perfect to practice sport fishing.The surrounding are the habitat for the communities of huemul that you will be able to observe in guided visits.

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