”FRAY JORGE NATIONAL PARK & EL ENCANTO VALLEY” Tour

”FRAY JORGE NATIONAL PARK & EL ENCANTO VALLEY” Tour

FRAY JORGE NATIONAL PARK & EL ENCANTO VALLEY IN CHILE. Fray Jorge National Park and El Encanto Valley offer a fascinating journey through two of northern Chile’s most unique and contrasting natural landscapes. Located in the Coquimbo Region, near the coastal city of Ovalle, these destinations combine biodiversity, ancient history, and striking scenery, making them an exceptional experience for nature and culture enthusiasts. Fray Jorge National Park is internationally recognized for its extraordinary ecological phenomenon: a lush temperate rainforest thriving in an otherwise semi-arid environment. Thanks to the coastal fog known as camanchaca, moisture from the Pacific Ocean sustains dense vegetation on the hilltops, creating a green oasis above the dry lowlands. Visitors can walk along well-maintained trails through forests of olivillo trees, ferns, and mosses, while enjoying panoramic views of the coastline and the surrounding steppe-like landscape. The park is also home to a variety of native wildlife, including foxes, birds of prey, and numerous endemic plant species, and has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

In contrast, El Encanto Valley offers a deep connection to Chile’s ancient past. This remarkable archaeological site is known for its extensive collection of petroglyphs carved into large stone formations by pre-Hispanic cultures over a thousand years ago. The engravings depict animals, human figures, and geometric patterns, providing insight into the spiritual beliefs and daily life of the region’s early inhabitants. Surrounded by rolling hills, desert vegetation, and a serene atmosphere, El Encanto Valley invites quiet reflection and exploration. Together, Fray Jorge National Park and El Encanto Valley present a powerful contrast between living ecosystems and ancient human heritage. The combination of green forests sustained by coastal fog and timeless rock art set within a semi-desert landscape highlights the extraordinary diversity of Chile’s natural and cultural environment. Visiting these two sites offers a rich and unforgettable experience that showcases the depth, history, and beauty of the Coquimbo Region.

Itinerary

• We depart from our hotel in La Serena and travel south toward Fray Jorge National Park, a site recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Covering nearly 10,000 hectares, this protected area is home to a unique humid forest whose vegetation closely resembles that of southern Chile, despite being located within a semi-desert coastal zone.
• This extraordinary Valdivian-type forest exists thanks to the constant presence of coastal fog, which provides the moisture necessary for its survival. As we walk along its trails, we encounter cinnamon trees, olivillos, ferns, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, creating a striking green oasis above the arid surroundings.
• Our journey then continues to the Valley of Enchantment, a National Monument renowned for its significant archaeological heritage. This area preserves numerous remains left by ancient cultures such as the El Molle, Diaguita, and Inca civilizations. The valley is particularly notable for its impressive rock art, including petroglyphs and carved stones, which continue to be the subject of scientific and historical research.
• Following this cultural exploration, we proceed to the city of Ovalle for a brief panoramic tour, allowing us to appreciate its local character and surroundings.
• At the end of the excursion, we return to our hotel in La Serena, concluding a day rich in natural wonders and ancestral history.

Includes

• Guide service in Spanish and English.
• Private round-trip transportation.
• Entrance to Fray Jorge National Park.
• Entrance to El Encanto Valley.

Does not include

• Lunch is not included on this tour.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Professional guide in French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. If you would like a guide in these languages, please request one in advance and pay an extra fee, subject to availability.
• Other services not described in the program.

Notes:

• OPERATION: Departure every day.
• Level of difficulty: Low difficulty.