Chacayal lagoon viewpoint
On this excursion, our destination will be a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Laguna Chacayal, one of the most important wetlands in our mountain range, dominated by the highest peaks of San Fabián. To reach it, we'll hike through beautiful native forests with abundant Andean plum trees (Prumnopitys andina) and viewpoints offering stunning vistas of the Nevado de Chillán volcano. At the viewpoint, we'll use binoculars to observe the different species of ducks swimming in the lagoon. Leaving early, we can go down to the lagoon for a swim or use packrafts, or stop to cool off in the Ñuble River on the way back.
We will meet at the San Fabián police station to travel together by vehicle to the El Caracol sector (30 minutes). After that, we will cross the Ñuble River by small boat, using a traditional river crossing technique in the Andes Mountains. Our horses will be waiting for us on the other side. After introductions and an orientation, we'll mount our horses to begin our adventure, riding through beautiful native forests. Along the trail grow tree species such as raulí (Nothofagus alpina), canelo (Drimys winteri), lleuque (Prumnopitys andina), mañío (Podocarpus salignus), coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi), arrayán (Luma apiculata), and hazel (Gevuina avellana), among others. In spring and autumn, the pink flowers of the copihue (Lapageria rosea) stand out, intertwined among the foliage of the trees. We might hear the tapping of Magellanic woodpeckers (Campephilus magellanicus) and the calls of chucaos (Scelorchilus rubecula). We'll take a break to stretch our legs and drink water after an hour and a half of horseback riding. Then we'll continue to a viewpoint that will surprise us with its scenic beauty. Before returning by another route, we'll enjoy the spot with a picnic lunch, relax, and admire the landscape: the lake, the Colorado and Pila hills, and the ducks swimming in the lagoon. For the more adventurous, we can arrange to bring packrafts (inflatable kayaks) to paddle on the lagoon.
