An amazing, wonderful and in places unknown world ... Today more and more tourists prefer not to rest on the seashore with daily visits to the beach and night discos, but choose travel that will remain in their memory for many years. Traveling around the world, we gain invaluable experience, plunging into previously unexplored cultures, cities and outlandish places, the creator of which is none other than the queen of nature. Such places make you realize all the power and omnipotence of natural attractions. Such a place is undoubtedly the marble caves of Chile Chico.
Where to find caves
In the area where the border between Chile and Argentina passes, you can find an incredible lake. Heneral Karera - as it is called in Chile or Lake Buenos Aires. This beautiful place is located in the part of South America, which is located south of the local rivers, in Argentina and Bio-Bio Chile. However, there is still no exact definition of the location of Patagonia. Both names are official, which makes it possible to name the same lake, taking into account what your soul lies more with. The lake is considered one of the deepest in the world. This is not surprising, having such dimensions, even with the naked eye you can determine how large it is.
The immeasurably large, one might say, endless expanses of Heneral Karera deserve to be called one of the largest lakes in the world. By area, the lake, which belongs to two states at once, occupies more than 1800 square kilometers, and its depth reaches 586 meters.
If you just think about the numbers for a second, you can understand that this lake can easily accommodate a state like Libya on its area. The lake is glacial in nature. It is carefully surrounded by one of the most powerful mountain systems - the Andean Cordillera. The Baker River flows out of the lake and gently descends into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Nearby is the small administrative center of General Carera. The village of Chile Chiko is one of the most convenient places from where you can get to the marble caves.
Initially, the marble caves, which are located in the depths of the lake, were completely inaccessible to humans. It was all the fault of a huge glacier that blocked the way, however, over time, the glacier melted and opened a beautiful view of the marble formations in the lake.
How to get there
If you decide that you must certainly see this beauty with your own eyes, then you are an incredibly brave and courageous traveler. The road ahead is long, although very memorable. In order to get to the famous landmark of Chile, you have to overcome almost 2000 kilometers. Nature has carefully tried to hide the beauty of marble caves from human eyes. After going an incredibly long way, you will be adequately rewarded, and you will be able to contemplate the heavenly creation of nature with your own eyes.
The very first thing to do is to get to the capital of Chile, the amazing city of Santiago. Already here you will understand that you made the right choice, deciding to drive around South America. Santiago is an incredibly beautiful and colorful city that will amaze you with its friendliness. Having enjoyed the local life to its fullest, you should not forget about the original purpose of the trip.
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From the capital, you need to go to the nearest large city of Koyayke. An impressive 1300 kilometers long path. But the local views will keep you entertained along the way. At this point, the journey continues to gain momentum. Already from this city there is a bright and colorful path to the south. Only some 300 kilometers separate you from the coveted caves. But is this distance able to stop a real connoisseur of natural beauty. When you get to the village, which is in close proximity to the lake, it is worth renting an SUV. This steel assistant will become your faithful support in your further journey and will help you get to know the beauty of South America better.
What is the place famous for
The reservoir has gained immense popularity all over the world due to the unique formations of the so-called marble. Local residents, as well as tourists who visited these places, gave the name to these rocks - marble caves. The caves are like labyrinths of incredible natural creations. The base of these caves is a limestone peninsula located in the heart of Lake General Carera. According to scientists, these numerous caves and grottoes were formed as a result of the impact of currents on them for over 6,000 years.
In fact, the name marble caves received only for their similarity to a natural mineral, but in fact they are limestone rocks. But still, there is an opinion that certain caves, far from human sight, are made of natural marble itself. However, there is no reliable information confirming this fact. Perhaps this is just a legend, or perhaps the guesses of local residents, because no one was able to get to these caves, carefully hidden in the depths of the lake from humans.
It is not surprising that such a wonderful place attracts people from all over the world like a magnet. A large number of tourists annually visit the marble caves of Chile Chico. Especially for them in the city, local residents organized sightseeing walks along the lake. Numerous boats or kayaks sail on the lake and offer beautiful views of the marble caves for everyone.
Here they delve into the unusually beautiful and spacious passages of the caves. There, in the depths of the marble caves, everyone is given the opportunity to plunge into the boundless beauty of the labyrinths and feel like a part of a natural attraction.
Popular places in the caves
The most favorite places for tourists in marble caves are rightfully considered:
- El Cathedral
- Marble Cave (Las Cavernas)
- Marble Chapel (La Capella)
Previously hidden under the power of the glacier, but over time, the glacier melted and presented an incredible creation of nature for everyone to see. Secrets of the marble caves. Those stored in the depths became accessible due to the fact that the water level of the lake dropped significantly. Local residents are happy to acquaint everyone with their attraction.
The marble cathedral is a labyrinth of incredibly beautiful caves, as if taken from a fairy tale. Welcoming its visitors, this place will gladly acquaint everyone with its beauty. It is possible to wade through the tangled plexuses that connect multiple cave passages only by boats, because instead of the usual land beneath your feet, an amazing blue water surface flows, as if the Pacific Ocean itself is reflected in a lake. For its beauty and the corresponding filling of color, this grotto is commonly called the Azure Temple throughout the world.
Those who have been to the caves of the azure grotto assure with full confidence that heaven on earth does exist. Although more likely on the water than on land. The water in the marble caves of this grotto is so clear that you can view into the depths of the lake. If you set off on a clear sunny day on a journey through the caves, then you were indescribably led, because you will witness how the light of the sun penetrating into the caves is reflected in the water and covers the walls of the caves with all kinds of rainbow colors, filling every section of the cave. At the moments of filling the caves with the sun, they are transformed beyond recognition, it feels like you find yourself in another world, which was previously a secret under seven seals.
Climate and best time to visit
The climate in this region of Chile and Argentina is usually cold and humid, but the lake itself has a fairly warm microclimate. The best weather conditions for walking through the caves, of course, is a sunny day, which is accompanied by an absolute calm of the water surface. The choice of weather conditions for walks on the lake is directly related to the safety of your life. Choosing quiet and peaceful days, you can enjoy the views of marble caves as safely as possible and get the full range of unforgettable emotions from an unusual excursion.
I also recommend visiting Easter Island and seeing the world famous idols with your own eyes.
