Marble Caves of Chile Chico in Chile – photo, description, how to get there, map
An amazing, beautiful and sometimes unexplored world… Today, more and more tourists prefer not to relax on the seashore with daily visits to the beach and night discos, but choose trips that will remain in memory for many years. Traveling 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, of course, are 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 is what they call it in Chile or Lake Buenos Aires. This beautiful place is located in a part of South America, which is located south of the local rivers, in Argentina and Bio-Bio Chile. However, there is still no exact location of Patagonia. Both names are official, which makes it possible to name the same lake, taking into account what your soul lies more in. 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, expanse of Heneral Karera deserves to be called one of the largest lakes in the world. In terms of 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 such a state as Libya on its area. The lake, by its nature, is glacial. It is carefully surrounded by one of the most powerful mountain systems – the Andean Cordillera. The Baker River flows smoothly from 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 Chico 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, though very memorable. In order to get to the famous sights of Chile, you have to overcome almost 2000 kilometers. Nature carefully tried to hide the beauty of marble caves from human eyes. Having gone 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 by deciding to travel around South America. Santiago is an incredibly beautiful and colorful city that will amaze you with its friendliness. Having enjoyed the local life to the full, you should not forget about the original purpose of the trip.
From the capital, you need to go to the nearest large city of Coyaique. An impressive path of 1300 kilometers. But local views will not let you get bored along the way. At this stage, 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 true connoisseur of natural beauties. When you get to the village, which is located in close proximity to the lake, it is worth renting an SUV. This steel assistant will become your true support on your further journey and will help you to get to know the beauties of South America better.
What is the place famous for
The reservoir 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. Caves are like labyrinths of incredible natural creations. The basis of these caves is a calcareous peninsula, located in the heart of Lake General Carera. According to scientists, these numerous caves and grottoes were formed as a result of the influence of the current on them for more than 6000 years.
In fact, the marble caves got their name only for their similarity to a natural mineral, but in fact they are limestone rocks. But still, there is an opinion that certain caves, remote from the human eye, consist of the most natural marble. 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 has been 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, like a magnet, draws people here from all over the world. 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 go around the lake and offer beautiful views of the marble caves to everyone.
Here they go deep into unusually beautiful and spacious cave passages. 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 Cave Sites
The most favorite places for tourists in marble caves are considered to be:
Previously hidden under the power of the glacier, but over time, the glacier melted and presented to the public an incredible creation of nature. Secrets of marble caves. Those stored in the depths have become accessible due to the fact that the water level of the lake has dropped significantly. Local residents are happy to introduce everyone to their attraction.
The Marble Cathedral is a labyrinth of incredibly beautiful caves, as if taken from a fairy tale. Welcomingly meeting its visitors, this place will gladly introduce everyone to its beauties. You can make your way through the intricate plexuses that connect multiple cave passages only by boat. This is because instead of the usual land, an amazing blue water surface flows under your feet, as if the Pacific Ocean itself is reflected in the lake. For its beauty and the corresponding filling of color, this grotto is commonly called the Azure Temple all over the world.
Those who have been in the caves of the azure grotto assure with full confidence that heaven on earth does exist. Although more on the water than on the ground. The water in the marble caves of this grotto is so clear that you can look deep into the lake. If you went on a clear sunny day to travel through the caves, then you are incredibly lucky, 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 part of the cave with itself. When the caves are filled with the sun, they are transformed beyond recognition, it feels like you find yourself in another world that was previously a mystery under seven seals.
Climate and best time to visit
The climate in this area 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 walking on the lake is directly related to the safety of your life. Choosing quiet and calm days, you can enjoy the views of marble caves as safely as possible and get a 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.