Cochamó Valley Nature Sanctuary

A natural and cultural treasure of the Chilean Northern Patagonia.

After many years of collective work between the local community, civil society organizations, and public institutions, the creation of the Cochamó Valley Nature Sanctuary was approved. This area spans a total of 11,432.8 hectares and protects 6,500 hectares of mature forest, 1,800 hectares of ancient alerce trees, as well as rivers and riparian wetlands that nourish and give life to the Reloncaví Estuary. It also preserves a geologic heritage that is highly representative of Patagonia, with the Cochamó Valley as its most prominent example.

The request was submitted by the Valle de Cochamó Organization, with technical support from the Puelo Patagonia NGO, at the same time, these organizations have successfully brought together the local community to work around this conservation initiative, including groups such as the Arrieros Association of the Cochamó Valley, the Indigenous Community Antu Lemu No. 1219, the Cochamó Destination Tourism Chamber, the local tourism guild, Neighborhood Council No. 6 of Cochamó, the Cochamó Seniors Club, and the Municipality of Cochamó, among others.

These actions, along with a series of meetings with the relevant authorities—most notably the commitment of the regional team from the Ministry of National Assets—made it possible to establish this protected area. It was a participatory process that helps ensure sustainable management and governance over time.

The next phase for the Cochamó Valley Sanctuary will involve developing a participatory governance model that enables the implementation of a management plan—one that balances the recreational use of the area by the thousands of tourists who visit each year with the conservation of its natural and cultural values.

What does the sanctuary protect?

The primary forests found in Cochamó
The Cochamó River
The riparian wetlands
The North Patagonian Batholith (a massive granite formation in southern Chile)
The region’s diverse wildlife: pudú, monito del monte, Darwin’s frog, puma, Andean condor, and puye grande.
El alerce
Geodiversity: La Paloma, Cerro Arcoíris, Toboganes de La Junta, Cerro Trinidad, and Cerro Anfiteatro.
Indigenous peoples
The route of the mountain muleteers
The self-sufficient muleteer culture and sustainable tourism.

More information available in the instagram oficial @santuariovallecochamo
#SomosSantuarioCochamó

SUMMARY

Project name
Cochamó Valley Nature Sanctuary

Goals
1. Establish a Nature Sanctuary in the Cochamó Valley with governance led by the local community.
2. Protect the natural and cultural heritage, safeguarding its resources for future generations.
3. Achieve planned and responsible tourism that respects conservation objectives and the area's carrying capacity.

Progress
» Creation of the Organización Valle Cochamó.
» Creation of a visitor center staffed by volunteers to manage tourist entry during the season.
» Submission of a Technical Report to Government authorities.
» Request for public land ownership from the Ministry of National Assets.
» The Cochamó Valley Nature Sanctuary is officially established, published in the Official Gazette under decree number 29.
» Administration is entrusted to the Organización Valle Cochamó.
» Planning is underway for effective management of the protected area.