Damas Island & Cactus Penguin Humboldt Reserve

The Tour

You will travel to one of the most amazing coastal destinations in Chile and the Southpacific coast that has one of greatest diversity of landscapes and sea fauna in the world: the Humboldt current marine ecosystem uprising, the northern frontiers of Coquimbo´s Green North region and the beginnings of the driest desert of the world: the Atacama. We will travel along the ancient coastal mountain and landscapes to discover its fascinating and enigmatic geographies, shelters, and prehistoric settlements of ancient fishermens, shepherds, miners and farmers, that were controlled in colonial times by feared descendants of indigenous and pirates, the riders of the fog. We will explore beautiful places with extreme diversity of semiarid flora and cactus besides its attractive fauna of foxes, lamas, southernmostl guacamayos and birds of prey. We will reach one of the most renowned marine paradises for the ancient cultures of the Andean world, cradle of the most experienced pre-Columbian fishermen, divers and navigators of Chile: “Los Changos, Choros and Camanchacas” We will navigate the Humboldt Penguin islands to walk and explore its beautiful beaches and landscapes to meet its mythological stone deities with its diverse flora and fauna of seabirds, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, and whales fed it by the Humboldt Current. Be part of the idyllic paradises that gave life to an astonishing past of cults, technologies and exchanges, one of these, the invention of the first mussel fishing hooks and its sea lion leather rafts.

Itinerary

• Departure from your accommodation in La Serena along Route 5 heading north along the ancient coastal mountain range, crossing the Juan Soldado ravine (Chile’s oldest legend), and the geological sanctuary and hidden smuggler’s port of Caleta Hornos.
• Passing through a famous slope where lived decades and centuries ago feared descendants of indigenous fishermens and pirates to reach Los Choros ravine for sightseeing of its flora of cacti, native fauna of foxes, guanacos, and Coquimbo Green North frontiers with Atacama Desert.
• Arrival in Punta de Choros village to begin a 2h navigation and exploration of the Humboldt Penguin Reserve: Gaviotas, Choros and Damas island fauna, beaches, and geographies.
• Landing in Damas island to explore its trails, beaches and landscapes (landing is allowed from Tuesday to Sunday in high season and Thursday to Sunday in low season).
• Traditional Lunch Menu (several options of starters, main courses, sides, dessert, and drinks).
• Stop in Los Choros village, a picturesque, ancient, and historical olive tree farming settlement that was a XVI century conquistadores campsite for Pedro de Valdivia expedition.
• Return to La Serena (17:30h/18:00h)

Tour includes

Transport (AC), bilingual guide, lunch menu with drink, boat tour and ticket.

*Tour requires a minimum of 6 passengers and optimum weather conditions (wind and tides). 

*Tour lasts 10 hours approximately.

Information & Bookings

contacto@tembeta.cl

+56 9 90128608 (Whatsapp)

Instagram @tembetatravelculture