On this day trip to Damas Island, we'll visit the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, a unique enclave where we'll discover its landscapes and local fauna.
Tour Details
On the day of the activity, we'll pick you up from your hotel in La Serena at the indicated time. During the journey, you'll enjoy the sights of the Quebrada Juan Soldado, famous for being Chile's oldest legend, and the geological sanctuary of Caleta Hornos.
After approximately an hour, our first stop will be in the Quebrada Los Choros, where you'll discover the native flora and fauna of this region that marks the beginning of the Atacama Desert. Afterward, we'll continue our drive for another 30 minutes to the small cove of Punta de Choros. Once we arrive at this pier, we'll embark on an exciting boat trip that will take us to the main islands of the famous Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve. You'll be amazed by the marine fauna of this Chilean archipelago!
We'll first sail along the coast of Choros Island, where we'll see its large colony of Humboldt penguins from the boat. We'll also spot sea lions and marine otters along the coast. The island is also an important ornithological enclave, as it serves as a habitat for numerous species of birds, such as pelicans and boobies.
The trip through the reserve will continue to Damas Island, where we'll see bottlenose dolphins in the waters. We'll also take the time to anchor at this island, where you'll have an hour of free time to stroll along the paradisiacal beach of Las Tijeras. In order to preserve its spectacular pristine scenery, it's forbidden to swim, eat or drink on this beach.
Our boat trip will come to an end as we return to the departure pier in Punta de Choros. Once ashore, we'll head to a restaurant where you can refuel with a delicious Chilean lunch. The menu includes a starter, main course, dessert, and a drink. Don't worry if you're vegetarian–there are options for everyone!
Before returning to La Serena, we'll stop one last time in the historic town of Los Choros. This charming town is known for its ancient olive trees and for being a campsite used by Pedro de Valdivia, the conquistador of Chile, during his expedition. After a stop in this village, we'll finally return to your hotel in La Serena, where arrival is scheduled about 10 and 11 hours after pickup.
Animal Sightings
The Choros and Damas islands are the best places in the Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve archipelago to see marine wildlife. However, animals are unpredictable. The sighting of a greater or lesser number of specimens will depend on various factors, such as the weather at the time, or the mating seasons of the different species.
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