Also known as the Marble Cathedral, Chile’s Marble Caves are considered to be the most beautiful network of caves in the world. Set in the General Carrera lake in Patagonia – the second largest freshwater lake in South America – the caves consist of an intricate system of water-filled caverns which cause an unparalleled spectacle by way of a natural ‘light show’, with the marbled walls reflecting off the azure surface of the lake.
The ecotourist will be dazzled in awe of this natural wonder, not least because of its remoteness right at the southernmost tip of the country.
This remoteness, of course, doesn’t make the Caves the easiest place to visit in the world, but this challenge may suit the ecotourist down to the ground. One way to reach them is to fly from the capital Santiago, 800 miles to the next nearest large city, Coyhaique, and then drive on challenging dirt roads from there 200 miles south to the lake.
For a more environmentally friendly (and relaxing) alternative, and to take the opportunity to see a lot more of the country as well, then thisischile.com offer 12 day tours of the Caves and surrounding area so that your trip across the Atlantic can be as packed as possible. These are the Natural Wonders of Chile tours and the green traveler will be treated to views of some of the Nature’s most impressive creations and formations in South America.
Gochilie.com also offer ecotourism tours of the Lake General Carrera, the highlights of which include the environmentally friendly activities of fishing, hiking, cycling and horseback rides. In a place as naturally beautiful as Chile and the Marble Caves, green traveling becomes a simple matter of getting there without damaging the environment, and then doing nothing more than allowing your eyes one of the most stunning feasts of beauty the planet has to offer.