Description of the attraction
Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is the largest national park in Chile, with an area of 3,525,901 hectares. The flora, fauna and landscapes of this reserve make it one of the most attractive and beautiful places in Patagonia.
Created in 1969, the park stretches from the village of Tortel to most of the Southern Glaciers. The park has large glaciers, the main of which is the Pius XI glacier. The thickness of its ice reaches about 75 meters, this is the height of a 10-storey building. Sometimes pieces come off the glacier and, falling into the water, these icebergs create huge waves, some of which reach ten meters. It is the largest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere and is growing in size every year, unlike all other glaciers. The surface of the Pius XI glacier is more than 1265 km2. Another important glacier of the park in terms of size and fresh water supply on the planet - the glacier of Dr. Juan Bruggen in Patagonia - extends over 1,100,500 hectares.
But this land is covered not only with glaciers. Leaving the snow aside, we can see the Aysen deciduous forest. It is home to a variety of native tall tree species as well as shrubs and flowers. In terms of fauna, you can see penguins, cormorants, ducks, blackbirds, as well as the condor and deer that adorn the national coat of arms. In addition, otters, sea lions, cougars, etc. live here.
The best way to travel through the national park is by sea. These trips take place every day during sailing season through the Ultima Esperanza fjord to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers and to the Pia XI glacier. Here you can disembark and walk along the lagoon with floating icebergs.
