Cerro Dragon Hill Chile

Cerro Dragon or The Dragon Hill is a massive sand dune approximately four kilometers long, situated nearby the coast in the city of Iquique in Chile. Cerro Dragons hill is varying in height from 150 to 500 meters. The hill is the largest urban sand dune in the world; only the dunes of the Sahara are higher. The dune is located on slender rocky ledge above a cliff 500 feet high that forms a natural barrier to the sea. It is thought that the Dragon Hill was created more than 20,000 years ago during the last ice age when the sea was out by a further 100 meters, revealing the shoreline to erosion and deposition by wind. Nowadays, the dune represents one of the most distinguishing landscapes of Iquique, and can be seen from throughout the city. Though, in 2005, Dragon Hill was designated a Nature Sanctuary with the purpose of protecting the geological feature from human encroachment, particularly by urban developers. Unluckily, the designation has had diminutive effect. Unfortunately the city dwellers are using the place to dump their garbage. The place is also frequented particularly by Para-gliders and sand boarding lovers.

Paso Internacional Los Libertadores

Paso Internacional Los Libertadores is also called Cristo Redentor, is a beautiful mountain pass in the Andes between Argentina and Chile. This is the foremost transport route connecting the Chilean capital city of Santiago to Mendoza city in Argentina. The route is carries quite heavy traffic with 29 hard switchbacks on a tremendously steep incline; it is also one of the most challenging roads to navigate.

The road starts on the Chilean side with a steep rise, nearly 50 kilometer from the city of Los Andes which lies 70 kilometers north of Santiago. The switchbacks start soon after. The first twenty switchbacks stretch over 4 kilometers with a change in elevation from 2,275 m to 2,550 m. Then road climbs gently for 2 kilometers to an altitude of 2,650 m. The next nine switchbacks take you up to an altitude of 2,800 m over a distance of 2.5 kilometers. From this point, it’s another 5 kilometers to the Chilean immigration post and then two more kilometers to the start of the old road leading up to the summit. 

There’s a few kilometers beyond the Chilean immigration post, at an elevation of 3,175 m, lies a tunnel leading across the border into Argentina. Which was opened in 1980, the tunnel of the Christ is 3,080 m long, and serves as a significant land crossing between Chile and Argentina. Wind combined with the high altitude will make for some pretty slow going, but don’t worry, there’s a refugio at the top where you can take rest over a cup of hot chocolate. The summit is at 3,840m, and it is here that you’ll find the Redeemer statue and enjoy breathtaking views of Aconcagua and out over the valley below.

The path normally closed during winter seasons because of heavy snows blocking both ends and the threat of rock fall and land sliding. The pass on the Argentine side is well maintained and gentler grade and much better sustained. It also carries extra traffic as lot of tourists drive up and back to enjoy the views. From the summit, you will descend approximately 1,000m over 9km before reaching the Argentine immigration post at Las Cuevas. The travelling on this road is best to take on in the summer months, as the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores can close due to snow and severe weather during the winter. On 19 September 2013, approximately 15,000 Chileans got stranded on the Argentine side, when the pass had to be closed for almost 10 hours because of freezing temperatures between 40-50 centimeters of snow.

Laja Falls or Salto del Laja

The Laja Falls or in Spanish it is called Salto del Laja actually is a waterfall located in the Laja River in southcentral Chile. The place is lies next to the old Pan-American Highway, between the cities of Los Ángeles and Chillán. The waterfalls of Laja River have formed a narrow canyon and its surroundings of the waterfall are much commercialized. Laja Falls contains four horseshoe shaped falls one on each arm of Laja River, and the tallest is 35 m and the easternmost fall, but the western falls are 20 m tall. Total width of all four falls approximately 455 m. In the summer the Salto del Laja chutes originate abundant foam that, by the effect of the solar rays, produces uncountable rainbows. The surrounding landscape is composed by vegetation of the steppe-type, which complements its beauty.

It is a unique panoramic sight that offers an almost complete view of the entire waterfall. While the other falls, though smaller, preserve the fierceness of these waters intact and entice visitors to shoot various photographs. Downstream, a group of motorboats invites tourists to come close to the falls. A distinctive tour for the most adventurous which is well protected with all safety measures so as to avoid any risks.

This is only about freshening up for a few moments. Another feature of Laja Falls is providing accommodation options which include inns and cabins that invite tourists to stay and see the surroundings of this attractive spot. They can practice adventure sports such as river rafting, horseback riding, swimming, and hiking and, photograph of these spectacular waterfalls. In 1756 the place has been a center of disputes and conquests and, obviously, one of the natural boundaries of the territories famous as Laja Island. The main waterfall, which may be appreciated from the bridge on the road, is the highest fall and most scenically appears in all postcards and photographs. 

Source: Charismatic Planet 

"Fitz Roy" Argentina and Chile.

Human nature is always looking for something different and incredible, like Fitz Roy, which is covered by heavy snow actually a breathtaking mountain. Monte Fitz Roy is also popular as Cerro Chaltén, Cerro Fitz Roy, or Mount Fitz Roy is a mountain located near El Chaltén village, in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in Patagonia, on the border between Argentina and Chile. This is extremely popular tourists destination including Laguna de Los Tress Lagooon, Torre, and the nearby climbing the Cerro Electrico. It is also famous for mountain trekkers which circuits and departure from El Chalten offering amazing mountains views.

There are 15 routes to reach the mountain peak, and challenging indeed for climbers, and it remains among the most technically challenging mountains on Earth for mountaineers. In winter, snow scenery is on their peak with the clouds surround them must be one of unique natural phenomenon. Fitz Roy mountains range is very popular among the tourists of different countries, to watch the real beauty of mountains and sky. The climbers and trekkers are really inspired with the beauty of Fitz Roy. All tourists’ facilities are available here along with food restaurant, who are always in action to offering you delicious and tasty foods. It’s a safe and sound place for your winter holidays with your family. The mountain is first climbed by French Alpinists Lionel Terray and Guido Magnone in 1952.  

Francisco Moreno unearth the mountain on March 12, 1877, and named it Fitz Roy, well inspired from Robert FitzRoy, who was captain of the HMS Beagle had travelled up the Santa Cruz River in 1834 and charted large parts of the Patagonian coast. Fitz Roy was only one of a number of peaks the Tehuelche called Chaltén. Fitz Roy has a reputation of being “Ultimate” in spite of its average height, but sheer granite, and long stretches makes him arduous technical climbing mountain. The weather of this region is exceptionally inclement and treacherous. World’s famous photographers really inspired the beauty of this area due to its otherworldly shape. Despite of recent development of El Calafate international airport and El Chalten village, the area is still fairly accessible.  

Source: Charismatic Planet