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| Cochrane | ||
| region | Región de Aysén | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2.789 (2017) | |
| height | 147 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Cochrane is a small town in Great South in Chile and the largest city on the southernmost section of the trunk road Carretera Austral. It is not far from the large Cochrane Lake on the river of the same name, which has its source there.
background
getting there
Dynamic cardsBy plane
The place has a small runway with rare connections to Coyhaique. Traveling by plane is rather unusual as only small machines can be used.
By bus
There are bus connections to Coyhaique, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Caleta tortel and Villa O'Higgins.
In the street
Cochrane is located on the southernmost part of the Carretera Australthat has not yet been paved. 230 km from the end of the road in Villa O'Higgins and 330 km from the regional center Coyhaique away, it forms the last important center for the southernmost section of the trunk road.
Over the gravel road X-83 north of Lake Cochrane is the border crossing to Argentina on the Paso Roballos only possible outside the winter season. It is the southernmost road connection to Argentina along the Carretera Austral. In winter, the border crossing is in the northerly Chile Chico or at Coyhaique to recommend.
mobility
All streets in the village are paved and there are sidewalks everywhere. The best way to get around this small town with quiet traffic is on foot or by bike.
Tourist Attractions
- Plaza de Armas. The central square of the city.
- Museo de Cochrane, C. San Valtenin, north of the Plaza de Armas. The local museum about the regional history and culture.
activities
Trekking
North of the Río and Lago Cochrane, a little east of the city, there is the possibility of multi-day and one-day hikes in the Tamango National Reserve.
From there there are also continuous hiking trails to the Valle Chacabuco in the North. Hiking maps and information are available on site.
fishing
The clear and fish-rich rivers and lakes are very popular with fly fishermen. There are also guided fishing trips and equipment on site.
Rafting
The Río Baker offers good rafting opportunities. There are tour operators on site and in Puerto Bertrand.
shop
There are several small supermarkets and mini markets, but the offer is not much more extensive than in the rest of the villages in the region. Here, too, the range of fresh produce is relatively small and rather unsatisfactory. The largest supermarket is on the Plaza de Armas.
In the Ferreterias (hardware store or small hardware store) you can occasionally find spare parts for bicycles such as hoses or coats. A bicycle shop can only be found in the Coyhaique.
kitchen
nightlife
- La Querenceria, Teniente Moreno, pub and disco
- El Fogón, San Valentin / Huemules intersection, restaurant and bar
accommodation
Cheap
In addition to some very small campsites in backyards, there are the following cheap hostels.
- Hospedaje Latitud 47 Sur, Río Brown. CLP 10,000 with a good breakfast, but otherwise very unfinished, little hot water, no real cooking facilities at the moment, nice lounge.
- Hospedaje El Bombero, Luis Beaz.
- Hospedaje Ana Luz, Río los Ñadis.
- Hospedaje La Sureña, Teniente moreno 698. Comfortably furnished.Price: CLP 10,000 without breakfast.
medium
In the medium-priced segment, there are a few "Cabañas" (holiday huts) to rent in town.
Upscale
- Hotel Ultimo Paraiso, Río Brown.
health
Cochrane owns the only hospital in the southern section of the Carretera Austral and is therefore crucial for the medical care of an entire region. It is southeast of the center on Bernardo O'Higgins Street.
There is also a pharmacy at the Plaza de Armas.
Practical advice
information
The tourist information is located on the Plaza de Armas at the "Esmeralda".
money
The place is the last one on Carretera Austral by having an ATM. For trips to the south you should stock up on enough cash here. It is located on the Plaza de Armas in the "Esmeralda"
The mobile internet coverage (3G) of the former state provider "Entel" is reliable and fast (other unknown; 02/16).
trips
- Valle Chacabuco. Small tourist center in nature on the X-83 north of Cochrane towards Argentina.
- Rapids of the Río Baker. South on the Carretera Austral on the X-902 turn and follow this (approx. 70 km from Cochrane), there are also campsites and accommodation in the area.
- Confluencia Río Baker. Thunderous union of the Rio Baker with the Rio Neff, within sight of the Carretera Austral 35km north of Cochrane, after a short walk you come to the lookout point directly at the waterfall-like confluence.
- Caleta tortel. Stilt house settlement on the fjord and the mouth of the Río Baker, a popular destination for day trips by bus.
- Puerto Río Tranquilo. Starting point for tours in the Laguna San Rafael National Park and to the famous marble caves ("Cuevas de Marmol") on Lago General Carrera, easy to reach by bus in the high season.
