 The spectacular surroundings of Puerto Edén | ||
| Villa Puerto Edén | ||
| region | Region of Magallanes | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 176 (2002) | |
identical information for residents on Wikidata.  | ||
| height | 15 | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Puerto Edén is a place with about 200 inhabitants in Great SouthChile. It is located on the east coast of the Wellington Island in the South Pacific and can only be reached by sea.
The spectacular location on a peninsula, but acutely threatened by emigration, is the most isolated village in Chile, it is in the middle of an almost uninhabited area directly west of the huge one Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, the closest major town Puerto Natales is 400 km south. It houses the last organized community of the Kawesqar- People.
background
Puerto Edén is located in an inhospitable, rough area with an extremely humid subpolar rainforest climate with up to 5,000 mm of precipitation per year and temperatures that rarely rise above 20 degrees, even in summer. The coast is almost everywhere rocky cliffs. The surrounding area is very scenic: Green rainforests and lush meadows are framed by snow-capped rocky mountains.
The place is still young, even if the area has been around since the Middle Ages Kawesqar-Indians who lived there as sea nomads from fishing and to a lesser extent as hunters and gatherers. In 1937 a seaplane route from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales was inaugurated and Puerto Edén was set up as a base. Many of the Kawesqar living in the region then settled in the area around the base. In 1969 Puerto Edén was officially made a town. The inhabitants now live cut off from the outside world and for the most part very simply, their main source of income is the sale of mussels and, to a lesser extent, fishing and the sale of handicrafts. Only when the ferry docks for a few hours twice a week is there some "urban life".
getting there
By boat
There are two ways to get to Puerto Edén:
- with the weekly ferries from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (Information, prices and updated travel times on the Website of the operator Navimag). The trip takes a total of 4 days. These stop in Puerto Edén and are the only easy way to get to know the place. Tip: If you want to use the ferry by car, you should know that the journey from south to north is almost 50% cheaper than from north to south, so traveling via Argentina is recommended.
- with a monthly passenger boat from Caleta tortel close to Carretera Austral.
There are plans to offer tourist trips to the place and also to set up small hotels there, especially because of the proximity to Pio XI-Glacier.
mobility
Everything in the village is within walking distance. There are no cars.
Tourist Attractions
Although the place does not offer any outstanding sights, the grounds themselves are very interesting. The houses were built where they were believed to be without a permit, and the paths are made of wooden walkways. The Kawesqar-Cemetery can be worth a walk.
activities
In the area you can enjoy nature and go hiking. But you shouldn't expect any infrastructure. Paths lead to Eva-Waterfall, for Lake Valdera, to the Río Valdera and the mountains Yetarte and Panchote, the latter as part of a three-day tour.
Since there are no organized tour operators in town (only a few hostels offer short trips), larger trips should be organized in advance and inquired about the current status. The glacier, which is well worth seeing, is close by Pio XIwhich can be reached by boat in a seven-hour drive.
shop
Every time the ferry passes, Kawesqar artisans offer their creations for sale. Also mussels (the one very well known in South American gastronomy cholgas or mejillones-Art) are sold, which is the main source of income for the residents. There are a few small souvenir shops as well as a shop for daily needs.
kitchen
Most of them will probably be fed on the ferry, which also provides the residents with all the food they need. In the village itself only mussels are collected and some fishing is carried out, from which the diet of the population results. There are only small private canteens with local food.
nightlife
accommodation
There is simple family accommodation, and camping is also possible in summer.
- Hostería Yekchal, Ribera Norte S / N. Tel.: (02) 1969650. small accommodation, the owners also offer guided excursions.
- 1 Hostería Puerto Edén, Ribera Sur S / N. Tel.: (02)-1969620. the largest hostel in town, with a canteen.
- Hostería Don Manuel, Ribera Norte S / N. Tel.: (02)-1960677. Hostel with canteen, offers boat trips.
health
Because of the remoteness, despite the small size, there is a fairly well-equipped health station. There are no particular health hazards.
Practical advice
There is only one public satellite telephone in the village, which only works from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is also an internet connection in the local administration.
trips
The glacier 1 Pío XI glacieris one of the largest and most spectacular on the southern Chilean coast, opposite Puerto Edén. Its front is 75 meters high and the breaking off of larger pieces of ice can cause waves up to 10 meters high. Tours have to be organized beforehand.
literature
Web links
- Wed Puerto Edén, Portal of the place (Spanish)
