Cordillera de la Costa

Just an hour or so northwest of Santiago, close to Valparaíso, lies the cordillera de la costa - a tiny mountain range in comparison to the vast, overshadowing silhouette of the Andes to the east. However, in contrast to the arid, snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the Parque Nacional La Campana is a (relatively) lush microclimate, replete with the distinctive Chilean wine palm.

Chilean wine palm

These palms, which at one point were almost rendered extinct, have been reintroduced and flourish in the natural oasis of the national park.

Leg or (tree ) trunk

Their distinctive trunk, grey and with the leathery look and shape of an elephant's leg, dot the hills and valleys of the park, which is overlooked by the eponymous La Campana (climbed by none other than Charles Darwin).

La Campana

Humidity from the sea gets trapped here, allowing the palms, cacti and many other kinds of trees only seen in the south to flourish. The particular microclimate created here brings some of the verdant south to this arid area of Chile. There are no rivers and streams here - the only moisture being brought in from the sea - and yet there is a waterfall.

Microclimate

With a small organised group from the school, led by the indomitable Jacqui, we took an 18km hike across the park, climbing briefly to enjoy the stunning view of the waterfall emerging from the cactus-strewn rocks. The views on our return leg were particular impressive, as an afternoon mist had veiled the distant hills.

Cactus country

Tired, we drove towards home, stopping briefly to recharge our batteries with an enormous and fresh empanada de queso al horno.