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TOUR OF THE FOG WATER COLLECTION PROJECT
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This excursion starts in the morning with a drive
north along the Pan American Highway through the "Norte Chico"
a semi arid desert area with scarce vegetation dominated by cactus,
the route continues over long curving hills allowing numerous
views of the dramatic rocky coast. From the road it is possible
to observe a customary thick fog above the hills called the "camanchaca"
which starts in the ocean where the cold Humboldt current comes
into contact with the warmer continental shelf, creating a gradual
evaporation. From the evening till early morning this water
vapour is blown towards the continent where it condenses into
thick fog masses upon hitting the 400 - 1,000 meter high ridge
coastal mountains
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It is this "nocturnal gardener" that waters
the arid climate, even creating microclimates and permitting the
existence of a variety of trees and bushes in a few special places,
like Fray Jorge National Park. Here in an area
known as "El Tofo" there exists a unique "fog
water collection system" possessing 72 nets, each 4
meters wide and 12 meters -high, which supply water to the coastal
village of Chungungo. In a Region where annual rainfall
only ranges between 10 and 70 millimetres a year, this water represents
the vital lifeline of the villages people.
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Departing from the Pan American the tour makes the
700 meter climb to the Fog Water Collection Project. The
drives to the nets goes past the long abandoned iron ore mine
"El Tofo" which once dominated the Region's mining.
Closed in the 1970's the mine is now a ghost town which forms
a fascinating backdrop to the fog nets. After visiting the project
and learning about its history, development and operation the
tour makes the descent to the other side of the Tofo Hill to the
fishing village of Chungungo
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Following the pipes and route of the condensed fog
waters past breathtaking views of arid mountains and ocean it
becomes possible to appreciate the meaning of these precious drops.
In Chungungo the fog water distribution system and some of its
beneficial effects are observed before stopping for a box lunch.
Return to La
Serena.
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For
Information: info@ingservtur.cl
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Reservations: reservas@ingservtur.cl
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Page Beginning
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