Introduction

The Rumpiato route is the shortest and most straightforward of all those in the Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas. The trail is suitable for both families and people with reduced mobility, and allows visitors to observe a great variety of flora present in the reserve. Its gets its name from the plant by the same name (bridgesia incisifolia) which can be seen along the route and is also an endangered species.

The Long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera), also known as the Chilean chinchilla, is a species of rodent native in Chile and is currently in extreme danger of extinction. The reason for this is its valuable fur, which in the past led to its indiscriminate hunting to create clothing: for example approximately 120 chinchillas were necessary to make a fur coat. Its natural habitat is between Talca and Taltal. Currently, there are only two known locations where you can find chinchillas in the wild. One of these places is La Higuera, some 100km to the north of Coquimbo and the other is in Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas, located 15km to the north of Illapel.

Chinchillas are nocturnal creatures. Their eyes are accustomed to dark conditions and their lack of sweat glands ensure that are not capable of putting up with sun exposure. For these reasons it is almost impossible to see one during a day visit to their natural habitat. However, to compensate for this Conaf have created a “nocturama”, this being a dark room where you can enter and observe specimens of these curious animals, as well as other small mammals which inhabit the zone.

Appropriate season

All year round, but spring is the best season to visit the reserve. In this period, the landscape is greener than usual and there are flowers everywhere.

Access

The nearest village to the reserve is Illapel. See here how to get to Illapel.

From Illapel, head north towards Combarbalá along the paved route D-705, and continue for 15km to the entrance to the reserve. The Conaf administration point is beside the entrance to the reserve. Here you must register, pay the entrance fee and hear an induction talk.

There reserve is also accessible via public transport, with various buses leaving Illapel heading north to La Serena, Ovalle, Calama and El Salvador. The bus company Pullman Bus offers this service. It is also possible to hire a taxi in Illapel to take you to the reserve entrance.

Permits / Prices

The entry fees to the reserve are as follows: adult CLP$2500 (approx. US$5), child CLP$1000 (approx. US$2).

The opening hours are:

• Low season (April – November): Entry Wednesday – Sunday and holidays: 9:00 to 16:30. Close: 17:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
• High season (December – March): Entry all week: 9:00 to 16:30. Close: 17:30. The reserve is closed 25th December and 1st January. 

Accommodation / Facilities

There is no campsite in the reserve; there is only a picnic area to be used during the day nearby the Conaf administration point. It is an excellent spot to have some lunch, with tables and shade, and allows you to observe a variety of local fauna (birds, culpeos and degus).

There is a cabin which can be reserved via the contact information published on the Reserve webpage.

Recommendations

• There are lots of birds in the picnic area alongside the Conaf administration point. If you keep quiet, you will see many different types. It is also common to see culpeo foxes. In the event that you see one of the latter, it is recommended that you don’t feed them.
• Do not miss the “nocturama” if you visit the park, but do not take photos with flash of the animals See photo 7.
• There is no water along the route so it is recommended that you take enough with you before starting the walk.
• As well as the Rumpiato trail, there are two longer trails in the reserve. One of them is route El Grillo and the other is route El Pacul, which is an extension of the first. It is possible to complete all three routes in one day. 

Gear

• Lightweight footwear
• Sun protection.

Schedule

1. Illapel - Reserva Nacional Las Chinchillas - Illapel

• 

  Conaf - Long-tailed chinchilla

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Start of the route

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Sign at start of the route

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Path

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Rumpiato viewpoint

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Descending to the road

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - The return route

• 

  Alvaro Vivanco - Chinchillas in the nocturama