Montaña Mágica by Christian Córdova is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Montaña Mágica Lodge or Magic Mountain Lodge is located in the heart of the Patagonian rainforest in the Huilo Hulio Biological Reserve. The Reserve includes 232 square miles of forest. Formerly a logging community, Hulio Hulio was started to promote sustainable tourism and preserve the natural plants, animals, and culture of the region.
Made to resemble a volcano, instead of molten lava, a beautiful waterfall flows down from the top of the Lodge. Built from locally sourced lumber and stone, luscious vegetation grows on the exterior. Rooms at the Montaña Mágica Lodge currently go for about $176 per night. After a day of hiking, exploring the natural wonders, or skiing you can relax in hot tubs carved from the trunks of trees.
UNESCO declared the area a World Biosphere Reserve in 2007. Here you will find glacial lakes, rivers, many endangered species, and the dormant volcano Mocho-Choshuenco. Having been naturally isolated for thousands of years, many of the plant and animal life is unique to this area.
With the growing interest in ecotourism, we may be seeing more places like the Montaña Mágica Lodge springing up. If they are half as unique, interesting, and beneficial as this one, we are in for a treat.
