The Magnificent Marble Caves Of General Carrera Lake, Chile

On April 23, 2014 by Tim Newman

This incredible Marble Cathedral is quite far from home, far from everyone’s home. The caves are resident at General Carrera lake in Patagonia – the second largest freshwater lake in South America. It’s one of the furthest places south before you hit Antarctica. The lake straddles the Argentine / Chilean border so it has the pleasure of two names, General Carrera lake in Chile and Lake Buenos Aires in Argentina.

There are no roads to General Carrera lake, if you want to have a look at it you’ll have to fly to Coyhaique then drive down dirt roads for 200 miles, then get in a boat. Or… you could make do with some pictures for now.

THE RUSSIAN STONEHENGE

The caves marble walls have been hollowed out from more than 6000 years spent next to wishy washy water. The water itself is a startling blue colour thanks to the tiny particles of glacial silt that have gradually washed into it (called stone flour).

THE PEBBLE PALACE OF A DERANGED FRENCH POSTMAN

Depending on weather, time of day, light levels and water levels the colours and patterns vary wildly. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Photographers love it at General Carrera lake, I mean all you have to do is point and shoot and it’s going to look nice ain’t it?

The Chilean government are slowly making plans to develop the area to make it more accessible to tourist with fat wallets, so I imagine its days are numbered unfortunately. That’s the mantra of humankind: