2 Best Sights in The Central Valley, Chile

This 10,000-acre national reserve, 70 km (43 miles) southeast of Curicó, is famous for the unusual "Seven Teacups," a series of pools created by waterfalls along the Río Claro (although it is more accurately five teacups since the 2010 earthquake displaced two). The falls are a short hike from the park entrance, where you'll find a CONAF station. Farther along the trail are two other impressive cascades: the Salto Velo de la Novia (Bridal Veil Falls) and Salto de la Leona (Lioness Falls). Black woodpeckers, hawks, and eagles are common throughout the park, and condors nest in the highest areas. If you're lucky, you might glimpse the scarce loro tricahue, an endangered species that is Chile's largest and most colorful parrot. Camping is permitted in the park, which is snowed over in winter. October–March is the best time to visit.

With long trails that cut through native oak forests and overlook canyons, mountain lakes, and volcanic cones, the Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay is, unsurprisingly, quite popular with hikers. To reach the CONAF–administered park, head 66km (41 miles) east of Talca on paved roads that turn to gravel for the final 20km (12 miles). The resort town of Vilches near the park entrance has restaurants and cabins for those who don't want to camp. The park is snowed over--and largely inaccessible--July through September.