Travelers passing through Chilean Green Patagonia can now take home a charming souvenir in their suitcase: a stamp on the new “Pasaporte de la Ruta de Los Parques”. In it, the entrance to each of the 17 parks in this region, preserved and with extensive natural beauties, is registered.
Pulmalin Douglas Thompkins National Park can be a traveler’s gateway to this region of southern Chile. Declared a Nature Sanctuary by the country’s government, it is a park that emerged from the desire of millionaire American businessman Douglas Thompkins.
Passionate about nature, the founder of the clothing brand “The North Face” acquired the land during the 1990s with the sole purpose of preserving it. After Tompkins’ death in 2015, the park’s more than 400,000 hectares were donated to the Chilean government.
It is a heritage that has kept untouched landscapes alive, and where you can find endemic species (only present in the region), rivers, waterfalls and crystalline lakes. There you can also see volcanoes, such as Michimahuida and Chaitén, whose last eruption, in 2008, still leaves some traces of ash along the park’s trails.
In addition to the Pulmalin, tourists also explore different landscapes in the vast territory located between the Andes and the border with Argentina to the Pacific Ocean. The region comprises the provinces of Chaitén, Futaleufú and Palena — called “Los Lagos”, all suitable for ecotourism. You can practice canoeing, mountaineering, cycle tourism, observation of flora and fauna, as well as hiking and camping.
For the more adventurous, a good option is rafting along the Futaleufú River, recognized worldwide as one of the best and most challenging rivers to practice the sport for its level 4 and 5 rapids.
It is a kind of adventure, however, that is only possible during spring and summer — from October to March. In winter, the traveler can be surprised by the beautiful landscapes covered with snow.
The plane is the main way to get to Patagonia Verde. Departs from Santiago on a 2h30 flight to the city of Puerto Montt. For those who have more time to travel, it is possible to travel by bus and follow a bimodal route, combining cycle tourism or buses with sections by boat.
Another option is to travel by car along the legendary Carretera Austral, which crosses 2,800 km passing through all the Patagonian parks. Experiences that can prove to be longer, but also more enriching for those who want to slow down. As the locals say, “in Patagonia, those in a hurry lose time”.
The inhabitants, by the way, are hospitable, and tourists can take the opportunity to taste the famous Patagonian lamb or curanto, a dish originally from the island of Chiloé, which consists of seafood, meat and vegetables cooked in steam and covered in typical Patagonian leaves. Tip: the experience is complete only tasting the broth of the dish, strong and very tasty.
Entrance to Pulmalin Douglas Tompkins Park is free. Camping areas are offered and there are also cabins for rent, as well as a structure with a restaurant. It is recommended to consult guides in the region and inform yourself in advance about accommodation and travel routes and schedules, as, depending on the weather, all this may change.
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To learn more about the passport, see www.pasaporte.rutadelosparques.org/. About the parks of Chilean Patagonia, www.rutadelosparques.org/. And, to learn more about the region, visit www.patagoniaverde.org/.
