Chile's Route of the Parks and Easter Island Adventure!

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring pristine wilderness where lush forests, jagged mountains, and thundering waterfalls coexist in perfect harmony, then Pumalín Park should be on your bucket list. Located in Chile’s spectacular Patagonia region, this conservation gem is not just a destination but a testament to what dedication to nature preservation can achieve.And its off the beaten tourist track!
Pumalín Park is one of Chile’s most inspiring conservation stories. It was created by the late Douglas Tompkins, founder of outdoor brands The North Face and Esprit, who dedicated much of his life to environmental activism. In the early 1990s, Tompkins began purchasing large tracts of land in Patagonia to protect them from deforestation and overdevelopment. His vision culminated in the creation of Pumalín, a privately funded nature reserve that has since been donated to the Chilean government and incorporated into Chile’s national park system. Today, it spans over 400,000 hectares of untouched landscapes and is part of the stunning Route of Parks, a 2,800-kilometer conservation route stretching through Patagonia.
Pumalín is easily accessible (although still very remote!) from the town of Chaitén in Northern Patagonia. Travelers can arrive by ferry from Puerto Montt, or by car along the iconic Carretera Austral (Southern Highway). I arrived via charter flight from Puerto Montt. Whether you’re driving, biking, or hiking, the journey to Pumalín is breathtaking in its own right, with snow-capped peaks and emerald lakes providing constant scenic beauty. Visitors play an important role by respecting the park’s rules, following Leave No Trace principles, and supporting sustainable tourism initiatives.