Pumalín National Park

Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park is located in the Palena province of northern Patagonia and covers an area of approximately 400,000 hectares. The area was secured starting in 1991 by US entrepreneur Douglas Tompkins through private land purchases to protect the Valdivian temperate rainforest and was later donated to the Chilean state. Geographically, the park stretches from the Pacific fjords to the peaks of the Andes and is characterized by active volcanoes such as Michinmahuida and Chaitén. The region is marked by extreme rainfall, which has enabled the growth of dense vegetation featuring millennia-old Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides). The park serves as a sanctuary for endangered species like the huemul deer and the pudu, as well as a variety of endemic bird species. The infrastructure includes ecologically designed hiking trails, campsites, and information centers that combine tourism with strict nature conservation regulations. Since 2018, the area has been officially classified as a national park and forms a central part of the Chilean network of protected areas in Patagonia.

Nearby cities

Chaitén

Chaitén is a small town in northern Patagonia, rebuilt after the 2008 volcanic eruption, serving as the southern gateway to Pumalín Park.

Hornopirén

Hornopirén marks the official start of the Carretera Austral's rugged southern stretch and serves as a vital ferry port for Patagonia.

Ensenada

Situated on Lake Llanquihue beneath the Osorno Volcano, Ensenada is the primary gateway to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

Cochamó

Often called the Yosemite of South America, Cochamó is a coastal village leading to a valley of massive granite walls and pristine forests.

Puerto Montt

The dynamic southern port city that marks the beginning of the Carretera Austral and the primary entry point into the Patagonian fjords.

Petrohué

Petrohué is renowned for its turquoise waterfalls cascading over basaltic rock and as the port for Todos los Santos Lake.

Puerto Varas

Known as the "City of Roses", this picturesque lakeside town boasts deep German architectural roots and stunning volcano views.

Puyehue

Famous for its expansive national park, Puyehue is a major gateway between Chile and Argentina via the Andes.

Frutillar

A charming lakeside destination heavily influenced by German settlers, offering uninterrupted views of the perfectly conical Osorno Volcano.

History & landmarks

Chiloé Island

A culturally unique island, famous for its wooden churches and colorful stilt houses.

Nature

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Chile's oldest national park with the impressive Petrohué Waterfalls and Osorno Volcano.

Chiloé National Park

A park on the west coast of Chiloé Island, known for its dense rainforests, dunes, and Pacific coast.

More places

Alerce Andino National Park

Part of the temperate rainforest biosphere reserve, important for the protection of the millennia-old Patagonian Cypress (Alerce).

Hornopirén National Park

A rugged natural paradise in the Andes with dense Alerce forests and glacial valleys, providing a home for pumas, foxes, and rare bird sp…

Church of Quinchao

The largest of the historical wooden churches of Chiloé, a beautiful example of the unique island architecture.

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Chile's oldest national park, encompassing deep forests, the Petrohué Waterfalls, and a rich ecosystem for pumas and small marsupials.

Church of Achao

The oldest standing wooden church in the Chiloé Archipelago, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Chiloé Archipelago

A group of islands in southern Chile, characterized by its unique culture, architecture, and maritime nature.

Fort San Antonio

An old Spanish fortress in Ancud, built in the late 18th century to defend Chiloé Island.

Fort Ahui

A historical military fortification on the Lacuy Peninsula that controlled maritime access to Chiloé.