Patagonia 2028: Carretera Austral Adventure

We love travel.

We love nature.

And more than almost anything, we love to dream about the places on this planet that still feel wild, pure, and utterly breathtaking — the kind of landscapes that stop you in your tracks and make you feel small in the very best way.

For years we have searched the world for a special place we could scout ourselves and then return to lead a small group of fellow adventurers. We wanted somewhere with a level of natural beauty that is genuinely rare… and just as important, a place that is extraordinarily safe. No animals that can harm us. Almost zero crime. A region where you can still feel completely free and at ease while standing in some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth.

We found it in Chilean Patagonia.

At the heart of this magical corner of the world runs one of the greatest drives on the planet: the Carretera Austral. National Geographic has called it the perfect road trip at the bottom of the world. Lonely Planet ranks it the most iconic road trip in Patagonia. The BBC describes it as one of the world’s most remote and spectacular journeys. We believe those words are completely true.

This is the road we are going to drive.

Our vision is simple and deeply personal. In March 2027 we will travel the entire route ourselves — living out of a Yeti camper for weeks — so we can experience every mile the way we want our future group to experience it. Kent will have all of his video equipment with him, filming every day so we can later share the real feeling of this place with anyone who is dreaming of joining us. We will carefully scout where to stay and where to eat, the best hikes, the most powerful waterfalls, the hanging glaciers, the hot springs, the Marble Caves, and every quiet, jaw-dropping moment this region has to offer.

Then, in Februay 2028, we will return to lead a small group of friends down the same legendary road — each couple in their own 4x4 SUV — because this is a landscape that is best experienced with the freedom and capability of a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Journey

We will begin near Puerto Montt and travel south through deep green forests, past steaming volcanoes, across fjords by ferry, and into the dramatic heart of the Aysén region. Our route takes us through Parque Pumalín, past the hanging glacier of Queulat, through Coyhaique, beneath the black spires of Cerro Castillo, and finally to the turquoise shores of Lago General Carrera near Puerto Río Tranquilo and the famous Marble Caves.

Must-See Highlights

  • Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol) — One of the most extraordinary natural experiences on Earth. We will glide by boat (and optionally by kayak) into a labyrinth of swirling blue-and-white marble formations sculpted by glacial waters for thousands of years. Sunlight dances across the cathedral-like ceilings and reflects off the turquoise water in a way that feels almost otherworldly.

  • Queulat National Park & the Hanging Glacier — A massive glacier suspended high on a cliff face, sending waterfalls thundering into the valley below.

  • Cerro Castillo National Park — Jagged black peaks rising like a fairytale castle above a turquoise glacial lake. The day hike to Laguna Cerro Castillo is pure Patagonia.

  • Parque Pumalín Douglas Tompkins — Ancient Alerce trees, hidden waterfalls, and the chance to hike Volcán Chaitén for a view into its steaming crater.

  • Puyuhuapi Fjord & Hot Springs — A quiet village set on a deep fjord, perfect for soaking in thermal waters with mountain views.

  • The road itself — Endless waterfalls, lupine-filled valleys, hanging bridges, and those moments when you simply have to stop the car because the landscape is too beautiful to drive past.

Where We’ll Stay

During our 2027 scouting trip we will carefully choose the most special places along the route — atmospheric lodges tucked into the rainforest near Pumalín, a memorable stay in the fjord-side village of Puyuhuapi, a refined base in or near Coyhaique, a dramatic night beneath the peaks of Cerro Castillo, and final nights near the Marble Caves so we can experience them in the perfect light. Every property will be selected for its character, location, and ability to host our small convoy of 4x4s comfortably.

Why This Feels Like Pure VanArnam Magic

We will travel as a small group of fellow explorers, each couple in their own 4x4 SUV. Kent will be behind the camera every day, capturing the light on the marble, the mist rising from the fjords, and the quiet moments that make a trip unforgettable. Allison will make sure the lodging, meals, and logistics feel seamless and special. You simply show up ready for the adventure.

This is Patagonia the way we believe it was meant to be experienced — wild, beautiful, safe, and deeply personal.

We are already dreaming about it. We would love to hear if this one is calling your name too.

Let us know if you want more information on this trip.