Let me tell you a Patagonian love story…
After growing up and studying Destination Management in North Carolina, and working in Event Planning in Washington DC. I decided to move to Chile to work and improve my Spanish. I would have never guessed that this would take me to the southernmost region in the world… Patagonia. After a few short months, I had fallen in love with the place and decided to found Venture Patagonia at the age of 22. I felt I had to show the rest of the world the magic of this land, to help others not only visit, but feel its spirit.
After my first season, I had already found my favorite place, Estancia La Peninsula, a working ranch operated by one of the families who first settled the land in the late 1800’s. This was unlike anywhere I had ever been... it seemed like a fairytale, white horses roaming freely across the horizons, the wide open golden grasslands leading up to the pebble beaches that run along the glacier-fed fjord.
This ranch was run unlike any other I had visited in the region.. they were deeply focused in sustainability and every detail of your experience. So it only seemed fitting when they had an open office in their restored original house in the town center, run by the family’s oldest son, Kevin, that Venture had found it’s place.
After moving into the office, I got to know Kevin. I was intrigued to learn that not only was he a 5th generation Patagonian rancher, born in Puerto Natales, but also had lived in several countries, travelled the world and returned because of his love for this land. We instantly became friends and caught ourselves losing track of time, talking for hours.
One day he invited me to go to Baguales, a mountain range two hours north of Puerto Natales, a hidden gem where his family has an estancia at the end of the winding dirt road. We spent the entire day riding through the vast mountains checking on the cattle… my first time experiencing the gaucho lifestyle. To top off the day, we returned galloping… something I had never done. As the strong wind hit my face, without another person in sight… this was the moment that I knew there was no looking back. I had now fallen for more than just the land.
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After several months of dating, Kevin proposed in Redwood National Park while on a west coast road trip in the US and we got married shortly after. We decided Patagonia was going to be our home and we returned to Puerto Natales. Now, we have turned our beloved office into a Tourism Information Center and the headquarters of Venture Patagonia.
If you want to make your travels more than just a trip but a memorable experience and feel the heart of Patagonia, then you’ve come to the right place. We not only work with the locals, we are the locals.
We are looking forward to meeting you with our three children, Philippa, Eliana and Iver.
Carrie MacLean
Our office
At Venture Patagonia Headquarters, located in Puerto Natales, we serve as the central hub for our extensive range of trips spanning from Antarctica to the Atacama Desert, Iguazu Falls and Easter Island. As you approach our office, you'll first encounter The Chilean Handicraft Store by Venture Patagonia, showcasing an array of handicraft products representing every region of Chile. Through our store, we proudly support over 300 local artisans.
Continuing further, you'll discover the Venture Patagonia Welcome Lounge. Designed as a space for work, connection, and warmly welcoming our guests, it serves as a gathering point for those passing through Puerto Natales. We strive to create an inviting environment that enhances our visitors' experience.
Additionally, we are thrilled to introduce our newest endeavor, a fossil research center located in the region of Ultima Esperanza. This research center marks the first official site in the area where paleontologists can securely store and study fossils from the Baguales Mountain Range. Curated by local paleontologist Jose Luis Oyarzun, who possesses over two decades of experience researching and working in the Baguales mountains, this project represents our commitment to preserving and exploring the region's rich geological history.
At Venture Patagonia Headquarters, we embrace our role as a gateway to extraordinary journeys, cultural immersion, and the exploration of Patagonia's diverse landscapes.
