About Us
Our History: Six Generations of Patagonian Spirit
Our history at the end of the world begins with a journey of courage. Manuel Álvarez Ruiz, born in Chiloé, and his wife Isabel Coste Pérez, a native of Talcahuano, were married in Valparaíso, where in 1903 their first son, José Arturo Álvarez Coste, was born. In 1904, driven by a pioneering spirit, they made the decision to set sail for Punta Arenas along with Horacio Álvarez Alarcón, Manuel’s father.
Their early years were forged working with wood on Dawson Island, navigating the frigid waters aboard their own sailing shallop. It was in this untamed region that their other children were born, and the family’s deep roots at the bottom of the world were established.
Around 1909, the family settled in Puerto Natales even before its official founding, becoming some of the first colonists in the area. In fact, their son, Luis Álvarez Coste, holds the historical honor of being the firstborn in the officially established town. Over time, the family dedicated themselves to the timber trade, a fundamental industry for building the emerging livestock ranches. Their craftsmanship led them to build at least three iconic boats: El Armando, El Fernando, and El 21 de Mayo.
In the early 1920s, the family’s entrepreneurial vision led them to found a sawmill on the Roca Peninsula. Their son, José Arturo Álvarez, took the reins of this project, settling there to fully dedicate himself to expanding the work his father began. The Roca Peninsula soon flourished as a vibrant center for the timber and fur trade, where goods were exchanged with marine hunters from the channels of Western Patagonia. Furthermore, our family had the privilege of interacting closely with the last nomadic canoeists of Patagonia.
José Arturo’s legacy continued alongside his sons Nelson, Joaquín, and Víctor. For years, they kept the establishment alive, combining small-scale livestock farming with the commercial center. However, their connection to nature and the southern landscapes led them to take a historic step: in the early 1960s, these brothers were the pioneers who initiated maritime tourism in the channels of Última Esperanza.
Their tireless spirit led them in 1970 to lease the Estancia Perales, which allowed them to develop their livestock farming with greater momentum and establish a crucial foothold for their tourist expeditions. This growth was cemented in 1980 with the acquisition of the Estancia Chorrillo Picana, where they continued their ranching work.
Our Inspiration Today
For generations, our family has had a natural calling as hosts. As Joaquín, the grandson of Nelson Álvarez, I proudly carry this legacy forward. It has always filled us with pride to open the doors of our land to welcome friends, family, acquaintances, and even friends of friends. Sharing the love for this corner of the world, revealing our most beautiful landscapes, introducing them to our vibrant wildlife, and taking them to explore hidden corners—far from the traditional tourist routes—has been our way of honoring and showcasing the true magnificence of Patagonia.
The idea of extending this invitation to travelers from all over the world always lingered in our family conversations, but the true turning point came when I decided to make a radical change in my life. I left behind my job and the office walls in Punta Arenas, where I worked as a manager at a local Antarctic cruise supply company, to bet on this dream.
It was during this process of reconnection that we decided, as a family, to finally bring this beautiful project to life. Today, through our treks and tours, we do not offer a simple tourist visit, but rather the opportunity to be our guests; we seek to transmit to every traveler that same intimate, authentic, and respectful encounter with wild Patagonia that has defined us for over a century.
We warmly invite you to venture to the end of the world and experience the true Patagonia alongside us. Come walk our trails, breathe the pristine air, and let us show you this wild and wonderful land through the eyes of a family that has called it home for generations. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms and sharing the adventure of a lifetime.