Cristian Asun

Resident Manager at Awasi Patagonia

Patagonia is my home: I was born and raised in Punta Arenas and spent my weekends hiking though these mountains and fishing in these rivers with my family.

First, I studied Psychology and Public Relations in Hangzhou, China, but upon my return to Chile I realized how lucky I had been to grow in such a unique place, and found my true calling in Ecotourism. Growing up surrounded by nature had made me a passionate birdwatcher and naturalist, and being able to work in related subjects was the perfect fit.

When Awasi Patagonia opened in 2013 and I learned they were planning to do excursions both in and outside the National Park, I immediately wanted to be part of the project. Getting to show our Guests the places that I explored while growing up was my dream. I started out as a guide, eventually became Excursions Manager. Today, I am proud to be Manager to an amazing team of talents and a Host to our visitors from all over the world.

Carolina Mapelli

Maitre D’ 

The art of Hospitality has led me to travel all over the globe. My first steps in Tourism were on the beaches of Mar del Plata, in Argentina, and soon after I got to gather experiences in the most diverse locations. New Zealand, Dubai, Aspen and Melbourne were some of the places I was lucky enough to call home.

Eventually, I arrived in Patagonia. Vast and remote, even the wind gets lost among the Torres del Paine. So, five years ago, I became a “Patagonian” citizen.

Now, in Awasi, I am part of a team that creates memorable and experiences. We tell the stories of ingredients provided by the sea, the steppe and the countryside. We reveal the anecdotes behind our wines. We speak the language of textures and flavors. We welcome our guests from all over the world with pride and the utmost care, and hope to be part of their stories as well. Welcome!

Out in the Elements

Meeting Tomás Navarrete, Awasi Patagonia Head Guide

I come from Osorno, in northern Patagonia, and have a background as a commercial pilot for small airplanes. However,  I was searching for a closer connection to nature, and wanted to explore, and so I got to the Magellanic region in 2015.

I started working as a guide at Awasi, but four seasons at the job taught me so much more than I could have imagined. Most importantly, I built solid relationships with incredible people and also with this area.

This is an amazing place to discover, and Awasi makes it possible to see the hidden gems and connect with it in a different way. I hope my team and I can trylu show the best of Patagonia to our guests.