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The Company
We are Jean Kelleher and John Ciullo and we founded Parallel 41 Patagonia based on our passion for the mountains and nature, and deep desire to preserve them. Our dream was to create an eco-tourism company that provided unique and personalized travel experiences in Patagonia for individuals, families, and small groups; a type of company we had never found in our 30 plus combined years in the travel industry.
But why in Patagonia?
For decades we both worked as tour directors leading large groups through North America including the Canadian Rockies. It was there that we met and realized our shared passion for understanding nature as a means to preserving it.
But we grew frustrated as most environmental experiences were looking through the windows of a bus. Travelers were “observing” nature rather than “experiencing” nature.
A decade later we returned to the mountains. This time we were trekking through the Himalayas of Nepal. That experience solidified our love of the mountains and interest in understanding local cultures. We found that the opportunity to get to know people of a different culture created unique avenues for personal growth and self-reflection.
Our most recent journey took us away from our home in California on a year-long sabbatical through South America with our five-year-old son. After six months on the road, we arrived in Patagonia and were struck by the overwhelming beauty of the area. We immediately felt at home.
Bariloche, Home of Parallel 41 Patagonia
Bariloche is a major tourism hub and gateway to Patagonia. It possesses the physical infrastructure to support year-round visitors (hotels, restaurants, transportation).
After scrutinizing the various options available for tourists (force of habit for a couple of travel junkies), we realized that most travelers were missing the essence of Patagonia - embracing the natural environment. Group tours often spent one or two nights in downtown Bariloche and visitors rarely had enough time to experience the region´s natural wonders.
We had found the opportunity to actualize our dream of creating eco- travel adventures for like-minded people. We realized that our future lay here and Parallel 41 Patagonia was born.
What’s in a name?
The 41st parallel in the southern hemisphere crosses some of the most breath-taking scenery on the South American continent. This crossroad also marks the location of Bariloche and lends its name to our company Parallel 41 Patagonia. Bariloche is also our operational base in Argentina.
More information on Parallel 41 Patagonia |
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