Patagonia trekking holiday, Torres del Paine
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
All the energy generated and used at the camp is renewable using the water, sun and wind. The camp has its one composting facility for waste management, which is the first and still the only existing such unit in Patagonia. The eco-camp has won several awards including being highly commended at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009.
Community
Travelling by foot is one of the most environmentally respectful methods, especially in the fragile eco-system of Patagonia. We start our trek with 2 nights at the Torres eco-camp, who design is inspired by the traditional Kawesqar huts. They are removed each winter to allow the grass to recover and animals to graze.
Travelling on from here we camp, stay in refuges and at the beginning and end of the trip use small locally owned hotels. The refuges are locally owned and operated, and source food from local providers. All our local guides and staff are fully training in the management of responsible camping, such as carrying out all rubbish and taking with you only photos.
Benefits to the local people
To ensure that we benefit the local people we practice the following:
- Hire as many born and raised locals as possible
- Hire horses and riding services from the smaller less known farmers instead of hiring from the traditional concession owners who have grown considerably large.
- Buy handicrafts from the locals and local artists for the decoration of our hotel.
- Buy some farm products such as eggs, meat, cheese, dried fruit, grain, animal skin, marmalade, bread, etc. from local suppliers.
- 90% of our staff is native or a long term resident either from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, the two cities nearby Torres del Paine NP.
- Most of our purchases on goods are bulk to local distributors.
Due to the weather in Patagonia most of the green vegetables we use at the EcoCamp is produced at local green houses. Because of the distance from the capital Santiago and from the areas in Chile where fruits and green products are produced we must buy locally. Furniture and decoration of the EcoCamp are a collection of hand-made pieces made locally in Punta Arenas, in Cajon del Maipo or Chimbarongo. Our General Manager is an active member of Camara Comercio de Cerro Castillo and helps smaller entrepreneurs to export their tourist services.
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