Patagonia adventure holiday, tailormade

Planet

Patagonia is one of the most famous travel destinations in Argentina. Despite the affluence of thousands of travelers every year, the region manages to remain untamed. Twenty years ago, El Chaltén was a secluded place, practically visited just by backpackers. Though it still is the first choice for hiking in Patagonia, we struggled to preserve its natural treasures. The same happens with the UNESCO World Heritage Torres del Paine in the Chilean side of Patagonia. Today, Torres del Paine must be booked at least 6 months in advance due to the number of visitors coming to the park every season. As local agents, we promote responsible ways of visiting the region so that Patagonia remains legendary and beautiful as it has always been.


How does this trip help to protect the environment?

* Deforestation is becoming a huge problem worldwide, and Patagonia is no exception. Wildfires and droughts are damaging the native cohiues and lenga Patagonian forest. This is a windy region, so, when fires come, the wind makes it all worst. There is a lot of hiking involved in this Patagonian trip. Upon arrival, our local guides take a moment to share with travelers some of the good practices to follow when hiking in natural areas (bring your waste back with you, don’t set wildfires outside permitting areas, don’t feed native wildlife inside national parks, etc).

* This trip is designed to reduce carbon emissions. You will travel more than 50 miles without taking a single flight.

* In the Glaciers National Park, you can choose to visit the Perito Moreno on a kayak trip. We encourage you to minimize fuel consumption transportation and opt for biking tours or hikes.

People

We believe people we met while traveling are a big part of the journey. For more than 20 years as local tour operators, we have avoided working with big hotel chains and boosting family-run lodges. Very often, these accommodations turn out to be the most environmentally responsible, the most interesting to approach the local culture and learn local manners and have the most original offer to stay in the middle of the woods or big salt flats.


How does this trip help to develop local economies?

* We try to partner with lodges with an original, nature-orientated proposal, like the amazing domos of Patagonia Eco Dome. Located outside the village, this is a glamping experience to enjoy Mount Fitz Roy views and the disconnect of the world. Solar panels provide energy for the domes. No cellphone reception, internet, or credit card are some of the perks of this lodging experience.

* In El Chaltén, you can choose to stay in Posada el Barranco, run by Dardo and his family, to enjoy the best homemade breakfasts. You can also stay in Kaulem and support local artists by visiting and promoting the art gallery inside this amazing inn.

* Your trip to El Chaltén can include a visit to Casa Madsen, the first house in the village. We like this tour because travelers can learn about the traditional ways of making houses in Patagonia, Casa Madsen preserves the original lenga woodcut with axes, a common practice back then. There are also photos and other family memories of the Madsen pioneers in the area. We believe that promoting this kind of project helps to preserve the local culture and traditions.