Chile tailor made holiday, natural highlights

Environment

We believe tourism should be educational and sustainable, as well as entertaining. We designed this trip to contribute minimal impact to the local environment with positive benefits to the local communities. All guides follow strict “green ethics”. Reusable water bottles are provided in an effort to encourage less waste and discourage the need for plastic throw-away bottles. All of our guides provide clear and committed instructions for interacting with nature and wildlife with efforts to preserve and leave undisturbed the beauty for generations to enjoy.

All excursions on this trip are low-impact with natural, historical and cultural themes and led by guides trained in ‘Leave No Trace’ practices. Other than vehicle transfers by van, excursions in the Atacama Desert are on foot, horseback or bicycle. The landscapes will be left exactly as found. Excursions in Torres del Paine are focused on natural history as well as the conservation of local flora and fauna, such as guanaco, foxes, puma and a wide variety of birdlife. Lakes District tours focus on the human and natural history of the area. Excursions will include photo safaris to surrounding volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls and national parks. A day trip to Chiloe Island will feature local culture and customs, architecture and history, a visit to a penguin colony, thus promoting a deeper understanding of life on the island. On all excursions waste products are removed, packed-out and either disposed of responsibly or recycled.

Hotels and lodges selected in all of our itineraries practice ethical business standards and are committed to environmental preservation. We only book lodges in Torres del Paine and San Pedro de Atacama that promote the Code of Conduct for the Responsible Traveler set down by SERNATUR, Chile’s National Tourism Service. These principles value local traditions and customs, support the local economy and respect the environment. They also all implement energy-efficient methods designed to reduce waste and resources, such as reusing linens, recycling plastics and metals.

Community

All guides are local townspeople trained in their specialized fields with an emphasis on environmental standards. Our hand-selected list of local scientists, naturalist and specialist guides are well-educated community members and have the interests of their communities at heart when making decisions relating to tourism and their cultural biography.

The Santiago city tour as well as the tour to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar will include visits to local markets and small neighborhoods where purchases will support local citizens and businesses. The town and people of San Pedro de Atacama receive direct economic support from the revenues generated by visitors, from tour operator and hotel profits as well as direct spending in town. For meals not included in Santiago and Puerto Varas, our guides will encourage travelers to dine at locally-owned and operated restaurants, for which they will offer recommendations.

Excess but salvageable goods at our selected hotels such as food, remaining shampoo in travel bottles, and other items left by guests are donated back to the community.