Patagonia and Antarctica holiday

Planet

The itineraries we create are guided by three aims: looking after the places we visit, supporting local communities and helping our guests travel responsibly. To do this, we work with a boutique team on the ground who share our values and know each destination well.

Visits to national parks include park entry fees, which help fund the running of the parks. Most activities are on foot, such as walking tours and hikes. We use small group tours, and buses rather than individual vehicles for longer transfers, which means fewer vehicles on the road, fewer emissions per passenger and less pressure on busy sites.

In places such as Tierra del Fuego National Park and on the Antarctic Peninsula, guides explain the landscapes and wildlife you're seeing and share practical tips for visiting carefully. On the trails, that means taking all rubbish out, sticking to marked paths and keeping a respectful distance from wildlife.

In Antarctica, you'll sail on the Ocean Albatross, a small expedition ship. Naturalist guides lead every landing and talks on board, and all landings follow the visitor guidelines for the Antarctic Peninsula, including keeping your distance from penguins and seals and cleaning boots and gear between sites.

People

People are at the heart of everything we do. Everything on the ground is run locally, from suppliers and transfers to guides, which means employment for residents and storytelling rooted in Argentinian culture. Buenos Aires and Ushuaia are mostly explored on foot, so you meet local people, artisans and traditions along the way.

We work with small boutique and family-owned hotels, such as Palo Santo Hotel and Tierra de Leyendas, so tourism revenue goes into the local economy. These hotels employ local staff, work with local suppliers and buy food from nearby producers.

At Palo Santo Hotel in Buenos Aires, staff are offered training and development, and there are equal opportunities for men and women at every level. The hotel works with El Ceibo, a cooperative set up by former cartoneros (informal waste pickers) to recycle waste, which provides steady employment for people in difficult economic circumstances or living with disabilities.

At Tierra de Leyendas in Ushuaia, local heritage and community are central. The décor reflects the region's history, and the hotel hosts a yearly event that brings local artists and residents together to celebrate Tierra del Fuego.