La Paz to Santiago vacation, small group

The Responsible Travel page on our website outlines how we push to protect the environments that we visit, minimising the impact that traveling there could potentially have on local ecosystems. We encourage a reduce, reuse and recycle policy when it comes to waste, regardless of whether you are in the middle of the vast plains of the Atacama Desert or navigating the bustling streets of La Paz.

Our La Paz to Santiago tour incorporates a number of serene and otherworldly areas of natural beauty, including the mind-blowing expanse of the Uyuni salt flats, the aptly named unearthly-looking Valley of the Moon and the Atacama Desert’s array of surreal lakes. When traveling to such locations our tour leaders invoke a strict no littering policy, so that travelers leave nothing behind other than their fading footsteps in the sand. We appreciate that recycling facilities are not always readily available when visiting such places. If this is the case we strongly advise that travelers bring their waste with them until such a recycling option becomes available.

When visiting somewhere as dry as the Bolivia-Chile border, drinking plenty of water is essential. We always ask that you refill your bottle when possible and that single use plastics are kept to a minimum.

Tour leaders also ensure that nothing is taken from the natural environment that shouldn't be, making sure that the area is left in the same state as it was upon arrival. When staying in cities such as La Paz and Santiago we opt for accommodation that lies close to the city center, leading to a reduction in the use of environmentally unfriendly transport, as most sights are within walking distance. The region of the Uyuni Salt Flats and Laguna Colorada are remote, beautiful areas with much more limited resources than other locations in Bolivia and Chile. Because of this, accommodation options are incredibly limited. We stay in basic hostels which have limited electricity and water, ensuring that we do not put too much pressure on the natural environment which we visit. While facilities are basic, travelers are reminded that this is the best way to stay in this area while ensuring the visit is environmentally friendly.

We always encourage travelers on our tours to minimise electricity and water usage when traveling with us, taking showers rather than baths and ensuring that all electrical appliances and lights are turned off when they are not in use. We also utilise local transport whenever possible in an attempt to reduce our effect on the environment and support local economies. The fact that our tours are always in small groups helps to make sure that any environmental footprint that may be left is significantly lessened and also prevents unnecessary crowding in particular destinations.