Atacama to Paine small group vacation in Chile

Planet

The epic landscapes of Chile are an incredible testament to the power of nature, and we expect all of our guides, drivers, tour leaders and staff to brief our customers on how to respect these fragile environments. The trip includes visits to two of Chile's most significant protected areas - Torres del Paine and the Los Flamencos National Reserve (in the area around the Atacama Desert), as well as giving travelers the opportunity to visit the UNESCO Heritage Site of Valparaiso. In each location the tour leaders and guides are trained to understand best practice in wildlife and nature protection. They will brief customers to keep all waste with them until back in the town, to walk only on designated paths and not to disturb the fragile natural environments.

In our hotel at Torres del Paine, they proudly use local companies to supply their restaurant. This ensures that when we eat there we are eating local produce and supporting small Patagonian companies and farms, while also reducing the carbon footprint of the supply chain.

The excursions on this trip are all taken on foot - for example hiking around the Osorno Volcano, at the Valle de la Luna or in Torres del Paine. Unfortunately the scale of Chile is such that we do need to use domestic flights to see everything within a two-week period, so as much as possible we aim to get around on our own two feet, and as a knock on effect this helps us to get closer to the wild landscapes that are such a draw to the area.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

We employ a local Chilean tour leader with a passion for their country. In addition, they are supported by local guides and support crew within each of the National Parks whom are trained and licensed to guide in the area, and are incredibly knowledgeable about the environment and the local communities that they work in. We make sure that our Tour Leaders and guides are working with a fair wage, in good working conditions, and that they are fit and well to work outdoors in what can be harsh conditions.

On our journey through pretty much the length of Chile, we’ll encounter a huge diversity of people and landscapes along our way. Our expert tour leaders will be able to introduce the history, culture and wildlife of the area and enable us to get closer to the local culture. Our staff direct customers to eat in local eateries as much as possible, encouraging our groups to discover the fantastic food and wine that Chile is famous for.


We support local employment and communities in our choice of accommodation, tours, restaurants, etc, and we aim to promote interaction between real people throughout the trip, while always respecting the culture and customs of each community.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.