Active vacation in Patagonia, Argentina

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We are committed to enhancing the sustainability of our itineraries through various initiatives. Our trips focus exclusively on eco-friendly activities such as hiking, cycling, and walking, minimising environmental impact.

While electric cars are not widely available in the region, the transfer companies and tour operators employ other initiatives to reduce their carbon impact, including scheduling tours at off-peak times to avoid traffic and carrying out regular maintenance on the vehicles to avoid any unnecessary increases in carbon consumption.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

All hotels in this itinerary practice a sustainability policy. One that stands out in particular is the hotel in Buenos Aires being the first in the city to incorporate sustainability and reduce its energy consumption as a core part of its design. On its way to becoming 100% plastic-free, the hotel also works with community organisations to recycle its waste and donates sheets and towels to a local charity. The hotel in Ushuaia also employs admirable water and energy-saving practices, including building sources of natural light into its design to eliminate the need to use artificial light during the day.

The management of the hotel in Ushuaia is a founding leader of ‘Clean Ushuaia’ movement, which has achieved a ban on various single-use plastics in the city to protect the local wildlife and encourage clean beaches. Similarly, the hotel recycles many of its materials by either repurposing them onsite or working with the local council and other charitable organisations, and composts all organic waste for its own vegetable garden.

All other providers and hotels similarly prioritise sustainable practices. For example, where box lunches are provided on tours, the operators employ recyclable, biodegradable or reusable containers. Where waste is produced, almost all providers employ effective waste management and recycling programs.

Additionally, our small-group sizes help reduce foot traffic, further contributing to our eco-tourism-oriented approach. Whilst on outings, the tour guides will only use authorised paths to protect ground ecosystems and do not allow the collection of local plant life. Similarly, any wildlife sightings are carried out from a distance that respects the animals’ habitats and under no circumstances allows petting of the animals.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

We prioritise partnering with locally owned and operated hotels to benefit the community in various ways.

This includes supporting regional talent through employment opportunities, honouring and showcasing local culture respectfully, and promoting local artisans by incorporating their crafts and artwork into the hotel decor. Even if visits to these artisan markets are not explicitly scheduled in the itinerary, we encourage guests to explore and patronize local stores and restaurants during their free time to directly support small businesses and further contribute to the local economy.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The providers in this itinerary have exemplary policies to support the local economy and its people in a remote region where employment is highly seasonal. Many of the providers included here prioritise local year-round employment to minimise the effects of peaks and troughs in the local economy caused by the seasonality of tourism. Some additionally provide seasonal employment to local students to help them continue with their studies.

All are suppliers locally or regionally (Patagonia) owned and all of the hotels and operators we work with employ without any type of discrimination. In this itinerary specifically, Tierra del Fuego is a region with strong indigenous cultures which are shared and celebrated on the tours available.