W Trek: the first tourism program in Chile to certify its carbon footprint

At Chile Nativo Travel, we are proud to share a milestone for Chilean tourism: for the first time, we have quantified and certified the carbon footprint of a tourism program in Chile: in this case, our W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park.

The first tourism program in Chile to certify its carbon footprint

This certification was granted on October 9th by the HuellaChile Program, an initiative of Chile’s Ministry of the Environment that promotes greenhouse gas management among public and private organizations, thus driving climate action and sustainable development across the country. By obtaining this certificate, Chile Nativo becomes the first tourism company in Chile to officially measure and validate the carbon footprint of a tourism product, setting a precedent for how tourism can and should manage its environmental impact.

The W Trek is one of Patagonia’s most iconic circuits, allowing travelers to explore Torres del Paine National Park on a 5-day journey. With this certification, we not only reaffirm our commitment to sustainability but also highlight the value of Magallanes’ tourism offering, proving that it is possible to experience Patagonia in a responsible and conscious way.

A collaborative effort

The study began in September 2024, developed in collaboration with the consulting firm CYCLO, verified by Proyectae, and carried out with the active participation of our local suppliers, who provided the specific data needed to establish the measurement. Factors such as transportation, food, heating, and passenger emissions were analyzed, allowing us to estimate the real environmental impact of this route.

Key results

• Estimated total footprint per passenger (refuge accommodation): 1,468 kg CO₂e
• Estimated total footprint per passenger (camping accommodation): 1,452 kg CO₂e

Camping generates slightly lower emissions due to the reduced use of fuel for heating.

Main sources of emissions:

• International air transport: 987 kg CO₂e (approximately 67% of the total)
• Domestic air transport: 278 kg CO₂e
• Accommodation in Torres del Paine (refuge or camping): 60–80 kg CO₂e

Leading responsible tourism from Magallanes

Through this initiative, Chile Nativo becomes a pioneer in Chile by certifying a tourism program, paving the way for a more conscious and responsible form of tourism in the region. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort with our suppliers and partners, who shared key information to measure our environmental impact.

This milestone marks only the first step in our journey toward carbon compensation and reduction, reaffirming our commitment to more sustainable and mindful tourism. From Magallanes, we are proud to lead an initiative that aims to inspire other actors in the sector to measure, understand, and reduce their environmental impact, demonstrating that it is possible to travel and protect the Patagonia that inspires us every day.