Sustainability - Chile Nativo Website
Sustainability

Sustainability

WHAT MOTIVATES US

Chile Nativo: Committed to Sustainability

At Chile Nativo, we believe travel should be a force for good. Every journey has an impact, and we are committed to making that impact positive and regenerative for Patagonia.

We actively work to give back to the region by measuring and offsetting our carbon footprint, supporting conservation initiatives through partnerships with foundations, and implementing responsible practices such as recycling and composting across our operations.

And when you choose one of our tours to Torres del Paine, your trip directly contributes to its preservation: we donate $2 per day, per passenger, for the entire duration of each stay to the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund.

We love nature and the destinations we proudly share with the world. That’s why we operate under the highest standards, striving to create a lasting positive impact on our travelers, our team, local communities, and the extraordinary ecosystems that make Patagonia such a unique place.

Our Commitment

At Chile Nativo, we ensure responsible tourism through certifications that validate our commitment to sustainability, conservation, and support for local communities.

Sello S (S Seal)

Sello S (S Seal)

The S Seal is an advanced distinction granted by SERNATUR to tourism businesses with a commercial approach genuinely aligned with sustainability.

Sello R (R Seal)

Sello R (R Seal)

The R Seal is the distinction awarded by SERNATUR to registered tourism service providers in order to highlight the formal offerings of the country.

HuellaChile Certification

HuellaChile Certification

This certification recognizes the carbon footprint assessment of our W Trek program: the first specific tourism program in Chile to be measured and certified, reinforcing our commitment to reducing and offsetting our impact in Patagonia.

Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation

Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation

Mechanism created by SERNATUR through which various tourism stakeholders can subscribe to the commitment of protecting children and adolescents from any form of exploitation, primarily sexual exploitation.

40-Hour Workweek Certification

40-Hour Workweek Certification

We hold the 40-hour workweek certification, reaffirming our commitment to our team’s wellbeing, work-life balance, and overall quality of life. We believe responsible tourism also begins by caring for the people who make it possible.

WHAT WE DO

Our Actions

We promote concrete actions for the conservation of Patagonia, the support of local communities, and the advancement of sustainable tourism. Our goal is to foster people’s well-being, protect and regenerate ecosystems, and contribute to a fair local economy through concrete, measurable, and participatory actions that involve our team, local communities, and travelers.

Contribution to conservation in Torres del Paine

Since 2019, Chile Nativo has been committed to supporting nature conservation in Torres del Paine, one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world.

Through a contribution of USD 2 per person for each day of their stay in the park, our travelers support Torres del Paine Legacy Fund, contributing to the development of projects that protect the biodiversity and ecosystem of this unique place.

Currently, these collective efforts are focused on the construction of a new greenhouse within Torres del Paine National Park, an initiative that will allow native tree species to be cultivated within the park itself for future restoration and reforestation projects.

Our commitment is to contribute to the protection of this invaluable natural legacy by supporting initiatives that ensure its long-term conservation.

Measuring and offsetting our carbon footprint

At Chile Nativo, we work to measure, reduce, and offset the environmental impact of our operations, advancing toward a more responsible and transparent model of tourism.

One of the most important milestones in this journey was becoming the first tourism company in Chile to measure and certify the carbon footprint of a tourism product, corresponding to the W Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park, through the HuellaChile program of the Ministry of the Environment. This process allowed us to analyze emissions associated with transportation, food, heating, and the overall operation of the program.

In parallel, since 2021 we have offset 2,451 kg of CO₂ in collaboration with Climeworks, supporting direct air capture solutions that help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

In addition, in 2022 we launched a reforestation initiative linked to the AdventureNEXT event, planting 44 native trees, equivalent to the capture of more than 12 tons of CO₂, as part of our efforts to mitigate the impact of tourism-related activities.

Collaboration with local communities

We work closely with local communities, particularly with the residents of Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. From our base in this city, we aim to contribute to local economic development while strengthening the cultural identity of the Magallanes region.

Through an active network of partnerships, we collaborate with different local actors:

Local guides

Our guides are true Patagonia experts. They not only have in-depth knowledge of the park and its biodiversity, but also share the rich history, culture, and traditions of this unique region with travelers.

Local businesses and entrepreneurs

We support local entrepreneurs and providers by sourcing products and services from businesses in the area, from handicrafts to food, helping ensure that the benefits of tourism remain within the local community.

Training and opportunities for students

We also work with interns from universities, professional institutes, and educational centers in the Magallanes region, providing learning opportunities and hands-on experience for new generations interested in tourism and conservation.

Support for local athletes
We also support athletes from the region, backing both emerging talents and established competitors who represent the spirit of Patagonia and inspire new generations to grow and develop through sport.

Kawésqar Indigenous Communities

At Chile Nativo, we are deeply committed to the development and well-being of the local communities that make Patagonia such a unique place. In particular, we are proud to actively collaborate with the Kawésqar people, contributing to the preservation of their culture and traditions. Through this partnership, we not only support the community but also promote responsible tourism.

Through this joint effort, we aim to strengthen the cultural identity of the Kawésqar people and ensure the preservation of their traditions and heritage, while fostering a fair and sustainable model of economic development. We are truly honored to be allies of this community, and we are committed to continuing our close collaboration to preserve both their cultural and natural legacy.

Riverside Camp

At Riverside Camp, our glamping site located on the banks of the Serrano River, we aim to integrate sustainability practices both in its construction and in its daily operations.

The camp was built using 30 tons of recycled plastic, a material equivalent to approximately 84 m³ of wood, representing between 170 and 250 mature trees that did not need to be used. This decision significantly reduced the use of natural resources in the construction of the project.

We also manage organic waste, transforming it into condiments and culinary preparations used in the camp’s kitchen. In addition, we create handmade edible recycled paper, produced from natural ingredients, which we incorporate into presentations and guest experiences.

This is complemented by responsible waste management, including waste separation and coordination with local companies that collect and process recyclable materials, helping reduce the environmental impact of our operations in this unique Patagonian environment.

Innovation in sustainable travel experiences

At Chile Nativo, we continuously seek new ways to explore Patagonia responsibly, developing experiences that allow travelers to go beyond traditional routes and connect with the territory in a more authentic and conscious way.

Estancias & E-Bikes

An innovative experience in the Magallanes region that invites travelers to explore Patagonia by e-bike, moving away from the most crowded routes and the pressures of overtourism. The journey takes travelers along lesser-known paths, visiting traditional estancias, connecting with local culture, and enjoying Patagonian gastronomy while discovering unique landscapes at a more sustainable pace.

This program was awarded first place in the “Más Valor Turístico 2024” contest, an initiative by Sernatur that recognizes innovative tourism products with a strong local identity.

Cape Froward Backpacking Expedition

An expedition that takes place in one of the most remote areas of Chilean Patagonia, in a territory where a future National Park is being proposed. The program is designed under strict minimum-impact principles, incorporating practices such as the use of portable toilets and operations guided by a Leave No Trace philosophy, ensuring that all activities are carried out with the utmost respect for the natural environment.

Through initiatives like these, we aim to show that innovation in tourism can also be a powerful tool to protect natural areas, diversify travel experiences, and foster a more respectful relationship between travelers and nature.

Toward a zero waste operation

At Chile Nativo, we are continuously working to reduce waste and improve how we manage resources across our operations.

Currently, we focus on responsible waste management both in our main office in Puerto Natales and at Riverside Camp, our glamping site located on the banks of the Serrano River. Through waste separation and recycling practices, we work together with local companies that collect and process recyclable materials, ensuring that waste is properly managed and reintegrated into local recycling systems.

These actions are part of an ongoing effort to move toward a zero waste approach, minimizing our environmental footprint while promoting more responsible practices within our workplace and tourism operations.

Our Actions
WhatsApp