Sustainability

Our mission is to protect Patagonia as an environmental and cultural destination through responsible and well planned trips. Through our adventures, our hope is to instill in each of our guests value and wonder for the landscapes and gaucho culture that remains today. Our goal is to deliver a tourism experience that is innovative, memorable, authentic, ethical and that can really change the lives of our guests.

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Our drive and commitment

Senderos Patagonia consistently looks for ways to improve our sustainable practices. In 2018, they were awarded the Sello S in Chile, and are currently working towards certification with Green Destinations, through their Good Travel Seal program. As a small company, we strive to reduce our residues, limit our impact on the place we go, buy local produce and promote the circular economy within our community, among much more.

Mary and Cristian started the company in 2010, but both have worked in the region for many years beforehand. A first generation graduate from the Guide School of Patagonia and local, Cristian is an advocate for the environment and cultural traditions.

Mary contributes to the company not only as a guide, but with a Bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism and Master’s in Outdoor Education, offering insights in managing and developing the company responsibly both socially and environmentally.

Our company is committed to following international sustainability criteria in regards to the quality of our services and operations. When hiring, our company first looks for potential guides in the region of Aysén before looking outside the region or country.

Investing in our guides through first aid certifications, cultural workshops and more is what sets our company apart from others in the area.

We take pride in community tourism and visit local restaurants and hire local transportation for our groups. Additionally, Senderos Patagonia’s owners and guides continuously volunteer in the national reserve cleaning garbage and maintaining trails, as well in local and regional organizations in both environmental education and adventure tourism.

We believe that instilling an environmental conscience in locals not only pertains to adults, but begins with the community youth and strives to provide opportunities for learning and education in the local school of Cerro Castillo through workshops and field trips.

Senderos Patagonia’s purpose and mission is to protect Patagonia as an environmental and cultural destination through responsible and well-planned trips. Our hope is to instill in each of our guests awe and wonder for the pioneer culture and heritage that still exists today as we show them this beautiful corner of the world.

Some links of interest that refer to sustainability

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Tips for Responsible Traveller

Here you can find some information on how to travel ethically and responsibly. The UNWTO is a wealth of knowledge and also provides standards worldwide for responsible travel.

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The Leave No Trace Seven Principles

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created impacts. The principles have been adapted to they can be applied in your backyard or your backcountry.

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Global Sustainable Tourism Council

The GSTC Criteria are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

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IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas

Chile has just recently adopted worldwide standards to measure and manage their protected areas, one of which is the IUCN Green List Standards. Cerro Castillo National Park is one of two parks throughout all of Chile selected to certify through the IUCN program. Click here for more information on IUCN and what it means for our community and the conservation of our protected areas.