We develop strategic partnerships with the community to support local development and create accessible travel experiences. Below are the initiatives and programs we implement on the ground:
Gastronomy and Local Commerce
We prioritize regional sourcing to support the local economy and reduce the transport footprint of our operations:
Regionally sourced ingredients: We purchase eggs, meat, vegetables, and grains directly from local ranchers and producers, strengthening the region’s food supply chain.
Crafts and décor: We source furniture, textiles, and decorative items from local businesses to showcase the work of artisans from Magallanes.
A shop with a purpose: We sell products from regional start-ups in our on-site shop. A percentage of sales from selected product lines supports conservation and animal welfare initiatives, such as Refugio Animal Cascada.
Fair business relationships: We prioritize purchasing directly from local businesses and producers, with transparent payment terms and timely payments.
Decent Work, Employee Wellbeing, and Training
At EcoCamp Patagonia and Cascada Expediciones—our parent company—we promote a safe, fair working environment focused on professional development for our teams in Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, and Santiago:
On-site living conditions: We provide our camp operations staff with comfortable accommodation, meals, and scheduled shifts and rest periods that support work-life balance.
Professional development and ongoing training: We run training programs throughout the season to strengthen technical skills, safety protocols, sustainability practices, and hospitality.
A culture of sustainability: We continually train our operations, excursions, sales, marketing, logistics, transport, and accounting teams in our sustainability policies. Staff actively share these practices with guests, suppliers, and colleagues.
Environmental and Community Partnerships
We actively collaborate with regional organizations and initiatives to address local environmental, social, and cultural challenges:
National park conservation and restoration: We fund Torres del Paine Legacy Fund projects that improve park infrastructure and protect biodiversity. We also contribute resources and volunteer support to AMA Torres del Paine reforestation campaigns.
Waste management and clean-up events: We co-organize and support the Fiesta de la Limpieza, bringing local stakeholders together to collect and manage waste around the national park’s boundaries.
Trail infrastructure and educational outreach: We sponsor Tu Mejor Huella, an initiative dedicated to sustainably rebuilding the Base Torres trail. We also work with Fundación Esperanza and local schools in Puerto Natales to facilitate workshops and educational experiences for children in the region.
Inclusive Tourism and Adapted Experiences
We design our experiences to help people with disabilities, reduced mobility, or specific requirements explore Torres del Paine National Park.
Reduced Mobility and Adapted Trekking
We actively collaborate with Wheel the World to integrate accessible equipment and accommodation in Patagonia:
Mountain equipment: We have a Joëlette single-wheel all-terrain wheelchair, designed for exploring mountain trails with our trained guides. This equipment enables us to facilitate the W Trek for people with reduced mobility.
Accessible infrastructure: We offer an adapted Suite Dome with step-free access, ample wheelchair turning space, and an accessible bathroom designed to support comfort and independence.
Sensory and family experiences: We adapt our routes and on-site explanations for travelers with sensory disabilities or low vision, and tailor exploration activities for families with children over six years old.
Catering for dietary requirements: We prepare tailored menus for guests who are vegetarian, vegan, have coeliac disease, or have food allergies or intolerances. We arrange these options with advance notice to ensure safety at every meal.
Check out our award-winning video about inclusive travel.
