Discover sustainable travel in Chile! Enjoy responsible experiences that immerse you in the nature of this iconic country. Carbon removals included!

Sustainable Travel in Chile | Yugen Earthside

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Yugen Earthside connects mindful travelers to responsible package trips around the world. CARBON REMOVALS INCLUDED WITH EACH BOOKING!

Connecting mindful travelers to responsible experiences around the world.

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

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Discover self-guided, privately-guided, & small group tours around the world. Our sustainable adventures are customizable, and include carbon removals with each booking!

Trips | Yugen Earthside | Sustainable Adventures

Spend 7 days responsibly trekking along the Gaucho Way in pristine and untouched wild Chilean Patagonia. Carbon removals included!

[7 days] The Gaucho Way Trek in Patagonia, Chile | Yugen Earthside

Spend 7 days responsibly trekking along the Gaucho Way in pristine and untouched wild Chilean Patagonia.

Supported by gauchos and an attentive crew, discover a part of Chile that is lesser-known to travelers and famed for its natural beauty.

This is the shorter version of our signature route for Patagonia trekking. If you prefer a slightly more relaxed pace, or the option to do a bit more hiking, see the extended version (9 days) here.

The Gaucho Way follows traditional horse trails used by the 'gauchos', a term generally referring to a skilled and traditional South American cowboy. Gauchos play a significant role in the cultural heritage of the region. Families living in the valley used to follow the trail with herds of cattle on their way to the market to purchase supplies like flour, sugar, mate, and other sundries. Nowadays, there is more frequent boat travel along the trail.

Enjoy incomparable access to wilderness, learning, and adventuring in Chilean Patagonia

Discover a unique location accessible only by boat

Trek exclusively with your small group of 6-8 guests

Benefit from your guide's 30+ years of expertise and intimate local knowledge

Support our mission’s conservation, education, and community goals

Experience traditional gaucho routes, supported by locals, our friends, and neighbors

Fill your lungs with fresh, clean air while listening to the natural rhythm of lake waves hitting rocky shores, and the soft thumping of horse hooves connecting with the earth. Participate in the custom of sharing mate, a local tea.

Enjoy a deliciously prepared meal in community with others. Share a glass of wine and stories around a campfire. Identify the Southern Cross amongst the night’s sparkling stars. Cup your hands in pure, frigid water and enjoy the sweet taste of a mountain brook.

Our season runs from October to April, when daylight hours are longer and temperatures are generally mild. Patagonia is famed for its intensity of experience, and the same is true for its weather. It's not uncommon to get extreme wild, torrential rain, and brilliant sunshine all in the same day! As such, we abide by the mantra that ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes’ (and gear). 

October and November are the shoulder season.

December, January, and February are the high season. 

We help to ensure that you’re prepared to meet the vast range of changing conditions so you can truly enjoy the experience. Our activities throughout the year will be shaped by the conditions.

Meals, transportation, and lodging outside items on the itinerary (bring any specialty trail snacks you might want)

Chilean tourist cards, visas, or reciprocity fees

Wire transfer, credit card, or payment processing fees (if applicable)

Repair or replacement costs due to damage to group gear or other equipment.

Extra checkout charges at third-party accommodations.

Changes to the itinerary made at the request of clients

All expenses incurred in the event of late arrival, and early or late departure including, but not limited to, evacuation or medical expenses due to illness or injury, transportation, extra hotel nights, etc.

Charges incurred as a result of delays or factors beyond our control, such as, but not limited to inclement weather, road cuts or delays, non-navigable water or river conditions, etc.

6 nights of accommodations at the ranch, tent camp, and guest house

All meals and rations during the program according to the itinerary

All transportation in Patagonia, Chile (including horse and boat support)

Guide and logistical support for trip activities in the Aisén Region, Chile, and at our ranches

Use of all facilities and equipment at the ranch or as specified in the itinerary 

Due to the nature and costs of government and operator permits, we must abide by a stringent refund policy. The itinerary is subject to modification without notification in the event of unavailability of services and/or adverse safety or climatic conditions.

All balances are due 180 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified. Participants whose balances are not received by the 180-day deadline risk forfeiture of their place on the program.

Full refunds will be provided 180 days prior to program start date.

50% refunds will be provided 90-180 days prior to program start date.

No refunds will be provided 89 days prior to program start date.

All refund requests must be received in writing within the 90-180 day period as stated above.

Patagonia Frontiers reserves the right to waive any fees. We will strive to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible.

Excursions mentioned in the Customization section may cost between $85-150 per person depending on the activity.

Every one of our adventures is deepened by the unique location of our wilderness homestead – accessible only by boat – and embodies our mission’s conservation, education, and community goals. This trip takes travelers off the beaten path and avoids tourist "hot spots". We also raise behavioral awareness by specifically discussing with travelers how to act responsibly in this destination, and why. 

Prepare to see soaring condors or an elusive huemul, but you won’t see another traveler. It’ll be just you, us, and the wilderness. Given our remote location, you won't see many other people. Our groups are small and usually private - up to 8 people unless we have an educational group that can be larger - we have over 5000 acres as part of our homestead where even if we had two groups going, which we don't normally ever do, it would be rare you would see each other.

We are firm believers in minimal impact ethics (Leave No Trace); which apply to our ranch, the wilderness, and our community. We aim to live simply and practice conscious use of resources. Therefore, we generate our own solar power, access clean glacial water, and emphasize local and/or organic food by cultivating fruits and vegetables in a large greenhouse or fruit orchard.

Throughout the adventure, we adhere to strict environmental standards and aim at conserving ecosystems and/or preserving biodiversity.  We focus on responsible waste management (insisting on a "Leave No Trace" or "Pack It In, Pack It Out" policy, for example).  All the accommodations are hand-picked to ensure they are local and environmentally friendly. Most are small and locally run and use solar thermal panels.  

At the core of our travel philosophy is the belief that authentic experiences foster a deeper understanding of both the destination and the communities we visit. We actively honor and respect the traditional culture and livelihood of our gaucho neighbors. These knowledgeable locals serve as guides and horse packers, allowing travelers to genuinely engage with the local community.

When it comes to our staff, we prioritize inclusivity and non-discrimination in the hiring process. We strive to create a work environment that values diversity and provides equal opportunities for everyone involved. By doing so, we foster a harmonious and respectful workplace that ultimately enhances the overall experience for our travelers.

We are committed to promoting responsible tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of the local community. Our trip not only offers an unforgettable experience but also contributes to the local economy by providing employment opportunities and ensuring fair wages for the staff involved. We place a strong emphasis on creating safe and favorable working conditions for everyone working with us. By designing the trip to support local businesses, we aim to maximize the positive impact on the community as a whole, rather than benefiting only a select few. We firmly believe that nature-based tourism should be a force for good, benefiting both the people and the communities who call this place home.

Deepening our connection with the natural world, and to one another, is among our highest values:

We always hire locals, our neighbors, and friends to work the trips with us and support local businesses. They depend on work from us season after season.

Any of our employees, partners, friends, and neighbors would be willing and able to vouch for us.

We give back to our community not just in monetary ways, but how we show up as a business and personally as part of the community since this is not just a place we work but our home.

One of our fundamental priorities has always been the safety and welfare of living beings. We live in, work in, and share with others the secluded wilderness locations we call home, and we’ve found it judicious to continually emphasize a personal, as well as institutional culture of safety, risk management, and mitigation.

Spend 9 days responsibly trekking along the Gaucho Way in pristine and untouched wild Chilean Patagonia. Carbon removals included!

[9 days] The Gaucho Way Trek in Patagonia, Chile | Yugen Earthside

Spend 9 days responsibly trekking along the Gaucho Way in pristine and untouched wild Chilean Patagonia.

This is the extended version of our signature route for Patagonia trekking. The main differences between the 9-day trek and its sister trek, completed in 7 days, are:

A more leisurely start to your journey, spending the first night in Puerto Bertrand

An extra day at our main ranch, with options for a day hike

An extra day hiking to discover more of Patagonia, and an extra night in the tent camp

8 nights of accommodations at the ranch, tent camp, and guest house

We give back to our community not just in monetary ways, but how we show up as a business and personally as part of the community since this is not just a place we work but our home. 

Chile

The Gaucho Way Trek (7 days)

The Gaucho Way Trek (9 days)

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