Cascada Expediciones

A once in a life time opportunity [Easter Island solar eclipse]

2010-07-12T16:26:00.001-04:00

For a brief 4:45 minutes, all was darkened in Chile’s Easter Island yesterday.

Some 8 thousand spectators looked up at the sky at 14.08 local time and admired one of astronomy’s most spectacular phenomenons: the decade’s first total solar eclipse.

Even though this event did not eclipse the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup final, those who gathered round this small Pacific island and witnessed how the moon’s shadow completely covered the sun, said it was emotional, unforgettable and difficult to describe in words.

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The Ichthyosaur Cemetery in PATAGONIA

2010-06-01T11:49:00.001-04:00

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Stinnesbeck et al[1]. (2010) The Ichthyosaur Cemetery.pdf (796 KB)

Some 120 million years ago, the ichthyosaurs died at the edge of the Tyndall Glacier. Now, palaeontologists are getting to the bottom of how such mass mortality in such a confined space came about – looking for clues in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

By Wolfgang Stinnesbeck, Eberhard Frey and Marcelo Leppe Cartes

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Habbits: Change Habbits for reducing the Environmental Impact

2010-05-28T12:29:00.001-04:00

‘Changing Habbits’ is a web application that represents the ecological track of our daily actions. From an ideal human figure, each part of the body change according to the environmental impact produced, resulting in a humanoid called ‘Habbit’.

http://www.changinghabbits.co.uk/

TRY IT!

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Chilean Slang… from A to Z

2010-05-07T10:56:00.001-04:00

Chilean people, especially the youngest, contribute every day to enlarge the vocabulary of slang.

http://www.thisischile.cl/Articles.aspx?ID=1211&SEC=361&eje=Acerca&t=chilean-slang%u2026-from-a-to-z&idioma=2

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Take a look at the Ecocamp Patagonia Brochure

2010-05-04T12:28:00.001-04:00

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Brochure Ecocamp Patagonia en ISSUU

2010-05-04T12:22:00.001-04:00

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Jewels of Chile Untouched - Easter Island

2010-04-12T15:57:00.001-04:00

Chile's after-earthquake travel testimonial, Easter Island

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Jewels of Chile Untouched - Patagonia

2010-04-06T11:43:00.001-04:00

Chile's after-earthquake travel testimonial, Patagonia

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Jewels of Chile Untouched - Patagonia

2010-04-06T10:23:00.001-04:00

Chile's after-earthquake travel testimonial, Patagonia

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30 Habits that Will Change your Life

2010-03-31T10:48:00.001-03:00

Developing good habits is the basic of personal development and growth. Everything we do is the result of a habit that was previously taught to us. Unfortunately, not all the habits that we have are good, that’s why we are constantly trying to improve.

The following is a list of 30 practical habits that can make a huge difference in your life.

You should treat this list as a reference, and implement just one habit per month. This way you will have the time to fully absorb each of them, while still seeing significant improvements each month.

Health habits

Exercise 30 minutes every day. Especially if you don’t do much movement while working, it’s essential that you get some daily exercise. 30 minutes every day are the minimum recommended for optimal health.
Eat breakfast every day. Breakfast is the more important meal of the day, yet so many people skip it. Personally, I like to eat a couple of toasts in the morning along with a fruit beverage.
Sleep 8 hours. Sleep deprivation is never a good idea. You may think that you are gaining time by sleeping less, when in reality you are only gaining stress and tiredness. 8 hours are a good number of hours for most people, along with an optional 20 minutes nap after lunch.
Avoid snacking between meals. Snacking between meals is the best way to gain weight. If you are hungry, eat something concrete. Otherwise don’t. Update: for clarification, I mean don’t eat junk food between meals, but eating real food it’s ok.
Eat five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. Our body and brain loves getting vegetables and fruit, so I highly recommend eating as much of them as possible. Five portions is the dose that’s usually recommended by many health associations.
Eat fish. Fish is rich of omega 3 and other healthy elements. At least one meal per week of fish should be enough for getting all these nutrients.
Drink one glass of water when you wake up. When you wake up, your body is dehydrated and needs liquid. Make the habit of drinking one glass of water after you wake up in the morning. Also, drink more during the day.
Avoid soda. Soda is often one of the most unhealthy beverage you can find. Limit your consumption of soda as much as possible and you’re body will be grateful for that.
Keep your body clean. I don’t advise spending your day in front of the mirror, but a minimum of personal care does never hurt.
If you smoke, stop it. There’s no reason to smoke anymore, and quitting is easy.
If you drink, stop it. Same as above. Don’t think that alcohol will solve your problems. It never does. The only exception is one glass of wine per day during meals.
Take the stairs. This is just a hack that forces you to do a minimum of exercise. Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs.

Productivity habits

Use an inbox system. Make the habit of keeping track of all the ideas and things that comes to mind. You can use a notebook to do this, and then sync everything on your computer.
Prioritize. If you have a list of things to do, where do you start? One way is to prioritize your list. If you are in doubt, ask yourself: “If I could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be?”
Plan, but not too much. Planning is important, and you should decide in advance what you are going to do today or this week. However, planning for more than a few weeks is usually inefficient, so I would not worry too much about that.
Wake up early. Waking up early in the morning is a great way to gain extra time. I personally like to wake up at 5 am, so that by 9 am I have already accomplished what otherwise would have taken me many days..
Check your email only twice per day. Email can easily become an addiction, but it’s usually unnecessary to check it every 10 minutes. Make an effort and check your email only once or twice per day, see if the world will still rotate as before after you try this.
Eliminate unimportant tasks. Being busy all day does not mean you are doing important stuff. Eliminate every activity that’s not important, and focus on what really matters.
Clean off your desk and room. Having a clear room and desk is important to maintain focus and creativity.
Automate. There are a lot of tasks that you need to perform every day or every week. Try to automate them as much as possible.
Set strict deadlines. When you do something, decide in advance when you’re going to stop. There’s a rule that states that you will fulfill all the time you have available for completing a task, so make an habit of setting strict deadlines for maximizing your productivity.
Take one day off per week. Instead of working every day, take one day off per week (for example sunday) where you are not going to turn on your computer. Use that time for doing recreational activities like going for a walk.

Personal Development habits

Read 1 book per week. Reading is a good way to keep your brain active. With just 30 minutes per day you should be able to read one book per week, or more than 50 books per year.
Solve puzzles. Quizzes, word games, etc. are all good ways to exercise your brain.
Think positively. You are what you think, all the time.
Make fast decisions. Instead of thinking for one hour wherever you are going to do something, make your decisions as fast as possible (usually less than 1 minute).
Wait before buying. Waiting 48 hours before buying anything is a tremendous money saver, try it.
Meditate 30 minutes per day. A great way to gain clearness and peace is through meditation. 30 minutes are not a lot, but enough to get you started with meditation.

Career habits

Start a blog. Blogging is one of the best way to put your word out. It doesn’t have to be around a specific topic, even a personal blog will do.
Build a portfolio. If your job is creating stuff, building a portfolio is a great way to show what you are capable of. You can also contribute stuff for free if that applies to your work.

What do you think? What are the habits that changed your life?

http://www.freestylemind.com/30-habits-that-will-change-your-life

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Chile’s Great Steps for Recovery after Feb 27th Earthquake

2010-03-24T16:47:00.001-03:00

On Feb 27^th 2010 Chile was hit by a strong earthquake. Major zones affected were the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th regions and very few points of Valparaiso and the Metropolitan Area of Santiago. The 14^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th regions which comprise what is commonly known as the Chilean Patagonia, and the 15^th, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th regions which comprise what is commonly known as Atacama and Norte Grande, all these embracing 75% of Chilean territory remained unaffected by the earthquake waves.

The following are the latest steps towards recovery:

- The entire operations and touristic services in the Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine NP, the Lake District, Atacama Desert, San Pedro de Atacama, Altiplano, Santiago, Valparaiso, Easter Island and the Araucanía are fully normal and safe.

- Total recovery of the tourism infrastructure located in the wine valleys of the 6^th and 7^th regions including Cachapoal, Colchagua and Maule valleys might take up to 3 months depending on each valley particular damages. Nevertheless there are unaffected sites and many wine tours are currently working without problems.

- Santiago City is working in total normality. The Chilean National Aeronautical Authority announced that Santiago’s International Airport is working at 100% of its aeronautical capacity and the total recovery of passenger transit infrastructure is schedule for the next two months.

- The Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) -The Chilean agency in charge of national protected areas- announced that most national parks and natural reservoirs in the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th regions have been reopened and there are just a few cases still closed partially or totally, mainly those near the earthquake epicenter.

- Recovering works are well organized and fully implemented in the specific zones strongly affected by the earthquake in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th regions.

We encourage all world travelers, agencies and tour operators planning trips to Chile during this year to continue their plans as set originally since our nation is ready to welcome you all.

Sometimes Nature is a tough teacher but Chile is a good student.

Rodrigo Mata

Product & Destination Manager at Cascada Expediciones, Chile.

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[UPDATE] on Chile´s Earthquake Important Notification

2010-03-10T09:50:00.001-03:00

Chile´s Earthquake Important Notification

Cascada & EcoCamp teams want to say THANKS to all our past travelers and business partners who have contacted us with supporting words. For those who asked us on how to send donations to help alleviating suffering in the earthquake affected zones these links can help:

- Chilean Red Cross: Taking care of the victims and assisting the Chilean health system in the area. http://www.cruzroja.cl/noticias/noticia_413.php

- Un Techo para Chile: Local organization focused on building semi-permanent shelters for those who lost their homes. http://www.untechoparachile.cl/

If these pages do not open properly please be patient and try later as many people are trying to donate.

UPDATES

- Wed, March 10, 9:00 AM Lan has declared yesterday that all flights are now operating normally http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html

- Mon, March 8, 12:00 PM The Chilean National Aeronautical Authority announced Santiago International Airport operations has reached a 70% of its operational capacity and recovering works continue as planned. http://www.cefaa.cl/noticias/ver_noticia.asp?id=5-3-2010-788

Earthquake in Chile: 75% of Chilean Territory Untouched, download the PDF

- Fri, Mar 5, 11:45 AM Cascada and Ecocamp Patagonia operations are running smoothly and only few cancellations were made this week, mainly due to Santiago's International Airports issues. We expect that flight traffic through Santiago City -which is improving daily- will reach a normal level early next week as the Airport's International terminal will be reopened by Monday. More details at (Spanish only): http://www.cefaa.cl/noticias/ver_noticia.asp?id=4-3-2010-787

- Thu, March 4, 12:30 PM Lan informs that has reached 45% of its operational capacity in Santiago´s airport. http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html

- Wed, March 3, 12:30 PM Lan is updating regularly its website with information on international & national departures/arrivals from Santiago. See http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html(tables at the bottom) for detailed information on those flights.

- Wed, March 3, 12:10 PM The chilean air authority announces that what use to be the "national departure area" at the airport has been partially repaired and will now be used as international arrival/departure area. This measure will allow a higher quantity of flight operations. http://www.cefaa.cl/noticias/ver_noticia.asp?id=3-3-2010-786

- Tue, March 2, 4:20 PM The Chilean National Aeronautical Authority announced that large tented structures have already been erected at the Santiago International Airport to facilitate passenger transit, which allowed gaining 1 day to reinitiate normal operations. http://www.cefaa.cl/noticias/ver_noticia.asp?id=2-3-2010-785

- Tue, March 2, 3:20 PM Air connection problems in Santiago are improving and we are expecting normal aeronautical operations from next Monday 8 March.

- Tue, March 2, 12:20 PM Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia travel services are running normally and safe. Yesterday our trekking classic 7day Torres del Paine W Trek started as scheduled and so will do this Wednesday the 5day Short-W Trek and the 9day Torres del Paine Circuit.

- Tue, March 2, 11:00 AM Phone lines at our Santiago main office are now working normally.

- Mon, March 1, 10:00 PM Chilean air authority (http://www.cefaa.cl/noticias/ver_noticia.asp?id=1-3-2010-784) announces that national and international flights will restart this week. Phase 1 (March 3 to 5) will include national (8AM to 8PM) and international flights (8PM to 8AM). Phase 2, from March 5, will operate 24 hours.

- Mon, March 1, 09:30 PM Lan Chile announces new flight departures. Please visit: http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html

- Mon, March 1, 3:40 PM , Phone lines in Santiago are having connection problems and our company lines will be off for at least 3 days from now while recovering works go on. Our Santiago office remains fully operational and we can be contacted through the following ways:

Mobile Lines
Traveler’s Info & Emergency line (Ana Karina): if calling from Chile: 09 9240 1383; if calling from abroad: +56 9 9240 1383
Operations line (Verónica Venegas): 09 9229 2471; if calling from abroad: +56 9 9229 2471
Booking & Sales line (Britta Jedzik): 9 9476 0330; if calling from abroad: +56 9 9476 0330

Internet Lines
Booking & Sales Skype accounts (for chat only)
Susana Mendoza (susana-cascada)
Carolina Palma (carolina-cascada)
Cecilia Rojas (ceciliarojas-cascada)
Fernanda Sanchez (fernanda-cascada)
Maike Berkemeier (maike-cascada)
Andrea Jiménez (andrea-cascada)
Isabel Menendez(isabel-cascada)
Virginia Jensen (virginia-cascada)
Britta Jedzik (britta-cascada)

- Mon, March 1 3:40 PM Lan Chile updates status of its flight operation to/from Santiago, Chile: http://www.lan.com/about_us/noticias/index_contingencia-en-us.html

- Mon, March 1 1:00 PM Santiago´s airport closed. Only open for emergency flights. At 3PM local time authorities will review the situation.

Chile´s Earthquake Important Notification
On Feb 27th 2010, 03:34 hrs local time, the central zone of Chile was hit by a strong 8.8-Richter-level earthquake originated near Cauquenes Province in the Chilean 7th Region. Major zones affected are located in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th regions and the Metropolitan Area of Santiago.

The 10th, 11th and 12th regions which comprise what is commonly known as the Chilean Patagonia, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th regions which comprise what is commonly known as Atacama and Norte Grande were not affected by the earthquake waves.

Having clarified this, we notify that all the operations and touristic services developed by Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia in the Altiplano, Atacama Desert, the Lakes District and Chilean Patagonia, including Torres del Paine NP and San Pedro de Atacama are totally normal and safe. Regarding food, energy and general supplies for the Chilean Patagonia –our main operational zone- have no danger of shortages as these are normally brought from the Argentinean neighbor province of Santa Cruz.

The only point of interruption of our service operational chain is Santiago’s International Airport, which suffered significant damage in the passengers’ transit area having to stop all its operations while recovering works are going on. Recently the Chilean National Aeronautical Authority announced that this airport will start operating again on a partial basis starting from tomorrow Monday March 1st. The same organism stated that apart from this Airport the entire nation’s aeronautical infrastructure is working normally and safely at full capacity.

The entire network of Cascada Expediciones and EcoCamp Patagonia employees and provider partners are working hard to keep our operations as successful, safe and normal as it have been previous to this natural phenomenon and we encourage all our past, current and future travelers to be confident with their travel plans and continue enjoying our services in Chile and Argentina.

For further information or requests please contact your Cascada’s travel consultant. We will keep updating the news as advances go on.

Saludos desde Chile,
The Cascada and EcoCamp Patagonia Team.

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Earthquake in Chile: 75% of Chilean Territory Untouched,

2010-03-05T15:16:00.001-03:00

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comunicadoparaagencias.pdf (247 KB)

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Cascada & EcoCamp teams want to say THANKS

2010-03-03T14:23:00.001-03:00

... To all our past travelers and business partners who have contacted us with supporting words.

Saludos desde Chile,
The Cascada and EcoCamp Patagonia Team.

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30 Funny Travel Quotes To Make You Smile

2010-01-22T09:27:00.001-03:00

A collection of classic travel quotes to sharing lighthearted wit about the joys and sorrows of travel.

The usual collection of travel quotes tend to focus on inspiration and reflection. These, however, are meant to tickle your funny bone, and remind you of the inherent humor of the journey.
http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2010/01/21/30-funny-travel-quotes-to-make-you-smile/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MatadorNetwork+%28Matador+Network%29&utm_content=Bloglines

A collection of classic travel quotes to sharing lighthearted wit about the joys and sorrows of travel.

The usual collection of travel quotes tend to focus on inspiration and reflection. These, however, are meant to tickle your funny bone, and remind you of the inherent humor of the journey.

1. “When you come to a fork in the road….take it” – Yogi Berra

2. “Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.” – George Carlin

3. “If you’ve seen one redwood tree, you’ve seen them all.” – Ronald Reagan

4. “I’ve been to Paris. And it ain’t that pretty at all.” – Warren Zevon, from the song Ain’t That Pretty At All

5. “Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversations.” — Elizabeth Drew

6. “Another well-known Paris landmark is the Arc de Triomphe, a moving monument to the many brave women and men who have died trying to visit it.” – Dave Barry

7. “The major advantage of domestic travel is that, with a few exceptions such as Miami, most domestic locations are conveniently situated right here in the United States.” – Dave Barry

8. “Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.” – Charles Kuralt

9. “The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” – Russell Baker

10. “You can find your way across this country using burger joints the way a navigator uses stars.” – Charles Kuralt

11. “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra

12. “Do not insult the mother alligator until after you have crossed the river.” – Old Haitian Proverb

13. “Canada is the vichyssoise of nations – it’s cold, half French and difficult to stir.” – Stuart Keate

14. “On a New York subway you get fined for spitting, but you can throw up for nothing.” – Lewis Grizzard

15. “Gaiety is among the most outstanding features of the Soviet Union.” – Joseph Stalin

16. “San Francisco is like granola. Take away all the fruits and the nuts and all you have left are the flakes.” – Unknown

17. “France is the only country where the money falls apart and you can’t tear the toilet paper.” – Billy Wilder

18. “Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” – Steve Martin

19. “Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube. There are some things one would rather have done than do.” – Edward Abbey

Always look out for the hostage Buddha / Photo: antwerpenR

20. “There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.” – Edward Abbey

21. “If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

22. “I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places”. – Henny Youngman

23. “Two great talkers will not travel far together.” – Spanish Proverb

24. “Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.” – Yogi Berra

25. “I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” – George Bernard Shaw

26. “I had a prejudice against the British until I discovered that fifty percent of them were female.” – Raymond Floyd

27. “Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.” – Unknown

28. “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money”. – Unknown

29. “Knock Knock! Who’s there? Tibet! Tibet who? Early Tibet and early to rise!” – Aha Jokes

30. “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” – Mark Twain

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Helping Haiti: A Guide To Helping Haitians

2010-01-15T11:03:00.001-03:00

Helping Haiti has been on everyone’s minds in the wake of a destructive earthquake that rocked the country Tuesday.

http://www.petergreenberg.com/2010/01/14/helping-haiti-a-guide-to-helping-haitians/

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Borrow a Dog When You Travel

2010-01-08T12:07:00.001-03:00

Yes, your dog is your best friend, but he can’t always join you on your travels.

So what’s the next best thing?

How about “borrowing” Spot or Fido, for a hike or some snowshoeing?

Check out this video about an innovative sort of pet program….

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid24025409001?bctid=45072520001

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Jack Johnson - The 3 R's

2010-01-07T11:01:00.001-03:00

We’ve got three R’s we’re going to talk about today
We’ve got to learn to
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Photo Essay: 14 Natural Wonders of South America

2010-01-06T16:39:00.001-03:00

From rainforests to glaciers, South America is one diverse continent. Here are 14 of its most spectacular natural wonders
http://matadortrips.com/photo-essay-14-natural-wonders-of-south-america/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MatadorNetwork+%28Matador+Network%29&utm_content=Bloglines

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Cascada Expediciones Carbon Offset Certificate

2009-12-18T14:50:00.001-03:00

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Carbonfundorg Certificate.pdf (357 KB)

For Offsetting
15.96 Tons of CO2 Emissions

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EcoCamp Patagonia in National Geographic Traveller

2009-12-18T12:36:00.001-03:00

Great Winter Escapes
Sleeping Arrangements: Back to Nature, In Style

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/feature/warm-weather-escapes-text/17

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Holiday Greetings from Chile

2009-12-16T13:41:00.001-03:00

We wish you enjoy! a lot this upcoming year!

All the best from Chile

Your friends from Cascada Expediciones & Ecocamp Patagonia

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http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2009/12/14/how-travel-opens-your-heart/

2009-12-15T15:55:00.001-03:00

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otro

2009-12-15T09:32:00.001-03:00

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another

2009-12-15T09:18:00.001-03:00

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Producing Consumers + Carbon-neutral Travel

2009-11-24T13:22:00.002-03:00

Munich 2030 from IDEO on Vimeo.

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards

2009-11-16T13:03:00.001-03:00

Recognition for Ecocamp Patagonia at the  Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009
 Ecocamp Patagonia has been highly commended in the Best in a Mountain Environment category at this year’s Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com.
At a ceremony hosted at World Travel Market (WTM), Docklands, London, on Wednesday 11th November, the Awards were handed out by Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com, organizers and founders of the Awards, and Amanda Wills, managing director of Virgin Holidays, headline sponsor of the Awards.

EcoCamp Patagonia

2009-11-08T16:48:00.001-03:00

cEcocamp in Torres del Paine National Park In this world of vanishing wilderness, we invite you to explore our remote Patagonia with the least ecological impact possible

The Valparaiso Foundation in charge of the American poet Todd Temkiny

2009-11-03T16:59:00.002-03:00

The Valparaiso Foundation in charge of the American poet Todd Temkiny was the source of information to the National Geographic journal Traveler online guide "The poetic streets of Valparaiso” the best travel guide online for this city, heritage of the world.

Public awareness: Global warming HQ

2009-10-21T14:51:00.000-03:00

The NASA picture of the day

2009-10-15T08:54:00.002-03:00

Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Stars Over Easter Island
Credit & Copyright: Stéphane Guisard (Los Cielos de Chile), TWAN

Explanation: Why were the statues on Easter Island built? No one is sure. What is sure is that over 800 large stone statues exist there. The Easter Island statues, stand, on the average, over twice as tall as a person and have over 200 times as much mass. Few specifics are known about the history or meaning of the unusual statues, but many believe that they were created about 500 years ago in the images of local leaders of a lost civilization. Pictured above, a large stone statue appears to ponder the distant Large Magellanic Cloud before a cloudy sky that features the bright stars Canopus and Sirius.

Cascada Expediciones is listed!

2009-09-22T12:08:00.002-04:00

Travel Green Guide - The International Ecotourism Society - TIES
A guide to responsible travel options that benefits conservation, communities and sustainable travel.

Lewis Pugh talks about his record-breaking swim across the North Pole.

2009-09-11T12:59:00.000-04:00

Tourist hordes told to stay away from world heritage sites by the locals

2009-09-09T10:40:00.003-04:00

From Easter Island to Venice, communities are up in arms at the environmental damage being caused by mass tourism

Easter Island statues. Photograph: Michael Dunning/Getty

In the brochure or guidebook they look idyllic and fascinating. Unspoilt beaches, ancient monuments and historic cities dripping with charm. But the Wish You Were Here postcard scenes of the world's tourist sites do not show you an increasingly common sight: the band of placard-waving locals who wish you weren't.

Last week the Chilean under-secretary of the interior, Patricio Rosende, travelled more than 2,000 miles to a volcanic speck in the ocean to spend two days in heated talks with the people of Easter Island. Those who live on the island, which is part of Chile and famed for its massive ancient stone statues, believe they are facing ecological disaster because of hordes of tourists. But their complaints have fallen on deaf ears and lack support from those on the island who survive on visitor dollars.

Last month, protesters resorted to blocking the airport, moving tents and trucks on to the runway and demanding that the 65,000 visitors who fly in each year, some of whom choose to stay on and work, be capped. As about 600 angry US tourists expressed their irritation after they faced the resultant flight cancellations at the airport in the Chilean capital, Santiago, the government agreed to discuss the islanders' concerns about overcrowding, the environment and controls on commerce.

"The only thing we are looking for is an answer from the government regarding the need for greater control on who comes to Easter Island," said the island's mayor, Luz Zasso. "We ask, for example, that those who arrive have a card which describes the activity they will be doing here, just like in the Galápagos Islands."

With a population of 4,900 that has grown by 29% since 2002, the island is forced to deal with more than it can handle. A similar problem led to the Pitcairn Islands, also in the Pacific, establishing immigration controls, with categories for "short-period" tourists with a maximum stay of 14 days and "long-period" tourists with a maximum stay of six months.

The Galápagos Islands already have a limit on visitors but still suffer from what some call backpacker fatigue. Only a few weeks ago British and Ecuadorian scientists discovered that a mosquito carrying avian malaria that threatens the unique ecosystem of the islands was being brought in by tourists. The discovery may help local environmental activists, who are hugely concerned about the future of the islands, which two years ago were added to the list of 31 endangered world heritage sites by Unesco.

The Galápagos – an archipelago in the Pacific famed for its huge number of endemic species – saw an increase in the number of visitors from 40,000 in 1990 to more than 170,000 last year, making tourism a major source of income for the islands and mainland Ecuador. In 2007 there were 2,194 flights to the islands and an estimated 363,000 passenger days on boats.

"Few tourists realise the irony that their trip to the Galápagos is putting strain on the very unspoilt beauty they are there to see," said Tom Hall, of the travel guide Lonely Planet. "Tourism round the world is facing some really pressing issues. We are seeing these few demonstrations by locals, but really if you are in a developing country and are worried about these issues you are also going to be worried about your income and about rocking the boat with your government," he said.

"Easter Island is a little different to the Galápagos and a little more complicated. It's a key stopover for flights between Chile and Tahiti, and gets a lot of visitors stopping over for a few days. It's part of many popular round-the-world itineraries for independent travellers and flights here are usually full.

"Owing to this, it doesn't have the option of restricting numbers by aiming at top-end tourists as some countries do – Botswana, for instance. The flip side of that is there are only so many of those tourists to go around. Then places such as Australia market themselves as independent traveller destinations and accordingly have to deal with the problems that brings. The remoteness of Easter Island means it'll never be another Machu Picchu [the Inca mountain city in Peru] in terms of the numbers who visit, but it is almost entirely reliant on tourism so locals are understandably keen to draw attention to and limit any damage.

"High-volume tourism changes places, but you look at what Venice is planning – and is that fair? Should one of the most expensive cities in the world have the right to keep people out?"

What Venice is planning is still very much at the discussion level, but pressure is growing on Italian authorities to take drastic action against the daily influx of visitors who crowd the city's narrow streets and Renaissance square.

Enrico Mingardi, in charge of public transport in the city, has just proposed that tourists should have to pre-book their visits to the city and only so many would be admitted on any one day.

"There's a need to study a project where there is a cap on the number of visitors," he said. "If you have a booking, you can come in; if not, you can't. There is a physical threshold above which we cannot go."

Others in the city have called the plans "undemocratic". Alessandra Smith, a spokeswoman for the Italian State Tourist Board, said an alternative was to encourage people away from the traditional sights. "Venice is not just St Mark's Square, there are areas off the beaten track you can find fewer people… Areas such as what used to be the old Jewish ghetto and quarters, or the island opposite St Mark's Square, are very pleasant. You can explore the old churches and the old docklands; all those areas off the square are much quieter."

But the truth is that there are a decreasing number of quiet spots around the world not being reached by the 903 million pairs of feet that criss-crossed the planet on their holidays in 2007 alone.

Ever since the guidebook to foreign lands became fashionable in Victorian times, tourism has risen steadily. With China and India coming on to the world stage, too, as many more of their citizens catch the travel bug, numbers of tourists have risen steeply year on year for the past five years.

Brazil, Middle East, France, the United States, and even Armenia reported bumper figures for tourism last year. Many blame guidebooks and travel writing for encouraging the boom, but the truth is that when Ernest Hemingway wrote The Snows of Kilimanjaro, he had no idea he would encourage more than 10,000 people to tackle the eroding sides of the Tanzanian peak. Likewise the conquering of Everest has seen a small but devout stream of climbers leave so much litter there that the base camp was described as "the world's highest garbage dump" by mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington.

Clear-up efforts were finally put in place after pressure from local sherpas and the Nepal Mountaineering Association encouraged the Nepalese government to impose a deposit on climbers, refundable only if they take disposable equipment back home with them.

Even the UK has not been immune to the problems, with the standing stones at Stonehenge having to be fenced off from the hands of an over-eager public to prevent damage. Ancient monuments are often particularly vulnerable. When the builders of the tombs of the pharaohs closed the burial places in the Valley of the Kings, they did everything they could to seal them for all eternity.

Ventilation was not a big priority, which is why Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, announced in August that the impact of thousands of tourists every day breathing inside the tombs was causing damage to wall carvings and paint. The grave sites of the boy king Tutankhamun and of Queen Nefertiti and Seti I have so much humidity that fungus is growing on the walls. The Egyptian authorities are now expected to announce plans to close at least those three tombs down to the public completely, replacing them with replicas.

Otherwise, Hawass warned, they would be gone: "The tombs which are open to visitors face severe damage to both colours and the engravings. The levels of humidity and fungus are increasing because of the breath of visitors, and this means that the tombs could disappear in between 150 and 500 years."

The mummy of Tutankhamun, who was made pharaoh at the age of nine, was found in an ornate sarcophagus, his face covered by a solid gold burial mask encrusted with semi-precious stones. It was his image, and the story of his mysterious death in 1324BC at the age of 19 that helped Egypt to sell itself as a tourist destination across the world.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities has taken a series of measures to protect the tombs, including restrictions on visitors. The country has come a long way in tackling environmental damage since 1995, when it had to be dissuaded from building a motorway alongside the pyramid of Khufu at Giza, the last of the ancient seven wonders of the world still standing – although earthquakes rather than tourism saw to most of the rest.

Tourism can be seen as either a source of funds to save such sights or the curse that erases them, but at the moment, said Xavier Font of Leeds Metropolitan University's Centre for Responsible Tourism, the right balance is far from being struck. "Around the world, most governments can point to one project where the environment has been considered and the locals are happy, but for every one like that there will be another 10 some 20 miles down the road where the turtle habitat has been destroyed or forests ripped up.

"The problem is in the actual development itself, which has the major impact, and with construction companies building resorts and second homes they are going to sell straight on to operators. There is little impetus to build them with any environmental conscience, when actually it is quite simple to put in measures that will reduce a building's water and energy use. There is a cycle of damage that tourism brings; that's true whether it's Brazil or Benidorm. Places like the Red Sea are using so much water they need a desalination plant. So they put one in, but in the process they over-salinate that area and kill the coral.

"Much of the so-called income generated by tourism goes outside the country to big companies and operators. The people who are crushed by tourism will be the very ones tourists think are getting the money. The reality is the farmer may sell his land to the developer, but then the tourists move in and the price of living becomes so high the farmer can't afford to be there any more."

Not only are we doing damage by thoughtless travelling, he said, we also use more energy and resources on holiday than we do at home.

A rise in eco-holidays and sustainable travel operators may go a little way to addressing the balance but, as more and more tourism sites round the world face backpacker fatigue, some of the world's most famous wonders could increasingly be closed off to the public, accessible only through an image on a postcard.

Why We Travel?

2009-09-01T15:55:00.001-04:00

Why do we travel? Are we looking simply to escape, to take a break from the stressors of daily life? Is it because it makes us happy? Because it is fun?

I would say that the majority of people who travel are looking for something more—whether we realize it or not, the experience of travel provides far more than a relaxing and fun getaway (although that’s a big part of it). I might even go so far as to say that the desire to travel is a primal instinct, and if we all listen closely enough, we can hear it telling us to explore, to connect, to venture out into our world and see what it’s all about. After all, we’ve been doing this very thing since the dawn of man.

Even the most basic instincts are spawned from somewhere—a need to survive, a need to protect, a need to nurture. In a world where we are connected to cultures and happenings with the touch of a button, what could travel possibly provide us that we don’t already have at our fingertips, and why do we feel so compelled to go out and see it firsthand? Where does this need come from?

The African bushman story tellers talk about two kinds of Hunger: They say there is physical hunger, and what they call the Great Hunger. This is the hunger for meaning, and there is only one thing that is truly insufferable, and that is a life without meaning. There is nothing wrong, they say, with the search for happiness but there is something greater: Meaning, which transfigures all. When you have meaning, you are content and you belong.

There is nothing as insufferable as a life without meaning. This hunger to find meaning in our lives, our purpose—beyond the quest for happiness, beyond material things, beyond all else that outwardly defines us, we are looking for something deeper. Travel—near or far—I believe, satiates this hunger. When we travel, we can better understand our world, we come to understand ourselves and find meaning in the smallest of experiences, enriching our lives in ways that perhaps no other activity can.

I invite you to take a look at your own travels—past, present and future—and explore the reasons you go where you go, want to see what you see, and listen to other reasons that might not be so obvious. To find even deeper meaning and connect with the places you visit, consider getting involved when you travel. Whether its donating to or visiting travel philanthropy projects or taking a volunteer vacation, there are inumerable opportunities to give back, benefit and protect the places and communities we so cherish.

By Responsible Travel http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/

Beautiful Patagonia - Torres del Paine

2009-07-28T09:05:00.001-04:00

Just look at it..

Parque Pumalín - Saved by the Volcano! (by Wayne Bernhardson, Moon Guides)

2009-07-27T12:04:00.002-04:00

www.moon.com

The 2008 eruption of Volcán Chaitén, about which I have written several blog entries, now turns out to have had positive as well as negative consequences. For years, environmental philanthropist Doug Tompkins has been arguing that building a road

10 New Eco-Friendly Travel Gadgets

2009-07-22T11:45:00.002-04:00

Photo: Courtesy of Bedol

Biodegradable laptops, solar-powered batteries, cell phones made from recycled materials, and more.

From November 2008 By Scott Steinberg

Call us cranky, jealous of yesteryear’s freewheeling jet-setters, or just plain old-fashioned, but these days, “getting away from it all“ just doesn’t feel the same. Courtesy of 2008’s ADD-afflicted world of buzzing BlackBerries, text-messaging iPhones, and jangling Bluetooth headsets, even pleasure seekers can seldom afford to unplug from the grid.

With 71 percent of Americans determined to shrink their carbon footprint, but only 18 percent of the nation’s annual 2.5 million tons of consumer electronics waste being recycled, what’s today’s eco-enlightened traveler to do?Happily for those tired of getting the stink eye every time they innocently whip out their Treo or MacBook Air, the answer is simple: geek out the green way!

Increasingly biodegradable, constructed from natural materials, and Energy Star compliant, a new breed of environmentally friendly gadgets promises to offer eco-conscious travelers simple, feel-good solutions. From sustainable hard drives and bamboo-encased laptops to solar-charged video players, H2O-powered timepieces, and memory cards that upload pixel-perfect snapshots straight from quaint Parisian bistros and glistening Norwegian fjords, the future’s sealed in silicon. Even for self-described IT fetishists, there are more ways than ever to cut back on pollution and synthetic waste without cutting the cord.

The Market for Forest Carbon Offsets - Conservation International

2009-07-21T14:22:00.002-04:00

July 16, 2009

By Andrea Wolfson

When it comes to protecting the planet, companies are showing that they care about more than just the bottom line.

Companies purchase forest carbon offsets to reduce their “footprint,” recognizing that to care for nature is to ensure the well-being of humanity. And the market for forest carbon offsets is growing: the cumulative volumes of forestry offsets purchased in the last 10 years are about equal to the amount bought in 2008 alone.

Continue Reading the article...

Recycled, durable toys.

2009-07-20T14:24:00.000-04:00

Green Toys Indoor Gardening Kit

Green Toys’ Sand Play Set, Tea Set and Indoor Gardening Kit all made their way into our home as gifts and then won us over across generational lines. They’re constructed of recycled milk cartons (high-density polyethylene), have a clean, attractive, colorful-but-not-garish aesthetic and are just shy of bulletproof. I could see the Green Toys sets we have looking new long after they’ve been handed down a handful of times.

The gardening kit's a pleasure because it requires parental involvement (for the recently post-toddler set, at least), and patience from grownups and kids, alike: Plant a seed and watch it grow is a long-term activity, after all. The kit comes with three seed options - basil, sunflower and zinnias -- if you don’t already have a supply on hand. Your child gets to choose what she wants to plant and take some ownership in the process. The toy’s renewable in that once your seedlings have grown enough to be transplanted elsewhere, you can plant another round. And another. Seasons permitting, of course.

Structurally, the green base tray with recessed spots to hold the three pots is an earnest attempt to maintain tidiness for indoor use, and it does keep order as well as provide a moisture barrier when placing the kit on top of furniture. Slightly deeper indentations in the base would help to hold the pots in place better; we’ve had some spills. Regardless, hydrating the compressed soil pucks is a reanimating spectacle for kids and parents.

UNESCO will implement the second half of its “Sustainable Ecotourism in Easter Island” project

2009-07-07T10:19:00.002-04:00

UNESCO will implement the second half of its “Sustainable Ecotourism in Easter Island” project, to protect the cultural treasure that made Rapa Nui NP a World Heritage Site, all this with the help of the Japanese Government funds! UNESCO website

Five Easy Steps: Planning Your Trip (By TIES)

2009-07-02T11:56:00.001-04:00

Making informed choices before and during your trip is the single most important thing you can do to become a responsible traveler. With a little planning, you can improve the quality of your trip, while making a real difference to the people and places you visit. :: CONTINUE READING::

Pictures of the construction of new Suite Domes at the Ecocamp Patagonia

2009-06-23T11:38:00.007-04:00

Construction of new Ecocamp Patagonia Cuadruple Suite Domes. Follow the Link (you will be redirected to our Facebook page)

Sait Peter's Day

2009-06-22T17:39:00.001-04:00

There’s a ritual that has been maintained for more than a hundred years in Valparaiso… every June 29th (St Peter’s day, Chilean fishermen’s patron saint) they decorate their boats (over 300), taking on board a St. Peter’ statue, and leave to sail along the coast!

.travel newsletter: "Eco-friendly Expeditions by One of the Best Adventure Companies on Earth"

2009-06-18T12:46:00.003-04:00

Cascada Expediciones is a Chilean tour operator dedicated to develop eco-friendly trips in Patagonia, Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. With over 15 years of experience in offering a wide range of exciting trips, Cascada Expediciones has been recognized for two consecutive years as one of the Best Adventure Companies on Earth by the editors of National Geographic's Adventure Magazine. Based in Santiago, Chile, Cascada Expediciones prides itself on providing quality tourist services, which are environmentally sustainable, meanwhile facilitating the discovery of nature and offering the best work-life balance for its staff. Read the full article (you will download a jpg)

Huerquehue NP 42nd birthday!

2009-06-16T09:00:00.005-04:00

Huerquehue means “Lugar de mensajeros” (Messengers’ site in Spanish) a stunning National Park in Chilean 10th Region, the only natural reserve open to the public all year round, and it’s celebrating 42 years this week!. So, if you're here in winter... (our winter) you won't want to miss it!. You might want to do a TOUR

Festival of the Rain

2009-06-16T08:57:00.001-04:00

The city of Puerto Varas in the X Region organized a festival to celebrate the winter! Is the first “Festival of the Rain” and it’ll color the streets until next Sunday…
You can add more adventure to the festival. Click here...

The whales arrived in southern Argentina last Friday 5th,

2009-06-12T14:28:00.000-04:00

... Where they come to couple, an event unique in the world! The fourth edition of “Whale Watching” was organized and it’s transmitted over the Internet through www.vigiliadeballenas.com -an innovative experience in Digital Tourism- Enjoy this natural show that can’t stop astonishing year after year!

NEW PATRIMONY ROUTE IN CHILE

2009-06-11T12:10:00.002-04:00

“Passage at the end of the world, Darwin Circuit in Magallanes”

200 years since Darwin’s birth, National Properties Ministry will publish a Patrimony Guide in order to promote the sites walked by the British naturalist in the nineteenth century.
The route includes all sites visited by Darwin on its way through the country, which includes the towns of Paihuano in IV Region, La Campana, in V Region; Chiloé and Puerto del Hambre in X Region, and Fuerte Bulnes and Isla Navarino, in the XII Region, the Region of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica. According to the Ministry's authorities, the New Patrimony Route will emphasize on the landmarks located in Patagonia, because it was there where the naturalist first arrived and because of the ecological and human uniqueness of the area that drew so much his attention.

It's a new route so there's not a lot of tour programs to go there... you can ask us for a custom trip if you want just write us.

Grey Glacier Hike

2009-06-10T15:19:00.003-04:00

Part of the Cascada Expediciones team hiking on Grey Glacier, Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile.

A message of mobilization out to every human being

2009-06-10T09:52:00.003-04:00

"We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.

The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.

For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.

HOME has been made for you: share it! And act for the planet."
Its is a long video.. so safe some time for watching it!
Click Here! (you will be redirected to Youtube)

Run Eugenio Run!

2009-06-03T12:31:00.002-04:00

Our Driver Eugenio running without floor! LOL.

Cascada & Ecocamp Patagonia Team on the post season Trip

2009-06-02T10:16:00.013-04:00

Cascada & Ecocamp Patagonia Team on the post season Trip
Some of us surfed while others were flying (parapente), and off course we party a little bit the night before, LOL.

Cascada & Ecocamp Patagonia Team Surfing

2009-06-01T14:04:00.001-04:00

2009-05-26T09:01:00.002-04:00

For second consecutive
year, Cascada Expediciones awarded Best Adventure Travel Companies 2009
by the editors of National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine.
Our Rating Criteria Score on Client Satisfaction was 100.00. Our overall score was 91.50 out of a 100.00. Visit Best Adventure Travel Companies [on earth] HERE!

What’s the difference between the Aymara and Atacameño people?

2009-05-19T12:43:00.000-04:00

The trips to San Pedro de Atacama and Altiplano are great adventures because of their impressive nature and contrasts, but also include the visits to some local villages where people called “pueblos originarios” (aboriginal) live.

They are Aymaras or Atacameños. The main difference between them lies in how they expanded their cultures. Aymara culture spread into a much larger territory and is older than the Atacameños.

The Aymara people settled in the Altiplano (cold and semi-arid, is the most extensive area of high plateau on earth outside of Tibet) and in the Andes, in what is now Bolivia and part of Peru and northern Chile, where they have lived for many centuries (around 2,000 years).

Some scholars, and many Aymara themselves, associate them with the highly advanced civilization centered in Tiwanaku. Their language, called Aymara as well, was once spoken much further north, at least as far north as central Peru. In fact, Inca nobility may themselves originally have been Aymara-speakers, who switched to Quechua only shortly before the Inca expansion. For example, the Cuzco area has many Aymara place names and the so-called 'secret language of the Incas' actually appears to be a form of Aymara.

On the other hand, the Atacameños (or Lickan-antay, “inhabitants of the territory”) were originally nomadic hunters that followed herds of wild camelids and for this reason never expanded their territories as much as the Aymara. Later, their advanced knowledge of primitive agricultural methods contributed to the development of a semi-sedentary lifestyle with seasonal movements. Their main territory lay in the Andean portion of the Atacama Desert, and despite the fact that this is driest plateau on the whole planet, they survived as farmers

How were the “Towers” created?

2009-05-19T12:41:00.000-04:00

When visiting Torres del Paine (‘Torres’ means towers in Spanish and Paine is an indigenous word for blue) many travelers wonder… how were the towers created? Scientists found the answer about 12 million years ago. The original geological formation of the Paine Massif began when Cretaceous sedimentary rocks were intruded upon by a Miocene-aged laccolith (an igneous intrusion). After this original formation, orogenic and glacial erosion continued to shape the landscape into its present topography. The Cuernos (horns) del Paine, with their central bands of nicely exposed granite strongly contrasting with the dark aspect of their tops, which are remnants of a heavily eroded sedimentary stratum are a particularly good example of this glacial erosion. In the case of Las Torres themselves, what once was their overlying sedimentary rock layer has been completely eroded away, leaving behind the more resistant granite.

Chilean words and slang

2009-05-19T09:34:00.000-04:00

The Spanish spoken in Chile is standard for the most part, but there are some words which are different from the Spanish spoken in Spain or the other Latin American countries. Here we have some of them, dedicated to travelers … or as they would say in Chile, “patiperros” coming from the phrase “pata de perro” (dog paw) referring to those who love traveling everywhere! There are different ways to travel, one of them is “andinismo” (mountain climbing) which comes from Andes as “alpinismo” (the Spanish word used in the rest of the countries) comes from Alpes… but the thing is that we are next to the Andean Range and pretty far from the Alpes! Backpacking is called “mochilear” coming from ‘mochila’ (backpack) instead of saying “excursionismo”. If the tourist has light colored hair will be called ‘gringo’ no matter if he/she is American or not and not in a negative way (what could happen in other Latin American countries where ‘gringo’ is a pejorative word) it’s just for being a foreign person. Usually a guest in a hotel is called “huésped” which is Spanish and also “alojado” a Chilean word that comes from alojamiento (accommodation) but is not in the dictionaries… We’ll continue this section.

Cascada Expediciones

2007-11-21T15:05:00.000-03:00

Cascada Expediciones is a Chilean in-bound tour operator dedicated mainly to develop eco-friendly trips in the Patagonia, Chile, Argentina andBolivia. We have more than 15 years offering a wide range of exciting trips in the region and most of our clients come from America and Europe. Our headquarters are located in Santiago de Chile. Additionally Cascada owns and operates the EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine NP – the first sustainable accommodation in the region, from which depart most of our trips in this Park including trekking, hiking, horseback riding, and fauna observation trips.

Our goals can be stated as:
• Create and provide quality Tourist Services, innovative and with the highest value in terms of the life experience related to it.
• Promote the benefits of Nature and Wilderness in its many forms, facilitate the discovery of the primitive spirit and create a deep understanding and respect to it.
• Provide the best life conditions for all the ones working at Cascada Expediciones, assuring it to become a tool for personal and professional development.
• Develop and promote Tourist Services which are environmentally sustainable, to provide ecotourism.

PATAGONIA, TORRES DEL PAINE, ATACAMA, TOURS IN CHILE.

2007-11-19T15:34:00.000-03:00

Cascada Expediciones Services are designed to create a worthwhile experience and deep exposure to nature and culture

Our goals can be stated as:

• Create and provide quality Tourist Services, innovative and with the highest value in terms of the life experience related to it. 

• Promote the benefits of Nature and Wilderness in its many forms, facilitate the discovery of the primitive spirit and create a deep understanding and respect to it. 

• Provide the best life conditions for all the ones working at Cascada Expediciones, assuring it to become a tool for personal and professional development. 

• Develop and promote Tourist Services which are environmentally sustainable, to provide ecotourism.

5 Day Torres del paine Trek

2007-11-19T15:28:00.000-03:00

Day 1: Travel to Torres del Paine Arrive around noon-1PM. in Punta Arenas with the earliest morning flight from Santiago. Drive to Cascada Ecocamp (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look of the town (you have here the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at Cascada Ecocamp at Las Torres (L,D);

 Day 2: French Valley - Valle del Frances Trasfer to Pudeto (45 min) to board the catamaran which crosses Lake Pehoe (09:00 hrs). Today the trekking will go over 8 kms/5 mi (2,5-3,5 hrs) up to Campamento Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 mi, 1,5-2,5 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. The track between Camp Pehoe and Camp Italiano makes its way through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest to meet river Frances and Camp Italiano. From here we follow the wild river upstream until El Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances which descends from Paine Grande (the highest summit in the Paine range). Magnificent broad view of the lakes below. Once we are back at Camp Italiano, we return to refugio Pehoe for overnight. (B,L-,D);

 Day 3: Pehoe - Grey Glacier We’ll hike about four hours from Refuge Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey. At 16:00 hrs board the boat which sails alongside the face of Glaciar Grey. We will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lago Grey (40 min.). Transfer (1,5 hrs) from Lake Grey's southern end to Cascada Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight. (B,L-,D); 1) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe.

 Day 4: Torres del Paine (Ascencio Valley) An all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below: one of the most scenic sights in the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue; overnight at Cascada Ecocamp (B,L,D)

 Day 5: Travel to Punta Arenas Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. (B, L).

9 DAY TORRES DEL PAINE CIRCUIT

2007-11-16T16:29:00.000-03:00

Day 1: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine We will pick you up at 12:15 PM at your Punta Arenas’ hotel or 1PM at Punta Arenas’ airport if your are flying that same day. (so be sure to arrive in the morning!). Transfer to Puerto Natales (250 kms/156 miles/3 hours), lunch, and from there transfer (140 kms/ 88 miles /2 hrs) to EcoCamp Las Torres inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In the Chilean summer time, the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look of the town (you have here the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wonder that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp) (L-,D)

 Day 2: Valle Ascencio (21 kms/13 miles, 9-10 hrs round-trip) We start our trekking journeys with the celebrate hike to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine. From here admire the most typical sight of the Paine Towers (weather permitting) rising above a green lagoon. The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Overnight camping in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp) (B, L-, D);

 Day 3: Ecocamp- Laguna Azul – Lago Dickson (28 kms/18 miles, 9 hrs) Early transfer to Laguna Azul The day will start trekking through the lenga forest of the northern side of Laguna Azul lake which was affected by the Feb. 2005 fire. In this sector you may observe black woodpeckers, typical birds of Patagonia. Once arriving to the Dickson lake, have a spectacular view on Glacier Dickson and part of the Hielo Patagonico Sur (South Patagonia Ice Field). The trek continues along the eastern bank of the Rio Paine. You will stop at a lookout point with a wonderful panoramic view of Lago Paine below. Descend to the lake level and continue across open grasslands along the Rio Paine to Refugio Dickson. Our stunning campsite will be in the Dickson Valley surrounded by towering snow capped peaks and the pretty waters of Dickson Lake with Mt. Cubo in the distance. Hot showers available. Overnight camping at Dickson (B, L-, D).

 Day 4: Glacier Dickson hike (14 kms/9 miles, 6 hrs rt) An easy hike to recover yourself from the last 2 demanding days. Today we will trek north to Lago Quemado and get close to the beautiful Dickson Glacier and its iceberg-filled lake. (B, L-D);

 Day 5: Lago Dickson- Los Perros (9 kms/6miles, 5 hrs) The trail follows Los Perros river and encounters the wildest and least accessible section of the trek. Virgin beech forests crossed by many water courses leads the way towards the lovely Laguna Los Perros where we set up camp. Spend the night camping at Los Perros (B, L-, D)

 Day 6: Los Perros- Camp Grey (14 kms/9miles, 10-11 hrs) In this section we reach the highest point of the circuit at 1300 mts (4000 ft) with an awe-inspiring view of the Grey glacier, an enormous fractured mass of ice choking the valley. The route continues roughly south along forested slopes with occasional landslides and a beautiful view of the enormous glacier Grey (more than five miles across and ten miles in length). Overnigth at camp Grey. (B, L-, D)

 Day 7: Camp Grey - Camp Pehoe (11 kms/7 miles, 4 hrs) Free morning. Those willing to do a half day hike on the Grey Glacier with the use of crampons might book the trip on site (this is a great way to see the glacier up close. No previous glacier hiking experience is needed and all the technical gear is provided. PM: The trek continues down alongside Grey Glacier until it calves into the Lake Grey. Then it keeps going by the eastern side of the lake through clearings of Calafate bushes. The view over the lake, with numerous giant icebergs drifting across the waters is very impressive at this point. Finally, the track climbs onto flat ridges and passes a small lake one hour before descending through a shallow dry valley to arrive at Lago Pehoe. We spend the night in our camp by the turquoise lake Pehoe. (B, L-, D)

 Day 8: Valle Frances (22 kms, 8 to 10 hrs round trip) The track makes its way north through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest, passing two small lakes, and continues by the south-east slopes of Cerro Paine to meet river Frances. From here we follow the river upstream passing Camp Italiano, below Glaciar Frances, and –weather permitting- keep going until it reaches a small hut built by some British climbing expedition. This magnificent setting is surrounded by high peaks on all sides being especially spectacular the Cuernos del Paine (the horns). Later we return to Pehoe and take the 6:30PM boat that crosses the Pehoe lake and drive back to the camp in Las Torres (optional upgrade to Cascada Ecocamp) (B, L-, D); (B, L-, D).

 Day 9: Punta Arenas Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. (B, L).

 Note:  During shoulder season, months of October and April, boat schedule at lake Pehoe changes, modifying slightly our itinerary.

7 DAY TORRES DEL PAINE TREKKING

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Day 1: Travel to Torres del Paine Trekkers will need to arrive around noon-12PM to Punta Arenas on the earliest morning flight from Santiago. From there, we will drive to Cascada Ecocamp (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains as we the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales to check out the town (here you have the chance to leave any luggage that you will not need during the trek in our office), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth. Overnight at Cascada Ecocamp in Las Torres (L- , D);

 Day 2: Paso Los Cuernos - The Horns The 5-6 hour hike starts at the Ecocamp and ends at Refugio Los Cuernos. The name of the trail is taken from the fact that it passes under the horn-like Cuernos del Paine —peaks with beautiful black “horns” of slate atop gray granite. (Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this night and the following are transported separately in duffel bags we provide you with on day 1). This night we will overnight in the cosy and comfortable Cabañas Cuernos (B, BL, D).

 Day 3: French Valley - Valle del Frances  Today the trek will go over 8 kms/5 mi (2,5-3,5 hrs) up to Campamento Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 mi, 1,5-2,5 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. We start walking (1hr) by the shore of Lake Nordenskjold until arriving at Campamento Italiano. We continue following the River Frances upstream until El Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances that descends from Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Paine range. From here, we have a magnificent view of the lakes below. Optional trek (2 hrs) to Mirador Britanico available. Once back at Camp Italiano, the trail between Camp Italiano and Camp Pehoe makes its way through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching Refugio Pehoe for overnight. Duffel bags are carried in by porters from Refuge Los Cuernos to Refugio Pehoe. (B, L-, D)

 Day 4: Pehoe - Grey Glacier We’ll hike about four hours from Refugio Pehoe at the shores of Lago Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey. Enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails alongside the face of Grey Glaciar. You will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lago Grey (40 min.). Your clothes and personal belongings are transported separately from the Refuge in duffel bags. Transfer (1.5 hrs) from Lake Grey's southern end to the Ecocamp. 1) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we’ll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, drive 45 minutes to Cascada Ecocamp in Las Torres for overnight. (B, L-, D);

 Day 5 Torres del Paine  Our hiking itinerary for the day is the most famous trek trail in the park. We will start trekking from Ecocamp onward Hostería Las Torres until reaching the beginning of the trail to the Ascencio Valley, we will do an all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below: one of the most scenic sights in the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Overnight Cascada Ecocamp (B, L-, D)

 Day 6: Laguna Azul Today we will hike (40 min.) to the lookout point of Laguna Azul from where we have a beautiful view of Laguna Azul and the Torres. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento until the calcium formations at the shores of Lake Sarmiento where we have a good chance to see guanacos. Later we trek (3 hours) the Paso Las Corneas with views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we could also hike (1-1.5 hrs) to lookout point Toro with views to Lago Toro and typical pampa (steppe). Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honored with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue; overnight at Cascada Ecocamp (B, L-, D)  

Day 7: Travel to Punta Arenas Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. (B, L-)