Chimu features sustainable offerings

Chimu Adventures are further enhancing their commitment to working with sustainable products by introducing ‘Sustainable feature of the month’, highlighting the outstanding environmental, socially responsible and cultural credentials of a selected property or experience.

This month, Chimu are focusing on Tierra Atacama, Chile. This luxury, all-inclusive property is located in the world’s most arid desert, the Atcama in northern Chile, and houses guests under the Earth’s clearest night skies surrounded by a fiery, terracotta backdrop.

Environmentally, Tierra Atacama is committed to renewable energy sources. It is the first hotel in South America to produce solar powered electricity and is now 100% solar powered thus saving a huge 110 000 litres of diesel a year and cutting its carbon footprint by up to 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. All the hotel’s water is extracted from their own well so as not to use the local people’s supply. A reverse osmosis plant treats the water, enabling Tierra to provide their own water to the hotel and their guests. Grey water is used for irrigation and replenishing arable land. Previously abandoned for over 30 years, the rejuvenated six hectares now hosts myriad native species.

On a social level, Tierra actively participates in a dual education programme at a technical school called Likan Antai. The hotel has employed in excess of 40 young people on apprenticeship schemes taught by tourism, electricity and agricultural experts. Many graduates from Likan Antai have proceeded to work with Tierra full-time on completion of their studies.

Based in an archaeologically significant area, a study was conducted prior to building the hotel which unearthed over 400 pieces of pre-Hispanic material consisting of mostly pottery fragments. The most important of these were given to the Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum in San Pedro. An architectural project at the hotel has seen the incorporation of a bull pen – the adobe walls of which date back 150 years using traditional techniques.

Chimu Adventures can organise a four day Tierra Atacama adventure which includes accommodation at Tierra Atacama, private transfers, meals and guided activities. Contact Chimu to speak to one of their Destination Specialists who can also arrange further travel arrangements in South America, as well as international flights.