Amid the COVID-19 crisis, local Chilean tour operator Cascada Expediciones is working to keep the adventure alive by inspiring its passengers with optimism, readiness and confidence about the future of travel.
Looking into the later half of 2020, Cascada and its partner company EcoCamp Patagonia are looking forward to welcoming their beloved travelers once again.
EcoCamp is the world’s first geodesic dome hotel located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park and offers all-inclusive Cascada tours, like the 7-day W Trek or Wildlife Safari program. As of now, the opening date for EcoCamp and its programs is October 4th, 2020 and the hotel is implementing new sanitation measures in order to ensure a safe trip to Patagonia.
Tour groups will be smaller and the hotel will be operating at partial capacity. Additionally, there will be extra disinfection in all areas of the hotel, vans and offices, as well as to passengers’ luggage upon arrival. Face masks and hand sanitizer gel will also be available for travelers and staff members.
“For this new season we have been working tirelessly to define protocols aligned with government requirements and international guidelines, said Virginia Jensen, Marketing Director at Cascada Expediciones. “We believe that this will make travelers feel safe and will allow them to leave that concern aside in order to experience the beauty of Patagonia in a unique place such as EcoCamp.”
Along with EcoCamp programs, Cascada is offering additional tours throughout Chile and parts of Argentina and Bolivia. For instance, the 2020 Solar Eclipse program will run this December in Pucón, Chile. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse, while also participating in a range of adventure sports in Mañihual Park.
All trips with Cascada and EcoCamp can be reserved with flexible booking policies during this uncertain time. If a passenger is unable to travel due to a COVID-19 related issue, his/her trip can easily be rescheduled or refunded.
As eager travelers currently await their future trip in late 2020-2021, Cascada’s Marketing team is providing a “travel from home” experience for the time being.
“Traveling is a transformative experience. Once we live an adventure in a different place, we change,” said Jensen. “During this time, it is difficult for us to get out of the day-to-day routine and the news consumes some of our energy. So it is important to receive content that motivates us, keeps us positive and brings us closer to a unique travel experience.”
Cascada’s blog shows travelers how to make Chilean recipes at home and offers armchair resources to encourage exploration. While its YouTube channel provides a virtual tour through Torres del Paine or a sneak peek at never-before-seen footage from the park’s wildlife camera traps. Additionally, travelers enjoy watching Cascada’s short film “The Circuit,” which just won the 2020 Travel Video Awards competition.
Cascada Expediciones, a company that has been providing tours for 29 years, remains optimistic about its upcoming programs and confident about the travel industry’s proven resilience. “We hope to see our travelers soon and show them our expertise and what we love to do, which is to create unforgettable experiences in connection with nature.”