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Estancia Cerro Guido: The first hotel in Chile to be internationally recognized for wildlife conservation

Estancia Cerro Guido, located in the Magallanes Region, has become the first Chilean hotel to receive the Wildlife Friendly Tourism recognition, which certifies tourism operations that promote environmental protection and the fair development of local economies.


Estancia Cerro Guido has set a true milestone for Chile and the local tourism industry by obtaining the Wildlife Friendly Tourism certification. This international recognition is awarded only to tourism projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to wildlife protection, the economic empowerment of local communities, and educating tourists about conservation.


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With the aim of ensuring that future generations can experience Patagonia as it is today, Estancia Cerro Guido promotes a regenerative tourism model, focused on the continuous improvement of its surrounding environment.


“Obtaining this certification is crucial for us; it is much more than a marketing label—it is a rigorous audit that verifies and confirms that the procedures and practices we carry out truly protect local wildlife, such as pumas, guanacos, and condors. This demonstrates that our coexistence model is both genuine and effective,” explains Sebastián Gómez, Development and Tourism Manager at Estancia Cerro Guido.


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“For us, this certification is a way to show that conservation is not just a discourse, but a daily practice that connects tourism, science, and community. At Cerro Guido, we believe that only through such consistency can we project a model that is replicable in other territories of Chile and around the world,” says Pía Vergara, Executive Director of Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation.


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At Estancia Cerro Guido, conservation is at the heart of the experience. Specifically, management systems are implemented with a focus on restoring soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.


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“We go beyond simply doing no harm. We are actively contributing to the improvement of the natural environment over time. The income generated by visitors not only sustains operations but is also directly reinvested in conservation projects and in the well-being of the local community,” adds Sebastián Gómez.


Regenerative Tourism and Patagonian Traditions

Located near the entrance to Torres del Paine National Park, Estancia Cerro Guido stands on a historic livestock estate of more than 100,000 hectares in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Within it lies a historic English-style manor house, built in the 1920s, which is part of the area’s architectural and cultural heritage.


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At Estancia Cerro Guido, the tourist experience encompasses local gastronomy, traditional livestock farming, wildlife conservation, and the richness of Patagonian traditions.


Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of activities, including trekking, fly fishing, horseback riding (from short rides to multi-day journeys), 4×4 expeditions, and e-bike outings.


Guided tours are also offered, exploring the area’s historical, paleontological, and archaeological heritage. In addition, there are talks and tours showcasing the work of Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación, whose scientific research aims to conserve and protect the natural heritage of Torres del Paine.


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About Wildlife Friendly Tourism


The Wildlife Friendly® Tourism certification, granted by the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN), evaluates a variety of criteria to ensure responsible tourism committed to conservation. These include the impact on key species—especially those that are endangered—the implementation of respectful wildlife-viewing protocols, such as keeping a safe distance and avoiding behavioral disturbances, and waste management practices that minimize environmental impact. It also values support for the local economy, tourist education, and collaboration with scientists to continuously monitor and improve tourism practices.







 
 
 

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