Mountain Reserve

Our project’s history

Our history

Historically, the vast amount of canyons, valleys and prairies of Estancia Huemules have been “summer places for stock”, that is, high areas with lots of grass and water for cattle. The cattle used to be herded during the summer months over 150 years ago, before the Welsh immigrants arrived in the area circa 1886. Later on, these settlers followed this practice for their cattle production and still continues until today. Estancia Huemules used this area for pasture until two years ago.

It was precisely at that time when the current owners began pondering the idea they had when they first saw this land: preserving the territory’s Nature to show it to XXI century world travelers.

Some decades ago, in one of the numerous existing hillsides, mining activities boomed and many of the forest trees were actually used for wood. Nowadays, the area’s magnificent natural resources are preserved solely for contemplation and enjoyment of our guests.

All our actions have a single goal: To do what we believe in, and we believe in sustainability. We have converted the six thousand hectares into a Mountain Reserve, we have selected geodesic domes to lodge our privileged visitors because their structure is strong and resists the harsh Patagonian climate, but at the same time, because it is more gracious and has lower impact on the natural environment. We have used recycled wood in our furniture, we have hired 100% local personnel and companies, we have carefully trained our people in the environmental management of our services, we have created an advanced sewage treatment system that sterilizes waste in a clean and odorless way, we have designed an energy system based on the eternal hydrological cycle. This way, we are paying tribute and honoring Patagonia and its people.

We believe in Nature’s rhythms: That’s why your experience will be unique, in silence. But at the same time, it will be plentiful: plenty of activities and flavors, plenty of tones like the sound of the wind, the creeks and the birds, and plenty of movement and quietness.

Our Environmental Policy and Management

Our project involves the following actions

Reserve

We converted the six thousand hectares into a Mountain Reserve just for small groups of visitors to contemplate and admire Nature.

Native Forest

We designed the lodging and restaurant spaces in specific areas where there is no forest and close to existing trails.

Domes

We chose the strongest structure to resist the harsh Patagonian climate, but at the same time, we did it because it is more gracious and has lower impact on the natural environment: geodesic domes to lodge our privileged visitors.

Wood

We have used 100% recycled wood to build our structure of decks, kitchen and furniture.

Energy

We have designed an energy system based on the eternal hydrological cycle, complemented by the use of dead wood in energy efficient low consumption stoves.

Waste

We have built an advanced sewage treatment system that sterilizes waste in a clean and odorless way.

Zero Garbage

We have implemented the “Zero garbage” concept: organic waste is used to make compost that is then used as fertilizer in our vegetable garden; recyclable products are shipped to the municipal solid waste treatment plants.

Plastics

We try to use plastics as little as we can in our amenities and consumables: we use glass or recyclable containers; biodegradable detergents, soap and shampoo; dispensers; glass cups and containers and cloth napkins, among others.

Training

We train our personnel as key players in our environmental management plan.