Sustainability
Small footprint, local value, shared knowledge
At Arista we guide ascents, expeditions, treks and educational programs in the unique and fragile ecosystems of the Andes, often alongside communities who have lived there for generations. That is why sustainability is not an add-on to our trips: it is how we design them, from the first plan to the journey home.
Caring for the mountains
We apply Leave No Trace principles on every trip: we stay on established routes, never light fires where it isn’t allowed, and follow one simple rule: everything that goes up comes back down. We are working to eliminate single-use plastics, we use water, gas and fuel carefully in camp, and we choose durable gear that we repair before we replace.
Respecting people and culture
We value the history, traditional knowledge and place names of every region we visit, and we weave them into our experiences. We respect sacred, archaeological and heritage sites, and we foster a safe, fair and inclusive environment for our team and for everyone who travels with us.
Creating local value
We work with local guides, muleteers (arrieros), mountain huts, drivers, camp cooks and small businesses, building fair, transparent and long-term relationships. That way, what you invest in your trip also strengthens the communities that welcome you.
What this means on every trip
Before we set out
Every trip begins with a technical and safety briefing. It also covers how to move through the mountains without leaving a trace, and how to treat the land and its people with respect.
Science along the way
Arista was born where science meets the mountains. Our director, Viktoria Georgieva, is a geologist with a PhD and years of fieldwork on Patagonia’s Northern and Southern Icefields. Today we provide logistics for glaciological, geological and climate research projects. On our trips we share that knowledge, because understanding how a volcano formed or why a glacier is retreating is the best way to learn how to protect it.
On the path to the S Seal
In October 2026 Arista has been selected to take part in the implementation process for the Sello S, the sustainable tourism distinction awarded by Chile’s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR). We are reviewing our practices with expert support and we review our policy at least once a year. We will share our progress here in the weeks to come...