Travel For Good
At Beckons, we create authentic, unforgettable experiences where luxury is found in simplicity, nature, and deep connections to local culture. Our team is committed to sustainable practices that honor the environment and the communities we serve, ensuring every guest feels a genuine sense of place.
Sustainable Luxury at Tierra Atacama
Situated on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, Tierra Atacama offers a rare point of entry into one of the world's most otherworldly landscapes. Sitting 7,900 feet above sea level on the Andean Plateau, the Atacama Desert sprawls across nearly 50,000 square miles of drifting sand dunes, immense canyons, geothermal fields, and shimmering salt flats - while the Licancabur Volcano, towering at 19,420 feet, anchors the horizon from every vantage point.
Beyond the desert itself, the region carries a cultural depth shaped over 10,000 years. The people of the High Andean plateau, descendants of the Incas and Aymarás, have long forged a way of life rooted in respect for the land, the cosmos, and community. Tierra Atacama's guides bring guests into that world – through its archaeology, its traditions, and the extraordinary terrain that has defined life here for millennia.
Natural Environment
At Beckons, we are firmly invested in providing exceptional guest experiences while embracing environmental and social responsibility. Our commitment to sustainability reflects our evolution throughout our history. We prioritize advanced environmental practices and the well-being of our employees, integrating these principles into every aspect of our operations to positively impact our surroundings and communities.
Local Community
At Beckons, we are engaged in fostering local community development as an integral part of our mission. We view tourism as an avenue for deepening our understanding of diverse cultures, connecting with people from varied backgrounds, and sharing meaningful experiences, all while ensuring the preservation and respect of the communities we interact with. This approach is reflected in our extensive initiatives, partnerships, and support for social causes, which align with our belief that travel provides a unique opportunity to explore new environments and expand our perspectives.
Culture & Heritage
Beckons is renowned for its tradition of exceptional service and dedication to quality. As we have grown, our focus remains on showcasing the unique landscapes, cultures, and heritage of our locations, creating unforgettable experiences that deeply connect our guests with the essence of each destination.
People
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our employees, communities, and the environment. We actively pursue short, medium, and long-term initiatives designed to drive positive change and ensure that our operations harmonize with the environment, support local communities, and nurture our team. We believe that the sustainability of our business depends on a balanced approach that respects and supports all these elements.
Commitment to the Natural Environment
At Beckons, we acknowledge the indispensable role of biodiversity in sustaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Each species contributes uniquely to this equilibrium, and we are dedicated to safeguarding these vital natural resources. Since our inception, we have implemented measures to preserve the land, vegetation, and wildlife across our locations, striving to minimize our impact and respect the natural habitats we operate within.
Sustainability Strategy
Our Sustainability Strategy addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities we face as a responsible organization. Driven by our commitment to employees, communities, and the environment, we focus on developing projects with short, medium, and long-term goals that foster positive change. Our approach seeks to balance operational efficiency with environmental stewardship, community engagement, and employee welfare.
Zero Footprint
Our Zero Footprint pillar aims to further reduce our environmental impact through:
Renewable Energy
Water Conservation
Tierra Atacama operates its own hybrid solar power plant with a total capacity of 156kWp. Across 927 square meters, 588 photovoltaic panels feed an intelligent energy management system supported by highefficiency lithium-ion batteries, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply. The system prevents the emission of 320-350 tons of CO₂ per year and eliminates the combustion of more than 110,000 liters of fossil fuels annually – a meaningful reduction made possible by the desert's most abundant resource: sunlight.
Tierra Atacama draws its entire water supply from a private well, treated through a reverse osmosis plant capable of producing up to 50m³ daily – without drawing on San Pedro de Atacama's town supply.
Flow aerators across all guest faucets reduce consumption, while water-saving tanks limit each flush to no more than six liters.
Pool water is maintained through advanced filtration technology, extending the use of 131m³ before replacement is required.
A dedicated wastewater treatment plant processes greywater for garden irrigation via a drip system, ensuring nothing is wasted and the town's sewage network remains unaffected.
Sustainable Construction
Biodegradable Products
Our lodges are designed to optimize natural resources, featuring floorto-ceiling windows that maximize natural light in common areas and guest rooms. This design reduces our reliance on artificial lighting, which is used only as a complement, thereby optimizing energy use and minimizing unnecessary consumption.
We exclusively use biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products, ensuring minimal environmental impact from our operations.
Waste Management & Recycling
Native Flora Conservation
Effective waste management is integral to our sustainability efforts: Recycling
Whilst we reduce waste and repurpose materials wherever possible, recycling is a key component of our low impact commitment. At Tierra Atacama, we separate all waste and recycle cardboard, paper, glass and cans.
Waste Reduction
We actively reduce waste generation by eliminating single-use plastics and replacing them with compostable and reusable alternatives. Notable changes include:
• Replacing plastic straws with compostable options
• Switching to refillable and biodegradable amenities
• Utilizing rechargeable batteries in Uma Spa
• Adopting biodegradable food wrapping and stationery
• Providing reusable laundry bags and compostable room key cards
• Implementing compost systems and cultivating local produce in our gardens
Tierra Atacama is the first lodge in Chile to host a Safe Sites conservation project – a collaboration between Fundación Chilco and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, realized through the landscape design of Teresa Moller. The initiative focuses on the cultivation and long-term monitoring of native Chilean flora classified as critically endangered or vulnerable, with the aim of protecting genetic diversity and reducing the risk of extinction. At Tierra Atacama, the project has established plantings of algarrobo, algarrobo blanco, and chañar – species native to this landscape and central to its broader biodiversity.
Locally-Sourced Materials
Low Impact Initiatives
The floors of Tierra Atacama's renovated spaces are laid in travertine marble quarried in Calama, less than an hour from the property. Chosen for its durability, low maintenance requirements, and long lifespan, the stone is extracted, cut, and polished using electrical energy alone – making it a considered choice that connects the lodge to its landscape while reducing environmental impact.
Our commitment extends beyond our lodges:
Reusable Bottles
We have replaced plastic water bottles with reusable aluminium bottles. This provides highly filtered still and sparkling water for guests’ consumption.
Canal Clean-Ups
Our team actively participates in the cleaning and maintenance of local irrigation canals, working alongside the San Pedro de Atacama community to preserve the waterways that sustain life in the desert.
Carbon Footprint Reduction
We are committed to minimizing our carbon footprint through:
Carbon Footprint Measurement
Our goal is to assess our carbon footprint to implement effective reduction and offset measures. We recognize that some impact is unavoidable but strive to compensate through various projects.