End of Club Chilowé: 3 essential agencies to continue your nature adventure

Club Chilowé is finished 😢.
The micro-adventure agency left its mark on many adventure enthusiasts who were looking for group experiences that were close to nature and respectful of the environment. This departure creates a void in the world of guided and accessible nature expeditions. Unless?

Faced with this new context, serious alternatives exist to continue the adventure and discover other ways of travelling, while retaining the natural dynamic, group spirit and care for the planet. In this article, we present three of the best options for setting off on a new adventure this winter!

1. Wildhartt: the benchmark for unique, eco-responsible expeditions

With the resounding demise of Club Chilowé, many adventure enthusiasts are looking for an experience that focuses on authenticity, nature and people. Wildhartt is the natural choice for pursuing this quest with a modern, committed approach.

Strong values based on people and nature

Wildhartt offers travellers a genuine reconnection with nature through expeditions in the great outdoors, designed in a spirit of collaboration with local guides, a true hallmark of the agency, and with respect for the environment. Each expedition focuses on discovery, immersion and human contact. Small groups make it easier to meet new people and provide personalised support for each individual, ensuring that each activity is both fun and safe.

A wide choice of expeditions for all levels

Wildhartt offers a wide range of experiences in several destinations across Europe:

• Snowshoe outings in the Alps or the Pyrenees,
• Exceptional trips all over Europe: in Italy, Spain, Lapland or even Scotland (Highlands,...),
• Exploration of France's most beautiful landscapes, with tours of the Beaufortain and Vanoise mountains,
• Well-being courses combining yoga, meditation and walking,
• Or even micro-adventures that are accessible and perfect for disconnecting for a weekend (packraft, trekking, wildlife observation).

The agency adapts each adventure to the level of the group, to ensure that beginners and experienced adventurers alike are included. Each participant benefits from real flexibility, with the possibility of cancelling free of charge or paying in instalments, which reassures and simplifies the booking process. What's more, Wildhartt makes sure you're completely satisfied, by making themselves available to participants and working closely with the guides.

A concrete eco-responsible approach

A commitment to the environment underpins the entire organisation: selection of respectful local partners, limiting the number of participants per expedition, responsible travel management and measures to limit the carbon footprint. Contact with local guides also enhances the value of the areas visited, creating an enriching experience for all. Find out more about Wildhartt's eco-responsible approach.

Reviews that emphasise human quality

Numerous reviews praise the availability of the guides, their passion for the environment and the attention paid to each member of the group. The atmosphere is conducive to disconnection and discovery, while limiting any form of mass tourism. These are the characteristics that make Wildhartt a benchmark for generalist agencies: diversity of adventures, a responsible approach, and authentic relationships with participants and guides.

2. Orgaya: adventure focused on responsible nature holidays

Orgaya attracts travel enthusiasts who place environmental commitment at the heart of their expectations. Since its creation, the agency has worked hard to prove that it is possible to reconcile discovery, positive impact and collective pleasure.

Trips designed for the planet and for people

At Orgaya, every destination is the result of a responsible approach. The agency favours carefully selected local partners, supports local projects and takes care to limit the ecological footprint of its groups. Respect for biodiversity guides the selection of guides and accommodation, which is often family-run or unusual.

The holidays on offer include :

• Guided nature walks, accessible to all levels of ability
• Stays in small groups to ensure a friendly atmosphere
• Theme-based courses, such as discovering wild plants or nature photography
• Packages adapted to suit the season, often focusing on low-tech experiences and time to reconnect.

Trip organisation and operation

Orgaya focuses on organisational simplicity: online booking, clear information in advance, and easy contact with the coordinators. Each expedition encourages the active participation of the group, whether it's setting up a bivouac, cooking with local produce or crossing an unfamiliar trail. The guides share their expertise in the field as much as their personal commitment. This strengthens the cohesion and spirit of initiative among the participants.

3. Vagabondages: exploring differently with authentic trips

Vagabondages attracts people looking for a totally immersive experience. The agency emphasises a change of scenery and authentic discovery, far removed from traditional itineraries. Its catalogue features a wide variety of destinations, from the wilds of France to less-explored corners of Europe and beyond. Each holiday is designed to invite participants to take the time to observe, share and connect with the environment.

The promise of different experiences

Vagabondages tours focus on slow travel, itinerant walking and quiet exploration. For example, you can experience :

• Hikes in little-known natural parks
• Nomadic backpacking holidays
• Recharging weekends based on nature

The common thread is always the originality of the itinerary, the search for silence, and the creation of links with other lovers of the great outdoors. These expeditions encourage encounters with local people, the discovery of local heritage and the learning of simple eco-responsible gestures.

How do you choose the ideal agency for your next adventure?

Every adventurer or group is looking for a different experience according to their desires, experience and convictions. Before booking, it can be useful to clarify your needs to maximise the chances of a successful and rejuvenating trip.

Define your priorities: type of adventure and level

The first step is to ask yourself what type of holiday appeals to you.
- Do you want total immersion? Wildhartt offers sporty trails, packraft trips all over Europe, iconic expeditions in the high mountains and tours of mountain ranges.
- Do you prefer gentle hikes or group nature courses? Orgaya or Vagabondages may be better suited to you.
The level required for each holiday varies: some trips are aimed at beginners, others require mountain experience. Each agency details the physical and technical level expected on each expedition sheet.

Assess the eco-responsible approach

Many agencies attach importance to the environmental impact of their trips. But Wildhartt is well ahead of the game in this area. They placeeco-responsibility at the heart of their operations, favouring soft transport and committed local accommodation providers. This approach is perfectly matched by the recipe for an expedition that really changes your ideas and helps you to surpass yourself, all the more so thanks to their limited group size, which allows each adventurer to be given personalised support and guarantees a human and friendly expedition.

• Orgaya verifies the ecological commitment of all its partners.
• Vagabondages also emphasises nature conservation and awareness-raising during each activity.

If you want to be more committed throughout the entire travel chain, it's worth comparing the values espoused by each agency and any labels (e.g. "Company committed to nature" label or partnership with local NGOs).

Consider the size of the group and the human dynamic

Club Chilowé alumni appreciated the welcoming groups and team spirit. A small group guided by certified guides, as practised by Wildhartt, is both friendly and safe. The close interaction with the guides also enriches the experience, encouraging learning and discovery. Orgaya and Vagabondages also offer human-scale formats to maintain this collective spirit.

Choosing according to values and organisation

Last but not least, the agency's philosophy counts: transparency about the origin of the guides, booking flexibility, clear payment and cancellation terms. Wildhartt offers flexible options and active customer care, aspects sought after by many adventurers and much appreciated for their reassuring qualities. To choose the ideal agency, we recommend that you consult the reviews of former participants or contact the teams directly, to make sure that the commitments shown match your expectations.

Opinions and testimonials: feedback on Club Chilowé and the alternatives

Feedback offers a concrete view of what the agencies offer, in terms of atmosphere, quality of guiding and values experienced on the ground. The opinions also reflect the common expectations of former Club Chilowé members: authenticity, conviviality and trust in the organisation.

"What we liked about Chilowé was the simplicity, the small size of the groups and the opportunity to discover unspoilt places, without any pressure," says Lucie, a loyal member of the club. Former participants also highlight the feeling of belonging to a small community of enthusiasts, facilitating mutual support and collective enthusiasm, especially for those venturing out on guided outings for the first time.

Conclusion: continuing the nature adventure despite the end of Club Chilowé

The withdrawal of Club Chilowé is forcing many adventurers to reconsider their points of reference, but the vitality of the outdoor sector offers a wide range of unexpected opportunities. The three agencies presented here, Wildhartt, Orgaya and Vagabondages, cover different approaches to adventure, from micro-expeditions to multi-day treks, with the common features of authenticity, respect for nature and organisation adapted to all levels.

Try something new, broaden your horizons

While the demise of Club Chilowé is a cause for regret, the desire to rediscover group spirit, ecological awareness and organisational simplicity is still largely satisfied among these alternatives. Wildhartt offers a wide range of options for exploring different sporting themes, meeting inspiring guides and joining committed groups. Each expedition, conceived in small groups and adapted to everyone, creates a real space for discovery and sharing. The sector is evolving, but nature remains open to all kinds of curiosities.

So setting off on an adventure retains all its meaning, with new teams to guide the discovery and guarantee, everywhere, the pleasure of getting back to basics.