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Set off on an adventure as an eco-volunteer in Patagonia, within a 3,000-hectare nature reserve. Discover this legendary region with its breathtaking landscapes! See all our programmes in South and Central America here
The development of ecotourism in Patagonia
The project is situated within a 3,000-hectare protected nature reserve set in a breathtaking and virtually unexplored landscape. The area is characterised by temperate rainforests, deep lakes, crystal-clear rivers and mountains at the foot of the Chilean Andes. The nature reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, birds and ancient trees. This is an ideal volunteering project for adventurers and nature lovers.
Leave as few traces as possible
Tourism is currently growing in this region. However, the only way to give the public safe access to this magical reserve is to develop ethical and sustainable ecotourism. Visitors are welcome, but nature comes first! Indeed, only a certain number of visitors are allowed at any one time, to ensure that the flora and fauna are not disturbed. At a visitor centre, tourists are given information about the park’s biodiversity and how to leave no trace during their stay. 18 km of hiking trails allow walkers to explore the park. Walkers can stay either in a luxury lodge on the edge of the park or in basic mountain huts in the middle of the park. Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore this little paradise, as it borders Lake Tagua-Tagua, which is connected to the Reloncavi Fjord by a river.
Volunteers can act as guides or work on the trails
It is important that eco-volunteers are motivated and active! You may be assigned to various roles such as: tour guides, volunteers responsible for maintaining mountain huts and hiking trails, volunteers working at the information centre, volunteers working in the forest, etc. There are no set working hours, as is often the case with outdoor and mountain jobs. The number of working days and the workload in Patagonia are determined by the weather. People generally work longer hours when the weather is good and shorter hours when it is bad. However, no one is required to work more than they are capable of!
An experience in a very remote spot surrounded by nature
You should be aware that this project is unique and far removed from any other activities. The location is very quiet and secluded. The nearest towns, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, are both around a three-hour drive away and can only be visited on days off. The nearest village is 11 kilometres away.
Depending on the weather and the time of year, this project has different requirements. There are many service-related activities at the lodge, in the restaurant and as a tour guide during the southern summer, when tourists visit the site. Out of season, the work involves preparing for the arrival of tourists to ensure there are no accidents or inconveniences. The hiking trails, bridges, footbridges and mountain huts need to be maintained. After the season, an inventory must be taken, plans made for the winter and the following season, and any necessary repairs carried out.
Here are the tasks that need to be assigned to volunteers
- Help at the reception centre
- Reception and visitor information
- Assistance with organising guided tours
- Development and maintenance of walking trails
- Maintenance and cleaning of mountain huts
- Cutting and stacking wood
- Support for park rangers
- Other tasks in the field of nature and species conservation
- Cleaning and maintenance work in the lodge
Please note: tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as the number of volunteers, the weather, the season, the project’s current needs, and personal motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all of these tasks.
Dates
- Minimum 4 weeks. Between early October and late March
Prices
Application fee: €150 Programme fee: €460 (for a minimum stay of 4 weeks)
Additional week: €50
Included in the price
- Shared room in the volunteers’ house
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Professional advice in English
- Translation of your application documents
- Volunteering placement in Chile
- English-speaking support within the country
- A Guide to Chile
- Intercultural Guide
- 24/7 emergency number
- Information on suitable travel insurance
- Certificate of attendance
Not included in the price
Flight
tickets Travel insurance
Accommodation
You will be working and living where others go on holiday. Depending on the season and the activity, you will be accommodated either in a shared room at the lodge or in one of the park’s mountain huts. In both cases, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Location
The programme is located in one of Chile’s most stunning and unspoilt regions, over 1,000 km south of Santiago. Only boats are permitted to access the park, which is situated on the southern shore of Lake Tagua Tagua. It takes just a three-hour drive and a boat trip to reach the nearest major towns, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas.
Due to its location and relatively basic infrastructure, the region is known throughout Chile for its beauty whilst remaining a hidden gem. There are no five-star hotels in the region, nor any tourist destinations accessible by car.
You’ll be in a remote but unspoilt region. So you’ll be able to enjoy Patagonia’s magnificent landscapes in your spare time. What visitors appreciate most about this park is its remoteness and the fact that it can only be reached by boat. You’ll have to do without many of the comforts of ‘civilisation’, but when you wake up, you’ll see a turquoise-green lake and appreciate the peace and quiet. The natural scenery is breathtaking; whether you’re in a mountain hut or at the lodge, you’re at the heart of an exceptional landscape.
Hiking or horse riding
You can go hiking (on foot or on horseback) or kayaking to reach the most magical spots. Anyone who makes the effort will be rewarded with unrivalled natural beauty. The environment, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, is characterised by crystal-clear rivers, waterfalls in the ancient forest, small lagoons perfect for swimming, and rugged cliffs.
Tous les avis sur les missions South America Inside
The partner agency
The partner is an intercultural agency founded in 2003 by Marion, a German national living in Chile. Marion specialises in organising solidarity-based and participatory trips, eco-volunteering placements, as well as language courses and educational programmes throughout Latin America. This agency offers placements in Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador and more. Whether you are a student, a professional or a retiree, these trips are designed for those who want to experience Latin America in a way that goes beyond simply being a tourist. All trips with South America Inside
