Patagonia Volunteer Vacation
8 days
from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
Duration8 days
See the sights of Patagonia in a way that few visitors ever experience on this 13-day volunteer vacation, selected by National Geographic as one of their "50 Tours of a Lifetime" for 2012. Rising from the flat Patagonian steppes with breathtaking abruptness, the craggy mountains of Torres del Paine National Park are an astonishing sight. As the crown jewel of Chile's national park system, the dramatic granite mountain spires, spectacular glaciers, and haunting winds draw visitors from around the world. With a growing number of travelers visiting this iconic landscape, some trails have become eroded and overused. The park, with its limited resources, needs help responding to visitor impacts. Instead of simply visiting the park, join us as we team with park rangers to improve hiking trails and habitat. We hike on the famous "W" on our way to "work" and see the sights of Patagonia in a way that few visitors ever experience. No prior trail maintenance experience is required—just a love of adventure and a willingness to roll up your sleeves. This REI volunteer vacation is offered in partnership with Conservation Volunteers International Program. Find out additional details about the trip on the ConservationVIP website.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: Punta ArenasPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Puerto NatalesAges: 18+
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Punta Arenas; transfer to Puerto Natales.
Start place: Punta Arenas
We begin our volunteer vacation in the Chilean community of Punta Arenas at the southern tip of South America. We start with an 8:00am orientation and then set out on the drive to Puerto Natales. Our van first takes us along the Straights of Magellan and then heads inland to our lunch spot, Cerro Negro Ranch, located about halfway between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. Here we’ll get a demonstration of authentic sheepdog herding and sheep shearing before sitting down to a delightful ranch-prepared BBQ. We’ll then continue northward to Puerto Natales for our first night. Lunch and dinner included.
Driving: 4 hours
Driving: 4 hours
Meals: D
Day 2: Enter Torres del Paine National Park and view Grey Glacier.
Today we enter Torres del Paine National Park and take a midday boat trip on Lago Grey to view the face of Grey Glacier. A box lunch will be provided on board as we relax and view this icon of the park. In the afternoon we take a catamaran ride across Pehoe Lake to Refugio Paine Grande for our night’s stay. The refugio has shared dorm rooms and shared bathrooms. All meals provided.
Boat tour: 3 hours; Driving: 3 hours
Boat tour: 3 hours; Driving: 3 hours
Day 3: Hike to Domo and Camping El Francés and begin trail building.
This morning we pack up our gear and hike to Dome El Francés and Camping El Francés which is about six miles. All participants will be required to carry their own personal items they will need for the next eight days.
This afternoon we begin our volunteer activities starting with the all-important tool safety demonstration. Project sites will be determined by our trip leaders and park rangers but will generally be conducted between Paine Grande and Italian Camp on the famous “W” trail. Our accommodations for the next eight nights will be in either domes or tents built on platforms. Domes have eight bunks and a shared bathroom while the tents hold two people and bathrooms are shared with other tent occupants. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles
This afternoon we begin our volunteer activities starting with the all-important tool safety demonstration. Project sites will be determined by our trip leaders and park rangers but will generally be conducted between Paine Grande and Italian Camp on the famous “W” trail. Our accommodations for the next eight nights will be in either domes or tents built on platforms. Domes have eight bunks and a shared bathroom while the tents hold two people and bathrooms are shared with other tent occupants. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Work and hike in Torres del Paine National Park.
This period includes six work days and one rest day. We start each day with breakfast at El Francés. On work days we are provided a sack lunch to take with us and then hike to the work site. The work will involve building new trails or maintaining existing ones. We may use picks or shovels to construct trails or water bars. We might clip vegetation with hand tools to widen trails, remove rocks with rock bars, move crushed rock to improve trail surfaces or build boardwalks. Training is provided. Small groups of volunteers are teamed with an experienced leader. We generally depart our lodging around 8:30am and return around 5:00pm. On our rest day, we are free to relax or explore the park, and leaders will offer suggestions for day hikes such as French Valley. All meals included.
Hiking: Distance varies per worksite but will be approximately 2-3 miles each way (4-6 miles roundtrip) each day.
Hiking: Distance varies per worksite but will be approximately 2-3 miles each way (4-6 miles roundtrip) each day.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Hike from Domo Francés to Refugio Paine Grande.
Today we pack up and say good bye to our base camp in El Francés and hike the six miles back to Paine Grande with its perfect location on the banks of Pehoé Lake. This afternoon may be spent in some additional trail work or rest time. Dinner and lodging will be at Refugio Paine Grande. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles
Hiking: 6 miles
Meals: B, L, D
Day -11: Hike from Domo Francés to Refugio Paine Grande.
Today we pack up and say good bye to our base camp in El Francés and hike the six miles back to Paine Grande with its perfect location on the banks of Pehoé Lake. This afternoon may be spent in some additional trail work or rest time. Dinner and lodging will be at Refugio Paine Grande. All meals included.
Hiking: 6 miles
Hiking: 6 miles
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Say good bye to Torres del Paine National Park and transfer to Puerto Natales.
Our last morning in Torres del Paine will be spent with some possible trail cleanup before we pack up and depart the park that has been our home for the past 10 days. We’ll catch the catamaran to re-cross Pehoe Lake. From here we transfer by bus to Puerto Natales with a stop at the Visitor Center for the park. Tonight will be our farewell dinner in Puerto Natales where we’ll toast our accomplishments and the new friends we have made. All meals included.
Driving: 2 hours
Driving: 2 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Transfer early this morning from Puerto Natales back to Punta Arenas.
After breakfast we depart Puerto Natales early in the morning by van for Punta Arenas, arriving in time for volunteers to catch their mid-afternoon flight departures to Santiago and the United States. Breakfast included.
Driving: 3 hours
Driving: 3 hours
End place: Puerto Natales
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 13
- accommodations in hotels and park group lodging
- guide leadership and support staff
- group tools
- all ground transportation as noted
- park entrance fees
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Accommodation
Hotels, 2 nights, Park group lodging or tents, 10 nights