Patagonia-Torres del Paine National Park

  Chile

• All Other Areas in Chile: 
Punta Arenas,  Puerto Natales
• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: March 13-28, 2010

Description: Volunteers are needed to maintain or construct hiking trails in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile. Assignments include: clipping vegetation with lopper or hand saw to widen trails; using a pick or shovel to contour trail tread to shed water; cutting and moving vegetative plugs or branches to camouflage abandoned trails and slow running water; removing rocks from the trail tread with rock bars; and moving crushed rock or stones to create a dry walking surface. Training in all aspects of our work will be provided. Small groups of 5-6 volunteers will be teamed with an experienced expedition leader. Our work will occur at 1,000 feet in elevation, making this project easier than a similar project at higher elevation mountain locations.

Highlights: Itinerary:

* March 13 Depart US
* March 14 Arrival into Punta Arenas at the southern tip of South America overlooking the famous Straits of Magellan.
* March 15 Travel to Seno Otway Penguin Sanctuary, Puerto Natales, and Torres del Paine National Park.
* March 16-24 Orientation and safety training. Trail restoration work with park rangers.
* March 25 Rest day!
* March 26 Depart Torres del Paine for Puerto Natales
* March 27 Depart Puerto Natales for Santiago
* March 28 Arrive in US (or begin your next adventure in South America!)

Qualifications: Volunteers have ranged in age and ability. Some of our hardest-working volunteers on other expeditions were in their mid-seventies. Volunteers should be able to hike with a day pack on park trails and perform a variety of trail maintenance assignments.

Cost in US$: USD 3,750

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers have varied widely in their age, abilities and backgrounds from across the United States and other countries. All share in their desire to help protect this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve through their volunteer contribution.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Chile Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 5-6

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Conservation Volunteers International Program's Mission Statement: Promote international cooperation that builds capacity for environmental protection and community economic development by creating partnerships between volunteers, public land managers, private landowners, local communities, non-governmental organizations, government, universities and business.

Year Founded: 2008