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 15-29, 2009

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 15, 2009 Depart US
* March 16 Arrive Punta Arenas, Patagonia, on the Straits of Magellan
* March 17 Travel to Torres del Paine National Park, visiting the Seno Otway penguin sanctuary along the way.
* March 18 - 24 Trail restoration work along Rio Ascencio within Torres del Paine National Park.
* March 25 Travel on catamaran to Refugio Paine Grande
* March 25-26 Days off to explore the French Valley and Grey Glacier.
* March 27 Depart Torres del Paine for the frontier community of Puerto Natales
* March 28 Depart Puerto Natales      
* March 29 Arrive in US

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$: $3750

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 Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

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