Do you have a volunteer program?
What kind of work can I expect to do as a volunteer?
How do I get to Parque Patagonia/Estancia Valle Chacabuco?
What kind of clothing/equipment will I need to bring?
What will the weather be like?
Contact information
Do you have a volunteer program?
Yes, we have a volunteer program for the future Parque Patagonia in the region of Aysén, Chile during our summer months of October through May. Principally, the work involves restoration of the land as we transition it from a large Estancia to a National Park.
It is recommended that you plan to stay for at least 3 weeks.
Presently, the cost per volunteer per day is U$D 40; this includes housing, meals, and extras such as internet access. If you would like to come and camp you must bring a tent and a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the climate. Campers are recommended to pay U$D 15 to cover food and hot water costs.
What kind of work can I expect to do as a volunteer?
Volunteers will work mainly in the area of land restoration. This is hard work and will include fence removal, exotic plant control, seed collection, and in some cases supporting scientific work with the flora and fauna in the area.
The volunteers will work in groups of approximately 6 people. You can participate within one of these groups or put together your own group. Generally, volunteer work groups will camp in a work area for approximately 4 days. Work usually begins each day at 9 a.m. with a break for lunch sometime around 12:30. Work will begin again between 2:00 and 3:00 and will continue until 5 or 6 p.m.
After approximately 4 days of work the groups will come back to the Administración to rest for 2 days. During these 2 days volunteers can go into town for the day, explore the park, wash clothes, use the internet, or rest. After resting for a few days volunteers will continue work in a different area of the park.
While volunteering at the parque, you will have very limited opportunities to contact "the outside". There is an office computer which is available to the volunteers after working hours, however the phone is for official use only. If you go into the town of Cochrane on a day off, there are cybercafes and international phone call services that are available. Please make sure that your family and friends are aware of these limitations.
In the case of an emergency, they should contact Paula Herrera, the Volunteer Manager (English or Spanish) via email pherrera@conservacionpatagonica.cl or telephone 56 65 970833 (Park).
Directions to Parque Patagonia
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From Santiago, Chile: The fastest way to the park is to travel from Santiago, Chile to Balmaceda, XI Region of Chile, via airplane. The airlines that fly between Balmaceda and Santiago are LAN Airlines and SKY Airlines, each with several planes leaving daily.
Once you arrive in Balmaceda take a transer (bus) towards Coyhaique, and plan on spending the night at a local hostel. The next day go to the Coyhaique Bus Terminal and take a bus to the town of Cochrane. There are three bus companies that do this route: Interlagos, Acuario 13, and Don Carlos. All of the buses leave early in the morning between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.
When you purchase a bus ticket make sure to specify that you are going as far as ‘El cruce Entrada Baker’ about 18 Km. before entering the city of Cochrane. Be sure to notify us by e-mail the day of your arrival so that somone from the park can be waiting to pick you up.
From Puerto Montt, Chile: If you plan on coming from Puerto Montt you can take a boat through the patagonian canales with Navimag Ferries or take a bus with ‘Transaustral’/‘Queilen’ which both leave from the Puerto Montt Bus Terminal.
From Southern Chile: If you are coming from the south (Tierra del Fuego) you can fly from Punta Arenas to Balmaceda (one daily flight) on SKY Airlines. Additionally, you can take a bus from the city of Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz, Argentina to Los Antiguos on Lago Buenos Aires (Lago General Carrera in Chile). From Los Antiguos, take a bus to the town of Chile Chico across the lake. From Chile Chico a bus runs twice a week to Cochrane, again, make sure to get off at ‘Entrada Baker’ (18 Km. before Cochrane).
From Argentina If you plan on coming from Argentina there is a bus that runs from the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut province, to Coyhaique, Chile.
Equipment list for Parque Patagonia
As with many places, the weather in Valle Chacabuco changes by the season and by the hour. While the equipment list below is not a complete one, it should provide you with an overview of the type of gear to bring with you.
- Hiking Boots: Expect to do lots of walking over uneven terrain
- Hiking Socks: Bring several pairs of sturdy hiking socks. The wool/synthetic kind tend to perform best.
- Work Clothes: Whether you are taking down barbed wire fences, hiking through dense vegetation or wearing the same clothes for long periods of time, you will want a heavyweight pants and shirt/jacket that will last.
- Work Gloves: Barbed wire fence rolling, non-native plant removal...its all in a days work so bring some thick work gloves.
- Down or Synthetic Insulation Jacket: The weight of insulation you will need varies according to the time of year but the evenings are cool/cold, year round.
- Windbreaker/Raincoat: Its windy in Patagonia and when it rains, it rains.
- Synthetic Baselayer: Capilene, Polypropylene or some other type of synthetic long underwear - top and bottom.
- Fleece Jacket
- Sunblock & Sunglasses: The sun is strong in Patagonia. Bring plenty of sun protection for your skin, lips and eyes.
- Hat - Warm Weather: Be prepared to spend all day working outside. You will want a hat with a broad visor to block the sun.
- Hat - Cold Weather
- Flashlight/Headlamp/Lantern: Also plan to bring an extra set of batteries.
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag: The warmth of bag you need will vary depending on the person and the season.
- Sleeping Pad
- Plate and utensils: Will be used when camping
- Swimsuit: There are may beautiful lakes, rivers and streams in Patagonia. Swimming or wading in them makes for an invigorating (re: cold) experience.
- River Sandals/Flip Flops: These are useful around camp or when walking through streams and rivers.
- Water Bottle/Hydration Pack: You will need to carry your own water when you're out in the field. Make sure you bring the water storage capacity you will need.
- Towel: A synthetic camp towel that will dry quickly
- Bug Repellant
- Gaiters: These can be useful for repelling pimpinellas or for keeping out water when crossing streams.
- Immunizations: Before traveling to Parque Patagonia, check with your doctor and ensure that all of your immunizations, especially for Tetanus, are current.
- First Aid Kit: Bring a small, personal first-aid kit with moleskin for blisters, ibuprofen, aspirin or anything else that you may want while at the parque. Also, bring sufficient quantities of any prescrition medications and/or contact lens solution that you will need. There will be group first-aid kits for emergencies but there is no drug store nearby.
- Safety Glasses/Goggles: When rolling up barbed wire fences, it is possible for loose wires to strike you in the face. It is recomended that you bring a pair of clear, safety glasses/goggles for some of the work that you may be doing.
What will the weather be like?
During the day, the weather is mostly dry with temperatures ranging from 10-25C (50-75F). However, there are occasional downpours and at night, the temperature sometimes dips below freezing.
You can contact us at pherrera@conservacionpatagonica.cl.