Itinerary 1: South Chile – Rauco & Ruta de los Jesuitas
12 days
Day 1: Travel to
Day 2: SANTIAGO - RAUCO
On arrival in
Days 3-6: Volunteer Project Phase
Duration: 4 days
Location: Rauco
Rauco is a small municipally located next to Curicó in the Maule valley, about 2.5 hours south of Santiago. The main products of the region are fruits and wines. Many famous wineries can be found in the surroundings; nevertheless, the rich-poor divide is striking. Rauco is divided in several rural sectors, of which some are extremely depressed areas.
Accommodation: in Home stays or at a local cabin accommodation.
Project Work:
Help to prevent erosion
Located in Rauco is a little community called El Parrón, located on the top of a beautiful hill. Every year the community has to fight agains the erosion of the hill, caused by the rain falls during the months of April till August. There is no plantation on the hill, therefore during the rain season erosion is caused. Together with CONAF, the national corporation for forests, who will supply the plants, you will work together with this local community to plant the plants and make an end on the fights of erosion within the community.
Objectives:
- Prevent erosion
- Improve quality of life
- Intercultural exchange
Activities:
- Plantation of plants at the hill of El Parrón together with CONAF
Recipients of Voluntary Help:
- CONAF
- El Parrón community
- Rural families
Project Work:
Tourism development in Rauco
Recently Rauco started with the initiative to develop tourism in the community together with SERNATUR, the national tourism board of Chile. Because of the beautiful landscape and hills Rauco is an excellent place to receive tourists and tourism can be a great source of income for a community when it is organized in a responsible and sustainable way. There are several historical paths, made during the time of war, on the hills of Rauco. However, those paths are not clear anymore and need to be maintained in order to receive tourists.
Objectives:
- Create a trekking path in the hills of Rauco
- Help with the development of a tourism in Rauco
- Improve quality of life
- Intercultural exchange
Activities:
- Restoring historical paths
- Support of tourism development within the municipality.
Throughout the program we encourage:
- The establishment of an intercultural exchange of ideas and experiences between the volunteer(s) and the local people.
- A deeper understanding of the structural inequalities that exist in the world.
- The formation of people in raising awareness of these realities and who will act as agents of change for a future of sensitivity and social change.
Free time:
Free time in between the work will be used to learn about the local area, culture and the activities of the municipality within the local community.
This will be done through:
- Talk about activities of the Municipality
- Trekking
- Exploration of the natural surroundings of the town
- Visit a local school
- BBQ
Day 7: CURICO - OSORNO
We will take the bus overnight, arriving early morning in Osorno. We will visit the supermarket to buy our Trekking supplies. Leaving Osorno, we will stop off to visit a “Lecheria” (milking station) where we will meet Ricardo and hear the secret of his success with his cows.
Then we will head to our cabin accommodation*, where there will be some free time to wander down to the black sand beach and prepare for the day ahead. In the evening you will hear a briefing of the activities for the next few days, and the history of the ¨Ruta de los Jesuitas¨ which you will hike over the coming 3 days.
Accommodation: shared rooms in cabañas (*requires sleeping bags)
The Lecheria
Ricardo has received many diplomas, certifications and awards for his work, and is visited by many universities around the world, to learn the secret of his success. He treats his 20 cows like queens. They live indoors, he bathes them in warm water, and he even plays music for them. Thanks to his special natural treatments, his cows produce an average of
Ruta de los Jesuitas
Combining trekking and horse riding, your adventure will include crossing lakes, climbing a volcano, crossing lava rivers, making your way on horseback through wild forests and alongside impressive waterfalls, camping at the base of a live Volcano, and a visit to geysers and natural hot springs...
Day 8– HORSERIDING – LAS GAVIOTAS
In the early morning you will head to meet our local horse riding guide for the day. After a brief instruction of how to ride the horse you will start the horse back adventure. The first stop will be at the “Calzoncillo” waterfall, where a small wooden platform made on top of the waterfall allows you to look down
You’ll continue the ride down via a steep path down, which requires following our guide`s careful instructions. After a 3.5 hour ride you will arrive at Maria’s house; she will be waiting with a delicious barbeque. After relaxing for a while, its time to mount the horses again and head towards the Termas de Rupanco at the beach, where you can make your own lovely warm natural bath by digging a whole in the sand, and watching as natural thermal hot water flows to the surface.
Another 3.5 hours riding will bring you to the end of the horse back riding day as you arrive in Las Gaviotas, where you will stay for the night.
Accommodation in cabañas,
Day 9 – RUTA DE LAS JESUITAS - CALLAO
Walking: 4 hours
Level: medium
Today you will have stunning views of the lakes and green surrounding hills. You will visit native forests, cross rivers, pass through narrow passage ways, alongside waterfalls and cross precarious looking hanging bridges. ¨
“Ruta de las Jesuitas”
Osorno was founded in 1558 by Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza. After becoming a prestigious city in colonial times, it was destroyed in 1604, when it suffered the attacks of the Mapuches and the Huilliches. With this, the legend of a lost city of the “Ciudad de los Cesares” or “Enchanted city” was born: a city supposedly created by the survivors where, it was believed an abundance of riches such as gold and silver could be found.
The arrival of the Jesuits in the
Though this mystical lost city was never apparently found, the route to Vuriloche was rediscovered in the beginning of the 1900. Finally the colonization of this zone started by the end of the XIX century, when the pass “Vicente Perez Rosales” was reopened.
Day 10 –TODOS LOS SANTOS LAKE & PETROHUE FALLS
Walking: 2-3 hours
Level: easy
After breakfast you will head towards Rincon and cross the famous, breathtaking All Saints Lake (Lago Todos los
Day 11 – SANTIAGO
Today we will say farewell to
Day 12 – ARRIVAL HOME
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INCLUDED: Accommodation as per itinerary, 3 meals a day, bilingual coordinator, local guides, all transportation, 24x7 in country support, project coordination, project materials & donation, extra activities mentioned in the program.
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, travel insurance.
REQUIRED:
Good trekking shoes, waterproof clothing, waterproof trekking shoes, warm clothing for cold nights, clothing for hot days, sun block, sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, camping equipment, sleeping bag.
PHYSICAL FITNESS:
A reasonable level of general fitness and some basic horse riding experience is required for this trip is desirable.
OPTIONAL:
Rental of sleeping bag, rental of ISO mattress, rental of tents & Camping equipment.
Itinerary: Iguazú Falls & Northern Argentina
14 days
Day 1: BUENOS AIRES/FLIGHT IGUAZÚ. (Departure in afternoon)
Transfer from
Iguazú, Misiones
Misiones belongs to Argentina’s Mesopotamia Region, a land comprised between two big rivers, the Paraná and Uruguay, featuring flatlands apt for grazing and plant growing, wetlands and subtropical rainforests. The region’s natural wonder, the Iguazú
Days 2-5: Volunteer Project Phase
Duration: 4 days
Location: Indigenous communities near Puerto Iguazú, Misiones.
Around Puerto Iguazú, many Mbyá Guaraní Tekoá Communities remain nowadays trying to keep their ancestors traditions while dealing with modern life. In one of this communities, a project has been started to help their inhabitants maintain control and self administrate their natural, touristic and cultural resources. This projects’ goal is to increase the employment opportunities of young inhabitants of neighborhoods in extreme poverty. It also encourages development of the indigenous communities near the Iguazú falls, through the teaching of cultural activities, and socially responsible and sustainable tourism.
Accommodation: at a nearby hostel or residence.
Project Work:
One of the possible incomes for this community is the development of sustainable tourism inside their grounds. The project is helping them through teaching of educational and participative modules to prepare themselves for receiving tourists in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. We are going to support this project and the community by helping them build a sustainable path in the jungle so they can receive tourists and tell them about their culture and heritage.
Objectives:
- Develop sustainebla tourism.
- Improve quality of life.
- Intercultural exchange.
Activities:
- Creating a tourist path in the jungle inside the communitie´s grounds.
Recipients of Voluntary Help:
- Proyecto MATE
- Indigenous guaraní community
Free time:
Free time in between the work will be used to learn about the local area, culture and activities within the local community.
- Participate in school activities such as theater classes, singing classes.
- Exploration of the natural surroundings of the town.
-
We will take the entire day to visit the park’s many trails around the several falls including the famous and breathtaking “Devil’s Throat”.
- Visit to Guira-Oga
Bird’s sanctuary, an organization which aims to heal birds that have been victims of illegal commercialization or hunt.
Day 5: TRAVEL TO TUCUMÁN. (Departure in evening)
We will take a bus from Puerto Iguazú to Tucumán city. This is a long bus ride, but we will take a comfortable “sleeping bus”.
Day 6: TUCUMÁN STOPOVER
Stopover at the capital of the smallest Argentinean province and known as "the Garden of the Republic" because of the richness of its flora.
Day 7: TUCUMÁN - TAFÍ DEL VALLE
We will depart the city early in order to spend the day visiting the nearby valleys with our own private transport. After crossing green sugar cane fields, the road leads into Tafí del Valle, a green and lush valley at the foot of the impressive Sierra del Aconquija. We will stop for a visit to the Parque Los Menhires, upright stones decorated by the Tafí Indians. As we follow north, the change of landscape together with the llamas and guanacos tells us we are in the Abra del Infiernillo zone. We will also pass by Amaicha del Valle, a magical and energetical place, well-known for its Fiesta of the Pachamama, where we will have the chance to visit an indigenous community and learn about their culture and how they survive making their traditional handcrafts.
We will stay the night at one of a town’s local residence.
The Pachamama Celebration
Is the most representative celebration of this area and a marvelous example of the fusion between heathen Inca customs on the Christian faith. It takes place every August 1st. and in the ceremony locals offer gifts to the Mother Earth or the “Pachamama”.
Day 8: AMAICHA DEL VALLE - CAFAYATE
On the way to Cafayate, a stop at the well preserved Ruins of Quilmes, a fortified citadel once built by the Quilmes Indians, constitutes another interesting visit and a chance to learn more about the indigenous heritage and their tragic ending.
We will then enter
Day 9: CAFAYATE
The most important city in the
Day 10: CCALCHAQUÍ VALLEYS
We will depart early and head to
Day 11: SALTA CITY
The city of Salta was founded in 1582 and it still bears a distinct Hispanic character that sets it apart from other cities in the country. Once a main stop for the trade route of the Spanish between
Free time to explore the city of
Optional: go mountain biking, trekking or rafting in the surroundings of
Day 12: JUJUY: QUEBRADA DE HUMAHUACA
Departing
Day 13: SALTA - FLIGHT TO BUENOS AIRES
Free morning in
At night, farewell dinner with a world-famous tango show.
Day 14: DEPART BUENOS AIRES (evening)
Free morning for shopping or exploring the city. Transfer from hostel to airport to catch an evening flight.
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INCLUDED: Accommodation as per itinerary, 3 meals a day, bilingual coordinator, local guides, all transportation, 24x7 in country support, project coordination, project materials & donation, extra activities mentioned in the program.
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, travel insurance.
REQUIRED:
Good trekking shoes, waterproof clothing, waterproof trekking shoes warm clothing for cold nights, clothing for hot days, sun block, sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, sleeping bag.
PHYSICAL FITNESS:
A reasonable level of general fitness is required for this trip.
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Itinerary 3: South Chile – Mapuches, Lakes & Volcanoes
11 days
Day 1: Travel to CHILE
Day 2: SANTIAGO – TEMUCO
On arrival in Santiago, we will take a connecting flight to Temuco which takes about an hour and a half. We will enjoy a welcome dinner and project briefing. Accommodation in local Posada/Hotel Temuco.
Days 3-7: Volunteer Project Phase
Duration: 5 days
Location: Temuco
Accommodation: in Home stays or at a local hostal/posada.
Project Work: Cleaning an area of land in the Fundacion Chol Chol´s grounds, and building a sustainable vegetable garden to be used as a model garden. The garden will be used by the Foundation to teach the local Mapuche community that they can grow their own foods. Work will be done together with people from the Fundacion Chol Chol, and the local community.
Fundacion Chol Chol
The Fundación Chol Chol is a foundation which works to help and support 230 local Indigenous Mapuches, indigenous land protection, and forestation projects. The Mapuche are an indigenous population, originally living in the South of Chile and Argentina. Their name means “people of the earth”, the language spoken is Mapudungun. Some of the Mapuches in the South of the country managed to resist the Spanish conquerors for 300 years. Today, as a result of aggressive colonial economic models that lead to the indigenous people being exploited, and a variety of illnesses, today they only represent 4% of the Chilean population. Many of them live in cities, but keep in strong connection with their original communities and still fight for the acknowledgement of their territories and culture.
Free time: Free time in between the work will be used to learn about Fair Trade, the activities of the Foundation with the local community, and to gain an insight into the Mapuche culture. This will be done through:
- Welcome meeting in the “Ruka”
- Talks by members of the Foundation and the local Mapuche community members,
- Demonstrations of Mapuche customs (clothing, jewelry, & music),
- Tasting of traditional Mapuche foods
- Visiting neighboring communities / or a local farm,
- Visit to local market
- Textile demonstrations (dying wool, and weaving in the traditional form)
- Exploration of the natural surroundings of the town.
Day 7: TEMUCO – PUCÓN
On the last day of our project, we will say our farewells in the afternoon, and head to Pucón which will take about an hour and a half.
Dinner and accomodation in Pucón.
Pucón
Thanks to its natural attractions, Pucón is without doubt one of the most favorite destinations in for Chileans and for foreign visitors. Located at the shore of the Lake Villarica and at the feet of the active volcano of the same name, you can often see the red glow of this active volcano from Pucon at night. A popular summer destination, offering beach and watersports, and also a ski resort on the slopes of the volcano in winter, Pucón has a magical combination that allows you to enjoy it all year round. The surroundings of Pucón are also ideal for many types of adventure tourism such as rafting, canopy, horseriding and trekking.
Day 8: PUCÓN – ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Today we will spend the morning whitewater rafting (Grade III). Putting on all the necessary safety equipment, and accompanied by professional guides we will enjoy the emotion of the river as we descend the crystal waters of the Trancura River. After the rafting, we will enjoy a packed lunch and warm drink as we look back on the mornings fun, before heading back to Pucón. During the afternoon we will explore this small, quaint town, the artisan fair, and walk around the Lake on the volcanic sands of the beach. Dinner and accommodation in hostel in Pucón.
Day 9 : PUCÓN – SANTIAGO
Today we will leave Pucón, passing by Villarica, as we head back to Temuco to catch our flight to Santiago. After lunch we will take a short walking tour around some of the key sights of Santiago, including Plaza de Armas and “
Day 10 – SANTIAGO
Transfer to airport & flight home.
Day 11 – ARRIVAL HOME
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INCLUDED: Accommodation as per itinerary, 3 meals a day, bilingual coordinator, local guides, all transportation, 24x7 in country support, project coordination, project materials & donation, extra activities mentioned in the program.
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, travel insurance.
REQUIRED:
Good trekking shoes, waterproof clothing, waterproof trekking shoes warm clothing for cold nights, clothing for hot days, sun block, sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, camping equipment, sleeping bag.
PHYSICAL FITNESS:
A reasonable level of general fitness is required for this trip.
Our 2 weeks programs of volunteering in Chile and Argentina, is around US$1600 pp This price is based on an itinerary for a minimum of 12 paying participants and is aimed at schools or other similar groups. This price doesn't include flights.
The program fee includes:
In country ground transportation, three local meals a day, accommodation in simple basic accommodation or host family, obligatory donation to project, project materials, bilingual group leader, one accompanying adult free, project development, pre-site visit, all in country coordination, 24 hour emergency support, fair trade organization visit, some local tourism activities.
This also includes our application fee covering advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries).
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