Torres del Paine Volunteer Vacation

Torres del Paine Volunteer 2011 Vacation Itinerary:

• Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas; transfer to Puerto Natales

  We begin our volunteer expedition in the Chilean community of Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of South America. Punta Arenas began as an important seaport prior to the construction of the Panama Canal. It was from here that Captain Ernest Shackleton launched the successful rescue of his crew in 1916 after his ship, Endurance, was destroyed by Antarctic sea ice. Our bus takes us along the Straights of Magellan before heading north to the Seno Otway Penguin Sanctuary, where we can stop to view the foot-tall Magellanic penguin in its nesting habitat. Continuing north, we will travel to the frontier town of Puerto Natales for lodging and our welcome dinner tonight. Dinner and hotel included.

• Day 2 Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park

  We travel two hours further north by bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way we stop to photograph the park's magnificent mountains, as well as guanacos or other wildlife we may see along the road. Each volunteer trip to Torres del Paine differs based on the needs of the park rangers. Before each trip, volunteers will be given a complete itinerary that includes details about where their specific volunteer trip will be based within the park. We are currently working on the famous "W" hiking trail in the park, stretching from the Grey Glacier to the namesake Torres del Paine (Towers of the Paine). We stay in refugios – backcountry mountain lodges with shared accommodations. Our meals in the Park are provided by the refugios. All meals included.

• Days 3-12 Torres del Paine National Park

  This period includes a combination of work days, rest days, and time spent moving between locations in the park. Volunteers start each day with breakfast at the refugio. On work days, after picking up a bag lunch, we hike to the work site. The work day may involve a variety of tasks: We rehabilitate (close) unauthorized trails; cut and move vegetative plugs to camouflage and rehabilitate abandoned trails; use a pick or shovel to out-slope the trails and build water bars to better shed water; clip vegetation with a lopper or hand saw to widen trails for safety; remove rocks from the trail tread with rock bars to reduce tripping hazards; and move crushed rock or stone to create a dry walking surface. Training in all aspects of our work is provided. Small groups of 5-6 volunteers are teamed with an experienced leader. On rest days, volunteers are free to rest in the refugios, or to explore the park. Experienced leaders offer suggestions for both short and long day hikes such as the Grey Glacier, French Valley or the Torres del Paine. All meals included.

• Day 13 Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales

  Today we return to Puerto Natales. Depending on our location in the Park, this may involve boat and/or bus rides to get from the Park to Puerto Natales. We have time for some additional shopping before our farewell dinner in Puerto Natales. All meals included.

• Day 14 Early morning transfer from Puerto Natales back to Punta Arenas

  After breakfast, we will depart Puerto Natales early in the morning by bus for Punta Arenas, in time for volunteers who may wish to catch the mid-day departures to Santiago and the U.S. Breakfast only included.

Torres del Paine Volunteer 2012 Vacation Itinerary:

• Day 1 Arrive Punta Arenas; transfer to Puerto Natales

  We begin our volunteer expedition in the Chilean community of Punta Arenas, at the southern tip of South America. Punta Arenas began as an important seaport prior to the construction of the Panama Canal. It was from here that Captain Ernest Shackleton launched the successful rescue of his crew in 1916 after his ship, Endurance, was destroyed by Antarctic sea ice. Our bus takes us along the Straights of Magellan before heading north to the Seno Otway Penguin Sanctuary, where we can stop to view the foot-tall Magellanic penguin in its nesting habitat. Continuing north, we will travel to the frontier town of Puerto Natales for lodging and our welcome dinner tonight. Dinner and hotel included.

• Day 2 Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park

  We travel two hours further north by bus to Torres del Paine National Park. Along the way we stop to photograph the park's magnificent mountains, as well as guanacos or other wildlife we may see along the road. Each volunteer trip to Torres del Paine differs based on the needs of the park rangers. Before each trip, volunteers will be given a complete itinerary that includes details about where their specific volunteer trip will be based within the park. We are currently working on the famous "W" hiking trail in the park, stretching from the Grey Glacier to the namesake Torres del Paine (Towers of the Paine). We stay in refugios – backcountry mountain lodges with shared accommodations. Our meals in the Park are provided by the refugios. All meals included.

• Days 3-11 Torres del Paine National Park

  This period includes a combination of work days, rest days, and time spent moving between locations in the park. Volunteers start each day with breakfast at the refugio. On work days, after picking up a bag lunch, we hike to the work site. The work day may involve a variety of tasks: We rehabilitate (close) unauthorized trails; cut and move vegetative plugs to camouflage and rehabilitate abandoned trails; use a pick or shovel to out-slope the trails and build water bars to better shed water; clip vegetation with a lopper or hand saw to widen trails for safety; remove rocks from the trail tread with rock bars to reduce tripping hazards; and move crushed rock or stone to create a dry walking surface. Training in all aspects of our work is provided. Small groups of 5-6 volunteers are teamed with an experienced leader. On rest days, volunteers are free to rest in the refugios, or to explore the park. Experienced leaders offer suggestions for both short and long day hikes such as the Grey Glacier, French Valley or the Torres del Paine. All meals included.

• Day 12 Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales

  Today we return to Puerto Natales. Depending on our location in the Park, this may involve boat and/or bus rides to get from the Park to Puerto Natales. We have time for some additional shopping before our farewell dinner in Puerto Natales. All meals included.

• Day 13 Early morning transfer from Puerto Natales back to Punta Arenas

  After breakfast, we will depart Puerto Natales early in the morning by bus for Punta Arenas, in time for volunteers who may wish to catch the mid-day departures to Santiago and the U.S. Breakfast only included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions. Work locations may vary with each volunteer expedition according to the needs of park rangers at the time the expedition takes place.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single hotel accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you are willing to share hotel accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. Single accommodations are not available in the refugios.

All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14; accommodations in hotels and refugios; guide leadership and support staff; group tools; all ground transportation as noted; Lago Pehoé catamaran ferry and park entrance fees.

International airfare to/from Punta Arenas, Chile; 1 lunch; cost of medical immunizations; insurance of any kind (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for these expeditions and can usually be purchased for less than $75 through REI Adventures); excess baggage charges; airport taxes; Chilean entry fee (approx. $140 USD but subject to change), alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; gratuities and items of a personal nature.

In order to ensure that hotel reservations and additional support services for our volunteer expeditions are confirmed well in advance of each departure, we do make non-refundable financial commitments to local service providers. By making these commitments, we are taking a step towards ensuring the highest level of customer service and organizational efficiency possible so that you can enjoy your travel experience to the fullest. In conjunction with these practices, your initial $400 deposit is completely non-refundable at time of sign up. All other standard cancellation/transfer fees will apply as noted in our booking guidelines. Please take note of this special policy when planning your trip and feel free to contact us with any additional questions.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members may be novices in good physical condition. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to five miles most days on rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. To assess your fitness, volunteers should comfortably be able to hike stairs with a day pack weighing approximately 10-15 pounds or work in your yard all day moving plants, shoveling soil and pruning trees. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least three months prior to departure. No previous trail maintenance or restoration experience is required.

On our first and last nights, we will stay at a centrally located hotel in Puerto Natales. Hotel stays are double occupancy with private bathrooms. During our visit to Torres del Paine National Park, we stay in mountain lodges locally known as refugios (specific refugio locations may vary from departure to departure). Staying at different refugios will allow us the opportunity to explore various areas of this magnificent national park. Refugios can be best described as hostels with generally six beds (three bunk beds) in each room. Separate men's and women's bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets are down the hall. It is common for men and women to share the same room in hostels, although participants can often sort themselves out in any way they wish. Single accommodations are not available in the refugios.

Tasty and nutritious meals will be provided on this adventure beginning with dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 14. In Puerto Natales, breakfasts will be served buffet-style with dinners ordered off a menu. In the park, breakfast will generally consist of eggs, cheese, bread, juice and coffee/tea. Lunch is normally a box lunch with your choice of sandwich, fruit and chocolate. Dinners are varied consisting of chicken, pork, beef and limited vegetarian entrees. Although some special meal requests can be accommodated, we encourage all volunteers to discuss particular food requirements with us at the time of sign-up. Torres del Paine is literally at the end of the earth and not all special requests can be accommodated. If you are looking for gourmet meals ordered off a menu each night, this might not be the right trip for you. Alcoholic beverages are not included but beer and wine will be available for purchase.

The weather in Patagonia is known for high winds and extreme variability. Days can range from sunny with temperatures in the 70s to rain, hail, and occasionally even snow. Please come prepared for all possibilities and equipped with good quality raingear.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

The weather in Patagonia is notorious for high winds and extreme variability. Daytime conditions can range from sunny with temperatures in the 70s to rain (occasionally even snow) and temperatures near freezing. Please come prepared for all possibilities and equipped with good quality raingear.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed
• Wind chill can be a significant feature of this trip. Air temperatures can be relatively warm, but when the wind is constant you can be robbed of body heat quickly. Adequate wind/raingear is very important.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton.