11-day Torres del Paine, Patagonia Volunteer Trip
Hike Patagonia as a conservation traveler!
ConservationVIP® has been bringing travelers to Torres del Paine for twenty years to help protect this international treasure. So, we can say with confidence that on our conservation trip you will experience some of the best of Patagonia. At the same time, you will also contribute to protecting the fragile landscape, flora and fauna which make Patagonia so alluring.
Because of its exceptional ecological significance, more than 40 years ago UNESCO designated Torres del Paine National Park as a Reserve of the Biosphere. The park’s unique biodiversity includes guanaco, endangered huemul, soaring Andean condors, and the elusive puma. Dramatic granite mountain spires, spectacular glaciers, turquoise lakes and haunting winds draw visitors from around the world. In short, it is spectacular. If you like to hike and you care about the environment, then you will appreciate seeing Patagonia as a conservation traveler.
Project activities | Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
We hope you will join us to experience the real Patagonia!
Conservation Activities
Environmental Issues
Torres del Paine is beautiful. Because of the extraordinary landscape, people travel from all over the world to hike the trails. Consequently, there are a lot of boots pounding the trails and eroding the landscape. In addition, because of the frequent precipitation, trails get wet. As a result, hikers go off trail to avoid the water and mud. In the process, they damage fragile flora and intrude on the animals who make their home in the park.
How We – Together- provide Help
The environmental damage caused by hikers can be mitigated by maintaining the trails. Unfortunately, the park has no trail maintenance staff. In short, the park needs help. For that reason, on this conservation trip we help maintain important hiking trails in Torres del Paine National Park.
If you like hiking, but have never maintained trails, you need not worry. That is because you do not need prior experience to enjoy this trip. We will train you in all aspects of the projects and match you to tasks which suit you.
For example, you might use a pick or shovel to contour trail tread or shed water. Or you may use hand tools to clip vegetation to widen trails. Another activity you may enjoy is using a rock bar to remove tripping rocks from a trail – it rocks!
Match Your Abilities with the Trip
Prior travelers on ConservationVIP’s trips to Torres del Paine represent a wide age range. The key to enjoying the trip is both to be physically fit and to be willing to get your hands dirty. In order to gauge your fitness, you should be able to hike four miles a day on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. Additionally, you should be able to move soil or rock with a shovel, trim vegetation, and carry stones. The altitude is between 500 and 2,000 feet. So, while the surrounding mountains are dramatic and beautiful, elevation is generally not a problem.
Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Itinerary for Torres del Paine, Patagonia Volunteer Trip
Day 1: Meet in Puerto Natales, Chile.
Welcome to Patagonia! ConservationVIP’s group meets in Puerto Natales. This town in Chilean Patagonia is the primary transit point for travelers to Torres del Paine National Park.
We will begin with an orientation meeting at 4:00 p.m. During this orientation, you will meet your ConservationVIP trip leaders and fellow travelers. Additionally, you will get an overview of the adventure ahead. After that, the group will share its first dinner together.
Day 2: Travel to Torres del Paine National Park.
After breakfast, we will load up our gear, board our private transport and travel for approximately 2 hours to Torres del Paine. During our journey we will watch for guanaco, rheas, condors, and more, stopping for photos as the Cuernos come into view.
Our first stop in the park will be for a round-trip boat excursion on Lago Grey. On this tour, you will get an up-close view of Grey Glacier. The glacier lies at the end of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. During this three-hour excursion on the lake, we’ll watch for floating icebergs and have vistas of the Paine Massif, the mountain formation at the heart of Torres del Paine National Park.
Refugio Paine Grand
After viewing Grey Glacier, we will travel 1-1/2 hours to the Pudeto boat dock, where we catch a catamaran across Lago Pehoe to Refugio Paine Grande.
Refugio Paine Grande will be our base for eight nights as we repair trails in the nearby region. Paine Grande is a pivotal point on the famous “W” hiking circuit in Torres del Paine. While we are at Paine Grande, will have dinners and breakfasts in the refugio, and take prepared box lunches from the refugio on the trail with us.
Day 3: Introduction to trail projects
After breakfast, we will have an introduction to tool handling and the volunteer project. Then, after packing our gear and box lunch we will head out on the trail to begin the first project.
Days 4 – 9: Service Trip Activities
Generally, on a typical project day, we will depart our lodging around 8:30am and be back at the refugio by approximately 5:00pm. During the day, there will be a variety of tasks. The specific tasks depend on the trail section and the volunteers’ interests. Small groups of volunteers are teamed with an experienced leader who will work with each volunteer to find the tasks which best suit the person’s interests and abilities.
Time to Rest and Explore
During this period, there will be days when our travelers can either rest and enjoy the amenities at the Refugio or they can explore the park. As an example, many enjoy the hike to French Valley for close up vistas of the Cuernos.
Day 10: Journey to Puerto Natales
After breakfast, we will check out of the refugio, cross to Pudeto on the catamaran, then begin our return trip to Puerto Natales. Then, before leaving the park, we will visit the park’s headquarters.
During the ride to Puerto Natales, we will also stop at the Cueva de Milodón, named after the extinct sloth whose bones were found here. There is evidence of human habitation at the caves as early as 6,000.
After arriving in Puerto Natales, we will check into our hotel and enjoy a final dinner together.
Day 11: Trip Completion
Following breakfast at the hotel, the trip ends. At this point, you may catch a homeward-bound flight. Or, alternatively, or you may opt to extend your stay in Patagonia.
IMPORTANT NOTES about the Itinerary
- Most important, you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip on time on Day 1. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
- Second, before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
- Finally, while we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary above, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Price for Torres del Paine Volunteer Trip
US$4,175 for 11 days; plus $160 for single room accommodation for the nights in hotel, if requested and available. (Note: All lodging in Torres del Paine is shared lodging. The single accommodations are in the hotel in Puerto Natales on the first and last nights)
Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. To explain how, see our Frequently Asked Questions page and consult your tax advisor for details.)
Price includes:
- ConservationVIP’s leadership and support staff for the trip and volunteer activities
- shared lodging in a refugio in the park
- 2 nights hotel accommodation in Puerto Natales
- all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day
- bus and boat transportation noted in the itinerary
- group tools
- orientation and training
- park entrance fees
Price does not include:
- international airfare to/from Puerto Natales, Chile
- medical immunizations
- insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory)
- excess baggage charges
- airport taxes
- alcoholic beverages
- gratuities or personal items
Deposit and Cancellation
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup; final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 8 – 12 plus trip leaders
Torres del Paine Volunteer Trip Reviews
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It seems as if the entire world comes to Torres del Paine and now I know why. Remote spectacle with ever changing mountains and glaciers calving provide continued jaw dropping moments, even a day, that had two separate rainbows. We travel far to get there, we traveled far while we were there, and then we moved at 5 km an hour for the time that we were there. We made a difference that will continue past our time. We were well taken care of by our trip leaders, and by the Refugio staff. I’d much rather pay to give back to the Earth by trail work, instead of paying for a gym membership. Much thanks to Garry and Susan, our trip leaders, for making this happen. Now I have memories to share for the rest of my life.
Absolutely phenomenal trip! Our leaders were knowledgeable, caring, committed, and fun! It was rewarding to contribute to the area and satisfying to do physical work. Our group was full of terrific people and we spent plenty of time laughing and enjoying each other's company. The scenery and setting were spectacular!
It is hard to imagine a better trip - thoughtful leaders who were skilled, thoughtful, and attentive to volunteers, incredible days of hiking and stewardship through the most beautiful landscape imaginable, and a deep community of passionate (and fun!) participants. Wonders continued daily, from glacial hikes, kayaking around icebergs, hiking to the base of the Torres, waterfalls and mountains, and unique bird sightings. Magical.
This is my third time in Torres and each time was a very different wonderful experience. Each trip has its own rhythym, weather, worksite, new people different tasks. I found the tasks rewarding, the trip leaders thoughtful and caring and the surroundings overwhelming.
As a special treat we got time off to do kayaking on the Lago Grey. Awesome
The destination was amazing - incredible mountain scenery. The trip leaders were extremely knowledgeable & committed to the success of the project. It feels very gratifying to be a part of a multi-year project to upgrade & improve the trail to the Towers. The leaders were also very mindful of our safety & well being, particularly with the challenging weather & steep rocky eroded & muddy trails. The hotel & refugio staff were all very professional and helpful - always willing to go above & beyond.
Really fun trip. A small group of dedicated people extended a beautiful, sustainable new trail, revegged social trails and laid out and built a substantial bypass of a badly eroded major trail. The trip was organized well by its leader Garry Oye. It is complicated because at least three different organizations (CONAF, AMA and the Legacy Fund ) are involved directing our efforts. We had a local guide Anita who was indispensable getting us around various hassles with the Refugios, rangers, etc. and was continually working to getting us new volunteers as well as doing a major portion of the work with us.
Service trips weed out the divas! We had a great, hardworking, fun loving group that put in 500+ feet of boardwalk and experienced sunrises, night skies and Patagonia's raggy peaks and famous winds. Excellent adventure!
Why did you choose this trip?
location
What would your advice be to potential travelers?
Break your boots in. We put in a lot of miles.
What was the highlight of your trip?
Best blustery day ever.
About Me
Casual Adventurer
✔ Yes,
I recommend this trip.
I went on this trip to contribute my time and energy so that others an enjoy being outside in a natural environment.
Why did you choose this trip?
Wanted to see Chile
What would your advice be to potential travelers?
Be in somewhat good physical shape.
What was the highlight of your trip?
Completion of the boardwalk project.
About Me
Casual Adventurer
✔ Yes,
I recommend this trip.
Gear List for Torres del Paine Volunteer Trip
The key to staying comfortable while on ConservationVIP’s Torres del Paine Volunteer 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.
Often people who have not visited Patagonia are concerned that it will be very cold. Surprisingly, most of us have found that cold is not a significant problem. Dressing in layers and bringing gear which helps to block wind is the answer.
Because southern Patagonia is windy and has frequent weather changes, you need to prepare for wind. Most importantly, bring a hat with a strap if you don’t want to watch it sail away!
Finally, there will be rain. In one day, you might see both sun and rain and then sun and then rain! The weather changes frequently. Bring the rain gear listed on the Gear List.
The Torres del Paine gear list has been created to help you choose your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List.
Torres del Paine Trip Reports
Please click to view Trip Report PDFs.
2025 March
2024 November December
Nov 2023-March 2024 Trail Experts
2023 February
2022 Feb-March Trail Experts
2022 February
2021 November
2020 February
2019 February
2018 February
2017 October
2017 February
2016 February
2015 March
2014 March
2013 March
2012 December
2010 December
2010 December
2009 March
2008 March
Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference volunteers make!
Safety is our Priority
ConservationVIP has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. Consequently, we know from experience that safe and enjoyable travel requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and trip participants!
Most importantly, select a trip that meets your abilities and conditioning. For this trip, you should be able to hike four miles a day on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, and carry stones.
In addition, to prevent injury or illness on the trip, travelers will need to follow the trip leader’s instructions. For example, the leader may instruct you to follow certain methods for carrying and using tools. Or, they may may require you to follow procedures such social distancing. Site-specific procedures and other specific safety instructions will be provided on the trip.
Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you.
Finally, participants will also have to comply with any restrictions imposed by Chile and your country of origin at the time of travel. While we know that the restrictions may change between now and the time of travel, we cannot predict what those changes may be.
ConservationVIP in Patagonia!
Because our origins were in Torres del Paine, the park holds a special place in our hearts. Over the years, we have been honored to introduce many volunteers to the park. To summarize their impact, we write trip reports which we encourage you to read. Plus, if you also read the reviews, then you will learn more about the trip. In addition, want to watch this video to hear what some volunteers said about their experiences on our conservation trip to Torres del Paine:
Be sure to check out our special projects page for information on the hikers’ bridges and boardwalk we have built in Torres del Paine National Park.