Conservation and Volunteer Program

CONSERVACIÓN PATAGONICA
www.conservacionpatagonica.org

Created in 2000, has already placed 450,000 acres of critical Patagonia habitat into permanent protection. already successfully created one argentine national park, and are in the process of creating a second in Chile. They are result-oriented and seek conservation projects on a grand-scale, where strategy and actions are driven by the desire to achieve the highest level of conservation possible.

Itinerary

Day 1
Our journey starts driving East to Argentina, crossing the border to reach the Argentine town of Sarmiento and visit the “Bosque petrificado”, a national reserve lying a few kms. further, rich in pale ontological and archaeological sites, where nature has been petrified to a standstill thousand years ago. The area used to be covered by ocean, making it now a place of great interests for colors and landscapes.
Lodging in Sarmiento.

Day 2
Visit to the lakes Munster and Sarmiento where an expert birdwatching guide will accompany us on a trek to point out the amazing diversity of birds, flora and fauna that Patagonia often holds secret.
Evening drive to Los Antiguos, by the lake Buenos Aires (General Carrera in Chile) , second largest lake in South America after lake Titicaca. Lodging at los Antiguos, a pretty and comfortable little town close to the Chilean border.

Day 3
Taking the famous Ruta 40, we’ll drive South through the Argentine Pampa to the “Rio Pinturas”. Here, below high rocks, lies a magical cave, called “Cuevas de los Manos”, where native people signed their testimony of live with handpaintings, more then 9000 years ago.
Late afternoon return into Chile, crossing the Andes range at the Paso Roballos to Valley Chacabuco.
Welcome dinner and lodging at the Estancia Chacabuco.

Day 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8
Five days of environmental volunteering at the Estancia Valley Chacabuco, participating closely with Conservation Patagonia’s project of restoring the land to its natural habitat, making it again and friendly home to wildlife and flora.
Opportunity abounds for conservation related help such as restoration of forest, removal of livestock fences and grassland restoration. You will be working along side the estancia’s gaucho’s, sharing their knowledge and culture.
The future National Park is rich in species, such as the Huemul deers, Condor’s, the Guanacos, Armadillo’s, Puma’s and numerous wild birds. The expansion of habitat for the Huemul deer and the increase in its population numbers is a major goal of CP’s Patagonia National Park project.
New years eve will be celebrated by a traditional Patagonian Asado (barbecue) and homemade “Pisco Sour”.
Our stay at the Estancia will be totally self-sufficient so as not to affect the routine of the established workers.

Day 9
Early morning drive to Puerto Bertrand to hop on saddles for a great horseriding through forested hills to Pato Raro.
The afternoon offers an optional activity of Fly Fishing * or a well deserved rest time by the lake.
Lodging in Puerto Bertrand.
* Fly-fishing activity holds for extra cost of 150US$ p.p. The booking should be ready before itinerary.

Day 10
Return to Coyhaique, along the Carretera Austral, not without stopping at the little village of Cerro Castillo for lunch and to witness a horse whisperer training his horses, then directly to your hotel.