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Conservation Expedition in Patagonia
Patagonia holds a high concentration of protected public & private land. meridies® offers unique expeditions in these areas, with a strong emphasis in conservation and wild lands ethics. Combining critical conservation projects with challenging exploratory trekking and sea kayaking, this expedition offers an exciting chance to work in one of the untamed regions on our planet in a range of remote habitat types .
This 15-day conservation expedition combines hiking in the mountains and sea-kayaking in glacial carved lakes. This progression will allow you to develop the necessary soft and hard skills to become an effective contributor to the local environment and community that lives by it.
Working in conjunction with the Argentine National Parks Administration (APN) throughout Patagonia and Pumalín Park in Chile , this expedition not only offers individuals adventure and unforgettable experiences, but also a chance to contribute to the conservation of this unique ecosystem. Open to all age groups, this is an excellent expedition for those wanting to explore this amazing region while adding to its long-term conservation and social development.
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| Season: |
October through April |
| Length: |
15 days. |
| Requirements: |
Good physical fitness. Desire to make a difference. Basic Spanish is helpful as for interactions with locals. No previous camping or outdoors experience is needed. We can adapt the program to different levels of fitness, including non-experienced and/or skilled outdoors people. |
| Accomodation: |
Hostels, hostería and tents. |
| Included: |
In-country support. Project training: country orientation and cultural aspects. All ground transportation, 2 hostel nights and camping. All camping meals. All group gear: tents, first aid kits, communication devices, technical gear when needed (ropes, GPS, etc) and cooking gear. Sea-kayaking equipment. The participant-guide ratio will be 5:1, depending on the group size, usually groups of 3 to 10 individuals. |
| Not Included: |
International and domestic flights, personal gear and meals in restaurants in-town or in-transit as specified. Medical and travel insurance. |
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Expedition Goals:
1. To learn from practical conservation practices (Leave No Trace) and the region's eco-systems.
2. The conservation service project to these National Parks will provide an opportunity to work within Patagonia 's fragile and outstanding environments. You can assist some incredible projects: campsite and trail restoration, bridges construction, re-forestation of indigenous tree species, trash pick up, visitor education campaigns in mountain huts and other needs. 3. To be able to understand the dynamics of the local culture and society, refreshing with perspective on local versus global issues.
As a volunteer in our Volunteer Adventures program in Bariloche, you will be working closely with organizations that promote conservation and environmental ethics such as the Argentine National Park Administration (APN), working hands-on on a trail or campsite restoration project, while developing the necessary interpersonal skills through adventuring in the wilderness of Patagonia.
The itinerary
Day |
Activity |
Night |
Included meals |
Description |
1 |
Orientation and gear check |
Hostel |
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Your Volunteer Adventure will begin with an orientation at the meridies® center in Bariloche, the gateway to Patagonia. It is here that you will meet your fellow volunteers and learn about Argentinean culture and customs. Your group will work on preparation for a conservation project. Transfer to Hostel in Bariloche. Briefing and introduction of your guide. Check personal gear. Free time in town to discover one of Bariloche's fine restaurants. |
2 |
Volunteer Experience |
Camping |
B, L, D |
Early morning breakfast and transfer to our base camp in preparation to start your 3-day ‘service project' for the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Inspection of working site and first day of work under the supervision of a NP ranger. |
3 |
Volunteer Experience |
Camping |
B, L, D |
‘Service Project' day-2. |
4 |
Volunteer Experience |
Camping |
B, L, D |
‘Service Project' day-3. |
5 |
Volunteer Experience |
Camping |
B, L, D |
‘Service Project' day-4. |
6 |
Volunteer Experience |
Camping |
B, L, D |
‘Service Project' day-5. De-briefing of the experience and reviewing of the experience. |
7 |
Seakayaking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
Late breakfast to replenish energy level and seakayak workshop. Load the kayaks and first paddling move to our next campsite. |
8 |
Seakayaking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
Paddling along polished granite, perched trees, and sandy beaches. Fly-fishing and bird watching opportunities. |
9 |
Seakayaking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
Paddling along polished granite. |
10 |
Seakayaking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
Paddling along polished granite. |
11 |
Trekking |
Hosteria |
B, L, D |
After a short drive we'll arrive to a Ranger station in where we'll be briefed of the local conservation challenges. In the afternoon we'll visit an ancienmt glacier, walkling distance form our lodge. |
12 |
Trekking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
After breakfast we will hike up to an alpine lake and set up camp, perched in a stunning landscape. |
13 |
Trekking |
Camping |
B, L, D |
We will hike over a high pass, amongst granite slabs before contouring another alpine lake. Pizza party at camp. |
14 |
Hiking |
Hostel |
B, L |
Breakfast, break down camp and hike out of the mountains for a PM pick up. Transfer back to Hotel in Bariloche. This is the time to celebrate your successful journey with your fellow volunteers before flying home. |
15 |
Fly home |
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B |
Transfer to Airport and flight to Buenos Aires . END OF OUR SERVICES |
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By focusing on exploration we aim to get out into the wilderness and bring back new and important information about the land and its ecosystems. In this way you will not only be collecting valuable data on the region, you also get to develop your outdoor skills in some truly untouched places.
Please note the above itinerary acts as a guide only. Expedition Members shall expect that the volunteer, trekking and seakayaking sections might change their order of appearance depending on the service project, weather conditions and specific location within the park. |
