Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Jun 2025
Reply rate
95.8 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
25
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
My name is Faye. and I own a small Cortijo just 15 min walk from alternative town, Orgiva. I offer a lovely spot of land situated by the Rio chico, for park-up or camping; 'built by volunteers, for volunteers'! What I mean by this ,is any help that volunteers provide, is directly to help improve and maintain an area, of which the sole use is to provide a free, safe place for volunteers to use as a base, to explore the area.
The land lacked care and attention for decades, and over the last years, with the help of volunteers, the terraces have been brought back to life! It's now a welcoming place for nature lovers to relax, and learn about land rejuvenation and maintenance.
Our main focuses are maintaining new acequia waterways (the lifesource of the land), and looking after the young trees and plants. These in turn will encourage wildlife to flourish in the area, retain water and protect the soil, and create a microclimate in preparation of hotter and dryer summers to come.
A stay here is ideal for anyone who is independent, enjoys being amongst nature, and is interested in eco/sustainable living and permaculture. Work exchange is only 7-10 hours per week in total, which gives you more free time to do your own thing. I ask people come for 2 weeks minimum.
I'm more than happy to give advice about the area, i.e best restaurants, hiking trails, or even where the parties at. I consider Orgiva to be a very friendly place, with a good community vibe! Depending on the season, I sometimes host BBQ's, cocktail afternoons or jam nights, in which all volunteers are welcome to join and meet with the locals.
Please note; sometimes there are multiple people parked-up/camping on the land, who are up for hanging out together, or you may be the only person on the land. I cannot guarantee it to be either way (however I do request that people respect each others personal space if they want it). If you are looking for a guaranteed communal living experience (where everyone works and eats together every day) it may be better to consider a more traditional work exchange, consisting of 4/5hrs volunteering Monday - Friday.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Interests
Self development
Farming
Dancing
Events & social
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Pets
Sustainability
Van life
Movies & TV
Charity work
Plant care
Music
Photography
Drawing & painting
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Astronomy
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Nature
Camping
Mountain
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I have acquired a good level of knowledge over the years on reforming and maintaining land, and living sustainably. I will share that with anyone who comes to stay here, including; planting trees and plants, soil production and building natural water systems. It could be a helpful experience if you are also considering to buy a piece of land in a similar horticultural zone (9).
The land is easily accessible, and amongst nature of the Rio Chico valley, whilst still being very close to the vibrant alternative / counter culture town of Orgiva, with its shops, restaurants, tapas bars, wellness classes etc. Its also situated in a great location to explore the rest of the Alpujaras, with great hikes, white washed villages, and cycle routes (if you can handle the hills!) and there are two yoga centres very nearby.
I am also quite knowledgable about regulations regarding buying land, reformation of ruins, what is and isn't permitted in the area, and the processes to go through (which can be a mind field) to gain permission and reform a Cortijo, so this workaway could benefit you if you are looking to purchase land and / or reform a Cortijo in the region.
Help
- Help to maintain volunteer terraces; cleaning and maintaining acequias, watering, feeding & trimming trees & plants, weeding, levelling and clearing areas to be safe from wild fires in the summer.
- DIY / eco building projects for volunteer areas; outdoor kitchen and bottle wall for shower
- Olive harvest
- Collecting rocks for dry stone walling
- Dog sitting
Please enquire if you are experienced in dry stone walling, this is something that I may be able to provide a more typical 4 hours per day 'workaway', with accommodation and food for up to 2 weeks.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
PARK UP & CAMPING: Easily accessible space for motorhomes, campervans or vans to park-up or camping on land for people who have there own equipment, in exchange for 7-10 hours help per week (food is not included). Each plot has its own little terrace and garden area. The land is totally fenced.
FACILITIES: Compost toilette (bucket system), Outdoor kitchen (with free organic olive oil, nuts and seasonal fruits from land), fridge, solar electricity, outdoor shower, large gas hop, cooking utensils etc. Drinkable water. 50 meter hose to fill up water tanks in motorhomes.
ACOMMODATION: I can provide a tent with camping bed and sleeping bag for 1 person. Minimum 2 weeks stay.
I ask that people use eco products/soap.
I work from my home office in the week, and myself and my partner enjoy our private time together in the evenings in my little house & terrace further up in the land, so a stay here is more suited for anyone who enjoys own space and wants to immerse themselves in nature whilst still being a short walk to town.
4:20 friendly.
What else ...
The Sierra Nevada mountains where you can Skii in winter and Granada city is 1 hour by car. Nearest airport Granada or Malaga, direct busses leave at 3pm from Malaga bus station to Orgiva. The buses are more regular and faster from Granada. Beaches of Motril and Salobrena are only a 40 minutes drive away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Temporary / short term park-up or camping, in exchange of 7-10 hours volunteering per week. Low rise (hymer) type vans over 7m may have an issue crossing the riverbed.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Feedback (14)
She has done amazing work transforming her land into a little oasis and it was fascinating to learn about the ancient and complex Acequia irrigation system, which is… read more
Faye herself is a beautiful soul: kind, generous, and full of knowledge, especially when it comes to gardening and living more… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
She has done amazing work transforming her land into a little oasis and it was fascinating to learn about the ancient and complex Acequia irrigation system, which is… read more
Faye herself is a beautiful soul: kind, generous, and full of knowledge, especially when it comes to gardening and living more… read more
Faye was a great host, lovely garden to spend time in and of course "work" in.
liked it very much that there is a possibility to meet other workawayrs here.
Just a Short walk to the village center so you don't need to take the car/camper every day.👌
I really hope she can make her plans for the garden come… read more
Actually I spent my first month at Faye's oasis as a paying holiday guest.
From the first moment it felt like living together with a good friend you've been knowing for ages.
Faye is an exceptionally good host who really knows about and caters to people's needs. You'll never miss a thing or have a… read more
The area is very beautiful with mountains and magnificent landscapes.
Thank you very much Faye for your generosity, your good humor, it was a really great experience!
muy atenta, simpatica y activa.
Su casa es muy bonita y se puede disfrutar la tranquilidad de orgiva.
Gracias faye por la oportunidad de conocerte a ti y a tus amigos.
Her house is beautiful, very spacious and cozy.
The work is not difficult at all and she is always there to help you and guide you in everything.
She is generous with everything: her house, food, work and even to take you to see fantastic places in the Alpujarra.
The relationship with her neighbors and… read more
