Authentic experiences, beautiful landscapes and a slower pace of life near Puerto Varas, Chile

Infos

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  Description

  Hi! I’m Victoria, the owner of a small eco lodge nestled in the native forest in Ensenada, near Puerto Varas in Chilean Patagonia.
  
  I live on the property together with my partner Andy and manage the lodge and its projects. We also work with local paid staff who support us with housekeeping and maintenance. Their regular responsibilities are separate from the cultural exchange offered to Workawayers.
  
  During the quieter winter period, when the lodge is mostly closed, volunteers join us specifically for seasonal outdoor projects such as gardening, improving the greenhouse, landscaping and working with native plants. They are not expected to replace paid staff or carry out normal hospitality duties for paying guests.
  
  I'm originally from the United States, studied Fine Arts in Chicago, and after many years of traveling and living in different communities around the world, I chose Patagonia as the place to build my home and my life project.
  
  The place is much more than accommodation. It's a place where sustainability, hospitality and nature come together. We welcome travelers from all over the world who are looking for authentic experiences, beautiful landscapes and a slower pace of life.
  
  We're surrounded by volcanoes, forests, rivers and lakes, only a short drive from Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls. Even in winter there's plenty to explore if you enjoy the outdoors.
  
  I'm looking for volunteers who appreciate peaceful places, enjoy working with care and like being part of a small, personal project.
  
  If you enjoy nature, meaningful conversations, good food and helping create beautiful spaces, you'll probably feel at home here.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide à la maison
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Histoire

  

  Musique

  

  Livres

  

  Écriture

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Photographie

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Auto-stop

  

  Jardinage

  

  Langues

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Animaux

  

  Architecture

  

  Art et design

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Nature

  

  Danse

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Sports d'aventure
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We will be closed for most of August and until mid-September, so this is a quieter, more personal time at the lodge. We use the winter months to work on projects around the property, especially the gardens and greenhouse, including native plants, landscaping and preparing everything for spring.
  
  Volunteers will spend time with us as part of our small team, sharing meals, conversations and the daily rhythm of life in southern Chile. We are happy to share what we have learned about running a small eco lodge, sustainable living, gardening in a cold and rainy climate, native plants and developing creative projects in a rural setting.
  
  Winter here is slow and cosy: evenings by the fire, music, books, cooking and time to enjoy the forest. We have a large shared space for reading, playing music, making art, exercising or simply relaxing.
  
  We also hope to learn from the people who stay with us. New ideas, practical skills, cultural perspectives and creative approaches are always welcome. We want Workawayers to feel included, comfortable and genuinely part of the place, rather than simply coming to complete a list of tasks.

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  Aide

  During July and August we're looking for one or two volunteers to help us prepare the gardens and outdoor spaces for the coming spring and summer season.
  
  This is physical outdoor help, so we're looking for people who genuinely enjoy working with their hands.
  
  Tasks may include:
  
  - Landscaping and garden design
  - Digging with shovels
  - Moving soil, mulch and gravel using wheelbarrows
  - Raking and leveling paths
  - Moving rocks and natural materials
  - Building and maintaining garden beds
  - Pruning, planting and weeding
  - Greenhouse maintenance
  - General outdoor maintenance
  
  Some days are more physically demanding than others, and the weather can be cold and rainy, as it's winter in Northern Patagonia. Good waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are essential.
  
  No professional experience is required, but a positive attitude, good physical condition and willingness to work outdoors are.
  
  If you enjoy creating beautiful landscapes, don't mind getting muddy, and like seeing tangible results at the end of the day, you'll probably love this project.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Italien: Courant
  Portugais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Between Andy and I we speak English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. We're always happy to chat over meals or while working, so if you'd like to practice any of those languages, you're welcome to join the conversation. Nothing formal—just everyday life.
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  Hébergement

  You'll stay in a comfortable private room with two single beds, which can also be arranged as a double bed for couples. The room shares a bathroom with just one other guest room.
  
  Volunteers have access to a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, high-speed WiFi, and all the lodge's common areas, including our playroom. The playroom offers space and materials for arts and crafts, as well as exercise equipment, yoga mats and dumbbells for your free time.
  
  We will sometimes cook and share meals together, while at other times Workawayers will prepare their own food, depending on everyone’s schedules and preferences.
  
  We provide the ingredients needed for three meals a day and keep the pantry stocked according to their dietary needs and the foods they prefer to cook.
  
  The kitchen is shared, and we see cooking and eating together as part of the cultural exchange, but there is also plenty of flexibility and independence.

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  Autres infos...

  We're always interested in building long-term relationships. If there's a good match, there's a possibility of joining our team as paid staff during the high season.
  
  Experience is a plus, but commitment, initiative and a positive attitude matter even more.
  
  On your days off you can explore Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls, Lake Llanquihue and the surrounding forests, you can go skiing, rafting, hiking, biking, rock climbing, hot springing... There are local buses connecting Ensenada with Puerto Varas, and we can help you plan your outings.
  
  We live in a quiet rural area and appreciate people who are respectful, tidy and considerate of others. We ask everyone to help keep shared spaces clean and to communicate openly if anything comes up.
  
  Smoking is only allowed outdoors. We enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, but because we host guests throughout the year, we ask volunteers to be mindful of noise and to help maintain the peaceful environment that our visitors come here to enjoy.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have high-speed fibre internet, but we're in rural Patagonia. While it's reliable most of the time, intermittance and occasional interruptions are part of life here. If constant connectivity is essential for your work, please keep this in mind before applying.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Ailú (3 ans)

  

  Totó (9 ans)

  

  Gioia (9 ans)

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