Patagonia Voluntourism

• Assist a coalition of local families as they promote and teach sustainable living methods in a remote mountain community
• Help with trail building, greenhouse and garden enhancement, or harvesting and processing crops
• Enjoy a wide range of exciting outdoor recreation options during your free time

Our Voluntourism Extensions are designed to bring our guests into an environment to help local people and wildlife. NHA does not earn money on these extensions. Rather, local organizations run these programs with the goal being to gain assistance from our travelers as well as some income to help them perform their work. Please be aware that these extensions, while fun and rewarding, may not operate on the same quality level as a Natural Habitat expedition.

This exciting voluntourism opportunity offers NHA guests a chance to choose from a slate of outreach opportunities at La Confluencia, an inspiring sustainable community project located in the Rio Azul Wilderness Area of southwestern Argentina. Situated within a small, fertile valley on the eastern slope of the Andes, La Confluencia is perched on a forested ledge high above the Azul River where it meets the Encanto Blanco River: the confluence from which the project takes its name.

Run by the Land Ethic Action Foundation (LEAF), a consortium of eight families who hold “a vision of a different world,” La Confluencia staff and visitors have been active in this remote community since 1995, promoting and teaching sustainable living methods including organic farming and gardening, energy- and resource-efficient construction, and alternative energy development. La Confluencia is a teaching and demonstration center that conducts community workshops and events around these issues throughout the year.

The Lodge at La Confluencia was recently opened to ecotourism, with guest revenues benefiting the project and demonstrating principles of sustainable tourism development for the Rio Azul Protected Natural Area, which is part of the larger UNESCO Temperate Forest Biosphere Reserve. Surrounded by old-growth forests, alpine meadows and still-potable rivers and lakes, one is reminded daily at La Confluencia of stewardship responsibilities.

Guests may choose among three work projects, which are detailed below. These include trail and footbridge construction to improve low-impact visitor access to the Rio Azul Wilderness; greenhouse refurbishment and vegetable garden improvement; or helping with the harvest. Free time is included to take advantage of the exhilarating array of recreational opportunities available in the area, including rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and rappelling, or just relaxing along the Rio Azul as it rushes through a deep gorge below the lodge. Guests will also enjoy the spa, with its cedar sauna, wood-fired hot tubs and spacious deck. Wholesome organic meals are prepared fresh daily by the lodge chef, incorporating local ingredients grown and raised on the farm.

Project Options
The Land Ethic Action Foundation (LEAF) is currently involved with the following community-supported initiatives. Work on these various projects is simultaneous and ongoing throughout the season, thus allowing NHA volunteers to choose among the projects irrespective of visit dates. All projects provide a great chance to put on work gloves while practicing Spanish language skills (though Spanish is not a requirement). Bilingual staff from La Confluencia who are native English speakers will accompany volunteers at all times on the work project sites.

On each project, the workday typically starts at 9:00 am. We break for lunch at noon (lunch is prepared and packed for us by the lodge chef), start working again at 1:00 pm, and wrap up about 3:00 pm in order to arrive back at the lodge by about 3:30 pm, allowing free time for recreational activities.

Trail Building and Footbridge Construction in the Azul River Valley
On this environmental enhancement project, volunteers work side by side with peasant community members to improve Rio Azul Wilderness Area access for low-impact visitor use. No specific construction skills are necessary to join this project, and participants may contribute at whatever level they feel comfortable. Tools employed include shovels, rakes, handsaws, and hammers.

Greenhouse Refurbishment and Vegetable Gardens
Through this community outreach project, LEAF sponsors a program of regular visits to small farms belonging to economically challenged members of the local peasant community. The focus of this program is food security and shelter. Several individual families have been identified who need help maintaining their greenhouses and small vegetable gardens. NHA volunteers will work alongside a small group of other volunteers and community members helping to refurbish and replant a family’s greenhouse and vegetable garden. Participating in this project does not require specific construction or gardening skills, and volunteers may contribute at whatever level they feel comfortable. Tools employed include trowels, shovels, hoes, rakes, handsaws, and hammers.

Helping with the Harvest
In an effort to assist in revitalizing the custom of cooperative community farming, LEAF sponsors an ongoing ‘Help with the Harvest’ program. NHA volunteers will join a small group of other volunteers and local farmers who rotate visits among neighboring farms throughout the harvest season (December – April). The actual nature of the work to be done varies according to harvest needs and could include cider pressing and preserving, haying, harvesting grains, digging potatoes…it all depends on the time of year and weather. This community outreach project requires no farming skills or experience, and participants may contribute at whatever level they feel comfortable. Tools employed vary according to activity but may include rakes, hayforks, shovels, garden forks, pails, and operating a hand-powered cider mill.

Location of Adventure
Bariloche, Argentina

Included
Accommodations, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the final day, airport transfers, all sales taxes.

Not Included
Travel to and from start and end point of trip, alcoholic beverages and bottled water, gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance.

Important Information
This extension can be booked on a custom basis during the months of November-April.  Because La Confluencia Lodge is closed off-season, it is not possible to book during other months of the year.

Getting There & Getting Home
Passengers should plan to arrive in Bariloche on the afternoon of Day 1, and are free to depart anytime on the final day. We can best serve you if Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk makes flight reservations for you, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient and cost-effective transportation. Please call us at 1-800-543-8917.