Quick Facts
Program code
CL-FS108
Category
Farm Stay, Farm Work
Country
Chile
Location
Marchigüe, close to Rancagua
Program start
Flexible start and end dates year round
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 23245 9801
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
With this Farm Stay program you will immerse yourself from head to toe in traditional Chilean country life. The dairy farm is located in the middle of a savannah-like hilly landscape in sun-drenched central Chile. Surrounded by wineries and small villages, it feels like in another world after landing and arriving from the busy metropolis of Santiago. Don't worry, it just seems like that, because the age of the internet has arrived on the farm as well. Nevertheless, when you see harvest workers with horse carts, adobe buildings from colonial times and huasos, Chilean cowboys on horseback, you get the impression that time has stood still here.
The program place - the Lechería - is a family-run dairy farm with a farm shop and rural tourism. The family runs the farm, which has been owned by the family since the 18th century, together with a great team of all ages. They attach great importance to the excellent quality of their natural products made from pasteurized milk. The "Calugas" (caramel pralines) from the Lechería are popular far beyond the region's borders and are offered in shops in Santiago and shipped all over Chile; just like the homemade cheeses, jams and caramel creams.
The farm's cows graze on the hills next to the dairy. There you can also go on beautiful hikes in your free time. In addition, horses, other farm animals, like rabbits, chicken, sheep, ñandus and alpacas belong to the farm. The alpacas supply the wool for beautiful knitted and woven products, which are also sold in the farm shop.
Due to the beautiful location, the delicious products and the history of the Lechería, more and more tourists from home and abroad became interested in the farm over the years. Therefore, the farm now also offers visitor tours through the production facilities and operates a courtyard café. The family's latest project is a boutique hotel in the former historic manor house.
Tasks
The tasks at this farm stay are varied, interesting and different depending on the season. The on-site team will discuss with you exactly what needs to be done every day. Of course, you can state your preferences, depending on whether you prefer working with animals or people or how physically fit you are. Depending on what work is currently being done, the working hours can also vary - animals have no clocks and no "end of work day" ...
In any case, you have two days off per week that don't necessarily be on the weekend though. This can be an advantage, because wineries, restaurants and other tours are less frequented during the week and you can even visit the Pacific coast.
Among your tasks are:
- Assisting in the production of milk and dairy products
- Feeding and caring for the animals
- Repair work on fences, stables, etc.
- Receiving and giving attention to guests
- Assisting with guided tours through the dairy farm
- Supporting in selling the products in the farm shop
- Assisting in selling products online
- Marketing support
- Working in the café
- Other tasks on the farm or in the shop
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
This Farm Stay offers family connection as the home of the farm owner Patricia is right on the premises.
Program participants live in their own small apartment with 2 rooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room. Groceries are provided by the farm and participants cook for themselves. Patricia and her family may also invite them to eat at their house. Likewise, the participants may use the swimming pool and the barbecue area. So you are always in the middle of the action and in good hands. Patricia also speaks English.
The farm stay program includes full board. The farm is equipped with W-LAN, you can use it at any time outside of your working hours with your own devices.
Location
The Farm Stay is located in the middle of the idyllic land of the Huasos, the Chilean cowboys, and also in Chile's top wine-growing region, the Colchagua Valley. In this area, central Chilean country life is more authentic than anywhere else. Here you will see Huasos riding to work on horseback and notice that the clocks tick much more slowly than in the capital Santiago, around 200 km northeast.
The nearest town of Marchigüe is 9 km away and is home to almost 7,000 inhabitants. The next large city and capital of the region, Rancagua, is 120 km northeast of the farm. From there, Santiago can be reached by bus in just over an hour - ideal for a short trip to the metropolis as a contrast to country life.
Even if you look to the south and west, the Farm is simply ideally located: 46 km southeast is Santa Cruz, in Chile a synonym for wonderful wine tours, cozy restaurants and one of the best-equipped museums in the country.
On the way to this wonderfully picturesque place, you will pass several wineries. An hour's drive from the farm to the west, past fields and hilly landscapes, is not only the Pacific Ocean, but Pichilemu, THE surfing hotspot in Chile. Regardless of whether you plunge into the waves yourself or prefer to chill on the beach and watch the surfers, the colorful town of Pichilemu is definitely a must-see. Thanks to language students, surfers from Chile and abroad and lots of tourists, it is very lively there between September and March, including nightlife and gastronomy for every taste.
In addition to the beach and wine, the region is also home to a UNESO World Heritage Site: the mining village of Sewell, once built for the workers of the world's largest underground copper mine, "El Teniente", has held this status since 2006. Sewell is located east of Rancagua at over 2100m in the Andes and is well worth a guided tour.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your farm work in Chile, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Chile directly with us!
Requirements
- Intermediate Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Chile!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office in Santiago de Chile you will be supported by an on-site volunteer coordinator.
Costs & Services
Our Farm Stay Agriculture & Tourism includes:
- Single or shared room
- Full board
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents
- Farm Stay Placement in Chile
- English-speaking in-country support
- Country handbook Chile
- Intercultural guideline
- Insider tips Chile
- 24/7 Emergency number
- Information about suitable travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 350 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
- 2 stay abroad programs: save US$ 55
- 3 stay abroad programs: save US$ 75
- 4 stay abroad programs: save US$ 165
- 5 stay abroad programs: save US$ 220
- 6 stay abroad programs and more: save US$ 325
Note: Language courses are excluded from this promotion. These discounts can not be combined with other promotions.
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Farm Stay Guide
Find valuable information about Farm Stay abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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