Quick Facts
Program code
CL-FS115
Category
Farm Stay, Farm Work
Country
Chile
Location
Lolol, Colchagua Valley, about 2 hours from Rancagua
Program start
ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND JULY AS WELL AS DECEMBER AND JANUARY
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
This farm stay position is for women between 18 and 35 who not only love horses but are also good at handling and riding them. Gabriela and Jürgen live with their son (2013) on a beautiful horse farm where wine is also grown. Her adult children live in Germany, Ireland and Australia. The family has a very cosmopolitan spirit and are therefore happy to receive visitors from all over the world. Jürgen speaks German, English and French, so if your Spanish isn't world class yet, you still will get along.
The farm is not tourist-oriented, but Gabriela organizes riding camps several times a year for up to 15 children ages 8 and up. She is an absolute horse lover, she gives riding lessons, takes part in national and international competitions, and organizes events. The 15 horses that belong to the farm are very tame and used to children. The horses are joined by 100 geese and 100 sheep on the farm.
Tasks
The tasks almost all revolve around the horses and the riding camps. These primarily include:
- Feed horses daily
- Saddle and ride several horses per day, they need daily exercise and training to keep them sociable for the children
- Helping with the various activities with the children during the riding camps, such as looking after a group of children, saddling horses for the children, etc.
- Groom and clean horses
- Different tasks around the house such as setting the table for the children's groups, etc.
When there are riding camps, you work Monday to Friday between getting up and going to bed, but there are plenty of free hours in between. When there are no events taking place, the schedule is very flexible. There are two days off per week.
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
You live in a single room with a private bathroom in your own house near the horse stables. The house is large and spacious and has a kitchen. It is surrounded by greenery and has a great view of the extensive fields and hills. If there are no riding camps, you have the accommodation for yourself or share it with another female participant. The children who participate in the riding camps also live there during the duration of the camps.
A kitchen lady comes three times a week to cook meals for the family and also will prepare your food.
There is Wifi and G4 cell phone reception.
Location
This farm stay takes you right into the heart of Chile's country life! The horse farm is located about 200 km south of Santiago de Chile, exactly between the Pacific Ocean (with the surfing town of Pichilemu) and the Andes in the middle of the idyllic Colchagua Valley, one of the country's top wine-growing regions. Huasos (Chilean cowboys) on horseback, green vineyards, traditional events and colonial buildings make up the magical charm of this area, which looks a bit like it has fallen out of time.
The nearest village, Lolol, has just over 6,500 inhabitants, and the nearest large city, Rancagua, is two hours' drive away.
You can reach Santiago in about three hours if you want to immerse yourself in the metropolis in contrast to country life on the weekend.
The city of Santa Cruz, particularly popular with wine tourists, is only about 40 minutes' drive away. Here you will find nice restaurants and a bit of nightlife.
On the other hand, you can find a lot of nightlife in Pichilemu on the Pacific beach, which is transformed into a real hotspot by locals, surfers, language students and globetrotters, especially in the Chilean summer months.
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
- Due to the living arrangements we can only place female volunteers
- Good physical condition
- Riding skills and experience with horses
- 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 on the Horse Breeding Farm includes:
- Single or shared room (depending on availability)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner (groceries are provided for cooking)
- Pick-up at the bus station in Santa Cruz
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Farm Stay placement
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on 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 $$)
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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:
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.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!