Few places on earth are as spectacular—or as rewarding for hikers—as Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. This rugged wilderness is a dreamscape of jagged granite peaks, glacier-fed lakes in shades ranging from turquoise to sapphire, and vast golden grasslands where guanacos graze.
But the very landscapes that make the Patagonian park so awe-inspiring are also incredibly fragile. As the park’s popularity continues to surge, the numerous boots hitting the trails each day contribute to erosion, damaged vegetation, and disrupted ecosystems.
In a destination visited by travelers from around the world, protecting fragile terrain from erosion is not optional. It is essential.
For that reason, Las Torres Patagonia, an upscale, family-owned lodge within the park, is offering the chance for 10 travelers to come for an all-expenses-paid trip to help build a new, sustainable trail to one of the protected land’s most iconic viewpoints, Base Torres, where hikers can view the peaks that give the park its name.
“In a destination visited by travelers from around the world, protecting fragile terrain from erosion is not optional. It is essential,” Josian Yaksic, CEO of Las Torres Patagonia, told Afar. “By involving volunteers directly in trail reconstruction, we raise global awareness about regenerative tourism and reinforce the idea that preserving this landscape is a shared responsibility.”
Called 10 Volunteers for 10 Days, this is the third iteration of the campaign, which started in 2024: Ten volunteers are chosen from more than 500 video entries submitted on Instagram. In both 2024 and 2025, the 10 winners were split into two groups, and each stayed on the property for five days while helping to restore more than 1,500 feet of trail. This year’s version will be largely the same, with the dates ranging from March 22 through 27 and March 28 through April 2.
After seeing the positive impact of the prior campaigns, “both on the trails of Torres del Paine and in the lives of the participants, Las Torres Patagonia knew they wanted to continue the initiative,” a PR manager for Las Torres Patagonia told Afar. “This campaign is more than just restoring trails; it’s about fostering a deep connection between travelers and one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.”
This year will also mark the inauguration of the first phase of the regeneration project, which includes slightly more than two miles of trail.
“This newly redesigned stretch offers panoramic views of the Ascencio River, gentler slopes, and infrastructure built specifically to reduce erosion and protect the ecosystem,” Yaksic said. “It represents more than a physical upgrade. It signals a new standard for sustainable trekking in Patagonia and demonstrates that conservation and visitor experience can evolve together for the long-term protection of this extraordinary destination.”
How to apply for the Chile volunteer project
From now until midnight PST on February 27, contestants can enter the contest by posting a video of themselves on Instagram explaining what sustainability and ecotourism mean to them or why they believe these topics are important. There are some additional parameters, however, including:
- Entrants must either share a video using the “Add Yours” sticker from the highlighted stories on the Instagram account @lastorres.patagonia or post the video on their own Instagram account, tagging Las Torres and using the hashtag #mygreenvideo.
- Videos must be no longer than 45 seconds.
- Contestants must be 21 years or older to participate and be able to carry out strenuous, hands-on activities. Participants must also be from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Chile, or Brazil.
Judging will take place after February 27, and winners will be announced on Las Torres Patagonia’s Instagram account. Those selected will have until March 2 to confirm their participation.
The prize includes round-trip flights with Sky Airline, ground transfer from the airport to the lodge, five nights and all meals at Las Torres Patagonia, and an itinerary with a handful of cultural experiences, in addition to trail building, which entails clearing vegetation, digging a pathway, and adding reinforcements like rock steps and wooden bridges to help prevent erosion.
This isn’t the only campaign that aims to balance sustainable tourism with environmental stewardship. Since 2019, the Faroe Islands have temporarily shut down select tourist sites for restoration as part of the Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism project. Each year, 80 volunteers from around the world work alongside locals to repair hiking trails, build boardwalks, and improve infrastructure in heavily visited areas. Applications for that program typically open in January. (We recently reviewed what it’s like to participate on the Faroe Islands project.)
This story was originally published in February 2025, and was updated on February 26, 2026, to include current information.
