Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Live in a simple and nature lifestyle.
  • Learn about permaculture, agroforestry and bioconstruction.
  • Have a comfortable and modern accommodation.

Highlights

  • Live in a simple and nature lifestyle.
  • Learn about permaculture, agroforestry and bioconstruction.
  • Have a comfortable and modern accommodation.
  • Visit and travel around the eco farm.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Opportunity to live with local Brazilians in a wonderful environment between the mountains, experiencing their culture, customs and food.

    If you love nature, enjoy active holidays, and believe that we need to change things on our planet because we are destroying, it our Eco Experience programme is right for you. Eco Caminhos is situated in Cardinot a beautiful rural neighbourhood in the mountains. The green mountains, the waterfalls, ...

    About the program

    If you love nature, enjoy active holidays, and believe that we need to change things on our planet because we are destroying, it our Eco Experience programme is right for you. Eco Caminhos is situated in Cardinot a beautiful rural neighbourhood in the mountains. The green mountains, the waterfalls, creeks, variety of birds, and cows grazing on the steep hills give you the feeling of absolute freedom. We offer you the opportunity to live with local Brazilians in this wonderful environment, experiencing their culture, customs, and food; the ideal setting to learn and practise the Portuguese Language. The host families live right next door to Eco Caminhos, where we offer you the possibility to participate in bioconstruction, organic farming, and a number of ecotourism activities including Portuguese classes, hikes, campfires, and visits to touristic sites.


    Typical day

     Volunteers in our Eco Experience programme usually choose to work approximately 24 hours 3 days a week. Volunteers can choose between bioconstruction and organic farming. Our project coordinators will provide you with a theoretical introduction to the different techniques we use. After this you ...

    Typical day

     Volunteers in our Eco Experience programme usually choose to work approximately 24 hours 3 days a week. Volunteers can choose between bioconstruction and organic farming. Our project coordinators will provide you with a theoretical introduction to the different techniques we use. After this you can join the ongoing projects. Our activity coordinator will organise one special activity per week for you. This varies from hikes, camping in the mountains, horseback riding, to cultural trips in the region. In addition, you are welcome to the volunteer nights at Eco Caminhos, which include movie nights, board games, and campfires. Of course, you are also free to make your own plans. After your work day and on weekends when we do not have any activities planned, you can do as you please. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.


    Free-time activities

    In your free time you are welcome to the volunteer nights at Eco Caminhos, which include movie nights, board games, and campfires. Of course, you are also free to make your own plans. After your work day and on weekends when we do not have any activities planned, you can do as you please. Many of ...

    Free-time activities

    In your free time you are welcome to the volunteer nights at Eco Caminhos, which include movie nights, board games, and campfires. Of course, you are also free to make your own plans. After your work day and on weekends when we do not have any activities planned, you can do as you please. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level) or Portuguese (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Copy of Passport or Travel ID

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Being a nature lover Be willing to learn

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Eco Caminhos

    INCLUDED: 

    - Homestay with private room, full board: delicious typical local Brazilian dishes.
    - Theoretical introduction about the implementation of  Permaculture, bioconstruction and agroforestry on our farm
    - Hands-on bioconstruction, Agroforestry and organic farming at Eco Caminhos
    - 1 activity per week, including hikes, horseback riding, campfires,and camping in the mountains *
    - 1 Portuguese class per week (more on request)


    NOT INCLUDED:

    - The cleaning of your room and the things you use are your own responsibility, not that of your host family
    - Airport transfer is not included, but can be arranged for you. Our trusted driver Dutra can pick you up from the airport for 900R$ (165 euros).

    Accommodation

    Eco Caminhos carefully selected families in Cardinot near our Eco Farm. You will have a private room and will be offered full board. Only when the family is not home you are expected to cook your own food. The local Brazilian families are very welcoming and friendly, and they enjoy letting you experience their local food and customs. 

    Food & Beverages

    Your host family will provide all food in the Brazilian style. If the family is not home, they will leave food for you to cook for yourself and you will able to use their kitchen

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio De Janeiro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Brazil provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Brazil you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Brazil. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    The nearest airport is Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio De Janeiro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil and arrive at Eco Caminhos taking bus.
    Airport Transfer not included: If requested we can put you in contact with our trusted driver, he can pick you up at the airport and leave you at Eco Caminhos doorstep. 
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 958€
    2 weeks 1,470€
    3 weeks 1,984€
    4 weeks 2,497€
    5 weeks 3,010€
    6 weeks 3,523€
    7 weeks 4,143€
    8 weeks 4,658€
    9 weeks 5,174€
    10 weeks 5,660€
    11 weeks 6,146€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 6,602€
    Average fees 753€/week

    Program fees

    753€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Eco Caminhos during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Eco Caminhos

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (76 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2014

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Bart

    Spoken languages: Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, German

    About the project

    EcoCaminhos it’s an EcoFarm, a community, one that aims to become fully self sustainable and give back to nature and society following the principles of Permaculture.

    Meet your organization

    Since 2014 Eco Caminhos has worked as a international volunteer based community that strives to become a role model when it comes to environmental practices, healthy human development and self-sustainability. We are located in one of the ecosystems with the highest levels of biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest mountain Biome of Brazil.

    We believe the current way of doing things is coming into conflict with the world’s natural life sustaining cycles, besides we consider the out of balance and stressful  nature of it to be also the root cause for many of the social and individual problems we humans are dealing with today. We want to help build a more humane and sustainable option where both the environment and people can develop and grow in balance. 

    To turn this into a reality at EcoCaminhos we follow the Permaculture ideals, we focus on Organic Farming, Sustainable Bioconstruction, Agroforestry and we believe in working hard and together as a community. We also think that in order for society to take the next step in the right direction all this practices need to be supported by modern technologies but implemented in such a way that their impact is positive, with moderation and responsability.

    We are located away from the heptic lifestyle of moder society, in a rural area where we can focus on nature and developing our sustainable community, but still we want to have a positive impact in the life of others and society, and in order to do this we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities, ecotourism experiences and even an apprenticeship programme for brazilian teenegers in need. We do this in order to both carry and expand our knowledge to others and to share the experience of what it is to live here with us to the world, it is not for personal or financial gain but instead to keep moving forward this community with which we truly believe we would be able to help heal the wound that we as a species have inflicted against the environment and hence against ourselves. 

    Our Volunteer Opportunities combine hands-on experience with introduction theoretical presentations on Organic Farming, Bioconstruction and Agroforestry. We also organize a variety of tourism experiences such as trips to the city, sightseeing,  hikes, horseback riding, movie nights and others. Volunteers can come for both short term and long term and we even organize Experiences for entire Groups

    At Eco Caminhos we want to make a difference and help to positively change the world and the life's of all the people and volunteers we come in contact with, both from our local community and abroad. 

    “If you assume that there is no hope, you guarantee that there will be no hope. If you assume that there is an instinct for freedom, that there are opportunities to change things, then there is a possibility that you can contribute to making a better world.”― Noam Chomsky

    76 reviews · rating4.9

    Noelma Alcantara rating5

    2024 at Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

    Incrível incrível!!! Pessoas incríveis!!! Ter a oportunidade, de conhecer e crescer em prol da natureza, da vida e do futuro e sentir-se em família!?! realmente é um previlégio. *** english *** Incredible incredible!!! Incredible people! To have the opportunity to get to know and grow for ...
    Valuable, impactful and unforgettable volunteer experience in an incredibly bio diverse part of the world. You have the opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture and building practices with people of all ages and backgrounds while also exploring the local area. The community at Eco Caminhos ...
    Mariana Salles rating5

    2023 at Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

    Foi uma experiência maravilhosa poder passar 6 dias na Fazenda Eco Caminho. Fui com minhas duas filhas, de 16 e 12 anos. Saindo da nossa vida de cidade grande, pudemos imergir em problemas e soluções para nosso mundo de agora, guiadas pelos ensinamentos adquiridos em nossa estadia. Bart foi ...
    Julio Souza rating5

    2023 at Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

    É extremamente aconchegante, os quartos são muito confortáveis, o chuveiro é ótimo, a casa é muito quentinha, na minha opinião isso é o mais interessante!!!!!!!!! *** english *** It's extremely cozy, the rooms are very comfortable, the shower is great, the house is very warm, in my ...
    Viviane Santana rating5

    2023 at Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

    Foi tudo maravilhoso, desde a recepção da Proprietária Maria até o retorno. Sem dúvida melhor viagem que fizemos. Gostei de tudo. *** english *** Everything was wonderful, from Maria's welcome to our return. Without a doubt the best trip we've ever taken. I enjoyed ...
    Angelica Figueiredo rating5

    2023 at Eco Experience on an Eco Farm

    Eu gostei de tudo, a casa é maravilhosa,o local é muito bom É impossível não gostar e maravilhoso. *** english *** I liked everything, the house is wonderful, the location is very good It's impossible not to like it and it's ...

    Location

    Americas > South America > Brazil > Nova Friburgo

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    Contact Bart
      Excellent response rate
    Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, German

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