Family farm
Los Lagos
Las Horquetas is a small family farm located in the upper reaches of the Puelo Valley, roughly a day trip from Puerto Montt via bus or vehicle and ferry, plus a 1.5 hour walk. It is lovely and remote. To get there, visitors must arrange ahead by email or phone. There's no phone or cellular phone reception onsite (that's why we provide a contact in Puerto Varas who speaks English and Spanish).
We are the Escobars. We have lived here since our family settled the area as pioneers. We have an organic garden, greenhouse, a hen house, sheep, fruit orchards and trails that meander the mountain, with occasional visits from tourists. Though we do not speak English, we have hosted friends from around the world and always find a way to communicate.
From time to time we would like to have a volunteer for a two-week period to share in the farm work. It's a rustic setting, with an outdoor shower (heated) and simple but abundant and nutritious meals. If you are interested in joining us and doing some farm work, please get in touch.
Spanish version
Las Horquetas es una pequeña granja familiar ubicada en la parte alta del valle de Puelo, aproximadamente una excursión de un día desde Puerto Montt en autobús o vehículo y ferry, además de una caminata de 1.5 horas. Es encantador y remoto. Para llegar allí, los visitantes deben hacer arreglos por adelantado por correo electrónico o por teléfono. No hay recepción de teléfono o celular en el sitio (es por eso que brindamos un contacto en Puerto Varas que habla inglés y español).
Somos los Escobares. Hemos vivido aquí desde que nuestra familia se estableció en el área como pioneros. Tenemos un jardín orgánico, un invernadero, un gallinero, ovejas, frutales y senderos que serpentean la montaña, con visitas ocasionales de turistas. Aunque no hablamos inglés, hemos recibido amigos de todo el mundo y siempre encontramos una manera de comunicarnos.
De vez en cuando nos gustaría tener un voluntario por un período de dos semanas para compartir el trabajo de la granja. Es un entorno rústico, con una ducha al aire libre (climatizada) y comidas sencillas pero abundante y nutritivas. Si está interesado en unirse a nosotros y hacer algún trabajo agrícola, póngase en contacto con nosotros.
Organic methods: Our family farm has never used pesticides or herbicides, instead we rely on traditional methods of farming without even the help of a tractor. Besides growing many vegetables and fruit, we produce lamb, all for our own consumption. We are one of the southernmost farms growing quinoa in Chile and have a nice production going.
Certifications: We are a small family farm working with natural methods and no chemicals.
Current projects: We need to prepare fields to plant, fix fences, weed and maintain the garden and greenhouse.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Grain farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Seed saving or production
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
80.9
Hectares
|
200
Acres
Esmerita
Member since 2019
Languages spoken:
Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 85%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Los Lagos
Reviews
Clarisse
France
•
January 2026
Solo me quedé 5 dias y sin embargo me senti como en casa. El trabajo era variodo y muy interesante. La comida estaba muy rica! Comí muy bien !! Esmerita y Lolo son dos personas, puras y generosas, sensibles al entorno que los rodea, por muy precioso que sea. El amor de Dios es lo que los motiva. Muchas gracias por todo!
PS : Extraño a Moreno
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Aaron
United States
•
January 2026
Wonderful week at Las Horquetas. The farm is a magical place surrounded by a clear river, gorgeous mountains, animals, gardens, pastures, and a large orchard. It currently requires a 1:30 walk from the nearest bus stop/parking spot, but current road construction may shorten the hike.
Esmerita and Lolo are kind and generous. They have high expectations of their volunteers, but they reward you with, home-cooked meals, great conversation, and an enriching cultural experience. Food mostly consisted of fresh bread, home grown jams, produce, and occasional special items from the farm. They are fantastic hosts. Knowing Spanish is helpful, but definitely not a requirement.
Our days began around 8-9am, then work until 1 or 2:00. Large and long lunch break with Lolo, Esmerita, and their friends. Usually work a few more hours, hang out in the evening, and small dinner around 9. Our work consisted of making firewood, moving hay, harvesting fruit, garden work, counting sheep, mending fences, chicken feed, and most importantly, hanging out with Negro (the nicest of 3 dogs). We worked Monday-Saturday with Sunday as a rest or hiking day.
You can stay in their farmhouse with twin beds (very comfortable) or in a tent outside. Overall, a unique and memorable experience with some of the nicest hosts you could ask for. We hope to return in the future
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Michael
Germany
•
September 2024
I spent 2 weeks in septmber at Esmerita's and her brother's farm and had a great time!
I did many different manual works, dispite my very limited knowledge of spanish they tried to explain me many thinks, on sunday I could explore the beautiful region (lakes, streams, mountains and woods) around this quaint place and I got spoiled by the delicious freshly prepared food.
I can absolutely recommend the farm, especially if you are looking for a remote place, far away from any stressful city.
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Alexander
Austria
•
April 2023
I had a great experience staying with Esmerita and Lolo at Las Horquetas. They are very caring and beautiful people. The work was versatile and fun and the food was exceptional. During weekends or downtime, there are plenty of paths for hiking and enjoying the beautiful valley where their little wooden house is located in. The fact that my Spanish was rather limited, did not stop us from communicating well enough and enjoying each others company. It was simply beautiful to spend the days with them, working outside in the gardens or taking care of the animals and being enchanted by the very rural and rustic lifestyle they lead. All in all I had a great time at Las Horquetas and can only recommend it.
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Sofie Elise
United Kingdom
•
July 2022
We stayed 2 weeks with Esmerita and Lolo in Las Horquetas and it was an unforgettable experience. Esmerita and Lolo live in a beautiful valley (about 2 hours easy hiking from the end of the road) in a small wooden house. They and their parents cultivated the land around them, so you become part of a very authentic subsistence lifestyle. We really enjoyed the work, which in April/May involved a lot of firewood preparation, looking after the animals (sheep, turkeys, chickens, dogs and cats), cleaning the garden and green house, preserving and helping with potato harvest. Our hosts were great at responding to our interests and the work was varied. Though what we enjoyed the most was simply being part of their day to day life and all the tasks that that invovles - as well as tasting local dishes prepared with love by Esmerita and sharing our own food cultures.
You sleep in comfy beds under the roof with a view of the mountains and the stars. In autumn/winter a sleeping bag might be a good idea. The food was freshly prepared and plentiful! We are normally vegetarian but had some meat with Lolo and Esmerita, which we helped prepare from their farm. You could be vegetarian here (maybe bring some plant protein/cheese with you to supplement) but for us this felt the most respectful and authentic.
We highly recommend staying with Esmerita and Lolo. It was one of the most memorable of all our experiences in Chile - I haven't even gotten onto wider Cochamo!
xx Sofie and Louis
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