In a nutshell

What do you say to a volunteering experience with the chocolatiers of Altamira? Here, you'll find 30 women who work to secure the future of their families, the community and the local environment through their daily work. You'll lend a hand too: dedicating yourself to the life cycle of cocoa from seed to bar, in an exchange of stories and gestures that speak of courage, independence and sustainability.

Main stops

Trip through the unspoilt Dominican hinterland to Altamira
Volunteer experience in the Chocal organic chocolate factory, side by side with the founders
Typical rural Dominican snack, with hot chocolate and bread
Visit to the company's shop to buy fair trade, sustainable products

The programme

As you travel across the lush Dominican hinterland by bus, you'll immediately feel that everything here radiates an extraordinary sense of strength. But that's nothing compared to that of the women of Altamira.
You'll realize this as soon as you see them at Chocal, the organic chocolate factory they founded in 2007 to create a job for themselves that would not force them to leave their homes and families.
But for them, Chocal is much more than this: it's a source of life and development for the entire village of Altamira, and a source of protection for the ecosystem of the Bajabonico river basin, where the cocoa grows.
You'll be in awe the people who have achieved all this from scratch. But don't worry: you won't be left twiddling your thumbs.
At their sides, you'll be part of the chocolate production process, from seed to bar: you'll begin in the plantation, where you'll sow and cultivate the cocoa plants, and then move into the workshop, where you will help out with all stages of processing, right up to the final packaging stage.
Once the work is done, you can help them further by buying some chocolates to take home, along with the satisfaction of knowing that you have contributed to something good.

Good to know

This is one of the most popular experiences so book early.
Wear sports shoes and comfortable clothing.
Only bring what you need: a backpack with hat, suncream and a canteen full of water.
You will be provided with everything you need to process cocoa in line with food hygiene regulations and without dirtying your clothes.
This experience will be narrated in English or Spanish.
Minimum age: 8 years.