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Is my departure guaranteed?
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OneSeed guarantees all trip departures, so there is no risk of the trip being cancelled due to not enough people signing up for a trip date. However, please do not make travel arrangements until you've received confirmation from OneSeed Expeditions.
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Are private departures available?
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Yes, we have private departures available on this trip! Private departures offer more flexibility to travel when it suits your group. A private departure can be reserved with two or more people. Additional costs may apply and dates are subject to availability. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and check on availability.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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Fly into Santiago International Airport in Chile (SCL), where you'll be met by a OneSeed staff member and transferred to your hotel for the first night.
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What does the 10% investment to local community (included in my trip cost) go toward?
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OneSeed provides affordable loans to women living in poverty by investing 10 percent of revenues in trusted local micro-finance banks. The unique nature of these expeditions will take you off the beaten path and allow you to explore the communities supported by OneSeed.
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How physically challenging will the trekking expedition be? What should I expect?
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This adventure has a difficulty rating of intermediate. Expedition difficulty is determined by number of hours walking per day, elevation gain, trail quality, etc. Intermediate adventures require that you are at the least at an average fitness level. Activities will be mandatory and occasionally physically demanding. Trekking experience is not necessary. This is a great first trek and a perfect fit for people looking for a challenge without daily exhaustion. Typical days (depending on the particular itinerary) range from 3 to 7 hours of trekking. Elevation gain will be gradual and pacing reasonable for people with a bit of hiking experience.
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What is the minimum age to participate?
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Individuals as young as 16 years may attend as long as they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Otherwise, the minimum age is 18 years old to travel alone.
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How many people will be on the trip?
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OneSeed maxes out all of their group trips at around 10 people. On average, the Epic Patagonia trips have about 8-9 people, with many being maxed out at 10.
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What are the accommodations like?
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In Santiago and Puerto Natales you'll be staying in small, locally owned 3-star boutique hotels. Accommodations are based on double occupancy.
On the trail, you'll be sleeping in single or double occupancy tents with shared bathroom facilities nearby. You are only responsible for bringing your own sleeping bag as OneSeed provides tents and sleeping pads. It is recommended you bring at least a 15° bag. You may access the refugio (mountain lodge) facilities near camp as needed for meals, drinks, or relaxing on the outdoor decks with amazing views of the park.
If you would like single accommodations, they are only available at the hotels for an additional fee. See the FAQ on single supplement fees.
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Are shower facilities available on the trail?
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Yes, showers will be available each night on the trail.
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Do I have to set up my own tent and gear each night?
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No. The tents will be set up for you. It is possible that accommodations will be available in a refugio, but that is not guaranteed.
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Do I have to carry my own pack or can I hire a porter?
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No, porters are not available for hire. You will be responsible for carrying your own backpack with your own personal clothing and gear. A full packing list is provided for you.
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Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there a single supplement fee?
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If you are a solo traveler and you would like to stay in a room by yourself, this is an option for an additional fee. OneSeed does offer a complimentary matching service where they try to match solo travelers of the same gender who are interested in sharing a room. If someone else is also interested, then the single supplement fee can be waived. The matching service is completely optional for travelers and a match cannot be guaranteed. Please contact our Adventures Team to check on pricing and availability.
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What is the food like?
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Food on the trail is rich in carbohydrates and protein since you'll be burning calories like a champ. Breakfast may include eggs, fruit, cereal, lunch meat, cheese, toast, coffee, tea, and juice. Lunch is usually a sandwich made by your guide, fruit, snack bars, and some chocolate. Dinner may include meals like chicken with mashed potatoes, pasta, beef and rice, salad, soup, etc.
While extra snacks are not included, you'll have plenty of food during the trek. Travelers also have the option of purchasing snacks at the refugios, so having extra cash on hand is helpful. It is recommended that vegan travelers bring extra protein bars. OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences, but please notify them in advance.
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How much extra money should people budget?
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This can be difficult to estimate since everyone has different spending styles. However, for the six days on the trail the only thing you'll need to purchase is snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The other four days, you may want to allocate money for snacks and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), souvenirs, tips, etc. $15-$20 per day should be enough to cover additional expenses.
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What should I pack?
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You are responsible only for the personal clothing and gear listed below, OneSeed will take care of everything else. This expedition does not include porters so you'll be responsible for carrying all of your personal gear in your own pack. Below is a suggested packing list:
Documents and logistics:
International flights booked and confirmed to Santiago
Flight information submitted
Passport valid through end of trip (*passport and entry receipt must be carried at all times during expedition!)
Medical insurance card
Cash for tipping guides, buying souvenirs, incidental costs, etc. (Note: Please bring crisp US bills. Many places will not accept torn, wrinkled, or worn bills)
Expedition gear:
Change of clothes for Santiago - to be kept in storage during expedition
Backpack (for carrying your gear)
Down jacket
Fleece jacket or vest (1)
Synthetic hiking pants (1)
Waterproof jacket
Rain pants
Synthetic long underwear (top and bottom)
Synthetic t-shirt (2)
Wool or synthetic hat
Light gloves
Waterproof hiking boots
Nylon-wool blend socks (2-3)
Sandals (for walking around the lodges in the evening)
Day pack – should be light and easy to stuff in main pack when not in use
Water bottle
Headlamp
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Quick-dry towel
Personal toiletries and medicine (showers are available during the trek)
Sleeping bag w/ 30°F rating
Pack cover
Other (optional):
Reading material for the trail
Hotel reservations for extended time in Chile (if applicable)
Guidebooks
Camera
Trekking poles (must fit inside pack for domestic flight)
Synthetic shorts
Bandana or buff (for dust and wind)
Energy/protein bars (especially for vegetarians as non-meat sources of protein are scarce)
Outlet adapter
Zip-lock bags for waterproofing passport and other valuables
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Should I purchase travel insurance? If so, do you have a recommended provider?
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We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2022 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 45 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 45 days prior to departure. You will have the option to:
1) Choose a new travel date, or
2) Cancel your trip and receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a future date before 12 months expires from the date you requested your original change of date. You don't have to travel within that 12 months, but your new date must be chosen within that timeframe. Additional trip costs may apply.
Up to 30 days prior to departure
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure.
If this is available at the time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Choose a new travel date. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.