I · Booking, Payment & Flexibility

1. Are flights included?

No. Glaciers of Patagonia begins and ends at Balmaceda Airport. International flights to Santiago and domestic flights between Santiago and Balmaceda are not included.

From the moment we welcome you in Balmaceda, your double-room accommodation, private ground transportation, meals, scheduled activities, national park entrance fees, specialist guides and expedition equipment are arranged. We are also happy to help you identify the most suitable flights.

2. How much does the expedition cost?

Expedition pricing is shared privately after your complimentary consultation with Rossana.

After you schedule your consultation, Rossana will personally send the complete expedition brochure to your email. During the consultation, she will answer your questions, confirm the departure and room arrangement that best suit you, and explain the current expedition rate.

Afterward, you will receive a written quotation confirming your complete total before making any payment.

3. Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal and bank transfer.

Your written quotation and invoice will confirm the currency, available payment method and payment instructions applicable to your booking.

4. How do I reserve my place, and when is the balance due?

After your private consultation, you will receive a written quotation and booking conditions.

Your place is secured with an initial reservation payment, which is applied toward the total cost of your expedition.

You then have ten calendar days from the date of booking to exercise your right of withdrawal. If you withdraw during this period, the reservation payment will be refunded in full.

Once the ten-day withdrawal period has passed, the reservation payment becomes non-refundable and we begin confirming the services reserved specifically for your journey.

The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure. Bookings made within 90 days of departure follow the payment schedule stated in their written quotation.

5. What is your cancellation policy?

You may cancel your booking by notifying Rayen Travels in writing.

If you cancel within the ten-calendar-day withdrawal period, your reservation payment will be refunded in full.

Once that period has passed, the following cancellation conditions apply:

• More than 90 days before departure: the reservation payment is non-refundable.

• Between 90 and 61 days before departure: 50% of the total expedition price is non-refundable.

• Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 75% of the total expedition price is non-refundable.

• 30 days or fewer before departure: 100% of the total expedition price is non-refundable.

The applicable cancellation period is calculated from the date on which Rayen receives your written cancellation.

We strongly recommend insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption. Travel medical and emergency insurance is required to participate in the expedition.

If Rayen must cancel your departure, the options and protections stated in your booking conditions will apply.

6. What happens if my party is larger than the places remaining?

Our scheduled expeditions welcome a maximum of ten travelers.

If there are not enough places remaining for your party, or if our scheduled dates do not suit you, contact us directly. We can explore a private departure for your family or group of friends.

7. What accommodations should I expect?

The expedition includes ten nights in carefully selected, locally owned lodges, ecolodges and guesthouses.

We choose each stay for its comfort, character, location and connection to the surrounding landscape. Every accommodation provides internet access through Starlink.

Final accommodations are confirmed for each departure and listed in your travel documents.

8. Will I share a room, or can I have a private room?

All expedition pricing is based on double-room accommodation.

If you are traveling with a partner, friend or family member, you may share a room with them. A private single room may be requested for an additional supplement, subject to availability.

9. How large are Rayen groups, and in which language does the expedition operate?

Our scheduled expeditions welcome a maximum of ten travelers, accompanied by a Rayen host and specialist local guides throughout the journey.

Each departure operates in either English or German. The operating language of your selected departure will be confirmed before booking.

Our travelers are united less by age than by curiosity, respect for nature and an open, flexible spirit. The scheduled expedition is designed primarily for adults.

Families with children are warmly welcomed on private departures, where we can adapt the pace and activities.

10. May I travel at my own pace?

Yes. On the more physically demanding days, the itinerary offers two different rhythms.

You may choose the principal outdoor experience or one of the gentler alternatives identified for that day.
You remain part of the same expedition while choosing the experience that feels right for you.

11. Who will guide the expedition?

Rossana is your Rayen host and the continuous thread throughout the journey. She is a botanist, occupational therapist and local nature guide with Mapuche heritage and an intimate understanding of southern Chile.

Specialist Patagonian guides, high-mountain professionals, drivers and boat captains join the expedition where their expertise is required.

Together, they manage the journey on the ground so your attention remains free for the landscape, the culture and the experience itself.

III · Private Expeditions & Family Journeys

12. May we book a private expedition for our family or group of friends?

With pleasure. You may request Glaciers of Patagonia as a private expedition for your own family or group.

Private expeditions may also be coordinated on alternative dates, subject to accommodation, guide and activity availability.

We will discuss your preferred dates, group composition, room requirements and travel rhythm before preparing your proposal.

13. How does a Private Expedition differ from a Tailored Journey?

A Private Expedition takes one of our established journeys, such as Glaciers of Patagonia, and reserves it for your group alone. The essential route remains in place, while the privacy is entirely yours.

A Tailored Journey is designed around your group’s interests, dates, preferred rhythm and travel requirements within Chile.

14. Is a private journey suitable for children or multigenerational families?

Yes. A private journey gives us greater freedom to accommodate children, parents and grandparents traveling together.

We can adjust hiking intensity, departure times, rest periods and activities. Every proposal is reviewed according to the ages, mobility and requirements of the travelers before the journey is confirmed.

15. May we celebrate a special occasion during the journey?

Absolutely. Tell us about your celebration in advance and we can propose a meaningful way to include it, such as a private toast, a picnic in the landscape or a special dinner.

Any special arrangement and its associated cost will be confirmed with you before booking.

16. How flexible is the itinerary on a private expedition?

A private expedition offers more flexibility than a scheduled group departure.

Its main route and confirmed reservations remain in place, but daily timing can often be adapted around your group, the weather and local operating conditions.

Some activities, navigations and transfers follow fixed schedules and cannot be changed at short notice.

17. If a particular lodge is named, is it guaranteed?

The accommodations in your confirmed travel documents are the properties reserved for your departure.

Occasionally, availability, safety or operational circumstances may require a substitution. If that happens, we will arrange a suitable alternative of a comparable or higher standard whenever possible and notify you of the change.

18. May I know who else is joining the group before departure?

We protect every traveler’s personal information and do not share names, ages or other personal details without permission.

Before departure, we may offer confirmed travelers an optional introduction or private group communication channel. Participation and the sharing of personal information are entirely voluntary.

IV · Preparation & Travel Essentials

19. What are the entry requirements for Chile?

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, passport and personal circumstances and may change.

Before traveling, consult Chile’s official immigration or consular information to confirm whether you require a visa or prior authorization. Travelers should carry a valid passport, details of their accommodation and any other documentation required for their nationality.

Visa and immigration compliance remain the traveler’s responsibility.

Travel medical and emergency insurance is required to participate in a Rayen expedition.

20. How fit do I need to be?

This is an active expedition, with three principal hikes generally lasting approximately four to six hours.

On the more demanding days identified in the itinerary, you may choose a gentler alternative. Depending on the day and confirmed availability, alternatives may include a panoramic excursion, photography experience, rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, yoga or a wellness activity.

You do not need specialist mountaineering experience, but you should feel comfortable spending full days outdoors and walking on uneven terrain.

We will discuss your experience, mobility and preferred rhythm before confirming your place.

21. What should I pack?

Patagonian summer runs from December through March and brings long daylight hours, changing temperatures, wind and the possibility of rain, even within the same day.

Bring warm layers, a waterproof and windproof outer shell, sturdy hiking footwear, sunscreen, a hat, gloves and a small daypack.

Expedition-specific technical equipment is provided where required. You will receive a complete packing list before departure.

22. What type of luggage is best?

A soft-sided suitcase, duffel or sturdy travel backpack is the most practical choice, together with a small daypack for daily excursions.

Domestic airline baggage allowances vary by ticket, so check the permitted weight and dimensions for your flights before traveling.

23. What wildlife and plant life might I encounter?

Aysén is home to huemul, guanaco, puma, Andean condor, kingfishers, cormorants and many other Patagonian species, surrounded by lenga and ñirre forests, glacial rivers and steppe.

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. With a botanist and local guides accompanying the journey, you will learn to recognize the plants, habitats and ecological relationships that shape the region.

24. Which currency and payment methods are commonly used in Chile?

Chile’s local currency is the Chilean peso (CLP).

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but cash remains useful in remote villages and for small purchases.

Inform your bank that you will be traveling and carry more than one means of payment.

25. Is tipping expected?

Gratuities for your Rayen host guides and local specialists are not included.

Tipping is always discretionary and is a personal way to recognize excellent service.

26. What is the internet like? Should I buy a SIM or eSIM?

All accommodations used during the expedition provide internet access through Starlink, so connectivity is available each evening.

Mobile coverage may still be limited while traveling along remote sections of the Carretera Austral and inside national parks.

A Chilean SIM or compatible eSIM can be useful in towns, but continuous mobile coverage should not be expected while we are on the road or in the wilderness.

27. What language, electrical plugs and time zone does Chile use?

Chile’s official language is Spanish. Your Rayen expedition will operate in either English or German, as confirmed for your departure.

Chile uses 220V / 50Hz electricity and primarily Type C and Type L plugs.

Chile’s time offset may change seasonally, so check the current local time before scheduling international calls or connecting flights.

28. What should I know about local culture?

Respectful curiosity goes a long way.

Southern Chile’s culture reflects Indigenous heritage, rural Patagonian traditions and the histories of the families who have lived alongside its forests, rivers and mountains for generations.

During the expedition, you will meet local hosts, guides and families through shared meals and experiences. Ask before photographing people, follow your guide’s advice and approach each encounter as a guest in someone else’s home and territory.

29. What if the scheduled departure dates do not suit me?

Our scheduled expeditions take place during the Patagonian summer, between December and March.

If the published dates do not work for you, we can coordinate a private Glaciers of Patagonia departure for your family or group of friends, subject to accommodation, guide and activity availability.

Contact us to discuss your preferred dates.