I · Booking, Payment & Flexibility

1. Are flights included?

No. The price includes all inclusive double-room accommodation from Balmaceda and we are happy to help you with booking your flights.

2. How are upgrades handled, and when is my total confirmed?

After a private consultation, we confirm your total, aligned to your choices.

3. Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, bank transfer and American Express.
Balances are payable in USD or EUR, as shown on your invoice.

4. How do I reserve, and when is payment due?

A reserve of US$1,990 confirms and commits your place, applied to your total. Your balance settles 30 days before departure.

5. What is your cancellation policy?

All arrangements are confirmed in writing.
The US$1,990 reserve confirms and commits your place within the expedition. Your balance settles 30 days before departure, and from that point the full amount is committed to your journey.

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

Our groups stay intentionally small for the luxury of intimacy.
If your party is larger than the places available, write, message, or call, and we find the right solution together, often a private departure for the ones you love.

II · Accommodations, Groups & Personalization

7. What accommodations should I expect?

We hand-pick lodges and ecolodges chosen for their closeness to nature, often within national parks or reserves, and vetted for comfort and character.
Every table and every host is local. We care very much about supporting the community.

8. Will I share a room, or can I keep my privacy?

The experience includes the pleasure of double-room accommodation, shared with a fellow traveler. For those who prefer solitude, a private single room is available for a supplement.

9. What is the size and age of a Rayen group?

Groups stay intentionally small: nine travelers and two guides.
Most guests are between 18 and 65, and travel in English or German.
A love of nature and an open, flexible spirit matter far more than age.
Families are very welcome! Contact us for an exclusive trip for your family group.

10. May I travel at my own pace?

Yes. Our Tailored Journey service designs the exact itinerary and rhythm you wish, with Rossana's planning, for a private journey entirely on your terms.

11. Who is my guide, and what is their role?

Think of your guide as a friend welcoming you after a long pause.
Your local naturalist and multilingual leader handles every detail on the ground, so your mind stays free for the landscape, the culture, and the wild.

III · Private Expeditions & Family Journeys

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

With pleasure. We craft private journeys shaped entirely around your circle, in three ways: reserve one of our set itineraries for your group alone; blend regions into a longer journey; or design a bespoke escape anywhere in the world. We have years of experience planning multi-generational journeys across the United States, Europe, and South America, so every age travels with ease.

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

A Private Expedition takes one of our proven itineraries, such as Glaciers of Patagonia, and reserves it for your group alone: the route is set, the privacy is yours.
A Tailored Journey is built from scratch, co-created around your interests, dates, and dreams, in Chile or beyond.

14. Is a private trip suitable for young children or multi-generational families?

Yes. On a private journey we adapt the pace for everyone, from energetic children to grandparents who prefer a gentler rhythm. We adjust the hikes, add rests, and choose family-friendly activities.

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

We love a celebration! On a private journey we curate the moment: a surprise picnic in the forest, a private toast at sunset, a dinner arranged just for you.
Share your milestone in advance, and we weave it seamlessly into the days.

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

Flexibility is one of the joys of a private expedition. The schedule holds the highlights, and your guide travels as your private host: linger longer at a waterfall, or begin the day a little later, and we shape the flow to your mood.

17. If a lodging is named, is it guaranteed?

The itinerary lists the primary lodgings. We keep an expert, flexible approach: on occasion we choose a superior stay nearby, or adjust logistics to make the most of your experience when the weather shapes the day.

18. May I see who is in the group before I book?

Yes. A week before departure we share basic demographics (age range and gender), and you may choose to share your own details with confirmed guests, so connections begin before the journey.

IV · Preparation & Travel Essentials

19. What are the entry requirements for Chile?

Citizens of the UK, EU, USA, and many other countries enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Travel and medical insurance is recommended, and we are glad to help you arrange it.

20. How fit do I need to be?

The three hikes run four to six hours, and a gentler route by vehicle is offered every day. You choose your rhythm, day by day.

21. What should I pack?

Patagonian summer (December to March) brings long daylight and mild days, with the chance of rain. Pack in layers: a waterproof shell and fleece, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a plug adapter. Your full packing list lives here.

22. What luggage is best?

Sturdy travel backpack or a suitcase is ideal, with a daypack for excursions. Keep your main bag under 22 kg / 44 lbs.

23. What wildlife and flora will I meet?

Aysén is a treasure of Patagonian life. Watch for the huemul, the rare Andean deer, the guanaco, the puma, and the Andean condor riding the thermals, among lenga and ñirre forests, marble caverns, and turquoise rivers.
With a botanist as your host, the land reveals its names and stories as you go.

24. Which currency and payment are used in Chile?

The local currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Cards are widely accepted in cities; smaller villages prefer cash, so a modest amount is useful.

25. Is tipping expected?

Gratuity is a warm way to recognize excellent service, and always at your discretion.

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

Cities and main towns offer reliable 4G and free Wi-Fi in the lodges.
A local SIM or eSIM is simple to arrange for steady data. Many travelers, though, come to treasure the silence and the stars of the long summer evenings.

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

The language is Spanish. Chile uses Type C and L plugs (220V / 50Hz).
A world clock helps you compare time zones before you travel.

28. What is the culture and religion in Chile?

Chile is predominantly Roman Catholic, and warmly welcoming to visitors of every background. Its culture runs deep, drawn from the roots of the Mapuche and other native peoples, layered with European heritage and shaped by the land itself. In the south, where your expedition unfolds, life keeps the unhurried, generous pace of Patagonia. Small rituals open every door: a shared mate, a greeting in Spanish, a table set by local hands. The traditions of Aysén, from the fireside asado to the stories of the first pioneers, become part of your days.

29. When is the best time to travel?

Departures run from December to March, the long, luminous days of the Patagonian summer.