Does it matter what time I arrive or depart?

• If you arrive/depart at any time on the scheduled start/end dates of your trip, OneSeed will arrange for airport transfers. Pickup will be arranged to efficiently transfer clients with flight times in close proximity (generally within one hour of each other). If you plan to arrive before the scheduled start date or stay past the end date of your trip, you will need to coordinate your own airport transfer or purchase a trip extension through OneSeed.

Do I need a visa? And what about passport requirements?

• Visas are not required for US citizens for tourist visits less than 90 days, but you will need a Tourist Card (free upon arrival). Please keep your passport and tourist card with you at all times during your expedition.
• Check the latest Chile entrance requirements on the US Embassy website.
• Visit the State Department website for Argentina entry/exit requirements.
• Your passport must be valid for six months after your country departure date. It should also have at least one blank page for any necessary stamps.

What happens if my trip is altered due to unforseen circumstances?

Per the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Agreement, if your expedition must be altered at any point, you are responsible for any additional costs.Canceled flights and transportation strikes happen. We do our best to ensure that your experience is unaltered by handling the situation efficiently and smoothly. For complete terms and conditions, see here. We recommend reviewing optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover expenses in these instances. Some instances that have come up are:

• A twisted ankle one week before a trip
• Power outages in the Atlanta airport leaving travelers stranded
• Burst appendix!
• Earthquakes or floods cutting a trip short

DO I NEED ANY IMMUNIZATIONS OR MEDICINE?

Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines found here.

WILL WE NEED TO FILTER WATER?

The water along the trail is safe to drink, whether that's straight from the tap or off a glacier.

WHAT FOOD SHOULD I EXPECT TO EAT ON THE TRAIL?

• During the Chile trek, meals are rich in carbohydrates and protein to support long hiking days. Breakfast at the refugios 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 will 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. We do recommend any vegan travelers bring extra protein bars.

• OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. If you didn't include this information on your registration form, please email info@oneseedexpeditions.com.

• Breakfast is included on days 2–13. Lunch and dinner are included on days 2–8 in Chile, and boxed lunches are included on Argentina hiking days 10–12. Other lunches and dinners in Argentina are at your own expense.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE ON THE TRAIL?

• While you can expect to camp most nights during the Chile portion of your expedition, some evenings may be spent at refugios (lodges) along the trail. We can’t guarantee a specific option as accommodation capacity is restricted by the national park and depends on availability.
• In Chile, you may be sleeping in single or double occupancy tents along the trail with shared bathroom facilities nearby. You are only responsible for bringing your own sleeping bag as we provide tents and sleeping pads. We recommend 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.
• Read our in depth blog post on what to expect when staying in refugios.
• In Argentina, spend four nights in a hotel in El Chaltén in double-occupancy rooms. Each guided hike returns to the hotel, with no camping or mountain-lodge nights during this portion of the trip.

How many people will be on my expedition?

• We generally cap our group departure dates at around 10, though some may be slightly larger depending on the expedition.
• We guarantee all group departure dates whether there are 1 or 10 travelers signed up. We recommend asking our team how many people are in your group when you sign up for a departure date. Keep in mind, travelers may join or cancel at the last minute! If you are the only one in your group, we are happy to work with you on changing your travel dates if no deposits have been made.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

• Please refer to our Terms & Conditions here: www.oneseedexpeditions.com/terms-of-service

HOW WILL I GET FROM CHILE TO ARGENTINA?

• On day 9, take an unaccompanied public bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate, approximately five hours depending on the border crossing. Continue by private van with an English-speaking driver to your hotel in El Chaltén, approximately three hours.

DO I NEED TO TIP MY GUIDE?

Tips are always appreciated. We have developed the chart in the blogpost below to act as a guide. Averages below are based on per person recommendations.

www.oneseedexpeditions.com/blog/tipping/

DOES SOMEONE CARRY MY PACK?

• You carry your own pack on the Chile trek. On return hikes from the same refugio, you can carry a daypack. The three Argentina hikes return to your El Chaltén hotel each evening, so you carry only what you need for the day.

CAN I LEAVE SOME OF MY LUGGAGE IN THE HOTEL DURING THE TREK?

• You will have the opportunity to leave luggage at the hotel in Puerto Natales. You return there on day 8 after the Chile trek. Collect this luggage before continuing to Argentina on day 9. Leaving an extra bag at the hotel during your trek is free of charge.
• Please keep in mind you are only allowed one carry-on (17.5 lb limit) and one checked bag (50 lb limit) for your domestic flight from Santiago to Patagonia. Carry on must be within 21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches.

HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR MY TREK?

• While the elevation is not much of a factor on this trip, hiking days range from approximately 6 to 15 miles, with an optional longer French Valley route of about 17 miles. Allow approximately 4–10 hours on most hiking days, or up to 12 hours for the longer French Valley option. The Argentina hikes are Laguna Torre (17.6 km / 10.9 miles, 5–7 hours), Laguna de los Tres (24 km / 14.9 miles, 8–10 hours), and Pliegue Tumbado (18.4 km / 11.4 miles, 6–7 hours). This expedition requires above average physical fitness. No technical skills are required, and first-time trekkers are welcome. We always recommend that travelers break in their hiking boots before the expedition. Taking training hikes that mimic the mileage and amount of time you will be trekking in Patagonia is recommended.

WHAT IS THE ELEVATION? IS ALTITUDE A CONCERN?

• The route reaches approximately 4,888 ft (1,490 m) at Pliegue Tumbado. Laguna de los Tres reaches approximately 3,986 ft (1,215 m), and Laguna Torre approximately 2,162 ft (659 m). The trip includes steep climbs and long hiking days; review the daily distances and times when preparing.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

• Weather in Patagonia is always unpredictable which is why we recommend a slightly more comprehensive packing list. A sunny warm day can turn on a dime and end in rain or snow. It never hurts to prep for both!
• Visit the terrain section above to see average temperatures and weather forecasts for Patagonia.

ANY OTHER TIPS?

• We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Spanish with people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you're exploring.