Modern Adventure takes the health and safety of our employees, guests, and partners very seriously. Our health and safety protocols during your trip such as physical distancing, masking and other safety practices will be in accordance with up-to-date local regulations in your destination. You will be informed of any specific protocols aheads of travel, and in-destination by our local guides and/or Modern Adventure trip leader.

Chile’s remote wilderness is a magnificent and inspirational destination, and we value completely disconnecting from civilization. For much of our time in Chile, cell phones and WiFi will not work. The exceptions are at the beginning and end of our trip, when we may have limited WiFi access in our lodges and guest houses. We recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

We discourage guests from bringing their own satellite phones or similar devices, and we definitely discourage active and regular connection with the outside world.

We will be traveling at the end of Chile’s spring season. Temperatures vary greatly depending on elevation, but you can expect temperatures ranging between the low 40s at night, reaching into the mid-60s in the afternoons. November's average rainfall is two inches, making it one of the driest months of the year in Patagonia.

On the trek, expect and plan for anything and everything: sunshine, wind and rainfall, often in the same day!

If your destination requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and/or negative test result taken within 72 hours of travel, you will be required to confirm that you are fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, and/or have tested negative for COVID-19, and have the required documentation to prove it. Otherwise you will be ineligible to participate on the trip, and ineligible for a refund.

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

We always recommend that you consult with your doctor to make any personal health decisions prior to travel. For this adventure our expedition guides will have a medical kit and rescue supplies available, but we always recommend that you carry a personal first-aid kit and any personal medication. We make safety a priority on all our adventures, however, incidents and injuries that require evacuation do occur from time to time.

Since this Backpacker Travel adventure takes place in very remote wilderness locations, it can be difficult and expensive to plan evacuations. It is each guest’s responsibility to be covered by medical, travel and evacuation insurance, or be prepared to cover the cost yourself, for expenses related to an emergency medical evacuation.

Conditioning should start no later than 2 months prior to our trip departure. Pre-trip physical conditioning is important to creating a fun and positive trip for yourself and the group as a whole. Your regimen should include walking or hiking in the boots you intend to wear with your loaded 60-liter backpack (see Gear & Packing for more details).

The local currency is the Chilean peso, worth roughly 800 pesos to $1 US dollar. Unlike many other countries in South America, the US dollar is not widely accepted. There are ATMs in Coyhaique to access your bank back home. Some restaurants and shops accept credit cards; however Chile is still a cash-centric country, and you will want some peso notes handy.

We curate your Modern Adventure to ensure all experiences are immersive and included in your trip price. We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back.

If you're eating out on your own, tipping 10% in restaurants is standard, and most will automatically add 10% to la cuenta (the bill). No tip is expected for small purchases such as coffee or a beverage, although it's common enough to leave the change.

Please note that tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide US$70 - $150 per guest.

U.S. citizens staying for less than 90 days do not require a visa to enter Chile. The passport must have at validity for the entirety of your stay to be allowed entry. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Chilean Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

We recommend guest bring backpacks (up to 60 liters) for carrying personal gear when hiking (see Gear & Packing). Group gear will be carried by our porters, so you will be responsible for carrying only your personal items. Keep this in mind as you pack, lighter is almost always better.

If you chose to pack and check your backpack, make sure all the straps are cinched and buckled. Baggage conveyors have been known to eat these straps!

Please pack essentials, such as toiletries, medication, shorts, etc., in your carry-on, in case your luggage doesn't make it on the flight with you.