CANCELLATION INSURANCE:

We require all participants to purchase a plan for travelers insurance for your Ventana trip. Please contact our office if you have any questions concerning trip insurance.

https://www.travelinsured.com/

ARRIVAL:

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: International flight from your country to Santiago, Chile. Transfer (in same airport) to flight south to Puerto Montt. Fly to Puerto Montt (2 hrs.). Taxi to hotel in Puerto Varas (1/2 hr.)

MEETING PLACE:

We will be meeting at the Cumbres Puerto Varas Hotel in Puerto Varas which is located at: Imperial 0561, Puerto Varas, Chile. (http:hotelcumbrespatagonicas.com/en Phone: 065-222000.) You should plan to arrive at the hotel anytime on Friday afternoon (except for private charters and the Dec. 26th departure). When you arrive in Puerto Montt, walk outside the airport and hire a taxi (12,500 pesos or $30) to take you to the hotel where a room will be waiting in your name. The group will meet the Earth River guide that evening in the hotel lobby at 6:30 for our welcome dinner. The Earth River land guide in Puerto Montt, Maria, speaks English and will be there to greet you. In case you have any problems (travel related, etc.) she can be reached as follows: Cell phone (calling her from the U.S.) 011-569-93212995, Calling from Santiago, Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas; 09-93212995. Her email is: mariainchile02@hotmail.com IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure Maria's contact information is with you in case you have any problems. She accessible by phone at all times.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:

Unless you’ve requested a single supplement ($200), you will be sharing a hotel room at the trip’s conclusion with a roommate of the same sex. Individual travelers do not need to share a tent on the river. If by chance you end up in a single room, due to odd numbers, you will not be charged any additional money. Note: If you would like a single room, it will cost an additional $200 and must be requested and paid for before you leave the U.S.

CONDITIONING:

Paddling in whitewater rafts and kayaks is moderately demanding and participants should be in moderate to good physical condition. We recommend training/working out for this trip. 

EXPERIENCE:

Anyone from a novice to advanced boater, camper. Anyone in moderate to good shape. 

PASSPORTS:

You will need a current passport for traveling into Chile.

AIR TRANSPORTATION:

Airfare from the US to Puerto Montt, Chile is not included in the trip price and must be arranged independently or through your travel agent. You will need to arrive in the morning at the trip’s start and can fly out anytime on the final day.

*Note: (The flight from Puerto Montt to Chaiten is included $250.)

WHAT THE EXPEDITION COVERS:

From the time we meet you in the lobby of the Cumbres Hotel in Puerto Varas on day one, until you arrive back at the hotel on day nine, all expenses including group meals, lodging and transportation are included in the trip price.

NOTE:  Any costs on side excursions before or after the expedition are not included.

GEAR:

Earth River provides tents, food and a rafting gear for the trip. For a list of all additional gear you will need to bring for the expedition please see the gear list.

ADDITIONAL MONEY:

Generally, $500 would be adequate for airport transfers and guide tips. 

GRATUITIES:

Gratuities for drivers, waiters, etc. are included in the trip price. Gratuities for the guides are not included. If you think the guides have done an outstanding job, 10 percent (approx. $450) of the expedition cost per person is considered a nice tip. Usually a member of the group will collect the tip and hand it to the trip leader (head guide) who will distribute it evenly among the guides.

ACCOMODATIONS:

During the river portion of the expedition participants will be sleeping in tents on beaches and forest along the river. One night will be spent at the Cumbres Hotel in Puerto Varas at the trip’s start as well as a night in an bed and breakfast in Lago Verde and Cabins the night of the trips conclusion. 

GEAR STORAGE:

You will be given a water proof river bag at the start of the trip for the river portion of the expedition. Because space and weight are limited on the the rafts and horses  you will be allowed one bag, which cannot weigh over 22 pounds. In this bag you will need to fit your sleeping bag. You sleeping pad will be loaded into a separate community waterproof bag. Remember to please pack only what’s on the enclosed list and what will fit into the bag Earth River provides.

Note: Any extra clothing and gear can be safely stored at the Cabins until the trip’s conclusion.

WEATHER:

The Ventana is in Northern Patagonia the weather can vary from sunny in the low eighties, to rainy in the sixties and even fifties. The nights are generally in the low fifties but can go into the forties and on occasion upper thirties. You will definitely get wet from running the rapids or possibly rain and although the river water is 60 degrees, all participants must have on  a wetsuit. (We will supply you with a sleeveless, farmer John wetsuit.). You must also have high quality paddle gear and a good rain jacket with a hood.  Note: It is not possible to get an accurate current or future picture of the weather for the Ventana area via the internet. Often what you will be seeing is the weather for the Puerto Montt area, which is far cooler and wetter. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU BRING ALL THE WARM THINGS INCLUDED IN THE PACKING LIST IN CASE WE HAVE SOME COLD WEATHER WHEN YOU ARE THERE.

HEALTH INFORMATION:

There are no required shots or health precautions that you need to take when traveling in Canada with the exception of a current tetanus booster, which is a good idea for any international travel.

EMERGENCIES:

We carry a satellite texting device and a helicopter can get someone to a modern hospital within two hours from anywhere on the river.

EMERGENCY CONTACT:

In case there is an emergency at home while you are away the following phone number should be given to a relative or friend: 845-626-2165 . The person should ask for Eric and or Troy. In most cases they will be able to get important information to you when the guide checks in each day. Remember, these numbers should only be used in case of an emergency.