Frequently Asked Questions

Question

I've never been to Patagonia. Shouldn't I start with Torres del Paine?

Answer

Torres del Paine is a remarkable park, but more than 250,000 people pass through it every year. If you want to know Patagonia, not just tick it off, Aysén Fjord is an unusual but effective first step. You're not joining a well-worn trail - you're stepping directly into its deeper layer. For many of our participants, this is their first trip to Patagonia, and they never repeat it in a simplified version.

Question

I've been to Patagonia before. Will this add something, or just repeat what I've seen?

Answer

If you drove the Carretera Austral, you almost certainly missed the inner reaches of Aysén Fjord - the road ends at the mouth, and you can't drive further in. Access is only by boat and only with a local captain. For returning travellers this is usually the "second chapter" of Patagonia, the one you didn't have the time or access for the first time around. Most returners say this is the trip that will actually make them want a third.

Question

How physically demanding is the expedition?

Answer

No climbing certifications are needed - this isn't mountaineering. The boat portion lasts at most four days and is physically calm; walking sections generally don't exceed 5 km over uneven terrain (roots, mud, rocks). The most demanding day is the trek to the thermal springs - 5 km through forest on an unmarked trail and back. As a rule of thumb: if you can climb ten flights of stairs without stopping and manage 3–4 hours of walking with breaks, you can handle the expedition. The group of 3–6 sets the pace. The expedition is open to women and men alike. For a detailed breakdown of difficulty, see the Who it's for page.

Question

What are the facilities on the boat? Is there a shower and a toilet?

Answer

Yes. Patagonia I has a bathroom with a toilet, a washbasin and a shower. You sleep in a small cabin with bunk beds. During the day we sit in the shared saloon, with a dining table and a wood stove. It is a boat, not a hotel. Clean and decent, not a resort.

Question

What are the weather conditions?

Answer

Patagonian weather is variable. You should expect wind, rain, and lower temperatures. The program is adapted to current conditions.

Question

Is there mobile signal during the expedition?

Answer

In several operational zones, signal is limited or unavailable. For safety there is Starlink on the boat - for emergency contact, not for your notifications.

Question

How is safety ensured in a remote environment?

Answer

Safety is a priority - not a slogan. The expedition is led by a man with military training and years of experience in the security forces. Every transfer is coordinated with local partners who have known the region for decades. There is Starlink on the boat in case of emergency. The hospital is right in Puerto Aysén, where the expedition sets out from. Every participant must have travel insurance covering activities in remote environments. You will receive a detailed safety briefing before the expedition.

Question

Is travel insurance required?

Answer

Yes. Each participant is required to have valid travel insurance covering activities in remote environments.

Question

When exactly will the expedition take place?

Answer

Founder Edition 2027: arrival in Balmaceda on 20 January 2027, departure on 31 January 2027; dates may shift by up to ± 2 days depending on flights. We confirm the final dates in writing no later than 60 days before departure.

Question

What is included in the price?

Answer

Expedition organization, regional transfers within the program, and coordination of maritime logistics. The price does not include flights - international or the domestic Santiago–Balmaceda leg - or personal travel insurance. Detailed specifications are provided in the information document and on the Price page.

Question

How is payment handled?

Answer

Once your participation is confirmed, you sign the agreement and pay a USD 1,500 deposit within 7 days of signing. The USD 3,300 balance is due no later than 90 days before departure (by 22 October 2026). If you withdraw more than 90 days before departure, everything you have paid is refunded; after that, the cancellation fees in the Terms apply.

Question

Will the expedition take place with fewer participants?

Answer

We launch once 3 founders confirm. Maximum group size is 6. With a smaller group, logistics can be optimized while keeping the full program intact. If fewer than 3 participants are firmly confirmed 60 days before departure, we offer an alternative date (February 2027 or January 2028) at the same price, or refund all payments within 30 days - your choice.

Question

Who else is on the expedition?

Answer

A group of 3–6 people. No random tourists - every participant goes through a short introductory call. We deliberately select people who will get along and share respect for the place and for each other.

Question

Is the expedition open to women? Can we come as a couple?

Answer

Yes. The expedition is open to women and men alike - what decides it is fitness and mindset, not gender. Couples are welcome; each spot is per person, and it's enough to note in the application that you're travelling together. The group has 3–6 people. It also makes sense for women who want to see Patagonia, but not alone: you travel in a small group, with someone who has his own base and a local team in the region, and you don't have to handle logistics or safety on your own. I built the program with my wife, who is used to comfort: everyone has their own cabin on the boat; on land you sleep in cabins. It is not a five-star hotel - there aren't many of those in this part of Patagonia - but decent and clean, yes. In the calm version, nobody sleeps in a tent. And if a group comes together that wants the extreme - two nights in a tent in the rainforest by the thermal springs, salmon straight from the river, no contact with civilisation - we do it their way. That's why there's a call and a meeting in person before you sign up: we send the detailed program according to what each person requires.

Question

What if my partner or family has concerns?

Answer

Twelve days off the grid is a decision for the whole household - we take that seriously. Before departure you'll receive the complete itinerary and an info PDF you can share at home. Safety is built as a system: experienced leadership, local partners, Starlink on the boat for emergencies, a hospital right in Puerto Aysén. And because all payments are refunded if you withdraw more than 90 days before departure, applying is not an irreversible step. A month before departure, the group also meets in the Czech Republic - partners and family are welcome.

Question

Will we meet the other participants before departure?

Answer

Yes. About a month before departure we meet in the Czech Republic for one afternoon. We'll talk about Patagonia and the Aysén region, about Václav Nový's memoirs, go through the gear piece by piece and cover the practical things - flights, insurance, medication. The main point, though, is elsewhere: you get to know each other, so the airport won't be your first meeting. The meeting is included in the price and is optional; if the date doesn't work for you or you're joining from abroad, we cover the same on a video call. Details about the meeting