RUN PATAGONIA FAQS
Why Patagonia?
The name alone gives rise to feelings of wonder and awe, and once you are there, is does not disappoint! There are few places with such wild, raw beauty, and running gives us a chance to get up close and personal with this majestic landscape. The trails are quiet, endless and downright spectacular. The pace of life is as relaxed as it comes and the climate, though fierce at times, makes you feel alive as never before. You’ll witness glaciers, waterfalls, golden meadows and turquoise lakes. In other words…why not?
What’s included in the trip cost?
The price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, Puerto Natales airport transfers, all hotels & refugios, all meals/snacks from dinner on arrival day until lunch on departure day, entry fees, permits, transportation, drivers, experienced guides & logistics team, a glacier trekking excursion, guided runs/hikes and a Rogue Expeditions hat + buff.
In short, just about everything is covered from the moment you land until the moment you leave!
What isn’t included in the trip cost?
The price does not include flight, alcohol, transport to/from unscheduled destinations or tips.
Why isn’t the flight included?
Let’s be honest, we are all unique and your schedules (and originating airport!) are no exception. Come early, stay late. Drive, fly, sail, take a train, or arrive by horseback. Participants will be responsible for booking their travel arrangements and ensuring that they meet the specified requirements:
Participants should arrive in Puerto Natales by 2pm on arrival day and depart the same place no earlier than 2pm on departure day. Please note that if you are looking at flights well in advance, options to PN may be limited; more flights will be scheduled later in the year. Please don’t book flights until you receive more information from us, along with confirmation that we have hit the group size minimum (official group communication begins about 4 months out!).
If you prefer to fly in/out of Punta Arenas, we will be happy to offer guidance for booking your bus tickets to Puerto Natales.
How far do I have to be able to run?
There is no set requirement, but we recommend that you be comfortable with at least a 7 mile trail run for the best experience. Some runs will take place en route to the next destination, while others will be out and back. Most days offer full flexibility in distance, though one day requires 7 miles point to point as there are no roads to our destination. This is a hiking day and you will have all day to do it, but you *must* be capable of covering the distance on foot.
What sort of terrain will we be running on?
Consider this a trail running trip! There will be some dirt/gravel roads, some smooth single track and some pretty technical mountain trails – we have exactly zero miles of running on paved roads! Expect your paces to be significantly slower than they would be on the road, and to incorporate some hiking on especially technically and/or steep sections. For the best experience we recommend that you do some trail running in preparation, though road runners will do just fine if you show up with a sense of adventure. Trail shoes are highly recommended!
What time of day will be be running?
The time of day will vary depending on where we are and where we’re headed. We incorporate morning runs as much as possible, though there will be some afternoon start times. Flexibility is key!
What will we do when we aren’t running?
When we aren’t running, we’ll have plenty to see and do! We’ll enjoy epic scenery from various boats, spot all sorts of wildlife, go glacier trekking, learn about traditional ranch life at the estancias, and of course we’ll be covering a bit of distance by vehicle (with well-timed rest/photo stops). Be ready for a drastically slower pace of life, and the chance to sit back, relax, enjoy long meals, gorgeous views and conversation with new friends.
What about ‘the Base of the Towers’ hike?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on our Patagonia itinerary for a while then you’ll notice that we won’t be visiting the Base of the Towers area of the national park anymore. In our view the trail has become overcrowded, unsustainably busy and is no longer suited to our style of travel - we have plenty of hidden, quiet places to show you that we feel are much more rewarding for runners! If you are interested in visiting the Base of the Towers on the backend of the trip, we can point you in the right direction.
Can my non-runner spouse/friend come too?
We don’t generally recommend this trip for a non-runner/hiker. They would need to be willing to hike 7 miles on one day as there is no road access to our accommodation and should understand that while each day will incorporate many different activities, the schedule is primarily structured around the planned run. Feel free to drop us a line and discuss whether this trip is a good fit for your non-runner.
What will the hotels be like?
The first two nights will be spent at an upmarket Chilean hotel – expect clean, modern double occupancy rooms and private bathrooms with all necessary comforts (yes - WiFi). Three nights will be spent at a private, boutique lodge where our group will have the run of the property and enjoy some amazing home cooked meals that are only outdone by the views out our windows! One night will be spent at a refugio within the national park, which offers comfortable shared bunk rooms (4-6 people per bunk room) and designated male/female bathrooms. The refugio we use is clean, modern and provides stunning views of the remote surroundings. The final night will be spent in a beautiful historical estancia (double occupancy). Everywhere that we stay will be welcoming, warm and memorable! There is WiFi of some kind everywhere we stay but we cannot guarantee it will be fast!
What is the weather like?
The weather in Patagonia is notoriously unpredictable, and it is quite common to experience all four seasons in one day. There will be periods of beautiful, sunny weather and there will be periods of rain and of ferocious wind – this is simply a fact of life at the bottom of the world! High temps in January & February are generally anywhere from 50-70F, and lows will generally be in the 40s (this is summertime!). The old adage that there is no bad weather, just bad clothing holds true here! We will provide a very detailed packing list to ensure that participants are as prepared as possible, and you must understand that the itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions. As always, a flexible attitude is a must!
Can I have my own room at hotels?
Possibly! We occasionally have a limited number of single rooms available after the balance due date (3 months prior to departure). The boutique properties that we use only have so many rooms, so we cannot guarantee how many will be available until we know the final group size. You can indicate your interest when you register and we will offer single rooms in the order in which you registered (please note that single rooms at the refugio within the national park are not possible).
What sort of food will we be eating?
We will eat healthy, fresh, traditional Chilean meals throughout the trip. Breakfasts will include selections of bread, meat, cheese, cereals, yogurt, etc. Lunches will generally be picnic-style – sandwiches, fruit, nuts, etc – and dinners will feature fresh, hearty ingredients. We will also enjoy a couple traditional Chilean barbeques. Though the Patagonian diet is quite meat-heavy, vegetarians and vegans can easily be accommodated.
What sort of vehicles will we be traveling in?
We will be traveling in a comfortable minibus (trailer for luggage and gear) with individual seats for everyone and a professional, experienced driver.
Is it safe?
Very. Chile and Patagonia in particular is a tourism hot-spot, and there is little to no concern for safety in the typical sense. However, we will be running and traveling in wild, remote country. Although all runs are guided and we will be looking out for you, you must be prepared to handle yourself on a sometimes-technical trail, carry an appropriate amount of water/snacks and have proper clothing to protect you from the elements. With proper planning, there is little cause for concern – and we are here to help you!
What should I pack?
Packing light is a must, but there will be key items to bring along. A hydration pack with enough storage space for a rain jacket/change of clothes is required, as is rain gear (jacket & pants). A warm down or fleece coat, gloves, trail running shoes and hat are also required. We will provide a very detailed packing list and guidance once you are signed up for the trip.
How much should I tip?
Your entire trip will be spent with drivers and guides who will go above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for everyone. Although tips are never expected, they are always appreciated and completely at your discretion. Any group gratuities will be split evenly amongst the team.
What are the entry requirements for Chile?
Participants will need a passport with at least 6 months validity. No visas are required for US, Canadian, UK or EU citizens; citizens of other countries should check with their respective embassy for entry information. There are no longer any covid-related entry requirements.
Please note that travel insurance is strongly recommended. Although we hope you never need it, we've seen enough to know that it can be a lifesaver in the event of a medical emergency, flight delays that cause you to miss the start of the trip, lost baggage or cancellation on your part (broke your leg two weeks before departure? Insurance could cover the entire cost of your trip!).
If I change my mind or something comes up, can I cancel?
We know that life happens, and on occasion a participant will have to back out of a trip. As most of our costs are paid well in advance, we have set a cancellation policy that applies to all trips. You should obtain travel insurance to cover potential cancellations on your part.
If you cancel:
Within 30 days of signup (but more than 90 days from departure): Full refund
90+ days from the trip start date (but after the 30 day grace period): Deposits are non-refundable
61-90 days from the trip start date: 50% of total payment refunded**
60 days or less from the trip start date: No refunds
*If you register using a transfer credit, you may transfer again without penalty within 30 days of signup but will not be eligible for a refund
**This only applies to participants who have paid their balances on time. If you do not pay the balance by the due date and cancel after the fact, your deposit is non-refundable.
Can I switch to another trip?
If you wish to transfer your deposit from one trip to another you must notify us at least 120 days prior to your original departure date. A fee of $150 per person will apply and will be deducted from your original deposit. If you notify us less than 120 days prior to the proposed departure date the refund policy applicable to cancellations will apply. Deposit transfers may only be made once, and must be made to another trip departing within 12 months of your original departure date.
What if Rogue Expeditions cancels the trip?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had never cancelled a trip and we hope that going forward we never have to again. But, it is a possibility and here is what happens if it happens:
If we cancel a trip due to low participant numbers, you will be notified no later than 60 days prior to departure and will receive the option of a full refund or transfer to an alternate trip.
If a trip is cancelled at the last minute due to external events outside our reasonable control (natural disasters, terrorism, etc) we will issue full refunds less any unrecoverable costs. This type of scenario is unlikely but always a possibility - get that travel insurance!
You can check out the full Booking Terms & Conditions here.
How do I sign up?
You can find the Sign Up button on the Details page as soon as registration is open. A $600 deposit will reserve your spot, and balances are due 3 months prior to the trip start date. As soon as you register you’ll receive a link to the packing list, destination info, guide contacts and more, then your guide will begin direct group communication about 4 months prior to departure. Spots are first come-first serve, so don’t wait!
Who can I contact with more questions?
Feel free to send questions to gabe@roguexpeditions.com