General Terms

The protocol that we follow as a company is to avoid any damage in the physical and psychological integrity of our passengers, for this reason High Mountain Experience reserves the right to refuse personal participation on any trip if we find that person to be mentally unprepared for the trip.

During the trip the Lead Guide reserves the right to require a person to return to base camp or to abandon the trip, if by their judgment, for any reason, a person is unfit to continue participating in an ongoing activity.

If, for any reason, anyone leaves the trip before its completion, for whatever reason, there will be no reimbursement of fees. If the weather, or other factors, makes completing our objective impossible, there will be no reimbursement of fees.

High Mountain Experience is not responsible for any expenses incurred if the trip should be delayed due to weather, strikes, theft, act of nature, pandemic, epidemic, civil disturbances, terrorism, acts of war, government restrictions or regulations, failure of any form of transportation to arrive or depart as scheduled, or discrepancies over which High Mountain Experience has no control.

The rules and documents required for foreign people entry into Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, or any other country where the expedition is taking place may be subject to change by their governments. HME will keep informed; however, participants must also inform themselves in advance of what they need to enter that country to avoid delays in the expedition.

Insurance Requirement

It is a mandatory condition of participation that all clients obtain adequate travel and medical insurance, including coverage for high-altitude rescue, accidents, illness, trip cancellations, and loss of luggage.

This insurance will also be required in order to request reimbursements in the event of evacuations, early departures, or cancellations, since HME will issue invoices that clients can present to their insurance provider.

HME is not responsible for any financial losses resulting from a client’s failure to purchase such insurance.

Evacuation Policy

Expenses in case of rescue or early departure: In case a rescue or evacuation is needed, consider that these expenses will be billed to the client and must be paid before any procedure. The amount may vary depending on the expedition and the complexity of the evacuation. Afterwards, the invoice can be presented to the travel insurance for reimbursement.

*This payment includes transportation costs, fuel, hotel reservations, overtime for guides, etc.

Payments

There are two accepted payment methods:

1. Payment link (WeTravel):
   • This platform allows you to choose your preferred currency.
   • Depending on the currency and method, you may pay by bank transfer (recommended) or credit/debit card.
2. Bank transfer to HME account:
   • Bank details will be provided upon request.
   • The amount received by HME must equal the total invoiced amount.

*Please note that all transaction and processing fees are the responsibility of the client in both cases.

HME will not accept reservations, balances, or full payments in cash under any circumstances, except for small local payments (in USD or CLP) at Santa Rosa Refuge or Campsite, for example. In this case, bills must be in perfect condition, without wrinkles, cuts, scratches, or stains, as banks in Chile do not accept damaged notes. Your consultant will provide the authorized recipient’s name.

Reservation Deposit

The minimum deposit to secure a reservation is USD 700 (higher in some cases; your consultant will inform you). Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of funds. Online bookings via our payment link or website are confirmed instantly. Wire transfers may take 1–5 business days to process.

*If we receive a payment with deductions due to bank fees, the client must cover the difference when paying the balance.

Balance Payment

The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days prior to the start of the expedition. Failure to pay the balance on time may result in automatic cancellation of the booking without refund of the reservation deposit, unless otherwise agreed in writing with your consultant.

If you experience any payment difficulties, please contact your consultant in advance.

Refunds and Overpayments

In the event of an overpayment made in error, HME will refund the excess amount within 30 business days, after deducting any applicable bank charges.

Cancellation Policies

Reservation Deposit: The reservation deposit (minimum USD 700) is used for administrative costs and securing services. For this reason, it is NON-REFUNDABLE under any circumstances.

Balance: Cancellations received 29 to 16 days prior to the expedition:

• 60% of the balance (excluding the deposit) will be refunded, OR
• The deposit may be kept as credit for up to one year, applicable to a new expedition of equal value.

Example: Suppose the expedition cost is USD 3,500, with a USD 500 deposit. In this case, 60% of the remaining USD 3,000 balance would be refunded, which equals USD 1,800. Alternatively, if the client prefers to keep the deposit as credit, the amount of USD 3,000 (excluding the deposit) may be held as credit for up to one year, applicable to a new expedition of equal value.

Cancellations received 15 days or fewer prior to the expedition:

• No refunds will be made.
• Clients may seek reimbursement from their travel insurance provider using the invoice issued at the time of payment.

*This cancellation policy applies under all circumstances, including but not limited to personal reasons, illness, accidents, acts of nature, pandemics, government restrictions, acts of war, strikes, or adverse weather conditions.

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

In considerate of the services, of High Mountain Experience their agents, owners, officers, participants, volunteers, employees, horse drivers, guides and other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred as HME), I hereby agree to release, indemnify and discharge HME, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assign, personal representative and state as follow:

1. I acknowledge that my participation in outdoor adventure based activities such as trekking, hiking, ski, snowboard, snow-shoes trekking, high altitude climbing, backcountry skiing, camping, mountaineering, rock climbing and backpacking entails know and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity. The risks include, among other things: the hazards of walking on uneven terrain and slips and falls; being struck by rock fall, icefall or other objects dislodged or thrown from above; the use of climbing ropes and equipment; the forces of nature, including lightning, weather changes and avalanche; the risks of falling off the rock, mountain or into a crevasse; the risks of exposure to insect bites; the risk of altitude and cold including hypothermia, frostbite, acute mountain sickness, cerebral and pulmonary edema; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity. Furthermore, HME guides/instructors/facilitators have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant’s fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather, the elements or terrain. They may give inadequate warnings or instructions and the equipment being used might malfunction.
2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless HME from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of HME’s equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of HME.
4. Should HME or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.
6. I certify that I have consulted with a physician prior to this expedition and that I am in suitable physical and mental health to participate in the strenuous activities involved, which include but are not limited to high-altitude trekking and mountaineering. I agree that I am solely responsible for my own health and well-being, and I have disclosed to HME any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions that could affect my participation.