Join us for a hiking excursion with white water rafting, pack rafting & kayaking in the Chilean Andes in 2024! This will be a chance to see some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, while supporting anti-trafficking efforts in the process.

The total cost of this trip includes:

1. Your accommodations for the entire trek (eco-lodges & 4-star hotels)

2. Food (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners)

3. All transportation to/from the airport and to/from each excursion & activity

4. All pre & post trip support from our organization (including planning help, and flight information leading up to departure) *NOTE: Flights not included

5. A pack-rafting excursion with wetsuits provided

6. A white-water rafting excursion with wetsuits provided

7. A kayaking excursion with all equipment provided

8. All English-speaking hiking guides

9. Osprey Freedom Summit Adventures daypack

10. The chance to learn about anti-trafficking work through Freedom Summit Adventures, but also environmental stewardship projects in the wetlands of the Chilean Andes

Total trip cost: $3,535 (Flights NOT included)

FUNDRAISING:

We have a goal of $15,000 raised through this excursion to be able to put on two entire wellness retreats for 30 survivors of human trafficking - at no cost to the survivors we have the privilege of serving.

Because we’ll be hiking more than 40 miles over the course of 9 days together, we want you to treat this as if you were running a marathon, or climbing a high peak. We do hard things in support of the incredible survivors we have the privilege of serving. It’s the physical representation of the emotional and spiritual “mountains” trafficking survivors are summiting every day.

You’ll be able to share our link with your family & friends, and even create your own fundraising profile with your own goal, if you choose. We’ll provide you with a sample fundraising letter for you to send to friends and family, as well. More information about this to come, but just know that we’ll be here every step of the way, and remember, because we are a 501c3 nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.

By signing up for this excursion, you are agreeing to help us in sharing about our work as an organization, raising awareness around the issue of human trafficking with us, and helping us reach our $15,000 goal.

Sample Trip Payment Breakdown, if you’d like to follow a schedule:

Deposit: $750
April, 2024: $750
June, 2024: $750
August, 2024: $750
October 1, 2024: $535

Tentative Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Chile! Time to relax and get settled into your lodging for the night.

Day 2: A short drive takes you to Chile's oldest national park, Vicente Pérez Rosales N.P., where you'll get in wetsuits and take to the water for an unforgettable guided rafting experience down Petrohue River, flanked by incredible Andean scenery. Later, you'll travel to Cochamo where there will be a walk to an impressive viewpoint and a first chance to learn about the birdlife of the region. Tonight, we get to stay in an eco-friendly lodge!

Day 3: Today will be our first big hike in the Andes. You'll follow the impressive La Junta trail on a steady incline (approx 300m across the first 11km) through temperate rainforest, passing waterfalls and rivers before arriving at an incredible picnic lunch spot with views of towering granite rock faces.

Day 4: We’ll rest our legs a little today, and embark on a four-hour kayaking excursion. Salty Pacific seawater meets fresh glacial melt in Reloncavi Fjord, where exploring by sea kayak gives you a unique perspective. Volcano views, the possibility of encountering Chilean dolphins or sea lions, and a lunch stop at a family farm make for a truly memorable paddle. Afterwards, there will be a short drive to the next overnight destination at Ensenada.

Day 5: Today we'll venture off the beaten track, heading south and deeper into the Patagonian Andes. El Rincon Bonito ('the beautiful corner') doesn't feature on many maps and represents a true, hidden treasure nestled in the Andean foothills. The long but scenic journey today will involve several forms of transport to navigate the terrain (a car, a boat and a truck), with the final 6 miles being on foot (with the support of mules to help with luggage). You'll follow a tranquil forest trail along Ventisquero River to the welcoming lodge.

Day 6: We’ll be exploring the Ventisquero Valley today, hiking a trail which is nestled in the Patagonian Andes. The Mirador del Valle Trail follows a path that ascends over the tree line (with a bit of an incline) giving wonderful views of the glaciers and the valley. The trail passes through ancient forest types, each endemic to this area of Patagonia and has several spectacular viewpoints along the way.

Day 7: Today's walk is a flatter route, staying on the valley floor, although you'll cover a long distance. During the hike you'll cross rivers, learn about the flora and fauna in this part of Patagonia, and visit a waterfall. Relaxing back at Rincon Bonito, a traditional Chilean BBQ will be cooked up to mark your final night in this special place.

Day 8: Another unique adventure awaits today. We’re packrafting the turquoise waters of Rio Ventisquero and Rio Puelo downstream, floating back towards civilization. Arriving at the village of Puelo Libre, you'll jump back onto dry land and continue the road journey back to Puerto Varas which includes a short ferry across Lake Tagua. Enjoy a free evening in the lively little town.

Day 9: Today, we’ll get to learn from local environmental scientists involved in a project to sustainably restore a critical wetland habitat in collaboration with the local community. The wetlands, where the Maullín River meets Lake Llanquihue, support an impressive array of migratory birds and are now designated as a nature sanctuary. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the ongoing project and assist with some of the day's scheduled activities under the supervision of project staff, should you wish. At lunchtime, you'll go to a nearby artisan brewery for a taste of Patagonia's craft beer. Drive back to Puerto Varas in time for an invigorating dip in Llanquihue Lake and a final evening together.

Day 10: Head Home!