Does it matter what time I arrive or depart?

• If you arrive/depart at any time on the scheduled start/end dates of your trip, OneSeed will arrange for airport transfers. Pickup will be arranged to efficiently transfer clients with flight times in close proximity (generally within one hour of each other). If you plan to arrive before the scheduled start date or stay past the end date of your trip, you will need to coordinate your own airport transfer or purchase a trip extension through OneSeed.

Do I need a visa? And what about passport requirements?

• Check visa requirements based on your passport.

What happens if my trip is altered due to unforseen circumstances?

Per the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver Agreement, if your expedition must be altered at any point, you are responsible for any additional costs.Canceled flights and transportation strikes happen. We do our best to ensure that your experience is unaltered by handling the situation efficiently and smoothly. For complete terms and conditions, see here. We recommend reviewing optional trip cancellation and interruption insurance to cover expenses in these instances. Some instances that have come up are:

• A twisted ankle one week before a trip
• Power outages in the Atlanta airport leaving travelers stranded
• Burst appendix!
• Earthquakes or floods cutting a trip short

DO I NEED ANY IMMUNIZATIONS OR MEDICINE?

Talk to your physician and follow recommended CDC guidelines found here.

WILL WE NEED TO FILTER WATER?

Drinking water is provided throughout your expedition.

WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?

• You will be sleeping in a mix of western-style hotels and traditional Machai accommodations. Machai accommodations are private rooms with thin woven matted walls, bedside table, curtain for a door, and shared bathroom. Machais were designed in the style of huts that were inhabited by highland Indians.

WHAT FOOD SHOULD I EXPECT TO EAT ON THE TRAIL?

• Food on the trail is rich in carbohydrates and protein since you'll be burning calories like a champ. Breakfast at the refugios may include eggs, fruit, cereal, lunch meat, cheese, toast, coffee, tea, and juice. Lunch is usually a sandwich made by your guide, fruit, snack bars, and some chocolate. Dinner may include meals like chicken with mashed potatoes, pasta, beef and rice, salad, soup, etc.
• While extra snacks are not included, you will have plenty of food during the trek. We do recommend any vegan travelers bring extra protein bars.
• OneSeed is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary preferences. If you didn't include this information on your registration form, please email info@oneseedexpeditions.com.

How many people will be on my expedition?

• We generally cap our group departure dates at around 10, though some may be slightly larger depending on the expedition.
• We guarantee all group departure dates whether there are 1 or 10 travelers signed up. We recommend asking our team how many people are in your group when you sign up for a departure date. Keep in mind, travelers may join or cancel at the last minute! If you are the only one in your group, we are happy to work with you on changing your travel dates if no deposits have been made.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

• Please refer to our Terms & Conditions here: www.oneseedexpeditions.com/terms-of-service

DO I NEED TO TIP MY GUIDE?

Tips are always appreciated. We have developed the chart in the blogpost below to act as a guide. Averages below are based on per person recommendations.

www.oneseedexpeditions.com/blog/tipping/

DOES SOMEONE CARRY MY PACK?

• This expedition is vehicle-supported. You will only carry a day pack each day on the trail.

CAN I LEAVE SOME OF MY LUGGAGE IN THE HOTEL DURING THE TREK?

• You will need to bring all luggage with you on your expedition, as you will not be returning to your beginning hotel at the end of your trek.

HOW SHOULD I TRAIN FOR MY TREK?

• Daily mileage will range from 7-12 miles and 5-10 trekking hours per day. This expedition requires above average physical fitness considering the lengthy days and high elevation. No technical skills are required, and first-time trekkers are welcome. We always recommend that travelers break in their hiking boots before the expedition. Taking training hikes that mimic the mileage and amount of time you will be trekking in Ecuador is recommended.

WHAT IS THE ELEVATION? IS ALTITUDE A CONCERN?

• The highest elevation you will reach on your trek is 15,958 ft. Some travelers choose to use prescriptions such as Diamox to treat altitude sickness. We recommend talking to your doctor about the use of any prescription medicine. We always advise hiking at your own pace, drinking plenty of water, and the importance of self-care on the trail.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

• Weather in the highlands region is always unpredictable. A sunny warm day quickly can turn to rain or snow. Please pay close attention to the packing list provided.

ANY OTHER TIPS?

• We always ask that you stay safe on the trail by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and communicating openly with your guide about any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of your belongings, be respectful of your travel companions, practice your Spanish with people you meet along the way, and respect the natural landscape that you're exploring.