Persons who are not ordinarily resident in Chile and who intend to undertake mountaineering or climbing expeditions to prominent peaks located within the country's border zones.

Activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, mountain biking or motorcycling, horseback riding, and other activities not specifically related to mountaineering or alpine climbing do not require authorization from DIFROL.

1. Submit the expedition plan at least 20 days before the participants enter Chile, in order to allow DIFROL to coordinate with the relevant public agencies.
2. Submit the complete list of participants, including each person's name, nationality, passport or identification document number, and the country that issued the document.
3. Provide a detailed itinerary of the peaks to be climbed or precisely identify the locations to be visited. For long-distance routes, attaching a map or sketch of the planned route is recommended.
4. Provide the start and end dates of the activity at each location or peak.
5. Provide the applicant's address —street, number, postal code, city and country— and email address, whether the applicant is a member of the group or the expedition leader.
6. Provide the address and email address of a contact person in the country of origin. This person must not participate in the expedition and must be readily reachable in the event of an emergency.

Free authorization

DIFROL authorization is completely free of charge.

Participants and insurance

Authorization may be subject to the participation of at least two persons and to the requirement that participants have insurance coverage for emergency rescues or special evacuations.

Contact with Carabineros de Chile

Once authorization has been obtained and upon arrival in the area, expedition members must report to or contact the Carabineros de Chile unit with jurisdiction over the area in order to verify the permit, provide information on dates, routes and equipment, and receive relevant safety recommendations.

Emergencies and weather conditions

In the event of natural emergencies or adverse weather conditions, DIFROL, SENAPRED or the competent local authorities may order the suspension, postponement or early termination of the expedition.

Responsibility of participants

The decision to undertake the climb is the responsibility of the applicants. Physical exertion at high altitude may pose a risk to persons whose health is not compatible with this activity.

By requesting authorization, participants acknowledge and assume the risks associated with the activity and the costs of any potential rescue operations, without further liability on the part of the State of Chile or its dependent agencies.

The application must be submitted through the Expedition Authorization System. In the event of justified technical difficulties, inquiries may be sent to [email protected] .

The personal data requested are protected in accordance with applicable regulations and are used to identify participants in the event of an emergency, coordinate rescue operations, and contact their family members or other close contacts in their country of origin.

This category includes scientific expeditions carried out within Chile's border zones, including State-protected wilderness areas such as national parks, national reserves and natural monuments.

Chilean counterpart

Scientific expeditions must have a Chilean counterpart, who must be identified in the application submitted to DIFROL.

Participants must contact the relevant Chilean institutions directly and share the results of the expedition with them. It is recommended that the objectives, locations and planned activities be communicated in advance.

DIFROL may require the participation of one or two Chilean nationals. Applicants will be informed accordingly.

Results and additional authorizations

When required by DIFROL, researchers must provide a copy of the expedition results so they can be forwarded to the competent institutions.

Biological research involving holotypes falls within the jurisdiction of the National Museum of Natural History. Expeditions involving national, historical or archaeological monuments also require prior authorization from the National Monuments Council and compliance with its regulations.

Species and samples

Customs procedures and all other formalities concerning the entry into and removal from Chile of collected material are the responsibility of the interested parties and must comply with Chilean legislation.

Experience, participants and evacuation

Applicants must provide information on their previous experience in glaciated areas. Authorization for a traverse or climbing expedition requires at least two participants, an emergency evacuation plan, and insurance covering potential rescue operations.

Emergency communications

Applicants must indicate the communication system that will be used and must carry a satellite telephone, HF communications equipment or VHF/AM communications equipment, as well as a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). All equipment must have long-lasting batteries.

Camp locations

The locations of the base camp and temporary camps must be provided, indicating latitude and longitude to the nearest second and the reference system used.

Coordination and safety

Expedition members must contact the relevant SENAPRED Regional Directorate to report their planned activities and must maintain ongoing communication with Carabineros de Chile in the area, notifying them of their arrival and subsequent return.

Appropriate thermal clothing suitable for extreme temperatures is required, together with a level of physical fitness compatible with the demands of the area and insurance covering emergencies and rescue operations, including hospitalization and ground or air transportation.

Expeditions must enter and leave Chile exclusively through authorized border crossings where the corresponding immigration, customs, animal health and plant health authorities are present.

An expedition permit does not authorize crossing international borders through unauthorized locations.

Professional accreditation

Accreditation for press or professional filming does not fall within DIFROL's jurisdiction. It must be arranged through the Ministry General Secretariat of Government and the Press and Communications Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contact: [email protected] and [email protected].

Group information

The responsible editor must submit a signed letter on official letterhead stating the purpose of the filming, the participating professionals and their identification documents and countries of origin, filming locations, activity dates, and dates of entry into and departure from Chile.

Temporary admission of equipment

The documentation may include the use of an ATA Carnet or, where applicable, a list of press equipment indicating brand, model, serial number and approximate value in US dollars. Personal equipment does not require special temporary admission procedures.

Filming in protected wilderness areas

For professional filming within SNASPE units administered by CONAF, the corresponding arrangements must be made, information on participants and equipment must be provided, and any permits required by that institution must be obtained.

Expeditions on rivers, lakes, channels and within Chilean territorial waters are subject to approval by the National Maritime Authority. They do not require authorization from DIFROL, as they fall within the jurisdiction of that authority.

The navigation route, type of vessel and safety measures must be reported, and the requirements of the Nautical Sports Regulations must be complied with. Further information is available at www.directemar.cl .

Personal data requested by DIFROL are protected in accordance with applicable regulations and are used to identify participants in the event of an emergency, coordinate rescue operations, and contact their family members or other close contacts in their country of origin.