We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Please note that Southern Argentina and the Torres del Paine can be considerably more expensive (about 20%) than Buenos Aires or other parts of Chile.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Please note that most optional activities should be paid for in US dollars.
Accordingly you should allow approx. $60 for gratuities for local staff.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Argentina |
Chile |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$2.50 |
$2.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$2.00 |
$2.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$7.00 |
$7.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$15.00 |
$20.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$25.00 |
$30.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Argentina: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Chile No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Argentina Although a visa is not required by Australian, American and Canadian passengers to enter Argentina there is a reciprocal payment to be made.
NB - if passengers arrive at EZE airport on/after Dec 29th 2012 the fee must be paid online. For passengers arriving (internationally) at AEP the fee must be paid online from now on. If passengers are arriving via a border crossing from the 7th January 2013 the fee must be paid online prior to entering the country. The receipt generated at the time of online payment must be printed and given to local migration authorities together with passport upon passengers arrival to Argentina.
These payments are as follows: Australian - US$100; Canadian - US$70; American US$131. The fee can be paid at http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesibleingles
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Argentina: Argentina has a climate that ranges from subtropical in the north to cold in the temperate south. The Andes has erratic rainfall and flash floods in summer. Buenos Aires has a temperate climate and between October and March the average daytime temperatures reach the mid to high twenties.
Chile: First, remember that the seasons are reversed – the European winter is summertime in Chile. The best time to visit is spring (September-November) and autumn (March- April). During the spring and summer months the average temperatures around Punta Arenas fluctuate between highs in the low teens and lows that reach nearly freezing. Remember rain can fall at any time of the year and the weather is changeable in the mountains.
Please note - whilst in Patagonia it is possible to experience all weathers in one day, as well as the very strong winds that Patagonia is renowned for. Please come prepared.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Luggage limit for domestic flights is 15kg.
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Clothing
A warm sweater or fleece, good waterproofs and a windproof jacket are all essential. We also recommend bringing waterproof trousers as weather conditions can change suddenly whilst walking. Laundry services are available throughout.
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Footwear
Comfortable and sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and tread are essential. Trainers/sandals for relaxing in.
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Equipment
Binoculars, torch, water bottle, insect repellent, suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lipsalve with sun protection and walking poles (if you use them).
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Country info
Area: Argentina: 2.77 million sq km. Chile: 748,800 sq km.
Population: Argentina: 37.8 million. Chile: 15.5 million.
Language: Spanish is the main language throughout this region, along with a number of indigenous dialects, of which Quechua, Aymara, Quichua and Guarani are the most popular.
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic.
Local Time: Argentina: GMT -3. Chile: GMT -3.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v, 50Hz. Two round pin plugs.
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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Rough Guide, Nelles Verlag and Reise Know-How Verlag all do good maps of Chile. Bartholomew: Brazil & Bolivia (1:5,000,000).
Recommended Books: Bruce Chatwin: In Patagonia, Eric Shipton: Tierra del Fuego: The Fatal Lodestone, Rodolphe Meyer de Schauensee: Birds of South America, Brian Keenan & John McCarthy: Between Extremes.
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