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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.
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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.
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Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Back to topAccordingly you should allow approx. US$2 per meal for good service and US$3 per person for local guides and our driver(s). On the ship we recommend US$15 per person per night on board.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: Argentina: Peso, Chile: Peso
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Carry all your funds in U.S. dollar or euro cash (sterling is quite difficult to change). It is advisable to take a minimum of US$400-500 of your total spending money in cash, in mixed denominations. Notes should be in good condition otherwise they might be difficult to exchange.
Where to Exchange: Most major towns. Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival. When changing money always keep your receipts for changing back money.
ATM Availability: Major towns. N.B. Some ATMs dispense US$ as well as pesos.
Credit Card Acceptance: Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be used in many places, but may be subject to a service charge.
Travellers Cheques: Travellers cheques can be awkward or expensive to change (American Express are the easiest to change).
Additional Information: You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 10% sometimes applies. Note that old US dollar notes may not be accepted so bring new ones. Note: US $100 dollar bills with the series CBB2 year 2001 will not be accepted for exchange.
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| UK | Argentina | Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | $2.50 | $2.00 | $2.50 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | $2.00 | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | $2.00 | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | $7.00 | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | $10.00 | $25.00 | $10.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
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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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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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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Brazil: No visa required by UK citizens. Visa required by CAN, AUS, NZ & USA citizens. If you require a visa for Brazil you should also check if you need a visa for Argentina, this is necessary if you wish to visit the Argentinean side of the falls. UK citizens do not require a visa for Argentina.
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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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to topNothing compulsory, we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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For the Iguazu Falls extension, it is recommended to have protection against yellow fever. There have been very few cases reported, but local authorities do recommend travellers get immunised against yellow fever.
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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.
Back to topWe 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/
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topArgentina: 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. In the lowlands the rain is sufficient to feed the marshy Chaco region, but does tend to ease from east to west. Buenos Aires has a temperate climate and between October and March the average daytime temperatures reach the mid to high 20°C.
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.
Brazil: As befits such a large landmass, there are several distinct regional variations in Brazil. The driest season is June-October, but bare in mind that rain should be expected throughout the year – normally in short torrential downpours. On this tour rain should be expected at some time during the season and temperatures will be cool in the area around Iguazu.
Remember rain can fall at any time of the year and the weather is changeable in the mountains.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topOn this tour we recommend bringing one piece of main luggage (an upright case with wheels is ideal) and a smaller rucksack in which to carry items (such as waterproofs) that you might need during the day on our excursions and walks. Please note the luggage limit for domestic flights in Argentina is 15kg. You may choose to leave some items in storage at the hotel in Buenos Aires before flying south.
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topMake sure you bring a warm fleece, gloves, hat and a windproof jacket, as it can get cold on deck when sailing. Raingear (jacket and trousers) is essential. Dress on the ship is casual, although you may bring some more formal, if you wish, for the farewell dinner.
For Iguazu Falls lightweight, longsleeved clothing is necessary for the mostly warm and humid daytime conditions, though evenings can be cooler.
Back to topA good pair of comfortable walking boots and shoes/trainers.
Back to topBinoculars, torch, water bottle, insect repellent, suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lipsalve with sun protection. You may also wish to consider spare memory cards and a waterproof bag for your camera and motion sickness tablets/patches for the boat. Walking poles (if you use them) may also be useful.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topThen 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.
Back to topArea: Argentina: 2.77 million sq km. Chile: 748,800 sq km. Brazil: 8,511,965 sq km.
Population: Argentina: 37.8 million. Chile: 15.5 million. Brazil: 19 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. In Brazil Portuguese is the main language with Spanish, English and French also spoken.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Local Time: Argentina: GMT -3. Chile: GMT -4. Brazil: GMT -3/-4.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v, 50Hz. Two round pin plugs.
Recharging Batteries: Possible all nights of the tour.
Recommended Maps: www.patagoniainteractiva.com
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. Rough Guide to Brazil.
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