Southern Patagonia Hiking: Chile & Argentina

• In order to enter Chile and Argentina, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• Upon arrival in Chile, you will receive a Chilean tourist card that you must keep in your passport for the duration of your visit.
• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter any of the countries visited on this tour.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

• Round-trip flights booked through EF Adventures arrive in Santiago and depart from Buenos Aires.
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through EF Adventures. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own transfer upon arrival, and may request a departure transfer with EF Adventures for an additional cost.
• When you arrive in Santiago, an EF Adventures representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with an EF Adventures sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical activity level

This tour is rated as Challenging, which means you're a dedicated hiker, always seeking the next summit or panoramic viewpoint. This level offers serious workouts with significant elevation gains and big days on the trail. You'll face some demanding ascents that test your skills and stamina.

This tour is great for:

• Avid hikers
• Those craving intense and rewarding mountain experiences.

What to expect:

• Daily mileage: 7–15 miles
• Daily elevation gain: Up to 4,000 ft
• Typical terrain: Rolling terrain with continuous sustained climbs over longer distances

Tour pacing

This is a fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Two 1-night stays, three 2-night stay, and one 3-night stay
• Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Transportation by bus, ferries, and internal flights
• Daily transportation time varies and can be lengthy

Climate considerations

• The northern areas of this tour (Santiago and Buenos Aires) are warm and humid, while southern Patagonia experiences cold, windy conditions year-round.
• Since these countries are in the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons are opposite to North America—their summer is during North American winter, and their winter is during North American summer.
• Summer temperatures (December to February) typically range from 50°F to 65°F in Patagonia.
• Winter temperatures (June to August) typically range from 30°F to 45°F in Patagonia, with frequent snow.
• Weather can change quickly and strong winds are common throughout the year. Layered clothing is essential as conditions can shift dramatically within a single day.

Physical activity & tour pace extra info

• EF Adventures and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• If you have physical activity concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or give us call at 617-619-1679. We’re here to help!

This tour includes various modes of transportation, including private buses, ferry/boat transfers, and internal flights.

• Ferry transfers from Hotel Lago Grey to Refugio Grey and from Paine Grande refuge to Pudeto are included on tour.
• Internal flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas, and between El Calafate and Buenos Aires are included on tour.

• On this tour, you'll need to come prepared with your own gear for the daily hikes and mountain adventures, including hiking shoes, a day pack, reusable water bottle, and more. For a detailed suggested packing list, see the “Clothing & packing tips” section.

• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels or airports.

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Patagonia's weather can be unpredictable and cold, so being prepared for various conditions is essential. Don't forget to pack:

• Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots or trail runners with good traction
• Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants for sun and insect protection
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Rain jacket and pants
• Moisture-wicking, quick-drying hiking socks (wool or synthetic)
• Multiple warm mid-layers (fleece or wool) - temperatures can drop significantly
• A warm, insulated jacket - essential for cold weather
• Warm hat and gloves - temperatures often drop below freezing
• Insect repellent
• A daypack to carry essentials like water, snacks, and sunscreen
• A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the tour (and cut down on single use plastic waste)
• Binoculars, in case you want to get a closer look at local wildlife and scenery
• A collapsible walking stick for long hikes (some travelers find them useful)
• Casual clothes for evenings and travel days
• Dressier attire for Welcome/Farewell Dinners and in case you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance
• Sleepwear and toiletries
• A universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter
• Any personal medications, including motion sickness remedies for bus rides and altitude sickness medication (consult your doctor)
• Your medical insurance card, in case of emergencies (pack this in your carry-on)

• EF Adventures handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, sustainability, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-five-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• Please be advised that the air conditioning in South American hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• Chile and Argentina operate on 220 volts and uses Types C or L plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify EF Adventures at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
• Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 4,000 ft above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
• Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
• Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
• There are inherent risks associated with adventure activities such as hiking, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
• We recommend drinking filtered water and refraining from drinking tap water, even while brushing teeth. Bringing a backpack that has an interior pocket to hold water will help you stay hydrated.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.

• This tour includes seven lunches and five dinners: they may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, juice or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• With its lengthy Pacific coastline, it’s no surprise that Chile is one of the world’s seafood capitals. Ceviche, mussels with salsa verde, and seafood empanadas are all not to be missed.
• While in Patagonia, be sure to try Patagonian lamb, a regional specialty.
• In Argentina, perhaps the most common dish is the asado, a series of salt-rubbed meats, ribs, and chorizo sausages cooked over a fire pit on metal grills and crosses. For dessert, try dulce de leche, a sweet, honey-and-milk paste in pastries.

• Tips for meals, bus drivers, porterage (if applicable), sightseeing guides, and local hiking guides are included in the price of your tour.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $15-$20 USD per person per day for your Tour Director.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.

• You will use the Chilean peso in Chile and the Argentine peso in Argentina. USD is also commonly used, especially in Argentina.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director.

• To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Adventures mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the buses.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Your Tour Director will be an experienced hiker who will accompany you throughout the entire journey. In addition to sharing their knowledge of the region's history, culture, and natural wonders, they will:

• Support the group during daily hikes, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all travelers
• Provide detailed briefings on trail conditions, weather, and altitude considerations
• Coordinate logistics and arrange meals and transportation
• Offer basic first-aid assistance and emergency support if needed

As experienced hikers themselves, your Tour Director will be well-versed in mountain safety and trained in high-altitude first-aid procedures.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Adventures is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

• Chile changes its time twice a year: GMT-3 (September to April) and GMT-4 (April to September)
• Argentina stays at GMT-3 all year round
• When it's noon in New York:
  • During US Standard Time (Nov-Mar): 2pm in Argentina, 2pm in Chile
  • During US Daylight Time (Mar-Nov): 1pm in Argentina, 1pm in Chile (except April-September when it's 12pm in Chile)

• When you travel with EF Adventures, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• EF Adventures encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
• Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.