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Patagonia Travel Information
Thank you for your interest in the International
Wilderness Leadership School, The following information is included to help you with planning your travel arrangements.
CHILE
Chile is a beautiful country with incredible diversity. It is located on the southern end of South America on the west coast. Chile is a very developed country that is politically and economically stable.
SANTIAGO
Our travel arrangements will take us through Santiago and it is easy to arrange to spend time here before or after our trek. It is a large city of approx. 5 million people. It is colorful and full of interesting history, markets and parks. It is located in the central part of Chile and the climate is predominantly hot and sunny!
PUNTA ARENAS
Punta Arenas is a coastal city, filled with fascinating history of the early settlers. It is also a major departure point for ships going to Tierra Del Fuego and Antarctica. Punta Arenas is well known for its unique architecture and excellent seafood! This is where we will begin and end our trip.
PUERTO NATALES
Puerto Natales is a small fishing village located in Southern Chile. It is a beautiful town surrounded by high peaks with glaciers that flow to the ocean. It is the last city that we will visit before entering Torres Del Paine National Park.
AIRLINE TICKETS
Make certain that your ticket matches the full name on your passport. Plan your arrival in Punta Arenas not later than the morning of the first scheduled day of the trip, and your departure not earlier than the last scheduled day of the trip. If time permits, we recommend arriving one day early to provide leeway for any flight or baggage connection trouble. Please make certain that we have your flight and arrival information so that we can meet you at the airport!
AIRLINE ROUTING
Most flights go through LA or Miami to Santiago, Chile then connect to Punta Arenas. It is also possible to schedule flights through Buenas Aires, Argentina.
VISAS
No visa is required before arriving in the country. A visa will be issued upon your arrival and is good for 90 days.
ENTRANCE-DEPARTURE TAXES
There is an entrance tax of $20 for U.S. citizens that is paid upon arrival. Leaving Chile you will be required to pay an $18 departure tax. Both of these can be paid in U.S. dollars.
IMMUNIZATIONS
There are some suggested immunizations, but none that are required. We recommend that you check with your doctor for the most current immunization information. If you have received immunizations, either in the past, or, for this trip, make certain to bring your immunization book/card.
PHOTOCOPY ALL DOCUMENTS
Make certain to copy your passport, airline tickets, credit cards, traveler’s checks, immunization book etc. This can be very helpful in the event that anything is lost or stolen.
BAGGAGE
Flying to and from the U.S. you are allowed two 70 lbs. Bags. If you travel through other countries for a stopover you will be charged excess baggage fees for anything over 44lbs. (20 kilos) each flight. If possible, pack your backpack and gear inside a large duffle bag. This gives your things more protection as you are traveling, and is more secure for loads on the mules and buses.
CURRENCY
Traveler’s checks and cash are both easily exchangeable. ATM’s with the Cirrus network are widely available and work well. You can usually withdraw up to $300 a day from your account, check with your bank before traveling.
SPENDING MONEY
We recommend bringing at least $400 cash or travelers checks for hotels, restaurants, gifts, and travel after our trip. Always carry a credit card for emergencies as well.
HOTEL
If you are planning on arriving in Punta Arenas early, or, if you wish to extend your stay after the trip, we would happy to assist you with hotel reservations. In Punta Arenas we stay at a comfortable Hotel with great food.
TIME ZONES
Chile is East Coast Time plus 4 hours.
Please contact us if you have any questions, or, if you would like any additional information.
Phone: 1.800.985.IWLS (4957)
Email: info@iwls.com
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