To ensure that you have the best possible holiday experience, we ask you to read the following information carefully. If you have any questions, please discuss them with us before you depart.
Hand Luggage – pack essential items for a day or two in your hand luggage, in case your bags go astray and take a few days to catch up with you, especially if you have any tight connecting flights.
Documents – take a copy of your travel insurance policy with you, and leave a copy of your passport with a reliable contact at home, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Electronic Devices – ensure these are all fully charge before travel, as you may be required to switch them on at airport security.
Mobile Phones – make sure they are set up for international calls and if you plan to use travel apps such as Google Translate (which is invaluable when travelling in Latin America) or Google Maps, ensure you check your data package with your provider in advance. Alternatively turn off date roaming to avoid large phone bills. Be aware that some rural areas may not have mobile or WiFi coverage.
Clothing – you need to pack for all seasons when visiting Chile, due to the variations in temperature you will experience in Atacama and Patagonia. Pack good walking shoes, waterproof jacket, fleece, gloves, beanie and scarf. Dress in layers with thermal clothing and warm socks. Take a day pack, T-shirts, shorts, jeans, sunhat, swimming costume, sunglasses, bio-degradable sunscreen & rain gear. Trekkers should wear proper walking trousers. Sanitising hand cleaner and eye drops can also be handy, especially if you wear contact lenses. If you are joining an expedition cruise to Patagonia, warm winter clothing is essential - including thermal jacket, fleece, warm hat & scarf, waterproof gloves, woollen socks & long waterproof trousers, as you will get wet when riding on and disembarking from zodiacs. Take a plastic zip-lock bag to protect your camera and binoculars from spray whilst in the zodiacs.
Medicines - if you travel with prescription drugs, carry an adequate supply in their original bottles/packaging & keep them in your hand luggage, as if lost they may be difficult to replace.
Accessories – pack your phone (with charger and a spare battery pack), camera (with spare memory cards and batteries – a 200 mm zoom lens is good for wildlife photography) and binoculars (large 8x40 is best). We suggest one pair per person, as it can be frustrating to share.
Plugs – Type C (European 2-prong) and L (as used in Italy). Pack a universal adapter as well as a hand basin plug/stopper, as these are not always provided.
Books – pack a good travel guide and a Spanish phrase book. Knowing a few simple greetings will go down well. Also pack a generous supply of English reading material for quiet evenings and when waiting for flights, as these will be hard to come by.
Water – tap water is safe for brushing teeth, but drink only bottled water as their water has a very high mineral content. Tap water in Patagonia is safe to drink.
Food – the main food is lamb, beef and seafood, due to Chile's very long coastline. Chile is also famous for its excellent wines, especially carminere. Vegetarians and food allergies are well catered for.
Taxis – taxi scams are common in Chile, including at the airport. You should only book taxis at the desk inside the airport or from your hotel. Either prepay or ask approximate amount of the fare fare, and always check the amount you are being charged before you present your credit card.
Self-Drive – driving is on the right. Any valid UK, European or American driving license is usually accepted, as long as it has a photograph and signature. A credit card in the name of the main driver is also essential. The main roads are good tarmac, but hire a 4x4 and be a confident driver if travelling on gravel roads in places like Torres Del Paine in Patagonia, take two spare tyres, be careful to avoid stones thrown up by passing vehicles & ensure your tyres are under-inflated when travelling on gravel (ie soft, not hard). In Patagonia keep your lights on, at least dipped, at all times. In the Atacama, we do not recommend self driving to places such as the El Tatio geysers, as the gravel road has extremely sharp bends that need to be navigated in the dark before sunrise. Rather take an organised excursion. We also do not recommend self driving in Valparaiso, where there is very little parking and navigating up the various hills is difficult. Valparaiso also has many one-way roads, indicated by red directional arrows on the road signs, and you cannot park where kerbstones are painted yellow. Remember that distances are vast, all road signs will be in Spanish and very little English will be understood in rural areas. Be aware that you are travelling in a country where driving standards may be lower than at home and take all sensible precautions against crime - including not leaving any belongings on display. Purchase a good road map in advance (in English) and download the Google Maps (offline) app or hire a sat-nav, as signage can be sparse in rural areas. If you intend to cross the border into Argentina, be aware that extra paperwork will be required for your vehicle. Be prepared to pay cash for fuel.
Safety – take all sensible precautions. Leave valuable jewellery/watches at home, wear a money belt and be alert when outside your hotel. In particular avoid taking out large wads of cash in public view and keep your spare cash, passport and a spare credit card in your hotel safe.
Indemnities - please be aware it is likely you will be required to sign indemnities for any potentially hazardous activities.
Earth Tremors - as Chile lies above three moving tectonic plates, please be aware that earth tremors and earth quakes are fairly common in Chile. If you need to evacuate your hotel quickly, don’t forget to put on shoes, dress warmly & grab a bottle of water.
Pack for a Purpose - if you have a little space in your suitcase, local schools & communities always appreciate gifts of pens & pencils, stationery, deflated footballs etc. Specific requests from communities can be seen on the 'Pack for a Purpose' website.
Tipping – this is not compulsory, but if you would like to tip because you received good service, we suggest the following per adult:
- guides/drivers: Ps 6,000/Ps 3,000 = Ps 9,000 per day (can be reduced for longer stays).
- expedition cruise: $10 per day.
- waiters: 10% (if not already added to your bill).
- porters: Ps 900 per bag.
It is not necessary to tip drivers doing shorter transfers (eg to the airport).
Be aware that Americans generally tip twice the amount that British people do, so when in an environment geared to Americans (eg a Patagonia cruise) don’t feel obliged to tip the excessive amount often suggested.
Your Safety - consult the UK Foreign Office website for the latest travel advice www.fco.gov.uk.