Expediciones Chile Travel Information updated Nov 1, 2008.

1. How to prepare before you depart
2. What to do Upon Arrival to the International Airport
3. Flight Connections – Airport Information
4. Unexpected Travel Complications
_____-Lost Baggage
_____-Cancelled/Missed Flight
5. Overnight Stay Lodging
6. Money

1. How to prepare before you depart.

1. Read this entire page then print it.

2. Print the trip sign up checklist to make sure you have completed every step. Click Here>>

3. Print your packing list appropriate for you trip. Click Here>>

If you have a cell phone activate it for use in Argentina. You will have easy access to our office, and your travel agent that you purchased your ticket from if you encounter any problems. Your cell phone will make it easy to call you back with information to help solve your challenges. You can call any of the numbers below in Chile or the USA.

EXCHILE EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS WHILE IN ROUTE:
cc= country code ac= area code
EXCHILE in Sun Valley Idaho: cc(+1) 888.488.9082 or +(1) 208.629.5032
Operations in Chile: cc (+56) ac (65) 562.639 (Call 24/7)
Operations in Chile: cc (+56) ac (65) 721.386
Operations Via Skype – speexchile - Cyber cafés in Argentina and Chile have Skype installed on their computers.
Air Ticket Problems: Gilda at cc(+1).305.321.0474 (Call 24/7) Skype: gilda.gutierrez
EXTRA EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR TORRES DEL PAINE
PICK UP Puerto Natales (Cascada) cc(+56) ac(61) 414.442 (Call 24/7)

2. What to do Upon Arrival to the International Airport

Arrival into Buenos Aires, Argentina:

In flight, you must fill out all necessary customs and visa forms and bring them to the customs counter in the airport. After they are stamped you will go to where your baggage will be waiting for you. As of December 2008 there are no fees, however, you will be asked to pay a new reciprocal visa fee that has a proposed activation date of Jan 1, 2009 (The fees are: $134USD for Americans; $159 - Canadians; $60 - Australians).

There is a money exchange booth in the baggage terminal, where we recommend exchanging some money. However, we only recommend taking out the cash you expect to use on your way to/from Futaleufu. The Futaleufu bank will not exchange Argentine pesos to Chilean pesos.

From the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE - Ezeiza,), you will transfer by bus or taxi (~$10, ~$35 USD respectively; 50 mins.) to the national airport (AEP - Aeroparque). Three hours are required between international and national flights. Before purchasing a bus transfer ticket between airports, check which of the three bus companies will depart the earliest. If you arrive late or are feeling a little hesitant about the bus option, we strongly suggest taking a taxi. They are usually 15 minutes faster and involve little hassle. From the national airport, you will fly to your next destination, either Bariloche or Esquel, Argentina. Jets are available twelve times each day to Bariloche, Argentina (San Carlos de Bariloche). There are very limited flights to Esquel in the 2008/2009 season.

*** Buenos Aires Argentina is temporarily one hour ahead of the Bariloche and Esquel, Argentina and the entire country of Chile. This is not because they are in different time zones. This is because in October the provincial governments did not agree to Argentina's Central governments plan for daylight saving times for the entire country. We have never had different times within Argentina before this disagreement. This is scheduled to be effective Oct 22, 2008 to Mar 14, 2008. Check with our office or look at this page for the update shortly before you fly, the Argentina government could change and coordinate their country times before your trip.

Arrival into Santiago, Chile:

In flight, you will fill out all necessary customs forms. Once you arrive, you will go through customs in the airport. There is a visa fee that is required of all travelers arriving to Chile from the USA, Canada or Australia.

Visa Fees (As of 1 Dec, 2008):
USA: $131 USD
Canada: $159 USD
Australia: $56 USD

After making payment, the forms and your passport will get you through to where your baggage will be waiting for you. There are money exchange booths in the terminal. We recommend immediately exchanging your money here. It is the most convenient and at a competitive rate.

From Santiago, you will continue on to Puerto Montt or Punta Arenas, Chile through the same international airport as you just arrived in. 1.5-hours are needed to make a legal connection between the arrival of your international flight into Santiago and the departure of your national flight.


3. Flight Connections – Airport Information

Bariloche Airport
Here, you will need to pick up your luggage and clear the departure customs in Argentina before entering the main lobby and the front entrance doors. An ExChile representative will be waiting for you at 2:30 pm. You will depart at 2:45 to 3:00 pm. The driver will pick you up and drive you to the border of Argentina-Chile (5.5 hours). Upon clearing customs in Chile, you will then be transported 10 kilometers to Futaleufu. If you have do not see anyone waiting for you at the specified time or if you don’t arrive on schedule, immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office)

Esquel Airport or Bus Station
Esquel is our main trip pick up point. Upon arrival in Esquel, an ExChile representative will be waiting for you. The driver will pick you up and drive you to the border of Argentina-Chile (2 hours). Here, you will need to go through departure customs in Argentina and then walk 100m before entering and clearing customs in Chile. You will then be transported 10 kilometers to Futaleufu. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems, no one is waiting, or if you don’t arrive on schedule. If you are arriving by bus into Esquel, make sure that the ExChile office has been informed of your travel plans and arrival time.

Puerto Montt Airport
It is always recommened to spend Friday night in Puerto Montt, so you are ready to fly at any moment on Saturday. The exact departure time of your shared charter is dependent on local weather conditions and scheduling issues, we will inform you of the departure time Friday evening. If you are not spending the night in Puerto Montt, you must check with our main office well before your trip that your flight arrives early enough to make the connection to the flight over the Andes to Futaleufu/Palena airport.

IF you arrive on Friday night, collect your bags, depart the baggage area and take a cab to your hotel. Call our office and confirm your flight time for Saturday morning. If you have called our office they we can arrange for someone to pick you up from your hotel Saturday morning. If you are arriving early enough on Saturday morning to connect to the shared charter ensure that the ExChile office staff has been informed of your arrival time, so they can arrange for a representative to meet you at the airport. If you are arriving by bus go direct to the airline office in downtown Puerto Montt. Cielo Mar Austral, Quillota 245 Local 1 (Off of the street Benavente in front of a gas station YPF) IF you need to call direct to the airline office for any reason Phone: ac(65) 264-010 cell ac(09) 443 -740. From a pay phone, our Exchile office is a local call from this airport and shares the same area code as Puerto Montt (65).

Futaleufu/Palena Airport
Once you arrive at the Futaleufu/Palena airport, an ExChile staff member will pick you up and drive you to Futaleufu. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time.

Punta Arenas Airport
(Gateway to Torres del Paine trips) nce you arrive in Punta Arenas, get your luggage and look for our representative. Identify yourself with name and passport and inform them that you are traveling with Cascada/Expediciones Chile.

Trips start at 12:00 p.m. at the airport. The first flight from Santiago usually arrives at 11:50 a.m. in Punta Arenas. If you are arriving after 1:00 p.m., you will have to arrange a private shuttle to the park or arrive the day prior to the trip.
If you run into problems along your journey, call our Puerto Natales office and continue on. We will be expecting you and will help you sort out any confusion upon arrival.

Valdivia Airport
(Gateway to our Safari trips) Upon arrival in Valdivia, an ExChile staff member will pick you up and you will be united with your safari trip group. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time. Your trip starts an hour away from Valdivia’s airport in Panguipulli.


4. Unexpected Travel Complications

Lost Luggage

If at any point during your travels you realize that your luggage has been lost, immediately report the issue to the airline. It is their duty to make sure your baggage gets to your final destination, even if they have to additionally transport it by land. GET A RECIPT TO SHOW THAT YOU HAVE REPORTED THE LOST BAG. However, if you think you will miss your next flight or next transport segment by reporting it, push on. The connecting flight is more important than your baggage, as there are limited daily flights with limited space. Our staff at ExChile will track your luggage as soon as you inform us, if you are not able to report it immediately. Your connecting flight takes priority.

Cancelled/Missed Flight

Remember to tell the airline about your trip pickup time. Insist they get you on the next flight that will makes your pickup. It also helps when flying home to let the airline know that you have an international connection. IF they have delayed the flight, they will usually bend over backwards to solve your problems knowing that you have further connections.

This is a good time to know that you have travel insurance that will cover the additional costs to catch you up to our trip pick up point.

Bariloche:
There are many flights each day to Bariloche on both Aerolineas Argentina and LAN airlines. Go to the ticket counters to reserve a seat on the soonest departure possible.

If your party will not make it in time for the Saturday shuttle from Bariloche to Futaleufu, we can schedule a private vehicle. This will cost $350 USD per vehicle (3-passenger maximum). If you will not make it to the border (5-hours) by the time it closes, we recommend taking this vehicle to a small lodge near the border in the charming town of Trevelin.

If you inform our office, we will make a reservation for you to stay there. You can then cross the border first thing in the morning and not miss a day of activity.

To Puerto Montt /Futaleufu Palena:
If you miss your flights coming in through Chile and miss your connection from Puerto Montt to Futaleufu/Palena it is very problematic. There is only one flight a week on Saturdays. We urge all to arrive on Friday night in Puerto Montt and spend the night. If you miss your flight on Friday immediately go to the counter to research the next departure. Also, if possible, inform our office.

To Esquel:
If your original flight was from Buenos Aires to Esquel, begin to look into flights to Bariloche (as there are 12 per day, as opposed to 3 per week).

Attempt to be in Bariloche by 2:30 p.m. in time for the ExChile shuttle to Futaleufu. If you cannot make it, ExChile will help you arrange private transport. This may cost up to $350 USD per vehicle (3-passenger maximum) if we cannot delay the vehicle planning to pick you up.

If you do not make it to the border (5-hours) by the time it closes, we recommend taking this vehicle to a small lodge called Casa Verde near the border in the charming town of Trevelin. If you inform our office, we will make a reservation for you to stay there. You can then cross the border first thing in the morning and not miss a day of activity. See Overnight Stay below.

To Santiago / To Buenos Aires:
If you miss your international flight, immediately go to the counter to research the next departure. Also, if possible, inform our office so that we can work on the issue with you. We will also be able to work on changing your connecting flights.

Expediciones Chile is not financially responsible for your travel complications getting to or from us, but we will be relentless allies in offering our services to correct any issues that may arrive. See Emergency Contact Numbers above. If you are concerned, we highly recommend Travel Insurance.


5. Overnight Stay

If you will be staying overnight along your route (expectedly or unexpectedly), please inform ExChile so we can help you make arrangements to continue on to Futaleufu.

If you have to unexpected stay overnight due to travel complications, please view a few of our suggestions below. This information will also be helpful in case you have to find lodging last minute. ns below. This information will also be helpful in case you have to find lodging last minute.

Lodgin & Hotel Reservations >>

6. Money

Due to the recent global fluctuations of currencies it is hard to predict the exact value of the Argentina and Chilean peso, but generally real dollar costs have increased substantially in both countries the past few years. They are no longer as inexpensive as years ago. The national currency in Argentina is the Argentine Peso Click here Currency Converter Argentina >> In Chile the Chilean Peso Click here Currency Converter Chile >>

We recommend exchanging cash as soon as you arrive to the international airport, as it is most convenient. When you arrive in Argentina it is possible to pay for almost everything with US dollars, which is very different from the situation in Chile, which is why we recommend purchasing Chilean pesos before arriving to Futaleufu. In more remote towns, it is more difficult to find banks and ATMs. Bank hours in Futaleufu are usually from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Futaleufu bank will not exchange Argentine pesos to Chilean pesos. Futaleufu was recently equipped with its first ATM machine. This ATM is only compatible with Mastercard or Cirrus. Therefore, you will not be able to take out cash if you only have Visa. US Dollars (only - not Argentine Pesos) can be exchanged at the bank in town for Chilean Pesos. Several stores and restaurants, including ExChile, do accept both Visa, Mastercard. Travelers checks are not recommended.

US Dollars – Foreign Currency
US dollars, Argentine pesos and all other foreign currencies are not accepted at businesses in Futaleufú. Beware: The bank will not exchange US Dollars with even minor tears or markings. Exchile will accept dollars in reasonable condition.

Sample Futaleufú Prices:
Coffee at café: 1.200 pesos (~$2.50)
Bottle of wine: 2.000 pesos (~$4.00)
Piece of fruit: 200 pesos ($.40)
Pastry: 250 pesos ($.50)

Tipping
Although it is at the discretion of the customer, it is customary to tip about 10% in restaurants where you are served a meal, not just a quick coffee or snack. Taxi drivers between airports do not expect tips, Taxi drivers from Airports to our trip pick up point are upaid by our office if you have prepaid exchile for this service. In this case they are not expecting a tip from you.

Depending on your trip and route, please take this information into consideration when planning payment.