1] Travel Agent

I] CHARTER FLIGHTS DIRECTLY TO FUTALEUFU
This is the most spectacular, quickest and most enjoyable way to get to Futaleufú if your finances and the weather permit it. You will fly internationally to Santiago and then transfer to Puerto Montt, Chile. All charter flights depart from Puerto Montt. Charter flights are valued at $1,200.00 per flight for six seats. This flight travels directly over the Patagonian Andes to the village of Futaleufú. You will fly over some of the most inspiring scenery in Patagonia on your journey. Please call our office to arrange this option for your group.



II] ADVANCE PURCHASE OF BUS TICKETS for ARGENTINA AND CHILE.
Here it is!!

Buses in South America are much more luxurious and comfortable than buses most elsewhere. Seats are wide and comfortable. If you invest in the "Super Cama or Tutto Letto" service, the seats recline to a completely horizontal position and some even have internet. These seats are marginally more expensive and are worth it for the overnight trips. This is a great economical option for those with extra time who are looking to see the countryside and enjoy the adventure. You will see some beautiful landscapes during daylight hours in a style that surpasses first class air travel. Always watch you baggage in the capital city bus stations.

ARGENTINA:
The Estación Terminal de Omnibus, sometimes referred to as the Retiro Bus Station Av. Ramos Mejía 1680, is sprawling, enormous, but there is some order to it. They color code it by the region you are traveling to.

Overview:

Buenos Aires - Bariloche - Route
Sample Itineraries: There are many more buses and there may be small changes in the schedule from month to month but the buses stay fairly constant. You will have the exact time on you quote and on the purchased eticket. 20-hours $100-$150 USD IF you depart Buenos Aires Retiro bus station at or before 3 pm you can arrive in Bariloche in time to a connecting bus arriving in Esquel before 6 pm. This is just in time to grab a Remis (Long distance taxi) to the border with Chile before it closes.

Cama Suite (1st class) Super Luxury
dprt arrv
15:00 - 11:40, Via Bariloche (recommended as this bus connects to Esquel in time for same day trip pick up.)
19:30 - 15:15, Crucero del Norte (recommended connects to Esquel but not in time for trip pick up. Requires a night stay in Esquel or Trevelin.)  


Bariloche to Buenos Aires:
20-hours $100-$150 USD

Cama Suite (1st class) Super luxury
dprt arrv
15:10 - 11:35, Via Bariloche (recommended as this bus connect with the bus coming from Esquel)
15:15 - 10:20, Crucero del Norte (recommended as this bus connect with the bus coming from Esquel)


Bariloche - Esquel - Route
4.5-hours, $37 USD
Sample Itineraries: There may more buses and there may be small changes in the schedule from month to month but the buses stay fairly constant. You will have the exact time on you quote and on the purchased eticket.

Cama Ejecutivo (2nd class)
dprt arrv
11:45 - 16:15, El Rapido Argentino (recommended, arrives in time for the trip pick up in Esquel.)
13:43 - 18:01, Andesmar (recommended arrives in time for the trip pick up in Esquel)
15:00 - 19:35, Via Bariloche (Via Tac)
17:14 - 21:52, Andesmar (Tramat)
17:15 - 21:55, Don Otto
18:00 - 22:30, Mar y Valle (Via Bariloche)


Esquel-Bariloche

Cama Ejecutivo (2nd class)
dprt arrv
06:00 - 10:20, Don Otto
06:30 - 10:45, Mar y Valle (Via Bariloche)
08:00 - 12:38, Andesmar (Tramat)
09:30 - 14:30, Via Bariloche (Via Tac) Would need to sleep in Argentina the night before to catch this bus.
10:30 - 14:50, El Rapido Argentino (recommended we can have time after the border optens to get you to this bus)
12:00 - 16:15, Andesmar


Buenos Aires to Puerto Madryn:
17 hours overnight luxury bus from Buenos Aires.
We recommend the earliest morning arrival.


Puerto Madryn to Esquel:
9 hours overnight luxury bus.
We recommend the earliest morning arrival.


Advance purchase bus tickets Argentina.
Bus tickets are difficult to purchase in advance in Argentina. Web pages look good but often do not work as advertised. They only post their prices one month in advance. In Argentina the custom is to buy bus tickets a day or two before one's trip departs.


EXCHILE BUS AGENT E-TICKETS: We have the solution. You can buy a ticket in advance and have the electronic ticket sent to you by email from our licensed agent in Buenos Aires. We recommend Class 1 or Class 2 busses as both offer very comfortable service. Parts of Argentina may not be organized but they can write the book on creature comforts. If you want to make the reserve by filling out a form from this web page that is instantly recieved in Buenos Aires. Our agent will make a price quote and a reserve for you for the time and date you want by email. If the ticket is available for immediate purchase your email will have a link to the secure portion of their web page. You may enter your visa card and your electronic ticket will arrive in your email. Electronic tickets are not refundable.

* Argentine tradition with the bus companies is not to allow purchase of the tickets over a month before the trip. In the case you are trying to purchase the ticket before the new fares are introduced each month. Follow this proceedure. Make your reserve through the same form below, you will get the quote and reserve without the email link to the secure server for the visa card. Our agent will inform you by email, the day the new fares become available (which is usually 3-4 weeks before your bus departs). When you recieve that email follow the link and you can enter your visa card. The electronic ticket will be sent to you in your email shortly later.

For Bus Fares, Latest Schedules, reserves, and PURCHASE










See Purchasing a Bus Ticket Online E-Ticket You will need your credit card and passport number.
See Purchasing Airfare
See Important Transit Information

CHILE:
Santiago- Osorno- Puerto Montt: Tickets are easily purchased online with a visa card if you understand Spanish. You will receive an electronic ticket ready to print. This is by far the most organized bus company in South America. Departs every evening overnight bus arriving early the next morning in Puerto Montt. 14-hours, $150 USD top of the line bed. (This route is purchasable online) www.turbus.cl

Puerto Montt - Osorno - Futaleufu: This is a beautiful all day ride from Puerto Montt or Osorno over the Andes, through Argentina, direct to Futaleufu. If you have to travel from Chile to get to Futaleufu, this is the most economical and reliable route.
Typical Itinerary: 13.5 hours all day. Lunch provided. The bus operates 4 times a week. The schedules change slightly from month to month. Puerto Montt or Orsorno to Futaleufu is on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, Friday arriving in Futaleufu around 8 pm. The return Futaleufu to Osorno or Puerto Montt is on Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays. You arrive in time in Orsorno to catch an overnight bus to Santiago.

Advance Purchasing of this trip: go to the link: https://secure.exchile.com/applicationpayment.htm Enter under the trip name "Bus Osorno or Puerto Montt to Futaleufu, and the date of desired travel. Then enter your credit card.These bus tickets can be purchased from us online, for $60 usd. We will confirm with you before the credit card is processed. You will need to be at the Osorno Bus station before 7 am or in Puerto Montt before 6 am. Upon confirmation of your ticket we will let you know exactly where the bus pick up is in a obscure corner of the bus station. These are not huge busses and they often do not have large signs on them. Never count on getting these tickets on the day of Travel.



III] FERRY
Taking a ferry from Puerto Montt to either Chaiten or to Punta Arenas, is a scenic option. However, the service is inconsistent and the accommodations are tight and earthy. Certain ships can be comfortable and very fun. We recommend it only for those who have time and who are up for the adventure.

Big Ferries for vehicles with beds or seats for passengers, Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas or Puerto Montt to Laguna San Rafael :
Visit: www.navimag.com

Ferries for vehicles with seats for passengers for the route Puerto Montt to Chaiten via the fjords and the gravel hi-way Carreterra Austral:
Visit: www.transmarchilay.cl

Ferries for vehicles with seats for passengers from Puerto Montt or Chiloe to Chaiten: 
http://www.navieraustral.cl



IV] RENTAL CAR
We realize that many travelers enjoy a rental car and feel secure to have their own vehicle. Yet, this is not recommended in Patagonia. Roads are gravel and can be very hard on vehicles. Therefore, car rental is expensive. The distances between our destinations are also very great. Public transportation is very reliable and comfortable. We have circuit routes that we can recommend for rental car, but we do not suggest a car for getting to or from your trip destination.


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5. Visa Fees & Airport Taxes

Santiago: Please be aware that you are responsible for the one-time reciprocity visa fee of $131.00 USD, upon arrival at the Santiago International Airport ($159 for Canadians; $60 for Australians). The reciprocity fee is what US Customs charges Chileans when they enter the United States. It is good for the life of your passport. Other airport and exit taxes are usually included in your ticket. Check with your travel agent when you purchase it. If you enter Chile by land, via Argentina, at the Futaleufú border, you do not have to pay this fee.

See http://travel.state.gov/ for US entry requirements
See www.congechiletoronto.com for Canadian entry requirements.

Buenos Aires: At this time there is no reciprocity fee to enter Argentina; however, the Argentine government is considering enacting the same fee that Chile has enacted. Argentina is proposing a one-time reciprocity visa fee of $131.00 USD, upon arrival at the Buenos Aires International Airport ($159 for Canadians; $60 for Australians).

See http://www.travel.state.gov/ for US entry requirements



6. GROUP TRAVEL AND PRICES
Expediciones Chile has over twenty years of experience guiding adventure trips in Patagonia, Chile. During that time we have acquired many alliances in the travel industry. We recommend that if you have a large group, of ten or more, that you contact our office and travel agent to help you arrange the best possible itinerary and price available.



7. TRAVEL INSURANCE
The price of your trip does not include insurance for medical coverage, emergency evacuation or trip cancellation/disruption. Travel insurance is your choice and liability. We highly encourage you to purchase insurance for your trip to Futaleufú due to the remoteness of the area. The chance of altered flights or lost luggage is also higher. Additionally, evacuation and medical expenses in distant areas can easily exceed the basic coverage offered by many basic insurance plans. It is important that you check the details of your policy.

Travel insurance is mandatory for those traveling to Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares National Park (Fitz Roy). You will not be allowed to participate in these trips without proof of insurance. The details regarding proof of insurance is covered in our downloadable trip application. We will need to have a faxed copy of your policy at least 30 days prior to your departure to Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares.

There are many excellent companies offering this specific type of travel insurance. For the convenience of our guests, we have made it possible to purchase this travel insurance directly off the Expediciones Chile website from Travel Guard International. Click here to go to our Travel Insurance Page.



8. IMMUNIZATIONS
No immunizations are required at this time to enter Chile or Argentina. The standard recommended immunizations are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Check with the CDC for updates. (www.cdc.gov/)


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