Transport

6 road transfers with private driver.
Excursions in the Atacama Desert with private driver-guide.
4 regional flights of 2-4 hours each.

Accommodation

All hotels are of a very comfortable mid-range and upper mid-range standard, with on-site restaurant facilities.
In Torres del Paine, your hotel is in the heart of the National Park.
Please see the itinerary for more details.

Meals

Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner.

Guides

We carefully select our local partners; their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.

Summary Of Nights

13 days, 12 nights: Vineyard (2), Atacama (4), Torres del Paine (4). 2 further positioning nights are spent at a hotel within walking distance of Santiago’s airport terminal.

Daily Spend

A guideline budget of around £40 per person per day should cover the cost of meals and drinks not included in the holiday itinerary. Extra are relatively expensive in Torres del Paine due to its remoteness.

How To Take It

Cards are widely accepted in Chile and most towns have a cash machine (ATM) for withdrawing local currency. . In most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, you should not rely on plastic as your only source of funds in case your card gets blocked or just doesn’t work in the local ATM.

We therefore also recommend taking a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which can come in very handy in when you are unable to use a card or get hold of local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. We don’t recommend taking Sterling, as the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available.

In Chile, we recommend paying for your extras at hotels (including hotel restaurant bills) with US$ cash or by credit card. Such transactions are usually exempt of IVA (sales tax).

Recommended Tipping

Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.

Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.

Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Chile’s authorities currently require visitors to have travel insurance with coverage for all expenses associated with Covid-19.

Journey Latin America’s recommended insurance company is Campbell Irvine, and their medical and repatriation cover is handled by International Medical Assistance.

Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.

Airport Taxes

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket, and prepaid on regional flights in Chile.

Journey Grade

Generally this holiday is suitable for all able, reasonably fit visitors, including families. If you have a disability or special requirements, please call us.

You will be staying at an altitude of over 2,400m and visiting locations over 4,000m above sea level (Tatio Geysers). Local guides can advise you about precautions against any ill effects generated by the thin air at altitude; most people only feel a little breathless. (See “Altitude” paragraph below).

Climate

In the Santiago area expect a Mediterranean type climate. In February temperatures range between 28°C and 35°C and there’s a good deal of sunshine.

The Atacama Desert is hot (18-30°C) though temperatures fall substantially at night when it is clear and mornings are chilly. In Jan-Mar the region can be susceptible to heavy rains coming from the Bolivian Andes.

The weather in southern Patagonia is notoriously unpredictable throughout the year. In the ‘season’, from October to March, there may be everything from a blizzard to a heat wave. Strong winds and rain are possible at any time and it can get extremely cold.

Altitude

Your stay in San Pedro de Atacama in the Andes is at high altitude (2,407m). A small minority of visitors may suffer temporarily from altitude sickness. Symptoms vary; most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two, speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes. Most people are unaffected and if you drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol) in the first couple of days after arrival, you will minimise your chances of suffering any symptoms. Tatio geysers, at 4,320m, are at the highest location you will visit on this holiday.

Clothes And Special Equipment

For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both warm clothing and a sun hat are essential, and a light fleece jacket and a Gore-Tex (or similar) outer shell makes a good combination. Trousers, skirts or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. If you plan to eat in smart restaurants in Santiago, something a little more formal would be appropriate. Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring umbrella, insect repellent, sun block and sun glasses. You might take swimwear for a dip in the hot springs.

Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in South America.

Vaccination

Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.

You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.

Visas

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.

If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.