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When is the best time to go to Patagonia?
Most people visit Patagonia from December to February when the weather is driest, warmest and windiest. Some prefer the shoulder months of October, November, March and April when the temperatures decrease but so do the winds. During the winter months (May to September), many of the Patagonian trails are closed. [Back to Top]
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How far in advance should I book a Patagonia tour?
Like hotels the world over, the reservation system of Patagonia hotels and estancias is deposit-based. When planning a trip to Patagonia, keep in mind that the region's tourist season is short and its accommodations rustic, so hotel availability is always an issue. For this reason, we make the hotel reservations for our passengers as soon as we receive their deposit. Ample alternative accommodations can usually be found should a customer's first choice not be available. If planning a trip to Patagonia for the months of November through December, we recommend booking six to nine months in advance. For trips planned for the rest of the year booking three to six months is usually sufficient. We are sometimes able to accommodate last minute travelers. We recommend booking your tour before your international flight. [Back to Top]
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What can I expect on your Patagonia trips?
Patagonia is a beautiful, wild and unpredictable part of our planet. For lovers of the outdoors who are used to coping with the challenges of traveling in remote areas (and who have a keen sense of adventure and a flexible attitude) the rewards are plentiful. Our Patagonia guides are experienced English-speaking Southern Explorations representative. They are accompanied by Chilean horsemen known locally as baqueanos who manage the support horses that carry the extra equipment and gear on most trips. Our guests are in extremely capable hands. The leader ensures that the trip runs smoothly and that every guest's scenic and cultural experience is first class. With groups over a certain size, a dedicated chef comes along to prepare meals on some of our camping tours. On camping trips, guests typically set up their own tents. The roads can be bumpy and dusty, the weather can be notoriously unkind and some of the hiking and riding days will be long. Guests should be prepared for these eventualities in order to fully appreciate the sense of space, wild and untamed scenery and indelible life experiences that a trip of this nature offers. We're happy to discuss the Patagonia trips in more detail with you to help decide if they are a suitable vacation option for you. [Back to Top]
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Can I extend my stay?
Yes. We offer exciting half-day and full-day Santiago and Buenos Aires extension tours to add on to either end of our Patagonian trips. Both are sophisticated cities with a rich history, monumental architecture, beautiful parks, interesting museums, great shopping, markets and first-rate hotels and restaurants. We also offer Argentina extensions to Iguazu Falls and Argentina wine country. In addition, we offer half-day to five-day extensions in Chilean Patagonia including sea kayaking and cruises as well trip extensions into Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Descriptions of all trip extensions are listed on our website. If you would like to discuss the options or arrange an extension, please contact us. [Back to Top]
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How do I get to Patagonia?
Patagonia and its southern tip, Tierra del Fuego, span the countries of Chile and Argentina. All of our Chile Patagonia trips originate in the Patagonian city of Punta Arenas, which is reached from the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport of the capital, Santiago. Passengers on our Argentine Patagonian trips fly into Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires and from there take a flight to either Trelew or Ushuaia, depending on the trip. Most international flights arrive in Santiago and Buenos Aires in the morning so it is possible to fly to Patagonia the same day, though a stopover in either capital is well worth it. We suggest that guests arrive in Patagonia a day early to rest up before the start of the Southern Explorations tour. [Back to Top]
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Are your Patagonia trips suitable for children?
On our scheduled trips, we welcome families with children over the age of ten who have the stamina and attitude to complete a trip of this nature. We offer a family Patagonia vacation suitable for children five to fifteen with a flexible itinerary in and around Chile's premier national park, Torres del Paine National Park. The tour features turquoise lakes, sweeping mountain vistas, 150 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding and abundant wildlife. [Back to Top]
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What type of aircraft is used on domestic flights?
Most domestic carriers in Patagonia use Boeing 727s or similar jets that carry 80-120 passengers. [Back to Top]
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How do passengers get from one destination to another?
In Patagonia, we use a mix of private and public transportation to get travelers to their destinations safely and efficiently. This includes local air carriers, private vans and cars, comfortable tourist buses, boats, etc. [Back to Top]
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How much driving is involved on your Patagonia tours?
It depends on the destination. Patagonia is a vast area, so some long travel days of 5-6 hours can be expected. This is especially true on trips that visit both Argentina and Chile. More common are short drives of around an hour to enter a park or to visit a highlight of the trip. [Back to Top]
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When do passengers meet the guide on your Patagonia tours?
On the first day of our Patagonia tours, the guide meets the tour participants at their hotel around 6pm to discuss the trip and answer questions. The group then usually goes out for dinner to get acquainted and talk about the days ahead. For guests arriving late, information is left at the front desk of the hotel. The group normally sets off at around 9 AM the following morning in a private transfer vehicle. For custom trips, a meeting point is pre-arranged. [Back to Top]
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What are the hotel accommodations like in Patagonia?
At some locations, we stay at ranches, called estancias, that dot the Patagonian landscape. Some are working estancias, and some have been converted to lodgings. The working estancias offer a family-stay environment with clean and comfortable facilities. All are uniquely situated, and most have extraordinary views. Cattle and sheep are farmed and horses will be seen in a working environment. In converted estancias and hosterias, such as at Estancia Lazo, Hosteria Las Torres, Hosteria el Pionero, and Cerro Castillo, the accommodations are comfortable twin shares with en suite facilities. Some trips also visit locations with upscale accommodations that are luxurious. [Back to Top]
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What are the tents like on your Patagonia camping trips?
We use comfortable three-person tents that are roomy and able to withstand the sometimes high Patagonian winds. Accommodation is based on twin-share. [Back to Top]
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What is a Refugio?
Found in Patagonia, refugios are wooden generator-powered mountain cabins were built to minimize environmental impacts while ensuring guests a place to sleep in remote areas. They sleep guests in a shared bunk style accommodation. Supplies are usually delivered to the refugios by horse or boat. Meals are served in the convivial dining area, and packed lunches can be prepared on request. Most also offer camping facilities, and it's possible to eat in the refugio while using the campsite. [Back to Top]
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When camping in Patagonia, are showers available?
Most camping locations and refugios have showers. Hot water isn't an every-day occurrence but most days. [Back to Top]
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What are the meals like in Patagonia?
In hotels, estancias and hosterias, meals are eaten in the restaurant or with the establishment's family. Dinner consists of beef, chicken, lamb or salmon with fresh vegetables or salad accompanied by rice or potatoes. Patagonia's estancias are well known for their quality restaurants where both native and international dishes are found on the menu. Wine and beer are available at a reasonable cost throughout the trip. The restaurants in the refugios (shelters) offer wholesome food including vegetarian fare. Breakfast includes toast, coffee, cereal, ham, cheese, bread rolls and juice and occasionally eggs. When camping in Patagonia, all meals are prepared for our guests. Breakfast normally consists of hot and cold cereals, toast, jams, marmalade, coffee, tea and juice. Sometimes a cooked breakfast is served. Lunches, consisting of sandwiches (e.g. tuna, cheese, ham, peanut butter, salami), fresh fruit, trail mix, chocolate, biscuits, snacks, etc., are prepared for the guests and carried in saddlebags, backpacks or dry bags, depending on the location. Dinners are varied and wholesome and include fresh salmon and local fish, chicken, beef, lamb, pasta, salad and some local dishes. Local wine (not included in tour fee) is served every night. A dining tent accompanies the group, although sometimes we choose to eat in a refugio or around the campfire (weather permitting). Where possible, vehicle support is arranged to replenish supplies of bread, salad and fresh fruit. [Back to Top]
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How is water supplied on Patagonia camping trips?
Patagonia is our only destination where we recommend drinking the natural water. In the region's wilderness areas we use local water supplies from rivers, streams and lakes. This water is clean and pure and about as close to the source as possible. None of our guests have ever had any problems drinking this water. For hiking, we treat and boil water each day for our travelers' daily drinking supply. Water is always available at camp and from rivers and streams en route. To passengers who don't feel confident drinking in this fashion, we recommend bringing a personal supply of iodine drops (and the taste inhibitors that are sold with them), as it is impossible to carry an alternative source of water. [Back to Top]
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How physically fit do you need to be to enjoy a Patagonia trip?
The fitness level depends on the activity.
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Hiking
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The type of hiking depends on the itinerary, but generally speaking our trips are considered moderate to challenging. The only trip requiring a greater level of fitness is the Circuit owing to the nature of the trail crossing the pass where travelers must carry their own backpacks for two days. Feel free to discuss fitness or suitability issues with us at any time.
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Kayaking Experience for Multi-Sport trip
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The kayaking is essentially a downriver float although in the case of high winds and bad weather passengers should expect to work quite hard. No previous experience is necessary, and there is a full safety and instruction briefing prior to boarding the kayaks. This trip is suited to the open-minded traveler with a flexible attitude and good sense of humor, and those who are comfortable around water.
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Riding Experience (multi-sport)
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For their own comfort and enjoyment, riders should be reasonably confident at a walk, trot, and canter. We can provide willing horses to experienced riders who like to go at a faster pace. The horses are all extremely kind to the more novice riders. All riders (but especially novices) would benefit from getting ‘riding fit' before coming here. A few tough, one-hour lessons with lots of trotting immediately before traveling would be a good idea. [Back to Top]
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I've heard Patagonia is very remote. What if I have a medical emergency?
Our trips enter into some pristine wilderness areas. There are small hospitals in the Patagonia region, some with 24-hour medical assistance that can deal with minor injuries and illnesses. In the rare event of an accident or broken bone, guests would have to evacuated from the wilderness areas (probably by horse) to continue on the long drive out. Helicopters are available for emergencies but cannot fly during high winds. All of our guides carry extensive first aid equipment for dealing with minor injuries and incidents. Any guest with a medical condition or using medication should discuss this with us prior to travel. [Back to Top]
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How much should I budget for a trip to Patagonia beyond the tour fee and international airfare?
In the past few years, the improving Argentine economy, the revaluation of the Chilean peso and inflation in the tourist sector has increased travel costs in these countries substantially. Though Patagonia is no longer as inexpensive as it once was, by US standards, it is still a bargain.
Allow $10US - $15US per meal for additional meals not included in trip price;
$60US - $150US for tips
$138US for arrival and departure taxes (Chile)
$50 departure taxes (Argentina)
The markets can be a shopper's paradise. Budget according to your tastes. [Back to Top]
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What is phone service like in Patagonia?
Cell phone coverage in Patagonia is very limited. The estancias have radios for emergencies, and some are equipped with satellite phones. [Back to Top]
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How does one handle laundry in Patagonia?
Some of the Patagonian hiking trips are true 'wilderness' style experiences with only a river or lake for washing. Some locations have washing facilities where guests may do laundry. Passengers should bring biodegradable soap for hand-washing their clothes. [Back to Top]
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