Steppes Travel | Chile - Know before you go

Know Before You Go CHILE

Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit.

We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.

DID YOU KNOW? “Chile got its name from the native nomads that first occupied the land.

The meaning of the word Chile in native tongue means ‘Where the land Ends’.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long are the flights to Chile?

What about the altitude in Chile?

Flights route via Paris, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires or Madrid and vary in duration but the flying time is typically 17 hours. British Airways fly direct into Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires and team up well with onward flights to Santiago, Chile.

Most of Chile is at sea level but in San Pedro de Atacama you will find high altiplano varying from 2,000 – 4,500 metres and a visit to the El Tatio Geysers should not be attempted on your first full day of arrival. Some people experience symptoms, whilst others have none at all and we advise visiting or contacting your GP before travel if you have any concerns.

What is the time Zone in Chile?

Chile is 4 hours behind of GMT and does observe daylight-saving time in September and April.

Easter Island is 6 hours behind and also observes daylight-saving time.

What is the International dialling code for Chile? + 00 56.

Can I use my mobile phone in Chile?

What is the typical food and drink in Chile?

Seafood is very much on the menu in Chile due to its enormous coastline. Stew, mashed corn (humitas) and chicken pie also feature highly on the specials board. As with Peru, Pisco Sour is the national drink along with some fine Chilean wines.

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies and coverage is good.

We suggest checking with your network provider before travel. Please consider other guests when using your mobile phone. Phones are available at all hotels and restaurants, many of which have free Wi-Fi.

Are there any festivals I can see during my trip, or spend time with ‘real’ locals?

When is the rainy season in Chile?

Are there too many tourists, will I feel like a sheep?

Generally May to October sees the rainy season and during this time it is possible to ski in The Andes outside Santiago. The south is generally cold with high rainfall throughout the year. The far north has a slightly different climate receiving some rain from December to March.

With the extensive land mass Chile occupies there are many places to escape from the crowds and our guides will allow you to visit at quieter times and see things from a different angle.

What can I expect travelling in Chile?

What clothing should I take to Chile?

Travelling involves large distances due to the length of the country therefore flights route though the hub of Santiago regularly. Chile offers great food, fantastic wines and spectacular scenery.

How much luggage can I take?

International airlines mostly work on an allowance of 23kg for checked bags and 1 piece of hand luggage. Luggage allowance on internal flights is 20kg.

Do I need any immunisations or malaria tablets?

Again, the best person to speak to is your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner as the advice can change.

Generally the standard immunisations are required but this is a country where you need relatively few vaccines to travel to.

Do most hotels have hair dryers?

Yes, most hotels supply these in the rooms, or you can ask for a ‘secadora de pelo’ from reception.

Can I use my credit card?

Yes, most hotels and restaurants will accept credit cards for purchases. It is also wise to carry some cash for gratuities, US Dollars are gratefully received (crisp notes), and we suggest changing some money into Chilean Pesos. ATMs are available in most cities.

Most festivals are held to mark religious occasions to honour saints or the Virgin Mary and usually centre on dancing, music and parading the cross or a statue of Christ or a saint.

It is always best to pack light and while casual dress has become more acceptable in recent years, Latin Americans tend to devote great care to their clothes and appearance. A laundry service is available at most if not all hotels but when you are on the move quickly there is not always the time for laundry and you pay a premium for same day delivery.

Depending upon where you are travelling to in Chile this will dictate what is best to wear and you may find you need to pack for all eventualities weather wise. We find that a good fleece, waterproof jacket, layers and zip-off trousers work well for the chilly south and warm north. Shoes with ankle support such as hiking boots or cross trainers are also good for trekking.

Aside from clothing a high factor suncream, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, photocopy of your passport and swimming costume are good things to include.

Where can I find updates on the weather before my trip?

Worldwide weather information www.bbc.co.uk/weather

is

available:

www.onlineweather.com

or

LANGUAGE We feel that it is important to try to learn the official language, even if it is only the words for hello and goodbye, not forgetting thank you. Mapuche languages are also spoken in Chile, both Huilliche and Mapudungun which derive from Quechua.

ENGLISH

SPANISH

Hello (formally to one man/woman) Good afternoon Good evening How are you?

Fine, thanks Very well Goodbye Bye for now Please Thank you (very much) Yes/No Can I take a photo?

How much is it?

Do you speak English?

I (don’t)understand Excuse me

Buenos dias Buenos tardes Buenos noches ¿Cómo está?

Bien, gracias Muy bien Adios Hasta luego Por favor (Muchas) Gracias Si/No ¿Puedo sacar una foto? ¿Cuánto cuesta/cuánto es? ¿Usted habla inglés?

(No) entiendo Permiso

FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In association with the 'Know Before You Go’ campaign Steppes Travel are working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

VISA REQUIREMENTS

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Visas are not required for British Nationals to Chile for a stay up to 6 months.

Other nationals please check with the respective embassies or representatives.

For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can speak to our specialists or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.

Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required (unless otherwise specified by your consultant) although we are more than happy to advise, help and provide the relevant supporting documentation where necessary.

If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel support the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.

VACCINATIONS

HEALTH & SAFETY

There are few vaccinations required for Chile. We advise you to either check online at the Fit for Travel website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding ‘boosters’ for standard immunisations such as Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A.

Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website under Travellers Code.

Pre-existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.

AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION • • • •

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While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months.

Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points.

Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time.

Please advise if you have a special meal requests (fasting, vegetarian, medical, Muslim, baby food, etc…), while booking your flight or buying your ticket.

Food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside the hand baggage.

Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label in side of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached and lost.

Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage.

If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage.

Do not carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage.

For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.

SHELF IMPROVEMENT

ETIQUETTE & CULTURE

We have put together a small list of books that are set around Chile. Both fiction and nonfiction, they will help you establish an understanding and feel for the country.

Chile is probably the most westernised of the Latin America countries and there is very little indigenous influence left now, aside from around the Lake District and parts of Patagonia. Here you find the Mapuche, a group of indigenous inhabitants who fought off many attempts by the Inca Empire and make up some 9% of the entire Chilean population.

Author

Title

Nick Thorpe Pablo Neruda

Eight men and a duck The Essential Neruda:Selected Poems by Pablo Neruda The Voyage of The Beagle Desert Memories In Patagonia Against the Wall The Motorcycle Diaries The Last Cowboys at the End of the World:The Story of the Gauchos of Patagonia This thing of Darkness The House of Spirits The Story of a Death Foretold Clandestine in Chile Chile – Footprint guide A Companion to Easter Island (Guide to Rapa Nui)

Charles Darwin Ariel Dorfman Bruce Chatwin Simon Yates Che Guevara Nick Reading Harry Thompson Isabel Allende Oscar Guardiola-Rivera Gabriel Garcia Marquez Footprint Handbooks James Grant Peterkin

ELECTRICITY Electric current in Chile is 220V and generally the European plug with two circular metal pins is used.

Similarly to Argentina & Uruguay, Chile also has cowboys called Huaso’s. They are are an important part of Chilean folkloric culture and play an important role in fiestas and parades where the cueca dance sees the china/ Huansa being pursued by her husband.

Easter Island has a strong Polynesian influence and is incredibly remote being the south easternmost point of the Polynesian triangle. It holds a history of slavery, deforestation and the extinction of natural resources and wildlife, but today it still clings onto its heritage and what was once a thriving culture as noted with the Moai.

Outdoor adventure wear is perfectly acceptable however for churches you should show discretion as Chilean’s take pride in their appearance.

It is not advisable to take photos of airports, military, police or defence establishments and it is important to abide by any rules in churches and museums.

Please be aware that you are travelling in a country where services and transport structures are different from our own western viewpoints.

CLIMATE

FOOD & DRINK

It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially when at altitude.

Dehydration is also quite common and bottled water is available throughout Chile. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration and this also applies when at altitude.

Chile stretches over some 2,700 miles along the south-western coast of South America and has a huge variety of climes. To the north you have the highest driest desert in the world, central Chile is more temperate and where the wines are produced and to the south there is a sub-arctic climate. The month of May is when the rains arrive until October which of course on higher ground and further south turns to snow making Patagonia relatively inaccessible from June to August. Whilst this is true for most of the country, December to March in the north of the country is the wettest time.

We want your holiday to be unspoilt by food and drink related health problems, please…

• • • •

Avoid buffets in warm climates, and stick to dishes that have been freshly cooked and served, and not left hanging around in the warm.

Do not buy food from roadside stalls unless you have seen it cooked in front of you.

Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal is unbroken.

Make sure that all fruit and vegetables eaten raw, are washed in boiled or bottled water before eating.

MONEY The official currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (S/.) which is divided up into 100 centavos. US Dollars are also widely accepted in most commercial establishments and restaurants but local currency is best. ATM’s are commonplace in the main cities within Chile. To find the present, up to date currency rate of conversion for where you are travelling to, log on to: www.xe.com/ucc or use the XE app.

Credit cards International Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club are widely accepted throughout Chile but American Express less so. Before you leave home advise your credit card company that you will be heading abroad.

Tipping Tipping is not compulsory. If, however, you want to tip because you have received good service, below is a brief guideline to assist you Restaurants & Bars Hotels

Tour guides Taxi drivers Transfer driver/guides

10% tip is customary wherever a service charge is not included in the bill.

US$1 per day for cleaning staff and $0.50-$1 per bag for porters, 10% for room service if the service charge has not been added.

US$5-10 per person for a day of guiding, depending upon length of tour, type of guiding etc.

It is common to round up the total to be paid as a gratification for the driver.

US$8-15 per person per day (guides who also do the driving) plus private drivers the same – a long journey with only 1-2 passengers would warrant the higher tip.

Giving money Whilst the giving of money is a matter of personal preference or conscience, Steppes Travel feels that it is best to give a donation to a proper charitable entity, as opposed to freely giving cash to individuals.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host country, that doesn’t mean having fun is frowned upon. On the contrary, it is positively encouraged and because you’ll feel like you’re giving something back to the local people, wildlife and environment, you’ll have even more to smile about.

Our policy is that we endeavour: • •

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To work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit.

To support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives.

To encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect.

To take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most.

Our ‘responsible policy’ is not just limited to the destinations in which we operate.

Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.

In return we ask you: • • • •

•

•

To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange.

To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care.

To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers.

To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others.

You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return.

Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.

We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

British High Commission British Embassy in Chile Avendia El Bosque Norte 0125, Las Condes, Santiago Chile

0056 (2) 23404100

embsan@britemb.cl

0845 8502829

www.malariahotspots.co.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

The Visa Service

0870 8900185

www.cibtvisas.co.uk

Identity and Passport Service

0870 210410

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office

Heathrow Airport

0870 0002468

www.heathrowairport.com

Gatwick Airport

0870 0002468

www.gatwickairport.com

Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice Fit for travel

Passport and Visa requirements

Airports

Flights Airline information

www.airlinequality.com

Currency Currency converter

www.xe.com/ucc/

WHAT TO PACK You will have your own ideas from past experiences regarding your personal list of ‘utterly indispensables’ and favourite items, so the following are our suggestions to supplement your own packing list.

Important Stuff • • • • • •

Passport and photocopy (keep photocopies separate) Itinerary & Airline reference number Copy of insurance policy Credit cards/cash Emergency contact numbers International vaccination card where relevant (i.e Yellow Fever Certificate)

*Please keep your photocopies separate from your originals.

Clothing • • • • • • • • •

Base-layer: T-shirts and vests Outer-layer: wind/waterproof jacket Comfortable walking boots or trainers Long trousers suitable for walking. Pockets helpful 2/3 Long-sleeved shirts Wide-brimmed sun hat Socks / underwear Mid –layer: Fleece or jumper Walking sandals

Essentials • • • • • • • • • •

Soft bag between 45-70 litres 20-litre daypack, for keeping everyday items handy Field Guides/pocket language guide Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised Camera, memory cards, cleaning materials, spare batteries Diary, note pad, pens, reading material Torch with spare batteries and bulb Waterbottle – 1 ltr Camera Bag Wash-kit

Medical equipment • • • • • • •

Personal medical travel kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lens & cleaners Sunscreen

Please remember that the early mornings and evenings can be cool in the Andes, so please ensure you pack enough warm clothes.

USEFUL TRAVEL APPS

XE Currency Know how much you’re spending with live updates.

Google translate Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.

Evernote Food Document recipes you love as you travel.

Map My Walk Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.

Weather Pro

Pin Drop

Weather reports for up to two million locations.

Pin on a map to record locations you’ve discovered.

Flight Track

Travel Smart

Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.

Access to emergency services & health advice.

Prizmo

Trip Journal

A pocket scanner for all your important documents.

Tipulator Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.

Flashlight Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.

Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.

WhatsApp Messenger Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi

Viber International calls and messaging for free.

Packing Pro

Triposo

Packing suggestions based on your destination.

Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.

THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD

T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM