Overseas Adventure Travel®
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YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® Antarctica’s White Wilderness 2022 Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. Antarctica’s White Wilderness itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: When I think about Antarctica, I imagine fearless explorers embarking on an adventure to the bottom of the world, a frozen tundra that is home to some of the world’s heariest creatures. You’ll see what I mean when you journey to this remote continenent and witness its striking landscapes rife with wildlife, from Weddell seals to myriad species of penguins. When you embark on your expedition through the Beagle Channel for the Drake Passage, you’ll meet your Expedition Team, an enthusiastic group of explorers, researchers, and naturalists, many of whom travel to the Antarctic every year. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about topics such as local wildlife, Antarctic history, and the conservation efforts that are being made to preserve the pure beauty of Antarctica from these experts. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 20-25 travelers (average 22) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can. To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests. So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your Antarctica’s White Wilderness adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925. Love and peace, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking. USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ................................................6 Grand Circle Foundation...................................................................8 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................9 ANTARCTICA’S WHITE WILDERNESS Ship Specifications ...................... 75 Your Adventure at a Glance: ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: Where You’re Going, What it Costs, CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE and What’s Included ..................... 10 Argentinian and Antarctic Culture ......... 76 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Travel in South America .................. 80 Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 23 Responsible Travel in Antarctica .......... 81 Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 33 Buenos Aires in Brief ..................... 83 Deck Plans .............................. 41 Rio de Janeiro in Brief.................... 85 Dates & Prices ........................... 43 Santiago in Brief......................... 85 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 44 Shipping & More ........................ 86 No Visas Required ....................... 44 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Special Forms Required for Antarctic Cruise . 45 Argentina . 89 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 47 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 89 Vaccines Required ....................... 48 Argentina: A Brief History ................ 90 Malaria: Not Present ..................... 49 Antarctica............................... 91 Money Matters: Local Currency & Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 91 Tipping Guidelines....................... 52 Antarctica: A Brief History . 91 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 57 Chile ................................... 92 Optional Tours .......................... 58 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 92 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 59 Chile: A Brief History ..................... 93 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 60 Brazil................................... 94 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 62 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 94 Electricity Abroad ....................... 66 Brazil: A Brief History .................... 95 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 68 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, RESOURCES Dining & Services on Board ............... 73 Suggested Reading ...................... 97 M/V Corinthian........................ 73 Suggested Film & Video .................. 99 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 103 Notes.................................................................................. 104 Map ................................................................................... 107 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Antarctica This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 22-25 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 22)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 25 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are visiting, hospitality. so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the stories, food, OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES customs, hidden treasures and more. With 36 regional offices around the world, we are perfectly poised to leverage our local AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS relationships to deliver an excellent experience Engage with local people through visits to and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ by our team in Buenos Aires. studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Explore the glacial waters of Antarctica in a Zodiac Witness the pure beauty of Antarctica's icebergs 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. Experience what sets O.A.T. apart. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT A DAY IN THE LIFE GCF was established in 1992 to help change Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like people’s lives in the world where we live, to live here?” when you visit new lands? work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or Let’s find out during your O.A.T. A Day in donated $200 million worldwide. the Life, an exclusive, immersive experience that places you in the heart of a community By investing in the places we explore— where you’ll meet various people where they including local schools, cooperatives, or arts live, work, and play; visit the neighborhood centers—we hope to give locals the skills and school; lend a hand with daily chores; and confidence they need to become leaders of break bread with our hosts. their generation and preserve their heritage for many years to come. We’re proud to play Perhaps you’ll join a local resident or a part in preserving precious locales like the community leader for a guided walk through Bryggen waterfront district of Bergen, a living the town, visit a market, or enjoy a unique example of the glory days of the Hanseatic opportunity to meet teachers and students at League, and supporting villages like Harmi in a local school if school is in session. Estonia, whose once-struggling school is now a center of community life. HOME-HOSTED EXPERIENCES Stories shared. Differences solved. Taste buds CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS engaged. Good will extended. It’s amazing the Every culture has its joys and achievements, things that can happen across a kitchen table, and we celebrate them all. But every