YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords 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. The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords 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: As I set foot on the ice fields of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, I stood humbled by the pristine beauty of this 200-foot natural wonder and closed my eyes to listen. A thunderous noise in the distance broke the silence of this peaceful place as smaller icebergs broke off from the glacier—a process known as “calving.” While I’ll never forget the natural splendors that I witnessed in Patagonia, it was the Chilean and Argentinian people who left the biggest impression. You’ll have a chance to meet them, too, when you join a local family for a home-cooked meal and an evening of good conversation at their home in Buenos Aires. You’ll also hear the dramatic personal experience of someone who lived through the “Dirty War,” a dark chapter of Argentinian history from 1973 to 1985 during which thousands of Argentinians disappeared or were killed during the country’s last dictatorship, when you meet a local resident at a cafe in Buenos Aires. Take this opportunity to ask about their hopes for a brighter future. 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 The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords 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 THE WILDERNESS BEYOND: ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: PATAGONIA, TIERRA DEL FUEGO CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE & THE CHILEAN FJORDS Argentina Culture ....................... 78 Your Adventure at a Glance: Chile Culture ............................ 78 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, and What’s Included ..................... 10 Travel in South America .................. 82 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More ........................ 83 Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 31 Agricultural Statement for Chile .......... 85 Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 40 Deck Plans .............................. 49 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Dates & Prices ........................... 51 Argentina . 86 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 86 Argentina: A Brief History ................ 87 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 52 Chile ................................... 88 No Visas Required ....................... 52 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 88 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 54 Chile: A Brief History ..................... 89 Vaccines Required ..................... .. 55 Uruguay ................................ 90 Yellow Fever Vaccination: Recommended for Iguassu Falls ONLY ..... 55 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 90 Money Matters: Local Currency & Uruguay: A Brief History ................. 90 Tipping Guidelines....................... 58 Brazil................................... 97 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 62 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 97 Optional Tours .......................... 62 Brazil: A Brief History .................... 98 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 63 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 65 RESOURCES Suggested Packing Lists .................. 67 Suggested Reading ...................... 100 70 Electricity Abroad ....................... Suggested Film & Video .................. 102 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 72 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services on Board ............... 76 M/V Stella Australis & M/V Ventus Australis.... 76 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 105 Notes.................................................................................. 106 Map ................................................................................... 111 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Chile & Argentina 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: 20-25 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 beauty of the Chilean Fjords Savor a Home-Hosted meal with a local Argentinian family 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your The Wilderness Beyond adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT have lost a friend or a family member under GCF was established in 1992 to help change the regime. people’s lives in the world where we live, A DAY IN THE LIFE work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like donated $200 million worldwide. to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s By investing in the places we explore— find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an including local schools, cooperatives, or arts exclusive, immersive experience that places centers—we hope to give locals the skills and you in the heart of a community where you’ll confidence they need to become leaders of meet various people where they live, work, their generation and preserve their heritage and play; visit the neighborhood school; lend a for many years to come. We’re proud to play hand with daily chores; and break bread with a part in preserving precious locales like the our hosts. Bryggen waterfront district of Bergen, a living Perhaps you’ll join a local resident or example of the glory days of the Hanseatic community leader for a guided walk through League, and supporting villages like Harmi in the town, visit a market, or enjoy a unique Estonia, whose once-struggling school is now opportunity