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YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia 2022 Small Groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 13) 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. Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia 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 stepped into Rilan, a rural village nestled on Chile’s Chiloé Island, I felt an overwhelming sense of community—a small group bonded by their unique cultural identity as fiercely independent, seafaring people. You’ll see what I mean when you experience A Day in the Life here, including a visit to the home of a local artisan, where you’ll delve into local customs and see their craft firsthand in their workshop. You’ll also journey to the home of a local family to learn how to prep a traditional curanto, a stew consisting of typical local fare—shellfish, meat, potatoes, and vegetables—cooked in a hole in the ground lined with rocks. Patagonia is a region with a distinct cultural identity, including rugged gauchos (cowboys) living off the land in the foothills of the Andes. I was saddened to learn of the mistreatment that the Mapuche people--indigenous, agricultural people native to southern Chile and Argentina. In Bariloche, you’ll hear from a member of the Mapuche about their perspective on the persecution of the Mapuche people and their current relationship with the government. 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 8-16 travelers (average 13) 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 Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia 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 CHILE & ARGENTINA: ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: THE ANDES TO PATAGONIA CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE Your Adventure at a Glance: South American Culture ................. 81 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, and What’s Included ..................... 10 Shipping & More ........................ 86 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Agricultural Statement for Chile .......... 88 Optional Tours .......................... 34 Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 35 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 45 Argentina . 89 Dates & Prices ........................... 55 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 89 Argentina: A Brief History ................ 90 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Chile ................................... 91 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 56 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 91 No Visas Required ....................... 57 Chile: A Brief History ..................... 92 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 58 Brazil................................... 93 Vaccines Required ..................... .. 59 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 93 Yellow Fever Vaccination: Brazil: A Brief History .................... 94 Recommended for Iguassu Falls ONLY ..... 59 Peru.................................... 95 Money Matters: Local Currency & Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 95 Tipping Guidelines....................... 62 Peru: A Brief History ..................... 96 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 67 Optional Tours .......................... 67 RESOURCES Communicating with Home from Abroad . 68 Suggested Reading ...................... 98 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 70 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 72 Suggested Film & Video .................. 101 Electricity Abroad ....................... 74 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 77 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: 8-16 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 13)—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 16 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 reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper or a 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 Chile and Argentina. studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Witness the striking beauty of Perito Moreno Glacier ¦ũāĴŋƦŶĞāðāÖŶāłťÖŶĞÖŶāũĢŶŋmŋũāłŋFķÖóĢāũ 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Chile & Argentina adventure. 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? Let’s work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an donated $200 million worldwide. exclusive, immersive experience that places you in the heart of a community where you’ll meet By investing in the places we explore— various people where they live, work, and play; including local schools, cooperatives, or arts visit the neighborhood school; lend a hand with centers—we hope to give locals the skills and daily chores; and break bread with our hosts. confidence they need to become leaders of their generation and preserve their heritage This adventure includes A Day in the Life of for many years to come. We’re proud to play the Rilan community on Chiloé Island, a part in preserving precious locales like the where you’ll meet a local artisan who will Bryggen waterfront district of Bergen, a living delve into Rilan customs and then help a example of the glory days of the Hanseatic family prep a curanto—a stew cooked in the League, and supporting villages like Harmi in ground—before sharing this specialty during Estonia, whose once-struggling school is now a community lunch. a center of community life. HOME-HOSTED EXPERIENCES CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS Stories shared. Differences solved. Taste buds Every culture has its joys and achievements, engaged. Good will extended. It’s amazing