Chile & Argentina
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Discover South America: Chile & Argentina LAND TOUR Plus optional extensions in: Peru: Machu Picchu, Cuzco & Lima; Brazil’s Iguassu Falls & Rio de Janeiro 2015 GCT RSA 2015 08/03/15 2 Grand Circle Travel Discover South America: Chile & Argentina Table of Contents 1. PASSPORT, VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 5 Passport Required .................................................................................................................................... 5 Visa Required for Brazil Extension Only ................................................................................................ 6 Reciprocity Fee for Argentina ................................................................................................................. 6 Traveling Without a U.S. Passport? ......................................................................................................... 7 Backup Photocopies ................................................................................................................................. 7 2. YOUR HEALTH ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Keep Your Abilities In Mind ................................................................................................................... 8 Health Check ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Vaccinations............................................................................................................................................. 9 Yellow Fever Vaccination—Suggested for Brazil ONLY ................................................................. 9 Prescription Medications ....................................................................................................................... 10 Staying Healthy on This trip .................................................................................................................. 10 High Altitude —Peru Extension ....................................................................................................... 10 3. LUGGAGE REGULATIONS & AIR TRAVEL ............................................................................... 11 Luggage Limits ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Luggage Suggestions ............................................................................................................................. 12 Airport Security/TSA ............................................................................................................................. 12 Air Inclusive Travelers .......................................................................................................................... 13 Agricultural Statement for Chile ............................................................................................................ 14 Airport Transfers .................................................................................................................................... 14 4. MONEY MATTERS ............................................................................................................................ 15 How to Carry Your Money .................................................................................................................... 15 Local Currency ...................................................................................................................................... 15 ATMs ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 Credit Cards ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Optional Tour Payments ................................................................................................................... 17 Shopping ................................................................................................................................................ 18 U.S. Customs Regulations and Shipping Charges ................................................................................. 20 Problem with a Purchase? ...................................................................................................................... 20 Tipping Guidelines ................................................................................................................................ 21 5. PACKING FOR YOUR TRIP ............................................................................................................. 22 For This Trip .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Packing Your Carry-On ......................................................................................................................... 22 Travel Gear Ideas ................................................................................................................................... 23 6. REGIONAL CLIMATE INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 25 Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere ................................................................................................ 25 Main Trip .......................................................................................................................................... 25 Optional Extensions .......................................................................................................................... 26 Climate Charts ....................................................................................................................................... 27 7. TRAVEL AND TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 29 Regional Electricity ............................................................................................................................... 29 GCT RSA 2015 08/03/15 3 Phones & Calling ................................................................................................................................... 31 Photo Gear ............................................................................................................................................. 32 8. ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS ...................................................................................................... 33 Your GCT Program Directors ................................................................................................................ 33 Santiago in Brief .................................................................................................................................... 34 Buenos Aires in Brief ............................................................................................................................ 35 Lima in Brief—Optional Extension ....................................................................................................... 36 Rio de Janeiro in Brief—Optional Extension ........................................................................................ 38 9. DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ......................................................................... 40 10. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................... 46 Books, Maps, and Movies ...................................................................................................................... 46 Suggested Movies ............................................................................................................................. 48 Grand Circle Community & Useful Websites ....................................................................................... 50 GCT RSA 2015 08/03/15 4 1. PASSPORT, VISAS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Passport Required U.S. citizens need a valid passport for this itinerary. Please take a moment to ensure that your passport meets all of these requirements. If not, you could be refused entry into a country and you might be required by that country to return to the U.S. immediately, which would be at your own expense . Your passport should meet these requirements for this itinerary: • It should be in good condition • It should be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S. • It should have the recommended number of blank pages (see below for details). • The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable. Recommended number of blank pages: This recommendation is based on a “worst case” scenario. On this trip you might use fewer pages depending on the whims of the Immigration officials you meet. Since the consequence of having too few pages can be severe—you could be denied entry into a country—we take a better safe than sorry stance, and we recommend these guidelines: • Main trip only : 3 blank “Visa” pages. • Optional pre-trip extension to Peru : Add 1 more page, for a total of 4. • Optional post-trip extension to Brazil : Add 1 more blank page for a total of 4. • Both a pre- and a post-trip extension