Chile: Wild Patagonia

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing Chile with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:

Passport: If you are a U.S., U.K., Australian or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: Please consult the Chile consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Chile. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:

Call COLLECT (813) 476-2810

Practical Information

Currency: The currency of Chile is the Peso. The exchange rate as of May 2022 was 1 US$ = 858 Pesos. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are accepted in Chile, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, no specific immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends the following:

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.

Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Please also note:

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries in South America. For detailed information, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center. The normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.

Swimming: There are several opportunities to swim during the ecotour.  We advocate the buddy system for everyone, at all times, and children less than 14 years of age should always be accompanied by an adult while swimming.

Time Difference: Chile is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. 

Weather: The climate of Chile comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale, extending across 38 degrees in latitude, making generalizations difficult. Chile within its borders hosts at least seven major climatic subtypes, ranging from desert in the north, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the east and southeast, humid subtropical in Easter Island, Oceanic in the south and Mediterranean climate in central Chile. There are four seasons in most of the country: summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August), and spring (September to November).

Patagonia in the extreme south has warm summers and mild winters, but temperatures can change very quickly from warm, to freezing cold,  to snow, to driving rain, and it is almost always very windy!  Layers are the key to wardrobe in this region. 

Please remember that the sun’s rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun.

Lodging Info

The Singular Hotel, Puerto Natales

The Singular Patagonia seeks to highlight the history and heritage of the region – it is incorporated into a cold-storage plant that was declared a “National Historic Landmark” in 1996, the building site was approved by the Council of National Monuments, the government body that supervise the care and rescue of the historical, architectural and archaeological monuments. The original industrial architecture of this historical building has been preserved, adding a room module with state of the art technology and design. Blending the new and old architecture, and making your stay an experience of superior quality.

All 57 rooms and suites have panoramic windows overlooking Last Hope Sound, the fjords and spectacular snow capped mountains behind. The rooms are light and modern yet cozy with dark wood furniture, leather chairs and large beds. The Singular Wellness Spa offers a relaxing spot to unwind after a day of activities, with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, sauna and a variety of treatments.

Estancia Cerro Guido, overlooking Torres del Paine

Here at Estancia Cerro Guido you can live an authentic Patagonian experience in the largest estancia in the region, situated between Torres del Paine National Park, the Argentine pampas and the dramatic Sierra Baguales, this is the perfect base for exploring Wild Patagonia.  With a spectacular landscape, flora and fauna the estancia preserves the traditions, customs and constructions of the early Patagonia pioneers.   The estancia has twelve guest rooms, all en suite that have a delicate and elegant decoration inspired in the English style, all rooms are comfortable with WiFi, hairdryers, showers, biodegradable amenities, a safe deposit box and a view out on the amazing landscape.

Most importantly this is still a working sheep farm, but the ethos has dramatically changed, the owners are now welcoming wildlife onto the property, previously the pioneer farmers were not so hospitable to wildlife (like pumas and foxes), but now they recognize that ecotourism is more profitable than sheep farming, so they are striking a balance between farming, wildlife and tourism.

We feel an ethical responsibility to encourage and sustain this dramatic change in management to encourage other adjacent landowners to also welcome wildlife onto their properties and not view wildlife as a nuisance or a pest.

Hotel Jose Nogueira, Punta Arenas

The former home of Sara Braun a Russian Immigrant who marred Jose Nogueira in 1887. Jose made his fortune thanks to shipping activities, sea lion hunting and sheep farming, Sara built the current hotel (Palace) as a private home with a French architect in the style and taste of Paris in the late nineteenth century. The hotel has since been declared a National Monument and was recently renovated. It houses the Shackleton Bar and is a comfortable and historic hotel with 22 rooms and all modern amenities.