Destination Guide - Patagonia

Patagonia forms the southernmost part of South America in both Argentina and Chile. It is formed by the Andes mountains to the west and south and plateaus and low plains to the east. The region is geographically and climatically diverse. As well as the classic dry southern plains of Argentina, you have the Andean highlands and Lake Districts, the moist Pacific coast, and the rocky and frigid Tierra del Fuego. Patagonia has many active volcanoes, high mountains, hot springs and calderas. There are even some petrified forests, formed by volcanic ash burying large tracts of land. Even though Patagonia covers one third of the land mass of both Chile and Argentina, the population is sparse and rugged. Both countries have set some of their most special areas aside as national parks or natural reserves.

IMPORTANT FACTS
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens for travel into Chile and Argentina. For citizens of other countries you should contact the embassy or consulate for entry requirements. Visas are not required for people traveling with Canadian or U.S. passports. (Note: please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival into Chile or you may be refused entry).

Upon arrival into Chile citizens of Canada must pay an airport fee of $132 USD and Americans $131 USD. This fee must be paid in US cash or Visa before clearing the custom /passport check. For Argentina, the entrance fee is $131 for Americans and $70 for Canadians. This fee is only applicable for those arriving into the Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport. ** Please note that the above entry fees and departure taxes can change price at any time, so come prepared with extra money just in case.

Climate
The weather in Patagonia, though extremely variable, can often be wet, cold and windy. Throughout the country, the proximity of the Pacific and the Andes creates numerous pockets of localized weather patterns known as microclimates. The average temperature during the day is 11’C (51’F). At night, the temperature drops to 3’C (38’F).

Food
Some of the must-tries in Chile are Empanadas de pino – pastry-style turnovers stuffed with olives, meat, raisins and onions; Parilla – a mixed grill of almost all types of meat cooked over charcoal; and Pastal de choclo – a traditional dish of beef, vegetables and chicken baked in a casserole.

Some of the must-tries in Argentina include carbonada- a beef stew with rice, sweet potatoes, squash, maize and chopped apples and peaches; Matambre Relleno – a stuffed and rolled flank steak that is served either cold or baked; and Almendrado – ice cream rolled in crushed almonds.

Vaccinations
Both Chile and Argentina have high standards of living and the health risks are considered low. There are no vaccinations required unless you are traveling from countries that have not eradicated malaria, yellow fever, etc. There are some inoculations that are recommended however; these are tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Please note that information regarding necessary inoculations can change daily, we therefore suggest that once you have booked your adventure, you contact the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for current recommendations on vaccinations.

Suggested Reading List
Lonely Planet Guidebook to Chile
Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Lonely Planet)- Clem Lindenmayer
Travels in a Thin Country: A Journey through Chile- Sara Wheeler
Birds of Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica Peninsula – Enrique Couve and Claudio Vidal
My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey through Chile- Isabel Allende
Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter – Mario Vargas Llosa
Daughter of Fortune- Isabel Allende
The Full Circle- Luis Sepulveda
In Patagonia- Bruce Chatwin
Clandestine in Chile- Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Old Patagonia Express- Paul Theroux

Other Chile and Argentina Trips

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	Brazil and Argentina Extravaganza Biking, Hiking, Rafting, Kayaking & Rappelling (9 Days)
2	Chile and Argentina - The Best of Patagonia Trekking (12 Days)
3	On the Trail of Argentina's Patagonia Biking, Hiking & Ice Trekking (8 Days)
4	A Pure Natural High Biking, Hiking and Rafting (6 Days)
5	On the Trail of Chile's Patagonia Hiking (7 Days)

Destination Guide - Patagonia

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