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Dates and Prices

PRICE 2016 (in USD per person)

The price includes:

• Domestic flights : Mendoza > Salta ; Calama > Santiago ;
• Ground transfers as mentioned in the program ;
• 3 nights in hotel***, 2 nights in hotel**, 1 night in aparthotel, 4 nights in family run hotel, 3 nights in refuge - double room ;
• An English speaking guide the first day in Valparaiso ;
• Excursion to wineries in Mendoza ;
• Excursion to the Tatio Geysers ;
• Excursion to the Moon Valley ;
• 4 day excursion in the Sud Lipez region with an English speaking guide/driver ;
• All the meals mentioned in the programme ;
• A log book with all the information necessary for the smooth running of your stay; ;
• A mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7.

The price does not include:

• International flights ;
• Entrances to parks  ;
• The single occupancy supplement : $ 250 ( no single room available in the refuge and with the host family);
• Drinks and personal expenses ;
• The comprehensive insurance and repatriation assistance.

... and more generally all that is not mentioned in « the price includes » section.

Some important facts

• National flights are included ;
• Transfers to/from airport/hotel/airport are included ;
• Accommodation is included and selected based on quality and hygiene ;
• Local partners are fairly compensated ;
• 3% of the price of your trip goes directly to support a local educational project for cultural and environmental development .

Practical Information

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Accompanying English and Spanish speaking guides

The day of your arrival, you will be received by an English speaking member of our staff. He/she will hand you a road book and a mobile phone, allowing you to be in contact with us 24/7 if needed. If specified in your program, he/she will also accompany you around the capital, giving you the basic practical information about the country or countries you are visiting.

During excursions, you will be accompanied by a certified Spanish speaking guide, often also speaking English.

When to travel?

Between May and October, snow is not excluded from 2500 m above sea level between Chile and Argentina, which can prevent the bus from crossing the Andes. During this time you will have to fly from Santiago to Mendoza.
Aside from the crossing of the Andes, the whole trip can be done throughout the year. 

Local Transportation

Travelling by bus is the most popular and cheapest way to discover these countries. Classes range from Semi-Cama to Cama Suite with wider seats which are reclining to a horizontal position almost like being in bed. Distances are long and it takes nearly 20 hour bus ride from Salta to Mendoza. Bus lines connect major cities together. The buses run at an average speed of 80 km/h. For long distances, the plane remains the most convenient mean of transportation.

NOTE : TransHumans offers the option of booking for you the international flight ticket; we will seek and book for you the best deals. Price may vary depending on the time of purchase but can vary between $1000 and $1600 insurance included.

Formalities

PASSPORT & VISA : A valid passport is sufficient for most European and US citizens; a tourist visa will be issued at entry to the territory. If the stay exceeds the three months, it will be necessary to apply for a visa at the Embassy in your country.However, U.S. citizen tourists must pay a US$160 reciprocity fee, prior to arrival in Argentina.  Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
REMINDER : Make copies of all your important documents (passport, flight tickets, insurance, and credit card). Leave one copy of each at home and pack one with you.

EQUIPMENT

GOOD GEAR WILL ALLOW YOU TO BETTER ENJOY YOUR TRIP…

Clothing:
 
Given the great variation in temperature between day and night it is necessary to pack both light and warm clothes. Wearing layers of clothes can be a good idea to easily adapt to the weather conditions. Typical layers include: t-shirt, sweater, fleece, wind/water proof layer. We highly recommend lightweight, quick-drying technical clothing. Avoid rain capes as they easily get stuck to branches with the wind.
Remember to take a good insect repellent, cap and sunglasses (minimum lens category 3)!

Miscellaneous:

-Toiletry bag (biodegradable products are preferred) 
-Small quick-drying towel 
-Sunscreen lotion
-Insect repellent DEET (+ 40% for good protection). Also useful against fleas which can be a nuisance for people with sensitive skin.
-Head torch (with spare batteries and bulbs) 
-Bottle and/or camel bag  
-Pocket knife (checked luggage) 
-Money belt or pouch to safely store your passport, currency, credit cards, personal papers, insurance papers. 
-A copy of your passport. 
-Power sockets in Argentina are type C and I; Voltage: 220 V. Power sockets in Chile are those commonly find in Europe type C and Italy type L; Voltage: 220 V.

Medical Kit:

Luggage:

Please arrange your belongings in two bags:
 
-Small backpack (capacity 25/40 litres).This is your hand luggage you will take with you on the plane as well as every day during hikes, excursions and transfers. 
-Large waterproof backpack to check-in (capacity 60 to 90 litres). 
-Large plastic bag to protect from moisture your belongings in your backpacks.

HEALTH

Vaccines

The country does not present any health risks, and the water is potable almost everywhere. No vaccine is mandatory for Chile, but some are recommended:
-Tetanus-diphtheria
-Polio
-Pertussis
-Hepatitis B
For children and those born before 1980: measles, mumps - rubella.

Other risks

Avoid contact with insects and protect yourself from mosquitoes, they can carry dengue. You must protect yourself against fleas which can be a nuisance for people with sensitive skin. Regular insect repellent is also useful against fleas. 

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is due to a rapid ascent to higher altitudes and the decreasing level of oxygen available at those altitudes. The symptoms include shortness of breath, irritating dry cough, severe headache, nausea and exhaustion. The first solution is to descend to a lower altitude (at least 500 m).
Proper acclimatization of the body to increasing altitudes is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. Once above 3000 meters it is wise not to increase the altitude at which you sleep by more than 500 meters. Stop a day if the altitude increases by 1000 meters in a day, keep hydrated and avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
The best way to acclimatize to the altitude is to climb gradually. Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude.

Medical Assistance

Medical care is excellent in most tourist areas in Argentina and Chile. For more remote areas, in case of urgent medical assistance, contact your local Embassy. We highly recommend you to contact your insurance as soon as possible.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

The Atacama People (Atacameños) - Atacama Desert - Chile

They are descendants of the early settlers of this region. Heavily influenced by the Aymara and Quechua cultures (southern Andean altiplano), they render tribute to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), they celebrate every year during the month of August with offerings and religious ceremonies. Cultural exchange can generally be difficult at first, since the Atacameños can be suspicious. Yet, gradually, they will gain confidence. At least this is our experience. Opening to them, patience and humility are key for successful exchanges with them. “Indigeno” is not derogatory to the Atacama people, quite the contrary; while “Indio” is, so do not use it when speaking to people of the altiplano or when referring to them.

The Kolla People - North West Argentina

Neighbours with the Atacamenios, the Kolla people were inhabitants of the North West Argentina, a geographical area corresponding to the South of the Inca Empire. The name Kolla was given to them by the Spanish. It refers to the Quechua word Kollasuyo meaning South Empire. The actual territory of the Kolla stretches across the Bolivian Altiplano, the Argentinean pampas, the Atacama Desert and the Yungas. The Kolla tribes traded with remote ethnic groups, and have diverse and varied beliefs and traditions. The language used by these tribes for trade was Quechua. The Kolla believe in the Pachamama that they celebrate every year during the month of August with offerings and religious ceremonies directed to both family and community. 

Responsible Tourism

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Our Vision & Commitment

Cultural awareness is very important to us. Sensible to the local cultural traditions and beliefs, the beauty of the landscapes and the biodiversity of the ecosystems, we choose to limit the negative impact of our activities on the local environment. In addition to designing trips that aim at preserving the natural, cultural and social resources of the territories in the long term, we also include the concept of “Territorial Compensation”. The idea of Territorial Compensation is to help local people protect and conserve their ecosystem, enhance their cultural heritage and develop sustainable projects for their territory.

Based on this concept of Territorial Compensation, TransHumans donates 3% of the total price of each trip to this cause. The money goes directly into a solidarity fund that finances our ERECA program (Education Relative à l'Environnement et aux Cultures Aborigènes), an environmental and cultural program. Since 2007, we have supported various projects aimed at training and awareness-raising for the local communities.

If you want to know more about this+ : http://www.transhumans.fr/en/solidarity-project-transhumans