Arriving to Buenos Aires
Our guest will be responsible for their flight to and from Buenos Aires city, in Argentina. Almost every airline has daily flight to Argentina.
TURAR friends would be happy to arrange airfare for you, since they are a huge tourism operator, can obtain competitive airfare prices to Buenos Aires from any destination around the world. Please contact turar@patagoniapowder.com to inquiring about pricing, and more…

Passports & Visas
A passport, valid for at least 6 month is required for citizens from most countries. Most times visa is not required to enter both Argentina and Chile, but it’s important to check in the local embassy or consulate on the latest visa requirements. www.embassyworld.com
Tourist cards, good for 90 days, are issued upon arrival and must be surrendered when leaving the country (Chile also).
We recommend you bring a copy of your passport to keep it separate form the original, and also keep an extra copy with someone at home who may fax it to you if need.
Mercosur citizens do not need passport to enter Argentina.
By the time you leave the country there is an $30,50 airport exit tax, which is usually included with your flight. Check that out when reserving your flight. We will be able to take care of flight confirmations on the road.
(Upon arrival to Chile, there is a one time $61 entry tax for US citizens, and $55 for Canadian Citizens, valid for the lifetime of your passport. The fee is payable in US dollars or Chilean Pesos, to avoid delaying, you should have this fee in cash… )

Border Crossings
Depending on your tour choice, we will cross the border by land to Chile. Although is relax, it’s important no to loose your Tourist Card. Don’t worry we will help you through the process. Drugs and perishable foods are not tolerated. More strict controls are held in Chile, especially on fruit, plants, meat or vegetables.

Money
The official currency in Argentina is the Argentine Peso, and for the first time in ten years, the currency is floating on foreign exchange markets. Today’s par is about $3/USD, but is changing daily.
Anyway american dollars are accepted almost anywhere, restaurants, hotels, shops, malls, etc.
Use of credit card and automatic cash machines is your best bet for good exchanges rates during your stay. Although Travelers Checks are accepted in some places, the exchange rate is poor and sometimes you will have to walk around the city looking for places to trade them.
Argentina, has a really big automatic cash machines net, and you will find at least one in every place we visit. Credit cards are also accepted almost everywhere.
The official currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso. Although it fluctuates, $650/USD has been the average exchange rate for the last year.

Communications
Argentina is one of the best telecommunications networks in the world, with lots of call center, IDD in the hole country, a real extended cell phone network, payphones (also in some resort slopes) and internet cafes, allows you to keep in touch…
Phone calls to US are generally under $1/minute.
You can access English speaking operators of carriers like AT&T, form almost any payphone, without charge.
Faxes can be sent and received at every lodging we will stay, or at the local call center.
Internet access is available form everywhere (you can even send emails at Alta Patagonia slopes).
Although behind Argentina, communications in Chile are also well developed.
You will receive a list of the phone numbers of our accommodations where you may be reached in case of emergency.
Our guides are provided with cell phones, so they can be reached anywhere, anytime.

Metrics, Voltages
The metric system is used in Argentina. The voltage is 220V 50Hz, so be sure to check your electronic equipment complies with it, or buy a plug adapter and converter. Quality batteries are easy to find everywhere.

Extra Cost
Extra cost includes gifts, parting, equipment repair, and activities as helisking, parasailing or any other activity outside our itinerary. On the days we can not get into the mountains (rain, wind, poor visibility), there is always a second plan, like, white water river rafting, thermal baths, snowshoeing, horse back riding, etc, at no extra cost.
Normal tip in restaurants, bars and pubs is about 10%.

Language
Spanish is the official language in Argentina and Chile. Dialect between the two cultures is quite different.
We hope you get involved with the locals of both countries. A few Spanish lessons and a phrase book will get you further than you can imagine. Both cultures are excited that you want to learn their language. As English is taught at almost every high school in Argentina don’t be surprised if folks want to practice their English with you.
Portuguese and Italian is also easy to understand, and as local are patient people you will have no problem getting understand.

Health
Argentina and Chile are the safest countries in Latin America. Quality food, no malaria or yellow fever, and lot’s of pharmacies in all towns or mountain village.
With active tours like this one, where you will be riding / skiing, hiking or snowshoeing, it’s of great importance to stay hydrated.
Sunburn is always a concern, due snow reflection and higher elevation. It’s advisable to use glasses, goggles and quality sun block.
There are no health requirements to enter in Argentina or Chile.

Climate and Snow Conditions
Winters in Argentina and Chile can range form warm sunny spring like days, to extremely cold conditions at high elevation (sometimes you will stay above 3000m – 10000feet). Preparation for all types of weather and conditions is recommended. Depending the season temperatures, at resorts can drop as low as 0 F (-20 C), but averages temperatures are generally in the 30 – 50 F (0 - 10 C) while on the slopes.
You are going to spend entire days on mountains in the middle of winter, you will moving at speeds of up 50mph and working up a sweat while spinning around, then you will sit on a cold metal chair for fifteen minutes, so, you will need the right clothing. Staying warmly dressed and regulating body temperature by using layers and ventilations on outer layers are goods ways to prevent you from freezing.
PatagoniaPowder goal is to get you to best powder Patagonian snow. We have ridden almost all kind of snow, form deep powder bowls, to ice. Groomed runs do exist in almost all the resorts we visit.
But we still be chasing powder…