To help you prepare for your journey we have put together some information that will assist you with your final arrangements. Whether you're wondering about the climate, your appliances, how to handle gratuities, contact details, and more - we hope the information on this page helps you along your way.
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We wish you an enjoyable experience and know you'll return home with wonderful memories of a unique and exciting holiday with APT.
Passports & Visas
Passports are required for travel to South America. Check the expiry of your passport to ensure that it is valid for at least six months from your date of arrival. Always carry your passport and other travel documents in your hand luggage. Keep photocopies of these documents in a separate bag while travelling and leave a copy at home with family or friends in case of an emergency. Passengers must ensure any applicable visas for all countries you will visit have been obtained prior to departure.
At the time of printing, Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Brazil and pay for an entry permit on arrival in Chile. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and costs is the sole responsibility of passengers.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations requirements vary from country to country. For all health requirements and recommendations travelers should check with a local Department of Health.
This information is correct at time of publishing. Travellers should always contact their nearest embassy or foreign office, and travel agent to confirm all their requirements for visas, vaccinations and passports.
Australian travellers can also consult the Smart Traveller website.
Altitude Sickness
Also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude sickness is a condition caused by ascending to high altitudes. On tour, we visit Lake Titicaca (3,812 metres), Cuzco, Peru (3,500 metres) or Quito, Ecuador (2,850 metres).
Most people have some effects from altitude, and suffer mildly from AMS. Symptoms include: headache, lack of appetite, nausea, fatigue or weakness, dizziness or light-headedness. AMS may become severe without warning. Please consult your doctor before leaving.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all clients obtain adequate medical and travel insurance before departing for South America. Your travel insurance should also cover any unforeseen circumstances which may arise on tour (such as cancellation fees, loss of luggage, early departure from tour due to death or illness of self or immediate family, etc). Bring a copy of your policy to ensure that you follow the correct procedures for filing a claim.
Chile (República de Chile/Republic of Chile)
Population: 16,284,741
Currency: Chilean Peso. Code: CLP. Symbol: Ch$
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Time Zones: UTC/GMT -4
Country Dialling Code: +56
Weather: Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate, with cool and rainy winters and no completely dry season. The climate of the southern region is cool and rainy year round. The average temperature for the warmest (January) and coldest (July) months are 14°C and 6°C respectively.
Electrical Plugs: 220V 50Hz
Argentina (República Argentina/Argentine Republic)
Population: 37,384,816
Currency: Argentine Peso. Code: ARS. Symbol: $
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Time Zones: UTC/GMT -3
Country Dialling Code: +54
Weather: The climate varies, ranging from tropical in the north to sub-polar in the south. Summer in Buenos Aires (January and February) is hot and humid, with daily temperatures hovering around 28°C.
Electrical Plugs: 220V 50Hz
Brazil (República Federativa do Brasil/Federal Republic of Brazil)
Population: 169,544,443
Currency: Real (pronounced Hee-ow). Code: BRL. Symbol: R$
Languages Spoken: Portuguese
Time Zones: UTC/GMT -3
Country Dialling Code: +55
Weather: During summer in Brazil (December-February) humidity in Rio de Janeiro is very high, and temperatures in the high 30s are common.
Electrical Plugs: 110/220V 60 Hz
Peru (República del Perú/Republic of Peru)
Population: 28,674,757
Currency: Nuevos Soles. Code: PEN. Symbol: S/.
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Time Zones: UTC/GMT -5
Country Dialling Code: +51
Weather: Peru has two seasons – wet and dry – although weather varies greatly between regions. In the Andes you will experience wet and dry seasons, while in Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the dry season is April to October and the wet season is November to March.
Electrical Plugs: 220V 60Hz