We meet in the historic port city of Punta Arenas, Chile. Punta Arenas lies on the southern tip of Chile and is the launching point for many Antarctic adventures. It is a bustling port along the busy shipping passages of the Strait of Magellan and has a real colonial feel.
Upon arrival in Chile, you will collect your bags and pass through Chilean Customs. Your bags should be checked all the way to Punta Arenas, but you do need to collect and recheck them in Santiago. After passing through customs you will re-check your bags for the flight to Punta Arenas and proceed to the appropriate gate for your flight.
We have travel itineraries for most of you already, but if you haven’t sent us your flight information, or if anything changes, please forward it to [email protected]. When you arrive in Punta Arenas, hop in a cab and head for the hotel. It is 20-30 minutes to the hotel from the airport.
**DO NOT BRING ANY MEAT PRODUCTS INTO CHILE! They will find them and fine you heavily.
We recommend that you carry your mountain boots in your carry on luggage. If your luggage doesn’t make it to Punta Arenas, you can replace most of your kit from local shops, but good mountaineering boots are very difficult to find.
If you have any travel delays on your way, please email us at [email protected] so we know when to expect you to arrive.
We are hosting you at the Dreams Hotel in Punta Arenas. It’s a beautiful hotel located on the waterfront overlooking the Straits of Magellan. It has spacious, comfortable rooms and they serve a complimentary breakfast each morning. We hope not to spend too many days enjoying the hotel, but remember that flight delays to-and-from Antarctica are common.
Reminder: Your expedition fee provides lodging for the three nights before our scheduled flight to Antarctica. We will also provide one night in Punta Arenas after returning to Chile. As we don’t know for certain when that will be, we cannot say for certain where we will find rooms, but we will try for the Dreams Hotel.
If you arrive early, or if there are delays, you will be responsible for your lodging. As always, we are happy to assist you with making lodging reservations. We would like to invite everyone out for a nice welcome dinner before the trip, but please be aware that the rest of your meals in Punta Arenas are your responsibility.
We have reserved shared rooms for all expedition members. If you would like a single room, please let us know right away. We will check availability and let you know the fee for the “Single Room Supplement”.
Dreams Hotel, Punta Arenas:
O’Higgins 1235
Tel. (61) 204500
Money in Chile:
We recommend that you travel with at least $500 USD in cash to Chile. Credit Cards are accepted at the major hotels and restaurants, but not as widely accepted at smaller shops. ATM/Cash Machines are readily available and work quite well for most foreign travelers, but check with your bank network. You can exchange foreign currency at local banks or “Cambios”. Climbers often bring cash for the tips for their guides, but you can arrange payment when you return home as well.
The current exchange rate for US dollars:
1 Dollar = 750 Chilean Pesos
