TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS AND COMPUTERS
WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
1. GETTING TO PATAGONIA
Q. Which airport should I fly into for this tour?
A. If you are joining us on our Antarctica tour that immediately precedes the Patagonia trip, we will book flights for you from Ushuaia to El Calafate, Argentina. If you are only joining us for the Patagonia portion, you will fly into El Calafate International Airport.
If traveling directly, you’ll need to be in El Calafate by 3PM on November 23, 2026, where we will pick you up for the drive to El Chaltén.
Q. Will I be met at the airport if flying directly into El Calafate?
A. It depends on what day and time you arrive. The plan is to pick up anyone not flying from Ushuaia at 3PM at the airport. If you arrive earlier than that, you can either wait at the airport or find your way into El Calafate on your own.
Q. Do the airlines have restrictions on the weight of checked baggage?
A. If you are flying directly info El Calafate, check your airline’s website before departure as policies tend to change and vary from airline to airline.
If you are flying with the group from Ushuaia, we will likely be flying Aerolineas Argentina. We book this flight on your behalf and you will have one free checked piece of luggage that can weigh no more than 15kg (33 pounds). If you think your luggage will weigh more than this or that you will have a second piece of luggage, please let us know. Closer to departure we can give you the cost of the additional luggage.
Q. Do I need a visa to enter Argentina?
A. For citizens of many countries, you do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Please see our visa page for more details.
Q. If I want to arrive prior to the start of the tour, can you book additional hotel nights for me?
A. In the case of this tour, it’s actually easier/most cost efficient for you to book your own additional nights in El Calafate. Let us know if you’d like some suggestions for hotels.
Q. When should I plan to fly out at the end of the tour?
A. The tour officially ends in the charming town of Bariloche. You may decide to stay on here or you can fly onward from here. Buenos Aires is a major hub so you may book your round trip flight to Argentina into and out of BA. If that is the case, you’ll want to book your return trip home from BA very late the night of the 30th or the following day. Our flight from Bariloche to BA is scheduled to arrive into XX at about XX on the 30th.
2. WHILE VISITING PATAGONIA
Q. Will bottled water be readily available?
A. At our request, bottled water is not provided because we encourage tour participants to carry their own reusable water bottle to cut down on the number of plastic water bottles that get thrown out daily.
Tap water is generally safe to drink in the locations where we will be staying but you may bring a water purifier, such as a SteriPen, if you prefer treated water.
Q. What kind of food should I expect on the tour?
A. Breakfasts are buffet-style at the hotels and include plenty of options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. There are gluten-free options and some vegan options as well.
The lunches that are included in the tour are generally simple boxed lunches with sandwiches and fruit. There will be plenty of snacks available as well.
Dinners are on your own with many options in the small towns where we’ll be staying. There will be traditional Argentinian food (lots of meat) as well as many other options including salads, pizza, burgers, etc.
Q. Do I need to bring medication for the high altitude?
A. While we will be in the mountains, the altitude isn’t as high as you might think. El Chaltén is about 1,700 feet and the biggest hike we do there tops out at under 4,000 feet. El Calafate is under 2,000 feet.
In short, it’s highly unlikely that you will need any medication for high altitude but it’s best to check with your doctor to make sure.
Q. Do I need walking/hiking poles?
A. It depends on your fitness level and your balance. If you’re relatively steady and have good walking shoes, you may not need to bring hiking poles with you but this will be a decision you’ll need to make.
Q. Can I bring hiking poles in my carry-on bag?
A. We’ve heard mixed feedback on this and it may just depend on the poles you bring and what TSA agent is looking through bags. We do know people who have been able to bring them through with no problem, but you may not want to risk it. Even though we generally do not recommend checking bags (except when it’s unavoidable, like on small aircraft), if you’re bringing poles, this may be your only option.
Q. I get motion sickness. Will I be able to sit in the front of the bus on the tour?
A. We do try to make our tour participants as comfortable as possible, so please tell your tour guide if motion sickness is an issue for you. We can’t guarantee the front seat of the van or bus every time as it really depends on how many people in the group get motion sick or have other medical issues where they may need a different seat. Note that most of the drives are relatively short (2 – 3 hours), but the roads are somewhat twisty.
If you are prone to motion sickness, we suggest that you bring ginger, wrist bands (like this ReliefBand) or ask your doctor about a prescription.
3. HOTEL INFORMATION
Q. What are the accommodations like in Patagonia?
A. Hotels are quite comfortable and are considered 3 or 4- star. They all have private bathrooms, heat and hot water.
Q. Will you be sending a list of hotels?
A. All our hotels are listed on our itinerary, but you will also receive a list of hotel contact information about two weeks before departure (note: it is subject to last-minute changes).
Q. Will the hotels have a laundry service so that I can pack light?
A. They definitely have laundry service at a reasonable rate.
Q. Do hotels provide shampoo and conditioner?
A. Most hotels will have at least shampoo in the showers, but they may not have conditioner. If you are particular about your hair products, it’s best to bring your own travel sized containers.
Q. Are there hair dryers at the hotels?
A. Yes, all hotels have hair dryers.
Q. Are my items safe in my hotel room?
A. Your items *should* be safe, but we recommend that you carry small luggage locks to secure the zippers together so that no one is tempted to peek in your bag.
When something goes missing, it’s usually later found at the bottom of one’s luggage. In the meantime, hotel staff are the first to be blamed. It’s best to keep your items (especially valuables) locked up so that this is not even a question.
4. PACKING INFORMATION
Q. Is it OK to bring a large piece of luggage that I have to check?
A. While you will be more comfortable moving around with fewer (and smaller) bags, it’s fine if you need to check a bag. There will be porters and hotel staff to help with luggage at each hotel.
Note that not all hotels have elevators, so the fewer bags you have, the better.
Q. Will I be responsible for carrying my own luggage?
A. You’ll have very little interaction with your luggage as the guides and hotel staff help with moving bags from the bus to the rooms and then back to the bus. We do encourage you to pack light so a small roller bag that is carry-on size (under 22″) would be ideal.
Q. How should I dress based on the weather?
A. Our November trip is at the end of spring/beginning of summer in South America. It can be quite warm during the day and cool (mid-40s) at night. Consider hiking in layers so you can remove outer layers as you warm up and then add layers when you stop to rest.
We will provide a full packing list once you’ve registered for the tour.
Q. Do I need any dressy clothes?
A. Not at all.
Q. What kind of shoes should I hike in?
A. It depends on how much ankle support you need. At the very least, you should have hiking boots with a good grip on the bottom. Heavier/over the ankle hiking boots are recommended for those who need more ankle support.
Q. Would you recommend taking a raincoat?
A. The weather is generally pretty nice in November, but we might experience a rain shower or two. A light rain jacket is a good idea. Remember to dress in layers, too, so that when the sun’s out, it’ll be easy to layer down into lighter clothes.
5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS AND COMPUTERS
Q. Will WiFi be available at the hotels?
A. Yes, all of the hotels have WiFi.
Q. What sort of power adapter do I need?
A. There are two types of power plugs commonly found in Argentina. Some outlets accommodate a two-pin round plug like this one:
While other plugs may require this type I version:
Q. Will I need a converter for my electrical devices?
A. You will need a converter for any devices unable to handle 220 (ie. your hair dryer, curling iron, etc.). Most laptops and other electronics now have internal convertors, but check on your particular device to be certain.
Q. Can I use my cell phone in Argentina?
A. We highly recommend the use of an e-sim while traveling. You can download an app like Airalo (use the code ELIZAB3290 for $3 off your first order!). Though there are some limitations while using it, it’s FAR cheaper than the $10/day that most cell phone providers charge for a travel pass.
If you are going to pay your cell provider directly, first contact them to make sure they have coverage in Argentina and find out the rate. Most providers offer such a plan where you only get charged once you connect to a local network. You’ll also need to make sure that your phone is unlocked (meaning you own the phone and are able to add an e-SIM).
You can also use WiFi on your phone for data, text and calls.
Q. What is the currency used in Argentina?
A. The Argentine peso is the official currency.
Q. What’s the best way to change money in Argentina?
A. VERY IMPORTANT – the Argentine peso is prone to wild fluctuations in value. For the best rate, change money at a Western Union. BRING CASH – U.S. DOLLARS IN $100 notes gets you the best rate. Make sure they are newer bills and not folded, crinkled or torn (even the slightest bit) or they won’t take them.
You can use an ATM but the rate will not be as good. Here’s a link with more info.
You will get a far less favorable rate if you were to change your money at a local bank. Banks exchange money at a very low rate!
While there are ATMs in Argentina, these tend to give you a less favorable rate AND charge you a high fee ($10 – $15) to take out money.
Your best bet is to travel with cash. $100 U.S. bill will get you a slightly better rate than a $50 U.S. bill, which will be a slightly better rate than a $20 U.S. bill. But if you don’t plan to spend $100+, then by all means, change smaller bills.
Q. Can I pay for items in U.S. dollars?
A. Some stores will accept payment in U.S. dollars, especially since dollars are highly prized for the exchange rate. If you make a purchase using a debit or credit card, you’ll be paying for the item at the bank rate. It’s actually better to exchange your U.S. dollars into pesos (not through a bank–see above) and then pay in pesos.
Q. If I bring U.S. dollars, do I need to be concerned about what kind of shape the bills are in?
A. It’s best to have newer bills (2006 and later) rather than old or torn bills. Sometimes shopkeepers and money changers won’t take bills that are not in good shape. As an example, make sure your $100 bills have a blue streak down the middle. These are the new bills.
Q. Do we tip our guide and driver?
A. A tip is included for both guides and drivers, but we suggest leaving a tip for the cleaning staff at the hotels, just as you would do at a hotel elsewhere. $2 – $5 a night is appropriate.
Q. Will I need to bargain when shopping at markets?
A. Expect to bargain in shops and open-air markets, even where items have prices marked on them. In many shops, there may not be any prices noted in which case you should start a counteroffer at half the price the vendor is asking and go from there. You’ll particularly have luck bargaining if you’re purchasing more than one item from the same vendor.
7. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
Q. Do I need insurance for this tour?
A. We do suggest that all tour participants acquire travel insurance, but it is 
not required.
We partner with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any possible issues. Although we are technically not requiring it, you will be asked to sign additional paperwork acknowledging the risk of traveling without insurance.
Here’s some info on insurance that includes an explanation of Cancel for Any Reason insurance.
Q. Is there a schedule for installment payments?
A. We don’t have anything formal set up, but you can definitely send in payments on your own schedule. Some people send in monthly payments while other people send in payments when it’s convenient.
It is common for someone to set up regularly scheduled checks to be sent from their bank until the tour is paid in full by the final payment due date.
Q. Will I receive a refund if I have to cancel my participation in this tour?
A. Once you have paid a deposit, there is a cancellation fee if you cannot join us. The cancellation fee depends on the tour and how far in advance of the tour you cancel. Our refund policy is covered in our Booking Terms and Conditions and is also outlined on the Registration Form that you’ll receive within 24 hours of registering with a deposit.
Any refunds will be sent by check within two weeks of our receiving written notification of your cancellation (email notification is fine). We will respond via email and ask for confirmation of your mailing address for any refunds.
Address must be confirmed within six months, otherwise expect forfeiture of refund as we close out our books at that time.
Q. Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
A. Yes, you’ll receive the hotel information as well as emergency contact information one or two weeks before departure (note: it is subject to last-minute changes).
Q. What’s the emergency contact info that I can give my family?
A. About two weeks before your departure, you will be given a cell phone number for your trip leader and someone in-country employed by our local tour operator.