Physical Requirements
What to expect:
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2
3
4
5
Moderately Strenuous
Pacing
- 7 locations in 14 days (9 days in Argentina and 5 days in Chile) with one 1-night stay
- 1 internal flight in Chile and 1 internal flight in Argentina
- Several early mornings and almost 700 miles covered by mini bus
- Airport transfers in Santiago and Buenos Aires can take up to 1.5 hours
Physical requirements
- Not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids
- You must be able to walk 3 miles unassisted and participate in 6-8 hours of physical activities each day
- This trip takes you to remote places with no medical facilities nearby
- We reserve the right for Trip Experience Leaders to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience
Altitude
- 6 full days at altitudes above 7,000 feet (3 days in Chile and 3 days in Argentina)
- On Day 7, we reach a maximum altitude of 11,000 feet
- On Day 11, ten hours are spent at altitudes above 10,000 feet, reaching a maximum altitude of 15,800 feet. Our 24-passenger van is equipped with an oxygen tank for emergency purposes.
- We strongly recommend that you discuss precautions for altitude sickness with a healthcare professional before you travel on this trip. Proper preparation, including any medication recommended by your healthcare professional, is essential to traveling comfortably at these elevations.
Climate
- Daytime temperatures average 70-75° F in the Atacama Desert while nighttime or early morning temperatures are considerably cooler, between 35-50° F in the Andes. May-August are the coolest months, not only in the Andes but also in Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Terrain & Transportation
- Travel on mountainous, unpaved roads; walking on rough, steep, slippery trails that do not have handrails
- Travel by 24-passenger coach
- Long bus rides of 4-8 hours on several days, 1 internal flight in Chile of 2.5 hours, and 1 internal flight in Argentina of about 2 hours. Day 11 crossing from Argentina to Chile will take 11 hours with stops for visiting a local community and border crossing.
Flight Information
- Travel time will be 8-19 hours and will most likely have two connections
Accommodations & Facilities
- Hotel rooms are smaller than in the U.S. and offer simple amenities
- All accommodations feature private baths