Chile Uncovered

Please inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday. This is important because our leaders must consider both group and individual safety at all times.

Whilst out with the group, we respectfully request that you:

• Please listen to any safety instructions and other directions from the leader
• Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor
• Please stay where you are if you become separated from the group. The leader will retrace their steps to find you.

Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you in your own kit (see Suggested Kit List).

In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services.. Please then call our emergency number (sent in your final dispatch) and let us know there is a problem.

Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements and we will do our best to meet your needs.

If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel.

This information is subject to change. In all cases, we highly recommend you consult your GP for up to date details and for more information on what is appropriate to your situation at least 10 weeks before travel.

As a rule, travellers should be up to date with their routine vaccinations and boosters as recommended in the UK - including, for example, the MMR and diptheria, tetanus and polio vaccines.

Requirements can change, and we recommend you check in good time ahead of your holiday.

Some travellers may also require or wish to consider vaccines for:

• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A and B
• Rabies
• Tetanus

There have been some confirmed cases of Dengue fever in Easter Island. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitos; there is no vaccine.

Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is banned in some countries.

If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country’s embassy/consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution, it is recommended to:

• Keep medication in its original packet
• Take a copy of your prescription
• If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country you’re visiting

For further information on country specific advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk.

Passports must be valid for the duration of the stay; we also generally recommend that passports have at least 6 months validity from the date of your departure from Chile, but this is not an official requirement.

Visas are not required for British passport holders visiting for less than 90 days. On arrival in Chile, you will need to complete the appropriate arrival/immigration form. The immigration authorities will issue you with a Tarjeta de Turismo: this is a white, A5 sized form and must be retained to present to immigration when you leave Chile. As of 9th May 2020, Australian citizens will need a visa to enter Chile. The maximum length of stay is 90 days. The visa must be applied for at the Chilean consulate closest to your place of residence. The cost is approximately 145 USD. Other passport holders and nationalities should consult the embassy for advice. 

Requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the entry requirements. For more information regarding entry requirements for Chile, see the FCO website.

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

• Walking boots 
• Waterproof jacket 
• Waterproof trousers 
• Insulated jacket/top 
• Walking clothing  
• Walking socks (plus spares)  
• Sunhat 
• Gloves/mitts and warm hat
• Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
• Headtorch 
• High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
• Sunglasses with a dark lens 
• Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
• Mobile phone 
• Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
• Passport 
• Visa (if applicable) 
• Copy of your travel insurance policy 
• UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC) 

Recommended

• Collapsible walking poles 
• Swimwear and travel towel
• Snacks
• Dry bags
• Rubbish bags
• Insect repellent

Optional extras

• Camera 
• Sit mat
• Flask for hot drinks 
• Durable lunch box
• Gaiters 
• GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

If you prefer to book the holiday without flights and make your own travel arrangements you will still be able to make use of the return group transfers between the airport and hotel, which are included in the cost of your holiday. You must contact us on +44 (0)20 3974 8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk at least 8 weeks before your holiday start date to provide your flight details if you wish to join the transfers. If you do not contact us, we will assume you are making independent travel arrangements.

If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays’ leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group.

Baggage allowance 

1 piece checked-in luggage, max. 23kg. Size should not exceed 158 linear cm. Hand luggage allowance is max. 5kg. These maximums are determined by the internal flight luggage allowance.

Please check details of your airline’s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked.

Lost/damaged luggage

If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline’s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport on arrival. They will assess the damage; in some cases, the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately.

You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if an immediate settlement is not possible - in many cases, baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport.

Chilean Peso (CLP, CH$). US Dollars are the easiest currency to change while on holiday, but it is possible to obtain Chilean pesos in the UK.

We recommend you budget approx. US$50-70 per person, per day for drinks, meals which are not included and, of course, any souvenirs you may wish to buy!

GMT/UTC -4 hours during daylight savings (typically October-May) in mainland Chile. GMT/UTC -6 hours on Easter Island.

Electricity supply is 220V, 50Hz and round two-pin plugs are used. We recommend you take a universal plug to cover all possibilities.

ATMs can be found at airports and town centres but may incur high withdrawal fees for foreign cards. Major credit cards are accepted in most places, but we recommend you have cash in smaller denominations for rural areas.