Important Transit Information:
We Recommend You Print for Travel

1. What to do Upon Arrival to the International Airport
2. Flight Connections – Airport Information
3. Unexpected Travel Complications
- Lost Baggage
- Cancelled/Missed Flight
4. Overnight Stay Lodging
5. Money

1. What to do Upon Arrival to the International Airport

Arrival into Buenos Aires, Argentina:

In flight, you must fill out all necessary customs forms and bring them to the customs counter in the airport. The forms and your passport will get you through to where your baggage will be waiting for you. There are no fees. There is a money exchange booth in the baggage terminal. We recommend immediately exchanging some money here. However, we only recommend taking out the cash you expect to use on your way to/from Futaleufu. The Futaleufu bank will not exchange Argentine pesos to Chilean pesos. Most places in Argentina however accept US Dollars.

From the international airport in Buenos Aires (EZE - Ezeiza,), you will transfer by bus or taxi (~$10, ~$35 USD respectively; 50 mins.) to the national airport (AEP - Aeroparque). Three hours are required between an international and national flight for it to be a legal connection. Before buying a bus transfer ticket between airports, check which of the three bus companies will depart next (every 20 mins). If the flight is late, get a taxi. They are usually 15 minutes faster and require little hassle.

From the national airport, you will fly to your next destination, either Bariloche or Esquel, Argentina. Jets are available twelve times each day to Bariloche, Argentina (San Carlos de Bariloche). Jets are available three times a week (M-W-Sat.) to Esquel.

Arrival into Santiago, Chile:

In flight, you will fill out all necessary customs forms. Once you arrive, you will go through customs in the airport. There is a visa fee that is required of all travelers arriving to Chile from the USA, Canada or Australia.

Visa Fees (As of 21 Feb., 2008):
USA: $131 USD
Canada: $159 USD
Australia: $56 USD

After making payment, the forms and your passport will get you through to where your baggage will be waiting for you. There are money exchange booths in the terminal. We recommend immediately exchanging your money here. It is the most convenient and at a competitive rate.

From Santiago, you will continue on to Puerto Montt or Punta Arenas, Chile through the same international airport as you arrived. 1.5-hours are needed to make a legal connection between the arrival of your international flight into Santiago and the departure of your national flight.


2. Flight Connections – Airport Information

Bariloche Airport
Upon arrival in Bariloche, an ExChile representative will be waiting for you. The driver will pick you up and drive you to the border of Argentina-Chile (5.5 hours). Here, you will need to go through departure customs in Argentina and then walk 100m before entering and clearing customs in Chile. You will then be transported 10 kilometers to Futaleufu. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time.

Esquel Airport
Upon arrival to Esquel, an ExChile representative will be waiting for you. The driver will pick you up and drive you to the border of Argentina-Chile (2 hours). Here, you will need to go through departure customs in Argentina and then walk 100m before entering and clearing customs in Chile. You will then be transported 10 kilometers to Futaleufu. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time.

Puerto Montt Airport
Once you arrive to Puerto Montt, collect your bags, depart the baggage area and goto to service counters. Our counter Servicio Aereos Regionales is on the far end of the airport as seen in the picture below.

Mireya Gonzalez is an ExChile affiliate and manages this counter. Identify yourself with name and passport and inform them that you are traveling with Expediciones Chile. They have your reservation waiting for you. (Usually our charter flight departs at 11:00am to Chaiten. Certain Saturdays there will be a second flight at 2:00 pm) With a pay phone, we are a local call from this airport. If you use a prepaid card, you will need our area code (+56). If you have time, there is an ATM machine in the lobby (we do not guarantee it will be in service).

Chaiten Airport
Once you arrive at the Chaiten airport, an ExChile staff member will pick you up and drive you to Futaleufu. The drive lasts approximately 3.5 hours. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time.

Punta Arenas Airport
Once you arrive in Punta Arenas, get your luggage and look for our representative. Identify yourself with name and passport and inform them that you are traveling with Expediciones Chile and Cascada. Trips start at 12:00 p.m. at the airport. The first flight from Santiago usually arrives at 11:50 a.m. in Punta Arenas. If you are arriving after 1:00 p.m., you will have to arrange a private shuttle to the park or arrive the day prior to the trip.

If you run into problems along your journey, call our Puerto Natales office and continue on. We will be expecting you and will help you sort out any confusion upon arrival.

Valdivia Airport
Upon arrival to Valdivia, an ExChile staff member will pick you up and you will be united with your safari trip group. Immediately contact ExChile (USA or Chile office) if you have any problems or are arriving at an unexpected time.


3. Unexpected Travel Complications

Lost Luggage

If at any point during your travels you realize that your luggage has been lost, immediately report the issue to the airline. It is their duty to make sure your baggage gets to your final destination, even if they have to additionally transport it by land. However, if you are in a hurry to catch your next flight, do not waste time reporting your baggage. The connecting flight is more important than your baggage, as there are limited daily flights with limited space. Our staff at ExChile will track your luggage if you are not able to report it immediately. Your connecting flight takes priority.

Cancelled/Missed Flight

Remember to tell the airline tbout your pickup time. Insist they get you on the next flight that will makes your pickup. It also helps when flying home to let the airline know that you have an intenational connection. IF they have delayed the flight, they will usually bend over backwards to solve your problems knowing that you have further connections.

To Esquel:
If your original flight was from Buenos Aires to Esquel, begin to look into flights to Bariloche (as there are12 per day, as opposed to 3 per week).

Attempt to be in Bariloche by 2:30 p.m. in time for the ExChile shuttle to Futaleufu. If you cannot make it, ExChile will arrange private transport. This will cost $350 USD per vehicle (3-passenger maximum). If you will not make it to the border (5-hours) by the time it closes, we recommend taking this vehicle to a small lodge near the border in the charming town of Trevelin. If you inform our office, we will make a reservation for you to stay there. You can then cross the border first thing in the morning and not miss a day of activity. If you decide to stay and spend a night in Bariloche, you can take a comfortable bus to Esquel the following morning ($20; 4-hrs). We will arrange a free shuttle from Esquel to Futaleufú. This will lead to one less day of trip activity.

To Bariloche:
There are many flights each day to Bariloche on both Aerolineas Argentina and LAN airlines. Go to the ticket counters to reserve a seat on the soonest departure possible.

If your party will not make it in time for the Saturday shuttle from Bariloche to Futaleufu, we can schedule a private vehicle. This will cost $350 USD per vehicle (3-passenger maximum). If you will not make it to the border (5-hours) by the time it closes, we recommend taking this vehicle to a small lodge near the border in the charming town of Trevelin. If you inform our office, we will make a reservation for you to stay there. You can then cross the border first thing in the morning and not miss a day of activity. If you decide to stay and spend a night in Bariloche, you can take a comfortable bus to Esquel the following morning. We will arrange a free shuttle from Esquel to Futaleufú. This will lead to one less day of trip activity.

To Puerto Montt / To Chaiten:
If you miss either of your flights coming in through Chile, immediately go to the counter to research the next departure. Also, if possible, inform our office so that we can work on the issue with you. If you will not be able to depart the same day, you will need to spend the night. Take time to explore the port village and consider it part of your adventure. You will be able to arrange for a flight the following day. See Overnight Stay below.

To Santiago / To Buenos Aires:
If you miss your international flight, immediately go to the counter to research the next departure. Also, if possible, inform our office so that we can work on the issue with you. We will also be able to work on changing your connecting flights.
Expediciones Chile is not financially responsible for any travel complications, but we will committedly offer our services to correct any issues that may arrive. See Emergency Contact Numbers above. If you are concerned, we highly recommend Travel Insurance.


4. Overnight Stay

If you will be staying overnight along your route (expectedly or unexpectedly), please inform ExChile so we can make arrangements to pick you up at your hotel the day of your arrival to Futaleufu.
If you have to unexpectedly stay overnight due to travel complications, please view a few of our suggestions below. This information will also be helpful in case you have to find lodging last minute.

Lodging & Hotel Reservations >>

5. Money