2013 - APT South America

Frequently Asked Questions When is the Best Time to Visit South America? Due to its large size, South America as a continent is an all-year- round destination. The climate varies greatly between regions, which means that there is more than just one 'best time to visit'. Do I Require a Visa to Travel to South America? Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Brazil. The application takes a minimum of 20 working days to issue and is valid for stays of up to 90 days. A Brazilian visa is not required by New Zealand passport holders for visits of up to 90 days. Australians and New Zealanders do not require visas to enter Chile and Argentina, however Australian passport holders will be charged reciprocity fees of US$90 in Chile and US$100 in Argentina. These fees are payable in US$ cash on arrival in the country. New Zealand passport holders are not required to pay reciprocity fees. This information is correct at the time of printing. People of all other nationalities should contact the relevant consulates or your travel agent for the latest information on visa requirements. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and costs is the sole responsibility of passengers. All passengers must have a valid passport with at least six months validity from return date. It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have obtained all necessary visas before departing Australia or New Zealand. Do I Need to be Vaccinated Before I Travel? Vaccinations are required for travel to South America. It is important to note that Yellow Fever is a quarantinable disease in Australia and passengers travelling to some countries within South America must hold a Yellow Fever certificate to re-enter Australia. Please consult your doctor for details. It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have obtained all necessary vaccinations before departing Australia or New Zealand. Currency & Credit Cards US$ is widely accepted in South America however a range of local currencies are also in use. Many locations accept major credit cards and ATMs are available in most major centres. Before you depart, you should confirm that your ATM card will work overseas. When on board a cruise, all purchases are charged to your shipboard account, which can be paid in US$ or by credit card. What About Altitude Sickness? Also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude sickness is a condition caused by ascending to high altitudes. Most itineraries visit Lake Titicaca in Peru (3,811 meters above sea level) and Cusco in Peru (3,500 meters above sea level). Several also travel to Quito in Ecuador (2,850 metres above sea level). Most people will 74 experience some effect from these high altitudes, and suffer mildly from AMS. Symptoms can include: headache, lack of appetite, nausea, fatigue or weakness, dizziness or light-headedness. Symptoms can be reduced by ascending to higher altitudes slowly – which is how we have planned each itinerary. Staying well- hydrated is also important, hence we guarantee you'll be provided with bottled water each day. As an extra precaution and for your peace of mind, APT provides you with a personal oxygen canister on arrival in Cusco, Peru. Additionally, in all APT hotels and coaches that operate at high altitude, oxygen is available for use as required. Please consult your doctor before departure. What Clothes Should I Bring? We suggest casual and comfortable clothing. Please bring walking shoes as often sightseeing will involve walking over rough and uneven ground. Closed-end shoes are recommended to keep out the dust and sand. Dinner attire is casual open-neck shirts and slacks or dresses. Welcome and Farewell dinners are dressy but not formal. For travel in winter we suggest you bring water-resistant footwear, a warm coat and gloves. Laundry services are available in select places for a small fee. Electricity Throughout South America, voltages vary from 220V to 110V. An appropriate adaptor will be required for personal appliances. Health & Fitness Forms A good level of fitness and health is required to participate on our tours. In many of the cities walking is required on cobbled streets and uneven footpaths, and good mobility is needed getting on/off coaches, ships and trains. We strongly recommend a visit to the doctor and dentist before travelling to overseas destinations. For all our passengers visiting South America, you will be required to fill in a Health and Fitness Form. It is your responsibility to advise APT of any pre existing medical conditions that may affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of others while on tour. Optional Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu The optional hike must be purchased before departure and is based on a minimum of two people. The hike is approximately five hours long and climbs roughly 700m. It is physically demanding. For more information please enquire at the time of booking. Must book early. *Subject to availability.

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