ONLY MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER:
We typically need 6 firm enrollments in order to confirm the course as “GO.” If you purchase airline tickets before notified to do so, make sure you either purchase refundable/transferable tickets OR purchase trip insurance covering the cost of airfare in the event your course is canceled or if you are not cleared to participate. North Carolina Outward Bound is not responsible for refunding the cost of airline tickets, clothing and gear, etc.
TRAVEL DELAYS
If you are delayed while traveling, call us immediately at 800-878-5258. We work diligently to accommodate unforeseen travel delays. However, in certain cases of extreme delays, it may not be possible for you to join the course.
CELL PHONES
Traveling to and from course with a cell phone and charger is encouraged. Upon arrival and check in with our staff at the airport, we will remind participants to call their families immediately, as cell phones are not permitted once the course has officially begun. At that point, all cell phones will be turned off and stored in personal luggage until course end.
BE PREPARED
Be dressed in items from the clothing list, make all necessary calls and have eaten prior to departure from the airport.
Review current government regulations regarding carry-on items at www.tsa.gov. Many airlines charge for each checked bag. Check your airline’s baggage policy and pay any fees for you or your child’s inbound and outbound flights.
PASSPORTS
A passport is required for entry into Argentina. Passport applications may take two to three months to process so apply well in advance of your departure date. The passport application fee is $135 (subject to change). 2 Passport numbers must be submitted to Outward Bound no later than two weeks before the start of the course to ensure that we can complete permits necessary for traveling in Patagonia. Make four clear photocopies of your passport. Mail, fax or scan a copy to our office with your required forms. We encourage you to bring one copy of your passport to the course and leave one with your emergency contact at home.
ESSENTIAL CARRY-ON ITEMS
We advise that you pack all essentials from the Clothing and Gear list in a carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost or delayed. These items include:
More detailed descriptions of these items are available in the Clothing and Gear list. These items will outfit you during the first 24-72 hours of course if your luggage is lost or delayed. Include copies of your passport and your airline ticket itineraries. Be careful with your carry-on bag while traveling to avoid your bag being lost or stolen. We suggest using a money belt or traveler’s neck pouch for passports, cash, credit cards and airline tickets.
Do not finalize travel plans until you have confirmed that your Medical Record booklet has been processed, cleared and your course has been declared a “go.” The North Carolina Outward Bound School is not responsible for refunding the cost of airline tickets if the course cancels.
COURSE START ARRIVAL TIME/LOCATION
This is our only pick-up location/time. Look for Outward Bound staff wearing a shirt or hat with an Outward Bound logo and/or carrying an Outward Bound sign. This staff person will have a list of all course participants.
We advise all students download WhatsApp to your smartphone to communicate with Outward Bound via Wi-Fi in lieu of an international cell phone plan.
Bariloche, Argentina to Buenos Aires, Argentina (BRC-EZE)
Aerolineas Argentinas (AR) #1685
Depart: 1:00PM
Arrive: Buenos Aires 3:00PM
Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami, FL (EZE-MIA)
American Airlines (AA) #900Y
Depart: 9:50PM
Arrive: Miami 5:00AM (overnight flight; arrive MIA February 9, 2023)
YOUR COURSE WILL END AT THIS LOCATION WHETHER YOU ARE DEPARTING BY PLANE OR CAR.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – www.flyavl.com
61 Terminal Drive – Fletcher, NC 28732-9442
This is our only drop-off location.
COVID-19 BACK-UP DEPARTURE PLAN
If you intend to depart by commercial transportation, you must submit a back-up departure plan should you need to depart under quarantine or isolation protocols. Reference SUBMITTING YOUR TRAVEL PLANS section below.
There are two airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
Some airline itineraries require a lengthy ground transport between EZE and AEP to connect to San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC). Other itineraries offer direct flights from EZE to San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC), avoiding the airport-to-airport ground transport.
North Carolina Outward Bound recommends choosing a direct flight from EZE to BRC; however, flight availability changes regularly.
If your airline itinerary requires ground transportation between EZE and AEP, this transport is NOT included in your airline itinerary. You must arrange it separately before day of travel. If you choose this option, make sure your airline itinerary allows for 5 hours layover between the two airports. It will take significant time to claim baggage, clear customs, cross the city, check in and go through security again. Plus, there may be unforeseen delays due to traffic, road construction or weather.
Please refer to these websites to arrange ground transportation:
At least two weeks prior to course start, we will email a request for travel arrangements. Please reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols.
Participants on Open Enrollment courses may travel to/from course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is strongly encouraged.
To reduce the likelihood of participants testing positive upon arrival to Outward Bound, we highly encourage participants to take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test 24-hours or less prior to traveling to Outward Bound. Participants who test positive should not travel and will not be accepted onto course.
Participants will take an NCOBS-administered rapid antigen COVID-19 test on course start day upon arrival. Participants testing positive, as well as any close contacts, will not be accepted on course.
If you intend to travel by commercial transportation, you must submit a back-up travel plan should you need to travel home under quarantine or isolation protocols. Plan must NOT include commercial travel.
YOUTH (Course Age Ranges 14-18) must depart from the airport at course start or from the Outward Bound program location during course by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person. Once course is in progress, if you must depart course early due to COVID-19, your plan must allow for departure within 48 hours.
ADULT (Course age ranges 18+, 18-25, 30+) must either:
OR
Hotels include:
Once course is in progress, if you must depart course early due to COVID-19, your plan must allow for departure within 48 hours.
Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.
Consider third party trip insurance to protect your financial investment of course tuition, airfare and/or emergency evacuation. Trip insurance options are widely available.
North Carolina Outward Bound School does not represent or endorse any third-party trip insurance options.
In Bariloche (course start):
Asheville, NC (course end):
If you are traveling by air, be aware of TSA guidelines. To avoid TSA taking items out of your carry-on luggage (like insect repellent and sunscreen), pack these items in your checked luggage or do not exceed size specifications. For more information please visit the TSA website: Transportation Security Administration - Carry-ons