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:

• 1 medium weight fleece or wool hat
• 1 pair of synthetic underwear
• Headlamp
• 1 lightweight synthetic long underwear bottom
• Prescription eye wear (if applicable)
• 1 pair of quick-drying nylon shorts
• 1 lightweight synthetic long underwear top
• 1 pair of quick-dry nylon trekking pants
• 1 synthetic t-shirt
• Rain jacket and pants
• 1 sport/jog bra (if applicable)
• 1 pair of medium weight socks
• 1 medium weight fleece jacket or pullover
• Hiking boots
• 1 pair of warm fleece or wool gloves
• Prescription medication (if applicable)

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.

All participants are required to follow our COVID-19 Program Protocols.

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

• Time and Date: 12:00 noon on first day of course. To ensure that you arrive on time, we strongly recommend that you arrive the day before course. Delays and cancellations of flights into Bariloche are common.
• Location: San Carlos de Bariloche International Airport (BRC), Ruta 237 S/N, 8400 San Carlos Bariloche, Rio Negro Argentina. An Outward Bound staff representative will meet you in the lobby near the coffee shop. 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.
• Airline Arrival: If you choose not to arrive the day before course starts book your inbound flight to arrive no later than 12:00 noon. Do not book arrival after 12:00 noon as we are unable to accommodate arrivals after this time. Itineraries booked with an arrival time later than 12:00 noon will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.

DATES TBA - San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina to Miami, FL: You are responsible for purchasing a ticket from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (BRC) to Miami, FL (MIA) to begin Phase II of the course. This ticket must be purchased prior to your course start.

North Carolina Outward Bound requires you to be booked on the following flights departing DATES TBA:

San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC), Argentina to Buenos Aires (EZE), Argentina  

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

• Airline Departure 1:00 PM: Book your departure no earlier than 1:00 PM on the last day of the course. Itineraries booked outside of these times will require rebooking which can be costly and avoidable.
• Vehicle Departure 11:45 AM: The pick-up/vehicle departure time is 11:45 AM on the last day of the course.

 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.

Changing Airports Within Buenos Aires, Argentina

There are two airports in Buenos Aires, Argentina:  

• Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE).
• Jorge Newbery Aeropark domestic airport (AEP).

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:

• Manuel Tienda Leon 
• Trans Argentina 

At least two weeks prior to course start, we will email a request for travel arrangements.

Reference our COVID-19 Program Protocols:

• Participants may travel to/from course by personal vehicle or commercial transportation; however, personal vehicle travel is strongly encouraged. 
• 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. Plan must NOT include commercial travel. 

Back-Up Departure Plan Criteria: 

• If you need to depart course early, your plan must allow for departure within 48-hours   
• Adults (18+) must either: 
  • Preferred - Depart from the Outward Bound program location by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person. 
  • Request that Outward Bound provide transportation to a hotel near the airport, provided the participant meets the hotel's age requirements for check-in. Refer to our Hotel/Lodging Information section below for options.   
• Youth (12-17 years old) must depart from the Outward Bound program location by private vehicle, providing name and contact information of pick-up person. 

Please reference the CDC recommendations for Protecting Yourself When Using Transportation and Considerations for Travelers.

TRAVEL AGENCY

Jana Tvedt, owner of Vibrance Travel, is a travel and trip insurance resource available to you. Contact Jana at: jana@vibrancetravel.com or 203-257-7806. 

Consider third party trip insurance to protect your financial investment of course tuition, airfare and/or emergency evacuation. Trip insurance options are widely available. Jana Tvedt, owner of Vibrance Travel, is a travel and trip insurance resource available to you.

Contact Jana at: jana@vibrancetravel.com or 203-257-7806. 

 North Carolina Outward Bound School does not represent or endorse any third party trip insurance options.

HOTELS NEAR THE AIRPORT

If you or your child’s travel plans require an overnight stay before or after the course, there are hotels near the airport. Prior to booking, confirm any minimum age requirements and availability of shuttle service to/from the airport (if applicable).

In Bariloche (course start): 

• The Panamericano Hotel - (54-2944) 4255847
• Hotel Nevada - (54-2944) 522778

• The Bariloche Hostel
• Tango Inn Hostel 
• Bolsa Del Deporte Periko’s Youth Hostel -  (54-2944)522326 

Asheville, NC (course end):

• Clarion Inn Airport 
• Econo Lodge Airport 
• Fairfield Inn Asheville Airport 
• Comfort Inn Asheville Airport 

 

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