WHATS INCLUDED:
Cotopaxi National Park
Pylon del Diablo Excursion – Banos
Horse riding and hiking - Banos
4 day / 3 night Amazon Jungle Package
Papallacta Thermal Springs - Papallacta
Otavalo Markets - Otavalo
Frog Orchestra – Mindo
Butterfly Sanctuary – Mindo
All entrance fees to National Parks & sights visited as part of the tour itinerary
11 nights accommodation – 8 nights in comfortable tourist class hotels and guesthouses, 3 nights jungle lodge
Transport in deluxe air-conditioned vehicle
11 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Expert tour leader and local guides throughout
WHATS NOT INCLUDED:
• International flight, transfers and taxes
• Pre and Post tour Accommodation (can be arranged at time of booking)
• 3 Lunches & 4 Dinners
• Items listed in ‘Optional activities’ section
• Items of a personal nature & spending money
• Travel Insurance and Visas
• Local Tour Payment
LOCAL PAYMENT:
What is a Local Payment?
Local Payment is paid in cash to your tour leader on the first day of your tour in South America. It is part of your overall tour cost and is the easiest and most economical way for us to get hard currency to South America to help run your trip. It goes toward a variety of day to day local costs which cannot be pre-paid such as locally organised activities and meals at restaurants. Paying this money locally ensures tour leaders have a supply of money, as access to banking facilities can, at times be limited.
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIPS:
We aim to make our journeys as fully inclusive as possible while still giving you freedom to explore at leisure or to decide for yourselves how best to appreciate the wonderful regions through which we travel. Inclusions are clearly outlined for each trip in order to avoid any hidden costs. While we include all of the main sightseeing, optional activities do exist for people with special interests and your tour leader will help organise these for you as you travel.
Optional Activities Include:
White water rafting on the Rio Napo
Horse riding or Quad Biking in Banos
LIFE ON TOUR
This tour is suited to all people of an active nature who are keen to get out and explore South America in a comfortable, secure and stress free manner.
Tour Grade
Our tours are of a reasonably active nature. South America provides an abundance of wonderful outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, horse-riding, fishing and kayaking. Even paragliding and white water rafting are regularly available for the adventure seekers amongst us. However for those who prefer a lighter style of travel there are numerous alternatives available such as scenic train journeys, gentle walks and day hikes, scenic flights, recreational boat cruises and much more.
Relaxed Itineraries
Our relaxed itineraries allow you time to fully enjoy the many great places you will visit. Our flexible and well paced itineraries allow plenty of free time to pursue individual interests. You will not feel rushed or feel like you are being carted around from A to B. Instead, as we typically stay at least two or three nights at each destination you will feel satisfied and fulfilled due to the wonderful quality time you have enjoyed.
Comfortable & Quality Accommodation
Throughout your journey our number one priority is your comfort and enjoyment. We use only good tourist class hotels and guest houses that are centrally located with ensuite bathroom facilities and great guest services. Our jungle lodges are part of Rainforest Alliance offering unique, comfortable & eco-friendly accommodation.
It’s the little things
We believe that it’s the little things that make your journey special. Providing delicious cuisine and fine wines from the region, clean filtered drinking water on board our vehicles, a library of interesting books, hiring expert local guides and going the extra mile to service our clients are all examples of the little things we do that make a big difference.
Group Size
The maximum group size on all of our journeys is 16. Not only does this minimise our impact on the environment but it also allows experiences to be of a more intimate nature without the fuss that comes with travelling in large groups. You will be able to share your experiences with a small group of like minded people while also having time to pursue individual interests throughout the trip.
Your crew
This tour is fully escorted. Enjoy the benefits of an expert tour leader and our professional English speaking local guides throughout your journey. All of our crew are experienced and passionate and will share with you their knowledge and provide experiences and information that no guide book could ever offer.
Our vehicles
Our Ecuadorian circuit is operated using a deluxe air-conditioned mini bus. As drive times in Ecuador are much shorter and time spent with the vehicle is minimal this vehicle is ideal for your exploration of the region.
Why Travel Overland?
South America is a continent of diverse landscapes, vast open spaces, majestic mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, dense green forests, vibrant villages, unspoilt traditional cultures and much more. Travelling overland allows you to witness these ever changing landscapes and gives you the chance to see how local people really live away from the hustle and bustle of large cities and tourist centres. These are the sorts of experiences that allow you to really see the heart and soul of a country and its cultures.
Spending Money
We suggest that you allow about US$ 200 per week spending money. This is to include spending money, optional excursions, meals out that are not included in the itinerary, drinks, emails, souvenirs, visas and arrival/departure taxes. Of course this is only an estimated figure as personal spending habits and budgets vary hugely from person to person. If you plan on buying a lot of souvenirs or have expensive taste in wine and food you may need a bit more.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Viva Expeditions offers a “willing to share” option for all single travellers. Providing you are willing to share we will attempt to pair you with another willing to share passenger of the same sex. If there is no one available to share you will have a single room but still pay only the twin share price.
PRE & POST TOUR CITY STAY PACKAGES
Our wonderful city stay packages are great for people wanting to spend some extra time, either before or after their tour. Arriving a day before your tour begins gives you time to acclimatise and relax before you begin your exciting journey.
Quito
• Want some extra time to explore Quito? Our Quito extension includes one night’s accommodation at our great central hotel, return airport transfers and a half day Quito city tour.
*Prices are subject to change
Our hotel in Quito is:
Our hotel in Quito is:
HOTEL QUITO
Address: Avenida Gonzalez Suarez N27 142
La Florista
Quito
Ecuador
Phone: 593-2-254-4600
Web: www.hotelquito.com.ec
Breakfast: Included
Please not that due to availability the joining hotel may change. Any changes will be notified to the client.
VISAS
Please bring 2 photocopies of your passport details page to give to your tour leader. You'll need at least six blank pages in your passport, which must be valid for at least 9 months from your departure date. If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport.
Visas - Please note it is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the relevant visas that you require. If you have any doubts regarding visa requirements, please contact us or your Travel Agent. Most visas must be used within three months from their date of issue. At present, nationalities of UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada do not require visas for Ecuador, Peru, Argentina or Chile.
For information on the location of your nearest embassy or consulate we recommend the following website: yahoo.com/Government/Embassies_and_Consulates/ . For current updates on visa information you can try the website www.visaproject.com
INSURANCE
Personal travel insurance is compulsory for all clients whilst on a tour organized by Viva Expeditions. This must be organized prior to commencing any travel arrangements you have with us and it is your responsibility to ensure you are covered for the regions through which we will travel and for all activities you wish to undertake. A suitable policy must provide adequate cover for all necessary medical expenses and repatriation costs, loss of baggage, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday.
It is important that you read the terms and conditions of your policy very carefully. You should be aware of any exclusions relating to:
• Pre-existing medical conditions (including allergies)
• Certain activities deemed hazardous
Note: Travel Insurance attached to credit cards can often be very limited and is usually only affective if you have purchased your travel arrangements with your card.
You will be asked by your tour leader to provide a copy of your travel insurance policy at the pre-departure meeting. The following information is required:
• Your policy number
• 24 hour emergency contact number
• Verification that the policy is sufficient to cover you for the entire duration of the tour
It is a condition of booking with Viva Expeditions that you provide this information to your tour leader at the beginning of the tour. Failure to provide this information may result in our refusal to accept you on the tour.
Important note: It is highly recommended that you take out your travel insurance at the time of booking as your cover for pre-departure cancellation will commence from the date your policy is issued. This means that should you have to cancel your travel arrangements for any insured reason you may be able to claim back losses. This is subject to the standard terms and conditions of your policy.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
“Leave only footprints, take only pictures. . .” Minimising environmental impact is hugely important to us. We care greatly for the regions through which we travel and do our best to protect its landscapes, people and culture. We support local and international charities and are constantly seeking new projects and ways to assist local communities.
PERSONAL MEDICINES
Even though each of our vehicles is equipped with comprehensive medical kit - it is not for general everyday use. We advise you bring along your own small medical kit which should include:
• Eye drops/bath
• Antiseptic ointment
• Anti-diarrhoea treatment
• Nurofen or equivalent pain-killer
• Antihistamine cream and tablets
• Sun block / after sun lotion / moisturiser / lip balm
• Some suitable antibiotics as recommended by your doctor
• Assorted plasters
• 1-2 Sterile Syringes
• Insect repellent containing Deet
• Rehydration sachets / Vitamin Tablets
• Medication for personal allergies / asthma etc
A couple of bandages ( elasticated and triangular )
Please ensure your medical kit is portable so that you can carry with you while out and about on walks or other excursions. You cannot rely on others to carry this for you and you never know when you may be in need.
MALERIA
The areas we visit on this trip malaria free. However at times we may encounter mosquito’s or sand flies and as such it is advisable to carry insect repellent with you.
CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography as a fantastic way to capture and remember your experience however there a few things you should bear in mind:
• We recommend you have a good all-round carry case to protect your camera from dust and knocks. Plastic or zip-lock bags are often useful to protect your camera in dusty, sandy or wet conditions.
• It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts and airports are also sensitive. As such it is best to avoid photography in such circumstances unless you are prepared to have your film or possibly your camera confiscated.
• Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people. If in doubt always ask first if it is okay with the person for you to take their photo. Please be sensitive to their circumstances and also their rights as it can be very insulting to take someone’s photo if this is against their will.
SLR CAMERAS
An SLR camera with a good zoom will get you some great scenery and people shots. While often available sometimes it can be difficult to find good film at a reasonable price. It is defiantly advisable that you bring enough film to last you for the entire trip.
DIGITAL & VIDEO CAMERAS
Be sure to bring you’re a charger and some spare batteries. Most towns and cities have internet cafes where you can download your pictures onto CDs or internet sites. We also advise that you to bring your USB cable for your camera so you can connect it in the internet cafes. We also recommended that you bring at least 2 memory cards of 512mb or higher so that you are not caught out and don’t have to worry about constantly downloading.
BATTERIES & CHARGERS
You should bring at least one spare battery with you. Finding spares to buy on route can be difficult and expensive and there will be times on the tour when you will not be able to charge you batteries from the mains supplies for several days at a time. Having a spare battery charged and ready to go ensures that you always have a back up if the other runs out. The worst thing is to run out of battery when at a great sight and not be able to take any photos. Even if you bring an in-car charger so you can charge your battery using the 12 volt cigarette lighter socket on our vehicles is still worthwhile considering purchasing a spare battery. You should also bring your normal 230V mains charger as well as a travel adaptor plug so that you can charge your battery at the hotels.
ELECTRICITY
For information about the different electrical plugs and voltages used in different countries visit www.kropla.com
PACKING LIST
We recommend packing only the essentials that you require for the course of your journey. Any thing you forget you can pick up along the way. You may bring one large bag and one day pack and should not require any more than this! Please make sure the bag you bring is a soft bag or back pack not a rigid suitcase!
While the weather will generally be warm as we travel to higher altitiudes the weather can become colder especially in the evenings. As such it is important you have clothes for both warm and cold weather.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Clothes
During this tour you will experience a wide range of different climates. From warm and humid to cold and possibly wet. As such you need to be prepared for all conditions. We recommend you pack the following clothing:
• One pair of trainers
• Waterproof Jacket
• Shorts
• T shirts / Shirts
• Sweat shirt / jumper / fleece
• Jeans/Jogging pants or Leggings
• Skirt or dress
• Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
• Hiking boots
• Underwear
• Socks
• Thermals
• Hat or cap
• Swimsuit / towel
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
Toiletries
• You can buy most toiletries locally but we recommend you have the following
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Moisturiser
• Razors
• Feminine Products (enough for the trip)
Personal Items
We recommend you bring the following:
• Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
• Hat and sun-glasses
• Camera in a protective case, spare batteries, film.
• Money belt or pouch to carry your passport, vaccination certificates and travellers cheques
• Reading books (you can exchange these for other books from our onboard library)
• Torch and spare batteries (head torch is best)
• Personal Walkman - there is a stereo on the truck with a CD / I Pod / MP3 adaptor
• Water bottle
• Pocket knife
Travel Adapter Plug
Medical kit
As previously your personal medical kit should carry at the least: Paracetamol / Aspirin
• Plasters
• Rehydration sachets
• Insect repellent containing Deet
• Sunscreen / Lip balm
• Personal medications |
