LOCAL TOUR PAYMENT
Local Payment is part of your overall tour investment and is the easiest and most economical way 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 from elsewhere. This is payable to your tour leader on departure and needs to be in US Dollars cash only.
Please note: US Dollar Travellers Cheques cannot be changed into US$ cash in most countries we visit, they can only be changed into local currency (banks will often tell you different, this is incorrect). In the few places where you can sometimes buy US$ cash, you will pay excessive charges.
ABOUT OVERLANDING, ABOUT YOUR CREW
There are usually two crew whose duties are extensive and quite demanding, with challenges ranging from driving and maintaining the expedition vehicle to a very high standard, to organising visas and border crossings, accommodation, pre-booking some excursions and guides, helping with shopping and cooking as well as finding the best deals, keeping up with the party animals and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Adventure travel - is not an exact science. The very unpredictability, which makes it such a rewarding experience, means occasionally we must amend our itineraries to take into account changing local circumstances. In such situations we'll always try to minimise any disruption, but you need to bear in mind that from time to time events occur outside our control. While our crew are experienced and knowledgeable of the countries through which we travel they are not tour guides as such. In some places we visit, experienced local guides will be available.
THE EXPEDITION VEHICLES
The vehicles are designed to create more space for you compared to other overland vehicles. After all, the truck is your home for the duration of the trip! The size and horsepower of our vehicles also enables us to carry far more spares, fuel, water, and allows far more storage space for your luggage than the cramped conditions that prevail on many other vehicles. About 90% ofthe roads between Quito and Santiago are now sealed. Although some roads are badly potholed or gravel we are capable of cruising at 80 to 90kmh on most other roads except in Bolivia. The vehicles are equipped with diff-lock, which enables us to pass through most terrains we encounter without any bother or fuss. The vehicles are fully insulated and internally heated as well for extra comfort.
Vehicle Equipment - All our vehicles are equipped for your comfort with the following:
- Comfortable coach seats with removable seat bases for easy access to your baggage throughout the day
- 12 volt cigarette sockets for recharging camera /video batteries
- Internal & external lighting system
- Onboard stereo with adaptors for MP3, MD or CD walkmans
- Inter cab buzzer for communication with the crew
- Cooler boxes for food and drinks
- Extra storage space for excess baggage and souvenirs
- Easy to reach overhead racking for day bags & cameras
- Internal heaters (for those high altitudes!)
- Lockable safe for storage of money and valuables
- On board library
- Professionally compiled expedition medical kit
- Roomy 2 person tents
- Large water & fuel carrying capacity
- Large store facilities for dried, tinned & fresh food
- Camp stools
- Extensive cooking equipment & facilities
- Extensive range of spare parts
Security - There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck beneath a false floor. This is for your money belts, passports and smaller valuables. The company does not take responsibility for client's personal items. In certain areas a roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle. A money belt that can be concealed is better than a bum bag or wallet that hangs from the belt line.
LIFE ON TOUR
Accommodation - We use 2 person tents which are specially made for us to meet the tougher conditions of an trip of this nature. All our tents have a sewn in floor and mosquito netting in the doors. We spend around 60% of the nights camping and the rest of the time in simple hotels/guesthouses. Some are well equipped and managed and others very basic. You will need to bring along a sleeping bag, sleep sheet & roll-mat.
There are times when we will have some long drives, be prepared to cover large distances. Most evenings we will stop and find a bush camp and you and your tent partner will put up your tent, and then give a hand with the duty you will be rostered for, getting out the tables and stools or maybe the cook tent and water containers. Some may help collect firewood or take the stored firewood from the truck. The fire grates or gas stove need to be taken out, and lit and someone can fill the kettle and put it on for some hot drinks while the cooks prepare the evening meal.
We usually cook in groups of 2 to 4 in a rota system and you can expect to cook about once every 10 to 20 days, depending on group size. At breakfast everyone helps themselves. Usually cereal, toast and coffee (occasionally we may have a fried breakfast). When we stay in a hotel, breakfast is sometimes provided. Lunch is cold and the cooking crew will put out bread, tinned food and maybe make a salad. In the evening the cooks come into their own and this is your chance to impress or flop! Don't worry your tour leader and other members of the group will always help and advise. We also have some quite long breaks (2 to 6 days at a time) where we are in one place, with no driving. At these places most people prefer to eat out, so we often don't cook all meals - this enables you to get out and try the local cuisine!
You will get a chance to shower most nights on the trip, but not all campsites on the trip will have hot showers.
PRE TOUR ACCOMMODATION
SANTIAGO
N.B On Arrival into Santiago, nationals of Australia, Canada, and the USA entering Chile for touristic purposes, will be charged a processing fee, payable on arrival at the airport and in $US cash only. Australia US$35, Canada US$55 and USA US$100.
Our departure hotel in Santiago is
La Casa Roja,
Agustinas 2113, Santiago,
Tel: (562) 6964241
Email, info@lacasaroja.tie.cl.
It is about 30 minutes from the airport and close to the city centre. It costs from US$9 for a dorm room and US$20 - US$27 for a double. We can reserve rooms for you free of charge but you must pay for the rooms yourself on arrival. (Double rooms are requested but not guaranteed). We request the rooms four weeks before departure of the tour so if you wish us to reserve a room for you, you must let us know at least six weeks beforehand.
You can also stay at the
Hotel Ducado,
Augustinas 1990, Santiago.
Tel (562) 696 9384, Fax 695 1271,
Email hotelducado@entelchile.net.
It is also about 30mins from the airport and close to the city centre. It costs from US$20 - US$25 for a single room and US$25 - US$30 for a double, including breakfast and you pay for the rooms yourself on arrival.
Lima It is a good idea to change some Travellers Cheques at one of the banks in the airport before you exit. The rates are the same as in town but better than at hotels. It is best to take a taxi direct to your hotel so you can drop your baggage and put your money into a safe. If you stay at the Hotel Kamana (see below), you can use their airport transfer service. Let us know your flight details when you request a room and we can book it for you. The cost is US$10 which you pay directly to the hotel. There is also an official taxi booth at the airport and a taxi should cost you about US $15. If you do take a private taxi without a meter you will have to settle on a price before you enter the cab. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport.
We use the Hotel Kamana in Lima. It is situated in the old quarter of the city. It costs around US$25 a single room, $30 for a double and $35 for a triple (breakfast not included). The address is:
Jiron Camana 547, Lima,
Ph: (51-1) 4267204, fax: 4260790.
We can reserve rooms for you free of charge but you must pay for the rooms yourself on arrival. They accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. If you wish us to reserve a room we need to know at least six weeks before hand. There are cheaper hotels nearby but these are unreliable to pre-book. Good guidebooks will point you in the right direction as well as give you a wide choice.
QUITO It is a good idea to change some Travellers Cheques at one of the banks in the airport before you exit. It is best to go directly to your hotel so you can drop your baggage and put your money into a safe. If you stay at the Hotel Majestic (see below), you can use their airport transfer service. Let us know your flight details when you request a room and we can book it for you. The cost is US$6 per person which you pay directly to the hotel. You can also ask at the airport information desk for a taxi which will cost you about US$15. Most cabs are private without meters so you should settle on a fare before you enter the cab. The currency in Ecuador is the US dollar so you won't need to change any money, just have some cash handy to pay for your taxi. It is about 15km to the centre of Quito.
We use the Hotel Majestic in Quito; it is about 20 minutes from the airport and close to the new city. It costs around US$15 a single room, $20 for a double and $30 for a triple.
The address is:
Mercadillo 366 y Versailles, Quito,
Ph: 593 2 543 182, fax: 504 207.
All rooms have a bathroom. We can reserve rooms for you free of charge but you must pay for the rooms yourself on arrival. If you wish us to reserve a room we need to know at least six weeks before hand. There are cheaper hotels nearby but these are unreliable to pre-book. Good guidebooks will point you in the right direction as well as give you a wide choice.
RIO It is also a good idea to change some Travellers Cheques at one of the banks in the airport before you exit. It is best to take a taxi direct to your hotel so you can drop your baggage and put your money into a safe. It is definitely not advisable to take a bus into town as these are targeted by pickpockets. Galeao Airport is about 30 minutes from the city centre. A taxi to the centre will cost about US$10. Taxi Cabs have meters but check that the meter is on Zero when you start your journey. You can ask at the airport information desk about taxis.
We use the Arcos Palace Hotel in Rio; it is about 30 minutes from the airport in the old city centre.
The address is:
Avenida Mem de Sa 117, Lapa, Rio de Janeiro - CEP 20230,
Ph: (55) 2122428116 fax: 22524732. .
It costs from U$40 per person in a shared room. There is a 4 night minimum stay during
Carnaval - There is no minimum stay during New Year. We can reserve rooms for you free of charge but you must pay for the rooms yourself on arrival. We block book rooms in advance for our passengers over the CARNAVAL and NEW YEARS EVE periods so if you wish us to reserve a room for you please let us know at least 2 months in advance. There are cheaper hotels nearby but these are unreliable to pre-book. Good guidebooks will point you in the right direction as well as give you a wide choice.
New Years Eve in Rio If you are on a trip that coincides with New Years Eve in Rio you should fly into Rio about 4 days before your trip starts or allow a few days after your trip ends, to experience and join in the celebrations on Copacabana beach on the night of 31 Dec. There are also free outdoor concerts and a lavish firework display during this massive New Years Eve Party. We can reserve post and pre-tour accommodation for you at a cost of US$30 per person per night in the Rio Arcos Palace Hotel. You can meet up with our group and Tour Leaders on the 30 Dec at the Hotel and on the 31st we will all go to Copacabana together to party on through the night!
Carnaval in Rio If you are on a trip coinciding with Carnaval you should allow a few days before your trip starts or at the end of it, to experience this spectacular event, so book your flights accordingly. Most carnival events are from the Friday through to the Tuesday before the trip starts/after the trip ends. There are popular balls, which you can attend for approximately US$50. The Sambadromo also has spectacular parades with seats costing US$50 - US$100. We can book you into the Arcos Palace Hotel in Rio where your trip starts/ends, at a cost of US$40 per person. They have a 4 night minimum stay, 17-20 Feb inclusive for 2007.
MEETING POINT AND TIME
You will need to be at your departure point the day before the trip begins. At the end of your trip return flights must only be booked for the day after your trip has ended. If booking flights, ask for an 'open jaw' return, either into Quito and out of La Paz or Santiago, or vice versa. Airlines such as Iberia, Avianca, Varig, BA, or KLM will do open jaws into some of these cities. It is usually cheaper to book your airline tickets through a travel agent rather than direct with the airline.
Flights with all airlines cost more and are likely to be booked up earlier for the busy months of July, August, November and December. Upon arrival you will need to clear immigration and customs. You will need to take a taxi either to the hotel we recommend or to the one of your choice.
The tour officially starts at 8.30am on the day of departure, leaving from the relevant hotel (as above) in either Quito or Rio. There is a pre-departure meeting the night before departure - check for details posted in the hotel foyer.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
As a guide to help you budget, please request our list of prices for most of the optional side activities you can do. Most of the optional activities listed have to be paid for in cash.
PLEASE NOTE: We list the activities for your information only. They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by our staff. If you undertake any activity it must be clearly understood that to do so is your own decision and is done entirely at you own risk and does not form any part of your contract with Flatdog Adventure or Oasis Overland.
RECOMMENDED SPENDING MONEY
Things to Buy - South America is famous for many great items from wooden carvings, woven and knitted items such as the traditional Panama hats to gloves and colourful ponchos. There are also great opportunities to purchase jewellery, leather wares through to woollen items in most of the countries we travel through.
Bargaining - All prices are negotiable, especially in markets. Many travellers find it a hassle having to bargain for everything they wish to buy, but prices are usually inflated so if you are not happy, move on to another place. You are under no obligation to buy so don't be intimidated.
Tipping - Tipping is usually expected. It is often more than a reward for services well done, but, as wages are extremely low, it is an accepted means of supplementing an income. Tips should be at least 10% and keep small change on you so as not to incur a large demand when it is seen you can afford more.
Currency - It is best to bring your money as one-third in US Dollars cash and two-thirds in US Dollars Travellers Cheques (T/C's). If you have a credit/debit card with a PIN number then bring one-third US Dollars cash, one-third T/Cs and one-third credit card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted BUT DO NOT RELY ON THEM, make sure you bring cash as mentioned above. Cards can be used to advance money in banks, BUT THIS CAN TAKE SEVERAL HOURS, and you will only be given local currency, not US Dollars. The only exceptions are Ecuador and Peru. You can also obtain US dollars using your card in Santiago but note that you
will pay excessive charges for this. Also small towns and branch banks often won't accept cards and if computer systems go down there have been times when for a few days even main banks won't accept cards. You will find ATMs in some towns but these don't always work. So don't completely rely on credit cards for cash advances. You should ask your card issuer what they will charge you for using your card to withdraw cash overseas.
Counterfeit US Dollars, mainly $100 bills, are common in parts of S. America and for this reason old notes or damaged notes are sometimes not accepted. For this reason, when buying US Dollars before you travel, ask for clean notes with no tears or markings, as marked and torn notes and pre 1996 notes are often not accepted in South America. It can be difficult using $100 bills in Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia so if possible, bring $50 bills for these countries.
Once on the trip, it's best to use your T/Cs where you can and save your US Dollars cash for times when it's difficult to change T/Cs, or for excursions that need to be paid for in cash. Your crew will be able to give you more advice on this to help you budget, once you join the trip. Please note that local banks and forex bureaux charge a commission (2% to 5%) for changing TC's but not for cash. We suggest that people allow about US$150 to $200 per week; this is to include spending money, side trips and some meals out, drinks, emails, souvenirs, visas and arrival/departure taxes. This is an estimated figure as personal spending habits and budgets vary hugely from person to person. Allow extra for your local payment.
Spending Money - As we say above, about US$150 to $200 a week is a reasonable budget. However, if you wish to budget on optional side trips separately then we recommend about US $15 - 20 per day for personal spending. If you plan on buying a lot of crafts and souvenirs along the way you may need a bit more.
PASSPORTS & 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.
Bolivia - At present nationalities of UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada do not require a visa. South Africans do require one - we recommend obtaining this before you start the trip, see the website of the Bolivian Embassy in London: www.embassyofbolivia.co.uk.
N.B. On arrival at Lima airport, you will be given a white ‘Immigration card'. It is important that you keep this with your passport during your entire stay in Peru as it is needed for departure from Peru.
IMPORTANT Visa Information - If you are flying via the USA on any airline
Please Note: As of 26 October 2004, US immigration and visa requirements have changed and the visa waiver program (VWP) for non machine readable passports is no longer in effect. This now means that all nationalities travelling to or through the US (even in transit) will require visas if they do not have machine readable or biometric passports - if you are unsure if you have either of these please check the following websites to ascertain whether you will need to apply for a visa to the US before flying out to join your tour or ask your travel agent with whom you booked your flights.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk
U.S State Department travel advice: www.travel.state.gov
As of 26 October 2005 all VWP nationalities with passports issued on or after that date entering or transiting through USA will need biometric passports OR obtain a USA visa before travelling.
If your nationality does not participate in the VWP, check the US State Dept website for your visa requirements.
SECURITY
Security can be a problem if you do not take sensible precautions. As with most major cities worldwide, the majority of South American cities have their share of pickpockets plus teams of youths who target tourists. Don't walk around town wearing a wristwatch or carrying a camera. Leave your valuables in your hotel safe. At night-time always use a taxi; don't walk around the streets alone at night. Single women in particular need to be careful. Use your commonsense when approached by individuals on the street. This is not the way normal South Americans would meet you so be wary of the many scams that are used to entice you to part with your money. Once out of the main cities, people and small towns in general are safe and a lot more relaxed.
LUGGAGE & CLOTHING
The less you take the less you have to pack, wash and lug home and you can always pick up extras along the way. There is room on the truck for one large backpack and one day pack per person - you shouldn't need any more than this! You will be travelling in the heat, lazing on beaches and camping in the cold, so bring clothes for all climates; rough stuff is best.
Suggested List - Remember, from April to October it will get very cold in the mountains, possibly with ice, snow and overnight frosts. It is essential that you bring thermal clothing and warm clothes during this period. We also recommend that you bring a 4 season sleeping bag throughout the year for those cold nights at high altitude.
CLOTHES
- One pair of trainers
- Hiking boots
- Shorts
- Skirt or dress
- Sandals/flip flops/jandals/thongs
- Waterproof Jacket
- Underwear
- Socks
- T shirts/Shirts
- Hat or cap
- Thermals
- Swimsuit
- Sweat shirt / jumper / fleece
- Gloves
- Jeans/Jogging pants or Leggings
Sunglasses
PERSONAL EFFECTS
- Sleeping Bag: 4 season (It can be very cold at nights and high altitudes)
- Sleeping mat / thermo rest
- Sleep sheet (used to keep your sleeping bag clean & can be used for hotter climates instead of your bag)
- Small day-pack or bag to carry your daily items
- Hat and sun-glasses
- Camera in a protective case, spare batteries, all the film you think you will need and a dust proof bag
- Money belt or pouch to hold your passport, vaccination certificates and travellers cheques
- Reading books
- Torch and spare batteries
- Personal Walkman - there is a stereo on the truck with a CD/ Mini disk adaptor
- Water bottle (1Ltr)
- Swiss army type penknife
- Rucksack or kit bag to carry your baggage in
TOILETRIES
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Moisturiser
- Soap ( in a container )
- Razors
- Tampons ( enough for the trip)
Towel
MEDICAL KIT
- Paracetamol / Aspirin
- Suntan cream and blockout / Lip balm
- Plasters
- Insect repellent containing Deet
- Re-hydration sachets, available from chemists or Boots
- Vitamin tablets
The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.
CLIMATE
You will experience a varying degree of climatic changes at any time of year, from freezing temperatures in the Andes to scorching heat in the desert and heavy downpours in the jungle.
The rains in the Andes usually occur between November and April. This means downpours once or twice a day with the rest of the day usually warm and sunny, although there will also be times where it may not rain at all for a week or so. April to October is the dry season with clear views of the mountains. It is hot during the day but extremely cold at night with temperatures often below zero.
You will be spending a lot of time at altitude where nights can be very cold at any time of year.
The deserts in Chile can also be cold during the night but can be very hot during the day particularly between October and May.
The Amazon Jungle is very hot with high humidity plus regular downpours of rain usually year-round.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography - Mornings and late afternoons are often best for photos, as the midday sun can be very bright and lead to a washed out look. A polarizing filter or lens hood will help to prevent this. It is advisable to have a good all round carry case to protect your camera from dust and knocks. An easy to use instamatic will get you good shots. If you want something really memorable it may be worthwhile investing in a SLR camera. An 80 to 210 zoom will get you some good people shots.
It is forbidden in all the countries we visit to take photos of anything military. Bridges, border posts and airports are also sensitive, so be careful or be prepared to have your film and possibly your camera confiscated by irate officials. Please act with discretion and respect when taking photos of people (especially Muslim women) - if in doubt it is always better to ask first before you snap a way! It is also advisable to be sensitive when poverty, deprivation or disadvantaged living may be apparent. Taking these kind of photos may send out a misconstrued message to the locals and may cause an uncomfortable or hostile atmosphere for yourself and others.
Video Cameras - Our vehicles are equipped with 12 volt cigarette lighter charger sockets, so it is worth while thinking about purchasing an in-car charger - however these can be expensive. If you decide not to purchase an in-car charger bring your normal 230V mains charger as well as a travel adaptor plug as you'll come across virtually every type of socket ever invented plus a few others and at some of the hotels, hostels, restaurants and campsites we use, you can charge from their mains supply. You should bring at least one spare battery with you, as purchasing spares on route may be expensive and difficult and there will be times on the tour when you will not be able to charge from the mains supplies for several days at a time. It is worthwhile considering purchasing a spare battery even if you bring an in-car charger with you, so as you will always have a battery charged and ready to go.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Your passport is the most important document you have when travelling. Always keep it in a secure location, either in a safe at the hotels we stay in or the trucks safe. Never leave your passport in your luggage. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after departure back to your country of origin and should have about one page for every country of entry. If you are one of those people with dual nationality you will find it impossible to change mid tour to the other passport to dodge visa costs, so the passport you start the tour on should be the passport you finish the tour on, but by all means bring your other passport in case of loss. Please remember that if you loose your passport it could take over a week to get a replacement. We accept no liability for items mislaid or stolen while on tour or in safe deposit boxes in hotels. In the end it is your responsibility to look after your important papers and to make sure they are safe and sound. It is advisable to bring a few photocopies of your passport with you.
PERSONAL HEALTH / VACCINATIONS
Health and Hygiene on the trip - Your crew will talk to you about cooking, washing cutlery, cleaning etc. We purify our drinking water where necessary. To join the expedition you should be in good general health. We must be told if you have any pre-existing medical condition or are on any regular medication.
Vaccinations - You need to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever & Typhoid and have an International Vaccination Certificate to prove this. It is also advisable to be immunized against; Tetanus, Polio, Meningitis and Hepatitis A and possibly Rabies. Consult your doctor or a medical clinic.
Malaria - The areas through which we travel are considered to be mostly malaria free but consult your doctor regarding the risks of malaria.
Altitude sickness - This is caused by thin air and can affect anyone arriving at high altitude. The symptoms are headaches, dizziness, shortage of breath and possibly nausea. To avoid this or alleviate the symptoms rest for a few hours, and avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, large meals, and take it easy for at least 24 hours and drink plenty of water. There is a drug called Diamox, which can help the effects of altitude sickness.
Medical Kits - We carry professionally compiled medical kits with emergency First aid material and antibiotics. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine and we advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey.
Personal Medicines - We advise you bring along your own small medical kit to include antiseptic ointment; antihistamine cream; nurofen or equivalent pain-killer; eye drops/bath; anti diarrhoea treatment; sun block; after sun/moisturiser; rehydration sachets; plasters; suitable antibiotics as recommended by your doctor for infected cuts and to treat severe dysentery.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is compulsory requirement before joining any Overland tour that you are insured against personal accident, medical and repatriation expenses. We can organise travel insurance for you if you wish. Please consult us or our website for details.
Payment - Please include the full payment of the insurance policy you require along with your deposit. You can do this by submitting your card details on the payments section of our website at the same time as you're booking details. We can only issue travel insurance upon receiving full payment for the policy.
Whichever policy you decide to take out - please read the small print. Please ensure that when calculating the amount of time you need insurance cover for - that you include your outward and return flight in the overall period of travel - or else your policy may be invalid.
Repatriation - check your policy make sure you are repatriated in case of an accident to your county of choice, - E.g. If you are an Australian resident and take out cover with us for travel to Africa or Asia and either you or a close relative at home become seriously ill whilst you're travelling, you will only be repatriated to the Australia and NOT to the UK. You would have to arrange your own onward travel from the UK.
NB. It is advisable to take out travel insurance at the time of booking as most policies cover you for cancellation and curtailment from the date the policy is issued. This means that should you have to cancel your trip for a number of reasons (read the policy wording to see what is covered) you may be able to claim some or all of your money back. Please contact us if you have any queries.
Your Tour Leader will ask to see a copy of your Insurance details at the beginning of your trip - especially details of the Insurers 24hr Emergency phone number and your policy number. Please also be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure you are fully covered for the correct regions that you are travelling through.
IMPORTANT: It is advisable to take out travel insurance at the time of booking as most policies cover you for personal cancellation and curtailment from the date the policy is issued. This means that should you have to cancel your trip for a number of reasons (read the policy wording to see what is covered) you may be able to claim some or all of your money back.
NOTE: If you are interested in extra insurance cover for your photographic equipment - please contact us and we will send you out a brochure.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Our suppliers believe travel should be a rewarding experience for you as well as the people we encounter, and that preserving the natural state and beauty of the areas we pass through is essential. For this reason with your support to Tourism Concern - a voluntary and charity based organization. Their aim is to educate travellers on positive and negative effects that tourism has on local communities. Part of your tour payment is donated to Tourism Concern - who use such donations for organizing and facilitating new or current projects in the UK and abroad.
Many projects that have been highlighted include the establishing of Porters rights in such tourist hubs as The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. For more information regarding the role of Tourism Concern and its involvement with other projects around the world - please log on to their website www.tourismconcern.org.uk We feel our support is part of an important initiative - also supported by other organizations such as Earth Watch, Raleigh International and STA Travel.
As a young company, our tour suppliers are fortunate to have the opportunity to operate trips in many developing countries of the world. We also hope that through travelling with us you will benefit from a raised awareness of the many environmental and social issues that concern the areas through which they travel. From running trips and supporting worthy organizations, we have developed our own practical and manageable environmental policy which all our crew are versed and practise to a high level in both the UK and abroad.
In Cuzco - Peru, you are helping with a financial donation to Pachamama's Children, a new project to help restore a school and bring back education to the children of the Chinchasuyo community, near Cuzco.
THE INCA TRAIL
This is the hiking route to visit the Ruins of Machu Picchu. This 2 or 4 day trek is rated moderate to strenuous and most people with good fitness levels can master it without problems. The average daily hiking time is between 5-8 hours and every participant can go at his or her own pace. Accommodation is camping. There is a very knowledgeable guide accompanying the group and porters who will carry the tents, food and all camping equipment. During this period your luggage will be stored in the hotel in Cuzco and you will only have to carry your day bag with sun cream, camera, water, rain jacket, hat, and any other gear you need during the day. Sleeping bags, mats and raincoats can be hired with the outfitter in Cuzco, however, many people choose to bring their own sleeping bags. At the end of each day, tents will be set up by porters as well as meals cooked in order to allow you time to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. The hike ends on the 4th day in the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and provides you with the unique opportunity to enjoy this mysterious place almost as unspoiled as it was in ancient times and, before the train with the main tourist stream arrives. |
