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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
Back to topAccordingly you should allow approx. US$70 for gratuities for local staff.
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Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: Chile: Peso. Bolivia: Boliviano. Peru: Nuevo Sol.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Carry all your funds in U.S. dollar cash (NOT Sterling, which is almost impossible to change). It is advisable to take a minimum of US$400-500 of your total spending money in cash, in mixed denominations. Old, dirty or marked notes are not accepted locally.
Where to Exchange: Most major towns. Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival. When changing money always keep your receipts for changing back money.
ATM Availability: Major towns.
Credit Card Acceptance: Credit cards are useful and can be used in many places, but may be subject to a service charge.
Travellers Cheques: Travellers cheques can be awkward or expensive to change (American Express are the easiest to change).
Additional Information:You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 10% usually applies. Note: US dollar bills with the series CB-B2 year 2001 will not be accepted for exchange.
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| UK | Bolivia | Chile | Peru | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | $0.90 | $2.50 | $2.00 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | $0.90 | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | $0.90 | $2.00 | $1.60 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | $2.00 | $7.00 | $2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | $7.00 | $20.00 | $13.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | $11.50 | $30.00 | $20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | $13.00 | $10.00 | $13.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Back to topChile: Visas are not required by UK, USA, NZ, AUS and Canadian citizens.
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Bolivia: No visa is required by UK, CAN, AUS and NZ citizens. US citizens require a visa to visit Bolivia.
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Peru: No visa is required for citizens of UK, CAN, USA, AUS and NZ. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Please note all passengers arriving with passports from Australia, Canada or USA will have to pay a “reciprocity” tax before getting into the migration area. Australia $61, Canada $132, USA $131.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Please note: Please note that flights on the tour may transit through the USA. According to US law, passengers will have to disembark, collect luggage and clear immigration before re-boarding for the onward flight.
Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain both a digital photograph of the holder and also an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information.
All passengers travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme must provide their details online no later than 72 hours prior to travel. British travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely to be detained and sent home. In addition to passport information, you must also supply the full address of your first night’s accommodation in the USA. This information can be obtained from your joining instructions which are sent out approximately 3 weeks before travel.
Anyone applying for ESTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to travel under the Visa Waiver system will be charged a fee of 14USD (9GBP).
For more information, and to apply online, please visit the following website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Once obtained, the application will be valid for a period of two years, or for the validity of your passport (whichever is shorter).
For more information about who is eligible for the VWP, or any other questions you may have regarding your eligibility, or machine readable passports, please contact your local consular office, or visit www.usembassy.org.uk
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topPlease note the walk to our accommodation on Isla del Sol involves 200m of ascent at altitude – you should have a good level of fitness to do this.
Back to topParts of this trip are undertaken at a high altitude – the realm of thin, cold, dry air. Whilst this is unlikely to be a problem it is wise to be aware of how it may affect you.
Back to topThe maximum altitude on this tour is 4335m.
Back to topChile: First, remember that the seasons are reversed – the European winter is summertime in Chile. The best time to visit is spring (September-November) and autumn (March-April). Between June and September cold nights should be expected, but daily temperatures are springlike. At any time of year it can be extremely cold at altitude with temperatures dropping below zero and even to -15°C at elevation. Remember rain can fall at any time of the year in Santiago and Viña del Mar, but seldom around La Serena and San Pedro. Occasionally snow can obstruct the highest Andes passes.
Back to topBolivia & Peru: Bear in mind that at high altitude temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly. The interiors are hot and humid from October to March (summer) and mild to hot from April to September (winter). In the highlands there are year round sunny days and chilly evenings. The main rains fall between December and March, with the rest of the time being mainly dry.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topOne main piece and a daypack and an extra bag for the two nights on Isla Del Sol and the overnight in Aguas Calientes. The main bags are left in Copacabana and Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley) respectively. On Isla del Sol, the extra bags are carried by mules so you only have to carry daypacks. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage (i.e. on and off transport etc.) so don’t overload yourself. It is recommended you bring lockable bags.
Back to topBear in mind that several different climatic zones will be experienced. Lightweight clothing is necessary for some warm and humid daytime conditions, though evenings can be cooler, and temperatures at altitude can drop considerably, so please come prepared. The highlands enjoy dry sunny days but extremely cold nights so thermal underwear, a well insulated fleece/jacket and a thick sweater are essential. Bring something warm to sleep in. Lightweight raingear is essential at any time of the year. Bring a swimming costume for the thermal baths at Aguas Calientes.
Back to topComfortable lightweight trail boots, trainers and sandals.
Back to topA sunhat and sunglasses are advisable as is high factor sunscreen and lipsalve with sun protection, due to the thinness of the atmosphere. A torch is also useful in case of power cuts or emergencies. Don’t forget your camera and a towel. If you intend to do the walking on Isla Del Sol you may want to bring a walking pole if you have one.
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topFor all Peru tours, we require full passport details 6 weeks prior to departure. Failure to provide this information at this time may prevent you from getting a place on the tour. Any changes to passport details after booking must be notified immediately with a photocopy of the changes/new passport.
Back to topStrikes, rallies and roadblocks are quite common forms of protest in Peru and Bolivia and whilst we have excellent resources in place to minimise any disruption to the tour, occasionally we have to make changes to our planned route and/or itinerary.
Back to topFor comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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