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.
You will need to budget approximately US$30 for airport taxes.
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.
Accordingly, you should allow US$40 for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Bolivia |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$0.90 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.00 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$7.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$11.50 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$13.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
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.
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Visa Requirements
Bolivia: No visa is required by UK, CAN, AUS and NZ citizens. US citizens require a visa to visit Bolivia.
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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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Vaccinations & Protection
We recommend travellers to the Yungas and Chapare regions of Bolivia to be immunised against yellow fever. The tour enters the Yungas region when we stay in the Amazon basin at Rurrenabeque. A yellow fever certificate is not compulsory to enter Bolivia. We also recommend protection against typhoid, polio, infectious hepatitis, tetanus and malaria. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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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.
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Know before you go
We 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/
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Preparing for your tour
Altitude
Parts 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.
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Climate
Conditions vary from region to region and with altitude. Bear in mind that at high altitude temperatures can drop dramatically, and conditions can change suddenly. Inland – Hot and humid from October to March (summer). Mild to hot from April to September (winter). Highlands – All year, sunny days, chilly to cold evenings. Rainy December to March. It is mainly dry the rest of year so the best time for mountain travel.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Your daypack should be large enough to carry warm and waterproof clothing as weather can be quite changeable. Although the Altiplano is very dry, it can, and often does, rain in tropical downpours in the Amazon basin. Please note there is a 15kg luggage limit on the flight to Rurrenabeque. Excess luggage can be stored in La Paz.
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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
The highlands of Bolivia have 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. A light raincoat is recommended. Bring some light cotton clothing for the jungle. A sun hat and sunglasses are essential as is high factor sunscreen.
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Footwear
Comfortable lightweight trail boots, trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
Bring a torch and a water bottle. Insect repellent is essential for the jungle. Mosquito nets are provided.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then 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.
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General Information
Please note:
Water-based activities: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including whitewater) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
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General Information
Strikes, rallies and roadblocks are common forms of protest in Bolivia. While we have excellent resources in place to minimize any disruption to the tour, we may have to make changes to planned routes. Some of the roads in Bolivia are rough and not well kept so some bus journeys can be very bumpy and noisy.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For 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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