Bolivia to Brazil - On The Go Tours · 2015. 8. 18. · Leaving La Paz we will take an overnight bus to Uyuni. Overnight - Overnight Bus Days 3-4 : Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region This

TRIP NOTES

Bolivia to Brazil28 Days | La Paz to Rio de Janiero

Bolivia to Brazil - 28 Days updated on 18-08-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Travelling across South America in

just under a month, this tour covers

an incredible number of sights

with striking contrasts. You'll see

Bolivia's giant salt lake, the teeming

wildlife of the Pantanal, Paraguay's

curious capital, the spectacular

Iguazu Falls and Brazil's liveliest

city, thrilling!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• La Paz - the charming colonial capital of

Bolivia• Salar de Uyuni - spectacular salt flats and

Fish Island• UNESCO listed Potosi - silver mining town• Sucre - official capital of Bolivia• Pantanal National Park - incredible wildlife

in the wetlands• Bonito - in the Sierra do Bodoquena

mountain• Asuncion - the capital of Paraguay• Iguazu Falls - viewed from both Brazil and

Argentina and the Devil's Throat.• Sao Paulo - a sprawling metropolis• Curitiba - a lively university city.• Parati - an old pirate town• Rio de Janiero - the party capital of the

world

What's Included• 19 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners• 24 nights simple hotels, hostels and

guesthouses.• 2 overnight buses and 1 overnight train• Economy flight - Sucre - Santa Cruz• Exursions to Iguazu Falls - Argentina &

Brazil, Salar de Uyuni & Pantanal NationalPark.

• 4WD on the Salar de Uyuni salt flats.• Two full days in the Pantanal packed with

activities• Escorted by a tour leader, with specialist

local guides for some excursions.• Transportation by public bus, train, boat,

4x4 and taxi.• Entrance fees for included excursions.• Airport arrival transfer on day 1.

What's Not Included• International flights to/from our tour start/

end points and visas• Items of a personal nature and additional

meals

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : La PazWelcome to La Paz and the start of your amazingjourney. Upon arrival at the airport you will bemet and transferred to your hotel. The first dayof your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to

relax and see some of the sights you may wish toadd pre tour accommodation. On arrival pleaseask at the reception for information on when thepre departure meeting will be held. Overnight- La Paz

Day 2 : La PazLa Paz - Uyuni. Built on a series of hills andconsidered one of the world's most beautifulcities, La Paz was established in the basin of acanyon with the snow -capped Mount Illimaniin the background. Our hotel is very centrallylocated and is just around the corner fromthe city's colourful indigenous street marketsincluding the fascinating and suitably named"witches market'' where bowler hat wearingwomen in their flared skirts sell such items asdead cats and llamas foetuses said to wardoff evil spirits. The main square, Plaza Murillo,is also within walking distance. The squarestill retains its colonial buildings includingthe Presidential Palace. La Paz is possibly thebest place to experience a traditional peñashow of Andean music and dance where localbands play time -honoured instruments such aszampoñas (pipes) and charangos (ukulele).

There are also many optional excursionsavailable. You might like to visit the MoonValley with its strange rock formations shapedby the weather. Another fantastic excursionis to the emerald green area of Coroico, thegateway to the Bolivian jungle region and a

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great place to see sub -tropical vegetation andplants. En route you will cross a 5,000 metrehigh pass before descending to 1,300 metreson narrow mountain roads bordered by sheerdrops. The excursion to Coroico can also bedone by mountain bike, as it is downhill nearlyall the way and very exhilarating, but not for thefainthearted!

Leaving La Paz we will take an overnight bus toUyuni. Overnight - Overnight Bus

Days 3-4 : Uyuni / Salar DeUyuni RegionThis morning we visit what is claimed to be thelargest salt flat in the world, the brilliant whitevast Salar de Uyuní, which covers some 10,500square kilometres and estimated to contain 10billion tons of salt. A 4WD excursion takes us toa hotel made entirely of salt and then surroundsyou with a world of white and blue. Fish Islandprovides stunning views of the lake which provequite otherworldly as giant cacti and wanderingllama punctuate the scene and provide perfectphoto opportunities. The fantastic contrast ofthe brilliant blue sky (weather permitting ofcourse) and the pure white of the salt flats willtake your breath away. We then return to Uyunífor one more night.

Please Note: Occasionally in the rainy season thesalt flats become overly flooded and we mayhave to alter the itinerary if the salt flats are notsafe to traverse. In addition the local transporttimetable on this route changes frequently andthis sometimes necessitates a small change tothe itinerary. Your tour leader will advise as earlyas possible if this is likely to happen on your tour.Overnight - Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region

Days 5-6 : Potosi

Travelling along scenic passes by public bus wecome to the mining town of Potosí. The city wasestablished by the Spanish in 1545 soon afterthe discovery of a rich vein of silver in a nearbyhill, the Cerro Rico (or “rich hill”). It soon becamethe world's largest silver producer and silverfrom Potosí underwrote the Spanish economy,particularly the monarchy's extravagance, forover two centuries. In Spanish there is still asaying ‘valer un potosí’ (to be worth a fortune).

Millions of the indigenous population, and later,African slaves, worked in the mines in appallingconditions. You have the option to visit themines, stopping first at the miners market tobuy gifts such as coca leaves, dynamite andcigarettes. In the mines we will experience thedifficult conditions in which the miners work -including 50°C heat. We'll pass several of theshrines they have made to the “Tios” which theyhope will protect them while they are working inwhat they believe is the devil's territory. If you'dlike to learn more of the historic silver industryyou can take a tour of the Moneda, a museumexhibiting coins, artwork, mummies and manyother interesting artefacts from Potosí's historyOvernight - Potosi

Days 7-9 : SucreA short journey along new roads brings us toSucre, the official capital of Bolivia, where bylaw all buildings are painted white. Foundedin 1538 it still has much of its colonial charmintact. The city is also famous for its warm andsunny climate. Don't miss a visit to the cathedralwhere you can see the jewel encrusted paintingof Sucre's patron - the Virgin of Guadalupe. Youhave the option to visit the bustling Tarabucomarket where ‘people watching’ is as interestingas the market itself. Try some of the cookedmeals in the food market if you want to samplesome of the locally grown hot chillies! Localindigenous communities are famous for theirmulti -coloured textiles. Overnight - Sucre (B:2)

Day 10 : Santa CruzFrom Sucre we fly to Santa Cruz where werest up for the night and enjoy some time forsightseeing, before boarding an overnight trainto the Pantanal.

Santa Cruz is Bolivia's most populous city, andproduces over a third of the country's grossdomestic product. It is an important businesscentre and is classed as one of the fastestgrowing cities in the world. Despite the city'srapid growth, Santa Cruz has managed topreserve much of its local traditions, culture andcuisine, and there are many interesting culturalinstitutions to visit, ranging from the NoelKempff Mercado Natural History Museum to theMuseum of Contemporary Art. The city's mainsquare, Plaza 24 de Septiembre, is surroundedby attractive colonial-style buildings and is anice play to enjoy a coffee and people-watch.Overnight - Santa Cruz (B)

Day 11 : Puerto SuarezThis evening we take an overnight train tothe Bolivian border town of Puerto Suarez.Overnight - Overnight Train (B)

Days 12-13 : The Pantanal

Once in Puerto Suárez we travel by road for ashort trip over the border to the Brazilian townof Corumba, a port city on the Rio Paraguayand the southern gateway to the Pantanal. Weimmediately transfer to the 4WD's that will takeus in to the Pantanal Wetlands.

We enter the Pantanal National Park forsightseeing in this fantastic region. The Amazonmay have all the fame and glory, but thePantanal is a far better place to see wildlife. Thearea is a huge wetland in the centre of SouthAmerica and is truly a birdwatchers paradise butis also home to a multitude of other animals.The ecosystem is known to be home to atleast 3,500 species of plants, 650 species ofbirds, 400 species of fish, around 100 speciesof mammals, and 80 species of reptiles, with anestimated 10 million caimans alone. Keep youreyes peeled and you may see giant river otters,anacondas, iguanas, jaguars, ocelots, cougars,

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crocodiles, marsh deer, armadillos, giant andlesser anteaters, black howler monkeys andzebu bulls, to name but a few! You may have towork a bit to catch your lunch, but mind yourfingers or they'll be piranha stew!

We stay in the Mato Grosso do Sul Province,in the southern part of the Pantanal in an areacalled “Passo do Lontra”. Built on stilts due tothe seasonal floods in the region, the facilities inour lodge are in keeping with the environment,maintaining it as natural as possible and thuspreserving the local fauna and flora. Facilitiesinclude more than 2,000 meters of elevatedwalkways, which allow for a closer contactwith nature. Because the work to conserveand preserve the environment at the site, agreat variety of animals and birds species canbe viewed, particularly howler monkeys, marshdeer, herds of capybaras, caimans, herons, andcountless birds. The hotel is owned by theVenturini and Buzinhani families, who startedit in 1979. One of its features is a homelikeatmosphere, where its owners work togetherwith a team of local professionals trained tocater to visitors and conserve the environmentand the local culture.

The chalets are situated on the banks of theMiranda River and all of the food is includedas part of the tour and is all prepared foryou. After arrival and check in we go on aboat tour either up or down the Miranda River,each direction featuring a different delicateecosystem. The following day, you will visit SãoJoão farm travelling 25km through the park toreach it, another opportunity to spot wildlife.Once there, you can enjoy an ecological walkand a horseback ride before lunch. On our finalday in the park, we will go piranha fishing for ourlunch on the floating platform on the MirandaRiver.

Please note: This is an example itinerary of yourtime in the Pantanal. The exact itinerary will betailored by the English speaking local guidesdepending on the arrival/departure time, timeof year and weather forecast. Overnight -Pantanal (B:1, L:2, D:2)

Days 14-15 : BonitoLeaving the Pantanal behind us we travel toBonito in the Sierra do Bodoquena mountains,

famous for its caving and river activities. Thefollowing day is free to try some of thesnorkelling activities in the lakes and rivers(optional). For those who prefer to stay on dryland, spectacular walks though the forest andmountains are on offer.Overnight - Bonito (B:2)

Day 16 : Ponta PoraAfter a free morning in Bonito we make alunchtime departure for Ponta Porã, where wespend the night. Overnight - Ponta Pora (B)

Days 17-18 : Asuncion(Paraguay)

We then enter the tiny Republic of Paraguay atPedro Juan Caballero, which you'll soon realiseis the same town as Ponta Porã as there is noborder as such! You simply cross the road fromone country to the other whenever you like.Only the change of language will give you a hintas to which country you are in! After sorting outour immigration procedures, we travel acrossthe Paraguayan pampas, where we might spotthe South American rhea bird (a type of emu) aswell as the typical cowboys, (gauchos) en routeto Paraguay's capital city, Asunción.

You can shop until you drop in the city'sshopping district, or stroll along the riverfront tosee the Government and Municipal Palaces, andthe cathedral. Overnight - Asuncion (B:2)

Days 19-20 : Iguazu FallsWe travel over fertile farmlands destined forthe Brazilian town of Foz do Iguaçu, our basefor visiting the famous Iguazú Falls - the mostmagnificent waterfalls in the world. Unlike mostother waterfalls that have just one or twocataracts, at Iguazú Falls there are 275 cataractsin a magnificent 3 kilometre long U shape

that we will visit from both the Brazil andArgentinean sides.

Visiting the Argentine side of the falls youcan board a speed boat which will take youunder the falls soaking you from head to toe,an optional adventure you'll never forget! Onthe Argentine side you'll also find the famous"Devil's Throat" where fourteen falls drop withsuch force that there is always a massive cloudof spray overhead.

Visiting the Brazilian side of the falls will giveyou a completely different perspective from theArgentine side. On the Brazilian side you can seethe falls by walking through the rainforest andalong catwalks above and below the rushingwater or, for a bird's eye view a helicopterflight is on offer (optional). You can also visitthe world's largest hydroelectric dam at Itaipu(optional) where you can learn more aboutthe ecological issues faced during the dam'sconstruction. There is also a very interesting birdpark nearby, perfect for that must-have photowith a toucan! Overnight - Foz do Iguacu (B:2)

Day 21 : Iguazu Falls (Brazil)After our final day in Foz do Iguacu we catch acomfortable overnight bus to the unique townof Curitiba. Overnight - Overnight Bus (B)

Day 22 : Curitiba

This morning we reach the attractive universitycity of Curitiba. An exceptionally well plannedcity, there are many pleasant squares and parksto wander and quite a lively nightlife. We spendthe night here and there is a good hop onhop off tourist bus which visits all the mainattractions in the city, which you might like tojoin. Overnight - Curitiba

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Days 23-24 : Sao Paulo

We then visit the world's fastest growing city,Sâo Paulo, which has a metropolitan populationof 19 million and skyscrapers sprawling upwardsand avenues spreading outwards. We canvisit a snake farm and the Latin AmericanExhibition Centre designed by famous architectOscar Niemeyer, who also designed Brasília,the country's capital (optional tours). After ahard day of sightseeing we can relax andperhaps have a meal in the Japanese quarter.Interestingly, São Paulo has the most Japaneseresidents outside of Japan so this is a great placeto enjoy sushi. We stay in a pleasant area fullof life and activity with easy access to the cityby underground metro trains. Overnight - SaoPaulo (B:2)

Days 25-26 : ParatyFollowing the stunning coastline north we cometo colonial Paraty, an old pirate town withstreets made of stone slabs designed to let thetide wash over and clean them. You have anoption to go on a full day boat cruise aroundthe bay with plenty of time for swimming in theturquoise waters, sun-baking on the decks andeating a fresh seafood lunch washed down by afew cold beers. Other popular pastimes here areexploring the nearby beaches and shopping inthe hippy markets. Overnight - Paraty (B:2)

Day 27 : Rio De JaneiroFantastic Rio de Janeiro has many things tosee and do. There are trips up Sugar LoafMountain by cable car and Corcovado, withits famous Statue of Christ, for great cityviews. Another interesting journey is on theold tram system across the viaduct into thecobblestone neighbourhood of Santa Teresa.A walking tour of Rio's historic buildings isalso a lovely way to pass an afternoon, or youmay like to visit the Botanical Gardens or oneof the famous beaches, such as Copacabana,

Ipanema or Leblon. If you are in Rio deJaneiro around February/March get ready forthe world's biggest party, the Rio Carnival.Overnight - Rio De Janeiro (B)

Day 28 : Rio De Janeiro

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to anend today. If you have a late flight or havelengthened your stay by adding post touraccommodation you will have more time toexplore the sights.(B)

Arriving to La PazAn arrival transfer from La Paz Airport to ourhotel is included on day 1 - for all bookings madeafter 14 January 2015.

If you booked your tour before 14th January2015 an arrival transfer can be booked uponrequest for an additional fee. If you are unsureif you have an arrival transfer please check yourinvoice or contact On The Go.

When arriving at El Alto International Airport inLa Paz we suggest that you change some moneyinto the local currency at the exchange office(“Cambio”) in the main terminal building. Thelocal currency is the boliviano. Change enoughmoney to see you through the first few days ofyour trip – particularly if it is a weekend. Pleasenote you can only change cash (not traveller’scheques) at the Cambio in the airport. There arealso ATMs at the airport.

Airport transferIf you have an arrival transfer with us and youare going to be delayed more than two hours,you must advise us of the delay at least sixhours before arrival. If we are advised in time,we will make every effort to reschedule yourtransfer and your driver will be asked to waitfor two hours after your new expected arrivaltime. However, if we are not made aware of

any change, the driver will only wait for twohours after the original scheduled arrival timeand after this point it will be up to you to arrangetransport to your hotel at your own expense.Please contact us on the emergency contactperson as detailed on your voucher.

Making your own way to our start hotelIf you don't have an airport transfer with us, youwill find a 24 hour taxi rank outside the airport(all the taxis are white). You shouldn’t have toomuch of a problem getting a taxi as they allwait in an orderly line outside the terminal andare fairly safe to use. The cost of a taxi fromthe airport to our hotels in La Paz should beapproximately 50-80 bolivianos (US$7-10). Taxidrivers do have a tendency to switch their lightsoff at night (to save the battery!) so if they dothis, insist that they switch the lights back on.To get to the hotel, the taxis will have to drivethrough the sprawling city of El Alto, which canbe an interesting experience. Make sure you lockthe taxi doors, as theft can be a problem in LaPaz and El Alto. The drive into the city howeverhas spectacular views.

Start Hotel AddressHotel SagarnagaCalle Sagárnaga no. 326 - 328Zona RosarioLa PazWebsite: www.hotel-sagarnaga.com

Tel: (+591) 2 235 0252 / 231 0893

Single SupplementIf you paid our single supplement for this tour,a single room will be provided for your comforton days 1, 4 - 10, 14 - 20, 22 - 24 and 27.

Top tips for your arrivalThe hotel has safe deposit boxes in your roomfor your use (you will need to get the key fromreception). Important: Please leave all of yourimportant documents, money and travellerscheques here when you go out but remember tocarry some form of ID and a photocopy of yourpassport with you. Be careful of pickpocketseverywhere, but especially on the pedestrianstreet Jiron de la Union.

It is not advisable not to wear chains orexpensive looking watches or jewellery while in

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major South American cities. You should alsokeep your camera concealed when not in useand carry daypacks on your front for extra safety.Crime in Latin America is not as bad as itsreputation but you must be sensible and alert.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Our PartnersPlease note that our South America group tours(not Galapagos cruises) are operated by TucanTravel. Travellers on your trip will have madetheir reservation with either On the Go Tours orTucan Travel.

Missing your tour departureIf you miss the start of your tour, please ask at thereception of the hotel for a message from yourtour leader which will give you instructions onhow to catch up with the group. Any associatedcosts will be at your own expense (although,depending on the reason, you may be able toclaim these from your travel insurance so ensureyou keep all receipts).

If you know in advance that you are unlikelyto arrive on time, please contact Tucan Travelimmediately so we can inform the tour leader.Tucan Travel cannot be held responsible shouldyour airline/boat/coach be delayed and we areunable to refund any unused portion of yourtour.

What to PackOn our South America Group Tours you must beprepared to carry your own bags at all times. Wetherefore strongly urge you to use a framelessbackpack or sports type shoulder bag (or similarsoft, frameless luggage) and limit your luggageto a maximum of 10-14 kilograms. It is veryimportant that you do not bring too muchluggage as you will find it extremely difficult toget on and off buses and trains etc and thereis a fair amount of walking to and from hotels.You are also likely to encounter many cobbledstreets and dirt roads so suitcases and luggageon wheels are unsuitable. Travel is rarely kind toluggage and you can expect your bags to sufferwear and tear during your tour.

In addition to your main bag, you will needa small daypack for your everyday things (e.g.camera, water bottle, sun cream, hat, sweater

etc) while travelling, sightseeing or on overnightexcursions. Try to keep this bag as light aspossible and make sure that all main sectionsof your bags can be padlocked. Do not leaveANYTHING of value in your main luggage – keepit on you or in a safe.

Essential for all tours• Tour Voucher and Tour Go Guide• Passport - with at least six months after youhave finished your tour with sufficient blankpages. (with 2 photocopies - one kept separately& the other to give to the tour leader with yournext of kin details)• Cash/ travellers cheques/ credit & debit cards(with photocopies kept separately)• Travel insurance certificate (with a photocopyto be given to your tour leader)• Spare passport photos (you may need these forobtaining visas)• International airline tickets (with a photocopykept separately)• International Vaccination Certificate (YellowFever if applicable)• International student card (may get youdiscounts into some sites)• Your travel consultant’s phone number andemail address (it is very important to have this asit is much easier to confirm/ change flights etcvia your agent)• Cotton money belt and/ or pouch to store yourvaluables under your clothing

Suggested equipment (some useful, somenecessary - use your discretion• Sunglasses• Small calculator (to help with currencyconversions)• Lockable pouch for your money and valuablesto use in safety deposit boxes• Plastic bags (very useful for wrappingcamera equipment, soap, shampoo bottles, wetclothing etc)• Inflatable pillow• Sleeping Bag• Small collapsible umbrella (also good for sunprotection)• Pegless washing line and travel laundrydetergent (bio-degradable preferably)• Universal washbasin plug• Torch• Binoculars• Travel alarm clock

• Travel plug adaptor• Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy,rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, steriledressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safetypins etc.• Small sewing kit• Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor (this canbe expensive to buy locally)• Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream• Tampons and condoms• Toilet paper (best to carry a roll with you at alltimes) and/or tissues (purchase locally)• Antibacterial hand cleansing gel (the type youcan use without water)• Moistened face tissues (e.g. Wet Ones)• Ear plugs• Travel sickness tablets (these are usually easyto buy over the counter locally)• Cheap plastic wristwatch• Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses andsolution (a lens prescription is also advisable incase of loss or breakage)• Camera /video camera with plenty of film ordigital camera with spare memory cards• Spare rechargeable batteries for camera etc• Writing materials, address book and diary• Pocket size Spanish phrasebook• Travel games, cards & couple of paperbacks• As gifts for local children - pens (withadvertising on them), coloured pencils, smallnotepads. To discourage a begging mentalitywe recommend that you try to give these gifts atschools or childcare centres rather than on thestreet

Sleeping BagsA good warm sleeping bag is necessary on allSouth America Group Tours which include theInca Trail or Lares Trail in Peru. Adequate onescan be hired locally but we take no responsibilityfor the standard and we therefore recommendthat if possible you bring your own. Becausethese treks are at high altitude, we recommendbringing a four season bag with side zip whichcan be opened out when you reach warmerweather. Extra blankets can be purchased locallyif necessary.

In South America, you may have a numberof overnight excursions included on your tour.Thick blankets are supplied when on AmantaniIsland (Lake Titicaca) but they have a tendencyto be dusty, so you may wish to bring a sleeping

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bag or sheet (they cannot be hired there). Youmay also wish to bring a sleeping sheet for yourovernight excursion into the Amazon Jungle.

Sleeping bags are required when camping inTorres del Paine National Park, but mattressesare provided.

A sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional onall other South America Tours. Some passengerslike to use them on long bus journeys andovernight trains.

Clothing & Foot wearAll clothes should be lightweight, durableand easily washable. Please do not bring anymilitary or camouflage-style clothing as it canbe dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal.Everybody ALWAYS packs too much, so ratherthan bringing lots of chunky sweaters, wearclothing in layers when in the colder regions.Nights can be cold at higher altitude so it is agood idea to bring at least one pair of warmtrousers or jeans plus several thinner sweaters/fleeces which you can layer (note: it is very easyto buy extra sweaters/ jumpers locally).

Check the climate and altitude atwww.worldclimate.com to get an idea of whatthe weather will be like on your tour. We do notfeel that it is necessary to include a full packinglist as you will know what you need dependingon the duration of your tour. However we dorecommend that you bring the following:

• A lightweight water/windproof jacket withhood

• Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap• Sarong - very useful as a beach towel, bag,

hat, shawl and wrap around• Towel• Swimwear• Sandals/flip flops

It is also ESSENTIAL that you have good,comfortable shoes that are suitable for walkingand trekking. These don’t need to be expensiveboots, but they should have good ankle supportand grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof.

Personal SafetyIt is not advisable to wear chains or expensivelooking watches or jewellery while in many

South American cities. You should also keepyour camera concealed when not in use andcarry daypacks on your front for extra safety.Crime in Latin America is not as bad as itsreputation but you must be sensible and alert.

HealthPlease see your doctor or travel clinic for anup to date list of all recommended vaccinationsfor the regions you will be travelling to. Werecommend that you do this at least eightweeks before you travel, as you may needa course of medications or more than onevaccination. In general we recommend thatyou are vaccinated against Tetanus-diphtheria,polio, hepatitis A and Typhoid and if travellingto a jungle area, yellow fever. Vaccinations aresolely the responsibility of the traveller and notthat of On The Go Tours.

The malarial risk varies in the regions ofSouth America and in some areas appropriatepreventive medicines are needed. Measuresshould always be taken to avoid mosquito bites,such as nets and creams. Please check withyour health care professional as to the best andmost up to date remedy for this mosquito bornedisease.

It is not recommended that you drink the tapwater in any of the countries we visit andwe recommend that you carry a First Aid kitas well as any personal medical requirements.Please be aware that quite often we are inremote areas and away from medical facilities,and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibitedfrom administering any type of drug includingheadache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

Welcome MeetingSouth America Group Tours - The address ofyour start hotel can be found on your tourvoucher. On arrival you should look for a TucanTravel information sheet and welcome noteon the hotel notice board where you will finddetails of the pre-departure/welcome meeting.The tour leader or a representative will normallyhold the pre-departure meeting early in theevening of day one (assuming that all travellershave arrived by then). You will be briefed aboutthe tour, given an outline itinerary for the nextfew days and any questions will be answered.After the meeting there is usually an option for

everyone to go out for dinner and drinks to startto get to know one another.

Please note that you will need to bring thefollowing items to the pre departure meeting:

• The original copy and a photocopy of yourpassport

• Vaccination certificates (if required)• Travel voucher• Details of your travel insurance policy

number and their 24hr emergency contactnumber

Hotel & TransfersArriving at the airportWhen you arrive in your starting city theimmigration officials may ask to see youronward flight ticket, so you should have yourTucan Travel tour voucher and internationalflight ticket to hand.

Day 1 of all our tours is simply a joining dayand the tour actually departs the joining cityon day 2. The last day of your tour is theofficial departure day and is free for you topack or sightsee before you depart. All tours arescheduled to arrive at your final destination theafternoon/evening before your departure day.Therefore very little time is spent in each of thestarting and finishing cities and you will need toallow a few days at the beginning or end of yourtour if you want to explore them further. Thisis particularly important for passengers joiningtours in high altitude cities (Quito & La Paz) sothat you can rest and acclimatise before thetour begins. We can book pre and post touraccommodation for you upon request.

Check in time is at 1300 hrs on day 1. If youwish to use the services of a room before or aftercheckout time, or you are arriving very early inthe morning of day 1, you will need to book anextra night, which we can arrange for you. Allrooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwiseindicated.

An airport arrival transfer is included. Departuretransfers are not included but can be booked foran additional fee.

Important: Upon arrival, if you are going to bedelayed more than two hours, you must advise

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us of the delay at least six hours before arrival. Ifwe are advised in time, we will make every effortto reschedule your transfer and your driver willbe asked to wait for two hours after your newexpected arrival time. However, if we are notmade aware of any change, the driver will onlywait for two hours after the original scheduledarrival time and after this point it will be upto you to arrange transport to your hotel atyour own expense. Please contact us on theemergency number on your tour voucher.

Optional ExcursionsDuring our South America Group Tours therewill be free time to enjoy a range ofoptional excursions which are listed in the tripnotes. Your tour leader will be able to makerecommendations and bookings in advancefor most of these activities so you have moreflexibility and control over your itinerary. Pleasenote that you may not have time to do allof the optional excursions listed. Should youwish to partake in optional activities in the citywhere you tour starts/ends, please check their issufficient time to do so or alternatively considerbooking pre/post tour accommodation.

TippingAlthough tipping is not a natural part ofmany Western cultures it is expected in SouthAmerica, where many workers are very poorlypaid and depend on tips for their main income.The local people work very hard to provide agood service and this is due in part to the tipsthey have received from foreigners in the past.However all tips are at your own discretion andyou should not feel obliged or pressured to tipat any time – particularly if you feel that the levelof service was not up to standard.

As a general guideline a gratuity of 10% of thetotal bill for your waiter is recommended inrestaurants. You should be aware that priceson the menu often exclude service chargesbut they are added to the bill (10%) and localtaxes (anywhere between 2% and 20%). If it isincluded then you are not expected to pay anadditional tip, although this is still appreciated.Some restaurants have a 'cubiertos' (covercharge) which is normally added onto the foodsection of the bill, not the total, so watch outfor this when dividing the bill with other groupmembers.

It is customary to tip your local guides onboth included and optional excursions. As aguideline, we recommend US$3-5 per personfor a half/full day excursion. Your tour leader willgenerally pass around an envelope for the localguide on included excursions. The tour leaderwill indicate on the envelope the amount of thetip usually given per person to the guide.

This information is given as a guide as manytravellers are unsure how much to tip. Shouldyou wish to give the local guide your tippersonally and not with the group tip thenplease feel free to do so.

Inca Trail and Lares Trek - the commonlyaccepted combined tip for guides, porters andcooks on the Inca Trail or Lares Trek is US$30per trekker. This amount will be collected fromeach trekker by the tour leader and distributedamongst the Trail team usually at the last dinner.

Tips are also appreciated by your tour leader atthe end of your tour. This, however, this is onlyif you feel that their service was up to standardand is completely at your own discretion.Tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

Spending MoneySpending money – allow approximately US$25-$30 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks,limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras onour group tours.

Style of TourOur South America Group Tours are designedto suit travellers who love being able to travelon many different forms of transport withlocal people. There is a certain amount ofinvolvement needed, which will mean carryingyour own bags to the bus or train station or evenhelping the driver throw everyone’s packs ontothe roof. If you enjoy meeting and interactingwith local people and don’t mind roughing itoccasionally, then these tours will be just rightfor you.

It is important that you are open to travellingwith a range of different age groups. You mustalso satisfy yourself that you are fit enough tocomplete the itinerary as there are no refundsif you choose to leave the tour. Based on the

nature of this travel style, our adventurousSouth America tours are generally suitable forpeople aged between 18 and 60 years old. If youhave any questions about this please contact usor speak to your travel consultant.

Our South America tours suit people who are fitand active. On all of our tours there are manywalks between bus/train terminals and hotelsand travellers must be able to carry their ownluggage over various terrains as well as lift upluggage onto the tops of buses so do not packmore than you can comfortably carry.

The average group size is 8 to 12 passengerswith a maximum of 16, however onsome included excursions group sizes mayoccasionally be larger.

MealsOn our South America Group Tours meals areincluded in remote areas such as the AmazonJungle excursion and on the Inca Trail or Larestreks. Most other meals are not included whichgives you the flexibility to choose when andwhere you eat. Our tour leaders have a wealth ofknowledge regarding local restaurants and canadvise you of the best places to try the deliciousand varied local cuisine.

Transportation & TravelOn all of our South America Group Tourswe use a variety of transportation. Vehiclescan range from buses filled with localpeople and their many possessions (N/Afor Patagonia Discovered) to our to privateminibuses and comfortable air-conditionedcoaches. Sometimes you could be travellingon boats, trains, aircraft, ferries, colectivos,pick up, private shuttles trucks, boats, dugoutcanoes, and taxis. Most bus transport is verycomfortable, often with reclining seats.

Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B,but to help you to experience each destinationas a genuine traveller, not as a first classtourist. A word of warning - please rememberthat travelling conditions can sometimes becramped.

Due to the vast distances covered on many ofour South America Tours, please be prepared foroccasional long travelling days. This time spent

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travelling is unavoidable but you will not bedisappointed once you arrive! On the positiveside there are also many short travel days anddays which involve no travelling leaving you freeto explore at your leisure.

Group Tour AccommodationOur 'simple' accommodation is generally theequivalent in comfort and amenities of a 2star hotel. We stay in small hotels, hostelsand guest houses which are usually situatedclose to the main sights and town centres.They are chosen for their local ambience ratherthan star rating and we look for attributes likecharacter, location, atmosphere, cleanliness andsecurity. Although sometimes quite basic, youwill find clean comfortable rooms with ensuitefacilities (occasionally bathrooms may be sharedbut this is rare), friendly staff and often a barand restaurant attached or nearby. Please beaware that accommodation in South Americasometimes has erratic services like lack of hotwater or no central heating, staff membersdon’t always speak English and sometimes ourreservations are 'lost'! In general, facilities arevery good but please be prepared for theoccasional mishap, which is all part of thetravelling experience.

When staying in the Amazon Jungle or onAmantani Island accommodation is rustic andoffered on a shared basis. Whilst trekking theInca trail or Lares Trek we sleep in tents, whichalso are offered on a shared basis.

All accommodation is included from the arrivalday until check out time on the final day ofthe tour. Travellers will share rooms with othergroup members of the same gender. Mostly thiswill be in twin rooms although sometimes intriples depending on the group compositionand hotel rooming structure.

Standards may vary due to local conditionsbut our preference is mid-range comfortablerooms with ensuite facilities. Please be awarethat hotels sometimes have occasional erraticservices such as a lack of hot water or no centralheating, and staff members don’t always speakEnglish.

Travellers will share rooms with other groupmembers of the same gender. Mostly this

will be in twin rooms although sometimes intriples depending on the group compositionand hotel rooming structure. When staying inthe Amazon jungle in Peru, accommodationwill be in rustic ensuite cabins with cold wateronly and mosquito nets will be provided. OnAmantani Island we stay in mud-brick housesand we stay in two-person tents on the Inca TrailTrek. In the Torres del Paine National Park westay in campsites where your tent is erected foryou. All accommodation is included from thearrival day until checkout time on the final dayof the tour.

Electricity SupplyThe power supply varies from country tocountry and can also vary from region toregion within a country. If bringing electricalequipment, make sure that it can be switchedover from 110 volts to 220 volts and vice versa.If your equipment is 220 volts it will work on a110 volt system (albeit slower), but if you use 110volt equipment in a 220 volt system, it will blowthe equipment! Bring a voltage converter andtravel plug adaptor (most countries either have2 pin flat as in USA or 2 round pins).

Argentina Country Guide

Argentina - Fact File• Official Name: Argentine Republic• Capital: Buenos Aires• Population: 38 million• Total Area: 2.8 million square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish• Religions: Roman Catholic 92% (less than

20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%,other 4%

• Voltage: 220 volts. Argentina has Europeantype two-pinned round sockets in most oldbuildings and the Australian style three-pinflat sockets in most new buildings.

• Dialling Code: +54• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -3• Airport Departure Tax: US$18

Argentina - VisasFrom 1st March 2013, Australian, Canadianand USA nationals have been required topay a reciprocity fee online before entry intoArgentina. This fee is set at the same amountArgentine nationals are required to pay for visasinto these countries.

The fees are as follows: Canadian nationals:US$75* (single entry). USA nationals: US$160*.Australian nationals: US$160**or its equivalent in Argentine pesos.

The amounts listed above may changeaccording to the reciprocal visa fee amounts setby the other countries. The reciprocity fee needsto be paid in advance following the below steps.

1) Enter the web site www.migraciones.gov.ar orwww.provinciapagos.com.ar of Provincia Pagosand register to start the process.

2) Complete the form with the correspondingpersonal and credit card information.

3) Print the payment receipt.

4) On arrival in Argentina, this printed receiptmust be presented at Immigration Control. Thereceipt will be scanned by the Immigrationofficials, the information will be checked, andthe traveller's entry to the country registered.

Argentina - ClimateThe Argentine climate ranges from hot andhumid in the north to cold and windy in thesouth. In northern Argentina, summer is hot andwinter fairly mild while in contrast, Tierra delFuego, at the southern tip of Argentina, is quiteoften cold with continual winds, rain at timesand freezing winter temperatures.

Buenos Aires, due to its position in the centralregion, has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. Spring, between Septemberand November is mild, which contributes to theflourishing green colour of the plants and treesin the lush parks. Summer, between Decemberand February, is dry and hot and winter canbe cold. It usually begins to rain in April andreaches its highest level during June and July,then decreases gradually to almost nothing inNovember.

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Argentina - MoneyImportant

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In Latin America you will have problemschanging the US$100 CB B2 2001 series notesand it is important you do not bring them. Insome countries banks won't even take them.The serial number is located in the top left handcorner and bottom right hand corner on theside with the President’s face. This serial numberstarts with CB and then a few more numbers andthen directly under that B2. At the bottom of thenote near the signature of the Treasurer it sayswhich series of notes it is and it is there that itsays 2001 series.

Local currencyThe monetary unit in Argentina is the Argentinepeso. For up-to-date exchange rates with yourown currency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsWe recommend that you bring cash/travellerscheques in US dollars only. Visa, Mastercard,Diners and American Express are the best creditcards to bring however there can be problemsat times getting money out from ATMs, so makesure you have sufficient cash for emergencies.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreigncurrency that you may bring into Argentina,however very large sums should be declaredon arrival. There is often a general lack ofsmall change and we recommend maintaining asupply of small denomination notes and coins.

Argentina - Local TransportMuch of Buenos Aires can be visited onfoot. Most sightseeing in Buenos Aires can bereached on foot from our hotel, with La Bocabeing the furthest at about an hour’s walk. Thereis also a good, if rather dated, undergroundmetro system (called the “subte”) which has5 lines and is very cheap at approx $0.30 perjourney.

There are local buses called “colectivos”, whichare also inexpensive, but you MUST have theright change (ask hotel reception for prices) asyou have to drop the money into a machine.We recommend you use taxis (black & yellow)at night as they are fairly cheap and usuallyhave meters fitted. Just make sure that the driverturns it on when you get in. Remember that youwill pay more for taxis at night.

Argentina - Food & DrinkAs a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich)can cost as little as US$1, a light meal will costaround $5-$6, and even a meal in one of thebetter restaurants in Buenos Aires costs verylittle in comparison to what you would expectto pay at home. Obviously this depends on whatyou order and if you have wine or other drinks,which will certainly increase the bill. If you eatin Puerto Madero or Recoleta in Buenos Airesyou are likely to pay quite a bit more, howeverthere is a huge choice of good reasonably-priced restaurants in the city centre where youcan get a good meal (and great steaks).

Your tour leader will be able to recommendrestaurants.

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below;

• 1 litre of water US$0.70• 30cl bottle of soft drink US$0.50• 30cl bottle of beer US$0.70• 50cl bottle of beer US$1.00• Food

FoodIn Argentina the basic diet focuses aroundmeat mostly with french fries (papas fritas),mashed potatoes (pure) or 'papas sufle' (localtypical deep fried potatoes that blow up likelittle balloons and are delicious). As there is alarge Italian population you’ll have no problemgetting pasta dishes or pizzas. In fact, in thelarger cities, you’ll have no problem getting alltypes of food.

For breakfast it’s normal to eat croissants(media lunas) with a good strong coffee.Most Argentines would have a large lunch ataround 1pm then at around 5pm, they allhead to the 'confiterías' for tea, sandwichesand cakes. Dinner is usually eaten around10pm and is often grilled beef (asado) indifferent forms. Other dishes include 'lomo alapimiento' (pepper steak), giant ribs (asado detira) and mixed grills (parrillada) which include

beef, intestines, offal, blood sausage (morcilla)and spicy sausage (chorizos) or thick grilledsteak (churrasco). 'Bife de chorizo' is a rumpsteak (nothing to do with the sausage of thesame name) and 'bife a caballo' is steak toppedwith a fried egg. Although seafood is not socommon you can get fish (pescado) which canbe served grilled, pan fried with breadcrumbs(apanado) or with a sauce. There are alsoplenty of chicken (pollo) dishes available.'Milanesa de pollo' (boneless chicken cookedwith breadcrumbs) is a favourite.

For a cheap and hearty meal 'tenedor libre'restaurants offer a fixed price buffet. These areusually very good value and you can eat as muchas you like.

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you mayexperience a distinct lack of variety in the foodavailable, especially in small towns. Howevervegetarian alternatives are becoming morepopular particularly in south Argentina. Our tourleaders will do their best to provide interestingvegetarian alternatives for included meals, butyour patience and understanding is requested.

DrinkYou should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks andfruit juices are widely available and much safer.Argentina also has some of the best coffee in theworld.

In Argentina some of the hotels we use havebars or serve alcoholic drinks. If there is not abar in the hotel then there is sure to be onewithin walking distance. Imported beers andspirits are available but local spirits tend to becheaper. There is an array of rums, gins andbrandy and the fabulous Argentine wines can beextremely cheap (from US$1 a bottle) There arealso various brands of beers including Quilmes,Rubia, Negra Ahumada, and Negra Extra XXX.

Bolivia Country Guide

Bolivia - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Bolivia• Capital: La Paz (administrative), Sucre

(judicial)• Population: 8.4 million

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• Total Area: 1.1 million square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish, Quechua and

Aymara• Religions: Roman Catholic 95%• Voltage: 110 volts in La Paz and 220 volts in

the rest of the country• Dialling Code: +591• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -4• Airport Departure Tax: US$25

Bolivia - VisasCitizens of the EU, Canada and Australasia donot need a visa to enter Bolivia. Entry is grantedon production of a passport valid for more thansix months, a return air/bus ticket and proofof funds to support yourself for the durationof the stay. Many other nationals, includingUS and South African citizens do require visas.For the latest information on your specificvisa requirements you should contact the localBolivian Embassy or Consulate well in advanceof your planned date of travel.

Bolivia entry/exit requirements: Your passportmust contain a Bolivia entry stamp, without thisyou’ll have to pay a fine when you leave thecountry. If you enter Bolivia overland ensure thatyour passport is stamped on both sides of theborder, with an exit stamp from the country youare leaving and an entry stamp on the Bolivianside.

Bolivia - ClimateNicknamed the ‘Tibet of the Americas’,landlocked Bolivia is the highest and mostisolated country in the Americas. Withelevations ranging from sea level to over6,880 metres, the Bolivian landscape offers amind blowing array of complex ecosystemsand stunning scenery. It is basically dividedinto three regions: Altiplano (a plateau atan average of 4,000 metres above sea level,800 kilometres long and about 130 kilometreswide); the yungas (a series of forested andwell-watered valleys); and the llanos (theAmazon-Chaco lowlands). Because of the widerange of elevations and topography, there aremany different climatic patterns. The overalltemperatures are probably cooler than mostpeople expect. Even in the humid forest regionsof the north, frosts are not unheard of. Bolivia’sunprotected expanses contribute to variableweather conditions and the two climatic ‘poles’

are Puerto Suarez for its stifling, humid heat, andUyuni for its near-Arctic cold and icy winds.

There's no time that is perfect for the entirecountry, but December to March is when mostof the rain falls. La Paz is always cool to coldat night, so be prepared with sweaters andwindbreakers. La Paz can get quite warm duringthe day but sometimes mists swirl through thestreets and the city can be literally wrappedin the clouds. Throughout the country, nighttemperatures drop dramatically, and on thehigh Altiplano, when a cloud passes over thesun, the temperature plunges noticeably. InCochabamba, Sucre and Tarija, winter is thetime of clear, beautiful skies and optimumtemperatures. The lowlands experience hotsunny days and an occasional shower to cool offand settle the dust.


Bolivia - MoneyImportantIn Latin America you will have problemschanging the US$100 CB B2 2001 series notesand it is important you do not to bring them.In some countries banks won't even take them.The serial number is located in the top left handcorner and bottom right hand corner on theside with the President’s face. This serial numberstarts with CB and then a few more numbers andthen directly under that B2. At the bottom of thenote near the signature of the Treasurer it sayswhich series of notes it is and it is there that itsays 2001 series.Local currency

The monetary unit in Bolivia is the boliviano(often referred to as the Peso), which is dividedinto 100 centavos. For up-to-date exchangerates with your own currency visit www.xe.com.Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

We recommend that you bring cash/travellerscheques in US dollars only. There is no restrictionon the amount of foreign currency that youmay bring into Bolivia, however very large sumsshould be declared on arrival.

There is often a general lack of small changeand we recommend maintaining a supply of

small denomination notes and coins – you maysometimes be offered sweets, cigarettes or evenrazor blades as change!

When arriving at the La Paz El Alto InternationalAirport we suggest that you change somemoney at the bank (“Cambio”) in the mainterminal building. Change enough money to seeyou through the first few days of your tour –particularly if it is a weekend. Please note youcan only change cash (not traveller’s cheques) atthe Cambio.

There are ATMs in the city where you can getmoney out 24hrs a day.

Bolivia - Local TransportMost of La Paz is easy to visit on foot, althoughthe high altitude can take its toll, especiallywhen walking up hill. There are various typesof buses and minibuses which are very cheapbut you will need to know which routes touse (ask at the hotel reception for assistance).There are also fixed route taxis “trufis” which are“colectivos” (meaning other people will be on-board). You can tell these taxis apart by their rednumber plates. We recommend the use of taxisat night as they are fairly cheap and much saferthan walking. It is not common, however, fortaxis to have meters so you will need to barterfor a good price. In other Bolivian towns andcities walking is basically the best and cheapestway to see the sights.

Bolivia - Food & DrinkFoodIn Bolivia the basic diet focuses around chicken,beef or seafood, mostly with french fries or rice(or both) and possibly a little salad. The Boliviannational dish is the parillada, a mixed grill witheverything meaty including offal and intestines.Sajta de pollo is hot spicy chicken with onion,fresh potatoes plus dehydrated potatoes calledchuno, lomo ala pimiento is a pepper steakpopular with travellers, fricase is juicy pork withchuno, silpancho is bread-crumbed meat withfried eggs, rice and banana, saice is a dish ofmince meat with spicy sauce and potatoes, rice,onions and tomatoes and milanesa is beef orchicken breaded and fried like a schnitzel. For asimple fish, you should ask for pescado whichcan be grilled, pan fried with breadcrumbsapanado or served with a sauce. Trout trucha

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is especially good from Lake Titicaca. Typicalsnacks include empanadas, pasties filled withcheese, humitas (maize pies), pucacapas (spicycheese pies) and saltenas (meat or chickenpasties which you can get super spicy or mild).Much of Bolivia’s food is not too hot and spicybut you will find a bowl of aji (which is a chilli orhot pepper sauce) on most tables which can beadded to spice things up.

In most of the larger cities and towns you willfind an array of international cuisine. There arepizzerias on every corner and Chinese (chifas)food is very common. A cheap, filling 3 courselunch (normally called a comida del dia) canoften be had for about US$1.50.

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you may experiencea distinct lack of variety in the food available,especially in small towns. You might findthat you are eating a lot of omelettes andother egg dishes. Our tour leaders will dotheir best to provide interesting vegetarianalternatives when arranging group meals in thecampsite, but your patience and understandingis requested.

DrinkAll drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below:

• 1 litre of water - US$0.60• 30cl bottle of soft drink - US$0.50• 30cl bottle of beer - US$1• 50cl bottle of beer - US$1.50

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinksare widely available and are generally safe todrink. Plastic sachets of flavoured chocolate andstrawberry milk are also available.

In Bolivia some of the hotels we use have barsor serve alcoholic drinks. If there is not a bar inthe hotel then there is sure to be a bar withinwalking distance. In more up-market hotels,imported beers and spirits are available butusually at a high price. If you are happy to drink

the local spirits then there is an array of rums andsingani (distilled grapes). Imported Chilean andArgentine wine can sometimes also be foundcheaply. A bottle of rum could be as little as US$5 in a local shop and quite often the mixer togo with it (Coke) is more expensive. There arevarious brands of beers including Pacena, Ducaland El Inca (dark sweet stout).

Brazil Country Guide

Brazil - Fact File• Official Name: Federal Republic of Brazil• Capital: Brasilia• Population: 176 million• Total Area: 8.5 million square kilometres• Official Language: Portuguese• Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant

15%• Voltage: Brazil has a variety of electrical

voltages, sometimes within the same cityand outlets often accept a range of plugtypes. For this reason, many hotels andcampsites will label their outlets to makesure guests know what type of power theyuse. If an outlet lacks a label, this informationwill often be listed in the hotel services guide.If in doubt, you should check with receptionbefore plugging in an appliance.

• Dialling Code: +55• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -2 to -4.

For other time differences please visitwww.timeanddate.com

• Airport Departure Tax: none

Brazil - VisasCitizens of most Western European nations,including the UK and Ireland, need only apassport valid for six months and either a returnor onward ticket, or evidence of funds to pay forone, to enter Brazil. An entry card must be filledin on arrival to obtain a tourist permit allowingyou to stay for 90 days. Australian, USA andCanadian citizens MUST obtain visas in advanceand a return or onward ticket is usually arequirement. Do not lose the carbon copy of theentry card the police staple into your passporton arrival, as you may be fined on departureif you don't present it. A sensible precautionis to photocopy it and keep it separate fromyour passport (or take a photograph of it).Visa requirements do change periodically soyou should check for the latest information on

your specific visa requirements with your localBrazilian embassy or consulate well in advanceof your planned date of travel.

Brazil - ClimateBrazil can be split into four distinct climaticregions. The coldest part - in fact the only part ofBrazil which ever gets really cold - is the Southand Southeast , the region roughly from centralMinas Gerais to Rio Grande do Sul. Here, there'sa distinct winter between June and September,with occasional cold, wind and rain.

The coastal climate is exceptionally good andthe 7,000 kilometres of coastline, from Paranáto near the equator, bask under a warm tropicalclimate. There is a winter, when there arecloudy days and sometimes the temperaturedips below 25°C, and a rainy season, when it canreally pour. In Rio and points south the summerrains last from October through to January, butthey come much earlier in the northeast, lastingabout three months from April in Fortaleza andSalvador, and from May in Recife. Even in winteror the rainy season, the weather will be excellentmuch of the time.

The average monthly temperature in thenortheast doesn’t ever dip below 25°C and theinterior is semi-arid. Rain is sparse and irregular,although violent. Amazônia is stereotyped asbeing steamy jungle with constant rainfall, butmuch of the region has a distinct dry seasonfrom July to October. Check the weather charton our website or visit www.worldclimate.comto get an idea of what the weather will be like onyour trip.


Brazil - MoneyImportantIn Latin America you will have problemschanging the US$100 CB B2 2001 series notesand it is important you do not to bring them.In some countries banks won't even take them.The serial number is located in the top left handcorner and bottom right hand corner on theside with the President’s face. This serial numberstarts with CB and then a few more numbers andthen directly under that B2. At the bottom of thenote near the signature of the Treasurer it says

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which series of notes it is and it is there that itsays 2001 series.Local currency

The monetary unit in Brazil is the Real, whichis divided into 100 centavos. For up-to-dateexchange rates with your own currency visitwww.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsWe recommend that you bring cash/travellerscheques in US dollars only. Visa, Diners andAmerican Express are the best credit cards tobring (Mastercard is not common in Brazil),however there can be problems at times gettingmoney out from ATMs, so make sure you havesufficient cash for emergencies.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreigncurrency that you may bring into Brazil, howeververy large sums should be declared on arrival.There is often a general lack of small change andwe recommend maintaining a supply of smalldenomination notes and coins.

When arriving at the Rio de Janeiro InternationalAirport we suggest that you get some reals atone of the little banks in the terminal buildingor use one of the ATMs (as you come out ofcustoms, take the escalators (to the right) tothe top floor then go left and right to the endpassing through the shops you will find aboutthree ATMs together). Change enough moneyto see you through the first few days of your trip– particularly if it is a weekend.

Brazil - Local TransportMuch of Rio can be visited by bus or metro(although the latter doesn’t really cover many ofthe tourist sights). The buses are fast (remember,every Brazilian wants to be a motor racing driver,well at least the bus drivers), reliable and cheap.They are easy to use as you get on and paythe conductor who sits in a little booth thenpass through a turnstile. Beware of thieves andpickpockets, especially before you pass throughthe turnstile.

Taxis are relatively cheap and we recommendusing them at night. Most taxis have meters andyou should insist that the driver switches it on.

In other Brazillian towns and cities walking isbasically the best and cheapest way to see thesights (with the exception of Sao Paulo wherethe metro is the best way of getting around thecity).

Brazil - Food & DrinkAll meals are included when camping and lunchis included on travelling days in the truck.When staying in hotels lunch and dinner is atyour own expense. (All hotels in Brazil includea buffet style breakfast, normally bread, coldmeats, hams, cheese, fruits, juice, tea or coffee).As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich)can cost as little as US$0.70, a light meal willcost around US$2-3, and a main meal with acouple of beers will cost around US$8. You willfind that meals are generally much cheaper thanyou are accustomed at home but obviously thisdoes depend on what you order and if youhave wine or other drinks which will certainlyincrease the bill. Eating out in upmarket suburbslike Ipanema or Leblon in Rio will be moreexpensive.


Generally you will find that meals are muchbigger than you are used to and, in many cases,one main meal will serve for two. Quite often thewaiter will even suggest that two of you share it.

FoodIn Brazil the basic diet focuses on meatand black beans. The favourite national dish,especially on Saturday lunchtimes is “feijoada”.This consists of several meats (sausages, porketc) in a delicious stew cooked with black beansand “farofa” (manioc flour). This is normallyaccompanied by neat chachaca which will blowyour head off at first but then become verymellow.

A 'churrasco' at a typical Churrascarria (BBQ)restaurant is another typical dish but go therewith an empty stomach as you will get somuch food. Every type of meat you can thinkof is served on giant swords and waiterswander around topping up your plate every fewminutes. These restaurants also have great saladbars with lots of variety where you can helpyourself as many times as you wish.

If you like fish ask for 'peixe' which can be grilled,pan fried with breadcrumbs or with a sauce.There are also plenty of chicken ('frango') disheswhich are a good idea if you don’t like your foodtoo salty (the beef normally comes very saltyindeed).

Typical snacks available in lanchonetes androadside truck-stops include 'empadao' (pastieswith chicken or meat), 'empadas' (fried versionof the latter), 'coxinha' (pear-shaped deepfried manioc flour with fish or chicken), 'pâode queijo' (hot roll made with cheese) and'salgados' (savoury pastries).

For a cheap and hearty meal try the fixed priced'prato feito' or 'sortido'. While at the 'comida porkilo' you pay by the kilo which is usually verygood value.

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you may experiencea distinct lack of variety in the food available,especially in small towns. However vegetarianalternatives are becoming more popular youwill just have to search a little harder for therestaurants that cater to your tastes. Our tourleaders will do their best to provide interestingvegetarian alternatives when arranging groupmeals in the campsite, but your patience andunderstanding is requested.

DrinkAll drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below:

• 1 litre of water - US$0.50• 30cl bottle of soft drink - US$0.30• 30cl bottle of beer - US$0.50• 50cl bottle of beer - US$0.80

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinksare widely available and are generally safe todrink. Surprisngly, although Brazil is one ofthe largest coffee producer in the world, mostcoffee in cafes and restaurants leaves a lot tobe desired, so look out for a specialist coffee

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type cafe. For great fresh fruit juices ('sucos'), trythe 'lanchonetes' where you can also get greatsnacks.

In Brazil some of the hotels we use have barsor serve alcoholic drinks. If there is not a bar inthe hotel then there is sure to be one withinwalking distance. In more up-market hotels,imported beers and spirits are available, butat a much higher price. There is an array oflocally made rums, whiskeys, gins, vermouth,campari and cachaca available cheaply. Thelatter is a sugar-cane liquor which is used inthe Brazilian national drink 'Caipirinha' (a mixof cachaca, sugar, crushed ice and slices ofsquashed limes). Another variation is the 'Batida'which is cachaca mixed with a variety of fruitjuices, crushed ice and sugar. There are variousbrands of beers including Brahma, Antarcticaand Cerpa. Draught beer is called 'chopp'.

Paraguay Country Guide

Paraguay - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Paraguay• Capital: Asuncion• Population: 6 million• Total Area: 406,741 square kilometres• Official Language: Spanish and Guarani• Religions: Roman Catholic 90%• Voltage: 220 volts.• Dialling Code: +595• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -4.• Airport Departure Tax: US$18

Paraguay - VisasNew Zealand, Australian, USA, Japanese andCanadian citizens must obtain visas in advance(before the tour starts).

As there is no Paraguayan embassy or consulatein New Zealand, travellers must arrive in thestarting city early (make sure it’s a week day) inorder to obtain a Paraguay visa before the tourstarts.

Most consulates will issue Paraguayan visas inone day. Make sure you have three passportphotos, proof of onward travel such as an airlineticket (plus copies) and a copy of your touritinerary, proof of sufficient funds (bring originalcredit card as well as several photocopies ifpossible), several photocopies of your passport

and US$45 cash for single entry (all Tucan Traveltours which include Paraguay only require asingle entry visa). You will usually have topay the fee in US dollars, but sometimes localcurrency at the current bank exchange rate isexpected (such as in Rio de Janeiro).

If it is impossible for you to obtain your Paraguayvisa before the tour starts your tour leader willdo all they can to help you get it whilst ontour. If this is not possible, your only option isto try to obtain a 24-48hr transit entry stampat the border. Although this transit visa isoften granted without problems we do notrecommend you rely on this method to obtainyour visa. If you find you have exhausted allpossible ways to obtain a visa you would need togo ahead of the group and meet up with thema night later in Brazil (your tour leader will giveadvice if this scenario becomes necessary).

Paraguay - ClimateThe Paraguayan summer is from October toMay and during this time you are guaranteedsummer heat. 40°C temperatures and overare quite common. Even during the winter,temperatures do not normally drop below 20°C(although it can get cooler).

Rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughoutthe year. In the east, near the Brazilian border, itaverages about 2000 milimetres per year.


Paraguay - MoneyImportant In Latin America you will haveproblems changing the US$100 CB B2 2001series notes and it is better not to bring them.The serial number is located in the top left handcorner and bottom right hand corner on theside with the President’s face. This serial numberstarts with CB and then a few more numbers andthen directly under that B2. At the bottom of thenote near the signature of the Treasurer it sayswhich series of notes it is and it is there that itsays 2001 series.

Local currencyThe monetary unit in Paraguay is the Guarani.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsParaguay is one of the only countries in LatinAmerica where you will also be able to exchangeother currencies (such as Euros, pounds sterlingand yen). Exchange offices are generally open9am to 5pm, whereas banks will close at midday.We recommend that you exchange money atthe exchange offices (casas de cambio) ratherthan the banks, as the rates are as good as thebanks and the system less efficient. You may,however, get a cash advance on some creditcards from the some of the banks if you bringyour passport along and are prepared to wait ina long line. Always make sure you ask to see ifwhat you want to do is possible before lining up.

You can sometimes pay for purchases withcredit cards in Asuncion. Visa is the most widelyaccepted credit card, although other cards arebecoming better known. Note that shops willoften give you better discounts if you pay withcash rather than credit card.

One of the easiest ways to obtain money is touse ATMs (‘cajeros automaticos’). Visa, Plus andCirrus / Maestro international cards are acceptedin many Asuncion ATMs, as long as you havea four-digit pin. Visa cards are definitely themost widely accepted (both debit and credit).Your tour leader will advise you which ATMstend to be better for international cards. Somemachines give more money than others, andsome give you the choice of getting US dollarsOR guaranies. It’s often a good idea to stockup on US dollars in Paraguay to assist you inthe other countries you’ll be going to. This canbe done by using the ATMs or by changingtraveller’s cheques into US dollars (usually witha 3% commission).

Remember that once out of Paraguay youwill generally not be able to use or exchangeGuaranies ever again (except at the bordertowns). Therefore you must make sure youspend/exchange/donate any left-over moneybefore leaving the country!

Paraguay - Local TransportMuch of Asuncion can be visited by local bus.The buses are reasonably reliable and verycheap. They are easy to use as you get on andpay the driver in local money - usually about

TRIP NOTES

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G1500 (US$0.25) per trip. As always, beware ofthieves and pickpockets.

Taxis are not terribly cheap in Asuncion (relativeto other costs in Paraguay), but we stillrecommend using them at night. Most taxishave meters and you should insist that the driverswitches it on.

Paraguay - Food & DrinkAs a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich)can cost as little as US$0.70, but if you choose togo to a nice café a sandwich will cost about US$3. A main meal with a couple of beers will costaround US$6-$7.


FoodThe typical Paraguayan diet consists of mostlymeat and starchy foods such as pasta, rice,corn products, and Yucca/Manioc root foods.The most typical snack in Paraguay is the chipawhich is made with manioc flour, eggs andcheese. They are sold everywhere, and areextremely cheap and filling. Empanadas (pattiesfilled with chicken, cheese or meat) are anothertypical snack found at every corner stall.

You will also find a lot of western-style foodsin the capital, Asuncion. There are numerousinternational restaurants – particularly Asianand European style restaurants. You will alsofind the typical Churrascarria (BBQ) restaurantswhich are common to Brazil. These restaurantsserve delicious cuts of meat and also havegreat salad bars with lots of variety where youcan help yourself as many times as you wish(sometimes the price is ‘per kilogram’).

VegetariansIf you are a strict vegetarian you mayexperience a distinct lack of variety in the foodavailable, especially in small towns. Howevervegetarian alternatives are becoming morepopular particularly in south Argentina. Our tourleaders will do their best to provide interestingvegetarian alternatives for included meals, butyour patience and understanding is requested.

Drink

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinksare at your own expense at all times. Thefollowing is a guideline for drinks bought ina shop in the street. Prices in restaurants andhotels can sometimes be more than double theprices specified below;

• 1 litre of water US$0.60• 30cl bottle of soft drink US$0.50• 30cl bottle of beer US$0.70• 50cl bottle of beer US$1.00

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks andfruit juices are widely available and much safer.Argentina also has some of the best coffee in theworld.

Paraguayans consume massive amounts ofmate (ma-te) a herbal tea, usually as ice-coldterrere (very sweet, iced mate) and often spikedwith medicinal herbs. Sugar-cane juice is alsocommon (called mosto). Local beers such asBaviera are excellent, but we don’t recommendthe local wine. Stick to Chilean or Argentinewine, as it’s far superior. Due to the strongSpanish influence, Paraguayans do love theirsangria.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Bolivia

La Paz - City Tour & Moon Valley USD15

La Paz - Death Road Mountain Biking USD110

Potosi - City Tour USD13

Potosi - Download Mountainbiking USD35

Potosi - Hot Springs USD11

Potosi - Mine Tour USD15

Brazil

Bonito - Abismo de Anhumas USD325

Bonito - Balneario do Sol USD10

Bonito - Blue Lake Cave USD30

Bonito - Rio Mimosa Waterfall Tour USD65-105

Bonito - Rio Prata Snorkelling USD75

Bonito - Rio Sucuri Snorkelling USD100

Foz do Iguazu - Bird Park USD13

Foz do Iguazu - Helicopter Ride USD120

Foz do Iguazu - Itaipu Dam with transport andguide USD25

Foz do Iguazu - National Park USD20

Foz do Iguazu - Rafain Show USD55

Parati - Parati Boat Cruise USD40

Rio de Janeiro - Carnival SambadromeEntrance USD50 Appox

Rio de Janeiro - Corcovado Entrance USD5

Rio de Janeiro - Corcovado Entrance &Train USD20-25

Rio de Janeiro - Favela half day Tour USD35-40

Rio de Janeiro - Football Match USD15 - USD45

Rio de Janeiro - Full day City Tour USD75-90

Rio de Janeiro - Hang Gliding USD160

Rio de Janeiro - Maracana Stadium Tour USD100

Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain USD20-30

Documents

Bolivia to Brazil - On The Go Tours · 2015. 8. 18. · Leaving La Paz we will take an overnight bus to Uyuni. Overnight - Overnight Bus Days 3-4 : Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region This