trip notes valparaiso and the resort of vina del mar ...€¦ · trip notes santiago to lima...

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima26 days | Santiago to Lima

Santiago to Lima - 26 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.

- 1 -

Experience a different adventure

every day with this unique journey

through Chile, Bolivia and Peru.

From the world’s driest desert to

the high Andes with visits to the

phenomenal salt lakes of Uyuni,

stunning Lake Titicaca, the mighty

Amazon and Machu Picchu.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Santiago - Chile's European style capital city• La Serena - coastal town and beach stay• San Pedro de Atacama - the world's driest

desert. Lunar landscapes, geysers, salt flatsand hot springs

• Salar de Uyuni - salt flats and unusualgeography and Fish Island

• Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) - pinkflamingoes, other coloured lagoons,Siloli Desert, multicoloured volcanic rockformations

• Sol de Manana - bubbling geysers and hotsprings

• UNESCO-listed Potosi - silver mining town• La Paz• Lake Titicaca & Puno - floating reed islands,

Uros islanders and Amantani island, TaquileIsland

• Amazon Jungle - guided tour of therainforest, trekking and Monkey Island

• Cuzco - Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisacruins, the temple of Ollantaytambo andlocal markets

• Machu Picchu ruins• Lima - free time to explore the capital's

vibrant markets and colonial museums

What's Included• 10 Breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners• 22 nights in hotels, hostels, guesthouses

and lodges, 1 overnight homestay and 2overnight buses

• Excursions to Valley of the Moon, LagunaColorada, Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca,Amazon Jungle, Sacred Valley and MachuPicchu

• Escorted by a tour leader and specialist localguides at some sites.

• Transportation by local public bus, boat, taxiand 4x4 vehicles

• Economy class flights: Lima - Cuzco, Cuzco -Puerto Maldonado and Puerto Maldonado -Cuzco

• Guided day of sightseeing in the Amazon• Guided tour of Machu Picchu• 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 : SantiagoWelcome to Santiago and the start of youramazing journey. Upon arrival at the airport youwill be met and transferred to your hotel. Thefirst day of your tour is simply an arrival day withno pre-organised activities. In order to allowtime to relax and see some of the sights you maywish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrivalplease ask at the reception for information onwhen the pre departure meeting will be held.

Pedro de Valdivia established the city in 1541but not much remains of its original glory. AtSanta Lucia Hill where the original fortress wasconstructed, there are excellent views of thecity below. However, for even better photoopportunities, take a funicular railway to the topof San Cristobal where the Statue of the Virginoverlooks the capital and the distant Andes. Atthis very pleasant viewing area you'll find wine-tasting facilities and a couple of beautifullysituated swimming pools. Santiago is a veryclean modern city with fountains, parks andimposing buildings. In the Plaza Constituciónat the Palacio de la Moneda you can see thechanging of the guard on most days or youcan take an optional excursion to the port ofValparaiso and the resort of Vina del Mar.Overnight - Santiago

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 2 -

Days 2-4 : La SerenaSantiago - La Serena - San Pedro de Atacama.The drive north takes us to La Serena,a pleasant coastal town founded in 1544.The surrounding district is one of the mostimportant astronomical centres on earth, withobservatories dotted among the hills. While inLa Serena you can laze around on the longbeach, visit the interesting town or stroll toneighbouring Coquimbo along the bay. There isalso an optional excursion to the Elqui Valley thehome of Chilean Pisco. In the evening enjoy abarbeque and visit the nearby casino (optional).From La Serena we take an overnight bus to SanPedro de Atacama. Overnight - La Serena (2),overnight bus (1) (B:2)

Days 5-10 : Tropic ofCapricorn & Salt Lakes

San Pedro de Atacama – Laguna Colorada –Uyuni. We cross over the Tropic of Capricorn aswe make our way to Calama in the heart of aridAtacama Desert, the driest desert in the world(it hasn't rained for over 250 years). The moderntown of Calama is a former staging post on thesilver route from Potosí and now Chile's majorcopper mining base.

A short drive further into the desert to SanPedro de Atacama, where the area is famousfor its lunar landscapes, geysers, salt flats andhot springs. There is an excellent archaeologicalmuseum at San Pedro de Atacama, housing agood selection of mummies and other ancientartefacts. Here we have the included visit to theeerie eroded salt mountains of the Valley of theMoon.

Travelling by 4WD vehicles we head up intothe high Andes and come to Laguna Verde(Green Lagoon) rich in lead, sulphur and calciumcarbonate and shadowed by the cone of theLicancabur Volcano. After crossing a 5,000

metre pass there lays a geyser basin withbubbling mud pots, hellish fumaroles and athick aroma of sulphur fumes. Inside a smallcrater we observe boiling lava and we also stopat hot springs where you can bathe. We visitthe volcanic zone ‘Sol de Mañana' (Morning Sun)at 4,850 metres above sea level, followed bythe Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada), covering anarea of 60 square kilometres, the lagoon hasa rich red colouration derived from algae andplankton which thrive in its mineral waters. Theshoreline is fringed with brilliant white depositsof sodium, magnesium, borax and gypsum andthe lagoon is inhabited by numerous flamingos,three unique species of which breed there.

We now pass through the Siloli Desert,encountering spectacular landscapes withmulticoloured volcanic rock formations andstop at other lagoons en route. In the afternoonwe continue to San Juan near the Bolivianborder where we will spend the night.

Crossing into Bolivia we visit what is claimed tobe the largest salt flat in the world, the brilliantwhite vast Salar de Uyuní. We spend the dayexploring the salt lake and surrounds. Firstlywe will visit Fish Island, so named because ithas the shape of a fish. Located in the centreof the salar, 100 kilometres from the town ofUyuní, this hilly outpost is covered in giant cactiamid a flat, white sea of hexagonal salt tiles.Visiting Fish Island is quite otherworldly andthe fantastic contrast of the brilliant blue sky(weather permitting of course) and the purewhite of the salt flats will take your breath away.We then come to Colchani, the main plant forthe iodisation of salt and the best place toobserve the methods of salt extraction fromthe salar. Here ovens are used to dry the salt,which is then formed into cakes. Lastly we makea visit to the Train Cemetery, where you cansee the remains of 19th and early 20th centurysteam locomotives - a good place for artisticphotographs. Moving on we reach the desolatetown of Uyuní in the south of Bolivia.

Please Note: Occasionally in the rainy season thesalt flats become overly flooded and we mayhave to alter the itinerary if the salt flats arenot safe to traverse. Overnight - San Pedro de

Atacama (3), Laguna Colorada (1), Salar deUyuni (1), Uyuni (1) (B:4, L:2, D:2)

Days 11-15 : Potosi & La Paz

Uyuni - Potosi – La Paz. Travelling further intoBolivia we come to the mining town of Potosí.The city was established by the Spanish in1545 soon after the discovery of a rich veinof silver in a nearby hill, the Cerro Rico (RichHill) It soon became the world's largest silverproducer and silver from Potosí underwrote theSpanish economy, particularly the monarchy'sextravagance, for over two centuries. Millionsof Indians, and later, African slaves, worked inthe mines in appalling conditions. You have theoption to visit the mines, stopping first at theminers market to buy gifts such as coca leaves,dynamite and cigarettes. In the mines we willexperience the difficult conditions in which theminers work – including 50°C heat. We'll passseveral of the shrines they have made to the“Tios” which they hope will protect them whilethey are working in what they believe is thedevil's territory.

If you'd like to learn more of the historicsilver industry you can take a tour of theMoneda, a museum exhibiting coins, artwork,mummies and many other interesting artefactsfrom Potosí's history. We depart Potosi bycomfortable overnight public bus - destinationLa Paz!

Built on a series of hills and considered oneof the world's most beautiful cities, La Pazwas established in the basin of a canyonwith the snow -capped Mount Illimani inthe background. Our hotel is very centrallylocated and is just around the corner from thecity's colourful Indian street markets includingthe fascinating and suitably named "witchesmarket'' where bowler hat wearing women intheir flared skirts sell such items as dead cats and

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 3 -

llamas foetuses said to ward off evil spirits. Themain square, Plaza Murillo, is also within walkingdistance. The square still retains its colonialbuildings including the Presidential Palace. LaPaz is possibly the best place to experiencea traditional pena show of Andean music anddance where local bands play time -honouredinstruments such as zamponas (pipes) andcharangos (ukulele).

There are also many optional excursionsavailable. You might like to visit the MoonValley with its strange rock formations shapedby the weather or take in the incredible viewsfrom Mount Chacaltaya and the world's highestski resort at 5,221 metres. Another fantasticexcursion is to the emerald green area ofCoroico, the gateway to the Bolivian jungleregion and a great place to see sub -tropicalvegetation and plants. En route you will crossa 5,000 metre high pass before descendingto 1,300 metres on narrow mountain roadsbordered by sheer drops. The excursion toCoroico can also be done by mountain bike,as it is downhill nearly all the way andvery exhilarating, but not for the fainthearted!Overnight - Potosi (1), Overnight Bus (1) LaPaz (3)

Days 16-18 : Lake Titicaca &Uros Islanders

La Paz - Puno – Lake Titicaca – Puno. LeavingLa Paz we travel across the scenic Altiplano(high plain), eventually following the shores ofLake Titicaca as we make our way towards Peru.We cross the border and carry on around thelake through typical villages. The lovely scenerycontinues all the way to Puno on the shores ofLake Titicaca, which at 3,855 metres above sealevel, is the highest navigable lake in the world.We hope to arrive in time so you can visit thecolourful local market.

The next morning departing Puno for ourovernight excursion we visit the floating reedislands in the Bay of Puno to see the Urosislanders way of life and we will have theoption to ride in a traditional reed boat beforecontinuing our boat journey to the island ofAmantaní. Here we enjoy the hospitality of thelocal Aymara/Quechua families sleeping in theirhomes. We recommend you to purchase gifts forthe families at the port of Puno before leaving tooffer to the families – they will greatly appreciatethis gesture. The next morning we visit TaquileIsland, where the men stand around knittingdistinctive woollen hats while the women workthe fields. You can buy some of these uniquehandicrafts in the local cooperative shops. Afterlunch we board our boat for the return journeyto Puno. Overnight - Puno (1), Lake Titicaca(1), Puno (1) (B:1, L:1, D:1)

Days 19-22 : Cuzco & theAmazon Jungle

Puno - Cuzco – Amazon Jungle (or free time) –Cuzco. Leaving Puno we first pass through thebustling town of Juliaca, before travelling alongroads abundant with herds of llamas, alpacasand vicunas until we reach the highest point,the La Raya pass at 4,321 metres. From here youcan see the research station for high altitudeanimals, past hot mineral pools, snow cappedmountains and through villages where theIndians sell food, fur hats and alpaca sweaters.We arrive in legendary Cuzco, where your tourleader will take you on an orientation walkingtour of this ancient Inca capital.

Our representative will transfer you to theairport for your flight to the jungle communityof Puerto Maldonado, the starting point for ourvisit to the Amazon rainforest.

In Puerto Maldonado you can pick up any lastminute drinks or snacks in the busy markets

and shops. The first leg of our journey is by busfollowed by motorised canoe, a 35 kilometrejourney along the river (approx two hours total).The canoes are very safe and lifejackets aresupplied.

Arriving at the lodge located on the river’s edge,you will be allocated a bungalow all of whichare built from local indigenous materials. Eachroom is sealed by meshed netting to keep outmosquitoes and other insects. All rooms havebasic private bathroom facilities. Due to theremoteness of the lodge there is no hot waterand drinking water should be purchased. Thereis also limited electricity so please charge anyelectrical equipment prior to your arrival. Inthe evening the lodge and walkways are lit byoil lamps. Other facilities include a welcomingreception area, dining room and bar facilities.All excursions are led by English speaking localguides providing plenty of opportunity to enjoymarvelous jungle landscapes and rich diversityof flora and fauna.

After lunch we take a short boat trip across theMadre de Dios River to Monkey Island. On theway over you may spot caiman from the boat.Once on the island it is possible to see a greatvariety of monkeys such as the ‘maquisapa’,black and white ‘Martins’, ‘Leoncito de laSelva’ (Little Lions), ‘Frailes’ (Friars), ‘Achuñis’,‘Ronsocos’ as well as an array of birdlife. Inthe evenings it is often possible to enjoy thewonderful sunset, one of the most impressivesights of the forest (weather permitting). Wethen return to the lodge for dinner.

After an early breakfast we will set off on a trekthrough the rainforest along wooden walk ways.On the way our guide will stop to show youvarious species of bird and explain the medicinalplants and delicate ecological systems of theAmazon Jungle. The scenery is extremely variedincorporating dense jungle as well as marshareas. You will see incredibly big trees, severalmetres in diameter and around 450 years old.There is an opportunity to take a canoe ridedrifting along one of the small lakes hiddenaway in the jungle, observing caiman and theabundant bird life. We may also catch a glimpseof the rare giant otter.

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 4 -

Afterwards we will enjoy the view of thelake from our viewing point/observationplatform, where you can experience thecanopy wildlife such as parrots, guacamayos,toucans, camungos, shanshos, herons, turtlesand caiman. We will return to the lodge for a welldeserved lunch. In the afternoon we visit theGamitana River where you can try fishing or takea dip. (All excursions are weather permitting anditineraries may be changed slightly due to localconditions).

On the final day we awake to the sounds of thejungle before departing this jungle haven andreturning to Puerto Maldonado for our flight onto Cuzco, where you have the rest of the dayfree to explore this fascinating ancient capital.Overnight - Cuzco (1), Amazon Jungle (2),Cuzco (1) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Days 23-25 : Cuzco & Lima

Cuzco – Lima. A full day is spent visiting theSacred Valley of the Incas. Firstly we visit thePisac ruins, perched on a hilltop with incredibleviews of the snow -capped mountains. Wethen go down to the famous traditional Indianmarket of the same name, which is full of colourand atmosphere. A great place for souvenirs!After lunch, we continue along the valley tothe temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo with itsenormous Inca terracing constructed on theside of a steep mountain.

The lost city of Machu Picchu (Old Mountain)was originally completely self -contained,surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient tofeed the population, and watered by naturalsprings. Located high above the fast flowingUrubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins havepalaces, baths, temples, storage rooms andsome 150 houses, all in a remarkable state ofpreservation that will simply take your breathaway. The ruins were only discovered by the

outside world in 1911, when American explorerHiram Bingham found them while looking foranother “lost city” called Vilcabamba. Due totheir isolation many of the buildings are stillquite intact and you can't help but admireHuayna Picchu (Young Mountain), which towersabove the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top ofthe mountain (it takes about 50 minutes) butyou are rewarded with spectacular views overthe whole site.

On day 25 our representative will transfer you toCuzco airport for your flight to Lima, also knownas the "City of the Kings". Here you will be met byanother of our Tucan Travel reps and transferredto our hotel for one more night. You then havea free afternoon for last minute sightseeing andshopping.

Lima was founded by the Spanish ConquistadorFrancisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated theIncas and made the city his capital. Lima hasmany fine colonial buildings and some of thebest museums in South America including theGold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition andthe Catacombs below the San Francisco Church.Peru's capital has much to offer and many ofthe sights, including the city's two main squaresthe Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, arewithin easy walking distance The Plaza de Armashouses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace andPresidential Palace where the changing of theguard can be seen every day at 12 noon. Thereare also many markets in Lima, possibly the bestbeing in the central district. Overnight - Cuzco(2), Lima (1)

Day 26 : LimaOur tour concludes today. Please confirm withthe reception the check out time. If you havea late flight or have lengthened your stay byadding post tour accommodation you will havemore time to explore the sights.

The itinerary listed above is to be used as aguide only. Occasionally we may need to updatethis Go Guide and it may be different to theinformation printed in our current brochure.Tour leaders may need to make adjustmentsdue to unforeseen circumstances during thetour. It is very important that you visit ourwebsite and review a copy of this Go Guide as

close as possible to your departure date in caseof changes that may affect your plans.

Single SupplementIf you paid our single supplement for this tour,a single room will be provided for your comfortfor a total of 16 nights applicable to day 1, 2, 3,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

Arriving to SantiagoAn arrival transfer from Santiago 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.

On arrival in Santiago, we recommend youchange enough money into the local currency(the Chilean peso) for the first four or five days ofyour trip. This is especially important if you arearriving on a Saturday night. The exchange rateat the airport is just as good as in the city centre.As you come out of immigration you will find thebank right in front of you before you turn leftinto the baggage claim area or you can use oneof the ATMs outside the terminal.

Airport transferIf you have booked an arrival transfer with usand you are going to be delayed more than twohours, you must advise us of the delay at leastsix hours 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 ofany 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 arrival transfer with us, youcan either take a taxi from the rank outside oryou can arrange to pay for a taxi at one of thepre-pay taxi desks just before you get to theluggage hall. You then hand a ticket to the driver

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 5 -

rather than paying in the taxi. Licensed andunlicensed taxis are also available outside butyou will have to haggle for a good price whichcan be difficult if you do not speak Spanish. Ifyou do use these taxis you should agree a pricebefore setting off and get the driver to writedown the price (be clear on whether they aretalking about pesos or US dollars). The airport isapproximately 30 minutes from the city centre(depending on traffic) and the cost of a taxi toour hotel in Santiago should be approximatelyUS$18.

Start Hotel Address:Hotel LibertadorAvenida Libertador Bernado O’ Higgins 853Santiago, Chile

Tel: (+56) 2 639 4211Fax: (+56) 2 632 7128

The hotel serves a continental breakfastconsisting of bread, jam and tea/coffee or juice,or an American breakfast with eggs. Pleasecheck with reception for serving times andprices (breakfast is not included).

Top tips for your arrivalThe hotel has safe deposit boxes for your use(you will get an itemised receipt). Please leaveall of your important documents, money andtravellers cheques here when you go out butremember to carry some form of ID and aphotocopy of your passport with you.

It is not advisable not to wear chains orexpensive looking watches or jewellery while inmajor 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, sweateretc) 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)

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 6 -

• 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 sleepingbag 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 manySouth 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 one

vaccination. 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 foreveryone 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

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 7 -

• Details of your travel insurance policynumber 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 adviseus 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 at

your 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 thenature 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 hotels

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 8 -

and 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 spenttravelling 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 2

star 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 thiswill 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 we

stay 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).

Bolivia Country Guide

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

(judicial)• Population: 8.4 million• 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 the

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 9 -

border, 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.

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

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 ofsmall 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 safer

than 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 truchais 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.

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 10 -

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 drinkthe 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).

Chile Country Guide

Chile - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Chile• Capital: Santiago• Population: 15.5 million• Total Area: 756,950 square kilometres

including Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) andIsla Sala y Gomez. Chile stretches over 4,300kilometres from north to south, a distanceroughly the same as that from San Franciscoto New York, or Edinburgh to Baghdad.

• Official Language: Spanish• Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant

11%• Voltage: 220 volts. Chilean outlets use three

round pins in a line, with the middle onebeing an earth. Two-pronged European styleplugs can also be used.

• Dialling Code: +56• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -4. For

other time differences please visitwww.timeanddate.com

Chile - VisasMost nationals, including citizens of the EU,North American and Australasia do not needto acquire a visa in advance to enter Chile.However some nationalities must pay an entryfee on arrival by air (e.g. United States $100,Canada $55 and Australia $34, these costs maychange). Entry is granted on production of apassport valid for more than six months, areturn air/bus ticket and proof of funds tosupport yourself for the duration of the stay.Most nationalities can enter for up to 90 days,although it's up to the immigration official todecide whether you're allocated 30, 60 or 90days on arrival. Visa requirements do changeperiodically so you should check for the latestinformation on your specific visa requirementswith your local Chilean Embassy or Consulatewell in advance of your planned date of travel.

Chile - ClimateChile is very long and narrow (it is no morethan 180 km wide at any point) and the AndesMountains are a dominant feature runningdown the entire length of the country. Becauseof its length, Chile encompasses a variety ofclimates (the country contains both arid desertsand icebergs). There's no one time that's perfectto visit every part of the country, but it seldomrains during October to March, humidity is low,midday temperatures reach about 32°C and thenights are cool. It is colder and rains a lot inSantiago and in the south in May to August.A sweater (and, in the south, a heavy jacket)should be taken no matter when you go, asnights can be cool-to-cold nearly everywhere.

Santiago, 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 trees.Summer, between December and February, isdry and hot although at night it cools downslightly, and on the coast this temperature dropcan be much more extreme. Autumn is betweenMarch and May, and temperatures decrease

gradually. Daytime winter temperatures arereasonable but mornings can be very cold.


Chile - MoneyImportant In Latin America you will haveproblems changing the US$100 CB B2 2001series notes and it is important you do not tobring them. In some countries banks won't eventake them. The serial number is located in thetop left hand corner and bottom right handcorner on the side with the President’s face. Thisserial number starts with CB and then a fewmore numbers and then directly under that B2.At the bottom of the note near the signature ofthe Treasurer it says which series of notes it isand it is there that it says 2001 series.

Local currencyThe monetary unit in Chile is the Chilean peso,which is divided into 100 centavos. For up-to-date exchange rates with your own currencyvisit 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.Travellers cheques must be changed before12pm except at 'casas de cambio' (which dotend to offer better rates than banks anyway).

There is no restriction on the amount of foreigncurrency that you may bring into Chile, 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 atthe Santiago International Airport we suggestthat you get some Pesos at one of the littlebanks just inside the luggage hall or use one ofthe ATMs outside the terminal. Change enoughmoney to see you through the first few days ofyour trip – particularly if it is a weekend.

Chile - Local TransportMuch of Santiago can be visited on foot. There isa very good underground metro system which

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 11 -

has three lines and is very cheap at US$0.40-$0.60 per journey. You can also buy a 10 journeycard for about US$4. The last trains are at around10pm. There are local buses called micros, whichare also cheap, but you should try to have theright change (ask at the hotel reception forprices). They also have 'colectivos' (shared taxison fixed routes). We recommend the use of taxisat night as they are fairly cheap and usually havemeters - just make sure that the driver turns iton when you get in. Remember that you will paymore for taxis at night.

Chile - Food & DrinkAll meals are included when camping and lunchis included on travelling days in the truck. Whenstaying in hotels all meals are at your ownexpense. As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. asandwich) can cost as little as US$1.50, a lightmeal will cost around US$5-8, and a meal inone of the better restaurants in Santiago willcompare with developed countries in the west.Obviously this does depend on what you orderand if you have wine or other drinks which willcertainly increase the bill. In cheaper restaurantswhere Chileans and backpackers eat, you canget meals for as little as US$3 if you shop around.

Your tour leader will be able to recommendrestaurants.

FoodIn Chile the basic diet focuses around chicken,beef or seafood, mostly with french fries or rice(or both) and sometimes salad. Compared tocountries further north, Chile’s cuisine is quitecreative and tasty. 'Cazuela de ave' is a stew oflarge chunks of chicken, potatoes, rice, onionswith green peppers and 'pastel de choclo' isa casserole of beef, onions and olives toppedwith a maize mash baked in an earthenwarebowl. 'Parillada', a mixed grill of meats, offaland intestines served at your table in a charcoalbrazier (miniature barbecue) is popular here asin all the southern countries. Other favouritedishes include 'lomo ala pimiento' (peppersteak) and 'humitas' (mashed corn mixed withspices and butter baked in a maize leaf).

Seafood is the basis for many of Chile’sfavourite dishes and the 'congrio' is theirnational fish. One of the most popular waysto serve it is 'caldillo de congrio' (a soup

with large pieces of the fish with onionsand potato balls). Other delicious fish include'corvine' (bass), 'albacore' (swordfish) and'cojinoa' (no translation). Try a 'paila choncha' (abouillabaisse type dish with heaps of flavour)or a 'parillada de mariscos' a mixed seafoodgrill. There is a whole host of other seafoodavailable including clams (almejas), mussels(choritos/cholgas), sea-urchin (erizo), barnacles(picorocos) and seaweed.

Typical snacks are 'emanadas de pino' (pastieswith onions, raisins, olives meat and peppers)and 'prieta', a blood sausage (black pudding)stuffed with cabbage

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$1.50• 30cl bottle of soft drink US$1• 30cl bottle of beer US$1.50• 50cl bottle of beer US$3

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater (especially outside of Santiago). Bottledwater, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices arewidely available and much safer. However fruitjuices are sometimes made from unboiled tapwater, so could upset your stomach. An easyway around this is to order the juice 'con leche'with milk instead. For decent coffee try one ofthe cafe chains: Cafe Haiti, Tio Pepe or CafeBrasil.

In Chile 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, buttend to be expensive. Alternatively there isan array of local rums, gins, brandy availableand the fabulous Chilean wines which can beextremely cheap (from US$1.50 a bottle). Thereare various brands of beers including Cristal,Escudo, Austral, Heineken and Royal Guard(light), there is also a brown ale type beer fromthe south called Malta. Please note that manyplaces will charge a refundable deposit for thebottles.

Peru Country Guide

Peru - Fact File• Official Name: Republic of Peru• Capital: Lima• Population: 28 million• Total Area: 1.3 million square kilometres

(twice the size of France)• Official Language: Spanish, Quechua and

Aymara also spoken in places• Religions: Roman Catholic 90%• Voltage: 220 volts. Sockets are a mixture of

the European, two-pronged round varietyand US flat-pin.

• Dialling Code: +51• Time Difference: GMT/UTC -5. For

other time differences please visitwww.timeanddate.com

• Airport Departure Tax: US$30.25

Peru - VisasCurrently EU, US, Canadian, Australian and NewZealand citizens can visit Peru for up to 90 days(ask on arrival for a 90 day entry as 30 days isthe standard issued) without a visa. However,the situation does change periodically, so youshould always check with your local Peruvianembassy before departure. All nationalitiesneed a tourist or embarkation card ('tarjeta deembarque - or tarjeta Andina') to enter Peru.This is issued at frontiers or on the aircraftbefore landing. Tourist cards are usually validfor between 30 and 90 days (same as above, it'sthe same stamp that goes in your passport). Intheory you have to show an outbound ticket(by air or bus) before you'll be given a card,but this is rarely checked (by law the airline

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 12 -

that flies you into Peru must check this). Foryour own safety and freedom of movement, acopy of the tourist card together with a copy ofyour passport must be kept on you at all times(according to Peruvian law, everyone must carryID at all times) - particularly when travellingoutside of the main towns. You must also retainthis card for when you exit Peru (this is a bigdeal, you lose it and you can't leave, have to gothrough all sorts of bureaucracy for sometimesdays). Take a copy or digital photograph.

Peru - ClimatePeru is unique in its wide variety of ecosystemsranging from the driest/hottest desert in theAmericas, to the high Andean peaks (over 7,600metres above sea level); and a two-thousand-kilometre-long belt of cloud forest, rich in floraand fauna, to a vast area of lowland Amazonjungle, covering more than half the country. Thethree main zones of Peru are known as La Costa(the coast), La Sierra (the mountains) and LaSelva (the jungle).

Over the last few years, the Peruvian weatherhas been rather unsettled possibly as a resultof global warming. However, it still rarely rainson the coast, although the Lima region doesexperience substantial smog, coastal fogs ormists and even drizzle; particularly between themonths of May and November.

The climate in the Sierra and Selva regions canbe divided into a wet season (November-April)and a dry season (May-October). There is, ofcourse, some rain during the dry season, but itis much heavier and much more frequent in thewet season. Don’t be put off by the expression“rainy season” however, as this normally meansa couple of downpours each day rather thancontinuous rain. Again, weather conditions havebeen quite unsettled in these regions overthe last ten years or so, with the Altiplanozone, around Puno, being affected by seriousdroughts, which have left the water level of LakeTiticaca at its lowest for years.


Peru - MoneyLocal currency

The monetary unit in Peru is the Nuevo Sol.For up-to-date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMsWe recommend that you bring cash/travellerscheques in US dollars only. For more informationabout the best way to carry your money pleasesee the Pre departure information (which will besent to you with confirmation of your booking).There is no restriction on the amount of foreigncurrency that you may bring into Peru, 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.

Change enough money to see you through thefirst few days of your trip – particularly if it is aweekend. Please note you can only change cash(not travellers cheques) at the Cambio and thereare other ATM’s in the city (and in Arequipa,Cuzco and Puno) where you can get money out24 hours a day.

ImportantPlease note that ATMs in Peru do not alwaysautomatically release your credit or debit card atthe time when you receive your money. Pleasebe aware that you sometimes have to push abutton to request your card to be returned.Many ATMs in main towns have instructions inEnglish.

Peru - Local TransportTaxis are recommended for all journeys withina city. In Peru, taxi meters are not normally inevidence, so you will find yourself engaging ina bit of haggling with the driver to agree uponthe fare. It is a good idea to find out in advance,from your tour leader or the hotel receptionist,approximately how much the fare should be. Itwill also help if you can speak a few words ofSpanish. You will almost certainly have to acceptthat you will pay more than the locals do.

Local buses are very cheap to use, but you reallyneed to be able to speak reasonable Spanish toget by. There are also some bus stops/stations,especially in Lima, that are not recommendedfor tourists.

Peru - Food & DrinkAll meals are included when camping and lunchis included on travelling days in the truck. Whenstaying in hotels all meals are at your ownexpense. As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. asandwich) can cost as little as US$0.70, a lightmeal will cost around US$3-$6, and even ameal in one of the best restaurants in Cuzco orLima costs very little in comparison to what youwould expect to pay at home (usually aroundUS$20-$30). Obviously this depends on whatyou order and if you have wine or other drinkswhich will certainly increase the bill. In cheaperrestaurants where Peruvians and backpackerseat, you can get meals for as little as US$1.50.

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

You should be wary of drinking the local tapwater. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks andfruit juices are widely available and much safer.

FoodIn Peru the basic diet focuses around chicken,beef or seafood, mostly with french fries or rice(or both) and possibly a little salad. Soups arealso common and good value. Coastal dishesare seafood based and include 'ceviche' whichis fish marinated in lemon juice, onion and hotpeppers traditionally served with corn on thecob, cancha (toasted corn), yucca and sweetpotatoes. 'Escabeche' is fish with onions, greenand red peppers, prawns, cumin, hard boiledeggs, olives and sprinkled with cheese. The mostcommon fish is 'corvine' (sea bass) which cancome simply grilled or fried or with sauces.'Chupe de camerones', a prawn stew, is anotherdelicious dish certainly worth trying.

TRIP NOTES

Santiago to Lima




- 13 -

Corn and potatoes are Peru’s main vegetables– particularly in the highlands. 'Causa' is a dishmade from yellow potatoes, lemons, peppers,hard-boiled eggs, olives, lettuce, sweet corn,sweet potato, cheese and onion sauce. 'Choclocon queso' is a large corn on the cob snack withvery salty cheese. Other local favourites include'tomales' which is like a boiled corn dumplingfilled with chicken and wrapped in banana leafand 'lomo saltado' which is a kind of stir-fry beefwith tomatoes, onions, fried potatoes on a bedof rice.

An interesting local speciality is cuy(pronounced: cooee). This is roasted guineapig which some people say tastes like chicken,others, like cooked cardboard.

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. In places like Cuzcoeven Indian and Japanese restaurants havenow opened. A cheap, filling three-course lunch(normally called a “menú económico”) can oftenbe had for about US$1.50.

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.

DrinkIn Peru 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 todrink the local spirits then there is an array ofrums, pisco (white brandy) and even palatablewine. All these are very cheap, e.g. a bottle ofrum could be as little as US$5 in a local shop.Quite often the mixer to go with it (Coke) ismore expensive. There are various brands ofbeers including Cuzqueña, Arequipeña, Cristaland Pilsener.

The soft drink of choice in Peru and a sourceof national pride is the bright yellow Inca Kola.Possibly an acquired taste, but indisputablypopular. So popular in fact that McDonaldsforced Coca Cola to allow it to be sold in itsPeruvian branches.

The origins of pisco - a grape-based spirt -is keenly contested between Peru and Chile.Regardless of origin it is the national drink ofPeru (the fact that the town Pisco is in Peru lendscredence to Peru's claim). Drank in a variety ofways, the most iconic is the pisco sour, which hasa raw egg amongst its ingredients.

Peru - BugsIf your tour includes a visit to a jungle regionyou should be prepared to encounter an array ofwildlife – including many insects and spiders etc.Most creepy crawlies are completely harmlessand will cause you no problems at all – in factthis is all part of the jungle experience. If youfind something it your room it certainly doesn'tmean that the room is unclean – rather that youare in the jungle and it is completely normal. Ifyou are uncomfortable with creepy crawlies it isa good idea to bring plenty of insect repellentspray and coils to place in your room and ofcourse don't leave any food lying around.

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

Tiahuanaco - Tiahuanaco Ruins &Museum USD10 Group Guide USD40

Brazil

Bonito - Blue Lake Cave USD30

Bonito - Rio Sucuri Snorkelling USD100

Chile

Santiago - Santiago City Tour USD25

Santiago - Vineyard Tours USD50-60

Peru

Cuzco - group tour T shirts USD12 - 15

Cuzco - Massage 1 hour USD25

Cuzco - Salt Terraces Maras Moray USD30

Cuzco - visitor ticket USD25

Lima - city tour USD25

Lima - Paragliding USD85

Puno - Lake titicaca overnight excursion USD40

Puno - Sillustani Ruins USD2

trip notes valparaiso and the resort of vina del mar ...€¦ · trip notes santiago to lima...

Documents