Formalities:
It is imperative to have a valid passport in your possession during your trip. Please make sure it is valid for at least 6 months after your return date as this will determine if you can fly international. You are strongly recommended to make at least two copies. One that you will keep at your place of residence and one you will take with you throughout the journey in case problems arise during your travels. It is always better to carry a copy of any important documents you might need when traveling, such as passport, emergency contact numbers and emails, and insurance papers, etc.

Terms of Payment:
Upon receipt of your booking, we will confirm the trip. We will then send you an invoice all the information and total cost of your trip. A payment of 20% of the total cost is due, once you receive the invoice. The complete balance is owed ​​no later than 30 days before departure.
The trip can be paid by bank transfer or Visa / Mastercard / American Express. For online payment by credit card, we use the secure payment services of our partner Trust Guard to ensure your credit card information is secure and private.

Insurance:
All tours offered by viventura require each individual to have travel insurance, however currently at this time viventura does not offer travel insurance to their travelers. Please research individual or group travel insurance on your own time as policies and pricing vary depending on various factors. If you are having any problems on the type of travel insurance needed, please contact our viventura office at 1-888-238-1602.

Before your arrival, be sure to make a copy of all important travel insurance documents. You should bring the paperwork that includes your travel insurance policy number, service provider, and general contact number in case issues arise during your trip. viventura will notify you for any reason if the trip needs to be rescheduled or even canceled.

Health:
Depending on your destination, some vaccines may be recommended. We advise you to contact your local doctor before your departure even if such problems will not arise during your trip. You can also visit the Center for Disease Control that will provide you with information and comprehensive advice on all health issues that are common in those countries you visit.
Site: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm

In all cases, you must generally observe basic hygiene rules, especially to not drink tap water unless deemed okay by your tour guide and avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables in the markets that have not been thoroughly washed.

If you know of any heart problems or any other health issues, a visit to your doctor prior to your departure is recommended. Talking with your doctor can prepare you about any other health risks or concerns that might happen during your trip. Take all the necessary precautions before you fly to the heart of South America, as we want your experience to be relaxed and without any health related risk. Once there, please discuss any health concerns you have with your tour guide so they can be informed if a major problem arises and make your trip as comfortable as possible.

Security:
During your journey, you are advised not to take with you any of your important valuables.(i.e. expensive jewelry, electronics, etc...) We will be traveling daily so the smaller amount of objects you have to be aware of the better. Also like any city, small crimes of robbery and theft do happen. Just be on aware of your surroundings and use common sense to avoid unpleasant situations. For example, never leave your luggage unattended or entrust with an individual not with the viventura tour group.

Internet:
You will be able to connect and share with family and friends by internet throughout your trip. Indeed there are few cities that have little or no connection point or require you to pay for internet service. In that case of paying for internet, prices average between $1 - $3 for one hour of internet use. Most of our hotels and hosterias provide an internet cafe. During any of your free time, you are more than welcome to sign online. Just remember this is a fun and exciting trip, so try and spend time enjoying the cities and culture instead of constantly signing online.

Currency Exchange:
You are suggested to exchange currencies for your trip for personal use, how much is at your discretion. If you are unsure, viventura will happily suggest an amount of what should be sufficient during your travels.

The first way to receive the necessary currency is to exchange your dollars at your local bank before your departure date. Please do this as early as possible as exchanging currency can take anywhere from a week to a few months depending on the availability of the currency. You can also exchange once you reached your destination during your first few days of your trip at an ATM or currency exchange office. Your local tour guide will help you do this if you are uncertain.

Although Visa, MasterCard, American Express are accepted in major cities, we suggest bringing a small amount of local money in case credit cards are not accepted at small shops or restaurants. Please avoid, travelers checks, as they are rarely accepted and the exchange rate is usually high. Always contact your credit card company, to let them know the dates you will be traveling out of the country as to make sure your credit card accounts are not frozen or seen as fraud on your trip. You can also discuss with them about using the card internationally and if there are certain transaction fees associated with withdrawing money abroad.

Tips:
Regarding tips, if one is satisfied with the service, giving a tip is greatly appreciated, but not required. Your local guides are being paid for their services, so any additional money given is at your full discretion. For an idea of how much to give if the services were satisfactory, we recommend a local guide to receive about USD $ 1-2 per day per person. But again, this topic is of course according to your own feelings and judgments of your guide during your travels.

In general it is beneficial to be have a good physical fitness due to the high altitude, climate variations, and diverse environmental terrains. The journey can be challenging in some areas, therefore it is desirable to have be able to adapt to the unexpected or discomfort. (bad roads, weather ...).

The sooner you get used to a new environment, a new culture and new customs, the more likely you will have an enjoyable experience. Once you arrive at your destination, most individuals have to adjust to jet lag, and even possible sleep deprivation due to change of time zones. During this time, your body is acclimating and is often more susceptible to catching a cold. And as the air is very dry especially in the highlands, sometimes we also have small skin problems and issues with the respiratory tract. Different hygiene conditions can also affect the body. If one has high blood pressure, diabetes or other diseases, it is recommended before booking the trip to be examined by a physician and be prepared for all eventualities. International health insurance (required before purchasing the journey) and cancellation insurance are recommended. Similarly, it would be wise to bring along over the counter medications if you know of certain problems that arise when traveling.

See more information on vaccines in the under the FAQ section.

Nationals of the United States do not need a visa for tourist stays of less than 90 days (Except to Brazil) but must have a valid passport for at least 6 months from your return ticket. On arrival, you will be asked to complete a tourist visa ("tarjeta de ingreso") on which some information about yourself and your stay must be registered. It is important to keep this card safe as it should be submitted at the time of leaving the country.

For trips to Brazil, it is required that you have a valid tourist visa before your trip. More information will be provided on this topic at a later date.

Colombia Entry/Exit Requirements: All U.S. citizens who are not also Colombian citizens must present a valid U.S. passport to enter and depart Colombia, and to return to the United States. U.S. citizens traveling to Colombia do not need a Colombian visa for a tourist stay of 60 days or less. Travelers entering Colombia are sometimes asked to present evidence of return or onward travel, usually in the form of a round-trip plane ticket. No arrival tax is collected upon entry into Colombia, but travelers leaving by plane must pay an exit tax at the airport, in cash. The tax varies with the dollar/peso exchange rate, but is usually between $70 and $75. Some airlines include all or a portion of this tax in the cost of your airline ticket; check with your airline to find out how much you will have to pay at the airport. In some cases where foreign travelers have been in the country for less than 30 day, they have been able to obtain an exemption from this tax by taking their documents immediately to the Aeronautica Civil desk (usually booth no. 19 in the El Dorado (international) terminal in Bogota and requesting the exemption.) (updated as of Aug 10, 2011 from travel.state.gov website)

The Colombian currency is the Colombian peso. You can easily exchange dollars to pesos in banks. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. We recommend that you withdraw money from automatic teller machines to get the most favorable exchange rates. It is rare for local businesses to accept dollars. We suggest that you convert currency into Colombian pesos.

Yes, currently there are two aid projects in Colombia. One of the projects distributes clothing of all sizes to both children and adults in desperate need. You can also donate school supplies and toys for children that are less fortunate. Since our tour actually visits the projects supported by viSozial you can always make your donation in person. If you would like more information contact the viSozial office.

The current electrical outlets in Colombia are 110 voltage. Most US electronics will work without an adapter as the standard Colombian outlets have two flat prongs. However if you have some electronics with three prongs, it would be wise to bring an adapter just in case.

All hotels and hostels that we use in our travels in Colombia, are carefully selected by us. From our great communication with these hotels, viventura knows who the local owners are, the staff that work there, and how all the employees actually operate. In the choice of accommodation, many aspects go into our selection process such as but not limited to; convenience of location, character, star ranking, and available amenities. On the trip's itinerary page you can find detailed information about the extra services the hotel/hostel provides including pictures of each accommodation.

Colombia has many different climates. When traveling in Colombia, the climate varies depending on the region you are in and the season. Tierra Caliente: This location has an altitude from 0-1000 meters. The climate is tropical, hot, with temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit. At night the temperature will cool but only minimally. In the Colombian Pacific coast the climate tends to be very wet and rainy. Temperate, mild climates, which can be seen at altitudes of approximately 1000 and 2000 meters high, range in temperatures during the day to night from 77 degrees to 68 degree Fahrenheit. The coffee zone is at this point, which usually are areas rich in plants and flowers. In altitude of 2000 and 3000 meters, you will experience colder temperatures from 55 to 66 degrees with large fluctuations between day and night. On sunny days, the thermometer reached 70 degrees with ease, but in the clear night or in the early morning, frost is well-known. Even if the air feels cool, please make sure to wear proper sun protection especially if you have a history of sensitive skin. Over 3000 meters houses a unique world of vegetation, consisting of tropical forests to arid deserts over 4500 meters. The temperature rarely drops below 52 degrees and is often cloudy. The glaciers start at just under 5000 meters, and the weather can drop as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

We organize a chat before the start of your trip with all the tour participants. This allows us to respond to questions about recent travel and to let travelers connect and get to know each other.

viSocial is a foundation that helps supports social and environmental projects throughout South America. Founded in 2005, viSocial has implemented and successfully finished multiple projects that has helped the community grow.

For viventura, it is important to promote projects that help local communities and protect our environment, but also that we travel responsibly. For every traveler, viventura donates $30 per participant to the foundation. Learn more about viSocial by clicking here.

In addition to your $30 donation, participants can actually help viSocial by providing additional donations during your tour.

Depending on the route, and tour you are planning to travel on, donation options vary. Here is a generic list of items always needed at viSocial:
• Clothing- for all seasons and for both children and adults • School supplies • Toys for children (stuffed animals, puzzles, giveaways, balloons, etc. ..) • Hardware sewing, crochet, knitting items • Medicines, but more specifically what you find in a first aid-kit like bandages, band-aids, etc. • Any other donations you think might be helpful

Again additional donations are not required, however are always appreciated.

You can check the current exchange rate online with this Currency Converter.

Modules are added days that can be purchased to increase the time frame of your trip. Your trip can be extended before your trip, after your trip, or both.
Extras are optional activities that can be purchased at an additional cost and occur during your trip.

Look at your individual tour to see what Modules/ Extras are listed or contact your travel representative to discuss all your possibilities.

To travel with viventura, passengers need to be over the age of 18 years of age. If you are under that specific age, it is required to travel with an accompanied adult. Some activities on our tours require that individuals meet certain age specifications.

The following is a list of the most common sicknesses:
• Please visit the CDC website for a detailed list of all diseases and the regions they effect.

• Diarrhea: This is probably the most common disease and can affect anyone. Tip: be careful what you eat and make sure to drink plenty of water bottled water. If you are still affected, some anti-diarrheal (to be taken with care) may be useful.

• Evil altitude (Andes): The true altitude sickness, as often described in guidebooks or on the Internet, rarely happens. Mild headaches, high fatigue, nausea and mild dizziness are symptoms that can arise, however it is best to buy drugs on location. Before you resort to pills it also helps to sit down or drink infusions of coca. For prevention it is advisable to rest the first day of arrival at altitude (from 2000m), not to drink alcohol and eat only foods that are easy to digest. The most important thing is to drink enough fluids (at least two to three liters per day).
• Heat exhaustion: Causes fatigue, headaches, nausea and dizziness. Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and avoid direct contact with the sun are the best therapies.

No, airport taxes are not included in the overall cost of your tour. Please check under "Dates and Prices" for each tour to see what additional costs are excluded.

You will receive your travel documents in two stages.

1) You will receive the travel confirmation by mail after booking closes that tour. This includes the reservation confirmation, the invoice for the dedicated tour and our travel agent certificate.

2) The second part of the travel documents (including the reservation code, the number of e-ticket and travel booklet) should be sent to you by mail no later than two weeks before the trip.

There are three mobile phone providers in Colombia. Tigo, Movistar and Comcel. Anyone with a mobile phone with an international calling plan, can make calls in Colombia without problem. If you want, you can buy a SIM card with its own number in Colombia, so you can recharge your phone to make calls and also can receive international calls without any problems. Contact your current phone provider for any additional information on using your phone abroad.

Here is a sample list of clothes you should pack. This list is only a recommendation of what we suggest you bring, however it is your final discretion.

Suitcase or large backpack or travel bag on wheels soft

Small backpack for day excursions

Waterproof jacket or poncho against the rain (can also buy locally)

Windbreaker

Thick sweater (Andes & Patagonia) + light sweater

T-shirts

Long pants

Shorts

Socks and Underwear

Hiking shoes

Comfortable shoes

Sandals

Swimwear - (for coastal areas, thermal baths, or swimming pools)

List of useful items

Towel- Petite Microfiber (light and dries quickly)

Sunglasses

Small flashlight

Digital Camera or even Waterproof Camera (for Galapagos)

Binoculars, glasses with protective neck band

Travel alarm, games, playing cards, books, travel pillow ...

Notepad to keep a daily journal

By region:

• Andean Region & Patagonia: Even during the day it can be cold, because of the altitude and possible wind. It is advisable to include a jacket and one or more warm sweaters for the evening, a windbreaker, hat, and scarf are perfect items to keep out the wind along with rain gear. A sample list of clothes to go! It is to be adapted to suit your needs!
• Jungle: Light clothing is appropriate, but long pants and long sleeve shirts are useful against mosquitoes. Do not forget swimsuits and towels, as dips in the water are very important.
• Coast and Galapagos: Summer clothing and / or normal spring wear is needed. A sweatshirt can be useful in the evening. Swimsuit, cap / hat, sunglasses, and above all a sunscreen/ sunblock with a high SPF that protects against UVA and UVB rays is essential in Ecuador.

As a tour operator, for legal reasons we unfortunately can not give you specific recommendations for vaccination. We advise you to consult your doctor before the trip and indicate which areas you will be visiting. You can find a detailed list of recommendations for vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Protection website.

However, please read all the frequently asked questions related to your trip or contact your travel representative, as it is possible that a vaccine may be required for travel.

All trip itineraries come with a list of "Excluded Costs," this will give you an estimate of how much money to bring on your own. Additionally, in our experience, travelers spend about $150- $200 per week for meals on our trips (on average one per day to support). This amount will vary depending on the included meals, and also personal spending on souvenirs. Contact your travel representative if you are still unsure.

It is required that all participants are covered with travel insurance before they embark on their trip. We recommend that you take out cancellation insurance to insure in case an unexpected illness, accident or other obligation occurs. A repatriation insurance is highly recommended as well in case problems arise during your trip and need to return home immediately.

If you do not wish to have insurance, you are required to sign a release form with viventura and will most likely not have your money refunded.

We will soon be offering travelers the ability to purchase travel insurance directly through our site. Please check back at a later date.

Most of our travels will be done on private transportation, so a suitcase is fine. However, remember that we travel to a new city very frequently so try to pack only necessities to keep your luggage light for easier travel. Also it would be wise to pack a small backpack to carry small items with you during our day trips.

Our guides are always prepared in case small medical problems arise, however, it is recommended that each participant brings their own health kit containing:
• For acclimatization: drops, nasal spray or ointment, tablets against the sore throat, eye drops against dry air and dust (without cortisone, antibiotic-free)
• Diarrhea: re-hydration salt substitutes and liquid as per ex. Salt tablets or medical activated carbon to offset the loss of salt and water. There are pharmacies in small packets of electrolyte powder with varied tastes.
• Remedies against fever and pain pills against headache (Advil, Aleve, Tylenol.. etc)
• Alcohol-based disinfectants, small cotton disinfectants.
• Medicines that relieve itching from insect, ant , or mosquito bites
• Medicines according to personal needs: against seasickness or motion sickness
• Sunscreen and appropriate after-sun care

If you take prescribed medication, make sure to contact your doctor to have enough during your travels, as medicines have different names here and might produce different side effects.

Bringing a sleeping bag is not absolutely necessary. If we are going to a camping site you will be able to rent both sleeping bags and other camping gear.

However nights can be cold and there is often no heating in some accommodations (Host Families on Lake Titicaca), so you can always bring your own just in case. It is also possible to ask for extra blankets at any of our hotels, lodges, or hosterias.

Rest assured, you can enjoy your trip comfortably. We recommend, as always, with extreme heights, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in excess. Be sure to drink lots of water and fresh fruit juices to keep your body hydrated.

The entry of all goods or animal production is subject to prosecution. It is forbidden to take meat, fruits, honey, cheese or seeds ... The customs authorities are very strict about this. A single apple can cost 200 USD fine!

Contingencies (delay of plane / train, failures, etc ...) are always possible ... and likely a "part" of any trip to South America. Due to the relative instability of the region it also happens that there are strikes. Different interest groups, often farmers, transport companies, and/or teachers try and attract attention to their problems. These strikes are usually in a peaceful manner, however it happens, but rarely, there are extreme instances. When this type of strike takes place, entire sections of roads are blocked, so it is impossible to get to specific destinations.

Our knowledgeable guides will first assess the extent of the problem and depending on the severity make appropriate adjustments. However when any problem arises, the main viventura office will be notified. We will do everything in our capacity to make sure the rest of your trip runs smoother and more efficiently.

The means of transport are different depending on the itinerary and group size. According to our tours, we offer a wide range of transportation which includes: bicycle, motor boat, kayak, taxi, boat, private and public bus, walking, airplane...etc.

Please take a look at the tour's specific itinerary. On the right hand side, you will see what type of transportation is used during that day's activities.

Tips are an important part of the services sector in South America and is a sensitive issue on which we are often consulted. Those that work directly with viventura are paid a basic salary according to proper wages of that specific area and job type and are always paid in advance before you embark on your trip. If you are satisfied with the service level that you received on your travels any additional tip is always appreciated by the staff. This is again at your own discretion and is not mandatory.

Depending on the hotel accommodations and cities, yes it is possible to do laundry. Most hotels have a free laundry service that will freshly wash and iron your clothes on request, however other hotels will charge you a low rate per pound to wash your clothes. If you are traveling through a larger city you can always ask you guide on where a close laundromat is.

Most dishes in South America are based on fish or meat, however throughout the year you will be able to find fresh fruits and vegetables. Almost all restaurants can prepare a dish without meat, as they usually offer side dishes of seasoned potatoes, rice, and a small salad. Talk with your travel representative before your trip to make sure we can accommodate your diet needs.

Depending on the hotel/hosteria accommodation most locations provide internet services. Especially in larger cities, you can usually find internet cafes only a short walk away from where you are staying. This will make it easy to contact family and friends back home. However, the connections can be slow and it also happens that there is no access for two or three days at a time.

Of course! You will be welcomed at the airport of arrival by one of our viventura team members or a personal chauffer. They will be holding a large sign with your name on it.