“The unexpected” such as the delayed flights, local traffic accidents, strikes, etc., can happen at any time and are actually part of your experience in another country. Due to political instability and regional social events, things like strikes, can occur by different interest groups. These groups are often farmers organizations, transportation companies or even teachers and they tend to organize actions to bring uncomfortable attention to their problems. These strikes usually happen in capital cities (country or department capitals). However, rarely, it can spread to nearby regions. When a strike occurs, large groups of people may crowd into main thoroughfares and roadways are blocked, making it impossible to easily reach any destination in the city. From our experience, assessing the situation on the ground and deciding together as a group what, if any, changes need to be made in the itinerary. The majority of these strikes are non-violent and the main focus is to block road traffic with stones, branches and people. Also the weather plays a big part in our route and can impact our travel arrangements.

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 important to 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 possibly 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 the FAQ section.

1. The tip is almost always included in your bill, look for the word “Propina” 2. Ask if the water is okay to drink, if not, purchase Bottled Water 3. If the water is not drinkable, avoid ice and ice in drinks 4. Do not drink fruit juice from cans or bottles already opened 5. Do not eat raw or half cooked shellfish 6. Use caution when purchasing food from street vendors 7. Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating 8. Do not leave drinks unattended 9. Restaurants typically do not give reimbursements for bad service or food

We suggest that you exchange currencies for your trip for personal use. The amount 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, traveler‘s 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.

The electric current outlets in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela are 110 voltage. Most US electronics will work without an adapter as the standard outlets in these countries have two flat prongs. However if you have some electronics with three prongs, it would be wise to bring an adapter just in case. In the countries of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile the standard voltage is 220 V and in some parts of Brazil 127 V so you’ll want to bring convertors.

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.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone - regardless of age, physical fitness, or whether you smoke or not. Normally, side effects associated with high altitude are headaches, fatigue, and sudden nausea. The best way to adjust to high altitudes is to get plenty of rest or enjoy the delicious infusions of coca leaves. Nothing beats progressive acclimatization, than drinking plenty of fluids and a light diet (low fat and no alcohol). If your symptoms persist you should get to a lower altitude and find a doctor with helpful medicines.
You can also become seriously ill because of acute mountain sickness - water accumulates in the lungs and / or brain and may cause swelling and lead to dangerous operation.

viSocial is a foundation that helps support social and environmental projects throughout South America. Founded in 2005, viSocial has implemented and successfully finished multiple projects that have 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.

Yes, most tours have tour options that allow you to select an extra night in the city of your choice either at the beginning or end of the tour. If you don't see the option just ask us and we'd be happy to make the changes you desire.

Look at your individual tour to see what options 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 illnesses:
• 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 with what you eat and make sure to drink plenty of 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. Drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated and avoiding 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 are most likely to encounter good weather at Machu Picchu between the months of March and October

The average temperatures at Machu Picchu are between 73°F and 77°F, with a low of around 64°F. The region of Cusco has only two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this time, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but also there are several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically, at noon the temperatures can reach 77°F, the annual highest temperature.

Nationals of the United States do not need a visa for tourist stays of less than 90 days (Except to Brazil & Bolivia) 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 Bolivia you can purchase your visa upon arrival to the airport in Bolivia. For trips to Brazil, it is required that you have a valid tourist visa before your trip. For more information on country specific entry/exit requirements please view that specific country in our FAQ.

The Inca Trail is surely one of the highlights of every trip to Peru. Due to tourism growth, the Peruvian government and administration of the Inca Trail decided to implement regulations to protect the fragile structure of its ecosystem. Capacity has been significantly limited and it is now not possible to book a few days or even weeks in advance. Therefore we can not guarantee participation in the Inca Trail if the booking is made to close to your departure date. Usually for the high season (late May- early October), this should be booked 22 weeks in advance and 10-12 weeks in advance for the low season (October - April).

It is now also mandatory for agencies to register the passport numbers of participants who want to trek the Inca Trail by the appropriate times listed above. Therefore, it is very important for you to have your passport number and the passport number of each participant when booking. This is the only way to ensure your spot in the Inca Trail hike. If the passport number should be referred too late, a fee of $30 shall be paid on site by the customer himself to the agency organizing the Inca Trail.

If you book your reservation too soon to your departure date, don't worry! We offer other interesting options and various trekking opportunities that can be booked within a short time frame. You will find these options under the additional modules of the tour you have chosen or you can always contact your viventura representative from more information.

Confirmed Bookings

1) After making your confirmed booking we will validate the availability of all hotels, flights, and guides for your selected travel dates. 2) Within 24 - 48 hrs we will then send you written confirmation of your tour, along with an invoice for payment. 3) Upon receipt of your 20% deposit we will then move forward with purchasing your flights, and reserving the hotels.

Tentative Booking 1) If you choose to make a tentative booking you will have 3 days to contact us and transfer it to a confirmed booking. If you fail to contact us within the given period your reservations will be automatically removed from the system.

Being in good general physical condition is ideal due to altitude and climate variations on most of our journeys. During the acclimation period, you are more susceptible to infection. And the air is very dry, especially at high altitudes, it is common to have dry mouth and difficulty breathing. The different hygiene conditions, may also affect the body.

If you suffer from hypertension, diabetes or other diseases, we recommend that you be examined by a physician before you book your trip. Similarly, take with you a complete set of travel medication such as digestive aids, pain relievers, etc. Be prepared for any eventuality; we require that all participants purchase international travel health insurance before purchasing your journey and cancellation insurance is recommended. The journey may also challenge your comfort level in some areas, therefore it is important that you have the ability adapt to the unexpected (bad roads, weather, etc ...). The sooner you immerse yourself in your new environment, culture and customs, better you will enjoy the journey. Due to the quality of life, different schedules and first impression on your journey, everything requires small adjustments and a little patience. Naturally, there are some differences in mentality and behavior between Latin America and the US. Therefore, an open mind and a ready smile are the best approaches. For more information on vaccines see the questions "What medication should I take", "What are common travel ailments that I should be aware of?" and "What vaccines are recommended for this trip?".

Traveling in South America, is like traveling anywhere. As long as you take normal travel safety precautions, you can avoid most problems. Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions. Please take care when wandering about the main cities on your own, as pick pockets and purse-snatchers are common. Be safe and leave your passport, credit cards, traveller’s cheques and cash you don’t need in the hotel’s safety deposit box. Most South Americans are honest and genuinely helpful and friendly, but be safe and enjoy the city!

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

Soft suitcase or large backpack or travel bag on wheels

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 simple 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. This amount will vary depending on the included meals, and also personal spending on souvenirs. We recommend you bring some money in cash as well as a debit card for making withdrawls in the local currency at ATM's.

It is highly recommended that all passengers 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.

We offer travel insurance through our trusted partner Travel Guard. Please contact us for further information on affordable policies.

Most of our tours include private transportation which avoids the issue of carrying your luggage long distances. A suitcase is generally fine yet varies with personal preference and destinations. Please keep in mind that during your journey we will be traveling 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 to prevent a sore throat, eye drops (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 in case of a fever and pills in case of a headache (Advil, Aleve, Tylenol.. etc)
• Alcohol-based disinfectants, small cotton disinfectants.
• Medicine that relieve itching from insect, ant , or mosquito bites
• Medicine 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 so you 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 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.

If you are a U.S. citizen wishing to enter Ecuador, you must present a U.S. passport with at least six months remaining validity. Ecuadorian immigration officials also sometimes request evidence of return or onward travel, such as an airline ticket. Under Ecuadorian law, U.S. citizens traveling for business or tourism on a tourist passport can enter Ecuador for up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. Extensions for up to another 90 days can be requested through the provincial migration offices. If you are planning a visit longer than 90 days, you must obtain a visa in advance of your arrival. More detailed information and requirements for visas in Ecuador can be found at the website of Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can also visit the website for the Embassy of Ecuador in the United States for the most current visa information, or for further information regarding entry, exit or customs requirements. If you stay in Ecuador beyond the terms of your visa, you may be deported or barred from re-entering Ecuador in the future. A substantial fine may be imposed by Ecuadorian Immigration prior to your departure. (updated as of Nov 10, 2012 from travel.state.gov website)

The entry of all goods or animal production is subject to prosecution. It is forbidden to take meat, fruit, 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 groups, like farmers, transportation companies, and/or teachers try and attract attention to their problems. These strikes are usually in a peaceful manner, however it happens, but rarely, that 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 Service 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.

You can withdraw dollars from Banco del Pacifico in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island (open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3:30pm) but beware, card withdrawals are heavily taxed. The ATM machine only accepts MasterCard and Cirrus. Please look at our "General Tips and Recommendations" FAQ list as it gives more details about the type of credit cards you can use and how much money you should bring with you on your trip.

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 your 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 fruit 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 every once in a while 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 chauffeur. They will be holding a large sign with your name on it.