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GOT A QUESTION?<br />
Answers to frequently asked questions & things you need to know:<br />
WHAT’S INCLUDED?<br />
• Coach, mini-coach, van, train, canoe, flights & ‘on trip’<br />
airport transfers listed in the ‘What you need to know’<br />
section as specified.<br />
• Accommodation, breakfasts, lunches & dinners listed in<br />
the ‘What you need to know’ section on trip pages.<br />
• Sightseeing listed in the ‘Itinerary, Sightseeing &<br />
Pricing’ section in each trip itinerary. Unless specified,<br />
entrance fees to these locations are included.<br />
• Experienced Contiki Trip Manager & Local Guides.<br />
• Tips for Local Guides & Local Drivers.<br />
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?<br />
• Personal expense money.<br />
• Visas, passport fees, personal insurance & medical fees.<br />
• Excess baggage fees & tips for porters.<br />
• Sightseeing, visits & entrance fees & transport other<br />
than those specified on trip pages.<br />
• Me Time optionals such as mountain biking, speed<br />
boat rides etc.<br />
• Lunches (unless specified under ‘What you need to<br />
know’ section) & some dinners.<br />
• Reciprocity Tax in Argentina, Chile & Bolivia for some<br />
nationalities – check with your embassy for more<br />
information<br />
• Departure Tax at airports & boarder crossing fees in<br />
some destinations – see price panels for applicable trips.<br />
• Galapagos National Park Fee of US$100 (must be paid<br />
in cash).<br />
• Ecuador INGALA Fee of US$20.<br />
• Ecuador Isabela Island Fee of US$10.<br />
INCLUDED FLIGHTS<br />
Flights as specified on individual trip itineraries are<br />
included as part of the price. As detailed within our<br />
Booking Conditions (p.79) under ‘General’, we rely on<br />
international conventions regarding air travel and other<br />
transportation as specified. Through enrolment and<br />
payment for your trip you acknowledge and accept such.<br />
Individual electronic tickets may not be issued to you prior<br />
to travel, due to the group nature of the air/flight booking.<br />
In such circumstances you acknowledge that by receipt<br />
of any applicable boarding pass and/or by boarding the<br />
aircraft you have accepted the airlines terms & conditions<br />
of travel, and the application of all relevant international<br />
conventions and applicable national and international<br />
law governing air transportation.<br />
INCLUSIONS<br />
These are the practical bits that are included on every trip:<br />
• An experienced and professional Trip Manager and<br />
Driver team<br />
• Modern, air-conditioned coach or mini coach.<br />
• Tours of all major cities plus orientations in all<br />
other destinations<br />
• Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges<br />
• Boat crossings<br />
Look out for on the trip pages. Where you see these<br />
icons, all of the above are included on your trip.<br />
GROUP SIZE<br />
We average around 40 people per group on our Mexico<br />
trips and no more than 30 on the rest, which is the perfect<br />
size to explore with each region & get amongst it all!.<br />
TRIPS WITHIN TRIPS<br />
You may notice on some of our trips that some groups<br />
join and leave at different stages. That’s because we<br />
offer shorter trips within a larger itinerary, giving greater<br />
choice & flexibility so our travellers can choose when they<br />
start their trip and how long they travel for. For the trips<br />
that allow you this extra flexibility see contiki.com.<br />
CONTIKI GLOSSARY<br />
• Visit - Your trip includes a stop and you’ll get the<br />
opportunity to visit a specific site.<br />
• See/View - You will drive/pass by the site so that you<br />
can see it.<br />
• Sightseeing tour - A guided tour of a city or site.<br />
• Orientation tour - Places of interest are pointed out,<br />
allowing you to go and explore them in your own time.<br />
HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED?<br />
You will need to ensure you allow enough money to cover<br />
lunches & dinners not included in the trip price, souvenirs,<br />
shopping, drinks, ME Time optionals, entrance fees to<br />
some attractions & evening entertainment.<br />
When travelling within Latin America, you’ll find that<br />
you’ll often be using local currency, particularly in remote<br />
areas. The local currencies are the Nuevo Sol (Peru),<br />
Peso (Argentina), Real (Brazil), US$ (Ecuador), Colón<br />
(Costa Rica), Quetzal (Guatemala), Belize Dollar (Belize),<br />
Boliviano (Bolivia) & Peso (Chile).<br />
The countries we visit rely largely on cash as opposed<br />
to credit cards or travellers cheques. In the larger cities<br />
you’ll find that established stores will accept credit cards.<br />
VISA is the most readily accepted, but stores normally<br />
charge a surcharge. Local market stalls will operate on a<br />
cash only basis.<br />
Local currency is available through cash (ATM) machines<br />
however you shouldn’t depend solely on a credit/debit<br />
card for cash as they are not accepted in all areas & ATM<br />
maintenance is often neglected. ATMs are available in<br />
Lima, Buenos Aires, Cusco, Quito, Guayaquil, San José, La<br />
Paz, Mexico City & Guatemala City Airports.<br />
We recommend that you carry cash in small<br />
denominations of both US$ & local currency and have<br />
more than one credit card. Please note that travellers<br />
cheques are generally only accepted in big cities at money<br />
exchanges or banks. USD is preferred in Argentina &<br />
should be brought with you into the country as it is not<br />
available through cash machines (ATM).<br />
HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?<br />
Baggage is restricted to only one reasonably sized<br />
backpack/suitcase & one carry-on bag & luggage policies<br />
are strictly enforced. There are some things to consider<br />
when packing for a Contiki Latin America Trip, including<br />
leaving space for on trip purchases:<br />
• Due to the large number of flights on Contiki Latin<br />
America trips, your luggage needs to meet the weight &<br />
restrictions imposed by airlines. These limits are imposed<br />
by the airlines, not by Contiki. Contiki is not responsible<br />
for any costs incurred by overweight luggage. Please<br />
refer to contiki.com/luggage for more info.<br />
• You are responsible for carrying your own luggage.<br />
At times this will be in hotels without elevators (as is<br />
common in the region) or on various forms of transport.<br />
• At hotels without elevators there may be porters but<br />
this is not guaranteed.<br />
• We recommend small hand luggage for the Galapagos<br />
– Larger luggage can be stored at the Guayaquil hotel<br />
to be retrieved on return.<br />
Please keep your luggage to a maximum suitcase size<br />
of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”) & maximum<br />
weight of 20kg (44lbs), plus one small handbag / daypack<br />
that can be used as an overnight bag for Machu Picchu<br />
Pueblo (see below).<br />
Important: Every Contiki trip to Peru includes a train<br />
journey round-trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo where we<br />
overnight. The train operators, have strict baggage<br />
allowances. You are allowed to carry as hand luggage<br />
a day pack/backpack with a weight of no more<br />
than 5kg/11lb & with a maximum size of 62 linear<br />
inches/157cm (length + height + width). Perurail will<br />
charge for excess baggage. A daypack/backpack of<br />
approx 26L capacity is suggested. Contiki will store your<br />
main luggage at our Cusco hotel during this time.<br />
For the new Ultimate Inca 4 day trek, a small day bag<br />
is recommended for the day hikes, with travelers being<br />
provided with an additional duffle bag for overnight<br />
essentials. This duffel will be carried by our porters. Contiki<br />
will store your main luggage at the Cusco hotel during<br />
this time. Visit contiki.com/ultimate-inca for a full packing<br />
list. Note: Travellers can rent sleeping bags for the 4 day<br />
trek in Cusco.<br />
Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk & baggage<br />
insurance is strongly recommended. Luggage is not<br />
guaranteed or included in the cost of your trip & Contiki<br />
reserves the right to refuse to accept over sized baggage<br />
on your trip.<br />
Note: Contiki is not responsible for any fees incurred as a<br />
result of overweight luggage.<br />
PAST TRAVELLER 5% DISCOUNT<br />
We’re head over heels for our Contiki travellers,<br />
particularly those that love us so much they come back<br />
for more. That’s why when you travel with us; we’ll offer<br />
you a 5% discount on the land portion of your trips from<br />
then on. And we’ve even wrestled our TTC sister brands<br />
(found here - ttc.com) into offering the same.<br />
Here’s what you need to know:<br />
• You must have returned and finished your first Contiki<br />
trip before you can cash in on your 5% discount on your<br />
next adventure<br />
• Past traveller discounts can be applied to trips of 7 days<br />
or longer only<br />
• If you’re buying more than one trip back to back, the<br />
5% discount will apply to the most expensive trip<br />
• We’re going to need a deposit before the discount can<br />
be applied to the booking<br />
• You can’t use it on pre & post-trip accommodation rates<br />
& other selected products (because we offer great prices<br />
for our travellers on these already)<br />
• Once you’re a past passenger, you’re eligible for a<br />
5% discount every 6 months so you can keep going<br />
with Contiki<br />
• The discount applies to brochured prices only & cannot<br />
be combined with any non-brochured special market<br />
promotions<br />
Sound good to you crazy Contiki lovers?<br />
ME TIME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES<br />
WHEN DO I CHOOSE?<br />
Optionals are arranged & paid for on your trip. By leaving<br />
the final decisions until then you can choose at the same<br />
time as your new friends. You’ll get great value as we get<br />
you great rates & your Trip Manager can offer personal<br />
advice. Some activities are seasonal & weather dependent<br />
as well.<br />
HOW DO I PAY?<br />
All Me Time Optionals can be paid cash in Local Currency<br />
or USD which is preferred in Argentina – see “HOW MUCH<br />
MONEY DO I NEED”<br />
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK<br />
It’s important that you acknowledge that at times<br />
travelling on a Contiki Latin America trip may be more<br />
adventurous & presents greater challenges than your<br />
normal daily life. The civil infrastructure, medical facilities,<br />
transportation, telecommunications & accommodation<br />
standards may not be what you are used to. Cleanliness &<br />
hygiene standards also vary. As such there is some degree<br />
of personal risk inherent in travelling Latin America & as a<br />
Contiki traveller you accept this.<br />
BROCHURE AUTHENTICITY<br />
We have put a great deal of effort into producing this<br />
brochure. The information given & literature produced<br />
by Contiki has been compiled with care & is published<br />
in good faith. Sometimes, because of circumstances<br />
outside our control, we have to alter some activities due<br />
to seasonal closing or repairs to buildings, etc., especially<br />
early or late in the season. If this happens, alternatives<br />
will be arranged.<br />
DO I NEED VACCINATIONS?<br />
At the time this brochure went to press (May, 2017) the<br />
following immunisations are recommended for travellers<br />
in Latin America by the CDC (The Centre for Disease<br />
Control):<br />
Travellers should be up to date with their routine<br />
vaccinations: Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) Diphtheria/<br />
Pertussis/Tetanus (DPT), Poliovirus etc.<br />
Recommended for Argentina, Bolivia, Belize, Brazil,<br />
Guatemala & Peru: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid &<br />
Rabies. Malaria & Yellow Fever are also an issue in Puerto<br />
Maldonado, Iquitos, Iguassu Falls. You should consult<br />
your local doctor or travel agent on what vaccinations<br />
&/or preventative medicines would be required. Many<br />
countries such as Costa Rica and Bolivia require a yellow<br />
fever vaccination if you are travelling from a country<br />
where yellow fever exists. Please be sure to check the<br />
requirements for each country Don’t forget to bring with<br />
you any medication that you may require en route such<br />
as antihistamines, antibiotics, etc<br />
DO I NEED A PASSPORT OR VISA?<br />
Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to<br />
enter certain countries included in your Latin America trip.<br />
You are fully responsible for obtaining all necessary<br />
visas PRIOR to the departure of your trip. Any costs<br />
whatsoever regarding obtaining, replacing or changing<br />
visas whilst on your trip (including accommodation,<br />
meals, flights & transfers incurred due to associated<br />
delays) are at your own expense.<br />
Contiki is not legally permitted to knowingly allow<br />
anybody who does not have a valid visa to join a trip. Visa<br />
& other entry & exit conditions (such as currency, arrival/<br />
departure taxes, customs & quarantine regulations)<br />
change regularly. Visit contiki.com/visas for more<br />
information. Alternatively, consult your travel agent or<br />
visit your local embassy to determine which visas you<br />
require.<br />
Your passport must have at least six months validity at<br />
time of travel. Local immigration authorities may deny<br />
entry & deport people who do not meet this requirement,<br />
even if they intend on staying only for a short period.<br />
Important to consider:<br />
1. Visas can take up to six weeks & a fee is normally<br />
charged.<br />
2. Failure to obtain all necessary visas could cause you<br />
to miss part of your trip & will result in you incurring<br />
considerable expense & inconvenience.<br />
3. Contiki is not responsible for any costs incurred as a<br />
result of you failing to obtain all necessary visas before<br />
the departure of your trip.<br />
4. It is better to apply for all visas through your travel<br />
agent before you leave home.<br />
5. It is very important that the entry & exit dates are<br />
correct on the visa. Your travel agent will contact<br />
Contiki for full details.<br />
6. You will need a machine-readable passport.<br />
NO COMPULSORY TIPPING - REWARD<br />
ONLY EXCELLENCE!<br />
Every country in the world has different tipping customs &<br />
in Latin America, within service industries, tipping is<br />
common practice. Tipping is totally optional & only given<br />
if you feel the service has exceeded your expectations. If<br />
you think your Contiki Team have done an exceptional<br />
job then you may wish to tip them.<br />
This is entirely discretionary – it’s completely up to you.<br />
No compulsory tipping – reward only excellence!<br />
WILL I GET MORE INFORMATION?<br />
Upon receipt of final payment, your trip documentation<br />
will be released 21 days prior to your departure. You’ll<br />
receive a comprehensive day-by-day itinerary including<br />
full details & costs of all optional activities available on<br />
your trip. Your free Contiki document wallet* & luggage<br />
tag will be sent to you with your travel documents. The<br />
wallet is a safe place for your tickets & passport.<br />
* Contiki reserves the right to substitute an alternative<br />
travel accessory for the Contiki document wallet.<br />
BOOKING SECURITY<br />
Contiki has been running trips for young people since<br />
1962. It is a matter of law that tour operators must fully<br />
protect their clients’ funds under regulations specified by<br />
the European Community Package Travel Directive. We<br />
confirm that Contiki is fully complying with the law,<br />
therefore your monies are fully protected. Contiki<br />
Holidays Limited is a member of the Association of British<br />
Travel Agents under membership number Y1792. ABTA &<br />
ABTA Members help holidaymakers to get the most from<br />
their travel & assist them when things do not go<br />
according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high<br />
standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.<br />
For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct<br />
& the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a<br />
complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street, London SE1<br />
9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0500 or www.abta.com. Contiki<br />
Holidays also holds a current ATOL Licence No. 10144.<br />
When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package<br />
and/or flights from Contiki Holidays Limited you will<br />
receive a Confirmation Invoice from us (or via our<br />
authorised agent through which you booked) confirming<br />
your arrangements and your protection under our Air<br />
Travel Organiser’s Licence. In the unlikely event of our<br />
insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded<br />
abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have<br />
paid to us for an advance booking. For further<br />
information, visit the ATOL website at www.caa.co.uk. Not<br />
all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be<br />
protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm<br />
what protection may apply to your booking. Only<br />
bookings from countries subject to the EC Package Travel<br />
Directive will receive financial protection from ABTA and<br />
the CAA.<br />
TRIP REGISTRATION<br />
Ready, set, go! You’re booked & it’s nearly go time,<br />
however just like when you’re taking a flight, it’s<br />
important you provide us with all your details before you<br />
can travel. Check out www.contiki.com/tripregistration<br />
to log into your booking.<br />
IMPORTANT INFORMATION<br />
Security is a major concern to all of us and the situation<br />
globally is constantly changing. Events around the world,<br />
coupled with the “Travel Advisories“ put out by various<br />
governments, may at times necessitate changes to the<br />
accommodations and itinerary or even trip cancellation.<br />
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further<br />
information in this regard. You must accept these risks<br />
involved in travel to any country that may experience<br />
security difficulties and accept responsibility for your own<br />
travel decisions.<br />
WHAT ELSE?<br />
Regular passport checks are common throughout Latin<br />
America. It’s essential that when you book your trip that<br />
you provide the passport details for the passport you will<br />
be travelling with.<br />
COMPULSORY INSURANCE<br />
Travel insurance is compulsory on our trips. Visit<br />
contiki.com/insurance. It is compulsory that you take out<br />
comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal<br />
injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses<br />
and evacuation expenses before you travel on a<br />
Contiki holiday.<br />
We strongly recommend your insurance also covers<br />
personal liability and loss of personal property. Please<br />
check that the insurance covers all of the activities that<br />
you are going to be participating in. Some policies exclude<br />
certain adventure activities. This should be arranged at<br />
the time of payment of the deposit and will, in certain<br />
circumstances, cover you against loss of deposit or<br />
cancellation fees from the date of confirmation of your<br />
booking, as shown in the insurance policy. Contiki cannot<br />
be held responsible for your failure to take out<br />
appropriate insurance and we recommend you purchase<br />
your insurance at or soon after booking your trip. You also<br />
agree to indemnify us against all third-party claims,<br />
actions, damages and remedies which may be brought<br />
against us in respect of your participation in the holiday.<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS<br />
Photos Courtesy of © Colca Canyon Casa de Mama Yacchi<br />
p.12-13 Colca Canyon Lodge. Photos Courtesy of © Jungle<br />
Lodge, Totuguero p.13 Jungle Lodge. Photos Courtesy<br />
of © Hotel Las Farolas, Antigua p.13 Hotel Room. No<br />
Regrets p.16-17 Photos Courtesy of © @ishashley92, @<br />
kelleysheenan, @stevenleidel, @emilygillxo, @ishcontiki, @<br />
soph_willo, @taradise6, @see_what_the_day_brings.<br />
WARDROBE CREDITS<br />
Model wardrobe and styling a combination of Kivari &<br />
models’ own.<br />
78 LATIN AMERICA 2017-19
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