Extra Services
Hotels & transfers
Our group tours, Independent Travel options and Expedition Cruises start and finish in some of the world's most fascinating cities. If you would like to take full advantage of all the interesting attractions on offer we can book extra hotel nights for you. We also offer airport transfers in many of our joining and departure cities.
Important information about prices
Please note that our hotel prices will be above the actual local hotel rates displayed as they include booking and administration fees, plus allowances for currency fluctuations. Please note also that prices are quoted per person.
Airport transfers
Group tours do not include transfers so they must be booked separately and preferably booked when you book your tour. One transfer is included on Independent Travel stopovers and packages and one or more transfers are included on some Expedition Cruises. We can book additional transfers for you, however they must coincide with the arrival and/or departure dates for your tour, package or cruise.
Prices are per car for a maximum of two people. Please note that cities where we don’t offer transfers have reliable pre-paid fixed-price taxis available inside the arrival terminals - these are recommended. It is more economical to use public taxis to travel between the airport and your hotel, however some clients prefer the convenience of being met on arrival. Full joining instructions for Tucan Travel tours are provided on your tour voucher and joining letter which will be sent to you after you have paid in full.
Hotel & joining notes for group tours
All Tucan Travel tours and expeditions include accommodation from 13:00 hrs on day 1 through to checkout time on the morning the tour / expedition ends. If you wish to use the services of a room before or after check out time, or you are arriving very early in the morning of day 1, you will need to book an extra night which we can arrange for you - this is known as pre and post tour accommodation. It is best to book your pre and post tour accommodation at the same time you book your tour. There is an extra charge for clients changing hotel or transfer reservations once booked or adding hotel / transfer reservations to their booking within one month of tour departure date. All rooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwise indicated. See the booking conditions for more information.
Day 1 of all Tucan Travel tours is simply a joining day so that you know the latest you can arrive for your tour. The tour departs on day 2. We recommend that you arrive a day or two early to take full advantage of all the interesting sights in and around your joining city. This is also important for Tucan Travel clients joining tours in high altitude cities so that you can rest and acclimatise before the tour begins.
The last day of your tour is the official departure day and is free time for you to pack or sightsee before you depart. Tucan Travel tours generally arrive at your final destination the evening before your departure day. If you would like to extend your stay in your joining / departure city, please make the appropriate hotel reservations. Tucan Travel only books these hotels for clients at the joining or departing cities that fit in with your tour dates and travel style (eg. Discovery Tours), any other accommodation should be booked from our Independent Travel section. If you would like to explore other cities, please see our Independent Travel pages for city tours and stopover packages.
Rio Carnival
Many Tucan Travel tours join or end in Rio de Janeiro around the spectacular Rio Carnival which occurs the weekend before Shrove Tuesday / Ash Wednesday each year. In 2011 Rio Carnival is from Friday 4 March to Tuesday 8 March.
For Rio Carnival you must book the Rio Carnival package for the 4 carnival nights Friday to Monday, all in shared accommodation only. The price includes breakfast and entrance to the Sambadrome parades in sector 13 or equivalent. Rio Carnival prices are valid for 2010 only, 2011 prices are subject to increase and re-invoicing. Please visit the Rio Carnival page for information about booking the four day accommodation package.
Your travel agent
Your travel agent should provide you with a Tucan Travel pre-departure booklet, country dossiers and tour dossier shortly after receiving your booking. You can also get copies of these dossiers from our website. After your travel agent has received full payment for your tour, you will also receive a joining city local map and a joining letter one month before your departure date.
Keep up-to-date
Please remember to visit this website to get the latest tour dossier plus other up-to-date information just before you depart, even if you have already read this information.
