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Optional Excursions Guide for Adventure Tours in South America

Our optional excursions guide lists the optional extras you can choose to do on your tour at your own cost. It is designed to be read in conjunction with your tour dossier and will help you to budget for your holiday. Check your Itinerary for details of the cities your tour visits, and then use the guide below to see what optional activities and excursions will be available to you. For additional sightseeing suggestions and included activities please check your tour dossier. The prices below are current as of the ‘last updated’ date and are subject to change without notice.

Currency - The prices in the guide below are quoted in US$. Please see the relevant exchange rates listed below (current at the time of the ‘last updated’ date and still subject to change) or visit www.xe.com for up-to-date exchange rates.

Tipping - Gratuities are expected on optional excursions. Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, gratuities are a normal part of South American culture and most workers depend on them to survive. We recommend US$3-5 per passenger for a half/full day excursion.

Health & Safety: It is sometimes difficult to obtain protective helmets of a reliable standard at some destinations, and unfortunately Tucan Travel are not able to provide them. If you intend to take part in optional activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to wear a helmet, consider bringing one with you.

Argentina

Buenos Aires 

  • Tango Show - $15-$95
    There is no better place than to see this authentic display of colour, dance and vibrancy than Buenos Aires.
  • Tigre Delta Excursion  $35
    Travel on one of the most modern trains in the country past Argentina's most elegant residential areas to Delta, and then enjoy a modern catamaran cruise of the Parana River Delta.
  • City Tour $20  
    Discover the beauty and wonders of Buenos Aires and see many of its famous sights and attractions, such as the National Congress, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Colon Theatre.
  • Milonga Tour $120 
    Take a visit to the Tango Museum, dancing in the best Milonga of Buenos Aires where you will have a Tango Lesson, typical snack included.
  • Hop On/Hop Off Bus $8
    Take a double-decker bus to see the major tourist spots BA has to offer.  There are 12 stops and a guide on board, excellent if you only have 1 day.

El Dorado

  • Ranch Visit $55 (including transport)
    Visit a traditional Ranch on your way from San Ignacio to Puerto Iguazu for a 90 min Horseback Ride through the scenic property, or enjoy Canoeing in the scenic River and bathe in the calm waters. Including a Lunch of: empanadas, meats, salads, wine, Beer, Soft drinks and Afternoon Tea.

Pt Iguazu 

  • Zodiac Nautical Power Boat $20 
    Be prepared to get wet!! You'll zigzag down the river in a powerful speedboat and zoom towards the falls, getting so close that you're almost underneath them. This is also a fantastic way to experience the sheer enormity of these falls.
  • ‘Eco Tour’, 4X4 Drive & power boat $40  
    Enjoy a guided ecological tour and then a 4x4 drive and thrilling boat ride as the thunderous falls roar above you.
  • Iguazu Falls National Park entry $20.
  • Transport to Iguazu falls – to the Argentinean side from the Brazilian side. $15

San Ignacio Mini 

  • Jesuit Ruins $7 
    San Ignacio Mini was one of the Jesuit missions working at capacity in the 1730's. There were nearly 4000 Guarani Indians living and working here.

Bolivia 

La Paz 

  • City Tour and Moon Valley US$15  
    Tour the exciting city of La Paz, be taken to the best sites and attractions, and then visit the eerie Moon Valley.
  • Death Road Mountain Biking US$70
    Cycle down the most dangerous road in the world. Hurtle down this steep road and dodge the traffic with your fellow thrill-seekers.

Potosi 

  • Mine Tour US$15  
    Tour the famous mines where miners work in conditions just as they did hundreds of years ago.

Brazil 

Rio de Janeiro 

  • Carnival Fancy Dress Ball approximately US$50    
  • Sambadrome Entrance US$37 
  • Sugarloaf Mountain US$25  
  • Maracana Stadium Football Match (transport and guide) US$35  
  • Tour to Football Match US$60  
    Enjoy the safety of a tour with English speaking guide including return transfers
  • Maracana Stadium Tour US$100  
    Visit the biggest football stadium in the world.
  • Favela Half Day Tour US$35 - 50  
    Visit one of Rios Favelas with an informative local guide and learn about the other side of Rio. 
  • Hang Gliding  US$150  
    Hang Glide from the top of a lush green mountain and land safely on the beautiful beaches of Rio.
  • Corcovado Entrance US$5  
    Corcovado Entrance and Train Trip US$20  
  • Full Day City Tour  US$110  
    See the Highlights of Rio all in 1 day and enjoy the rest of your time relaxing in
    one of the most scenic cities in the world. This tour includes Corcovado, Sugarloaf, Historical Part of Town, great Churassco Lunch.   

Bonito 

  • Rio Prata Snorkelling US$80-90 Low/High Season, Includes lunch. 
    Enjoy a snorkelling trip in the warm, clear waters of Rio Prata and view the colourful fish. 
  • Rio Mimosa Waterfall Tour US$55  
    Take a walk along a raised walkway above the jungle canopy where you will have time to stop and swim at the 5 waterfalls visited on the circuit (includes lunch).
  • Abismo de Anhumas - Rapel and Snorkel US$225  
    Rapelling (abseiling) and snorkelling combo.
  • Abismo de Anhumas - Rapel and Scuba US$310  
    Rapelling (abseiling) and scuba in caves combo.

Iguazu

  • Helicopter Ride US$100  
    There's no better way to spoil yourself and gain an appreciation of the 275 waterfalls forcefully plunging from the 'devils throat' than to take a helicopter ride above them.
  • Bird Park US$12  
    This interactive bird park, set in the subtropical rainforest of Iguazu will introduce you to a variety of rare birds species and many native birds such as toucans and macaws.
  • Rafain Show US$40  
    Cabaret show and buffet dinner.

Parati 

  • Boat cruise US$30
    Indulge yourself and take a cruise around the stunning bay at Parati surrounded by crystal clear waters and beautiful scenery.

Chile 

Santiago 

  • City Tour US$25
    A 1/2 day walking tour of Santiago's best sights.
  • Vineyard tours  approx. US$50 
    Visit a vineyard in Chile's renowned wine region with lunch option.

Ecuador
 
Banos 

  • Canyoning Half day US$40  
    Abseil down one of the many waterfalls in the area and  be geared up with all the necessary equipment to look and feel like a true explorer.
  • Massage US$25  
    Relax after a hard days cycling or horse riding with an indulgent massage.
  • Thermal Pools US$2-3 
    Take a warm spa bath and soothe your muscles in thermal springs surrounded by Bano's stunning mountain and volcano scenery.
  • Bridge Swing US$20 
    Take a small bridge swing off the bridges in Banos and plummet towards the ravaging rivers below.
  • Salsa Dancing US$5 per hour 
  • Rafting half day US$30, full day US$70 

Cuenca 

  • Ingapirca Ruins US$6  
    Visit these pre Inca burial ruins and discover a place of Ecuador’s cultural history.

Otavalo 

  • Cotacachi & Laguna Cuicocha US$10  
    The laguna is about 18km from Cotacachi. It is an impressive landscape of deep blue waters surrounded by hills, inside the mouth of a volcanic crater.

Quito 

  • Teleferico US$10  
    This is a sky tram that takes you up the Volcan Pichincha, to a height of 4100m, where you have a great view over the city. 
  • La Mitad del Mundo  Taxi and entry US$15 
    This is where the equator is located in Ecuador, north of Quito. It’s the only place in the world where the equator is in the mountains, and has a monument showing you are at the equator, as well as some museums with some experiments that you can only do at the equator.

Peru 

Arequipa 

  • Santa Catalina Monastery US$10  
    Visit this famous colourful monastery where once the very privileged lived
    within the confines of this building and never left the outside. A small population of nuns still live here today.
  • Juanita Ice Princess US$5  
    See the frozen Inca princess, Juanita.

Chivay 

  • Hot Springs US$4  
    Relax in the natural hot springs surrounded by stunning Andean mountain scenery.

Cuzco 

  • White Water Rafting US$30 
    Rafting through the Sacred Valley.
  • Horse riding US$25  
    Take a half day ride in the hills surrounding Cuzco.
  • Salt Terraces Maras Moray US$25  
    Travel to Maray, the site of 3 circular terraces thought to be have used by the Incas as crop experimentation and then visit the pre Inca site of Maray containing hundreds of small salt terraces, used for salt mining for centuries.
  • Massages US$25 per hour 
    Enjoy a relaxing massage to help soothe the effects of the Inca Trail or to assist you in adjusting to the altitude.
  • Tour T Shirts US$12-15 
    Get your group together and make a tour t-shirt to commemorate your tour. 

Huacachina 

  • Sand Buggy Excursion 2 hrs US$18  
    Sand dune buggy riding over endless golden sand dunes.   

Huanchaco 

  • Chan Chan, Pyramids of the Sun & Moon $ 4/site entrance 
    These pyramids offer a rare glimpse into ancient Moche civilization. At 45m
    high the Pyramid of the sun was the largest man-made structure in the western hemisphere before it was partly destroyed by Spaniards.

Mancora

  • Horse Riding US$15  
    Take a relaxing ride along Mancoras beautiful beach.
  • Surf Lessons Rentals US$5 hr rentals  
    Try surfing at the local break in Mancora.

Nazca 

  • Scenic flight over Nazca Lines US$80 (including airport tax)
    Fly over the Nazca Lines in a small aeroplane. These mysterious lines are etched into shapes such as spider, condor, pair of hands, and even an astronaut! Scientists are still debating their origins today and there are many theories as to why they were drawn, ranging from astronomical calendars to alien airports!
  • Chauchilla Cemetery  US$2  
    Visit this open air cemetery and glimpse many well-preserved ancient mummies.

Puno 

  • Lake Titicaca Overnight Excursion US$30 
    Overnight excursion to Lake Titicaca with home stay on Amantani Island.

PARAGUAY 
Asuncion 

  • City Tour US$15 -20 (variable depending on numbers 1-4 persons - US$20, 5-7 persons -US$18, 13 persons -US$15)
    A good insight in to this mix of modern tropical city.

Please note: If you choose an overnight excursion you should take your own daypack as you may be required to leave your main luggage at your accommodation and/or or with the vehicle.

Updated 04/08/09

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