Budget Expeditions

Introduction and suitability

Anyone who wants to travel in the company of other young, fun and like-minded people will love a tour in the Budget Expeditions travel style. Nobody wants to see the world on their own, so our tours aim to unite you with other adventure seekers from all over the world who have similar interests and passions. You can rest assured that on a Budget Expeditions style tour you’ll be with a great bunch of people who are near the same age, on the same wave length and are geared up for the experience of a lifetime! Based on the nature of this travel style, Budget Expeditions are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 35 years old. If you have any questions about this please contact us or speak to your travel consultant.

Budget Expeditions are all about choice and flexibility. We keep your tour price down because we want you to be able to choose your own activities and create a holiday that suits your personality and budget. You can download the optional excursions guide for your destination on our website. Your tour leader will also give you recommendations and help you make bookings as you travel.

Degree of difficulty/ fitness

Although no camping experience is required, a high percentage of these tours are spent under canvas which, by definition, can involve certain hardships not associated with hotel accommodation.

Accommodation: Camping and hotels

For your convenience, good quality cooking and camping equipment is provided (BYO sleeping bag and mat). Our self-contained expedition vehicles carry all the necessary top quality equipment to ensure that camping is well organised and fun. Campsites vary from established sites with good facilities to occasional free-camping in the wild where we are totally self-sufficient. As well as spacious two-person

tents, there is a full complement of gas stoves and kitchenware provided for the group’s use. You are expected to participate in the setting up at each campsite and in the preparation of meals for the group. Your tour leader will organise groups to do various duties on a roster basis. There are no single supplements so solo travellers must be prepared to share their tent with another group member of the same gender. All camping fees and accommodation are included on Budget Expeditions (unless on optional overnight excursions) from the arrival day until check-out time on the final day of the tour. Occasionally we’ll stay in inexpensive hotels, hostels or guesthouses on a share basis, usually with a private bathroom.

Single supplements

There are no single supplements on Budget Expeditions so you must be prepared to share with other group members of the same gender in twin or triple rooms, occasionally multiple share, and share a tent while camping.

Optional accommodation upgrade

Optional cabin upgrades at campsites and room upgrades at hostels are often available during your tour, subject to availability. Upgrade prices vary between US$5-20 per person per night and can only be booked locally with the assistance of your tour leader.

Pre and post tour accommodation

Pre and post tour accommodation is available if you would like to spend more time exploring your joining and departure cities. You will find Budget Expeditions pre and post tour hotel prices listed on the appropriate tour page of the website. It is best to book your pre and post tour accommodation at the same time that you book your tour. Please contact us or speak to your travel consultant for more information.

Accommodation is included from 1pm on day 1 until checkout time on the morning the tour ends. If you wish to use the services of a room before or after checkout 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.

All rooms are on a bed only basis unless otherwise indicated. There is an extra charge if you change your hotel or transfer reservations once booked or if you add a hotel / transfer reservation to your booking within one month of the tour departure date. Please refer to the booking conditions for more information.

Meals

There is always a huge variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and meats, which are purchased at local markets and supermarkets. Good food is paramount to a successful tour and it is our policy to buy only the best and freshest ingredients in generous quantities for each and every meal. Meals when camping and lunches on travel days between campsites or hostels are included. Meal preparation, washing up and cleaning the inside of the expedition vehicle are all undertaken by group members on a roster basis. Other meals are not included, so you can get out there and sample the local cuisine

Please see the country dossiers for more information about the local food you can experience on tour and see the tour dossier for information about the number of meals included on your itinerary.

Excursions

Budget Expeditions tours do not include excursions, which means you only have to budget for the optional excursions that you really want to do. You can choose your activities from the full list of optional excursions on our website and then book them locally with help from your tour leader. Please contact us or speak to your travel consultant for more information.

Transport

The majority of the travelling time on Budget Expeditions is spent on our modern, comfortable, custom- built expedition vehicles. Onboard you will find superior comfort, from our carpeted interiors with curtained and tinted windows, to modern coach seats, overhead storage shelves, writing tables, a small library and a stereo player for the group’s use. Most vehicles also have a refrigerator for food and sometimes cold drinks. There will also be plenty of storage space for your luggage and souvenirs as well as kitchen equipment, tables and camp stools carried for picnic lunches. Tucked away in storage we carry specialised equipment for the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle. On rare occasions it may be necessary to utilise a privately hired vehicle for the duration of the tour.

Although modern and comfortable, some vehicles may not include all the facilities and equipment listed above. Please refer to our expedition vehicles pages for more information. On some optional excursions you will use locally hired vehicles.

Transfers

Airport transfers are not included in group tours but can be booked through Tucan Travel at an additional cost. If you would prefer to make your own way to and from your hotel, you can find details on public transport and taxis in the joining letter for your tour.

Driving times

The distances between attractions can be great in parts of South America so please be prepared for some long travelling days. The longest travel days are about 8 -10 hours although toilet and lunch stops will be made throughout the day. This time spent travelling is unavoidable but you will not be disappointed once you arrive! There will be travel on modern highways as well as bumpy gravel roads. Please also note that there are many short travel days and many non travel days which leave you free to explore at your leisure.

Group size

The average group size is between 15 and 24 although our vehicles comfortably seat up to 34 on some popular dates.

Staff

Budget Expeditions are accompanied by a Tucan Travel tour leader and Tucan Travel driver. You may be assisted at other times by Tucan Travel reps, local guides and local reps.

Tucan Travel tour leaders are genuine travel addicts and will share their passion for their destination with you. A tour leader will accompany you on your tour and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the tour, so you are free to sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.

Tucan Travel drivers are an integral part of the group and are of varied nationalities. They are used to the varied road conditions of our destinations. Safe driving is their priority and they are experienced in vehicle maintenance.

Tucan Travel representatives will escort you at times when your tour leader may not be available.

Local representatives own and operate their own local businesses and on occasion they are responsible for transfers.

Local guides accompany many of our excursions, such as visits to archaeological sites and the Inca Trail Trek. Their knowledge of the local area and familiarity with its customs and history will enhance your experience and lift your journey out of the ordinary.