Private Tours

Introduction and suitability

Private Tours are designed to suit travellers who would prefer to follow one of our itineraries solely in the company of a selected group, such as family or friends, rather than with other independent travellers. Choose an existing popular group tour and Tucan Travel will run that trip just for you at your convenience.  For details of suitability you should read more about the travel style that corresponds to the itinerary you wish to follow. Look out for group tours marked with the Private Tours symbol, then choose your own departure date and work out the guide price from the table below.

Accommodation: Pleasant hotels, Comfort hotels or Superior hotels

Pleasant hotel

Pleasant hotels are generally the equivalent of a two-star hotel. They are clean and comfortable with en-suite facilities and usually provide hot water. Pleasant hotels are chosen for their security, friendly staff and character. They are usually centrally located close to local attractions, restaurants and bars. A Pleasant hotel may also take the form of a mountain hut, rustic cabin, lodge, chalet or tented accommodation that offers the same amenities you would expect from this standard of hotel. Pleasant plus hotels offer a slightly higher level of comfort.

Comfort hotel

Comfort hotels are generally the equivalent of a three-star hotel. They offer all the amenities of our Pleasant hotels with an added level of comfort. Comfort hotels may include extras such as cable television, swimming pools, restaurants, lifts, internet access, room service, hair dryers and English-speaking reception staff. A Comfort hotel may also take the form of a lodge, chalet or tented accommodation that offers the same amenities you would expect from this standard of hotel. Comfort plus hotels offer a slightly higher level of comfort.

Superior hotel

Superior hotels are generally the equivalent of a four-star hotel. They offer amenities such as cable television, swimming pools, restaurants, lifts, internet access, room service, hair dryers and English-speaking reception staff. Additionally, hotel rooms and facilities will have a more luxurious ambience and modern feel. A Superior hotel may also take the form of a lodge, chalet or tented accommodation, which offers the same amenities you would expect from this standard of hotel.

Please be aware that hotels in the Pleasant and Comfort levels can sometimes experience erratic services, such as a lack of hot water or no central heating, and staff members don’t always speak English. In general, facilities are very good but please be prepared for the occasional mishap, which is all part of the travelling experience.

When staying in the Amazon jungle, on Amantaní Island, on the Annapurna Trek, on the hill tribe trek in Thailand, in the Mekong Delta and in the Mongolian gers, accommodation is rustic and on a shared basis. On the Yangtze River boat and Halong Bay junk, rooms are clean and simple. We sleep in tents (in some cases on a multi-share basis) on the Inca Trail trek, while on camel safaris in Jaisalmer. All accommodation is included from the arrival day until check out time on the final day of the tour.

Overnight buses tend to offer reclining seats, regular toilet stops with snack stalls and air-conditioning or ventilation. Overnight trains generally feature reclining seats with air-conditioning or ventilation and Western or squat-style toilets. Some trains offer flat-sleeper beds with sheets in multi-share cabins and onboard restaurants. Overnight ferries feature multi-share cabins with beds, toilets, onboard shop and ventilation. Please note facilities vary by destination and transport operator.

Single supplements

As there is a minimum number of two clients on our Private Tours, single supplements do not apply.

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, however not all levels of accommodation will be available in all cities. Hotels are listed in the hotels and transfers pages of this brochure and on our website. It is best to book your pre and post tour accommodation at the same time 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.

Transport

See the world in an authentic way and travel the way local people do. On Private Tours we use a variety of transport depending on the region in which we are travelling and the length of your tour. Vehicles can range from buses filled with local people and their many possessions to private minibuses and comfortable air-conditioned coaches, from a train ride to Machu Picchu, to a motorised canoe journey in the Amazon jungle. Sometimes you could be travelling on ferries, speedboats or motor launches and at other times take a short flight, a taxi or even walk. Our aim is not simply to get you from A to B, but to help you to experience each destination as a genuine traveller, not as a first-class tourist. A word of warning – buses in many countries are modern and very comfortable but please remember that travelling conditions can sometimes be cramped and seating is not always guaranteed, especially in Central America. This may mean having to stand for some time in cramped conditions or share a seat with up to five others! This adds to the experience and is all a part of “travelling with the locals” but if this is not quite you, then please consider travelling on one of our Discovery Tours or an Independent Travel package.

Excursions

Private Tours offer a variety of included excursions, such as visits to national parks, local communities, ancient ruins, museums, and other natural and cultural highlights. The Inca Trail Trek, Lares Valley Trek and Amazon Jungle must be booked in advance of travel, but you can opt out in advance if you prefer to have some free time instead. Some excursions may operate as a pooled service or in very small groups. There is also a range of optional activities available during your tour which you can book locally with help from your tour leader, as listed in the optional excursions guides on our website. Please contact us or speak to your travel consultant for more information.

Staff

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

Meals

Meals are generally not included on Private Tours, so you can get out there and experience the best local cuisine on offer, according to your own tastes and budget. Meals are sometimes included on overnight excursions such as safaris, boat trips and trekking.

Groups and incentives

Whether you are a school, university, social club, company or a group of friends, Tucan Travel can provide you with a specialised itinerary to many destinations around the world. With our expert in-house teams of experienced adventure travellers, you need look no further when organising that special trip.

Whether you are looking for a holiday, a team building trip or simply a reward for your hard working staff, Tucan Travel can provide a tailor-made itinerary for your group to many of the destinations in our brochure. Browse through our itineraries and destinations and choose some elements that make up your perfect trip. We can then provide a quote based on the number of days and type of accommodation and transport.

Vehicle hire

With a specialist fleet of overland trucks in South America and Africa, why not consider hiring your own vehicle to run your tour? With the best expedition vehicles on the road you can be assured of quality and great service all the way. See pages 18 and 19 for details of the vehicles and then leave the hassle to us. We will provide the vehicle, driver and tour leader and you can choose your level of accommodation from participation camping through to superior hotels, or a combination if you like. Contact us now with your suggested itinerary.