Uyuni – Sucre – Tupiza. We travel from the southwest highlands to the open desert and a strange natural phenomenon at the town of Uyuni: The Salar De Uyuni, a massive salt lake forming a strange lunar landscape, which shimmers in the light and stretches for hundreds of kilometres. From here you can take a 4x4 trip on the salt flats. An incredible experience.

From there we head to Sucre and spend a couple of days in the Ciudad Blanca, or the White City. Take some time to stroll around the colonial buildings and enjoy some of Sucre’s charm. Additionally you can enjoy some optional excursions such as mountain biking and going in search of dinosaur footprints.

Our next stop is Tupiza. The drive here is stunning, taking us through canyons and mountains covered with flora and fauna. This is Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid country. Once at Tupiza we have the chance to do one of the many optional activities here including horseback riding, hiking or jeep safari.

Foz - Parati - Rio. The town of Foz do Iguazu is our base for exploring the spectacular Iguazu Falls. We spend two full days here taking in the fantastic views from both the Brazilian and Argentinean side of the falls. These are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, with 275 separate falls over a frontage of 2.7 kilometres.

Our day trip to the Brazilian side of the Falls will begin with an optional trip to a bird park which houses a fantastic array of not just native birds like Toucans and Macaws, but also other birds from around the world. From here we continue on for our initial breathtaking views of the falls. There are many trails and walkways to explore, revealing more great views. Helicopter rides over the falls are possible in order to shoot the most spectacular photos of all. For our day on the Argentinean side, we are treated to more fantastic views. One of which is the breathtaking Garganta del Diablo, or Devils Throat, where much of the river converges into one section to create an amazing sight. A walkway takes you right out to the edge of this area and you will hear the thundering noise and feel the spray well before you reach the edge. There are many other walkways to explore on the Argentinean side as well, where you can easily occupy your day. Another option on the Argentinean side is to take a boat trip right up close to some of the falls where you can really get an idea of the power and volume of the water.

Arriving at the coast we discover the lovely town of Parati. Parati is an old port town with cobblestone streets and quaint little shops. Here we can treat you to a fantastic day out on an old schooner sailing around the nearby islands. Spend the day relaxing on board or swimming in the warm waters and soaking up some sunshine.

We then head north to Rio one of the worlds most famous cities, and with good reason. No visit to Rio is complete without a trip to the world famous statue of Jesus Christ on the Corcovado mountain, which can be viewed from almost anywhere in the city. Standing 100 feet high on the mountain, the statue commands the best view in town. We advise getting there early in order to beat not only the crowds but also the haze, which covers the city about, midmorning. Keep an afternoon free to spend at the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, sunbathing and watching the locals in their element. Visit the many market stalls along the waterfront areas at both beaches. From the beach, head up to Sugarloaf mountain to enjoy a fantastic sunset and a few drinks. Another recommendation is to take a Favela Tour to some of the poorer districts of Rio. It is a very unique and interesting insight into how the local people live. With so much to do and see in Rio, we recommend you stay a couple of extra days to take as much in as you can. There can’t be many more beautiful and exciting cities in the world to conclude your tour.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. It must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate.

Vaccinations:
It is necessary to obtain an International Certificate of Vaccination before travelling. This is a record of your injections and should be issued with your first inoculation. Make sure that after each injection your certificate is dated, signed and stamped.

Compulsory Inoculations:
Yellow Fever for Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru but only if arriving from an infected area.

Recommended inoculations:
Yellow fever, hepatitis A, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio.

We also recommend:
- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit.  Below is a list of some recommended items:
Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.
A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

• Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
• A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.
• DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in South America, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Likewise do not leave your valuables in your tent - there is a safe available on the truck.
• Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.
• Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
• Kumuka vehicles have secure doors and windows but it is never foolish to be cautious.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$25-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Take your money in US dollars only. This is the only foreign currency readily exchanged in Latin America.

Traveller’s cheques should be AMERICAN EXPRESS. American Express is the most widely accepted.

Cash is far easier to exchange than Travellers Cheques, but also more risky as once lost, is irreplaceable. However, we do recommend that you take some US dollars cash in small denominations ($10 and $20).

In many countries (except Brazil), you may exchange US Dollars traveller’s cheques for US cash, or retrieve US dollars cash from ATMs (with a credit card), usually for a small commission but please do not rely solely on this option.

Credit cards are accepted frequently, particularly in the larger cities. They can also be used to get money from ATMs.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa being the most useful.

How much should I take?

• The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 20 KGs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for carrying 2 days of clothing so it is not always necessary to unload the large backpacks every night.
• Sleeping Bag - a good quality sleeping bag, rated for sub-zero conditions is the best for tours, which travel through the Andes and Patagonia. You can purchase extra blankets in South America cheaply. We recommend a Four Seasons sleeping bag.
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag. Can also be used as a sleeping bag when it's hot.
• Sleeping Mat - A self-inflating mat. "Thermarest" is best, although a compressed foam mat is adequate.
• Mosquito Net -if you wish to sleep outdoors. All tents have built in mosquito nets.
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

We provide hearty meals, which are paid for through your Local Payment. This will be indicated on your travel voucher, which must be presented to your tour leader at the predeparture meeting on first day of the tour. The Local Payment covers most breakfasts, lunches and dinners while camping and lunches when travelling on the Kumuka vehicle.

Most food substances are stored on the truck in bulk quantities including all types of condiments, pastas, rice etc. Markets in the countries through which we travel are always well stocked and we purchase as much fresh food as possible including fruit, vegetables and meats on the road. Those designated as cooks on the rotating roster system help in buying, preparing and cooking the food for the group under the guidance of your Tour Leader. The variety of food will differ, as you will be visiting a number of different countries. Everyone helps out with the cooking and all are encouraged to put their culinary skills (or lack there of!) to the test over the campfire! You will be surprised with what you can create over the campfire with a little imagination!

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs or allergies can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. Please note we will attempt to provide for these special requests,
however they cannot be guaranteed - please ensure the tour leader is aware of any special requests.

When camping, we usually prepare and cook our own meals, at other times whilst staying in hotels it is more convenient to eat out. When staying in hotels, meals are the responsibility of each passenger. This allows you a
chance to try the local cuisine. The amount of time spent in hotels on each tour section is given in the brochure and in the itineraries. These are flexible and each tour will differ from the next.

Local Restaurants - Latin American food is delicious, nutritious and varied and local restaurants provide an important insight into local ways of life. There is always an excellent range of restaurants to choose from. An evening meal can range from US$1 up to US$20. Most travellers spend an average of US$5 to US$10 plus drinks. Local alcoholic drinks are generally inexpensive even in restaurants and bars.

Vegetarians are easily catered for.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader, driver and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. On the last day of the tour we usually arrive at our final destination in the late afternoon, when the tour ends. If you would like to book accommodation for that night or even stay additional nights, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

The Local Payment must be paid direct to your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting. Please make sure that these monies are paid locally in US$ cash. Local Payment is non-refundable, as well as being a mandatory sum.

Local Payment covers the following items for all passengers and the Kumuka crew:

All accommodation (hotels, hostels and campsite fees), 3 meals per day whilst camping and some road lunches. It also covers included excursions, entrance fees and some local guides as stated in the itinerary, as well as items such as wood, ice and charcoal. On all tours drinks are not included with lunch and dinner unless otherwise stated.

The tour leader will administer the Local Payment with the assistance of a member of the group.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kumuka if you have any questions or queries with regard to Local Payment.

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.