This tour starts in Chile’s capital city, Santiago. The city’s tree lined streets and wonderful architecture create a serene atmosphere but dig a little deeper and you discover a vibrant social scene. Huge coffee houses, tiny cocktail bars and sumptuous cuisine all make Santiago unforgettable.

Please note that we depart Santiago 2 days after the trip starts and we head straight for Argentina so if you would like more time in Santiago you should arrive a few days prior to departure.

We now pass by Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, on our way over the Andes to Mendoza, an area famous for its vineyards that produce a diverse array of top quality wines. 

In the province of Cordoba we will now visit an Estancia to experience what life is like on a working Argentinian farm. Here you have the opportunity to go horse riding with gauchos, hike amongst beautiful scenery and gorge yourself on traditional ‘asado’ grilled meats.

On our route north we now stop off at the ruins of Quilmes, a sacred place for the indigenous Quilmes people who were forced to leave their impressive citadel in the 17th century when they were conquered by Spanish invaders.

In Cafayate you have a free day to visit the vineyards that produce some of Argentina's best wines and explore a relaxed little town centred around a perfect square.

A stunning drive through the Quebrada de las Conchas (Gorge of Shells) offers us dramatic views of red, purple and pastel cliffs where we take our time and have photo stops at some of the most beautiful viewpoints.

Our final taste of Argentina is in the town of Salta where you will get to sample some of the worlds best steak and wine.  The impressive mix of colonial, neoclassical and modernist architecture makes Salta a pleasure to explore on foot.

We now drop out of the Andes into the Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama, located in the world’s driest desert. This dusty frontier town is straight out of a spaghetti western and the nearby Valley of the Moon offers incredible stargazing amongst a lunar landscape resembling the surface of the moon.

The sandy desert tracks of the altiplano now lead us up into the Andes and onto the Bolivian altiplano, a high-altitude plateau of multi-coloured mountains, hardy wildlife, steaming geysers and towering volcanoes. This really is one of South America’s highlights!

We continue to the tumbleweed town of Uyuni where we stay in a hotel made out of salt from the nearby Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flats. From here you have the option to visit the salt flats in a 4x4 jeep for an other-worldly experience of bizarre rock formations, cacti-studded islands and bright-white salt.

A short drive away we now reach Potosi, once the wealthiest city in the world due to its prolific silver mines. The mines still operate today and you have the option to take a tour into the depths of the mines through a series of tunnels and shafts where you can even buy dynamite and have a go at your own excavations!

We continue to Sucre, Bolivia’s most beautiful city set in a valley and surrounded by mountains. This is the proud heart of the nation and its whitewashed buildings are well-preserved vestiges of glorious colonial architecture. From Sucre you can also take the Dinobus to visit the world’s largest collection of dinosaur footprints.

Our last stop in Bolivia is La Paz, a bustling city where much of the street space is taken up by native women in bowler hats and voluminous skirts squatted down selling everything from fake designer jeans to coca leaves. There is even a witches market where you can find dried llama foetuses, magical love potions and an array of other weird and wonderful concoctions.

From La Paz you also have the option to cycle down the world’s most dangerous road, a hair-raising experience that follows a track carved into the side of a mountain.

Our first stop in Peru is at the small town of Puno situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Here you have the option of visiting the nearby floating reed islands where you can meet some of the native inhabitants, many of whom have never set foot on land!

The charming city of Arequipa boasts beautiful churches, colonial plazas, lively markets and mouth-watering cuisine for us to enjoy during our 2 night stay here.

We continue to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. From here you will get to see condors riding the early morning thermals, flying by at eye level providing great photo opportunities.

On our way into the Andes at a staggering 5200 m above sea level we now climb aboard small vehicles to visit the Rainbow Mountains, a multicoloured marvel of nature.

Our journey now leads us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas where we take time to explore the highlights of this valley including the shimmering Maras salt pans, the terraces of the Moray ruins and the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the Incas last stronghold against the Spanish invaders. 

Ollantaytambo is also the place from where you will start one of your greatest optional excursions, the Inca Trail. This exhilarating 2 or 4 day hike lives up to its reputation for stunning scenery and ends at one of the world’s most beautiful sites, Machu Picchu. Those who don’t want to hike have the option to take the train directly to the small town of Aguas Calientes from where you can visit Machu Picchu without any hiking involved.

After your visit to Machu Picchu we will now spend time in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. This colonial town is abuzz with energy and its beautiful squares, plentiful nightlife and wonderful restaurants make it a great place to explore and live it up a little! 

The mysterious Nazca Lines are our next attraction where you have the option to take an exhilarating flight for an aerial view of pictures of whales, monkeys, spiders and even spacemen made by stones laid out on the desert floor.

Close to Nazca we take an afternoon to visit the mummified remains of ancient tribesmen at Chauchilla Cemetery and also the Cahuachi Pyramids, once an important ceremonial centre for Nazca culture.

We continue to Huacachina, a desert oasis where you can enjoy views over the green lagoon waters to the high, rolling sand dunes where the adventurous can take a dune buggy and go sandboarding.

A little further north we visit the national marine reserve of Paracas from where we will take a boat trip out to the Ballestas Islands which are home to sea-lions, penguins and thousands of seabirds.

We now visit Lima for a taste of bustling city life where you can join our guided half day tour of the historical centre and get a better understanding of Peru’s history in the fabulous museums, churches and plazas that adorn the city. The beach area of Miraflores is home to some of the country's best restaurants and should not be missed!

A winding road now leads us into the mountains to Huaraz where we get commanding views of the magnificent Andes mountain range. Here you have the opportunity to undertake day trips to hike the famous Laguna 69 trail, visit the ice-blue Laguna Paron and walk to the face of the Pastoruri Glacier.

Back down on the coast in Huanchaco you can sample some of the best ceviche in the country where the fish are caught locally by fishermen using reed boats, a 3000 year old tradition.

Close to Huanchaco we have a day to visit the vast and unusually decorated crumbling ruins of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world. This area also boasts fascinating pyramids and temples well worth a day’s exploration.

The white sand beaches of northern Peru are our last stop in Peru where you have time to enjoy the surf and go swimming with wild green sea turtles.

The town of Cuenca is our well preserved first stop in Ecuador where a day on the open-top bus will show you all the sites of this historic colonial town. Adventurous eaters should try the succulent Cuy (roasted guinea pig), it’s a delicacy here! 

A little further up the road we reach Banos, a bustling town offering several adventurous activities such as horse riding, canyoning, mountain biking, rafting and bungee jumping. Kicking back in the hot springs is a good way to end the day.

Dropping steeply out of the Andes we now enter pristine Amazon rainforest where you will have the opportunity to join our 3 day guided Amazon jungle excursion which includes hiking, bat-caving and waterfall climbing. Those who opt not to take the jungle excursion can enjoy the region’s activities such as kayaking and hiking from our base at Huasquila Amazon Lodge.

In the lively city of Quito wandering through the old town is a definite highlight where narrow alleyways open up into grand plazas displaying historic churches as well as the President's Palace. This city also has fantastic bars and restaurants to keep you entertained at night.

On our way north we now stop at the equator where you have the chance to visit an exhibit that explains all the facts about this area where you can also straddle the yellow line marking the boundary between the northern and southern hemispheres.

Our last stop in Ecuador is the colourful market town of Otavalo where traders flock to from as far away as Colombia to sell their animals, carpets, food, clothing and traditional crafts.

Our first stop in Colombia is at the Shrine of our Lady of Las Lajas, an impressive Roman Catholic church built inside a canyon and something you would expect to see in a Disney movie.

We continue to the perfectly preserved pearl of colonial architecture known as the White City, Popayan. This is a laid-back town where kicking back in a sidewalk cafe is a great way to pass the day. This is also the gateway to Purace National Park where you have the option to take a day tour to see condors and thermal springs amongst some of South America’s most beautiful scenery.

In the Andean town of Salento you have the opportunity to explore the colourful buildings and craft shops that adorn the colonial town square. The area is also well-known for the Cocora Valley where you can hike amongst the lofty wax palm trees which are a home to rare parrots.

In Manizales we camp at a traditional Colombian coffee plantation and take a tour to get an understanding of how the world's most sought after coffee is produced.

We now move north to the vibrant city of Medellin where we have the chance to explore Pablo Escobar’s old stomping ground! Through amazing displays of graffiti Comuna 13 tells us the story of an area once controlled by narcos and paramilitaries.

From our base in Santa Marta you have the option to visit the stunning Tayrona National Park where a series of wildlife-rich forest trails lead you to palm-fringed beaches and coastal lagoons usually only seen on postcards. It is on one of these beaches that we will spend a night in hammocks to truly appreciate this idyllic wilderness.

This tour ends in the port town of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. Legendary for both its outstanding beauty and fascinating history, this town really is a living museum of colonial Spanish architecture and an intriguing end to our overland journey around South America!

Please note that this tour ends in Cartagena after breakfast on the final day of the trip so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

If you would like to extend your trip and join this tour earlier our truck travels through Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and southern Chile before arriving in Santiago so you can add on any of these places should you wish to.

We are happy to create a bespoke itinerary and price for you so please feel free to contact us to discuss all options.

If you can’t do the whole tour it may be possible to book a shorter section of your choice. Please get in touch and if this option is available we will be happy to work out a bespoke itinerary and reduced price for you.

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your tour preparations.

TOUR PAYMENT

The Tour Payment of £6192 is the complete payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). There is no Local Payment or Kitty to pay on this tour. In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to the tour start date a further payment of £2800 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £3092 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the tour start date a deposit of £3100 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the tour start date the full Tour Payment of £6192 should be paid upon booking.

The Tour Payment can be paid by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Credit and Debit Card Payments (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

You can use the following link to pay by credit or debit card:

Dragoman Tour Payment

Or feel free to call us on +44 7858 468 953 in order to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Revolut (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Revolut offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Revolut account? Create one now - www.revolut.com 

Wise (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Wise offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now - www.wise.com

Paypal (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now - www.paypal.com

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader and driver

Transportation in our custom built Dragoman overland truck

Use of all equipment on the truck

Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle

Local transportation costs (if required)

Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group)

83 breakfasts and 21 evening meals

All accommodation costs (75% hotels, guest houses and hostels, 25% camping)

National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

Atacama Desert, Chile

Altiplano crossing, Bolivia

Uyuni salt flats jeep tour, Bolivia

Lake Titicaca boat tour, Peru

Colca Canyon excursion, Peru

Rainbow Mountains excursion, Peru

Sacred Valley of the Incas highlights tour, Peru

Ballestas Islands boat tour, Peru

Lima historical centre tour, Peru

Chan Chan ruins tour, Peru

Amazon Jungle excursion, Ecuador

Coffee plantation tour, Colombia

Tayrona National Park excursion, Colombia

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended)

Visas (budget approximately £100 for each of your visas if you require any)

Lunch and evening meals when in hotels, guest houses and hostels

Lunch when camping

Accommodation upgrades

Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks

Any optional activities and excursions

Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow

Tips (USD $80 per crew member recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Dragoman so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in USD.

CHILE

Valley of the moon, Atacama desert $50

ARGENTINA

Wine tasting tour, Mendoza $30

BOLIVIA

Silver mine tour, Potosi $20

Dinosaur footprints bus tour, Sucre $10

Cycling the world’s most dangerous road, La Paz $125

PERU

4 day Inca trail and Machu Picchu tour $700

2 day Inca trail and Machu Picchu tour $500

1 day train to Machu Picchu tour $300

Cusco tourist ticket giving access to all main sites $35

Nazca lines flight $100

Sandboarding and dune buggy tour, Huacachina $30

Laguna Paron day tour, Huaraz $50

Laguna 69 hike, Huaraz $50

Pastoruri Glacier tour, Huaraz $30

Swimming with green sea turtles, Canoas $15

ECUADOR

Open top bus, Cuenca $10

Horse riding (per hour), Banos $15

Mountain biking, Banos $30

Canyoning and rappelling, Banos $60

Bungee jump, Banos $20

White water rafting in Amazon jungle $50

Equator exhibit $5

COLOMBIA

Purace National Park day tour, Popayan $70

Cocora Valley return transport, Salento $20

Pirate ship boat trip, Cartagena  $35

You will spend 75% of the time on this expedition staying in locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels. The other 25% of the time you will be in your tent camping.

Quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

When we are not camping we always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s well-being so we always strive to provide healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.

When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas.

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

When staying in hotels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

83 breakfasts and 21 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $80 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of £120 – £150 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunch, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £100 for each of your visas if you require any.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying souvenirs you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend you bring 1/3 of your money in cash US Dollars and the rest of your money on your credit/debit card. 

They generally accept all major currencies for exchange but US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATM’s are widely available for you to draw local currency using your credit/debit card

To keep your money/credit cards/ipad/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to a fixed feature of the vehicle when travelling and also attached to a fixed feature in your hotel room when off the vehicle.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports according to the most recent information we have from previous tours. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only and if you are unsure please check with your local consulate. Dragoman is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

Please ensure you have 3 blank pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.

You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

You will need a digital colour copy of your passport and a digital colour passport photograph (both 5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded onto your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for some visas and to cross some borders.

Chile visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Chile. Australians will need a visa for Chile which is best obtained in your country of residence prior to joining the tour and costs approximately £100. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Argentina visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Argentina. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Bolivia visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Bolivia. Americans will need a visa for Bolivia which is best obtained in your country of residence prior to joining the tour and costs approximately £100. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Peru visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Peru. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Ecuador visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Ecuador. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Colombia visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is not necessary to enter Colombia. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations, malaria and other general medical advice for all the countries we will be visiting and they also administer vaccinations at their travel clinics in various locations in the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against covid to join this tour.

An up to date Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate should be brought with you as it is required to enter certain countries on this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Dragoman obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for people based in the UK seeking a comprehensive and reliable policy that includes Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure

Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Dragoman and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company named Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and if possible make sure your policy includes Medical Repatriation.

Tent: A good quality lightweight and compact waterproof free standing tent is recommended for this expedition. A removable fly-sheet will help you stay cool on warm dry nights. If you are travelling on your own you are restricted to a 1-2 man sized tent. If you are sharing a tent, you are restricted to a 2-3 man sized tent.

Sleeping bag: It can get cold on this tour so we recommend a good quality 4 season sleeping bag with a mummy hood. Please make sure that your sleeping bag comes with a crush bag so it can be compacted down.

Sleeping bag liner: A Thermal Fleece or Silk Liner will bring your sleeping bag up a season when it's cold and they are good to use on their own when it's too hot for your sleeping bag.

Roll Mat: A compact inflatable Thermarest roll mat is recommended. A non-compact mat will not be permitted as they take up too much room.

Pillow: If you do wish to take a pillow (although most just bring a pillow case and stuff their fleece in it at night) then Thermarest makes a good stuff pillow that compacts down small.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume. Your tent, roll mat and sleeping bag can be attached to the outside of your bag if necessary and your sleeping gear will go into a separate locker when travelling on the expedition vehicle.

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the expedition vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed part on the back of the expedition vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed feature in your hotel room. 

Headtorch: An invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps. 

Water purifier: Quite a handy thing to have to purify contaminated water and avoid stomach bugs. Check out the range of Lifestraw products.

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: not a necessity but most places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will enable you to stay connected.

Smartphone:  It is highly recommended that you bring a smartphone with you as the majority of the tour communications are sent via WhatsApp. It is also very convenient for storing all your digital documents, emailing, taking and sharing photos, mapping and calling home.

E-sim: Airalo has an affordable digital E-sim that you can use while travelling abroad which means you can stay connected and be online without having to constantly buy local physical sim cards to connect to the internet. Just make sure your phone is E-sim compatible before buying any E-sim.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people use their phone.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Towel: A microfibre travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport: Please ensure you have 3 blank pages in your passport to accommodate all the visas and stamps required on this tour, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your expedition end date.

Digital passport copy: Please have a digital colour copy of your passport (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Passport photos: You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

Digital passport photo: Please have a digital colour passport photograph (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: An up to date Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required to enter certain countries on this tour.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

1 x thermal underwear

1 x thermal gloves

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

1 x waterproof jacket

1 x plastic waterproof rain poncho

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x swimwear

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

Overlanding with Dragoman in South America is all about taking the road less travelled in a custom-built overland expedition vehicle with a group of up to 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities. This overland tour moves at a relaxed pace and visits remote areas as well as the highlights of all the countries we travel through, with many of the main activities included in the price!

Overland travel affords you the time to really immerse yourself in the culture of the local communities we visit and gives you the opportunity to truly explore off the beaten track destinations. This overland tour may sometimes take you out of your comfort zone as it involves all climates, high altitudes and a lot of camping but to truly discover South America’s beauty we feel that you need to get back to nature and camp amongst its spectacular scenery. We believe it is these experiences that make overlanding in South America so rewarding. So if you are looking for a unique adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers on a journey of a lifetime then a South America overland tour may be the trip for you because with overlanding it's all about the journey, not just the destination!

At Dragoman we like to go through every aspect of the tour with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. We believe in not only telling you about the highlights of the tour but also providing you with all the small details of what to expect as we know these are just as important. We want to explain the tour in as much detail as possible so that you are sure you are suited to one of our overland group adventures. If after reading the information below you decide that this tour is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

We have no age restrictions on our overland tours and if there is one thing we have come to realise, it’s the mental attitude that counts the most. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 24 travellers and 2 crew of all ages and nationalities so you can expect to share this experience with a wide variety of characters from all walks of life. 

WEATHER

This South America overland tour spans half a continent and visits many places in the high Andes as well as many low altitude coastal regions. Temperatures can drop to 0°C in the mountains and rise to 35°C with a high humidity along the coast, so be prepared for all types of weather and you will enjoy this trip.

ALTITUDE

We travel up to 5200 metres above sea level on this tour so if you suffer from altitude sickness be prepared for it and have altitude-sickness tablets with you.

HYGIENE

As wonderful as South America is, some places do not have a western infrastructure and their acceptable level of hygiene standards may be very different to ours, so be prepared to accept that things may not be as clean as they are back home.

You must maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone smells bad or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone aboard the vehicle.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

On this expedition we include a lot of the main activities in the tour price but we do however understand that you won’t want to visit every site or take part in every activity along the way so we have left some of the activities as optional and therefore kept the tour price to a minimum. 

With regards to all the activities that require forward planning and/or a guide your tour leader will arrange this and let you know all the options before arriving at a destination. Your tour leader however is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

On this tour you are completely free to do as you choose and you can be as active or inactive as you like.

YOUR ATTITUDE

A friendly, easy-going attitude will help you enjoy this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to any tour are people that constantly moan. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, some people just like to find fault in everything and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. This type of constant negativity can be extremely detrimental within a group so it may sound a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them to try and ensure your tour is as good as it can be. We don’t hide anything so people who travel with us usually know exactly what to expect on this tour which makes for an enjoyable group experience.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the tour if nothing improves and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme case but we will not let one or two rude individuals spoil it for everybody else. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

The one thing we can guarantee is that at some point things will not go according to plan! We have to follow the legislation of each individual country and they all have different regulations which can sometimes slow us down. It is however usually obstacles such as bad roads, border closures, breakdowns and natural disasters that have a bearing on the expedition. Expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not! When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual. 

TRAVEL TIMES & ITINERARIES

This trip is designed to allow plenty of free time in all the places of interest but we are driving a fair distance across South America so yes, there are going to be a lot of drive days and some of them will be long. This is where you have to be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

Generally on a drive day we leave in the morning after breakfast, around 7 - 8 AM, and arrive at our destination before dusk in daylight, but this really depends on the distance between destinations and the road conditions.

Sometimes it will be a full day’s drive between destinations and you'll have the following day or two free. On rare occasions it may be 2 or 3 drive days in a row where you'll leave early, stop overnight at a wild camp or hotel and then continue early again the next morning. Some areas are remote and the pleasure is in the scenery. Sometimes however it's only a few hours drive between destinations.

Our proposed itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. If a border closes unexpectedly then we have to try and find a safe alternative route which may not be to everyone’s liking. In the worst case scenario we may get stuck with no way forward and at that point we would have to decide whether to fly over the obstacle and continue on local transport or abandon the trip. We have never had to abandon any trip before but we want you to be aware of the worst case scenario.

We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but our itinerary can change if an area of our route becomes off-limits for any reason, so when we do experience delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in South America and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

This is a full participation expedition so you need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

ACCOMMODATION

You will spend 75% of the time on this expedition staying in locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels. The other 25% of the time you will be in your tent camping.

Quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

When we are not camping we always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

TRANSPORT & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

FOOD & COOKING

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s well-being so we always strive to provide healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.

When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas.

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

When staying in hotels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Lunch and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

83 breakfasts and 21 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $80 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.