Question 1

Will I be picked up at the airport?

Accepted Answer

If youre flying independently, you can book the pick-up service or transfer to your hotel for an additional fee.

If youve booked your flights with us, well be waiting for you at the airport after you land in South America, holding a Viventura sign. Your adventure can begin right away. If you dont see your pick-up service immediately, please wait and do not leave the airport on your own.

Question 2

Are your tours guided by English-speaking experts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all our group tours are led by experienced, English-speaking guides or tour conductors who are passionate about sharing their local knowledge.

Question 3

Are your trips suitable for solo travellers from the UK?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Many of our guests travel solo. We offer the option to share a room with another solo traveller or book a single room for an additional fee.

Question 4

Can I customise my group tour or add extra nights?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on some trips.   Where available, we offer options to extend your stay or add pre- and post-tour nights. Let us know your preferences and we’ll help arrange additional services where possible.

Question 5

Do you guarantee we stay in the hotels cited in the itinerary?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally, some planned properties may be unavailable. In such cases, we replace them with hotels of the same category.

Question 6

Do you offer travel insurance or recommend providers for UK travellers?

Accepted Answer

Travel insurance is not included in our pricing but is strongly recommended.

Question 7

Do your tours mix with guests from other countries where you operate?

Accepted Answer

No.  While we sell tours in multiple countries (i.e. Germany, France, United Kingdom, etc), we do not combine guests from those countries into a single departure.  However, if, for instance, a German customer were to purchase from one of our UK sites (i.e. www.africaventura.co.uk as opposed to www.africaventura.de), nothing would stop them from doing so but the tour would be conducted in English.

Question 8

How do I book a tour and what payment options are available for UK customers?

Accepted Answer

You can book directly on our website or by contacting our UK team. We accept major credit cards and bank transfers. Payment plans may be available for some trips.

Question 9

How do you choose the accommodation we stay in?

Accepted Answer

Some hotels are simple, others more upscale – this balance is intentional to provide an authentic insight into the range of local accommodation.

Question 10

How do you ensure your tours are sustainable and responsible?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is at the core of our philosophy. We partner with local communities, support fair wages, minimize environmental impact, and contribute to social projects through our [V Social Foundation](https://www.vsocialfoundation.org/).

Question 11

How large are your group sizes?

Accepted Answer

We intentionally keep our groups small to ensure a more personal and immersive experience.  The vast majority of our tours have a maximum limit of 12 and on average our tours have around 9 travellers.  However, a very small number of our trips allow up to 16 travellers.

Question 12

How much should I budget for tips?

Accepted Answer

Please do not feel obligated to tip. It is and remains entirely voluntary and should reflect your satisfaction with the service provided. In restaurants, it is customary to tip around 10%, but of course, only if the service was satisfactory. Should you wish to tip, you are certainly welcome to do so. We recommend a tip of USD 30 to 40 for the tour guide, USD 10-15 per week per person for the tour bus driver, and USD 2-3 per day per person for local guides. A tip of USD 5 to 10 is appropriate for hotel staff, depending on your comfort level, and porters usually receive a tip of around USD 0.50-1. Things are a bit different in the Galapagos, and boat crews expect a minimum tip on multi-day cruises. Currently, this amounts to $5 per crew member and $15 for the boats national park guide. This brings the total to approximately $50 as a minimum for a cruise.

Question 13

How physically demanding are your tours?

Accepted Answer

We offer a range from easy-paced cultural trips to more active adventures. Please review the trip information or ask us if you have concerns about fitness requirements.

Question 14

Is this trip suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Accepted Answer

This trip is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please contact us for detailed information about the requirements of this trip, taking your specific needs into account.

Question 15

What are add-ons and how can I book them?

Accepted Answer

Our add-ons are not hidden costs. Even without booking an add-on, youll have a full trip including all the activities described. Rather, the add-ons give you the opportunity to participate in additional, individual activities.

**Add-on before the trip:**
For some trips, we offer an organized, individual program in advance of the group tour. You can find all the details about our pre-trip add-ons in the tour itinerary. Click on the green box for each add-on.

**Add-on during the trip:**
We also frequently offer add-ons during the trip. These are often alternatives to the standard programme and offer you the opportunity to customize your itinerary. Some add-ons are marked on-site. These cannot be booked or paid for through Viventura or during the booking process. For these modules, we simply inform you that you have the option to add them on-site.

**Extensions:**
Many of our trips can also be extended individually. Either to explore other regions of the country youre visiting, or to spend the last few days relaxing at a beach destination.

An overview of all add-ons that can be booked in advance can be found before and after the tour itinerary description.

Question 16

What are the baggage regulations and which piece of luggage is best suited for the trip?

Accepted Answer

For your trip, only one main piece of luggage per person with a maximum weight of 20kg is permitted, plus one carry-on bag weighing approximately 8-10 kg.

We recommend travelling with a trekking backpack, a duffel bag (with wheels), or a soft-sided suitcase. We advise against hard-shell suitcases for transport reasons, as soft bags or backpacks are easier to pack and less prone to damage. You will need a daypack for day trips.

Our itineraries indicate if your luggage needs to be repacked for part of your trip. In this case, you will need an additional suitable piece of luggage. A packing list will be sent with your invoice and can also be found in the FAQs for each trip.

Unfortunately, a 10kg carry-on bag is not included on domestic flights with LATAM airline. Instead, you may only carry one personal item, such as a small handbag or a compact backpack that fits under the seat. If you have a larger backpack, its best to pack it in your checked baggage.

Note: While most long-haul flights allow 23 kg of checked baggage, some domestic flights only permit 20 kg.

Question 17

What do I need to know about accommodation (single/double room)?

Accepted Answer

For solo travellers, Viventura offers the free option of double occupancy. With this option, we try to find a roommate to share the double room with approximately 4-6 weeks before departure. If we are unable to find someone, we offer you a single room at half the price. Please note that this option is not available for modular tours, and single rooms are provided for these.

For last-minute bookings and in the case of the last available space on the trip, we can only confirm the free double occupancy option if a suitable roommate has already registered. Otherwise, we will charge the full single room price.

If you would like a single room, this can be added for an additional fee. You can find the single room supplement on the Dates & Prices page.

Our trips often take us to destinations off the beaten track. It is therefore possible that some accommodations may not have enough single or double rooms depending on occupancy and group size, meaning that some participants may have to stay in shared rooms. These accommodations will be noted accordingly in the tour itinerary.

Question 18

What do I need to know about the accommodations on the trip?

Accepted Answer

Cozy, clean, and welcoming. These are the qualities we prioritize in all our accommodations. We also prefer accommodations run by locals. We know the accommodations, their owners, and often the staff personally.

The planned accommodations are described in more detail in the itinerary. More comprehensive information is provided for each day. We can guarantee the accommodations listed there for most, but not every, departure date. Should one of these accommodations be unavailable, we will offer an alternative of the same or a higher standard.

You will receive your travel documents with specific details of the hotels where you will be staying.

Question 19

What is included in the price of your group tours?

Accepted Answer

Our tour prices typically include accommodation, most meals, guided activities, entrance fees, and ground transportation. Specific inclusions are listed on each trip page.

Question 20

What kind of accommodation do you use on your tours?

Accepted Answer

We select comfortable, well-located hotels and guesthouses that reflect the local character. Accommodation standards and details are listed on each trip page.

Question 21

What support is available during the trip?

Accepted Answer

You’ll have 24/7 support from your guide and our local team throughout your journey. We also provide emergency contact numbers for added peace of mind.

Question 22

When will I receive my travel documents?

Accepted Answer

In addition to the booking confirmation after your binding registration, we will send you your Viventura travel documents approximately two weeks before departure. These include a packing list, the tour itinerary, many other travel-related details.

If you booked flights with us, you will also receive your flight overview with booking codes (e-ticket). Your flight tickets are electronic and will only be issued to you at the airport upon presentation of your passport at the check-in counter.

Question 23

Who can you contact if problems arise?

Accepted Answer

Should any problems arise despite careful planning, you can contact the emergency numbers of our local partner offices listed at the beginning of your travel documents. These numbers are staffed 24 hours a day in English.

Question 24

Will I have internet access during my trip?

Accepted Answer

Internet access is available in all major towns and cities during your trip. Most hotels now offer Wi-Fi, making it easy to stay in touch with loved ones back home. However, connections can be a bit slow at times.

Question 25

Is my trip protected by ATOL or ABTA?

Accepted Answer

Your holiday is financially protected. Every booking is covered by an established travel protection scheme, so the money you pay us is safe and youre protected in the unlikely event of insolvency. Youll receive a protection certificate with your booking, giving you complete peace of mind.

Question 26

Is the itinerary described guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for our travellers. Some minor itinerary details may change before or during the trip for reasons beyond our control. These changes may be due to, among other things, limited availability from a service provider or government-imposed measures. We will strive at all times to minimise the impact of these changes and proactively inform our travellers.

Question 27

What makes Ventura TRAVEL’s group tours different from other UK tour operators?

Accepted Answer

Ventura Travel offers small-group, expert-led journeys focused on authentic, sustainable experiences. Our tours go beyond mass tourism, supporting local communities and providing unique, in-depth cultural encounters.

Question 28

Do your tours include flights?

Accepted Answer

International flights are not typically included in the tour price. This gives you the flexibility to choose the airline, cabin class and departure airport that best suits your plans.

When you enquire or book with us, well proactively recommend the best flight options for your chosen tour, including suitable routes, airlines and departures from both London and regional UK airports where available. Most travellers choose to reserve their place on the tour first and then book their flights with our guidance.

Our aim is to make arranging your journey as straightforward as possible, so you can focus on looking forward to your adventure rather than worrying about the logistics.

Question 29

What if something goes wrong while on my tour?

Accepted Answer

Your guide is your first escalation point and can usually assist in the majority of circumstances but if you need to escalate an issue that your guide cannot assist with, we offer 24/7 support via phone and email; emergency contact information will be provided in your travel documents.

Ecuador & Galápagos Adventure: 15 Days

The Ecuadorian Andes and the Galápagos Islands, in a small group