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.

On this fantastic trip through Ecuador’s emerald scenery and Peru’s desert coastlines, there are also plenty of opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure sports such as superb white water rafting and canyoning. We take dug out canoes deep into the Amazon jungle with native jungle guides, learn from shamans, hike through primary rainforest and enjoy relaxing jungle swims or tubing excursions downriver. Discover lesser-known corners of Ecuador, virtually untouched by tourism and relax in rainforest hideaways, enjoy colonial Cuenca’s markets and cathedrals, chill out on Peruvian beaches and explore ancient cities before traveling to the soaring heights and frozen glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca, then round of your trip in Peru’s capital, Lima.  

Shangri La and the Amazon Jungle. We leave the Andes and journey down into the lush Amazon jungle. From here, the true adventure begins as we head further inland to the remote jungle town of Tena, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. This will be our starting point for our Amazon adventure.  
The Amazon is a rich and lush terrain, and home to hundreds of species of plants and trees. We'll discover the many uses of local medicinal plants used by the Quechua people, as well as learning survival techniques and how the locals hunt for food. Perhaps indulge in the local delicacy of lemon ants? We'll explore some impressive jungle canyons, discovering butterflies, bats, migratory birds and insects. Later we'll float down the River Anzu to the confluence of the River Napo. The following day, depending on local conditions, we will either spend the morning hiking through the jungle in search of diverse birds and wildlife, and  visit a local indigenous community, followed by fishing and a refreshing swim in the river. Alternatively we may travel by motorised canoe along the River Arajuno, followed by a visit to a wildlife centre that is home to many species of  Amazonian animals, along with a chance to visit an Indian museum.
 
We stay at Shangri-La lodge (alternative acommodation may be used in the event Shangri-La is unavailable), just outside Tena, where you can relax and soak up views over the rainforest of clouds snaking across the jungle and fabulous sunsets.

Cuenca.  Our next destination is Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador, and considered by many to be the most attractive. It has many fine colonial churches, a lovely plaza, cobbled streets. Don't miss Cuenca's fantastic markets! The city is also home to the Panama hat.

We will visit the factory for a tour to see how they are made, and then you have the opportunity of buying one of these famous hats from the factory shop. 

Huanchaco, Chan Chan Ruins. Huanchaco is a Peruvian resort, known for its caballitos (little horses), small canoes made from reeds. Arriving off the nightbus, you will have a free day to relax at the beach. Local fishermen can often be seen in their caballitos surfing into the beach with their day’s catch. The following morning we take a step back in time with a morning visit to the amazing archaeological site of Chan Chan. Chan Chan is the imperial city of the Chimu culture, and is the largest adobe city in the world, covering 28 square kilometres. The ruins contain the remains of palaces, temples, workshops, streets, houses, gardens and a canal. There are well-preserved moulded decorations showing small figures of fish, birds and geometric motifs. We take a guided tour of these fascinating ruins, as well as the huge pyramid Temple of the Moon built by the Moche tribe nearby. The Temple of the Moon has brightly coloured moulded decorations found on interior walls. You will have a free afternoon to make an optional trip to Trujillo before boarding a nightbus to journey through the mountains to the Andean town of Huaraz.

Lima. Lima, the capital city of Peru, is a huge, sprawling and very busy city with a population of 8 million people - one third of the population of Peru. After the conquest of the Incas, the leader of the Spanish Conquerors, Francisco Pizarro looked to establish a capital for the new Spanish colonies in South America. The Inca capital of Cusco was not considered suitable as the Spanish were sea-faring people, and so Lima was founded in 1535. It was originally known as the City of Kings. Lima became the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty of South America. Lima has some great colonial architecture and some of the best museums in Peru. The Plaza de Armas has the main Cathedral, which houses the remains of Francisco Pizarro as well as many beautiful monuments. Also on the Plaza is the Presidential Palace, where each morning the palace guards perform a changing of the guard ceremony. The fabulous Gold Museum houses a private collection of gold and weapons, and the Museo de la Nacion houses many exhibits and artefacts from the ancient cultures of Peru.

Our tour ends upon arrival in Lima.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible but please note that Latin America does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in South America can change rapidly and changes to the itinerary may be necessary.

CONTINGENCY FUND:
Protests and civil unrest occasionally take place in South America, namely Peru and Bolivia. Occasionally this might mean that we have to fly between two destinations in order to continue the tour. We strongly recommend that you bring along a contingency fund (as a guide we suggest USD300) or a credit card to cover any unexpected additional travel costs that may arise in these circumstances.

Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

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.

PLEASE NOTE IF YOUR TOUR INCLUDES THE INCA TRAIL, KUMUKA MUST HAVE YOUR FULL NAME, PASSPORT DETAILS AND DATE OF BIRTH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO SECURE YOUR TREKKING PERMIT. ALL PERMITS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.

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. Yellow Fever certificate also required for Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru but only if arriving from an infected area.

Please refer to the Yellow Fever information under the Latest News section on our website. Yellow Fever vaccination is now recommended for parts of Argentina, and parts of Brazil. We strongly recommend that you consult your GP or Travel Clinic at least several weeks prior to departure to check current Yellow Fever vaccination requirements. Your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate should be carried with you at all times.

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.
You can also visit www.kumuka.com.

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.

Medication requiring refrigeration whilst on tour:
Kumuka Worldwide does not take responsibility for client medication during their trip and cannot guarantee refrigeration facilities. It is your responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure that during your trip, your medication is stored correctly and available for use whenever it is required.

• For clients booked on our South America Small Group Tours:
 Please be aware that these can involve some bus journeys of up to 18 hours.

• For clients booked on our South America Overland Tours:
  Average journey times are 8-10 hours, though some travel days can be considerably longer.

• All journey times are approximate and can be subject to delays.

• On included excursions such as the Inca Trail, jungle and Pantanal trips we cannot guarantee facilities to be able to keep medication cold.

• Not all hotels provide refrigeration facilities.

• On all Kumuka Worldwide South America trips, the availability and provision of ice is random, and can be sporadic.

Prophylactic tablets are essential in some areas of South America. They are prescribed by your vaccinating doctor and should be taken as directed.

• We recommend that you do not take unnecessary valuables with you. Wearing jewellery and expensive watches will attract attention.
• 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, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at your own risk.
• 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.

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. We choose our hotels, guesthouses and hostels for their location, comfort, security and hygiene standards. All are located near the city centre usually within easy walking distance of services and facilities. Most rooms are on a twin, double or triple share basis with private bathrooms.

Accommodation is not included in the city of departure or arrival (unless within the specified tour dates). Passengers doing a combination tour will have accommodation included when passing through a joining city (maximum 2 nights) providing they have booked on the combination tour code.

You should allow US$25 to US$40 per day to cover food and accommodation during this time.

The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from your trip. It is all about participation and mucking in with your fellow passengers!

Please note: The longer Kumuka tours are combinations of shorter tours. Lima and La Paz are also pickup and drop off points for passengers so new faces and personalities will join the tours.

Most passengers will travel with digital cameras. Should you run out of memory you can download your photos onto CD at the local internet cafes or camera shops on your tour. Alternatively, you may be able to purchase extra memory cards.

With regards to film, all types of camera film are readily available in South America. However, it is often cheaper to purchase it in your country of origin or through duty free.

Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. Most Latin American countries have very strict rules about taking photos of army, police or any official personnel; restrictions apply at borders, bridges and any government building. Please exercise care in this regard as the penalty may be to have your camera confiscated. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations.

Spanish is the language most widely spoken in the countries we visit in Latin America but English is spoken a little bit in the larger cities. In Brazil the main language is Portugese. Other languages you may encounter are; Quechua, spoken in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, Amyara spoken in Peru and Bolivia. Welsh is spoken in some of the old Welsh colonies of Argentinean Patagonia, with Guarani spoken in Northern Argentina. The Amazon region of Brazil is also home to many tribal languages, for example, Tupi.

You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com and click on "Your Travel".

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella - this should prepare you for anything!

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour leader 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).

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

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.