South American Explorer

A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.

Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Latin America. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control. 

You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).  

You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 

Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 

Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip. 

Parts of this trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it's common for some travellers to experience shortness of breath, nausea or light-headedness. While it's usually not severe in most cases, it’s always best to be prepared. That’s why we recommend that you carry your own medication and read a trusted health advisory for tips on how to combat altitude sickness. Plus, your Trip Managers will give you loads of helpful advice and before and during the trip.

If you’ve selected to do the Inca trail one-day hike, you’ll be walking 13 km or 8 miles on foot for about 6-7 hours. This is a moderate hike with the highest elevation being 2,720m / 8,924 ft - so there’s no need to do any prior training as long as you’re relatively fit and active.

There’s no road access during the hike, so you’ll have to complete the trek in its entirety once you start. Not sure what to bring? Check out your guest document for all the info.

Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).

It depends on where you’re travelling to. Cities in Peru, Argentina and Brazil have lots of ATMs (just be careful of those sneaky fees). But you’re better off carrying cash when visiting rural places. 

Peru’s climate varies by region - subtropical desert on the coast (AKA la Costa), rainy and tropical in the Amazon forest (AKA la Selva), and temperate in the Andes (AKA la Sierra), with cold peaks. Summers are wet in the mountains and dry on the coast. Annual temperatures range from 83°F (28°C) in the rainforest to 45°F (7°C) in the highlands. 

Argentina’s climate is wildly diverse - think warm, moderate, arid, and cold zones. Buenos Aires has hot, humid summers (up to 100°F) and mild winters (rarely below 40°F). Brazil? Equatorial in the north, tropical in the center, and subtropical down south. Rio stays warm year-round, with a hot, muggy season from December to March. Pack accordingly!  

Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you're travelling to Argentina, Peru and Brazil. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.

Keep it light but essential:  comfy hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, layers for all conditions, a rain poncho, a small daypack, sun protection, water, energy snacks, a basic first aid kit, and any personal medications. Don’t worry tho, your Trip Manager will send a full list of things you should pack before your trip starts.

Contiki is the complete travel experience for 18-35s, with over 200 trips to choose from across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. We take care of your stays, local transportation and truly unique travel experiences too, so you just need to show up and have the time of your life.

You’ll join a group of friendly people from all over the world, all aged between 18 and 35. Contiki has been taking young travelers across the world since 1962, and we’re rated 4.7/5 on Feefo based on over 25,000 independent reviews. Imagine how good you’d be at something if you’d been doing it for over 60 years?

Not at all! You’ll certainly have the option to explore a destination’s nightlife (and the Trip Manager may point you to their fave bars) but there’s absolutely no pressure to join in. In most groups, there’ll be a good mix of people who like to party and people who like to take it easy. Your Trip Manager will have this in mind, and they can suggest lots of night time activities that don’t involve drinking.

Choose from well over 200 trips around the world. You’ll find Contiki trips in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. Popular destinations include the Greek Islands, Italy, Thailand, Japan and South Africa. Browse all destinations here.

Contiki takes the stress out of global travel! Each of our trips are designed, tried and tested by travel experts so that you’ll experience the main highlights and hidden gems of your chosen destination. 

Stays, local transportation and awesome experiences are included with every trip. You’ll also travel with a friendly group of 18 to 35-year-olds, plus a highly trained Trip Manager and Trip Driver. This means that all you need to do is choose your adventure and then turn up at the designated starting point (usually the hotel/hostel for Day One). 

You can secure your booking with a low deposit, and then set up an (interest free) payment plan to take care of the rest. Choose monthly or bi-weekly payments. If you’d prefer, you can also pay the full amount upfront or pay in flexible instalments up to 60 days before you go.

Your visa requirements can change according to your citizenship. Check out our handy  guide to visas for all the info.

Not always. You’ll travel by the iconic Contiki coach on lots of trips, especially multi-country adventures in Europe or New Zealand – but you have other options too. We have awesome train trips running throughout Europe, then there’s sailing & island hopping in Croatia, Greece, Thailand and beyond. Outside of Europe, you might travel on a mix of trains, minibuses, boats and even planes. Wanna know how you’ll travel on a specific trip? You’ll find all the info you need on the trip page. 

Group sizes will vary from trip to trip, destination to destination. 

Typically in Europe, North America and New Zealand, the group size will range between 24-53. 

In Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America, group sizes are much smaller and range from 12-30 travelers (30 maximum).

You certainly can. All of our trips are available to book online, just select your preferred travel date(s) and you’re good to go. You can also book over the phone if you'd prefer.

If you need help with your booking or have any questions, you can contact our friendly support teams 24/7, online or over the phone.

Each and every Contiki trip includes: 

• Hotel/hostel accommodations
• Local transportation (by coach, train or internal flight) 
• Various experiences like guided tours and meals 
• An expert Trip Manager & Driver and
• MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
• Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too) 
• A group of friendly travelers from around the world, all aged 18-35
• 24/7 support

The number of included meals and activities varies from trip to trip. For example, you’ll find that on many of our city trips, fewer meals are included so you have the freedom to explore different eateries for yourself. 

Wanna know exactly what’s included on a specific trip? Just check the trip page for a more detailed breakdown.

Flights to/from your start/end destination are not included with the cost of your trip. You can add flights to your online booking though – lock them in with a small deposit and pay the rest over time up to 30 days before you go.

Our trips also include optional Free Time Add-Ons – experiences designed to help you get the most out of your Contiki trip. These could be anything from white water rafting to cooking classes, skydiving to a cabaret show. On Day One of your trip, you’ll get to select from a menu of Free Time Add-Ons, and then you can pay for them during the trip.

Breakfast is included on the vast majority of our trips, but not all food is. In most cases, the itinerary has been designed to give you the freedom to explore and choose where/what to eat for yourself (with tips from your Trip Manager/local guides). The number of included meals varies from trip to trip. Got your eye on a specific trip? Visit the trip page for a full breakdown of what’s included. 

Contiki trips don’t include visas or travel insurance. As the traveler, it is your responsibility to procure each of these for yourself – although we can advise on both! Contact our friendly team 24/7, online or over the phone.

Contiki is committed to sustainable travel, and to doing our very best both for the future of our planet and the travellers of tomorrow! We’re on track to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, we’re proud to report that our European coaches now run on HVO fuel, and our exclusive properties are powered by 100% renewable energy. 

The majority of our trips include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, designed to benefit local people & communities, wildlife or the planet – aligned with at least one of the United Nations’ Goals for Sustainable Development.

In recent years, we’ve… 

• Announced more trips in more developing regions to help combat over tourism
• Partnered with organisations like Trees for Life (Scotland) and Rainforest Rescue (Australia)
• Published our annual Impact Report, making sure we stay on track with our sustainability goals 
• Committed to being as inclusive as possible, both on our trips and in our marketing

Learn more here.

Yes! It’s a requirement of traveling with Contiki that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy, covering: 

• Cancellation
• Personal injury
• Death
• Medical expenses
• Repatriation expenses
• Evacuation expenses
• Personal liability
• Loss of personal property
• Any and all activities included on your trip

Want Contiki to cover your trip? Learn more about our Travel Protection Plan.

Yes and yes. You can add pre- and post-trip accommodations to your booking in one of three ways:

• When booking your trip online
• In the My Contiki Travel Portal after you've made your booking
• By calling us any time on 1 (866) 266 8454 In certain cities, you may even be able to secure a preferential rate for your pre- or post-trip accommodations.

Wanna make the most of your time in a new destination? Many smaller Contiki trips make awesome add-ons to larger adventures. I.e. If your trip starts/ends in London, you can join our London Explorer to get the lowdown on London. To learn more about add-on trips, chat to us 24/7 online or over the phone.

Of course you can! You’ll just need to book each trip separately, then add each individual booking to your My Contiki Travel Portal account. 

If you’re booking two adjoining trips (i.e. one trip ends in London and you’re booking another that starts in London), just make sure you have enough time between the two.

Need help or have questions about multiple bookings? Chat to our friendly team 24/7, online or over the phone on 1 (866) 266 8454. 

Visit our Travel Lounge on Facebook to chat to our awesome Contiki community – made up of Past Travelers, Trip Managers and future travelers too.