• > Why travel with Djoser to Trans-South America?
• > What is lodging like?
• > How is travel organized?
• > What is the best time of year to travel on the Trans-South America tour?
• > What kind of clothing should I bring?
• > Do I need a visa to visit Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil?
• > What is the best form of payment to bring with me on this tour… can I take cash out at ATM machines for example?
• > Is altitude sickness an issue on this tour?
• > Is it possible to extend this tour?
• > I will be joining a Dutch (International) group? Will I have problems with language?

Why travel with Djoser to Trans-South America?

The 28-day tour is a unique trip through the less known and less traveled parts of Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. We make use of good middle class hotels at which breakfast is included. A Dutch tour guide accompanies the tour.
The bottom point of South America knows a great cultural and natural diversity: from centuries-old Indian cultures in the Andes and small Spanish colonial cities to outstretched nature areas, volcanoes and deserts. We fly to the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile. We then drive along the coast to the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert. We enter neighboring country Argentina by way of the impressive Andes mountain range. In this region you find pre-Colombian ruins and small Indian villages. Paraguay is mostly known for its beautiful mission posts which you can visit. A natural wonder is situated at the three-country point: the waterfalls of Iguacu, the largest in the world! Rio de Janeiro forms the exuberant ending point of this tour.

What is lodging like?

We spend the nights in middle class hotels which, wherever possible, are centrally located. Save for a few exceptions the rooms are equipped with shower and toilet, and wherever necessary there is air-conditioning in the room. Some hotels have a (small) swimming pool. At the end of the tour you can take a nice rest at the beach. Our hotel in Rio is fitted with all comforts and is situated close to the beach of Copacabana.

Click on the following link to view some of our lodgings: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

How is travel organized?

On the tour through Trans-South America we will make use of buses. For some drives we will make use of our own private bus, for other drives we will make use of good public buses. Often these are touring cars that are equipped with toilet, air-conditioning, video, pillows and blankets. For the longer drives we will make use of so-called “semi-cama-autobuses.” This means that the chairs can be converted into a kind of half-bed. In this way you travel quite comfortably and you can sleep during the nightly drives. Take into account that there will be a few long travel days, since we will be traversing a continent and will be visiting four countries on the way!

Click on the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

What is the best time of year to travel on the Trans-South America tour?

We will pass through a variety of climates. In our summertime you can expect some cold nights (40°F) and cool days (about 60°) in Santiago, San Pedro, Salta and Cafayate. In this period the ski slopes near Santiago are in full swing (2400-3400m.). In Vina del Mar, La Serena, Missiones, Foz and Curitiba the nights are cool (50°-60°), but during the day it is sunny and about 70°-80°F. In Parati and Rio days are sunny and warm, from 75°-85°F.
In spring or fall it is a bit warmer everywhere and you can add about 15°F to our summer temperatures. There is real summer-like weather everywhere here in our wintertime. During the day temperatures everywhere climb past 85°F. On this tour it is possible to go snowboarding and snorkeling in one vacation! You can make hikes through deserts, across snowcapped mountains and through a damp rain forest.

What kind of clothing should I bring?

Due to the differences in climate it is recommended that you bring light clothing as well as, for example, a warm sweater. It is most convenient to wear layers of clothing. Since there are many possibilities for hiking on this tour you should bring good hiking shoes with solid traction.

Do I need a visa to visit Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil?

For the Trans-South America tour you do not need a visa. You should, however, know that your passport must be valid for six more months after your departure from Brazil.

What is the best form of payment to bring with me on this tour… can I take cash out at ATM machines for example?

In the larger cities you can take out cash at ATM machines. Also bring American dollars with you, which you can exchange everywhere. In some places credit cards are accepted as a form of payment, but these are only useful for larger expenditures. Traveler’s checks in $US are often accepted, but in smaller places these are not easily exchangeable.

Is altitude sickness an issue on this tour?

On this tour you will not really experience problems as a result of the altitude. The highest place where we will spend the night is located at about 2400 meters. Only during the travel day to Salta will we travel across a pass situated at 4000 meters. Here you can experience some inconvenience from the altitude, but this will mostly likely be limited to somewhat of a headache or some shortness of breath. It is important to drink a lot of water on this day.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

When you book your trip you can request a layover. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. If you would like an extension you can request an extension when you book for $100 per extension (for flight deviation). Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend or layover. Neither hotels or airport transfers are provided for layovers and extensions.

I will be joining a Dutch (International) group? Will I have problems with language?

It is possible that you could be one of a maximum of four North American travelers on this trip, made up of Dutch travelers from Djoser, Netherlands. Almost all travelers from the Netherlands have a wonderful command of English and are willing to socialize. Many fellow travelers are willing to help with translations. The Dutch tour leader (who is a trip coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group, first in Dutch. He/she will then repeat the important information to you in English. There is a breakfast meeting with the group and tour leader each day, which is a good time to review materials and to go over plans for the day. At some stops we may also have the assistance of a local country guide will address the group in English. While the tour leader will help you to assimilate, you will not get a word-for-word repeat of all that is said or written in Dutch.

The overwhelming majority of people who book these trips enjoy the international blend but frankly, it is not for everyone. It is inevitable that there will be times when your fellow travelers are speaking Dutch. If you have a travel partner, it is much easier to blend in to conversation, or at least to have a buffer for an English conversation. A flexible and easy-going nature are essential when joining an international group. Single travelers may feel a little isolated at such times, particularly at the beginning of the trip. But as the group gets to know each other, socializing gets easier. Before booking, you can check with us to see if another North American traveler has booked. Singles who adapt well on these trips are typically experienced travelers, more independent type travelers or those who are comfortable with English being the second language on the trip.