Rio Carnival is very popular and tickets and accommodation sell out quickly. Book early to secure the best rates and a seat for the festivities at the Sambodromo. Hotels typically charge for 3 to 4 mandatory nights during the main league period and 2 mandatory nights for the Winners' Parades, with restrictive cancellation policies.
New for 2025: Rio Carnival will now have 3 days of main parades (Sun, Mon & Tue). The duration of the night events will be shorter, with 4 instead of 6 schools parading each night.
The festivities begin with the B League Parades (28 Feb-1 Mar 2025), featuring 6 lower league schools parading each night. These parades are less extravagant and should only be considered if other travel plans prevent attendance at the Main League Parades (2-4 Mar, 2025). These showcase the most luxurious schools and are the most sought after events, so tickets should be ordered and prepaid by Sep 2024. The day of the parade is less important unless one is cheering for a particular school. The Winners Parades (8 Mar 2025) finally feature the top 5 schools from the Main Parades. Due to high demand, tickets must be ordered and prepaid by Sep 2024.

Parades at the Sambodromo generally run from 9pm to 2am. Shuttle services are available from midnight for those wishing to leave earlier.
Apart from the big parades, Carnival is also celebrated in the streets of Rio and other cities and regions, such as Salavador da Bahia, known for its typical street carnival.

 

Ticket types at Sambodromo:

• Grandstand Tickets: Located in Sector 09, these provide an overview of the parades.
• Box Seats: Located at street level in Sector 09, offering a close-up view of the parades.
• Lounge Access: Located in several sectors (mainly sector 02) with full catering including dinner, snacks, unlimited open bar with national brands, personalised T-shirts, covered area in case of rain and air conditioning. No numbered seats available.
• Private Suites: Available for 12, 24 or more guests with full catering, open bar, full rain cover, air conditioning and a private waiter.

Please note: Tickets for grandstands and box seats in international sector 09 (numbered seats) must be ordered by 1 August 2024. After this date, availability and prices may change. All pre-payments are non-refundable.

A new development is that more suppliers are using dynamic rates. In Brazil and parts of Colombia and Argentina, dynamic hotel rates challenge tour operators and DMCs with unpredictable price fluctuations. While stable rates help with planning, dynamic rates prevent consistent pricing, which affects sales and marketing. SAT often has to pre-pay for accommodation at current rates to avoid potential increases. 

We appreciate your understanding that these pre-payments may be passed on to you and that rates are only guaranteed at the time of booking.

Visits to Machu Picchu are booked for a pre-defined route and time slot (entry between 6am and 3pm), with a max. visit time of 2.5 hours per ticket (for the standard routes without hiking).

Since 1 June 2024, the circuits available at Machu Picchu have been slightly modified. There are now 3 general circuits to choose from when booking tickets, each with some variations and additional hiking options:

• The Panoramic Circuit: Offers the famous panoramic view of the citadel and excellent photo opportunities from above without visiting the citadel itself.
• The Classic Circuit: Offers the most comprehensive visit to the citadel. Our purchase priority.
• The Royal Circuit: Includes visits to important buildings in the lower part of the citadel and involves the least amount of climbing/stairs.

Hikes to Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain can be booked in advance at extra cost and subject to availability. Hikes to the Inca Bridge, Sungate, Gran Caverna & Huchuy Picchu are only available in high season (1 Jun - 15 Oct 2024 and 30 - 31 Dec 2024). Hikes are generally recommended for a second day visit. In particular, Huayna Picchu and Gran Caverna are hikes that we recommend only for experienced hikers.

 

Please note: As always, tickets are limited, so we generally need to purchase tickets for our guests at least 60 days in advance, sometimes earlier depending on online availability. To purchase tickets we need your guests' passport details incl. name, nationality, date of birth & passport number.

The Inca Trail is limited to 500 permits per day, including guides and staff. The classic 4 day/3 night trek includes accommodation in tents during the trek. However, glamping options are available for a more luxurious experience. The 4th day is dedicated to arriving in the morning and visiting Machu Picchu in the afternoon.
The visit to Machu Picchu focuses on the core of the citadel in the lower part. There is also a 2 days/1 night option with 1 day trekking, overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next day.

We recommend the trek during the dry season from May to Sept. Please note that the Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance.

An important reminder when planning a trip to the Andean highlands: In Peru & Bolivia, but also in other Andean countries, travellers will be at high altitudes, which can put them at risk of altitude sickness. The Andes cross Peru from north to south, with many attractions located above 2,500m (8,200ft). 

Altitude sickness can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeat and insomnia. To minimise altitude sickness, travellers should eat light meals, avoid alcohol, drink plenty of water and tea, avoid strenuous activities, drink fresh coca tea available in hotels, inform our guides or hotel staff if they feel unwell, consult a doctor if necessary and use oxygen tanks available in most hotels, buses and airports.

Our itineraries allow for gradual acclimatisation. Peru tours usually start at sea level in Lima. From here clients can travel to Arequipa (2,300m/7,546ft) and then on to the Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca, with altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 4,000m (9,845 to 13,125ft). If flying directly from Lima to Cusco, first visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,800m/9,186ft) with Machu Picchu before flying to Cusco (3,430m/ 11,25ft).

The Galapagos Islands, located 1,000km/ 620mi off the Ecuadorian coast, can only be reached by plane from Guayaquil or Quito (via Guayaquil) to Baltra / Santa Cruz (GPS) or San Cristobal (SCY). Please note that there is a -1 hour time difference between the islands and the mainland. SAT can handle the flights for you; especially if you are booking a Galapagos cruise, the flights must be booked through the cruise line. Baggage restrictions are 1 piece of 20kg, for inter-island flights 1 piece of 10kg (additional baggage is payable on site).
A minimum stay of 4 days/3 nights is recommended. Visits on the island must be guided by a naturalist. Groups are small with max. 16 guests per guide, and regulated by the National Park Authority. Explore the islands on luxury, first class or tourist cruises, or on an island-hopping programme, staying on one or more islands with daily excursions by land or boat. Speedboats between the islands take about 2 hrs and offer comfortable bus-like seats and life jackets. A new option is inter-island flights with ESAV Airlines. If staying on one of the main islands, avoid full board programmes. The charming towns of the Galapagos Islands have excellent restaurants, offering the chance to enjoy the local culture and cuisine. Despite improved signals from Starlink, internet is still limited in the Galapagos, making it a 'technology free' destination. 
No vaccinations are required to enter the Galapagos Islands. Travellers must pay for the Transit Control Card ($20 USD pp) and the Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee, both of which we can include in our package. From 1 Aug 2024, the National Park Entrance Fee will be increased from $100 to $200 pp (non-Ecuadorians over 12) to support conservation efforts.

Located in the border triangle of Argentina, Brazil & Paraguay, the Iguazú Falls are a series of 275 interconnected cataracts stretching over 3km/1.8mi. This makes it an ideal destination for multi-country tours, with 2 airports in Brazil (IGU) & Argentina (IGR). Accommodation options range from basic to luxury in Puerto Iguazú (ARG) & Foz do Iguaçu (BRA), as well as 2 hotels within the park, close to the falls: Argentina's 5* Gran Meliá Iguazú and Brazil's 5* Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas.

A minimum stay of 2 nights is recommended, 3 nights is ideal. Excursions are available with English & German speaking guides. Highlights of the tour include visits to both sides of the falls: The Argentinian side allows travellers to get closer to the falls, including the most impressive, Devil's Throat. The Brazilian side offers better panoramic views, perfect for photography. Other excursions include boat trips to the falls with Macuco Safari (BRA) & Gran Aventura (ARG), helicopter flights over the falls (BRA), and visits to the nearby bird park (BRA) and Guarani indigenous village (ARG). Outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking, biking, rafting, canopy tours and wildlife tours are also available. Evening activities include dinner shows in Foz do Iguaçu and the Argentine Culinary Experience in Puerto Iguazú.

For border crossings, the immigration offices of Argentina & Brazil are separated by a long bridge. Our buses are authorised to enter on both sides, so there is no need to change vehicles. The passport stamping process takes a minimum of 30-45 minutes on both sides. Keep this in mind if your clients are crossing the border to catch a flight.

Tip: Plan the visit to Iguazu around a full moon for a rare opportunity to see the lunar rainbow phenomenon over the falls.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of the world's most remote inhabited islands, located 3,500km/2,175mi from mainland Chile in the South Pacific. The island is 2 hours behind the Chilean mainland and observes daylight saving time, resulting in late sunrises and sunsets.

LATAM operates daily flights from Santiago (SCL) to Mataveri International Airport (IPC), with a flight time of approx. 5 hours. For the best views, book a window seat on the left side of the aircraft. Although LATAM's weekly direct flight from Papeete (Tahiti) is currently suspended, Easter Island could make a fascinating stopover on a round-the-world trip once connections to South America and French Polynesia resume. It can also be visited as part of a South America Air Pass or Circle Pacific Fare.

For now, Easter Island is best combined with a tour of Chile, with at least one overnight stay near Santiago airport. A minimum stay of 4 days/3 nights is recommended to explore the archaeological sites within the Rapa Nui National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the must-see attractions such as Orongo, Anakena Beach, Tongariki and Ranu Raraku Volcano. Our packages include a one-time entrance fee to the National Park.

Easter Island uses both Chilean Pesos & USD, some shops and restaurants even accept EUR, and credit cards are increasingly accepted. Due to its isolation, Easter Island is expensive for both visitors and locals, as almost all goods are flown in from Santiago. Accommodation ranges from simple cabins to 5-star resorts.

Tip: Plan the visit during the first two weeks of February to experience the annual Tapati Rapa Nui Festival, a vibrant display of Rapa Nui culture.

Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America, is located between its larger neighbours, Brazil and Argentina. It boasts 600km/373mi of coastline with pristine sandy beaches and stunning inland landscapes. During the local summer, it is the perfect place for a beach holiday.

Uruguay's summer season runs from December to February, with warm temperatures expected from mid-October to mid-April. Outside this warm season, many hotels and tourist attractions in beach destinations such as José Ignacio are closed.

Make sure to plan enough time in Uruguay. With over 120 options for rural tourism, including overnight stays and day trips to historic estancias, there is plenty to do all year round. Visitors can immerse themselves in gaucho culture and enjoy traditional country life. They can also visit traditional wineries and savour the exquisite flavours of Uruguayan wines.
 
Tip: Plan to visit a winery in the local autumn around Mar-Apr to experience the grape harvest and traditional wine festivals.

Colombia's Caribbean coast is perfect for those who want to combine colourful colonial cities, stunning landscapes and paradise beaches with warm temperatures all year round. The best time to visit is during the dry months of Dec-Mar and Jul-Aug, although the hurricane season runs from Jun-Nov. There are direct flights from major Colombian cities to Cartagena and Santa Marta, and even international flights to Cartagena.
 

Cartagena and Isla Barú:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, Cartagena is known for its colonial architecture, vibrant atmosphere and modern amenities. South of Cartagena, Isla Barú and its famous Playa Blanca is one of the best beach destinations, about 1h30min by car or 45min by boat across the Bay of Cartagena. Visitors can stay in one of the island's private hotels, which have their own beachfront and offer plenty of privacy. Isla Barú is located next to the Rosario Islands, a group of 27 small islands in the Caribbean Sea - mostly uninhabited - to the southwest of Cartagena, often visited as part of day boat trips from Cartagena.

 

Santa Marta & Tayrona National Natural Park:
Santa Marta, the oldest colonial city in Colombia, is known for its historic centre, cultural melting pot, stunning coastal scenery and the nearby mountain range Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The scenic drive from Cartagena or vice versa takes about 3-4h along a well-maintained coastal road.
Santa Marta is the gateway to the Tayrona National Natural Park, which offers a mix of tropical rainforest, beaches and coral reefs. The park entrance is a 1h drive from Santa Marta. Depending on which of the park's famous beaches visitors choose (Castilletes & Cañaveral, Arrecifes, La Piscina, Cabo San Juan, Punta Piedra & Playa Nudista), a 2-3h hike is required. The walk itself is not difficult as the path is well marked, easy to follow and consists of a mixture of earth, rocks and wooden platforms, but it can be sweaty due to the hot temperatures. Alternatively, a speedboat can be taken from Taganga, just 15min from Santa Marta, which drops passengers off on the beach at Cabo San Juan. Eco-friendly accommodation is available from a nice selection of lodges, campsites and eco-hubs within the park.

Please note the park closures in 2024: 1-15 Feb, 1-15 Jun & 19 Oct-2Nov. The fixed closure dates are set in January each year, but the times vary slightly, so please check with us each year for the exact dates.

 

San Andrés Island
San Andrés Island, part of the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Archipelago and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is located about 800 km (497 mi) northwest of the Colombian mainland and just 150 km (93 mi) east of Nicaragua. Direct flights to San Andrés Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport (ADZ) are available from major Colombian cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Cartagena, as well as from Panama and Costa Rica. Visitors must purchase a tourist card for $116,800 pesos (approx. USD 25), available before boarding or upon arrival.

Home to the world's third largest barrier reef, San Andrés is renowned for its excellent diving and snorkelling, thanks to the warm, clear waters and vibrant marine life around the surrounding cays and coral reefs. The Caribbean Sea, known as the 'Sea of Seven Colours', boasts stunning blues and turquoises. 

Highlights include a visit to Johnny Cay, a small island perfect for a day trip with white sandy beaches and clear waters; Hoyo Soplador, a natural geyser that shoots water high into the air; La Pisiciniata, a natural pool ideal for snorkelling and swimming with colourful fish; and San Luis, a charming area with traditional wooden houses, beautiful beaches and local cuisine.
Accommodation options range from family-run guesthouses and small boutique hotels to all-inclusive beach resorts. Those seeking more tranquillity should consider staying on the neighbouring islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina.

Leticia, the capital of the Amazonas department in Colombia, is a vibrant city located where Colombia meets Brazil and Peru. It serves as a gateway to the rich biodiversity of the Amazon basin. Direct domestic flights to Leticia's Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET) are available from major Colombian cities such as Bogotá and Medellín. Note that an arrival tax of USD 7 is payable in Colombian pesos in cash on landing.

 

The city has bustling markets where indigenous communities sell handmade crafts and fresh produce. Major attractions include Amacayacu National Park, a vast protected area renowned for its biodiversity, which can be explored on guided jungle treks or canoe trips; Isla de los Micos (Monkey Island), a short boat ride from Leticia and home to friendly capuchin monkeys; and the tri-border area where Colombia, Brazil and Peru meet. Amazon River tours offer the chance to explore the rainforest and visit remote indigenous villages. Puerto Nariño, a picturesque town about 90km from Leticia, known for its charming architecture, and Marasha Reserve, a private nature reserve, offer additional excursions. Finally, Lake Tarapoto, near Leticia, is a great place for birdwatching and swimming.

 

We recommend spending at least one night in Leticia before travelling on to a jungle lodge such as Calanoa Jungle Lodge.

LATAM Airlines Perú resumes direct flights from Lima to Montego Bay in north-western Jamaica. From 1 Dec, flights will operate three times a week on Tue, Sat & Sun with a flight time of just under 5 hours.

TAP Air Portugal resumes flights between Lisbon & Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. From 4 Nov, flights will operate three times a week, on Mon, Wed & Fri, with a stopover in Belém.

JetSMART now offers flights between Lima, Peru & Pereira in the Colombian Coffee Triangle. This new route operates twice weekly, on Thu & Sun, providing a convenient travel option between these 2 countries.