FAQ

Name: Grand Tour of South America: Brazil, Argentina & Peru
Brand: Go Ahead Tours
SKU: BSA
Rating: 4.75 (76 reviews)

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* This tour visits Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* As of January 10, 2024, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa in order to enter Brazil. You may do so by applying directly for an e-visa from Brazil’s [Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br/sci/pages/web/ui/#/cidadao-nacionalidade).
* There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter Argentina.
* Upon arrival in Peru, you will receive an Andean Immigration card that you will need to present when visiting Machu Picchu. In order to secure your entrance to Machu Picchu, travelers are required to confirm their full passport details with Go Ahead Tours no later than 45 days prior to your departure date.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* Entrance tickets into Machu Picchu require full passport information. Travelers must enter these details via your online account, mobile app, or by giving the Traveler Support Team a call by your Tour Finalization Date or risk **being denied** entry into Machu Picchu due to scarcity of tickets and daily entrance restrictions.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BSA)** and searching the code BSA.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 3 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and slippery walkways, with some hills at high altitudes.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and trains.
*   Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Tour Director

Accepted Answer

*   You will have one Tour Director while in Brazil and Argentina and a different Tour Director while in Peru.

Question 4

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Rio de Janeiro and depart from Lima. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   Flights from Rio to Iguazú Falls, Iguazú Fallsto Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires to Lima, Lima to Cuzco and then back to Lima are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes round-trip flights between Lima and Iquitos, in the northern Amazon).
*   Round-trip train rides between Aguas Calientes and Cuzco are also included in the price of your tour.
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 5

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
* You will need a small overnight bag (such as your carry-on bag) for your stay in Machu Picchu, as most luggage will need to be stored in Cuzco. The overnight bag must be smaller than 62 inches total (length + width + height). 
* When visiting Machu Picchu on the tour extension, there are restrictions in place for backpacks, food, umbrellas, and camera tripods.

Question 6

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. Comfortable, casual clothing and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are a must for sightseeing.
*   A lightweight jacket is recommended, as the temperatures will change with the elevation throughout your tour.
*   A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather. You may also wish to pack a swimsuit.
*   Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and insect repellent are essential for daily activities in the Amazon on the tour extension.
*   Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Question 7

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/).
* The Brazilian government strongly recommends that travelers receive a yellow fever vaccination before visiting certain areas of Brazil. While it is not required by the Brazilian government, Go Ahead Tours requires travelers to either receive the vaccination or provide a written notification that they understand and accept any associated risks if they choose not to be vaccinated. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions or concerns around receiving the vaccination. Visit [cdc.gov/yellowfever](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever) for more information.
* Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
* Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
* Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
* Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 12,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your healthcare provider regarding any potential health risks.
* Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms of headache, fatigue, nausea, and light-headedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you stay hydrated and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BSA)** and searching the code BSA.

Question 8

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   The cuisine of Brazil varies from region to region. Some staples like beans, coconut, dende oil, codfish, and shrimp, can be found throughout. The _caipirinha_, Brazil’s national cocktail, is made with _cachaça_ (a clear spirit distilled from sugar cane, like rum) mixed with sugar, mint and lime.
*   In Argentina, perhaps the most common dish is the _asado_, a series of salt-rubbed meats, ribs, and chorizo sausages cooked over a fire pit on metal grills and crosses. For dessert, try _dulce de leche_, a sweet honey-and-milk paste in pastries.
*   Peruvian cuisine reflects both the country’s indigenous cultures as well as European colonial and Pacific Rim influences. Staples include grains such as quinoa, maize and rice, as well as beans, potatoes and meat. Ceviche, traditionally raw sea bass marinated with lime and chilies, is a national dish. Adventurous eaters may want to try _cuy_, or roasted guinea pig that’s cooked over an open fire. You can also raise a toast with Peru’s famous pisco, the delicious (and sour) white-grape brandy.

Question 9

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Brazil operates on 127-220 volts and uses Types C or N plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
*   Argentina operates on 220 volts and uses Types C or I plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
*   Peru operates on 220 volts and uses Types A or C plugs with two flat pins or two round pins, respectively.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in some South American hotels may not be as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 10

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 11

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Argentina is three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and two hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Argentina currently does not observe daylight saving time, though the country decides on a year-by-year basis.
*   Brazil spans four time zones. Rio de Janeiro is 3 hours behind GMT and two hours ahead of ET.
*   Peru is five hours behind GMT, the same as ET. Peru does not observe daylight saving time.
*   From March through November, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 2pm in Rio and Buenos Aires and noon in Lima. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 1pm in Rio and Buenos Aires and 11am in Lima.

Question 12

Currency

Accepted Answer

* You will use the Brazilian real in Brazil, the Argentine peso in Argentina, and the Peruvian sol in Peru.
* Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
* We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
* While credit cards are accepted in Argentina, using credit cards typically comes with high upcharges/fees. To ensure a better exchange rate, travelers are recommended to convert USD and pay in cash where possible.
* You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
* Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 13

Tipping

Accepted Answer

* At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
* We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
* If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
* Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 14

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Grand Tour of South America: Brazil, Argentina & Peru

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