The volcanic activity of Tungurahua, near Baños in Ecuador, has increased over the past week with ash plumes and the noises reported form explosions caused windows to vibrate in the affected area. Banos close by is very much on the overlanding routes in Ecuador, however we have no reports of this affecting tours.
Tucan Travel tours report that their tours have not been affected.
Many overland companies offer add on packages to the antarctic, but these too have been hit hard by fuel prices. Tucan have recently added US$600 due to their supplier Antarpply Expeditions adding a fuel surcharge. Read more
The public strikes in Bolivia have caused disruption to the roads and it seems distruptions to overland tours. Tucan have reported problems in and around Potosi and other major tourist destinations. In addition problems crossing into Peru.
False US$100 notes of the series CB B2 notes are still circulating and from time to time causing problems for travellers. Tucan report “If you have US$100 notes, you are advised to check them carefully. In the top left-hand corner and bottom right-hand corner of the side with the President’s face there are matching serial numbers. This serial number starts with CB and then directly under that you’ll see B2. At the bottom of the note near the signature of the Treasurer of the US it says which series of notes it is. If you are given these notes in the 2001 series, change them in your home country or wherever you found them, as they will not be accepted in South America”.
For more info
There has been a late change to the joining hotel in Santiago, for clients joining the Budget Expeditions style Andean Trek (BXTA2) on 21 June 2008 only. Please note that no other tours, travel styles or departures have been affected by this change. The previous joining hotel was the HI Santaigo Hotel. This has been changed to the Hotel Plaza Londres. More information
As the price of diesel continues to soar the repercussions are being felt, with companies like Quantas and BA grounding flights. British Airways has said today it will increase its fuel surcharges on all tickets issued from Tuesday 3 June.
In Malaysia a fuel ban for foreigners will be imposed on Friday. The price of fuel in Europe has soared with diesel around Euro 1.3 per litre!
Will we soon start to see “surcharges” on overland trips?
update: July 2008
Nomad Tours Fuel Surcharge: Effective from 01 July 2008, The surcharging is based on the difference between the current fuel price and the price that Nomadtours expected it to be when they costed out 2008 rates last February.
Tucan: Say “we are not levying fuel surcharges on our clients and we have no plans to” So good news for Tucan customers.
Tucan customers are being asked for a supplementary payment of US$75 for all treks from 26th May 2008, due to local increases in price.
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Tucan Travel has teamed up with international conservation charity World Land Trust to offer travellers the chance to compensate for their carbon emissions through WLT’s Carbon Balanced scheme. World Land Trust is a not-for-profit organisation, and Tucan Travel will promote its carbon offsetting programme to travellers. Tucan Travel will not profit from any contributions their clients make to the charity. Read furtherHowever this is for overland travellers to compensate for their flight emissions. In later months they plan to unveil a new scheme whereby travellers can also offset their land-based emissions.
By including the Budget brand, Tucan now offers travel across five continents. Budget tours have been incorporated as a fifth travel style.
Tucan at the same time have refreshed their website and have improved and upgraded forum sections and search facilities. As part of their re-structure they are offering new deals. Check out the discounts.
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