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BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Choose the right adventure for you:
First, determine your preferred activity and level of
difficulty by reading our Trip Categories & Ratings.
Next, use Find a Trip on our home page to locate departures
that meet your criteria and travel window.
Then, review the particular trip online and download the
“View More Details & Day-by-Day Itinerary” link or request
printed copies.
Finally, contact us for advice or answers to your
questions, to find out which departures have groups forming,
to check availability for your preferred adventure or to
design a private trip around your own dates.
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Submit Earthbound Adventures’ Trip Reservation form with
the trip deposit (payable by check or credit card — Visa,
MasterCard, Discover or American Express). Private or
customized adventures require a $700-2,000 per person
deposit according to trip length and destination, among
other factors.
The form may be completed and your deposit submitted at our
secure Online Trip Reservation Form.
Or you may mail/fax our printable Trip Reservation Form
(PDF) to our office along with your deposit.
If you prefer, you may call us toll free at 800.44.7554 to
make your payment arrangements (your deposit will be charged
and your reservation confirmed once we receive your Trip
Reservation Form).
We suggest you review our Terms & Conditions and Assumption
of Risks and Release of Liability prior to requesting your
reservation.
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Tours
The most comfortable style in which to appreciate the
cultural and natural attractions of South America, tours are
non-camping adventures focused on the learning experience.
Guests stay in first-class hotels, lodges or inns, and most
itineraries include discretionary walking tours, wildlife
observation or photo sessions, overland drives, chartered
flights, boat or motorized canoe travel, and/or other
easy-to-moderate outdoor activities.
Cruises
Nature- and wildlife-oriented, cruises are an ideal way to
discover the rivers, lakes and seas of South America. Travel
and accommodations are aboard well-appointed, comfortable
vessels (yachts, sailing boats, river boats or catamarans,
with side trips and stops for guided walks, wildlife
observation, birding, diving, snorkeling, and/or canoe
excursions.
Treks
Focused on exploring less accessible regions by foot,
trekking programs always include some camping (sleeping in
four-season tents on inflatable sleeping pads) as well as
some nights spent in distinctive hotels, local inns or
mountain huts. Tasty, nutritious meals are prepared by a
camp cook and are served by candlelight in an enclosed
dining tent or mountain refuge. An experienced guide leads
the way, explaining sights as well as the traditions and
natural history of the area, and a local staff handles the
camp chores. Trekkers typically walk with a daypack
containing their camera, water bottle and smaller personal
items while pack animals or porters carry camping gear, food
and guests' luggage.
Mountain Bike Tours
Most Andean backroads are still unpaved, so we use 18- or
21-speed, all-terrain mountain bikes to make the going more
enjoyable for bikers of all abilities—with the added
attraction of sampling a few single-track options! All
mountain bike tours include a support vehicle to carry gear
and repair kits as well as water, snacks, bicycles, and on
occasion, riders. Some programs are inn-to-inn featuring the
pleasures of a cozy room, hot shower and great meal at the
end of the day, while others incorporate a few nights of
tent camping with a cook and assistant serving the group.
Multi- sports activities.
These are activity-oriented trips where the means of travel
may be by foot, horse, 4x4 vehicle, raft, sea kayak,
motorized canoe or a combination of conveyances. They may be
more physically demanding than other programs depending on
the trip rating. Multi-sport trips that include stays in
rustic accommodations or camping, all jungle programs
(except cruises), mountaineering expeditions and rafting
trips fit into this category.
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These ratings will assist you in choosing the right
adventure for your abilities or experience.
Easy:Involves travel over rough roads and visits to regions
where modern medical facilities may not be readily
available. Easy, slow-paced activities such as walking tours
of 1-4 hours duration or motorized boat or canoe excursions
are optional. Elevations are generally below 11,000'. Good
health is necessary.
Moderate: Might include extensive overland travel on dirt roads,
boat or motorized canoe excursions, moderate day hikes,
river rafting (class II-III rapids) or other outdoor
pursuits of 3-6 hours duration. Occasional trips may include
1-3 nights camping. Elevations up to 13,000' can be reached.
Average fitness is required.
Challenging: Indicates an activity-oriented program involving up to 6
nights camping. Treks average 6-8 miles per day over diverse
terrain; rafting is class III-IV rapids; biking averages
20-30 miles per day. Altitudes near 13,000' are common while
elevations as high as 15,000' may be reached. Good fitness
is required.
Strenuous:
Signifies a challenging adventure with activities including
up to 14 nights camping. Treks average up to 10 miles per
day; whitewater rafting through class IV-V rapids; biking
averages 30-40 miles per day. Altitudes up to 17,000' are
frequent in trekking programs. Requires very good fitness
and stamina. Some prior experience is recommended. Very
Strenuous Trips (Grade IV+) are typically technical climbing
expeditions or remote backcountry trips that require
excellent fitness and a degree of experience.

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