Planning
Do I have to stick to your example itineraries?
Not at all, they are provided as a sensible starting point but can easily be adapted as required. We have carefully designed them to show the best of a particular destination, based on our extensive practical experience.
What standard of accommodation do you use?
This entirely depends on your preferences and budget. In our example itineraries all accommodation is chosen primarily for its character, location and quality of service, and rooms will normally have private bathrooms.
Will you arrange our flights?
As an ATOL-bonded tour operator we can book scheduled flights (in all classes) with all the major airlines serving Latin America. These are special discounted fares for tour operators and we are not permitted to sell them without land arrangements. With some airlines it is possible to arrange UK regional departures. Many national airlines operate an air pass system, which can offer considerable savings compared to the cost of individual flights. All must be bought before travel, outside the country, usually in conjunction with international flights.
Can I arrange my own flights?
Yes. We do, however, offer competitive fares from the UK, and if we book these we can keep on top of any schedule changes that may occur after you have departed.
Are your trips escorted?
We only provide a Last Frontiers guide on our own group tours, for example our photography trips, when we also take a specialist in the appropriate field. Most of the wildlife lodges and cruises have their own specialist guides.
Are sightseeing tours private?
For independent travellers we use knowledgeable local guides chosen by our country partners. When we arrange local tours for you they will usually be on a private basis, so you will not be sharing with other people. In some areas it can be more practical or cost-effective to join regular trips organised by our local agents. We will specify which option you have in your quotation.
When are reservations confirmed?
When we have finalised plans for your trip you should send us a completed Booking Form with a deposit. We will explain this to you, but it is usually a Last Frontiers non-refundable deposit of £500 per person. Occasionally specific hotels or cruises request additional deposits, and we may recommend pre-paying some flights to ensure the best price. We will tell you to what extent these extra payments are refundable before departure.
When we have received your Booking Form and deposit we will proceed with actual reservations. If there is no availability for the dates you have requested we will let you know, and try and make alternative arrangements. This is usually just a matter of changing the order of your itinerary or substituting hotels with those of a similar standard, although you should bear in mind that at certain times of year hotels and flights are often fully booked well in advance.
We will then send you a summary of the status of your bookings with a Confirmation Invoice, showing the date on which the balance of your payment is due (normally 12 weeks before departure). We will also send you general pre-departure information which includes any health or visa requirements. Around 3 weeks before departure, and after we have received full payment, we will send you a detailed itinerary with comprehensive instructions and useful background information.
How is my money protected?
We hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2793, from the Civil Aviation Authority, as required under EU Regulations, which guarantees the security of holidays booked in the UK that include flights. For details see our bonding page.
How can I obtain further information?
For guide books we recommend any of those published by Footprint (such as the South American Handbook) for their comprehensive coverage, or Bradt for a more personal view. Or just call us - one of the team is almost certain to have been where you want to go!
