South America Adventure Travel And Tours

In 1990 Bruce Poon Tip launched G.A.P Adventures with the belief that other travellers would share his desire to experience authentic adventures in a responsible and sustainable manner. We've grown from a one-man show to a company of over 500, and from a handful of trips in Latin America to hundreds of adventures spanning the globe... and beyond! Over 85,000 travellers experience the real world with us every year. What hasn't changed is our passion for making sure you get behind the scenes to experience the real world in an authentic and sustainable manner.

Tucan Travel - Join us for your adventure of a lifetime.

Whether you want to travel on local transport and immerse yourself in the local culture or hightail it across the rugged countryside on a powerful, modern overland truck, or choose your own personalised itinerary, Tucan Travel has a travel style for you.

If you want to meet as many people as possible along the way, or just keep it small and intimate to give you that ‘friends on tour’ feeling, you will be able to see the world your way with our five distinctly different travel styles.

We offer travel options in Latin America, Antarctica, Asia and The Middle East for all travellers and Africa, South America and Europe specifically for 18 – 35’s.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <LongDescription> <ItemInfo itemNo="0"> <ItemHeader>Privately Owned &amp; Passionate</ItemHeader> <ItemBody>Having worked all over South America in the early 1980’s, Pip and Liliana Tyler founded one of the first ever South American adventure tour operations in 1987, and named their company Tucan Travel, after the famous South American bird (with its traditional Latin American spelling). In 1997, they joined forces with an old adversary and fellow tour operator, Matt Gannan. With their combined local knowledge and experience they pioneered many of the company routes and their ongoing passion for the continent helped Tucan Travel become one of the largest and most successful tour operators in Latin America. In 2003 Budget Expeditions was developed as an independent youth brand for 18 to 35s. In 2008 Tucan Travel took Budget Expeditions back under its wing as a travel style under the parent company name. The amalgamated Tucan Travel worldwide brand offers more than 300 group itineraries in 63 countries, as well as a range of independent stopover packages, so that any traveller can ‘take the adventure of a lifetime’. We can proudly guarantee the high standard of our tours because in 95% of destinations we operate them ourselves and do not sub-contract to other operators. On occasions where we use local guides, they are trained and supported by us and are expected to adhere to the top quality service our clients have come to expect. Staffed by a team of avid travellers, the company shares and encourages its clients’ exploratory spirit and the desire to see the world in an authentic way. Tucan Travel owns a fleet of comfortable, modern Mercedes Benz custom-built vehicles which comply with European emissions standards and are well equipped to deal with the demands of the varied terrain on tour. The company is committed to offering exciting and adventurous itineraries while encouraging responsible travel practices on the road and in its offices. We offer our clients the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions of our tours and pledge to reduce our company emissions by managing our energy efficiently and offsetting business travel. Tucan Travel has repeatedly proven that overland adventure travel can be comfortable, safe and inspirational for clients of all ages, cultures and fitness levels. Why not share the adventure with us? </ItemBody> </ItemInfo> </LongDescription>

About Chimu Adventures We are an enthusiastic, independently owned tour operator, specialising in Peru and Latin America. Our vision is to be a market leader in adventure tourism within the region, while still investing in local communities. We have intimate knowledge of the country and it's culture. We are different as we have lived, worked and called this beautiful continent home. Unlike many other operators, we have never cancelled a tour. Tours will go ahead irrespective of group numbers. <br/><br/><br/>Chimu employs Local guides and local support staff. We support sustainable tourism and work with NGO's in Peru and the other countries we operate to help further develop vital infrastructure for small communities. We believe in community trade and work with small independent hotels and businesses,which provide all of our needs on tour.<br/><br/>With operations in Australia, Europe and The Americas we are always close by no matter where you are. Our frequent information nights will give you the opportunity to meet our staff and guides face to face.<br/><br/>We cater for all people, and over 55's are very welcome on our tours. Our trips are about experiencing culture, and having a "sense" of adventure - this doesnt mean our tours are for extreme sports people or mountain goats! Its your tour which we can tailor for YOU!<br/><br/><br/>We are a registered Australian Company (ABN: 65 110 269 380) and licensed travel agent (NSW 2TA5968). As a registered operator we are also fully bonded members of the Travel Compensation Fund which is a fund that ensures our customers money is held safely giving peace of mind. This is a requirement of us under Australian law. Please always check that any tour you book has the same level of bonding and protection to the consumer.<br/> Chimu and the Local Community Chimu Adventures was a company set up with the vision to support and help develop local communities within Latin America. Chimu Adventures annually donates a portion of its profits to local communities, assisting them with local community projects. Local communities are selected on the basis of their needs and ambitions.<br/><br/>We are currently working with Project Peru, A UK based Non Government Organization which runs an orphanage in Zapallao in the shanty town outskirts of Lima. Project Peru also support other projects see the link on our main page for details on their work. We can organise a visit to the orphanage as part of your trip to Peru, or if you have any time or skills to volunteer we would like to hear from you!<br/><br/>We are a company with a strong agenda to work with the local community and to work to improve everyday life for all people in Latin America and the world at large.<br/><br/>Chimu adventures uses environmentally friendly practices where possible and the company operations are now carbon neutral. We also allow customers to make their tours carbon neutral (selected tours only).<br/>