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Overland Expeditions - save 20% off selected tours
Spread your wings in South America in 2008
Want to get to know the diverse cultures and landscapes of South America? Do you love the great outdoors? Would you love to camp on amazing beaches and in the lush national parks? If you're after a breath of fresh air, then these tours could provide then inspiration you're looking for!
Follow the links below to learn more about the tour itineraries. The Overland Expeditions travel style is explained in full on our website. Please note that this discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and applies only to the departures listed below.
Departure: 05 February 08
 TA Iguazu 1 - 98 days - Rio to Quito
A very popular journey exploring the Andes from the equator to Tierra del Fuego, the most southern land mass in South America. We begin in spectacular Rio de Janeiro and finish in Quito after travelling up the Pacific coastline and through the Andes. This expedition is non stop fun and action from start to end! Highlights include the Inca Trail trek, Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine and Iguazu Falls.
 TD Iguazu 2 - 81 days - Rio to Lima
Journey through the deserts of Peru, explore the Andes the most southern land mass in South America, Tierra del Fuego. It’s then up the Atlantic coast to finish in spectacular Rio de Janeiro, non stop fun and action from start to end. Highlights include the Inca Trail trek, Machu Picchu, Torres del Paine and Iguazu Falls.
 SRQ Sumac - 63 days - Rio to Quito
An incredible journey combining all the major sights of the Inca empire as well as the chance to see cultures pre-dating the Incas. We follow the Pacific coastline before passing down through the Andes to the Atlantic coast. This expedition encompasses mountains, jungles, deserts, waterfalls and vast farmlands and offers a great insight into South America’s extreme diversity.
 LRL Altiplano - 46 days - Rio to Lima
The journey of a lifetime from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean across the heart of South America, encompassing all forms of terrain and most of the major sights that this amazing continent has to offer, including the Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca.
 SRP Parati - 24 days - Rio to La Paz
Clock up some serious sightseeing on this fascinating overland journey across the continent, from Brazil, through Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia.
 TRS Tierra del Fuego - 42 days - Rio to Santiago
Take a journey through the windswept expanse of Patagonia to the world’s most southerly continental land mass, Tierra del Fuego, then along the Atlantic coast to vibrant Rio de Janeiro. There are deep blue lakes, smoking snow-capped volcanoes and stunning mountains. Wildlife abounds and there’s the chance to see many species in their natural habitat on this exciting tour.
Departure: 18 March 08
 ASQ Andino - 56 days - Santiago to Quito
Travelling down the backbone of the Andes mountains, this trip combines man of South America's highlights into an exciting adventure. As well as a vast number of geographical sights like jungles, deserts and volcanoes, there is a chance to glimpse the remnants of some of the oldest civilisations on earth.
 DSL Atacama - 39 days - Santiago to Lima
Taking in culturally rich coastal areas and the high Andes, home of the Incas, this tour explores the diverse countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
Early Bird Discount
Book now to receive 10% off the tour price of any group tour
Email us: UK & Europe
Reservations ph. (+44) 020 8896 1600
Email us: Australia, NZ, USA & Canada and rest of the world
Reservations ph. (+61) 02 9326 6633
A message from the directors
It's the end of another great year for Tucan Travel and Budget Expeditions
 Firstly, we would like to thank you, our clients, for supporting us this year. We know you have had a great time on our tours around the world and we welcome you to travel with us again in 2008 on new worldwide journeys. It will be an exciting year for us as we embark on new adventures across the globe and of course we would love to have you travelling by our side again. Stay tuned to the Tucan Traveller newsletters for exciting news coming at the end of January 2008.
 We would also like to personally thank all of our staff for making this year the most successful and rewarding on record. Client feedback indicates that our product and services are moving from strength to strength, with customer satisfaction levels at 99% this year according to post-tour questionnaires. It is the customer feedback, both good and sometimes not so good, that has lead us to improve our tours and services to their highest level, and increased sales beyond expectations. Also, by offering high quality tours at affordable prices rather than aiming to be the cheapest, Tucan Travel has achieved strong growth in repeat business and has gained many new extremely satisfied customers - a fact that we as a company can be very proud of.
A very happy festive season to all our staff and clients and we are looking forward to exceeding customer expectations in the year ahead.
Best wishes,
Matt Gannan, Pip Tyler & Liliana Tyler.
(Pictured above: Pip & Liliana Tyler. Below: Matt Gannan & his children).
A passenger's postcard from South America
Had the best time!
Nothing makes us happier than to hear that our passengers have enjoyed their travels with us - so when we get great feedback, we are always dying to share it with you too! Antoina McCormack recently travelled with Tucan Travel on the Best of South America Tour.
 "This was the first trip I had ever done on my own and to be honest I was rather nervous when I took off from Dublin Airport and the left the safety of family & friends behind!
I just wanted the bosses at Tucan to know that I had a fantastic time! Claire (Ward) was our "fearless leader" and to be honest she could not have looked after us any better. She was always patient and on hand to answer the various (repeated) questions thrown at her, she always had a smile on her face and more's to the point, she always looked after everyone within the group (especially those who may have been feeling a bit low for what ever reason along the way). She dealt with all the dramas and even enjoyed a beer or two!"
Antonia McCormack, Ireland.
If you'd like to enjoy some of our tour leaders' TLC, why not follow in Antonia's footsteps?
Best of South America - 44 days - Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay & Brazil
SBL - Lima to Rio - 44 days
SBR - Rio to Lima - 44 days
Find out about the Adventure Tour style
 Let yourself fall in love with South America and indulge in the unique culture and tradition that characterises this great continent. Uncover the ancient mysteries of the Incas. Discover extraordinary wildlife in the lush Amazon Jungle and vast Pantanal Wetlands. Visit arid deserts, high cities, vast canyons, stunning waterfalls and beautiful lakes. From the Pacific to the Atlantic, this is truly the best of South America.
New vehicles in Africa
Custom built, purpose-designed expedition trucks
 Tucan Travel is proud to announce a new addition to its truck fleet, “Tom” (pictured, left)a powerful Mercedes Benz Actros which will carry groups of up to 34 passengers on expeditions in East and Southern Africa in 2008.
The robust new vehicle is the first of ten to be purpose-designed and custom built to European safety standards by specialist vehicle builders in Cape Town.
Named after his second son, UK based director Matt Gannan said the truck "Tom" would make a statement in Africa, as competitors would find it difficult to match it, or the rest of the new fleet, for quality and comfort.
“These exceptional trucks have been proven to be by far the most advanced and reliable on the road in South America. We want our customers to know they will get the same quality and service now in Africa,” he said.
“We take responsible travel very seriously,” added Australia based director Pip Tyler. “We also choose to use these vehicles because they are Euro 4 low emissions compliant and are powered by high 460 horse power engines which means travelling times are greatly reduced and the engines don’t have to work hard, which also keeps emissions down.”
 On board the new vehicles, which mirror the current fleet in South America, passengers will find tinted sliding windows, comfortable and spacious coach seats, large overhead luggage racks, carpeted interiors and refrigerators. The trucks are fitted with full air suspension to smooth out the varied terrain. Passengers can plug in their MP3 players and charge their camera batteries while they enjoy a book from the onboard library. To enhance the camping experience, the vehicles are fitted with an outside sound system and lights, BBQ plates and a spit roast system for cooking.
Click here to learn more about our Expedition Vehicles.
Blog your way into a 15% discount
Get yourself published on tucantravel.com
Are you going to take a tour with or Tucan Travel? Do you have a camera, a fun writing style and a thirst for travel? Are you keen to share you insights with friends and family and other travellers? Write a blog about your personal tour experience – and you could be rewarded with 15% off your next tour with us!
Your travel diary can cover anything you're passionate about – from the landscape to the locals, the adrenalin rush of adventure excursions and making new friends on tour. Tell us about the destinations that have most inspired you. Tell us where you’ve found the most amazing cocktails (many of us have a keen interest in that…) and share your experiences of days on public transport or our privately-owned mighty yellow expedition trucks. Send your blog to us as an email, just as you would write to your friends, and we can give your writing (and high-resolution photographs) a cosy home on our website, as well as that very nice discount on the tour price of your next Tucan Travel adventure.
E-mail me at cat@tucantravel.com with your idea, your name and departure date, and a writing sample or a link to your current blog (if you have one). We respond to every request and only a few conditions apply, so contact us today!
Just a vacation or could it be your vocation?
Join the crew at Budget Expeditions
 Are you good with groups of people? Do you have an outgoing personality and good leadership skills? Budget Expeditions is recruiting enthusiastic, professional tour leaders, drivers and cooks for the 2008 Europe Summer season (6 month contact). We are a world wide tour operator with over 20 years experience and can offer plenty of opportunities to move within the company to join crews in Latin America, Africa, Middle East or Asia.
Europe trips range from 2 – 6 weeks in length and travel all throughout Central & Eastern Europe. Why not take this opportunity to share your love of the continent with other like minded people during the summer? For more details, see our website, or contact cath@tucantravel.com for details.
The Personal Touch
Come and meet us at a travel show
So you've been online for inspiration, you have a guide book or two and you've squeezed your friends for information. Now it's time to get professional advice! Come and meet us at a travel show in the New Year. There are even more dates to diarise on our website.
UK
25 - 27 January 08: The Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show
BDC Islington
Stand no: 36
24 - 27 January 08: Holiday World Experience
RDS Dublin
Stand no: L10
31 January 08 - 3 February 08: Destinations Travel Show
Earls' Court Exhibition Centre, London
Stand no: AA23
Contact us to enquire about free entry vouchers - save £8 per person!
(Limit one voucher per enquiry - each voucher gives free entry to two people)
Australia
2 & 3 Feburary 08: Sydney Flight Centre Expo
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre
10.00am to 4pm
3 February 08: Albury Wodonga Travel Show
Albury Convention Centre, Swift Street, Albury
9.00am to 4.00pm
8 - 10 February 08: AFTA Sunday Mail Holiday Expo
Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide
10 February 08: Cairns Flight Centre Expo
Cairns International Hotel
10.00am to 3.00pm
Canada
27 February 07: Peru and Trekking Machu Picchu - Toronto
The Adventure Travel Company, 408 King Street West, Toronto
6.30pm
Attendance will be free of charge.
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