USEFUL INFORMATIONDo not forget that if you are not sure of anything about any of my trips then please send an enquiry.
WHAT TO TAKEBelow is a list of items that we suggest you bring along on your trip. However the end list of items depends on each individual but please bear in mind the weight limitations of your luggage and in particular take exceptional note of what you can and cannot take in Hand Luggage also taking note of the size of any Hand Luggage you are allowed to take.
Please note:- These details have been put together following the recommended sizes, etc. at the time of this website being originally published. You should confirm anything with flight companies, bank exchange rates etc. Hand Luggage
At the moment only one piece of hand luggage is allowed on board any plane.
This should not be any larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and they are being very strict about this. All items such as money, passport, camera equipment need to be in this one piece of hand luggage ( in other words you should not have any thing at all in your pockets). Liquids, cosmetics, toiletries, gels or pastes (including food stuffs) and sharp items (including scissors and knives) are not allowed in hand luggage and should be in your main luggage. Any electronic equipment such as mobile phones and camera gear should be able to be taken out of the hand luggage easily for individual x-ray so you may like to bear this in mind when you are packing your hand luggage. Please note - Any tripod or monopod that you take should be carried in the main luggage not hand luggage Money
Depending on which trip we are taking I will let you know what currency is necessary. Sometimes it is more beneficial to exchange money in the country we visit but again I will let you know.
Most credit cards are usually accepted at most places but do not let it out of your sight when paying for anything. For security I keep a small amount of money in my pocket but keep my credit cards, other money and passport in a money belt or similar out of sight. It is not always possible to exchange travel cheques so I do not take any. Be vigilant at all times especially in airports. Essentials
Passport – This should be valid for 6 months beyond the return date of the trip. As we in the UK are now out of the European Union our passports are only valid 10 years from the issue date so please take this into account.
Plane tickets. Vaccination certificates – You cannot get into some countries without these – make sure they are all up to date. Travel Insurance. Medication - Malaria tablets if required and any personal medication. If you are on any personal medication then take a copy of your prescription with you just in case. Money including credit card. EHIC Card – this may be useful when travelling through European countries. As the UK has now come out of the European Union then once this card has expired then there are no others being issued therefore it is more important to make sure you are covered with insurance for any eventuality. Please note:- I always make copies of all the above documents and leave one copy at home and put one copy in my main luggage with the originals going in my hand luggage. Clothes
Good walking or hiking boots – Mine fit me like a glove and that is essential when we can be wearing them most of the day.
Lightweight pair of everyday trainers or similar for travelling in and around the lodge. Underwear. 3 or 4 pairs of lightweight long trousers. 3 or 4 long sleeved lightweight shirts. 2 or 3 tee shirts. 1 or 2 pairs of shorts – mostly for around the lodge. Swimwear – Towels are usually supplied at the lodges. Rain mac or cagoule. Do not forget glasses (for reading or other use) if you need them. Sunglasses are useful but a wide brimmed hat is just as good (or both if you have them). other items
Basic first aid kit – I always carry one but you are welcome to take one if you want
Toiletries. Sun cream. Mosquito repellent – Repellents with Deet in them, although very good, can destroy plastics in particular camera equipment so a non-deet repellent, I find, is better. Small day pack for excursions. Bottle or canteen to carry water on hikes. Torch for early morning or night walks with spare batteries. Binoculars. Camera/video equipment including spare batteries and memory cards. Do not forget your battery charger and universal adapter as power is available at all sites. Notebook and pen. rooms
All costs of trips are based on a shared room with twin or double beds. If you are travelling alone and do not mind sharing I will pair you with someone of the same gender.
If a single room is preferred or a suitable room-mate is not available a single supplement fee may be payable - Please see the costs for each trip. All rooms are usually ensuite although in some very remote regions we could have shared bathroom facilities however there will still be male and female options. Remember it is best to use bio-degradable soaps, shampoos etc. to avoid contaminating the areas that we visit. We very rarely use tents with hammocks however this will be made clear in the itinerary and is usually only for a few days of the entire trip. Some people really enjoy this though and gives more of a sense of adventure. electricity
Electricity is available at all of the lodges that we visit to be able to recharge any camera/video batteries.
However some lodges do not have electric available at all times so I will let you know on each trip if this is the case. Voltage can be 110v or 240v and in some cases both are available. Most modern battery chargers can accept a wide range of voltages. Usually if it is 110v items may take a little longer to charge. Don't forget your travel adapter. towels
All the lodges that we visit provide towels for personal hygiene and for use when swimming. There are either swimming pools at lodges or it may be possible to swim in local rivers but the individual lodges will advise on this.
It is not necessary to carry these bulky items with you in your luggage. Don't forget your swimming costume as a swim can be very welcome during the heat of the day when we cannot go looking for parrots and other wildlife. laundry
A laundry service is provided at some lodges however there is usually a charge for this service which is not included within the cost of the trip.
Some of my clients take a wash powder to clean smalls etc. but this is better to be eco-friendly. International flights
As we generally have people from different nationalities on our trips then most people prefer to arrange their own International Flights to the destination country.
This does give you the opportunity to be able to negotiate the price and route to the destination yourselves We are still able to organise flights from the UK to the Country of our trips but the cost may alter right up to the time of booking the actual flights. If we organise your International Flights there will be a £30 booking fee as we use agents to book our flights. The prices on our trips shows everything that is included within the trip and also shows an estimated flight cost to give you an idea of how much the whole trip will cost. Please ensure that we have given you confirmation of the trip dates, times and place to meet before you book your flights. internal flights
On some trips it maybe necessary to take some internal Flights within the countries that we are visiting.
The cost of these Flights are sometimes included within the cost of the trip but maybe extra. See trip details to check. multi-national groups
Our customers come from all walks of life from gap year students to mature travellers as well as from different countries including Europe (UK, France, Germany, Holland etc) as well as from the USA. Many customers have travelled with me several times.
Everyone is going on the trip for similar reasons to see the Parrots and the Wildlife in their Natural Habitats to enjoy a truly unique experience. itineraries
The itinerary for the trip may change slightly due to weather or other things beyond our control but it should not alter your enjoyment of the trip in any way. We may alter the days around to try to do everything on our original itinerary to get the best out of what we may see.
prices
All prices include all transport including drivers within the destination country, all accommodation, all meals (unless otherwise stated), all drinks (tea, coffee and water), all local guides (mostly English speaking).
NOT INCLUDED is the International flights, Internal flights, Travel insurance, visas, Items of a personal nature, souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, tips and Departure taxes. Where internal flights are necessary within the country of the trip some may be included with the trip but please check the itinerary. Some countries charge a Departure tax to leave the country - this is usually payable at the airport when leaving (for example Costa Rica is $29 per person). deposits
Deposits should be paid as soon as you have received a confirmation of booking (Please fill in the booking form first) - cost will vary depending on the length of trip.
Extra deposits per person may be required if you want to join any trip extensions, please see individual details on the relevant trip page. International Flights will need to be paid for in full or purchased by yourselves separately. Balance
The balance must be paid in full 90 days before departure date. A reminder will be sent.
The balance can be paid in instalments to suit yourself as long as it is paid in full by 90 days before departure date. payments
BANK TRANSFER - Please ask for details.
I now have a $US account as well as my £UK account so payments can be made in $US or £UK. CREDIT CARD - I am able to accept credit cards through a paypal account. If you want to pay then send me an email and I will send an invoice. PAYPAL - I can accept payment through paypal. PLEASE NOTE:- Anyone paying from any country other than the UK may have to pay other charges from their own bank and I suggest you enquire about any such possible extra charges. Apologies but due to the drop in value of the £UK and having to pay for all my trips in $US I have had to price my trips in $US. passports
All passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip.
Your passport must be carried with you at all times unless you are within the grounds of the lodge. I photocopy my passport and leave a copy at home as well as copies in different parts of my luggage - this applies to all other documents including travel insurance etc. visas
Visas are not necessary for UK passport holders at the moment on any of my trips.
If this changes I will inform everyone on the trip. Non-UK citizens (European and US citizens etc.) should seek advice from their own consulate. insurance
Travel Insurance is essential for all these trips but is not included in the price of the trip.
A copy of your travel insurance will be required for my records nearer to the departure date. medical
SPECIAL MEDICATION AND JABS
At least 2 months before the start of the trip you should consult your own doctor to have any relevant immunisations. Yellow fever is an issue in Brazil at the moment. Yellow fever jab is recommended by Wild Parrots Up Close. Although having the Yellow Fever Jab is not compulsory in any of the countries that we visit however countries can refuse entry if you do not have it. I always carry my Yellow Fever document with my passport just in case I am asked for it. Malaria is also becoming rarer. Both Yellow Fever and Malaria are spread by mosquitoes so we recommend wearing long sleeve shirts/tops and long trousers as well as applying mosquito repellant. These measures will help avoid being bitten in the first place which reduces the risk of disease. General First Aid
There are usually mosquitoes on most of our trips so anti-mosi spray and afterbite are recommended.
Anti-mosi spray with Deet in, although very good, can cause corrosive damage to plastics, as on camera and video equipment, and clothing so I use a non-deet brand. I always carry a small well equipped first aid kit but you are welcome to take your own. First aid as well as anti-venoms are available at the lodges. |