Help!! - anyone know any travel companies doing tours for Rio - Ecuador?

Moomin

Hi,

My brother l& his girlf. left UK last week to start year-long round-the-world trip tour, starting in Rio, Brazil.

Unfortunately, he has called me this afternoon saying that they'd been mugged twice at knifepoint within space of 12 hours. They are very scared and upset and haven't seen much of Rio since they arrived.

They are now considering joining on a group tour from Brazil to Ecuador, to be with more tourists/backpackers, and also to get a better feel for South America.

They have already asked me to look into a package offered by Tucan travel, but their offices are closed this weekend - so thought in the meantime, I would check out other companies.

Thanks in advance

Moomin

thesaint

I have a brother who lives in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, he moved there last year.
If you want, I can ask him if he knows of any tips. Sorry to hear about your brother and his girlfriend, I went last summer and enjoyed it thoroughly.

PM me if you want any details.

skipton

Journey Latin America are great but are a bit pricy. What about Trailfinders?
You could give them a ring and they might be able to recommend someone.

Moomin

Thanks to thesaint and skipton for your advice. my brother & girlf are just gonna keep there heads down and take cabs around the city from now, and taking nothing with them when they go to the beach. They are planning on leaving Rio this week and joining a group tour.
Tried trailfinders but couldn't see any tours longer than 2 weeks - they were after something that lasted a couple of months - as they are teaching in Ecuador later this year.

Have suggested some tours with Exodus which look suitablofor them. Hopefully they will not be coming back to the UK next week (I mean that in a nice way of course!)

Thanks for your help!

Cheers
Moomin

alison74

I am sorry to hear about your brother's experiences of Rio.

I would persevere with Tucan, they are a good company and I travelled with them in December.

Also try gap adventures, imaginative traveller, geckos etc. I am sure one of them will have a suitable trip with dates to suit.

IMHO though, I can understand why your brother and girlfriend would want to travel with a tour company from now on, but Rio really is the exception (along with Lima, Peru). It is a crime ridden place.

I had Brazillians telling me to be careful in Rio and not to take my camera out unless I had to !! Also, my tour leader one of my trips says that he has been mugged a few times in the 12 years he has been to Rio, and for the last 10 he has only ever taken out his money down his pants and a few extra notes to hand over in case he gets mugged ! And he is a 6 foot 2 Aussie !

South America is a beautiful country, with friendly people, but of course a lot of poverty and with that goes crime.

Just because they would travel with a group, does not stop them from being targeted again (although it would be terrible luck) as you often get free days to wander around cities and places on your own (although having the security of a truck / bus lessens the chances of getting something stolen at train stations etc)

I really feel for your brother and his g/f, but they shouldn't let it ruin their experience.

I wish them luck in finding something to salvate what's left of their holiday.

Good luck !

Moomin

Cheers alison74. Spotted some good tours on gapadventures. Thanks v much. I think they will contact Tucan tomorrow to check availability but they are happy now that you guys have provided some additional tour companies in case Tucan can't meet their requirements.

I am hoping that they do not quit their year-long worldwide tour, as I plan to join them halfway...in Tahiti!!!

Thank you all for your reassurance, advice and suggestions.

Cheers
A not-so-worried-now big sis

alison74

You're welcome. Glad to help

It's a terrible start to their travelling year, but also an experience that will leave them 'wary' in a good way so that they don't let their guard down along the way as you have to be vigilant when you travel in South America and anywhere really.

Try putting south america tour company into Google and it comes up with even more companies to choose from.

Is the Rio carnival on just now ? It is not the safest time to go, due to sheer numbers.

Good luck in finding them something !!

blackeberg

It's also worth checking out Guerba who are similar to Exodus and Explore. We just had a 17 day trip to Patagonia with them but they offer much longer road trips around South America as well.