Escorted Tours & Independent Package Tours

Before you start your search for the lowest airfare, you may want to consider booking your flight as part of a travel package such as an escorted tour or a package tour. What you lose in adventure, you'll gain in time and money saved when you book accommodations, and maybe even food and entertainment, along with your flight.

Escorted Tours

Escorted tours are structured group tours with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission fees, and local transportation.

Some people love escorted tours. They let you relax and take in the sights while a bus driver fights traffic for you; they spell out your costs upfront; and they take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. On the downside, you often have to pay a lot of money upfront, and your lodging and dining choices are predetermined. Escorted tours can be jam-packed with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing or adventure. They also often focus only on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on the lesser-known gems.

If you do choose an escorted tour, you should ask a few simple questions before you buy: What is the cancellation policy? How busy is the schedule? What are the size and demographics of the group? What's included in the price? What type of room will you be staying in? If you're traveling alone, what is the single supplement?

Package Deals

Package deals are not the same thing as escorted tours. With a package tour, you travel independently but pay a group rate. For popular destinations such as Ecuador, Peru, or Brazil, they are a smart way to go because they can save you a lot of money. In many cases, a package that includes airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from the airport will cost you less than just the hotel alone would have, had you booked it yourself. That's because packages are sold in bulk to tour operators -- who resell them to the public at a cost that drastically undercuts standard rates.

The quality of packages, however, varies widely, so be sure to shop around. Questions to ask: What are the accommodations choices available and are there price differences? What type of room will you being staying in? Also, look for hidden expenses: Ask whether airport departure fees and taxes are included in the total cost.

Tour Operators Specializing In South America

Organizing a trip to South America can be a royal pain, especially if you don't speak Spanish or Portuguese. These tour companies have connections throughout the whole continent, and their staffs can make all of your travel arrangements for you. Here is a list of some of the best tour operators.

Abercrombie & Kent, Inc. (tel. 800/554-7016; www.abercrombiekent.com) is the most upscale tour company arranging trips to South America. The company's tours will take you to the best parts of Patagonia, the Galápagos, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina.

Kon-Tiki Tours & Travel (tel. 877/566-8454; www.kontiki.org) is run by an American and Peruvian couple. The company specializes in trips throughout South America, including general highlights, and cultural and spiritual tours. You can choose from more than 30 different itineraries in Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Chile. Prices include guides and airfare.

Ladatco Tours (tel. 800/327-6162; www.ladatco.com) specializes in package tours to South and Central America. The company offers Carnaval specials, as well as air-only packages.

South American Expeditions (tel. 800/884-7474; www.adventuresports.com/asap/travel/exped) offers adventure, cultural, off-the-beaten path, and women-only tours to Ecuador and Peru.

Tara Tours Inc. (tel. 800/327-0080; www.taratours.com) is one of the most experienced agencies offering package tours to South America. Tours are personalized based on your interests; some of the specialties here include archaeology and spiritual journeys. In general, the company's package tours are great deals.

Condor Journeys and Adventures (tel. 01700/841-318; www.condorjourneys-adventures.com) is a British company that offers tour packages and active vacations throughout South America.

Journey Latin America (tel. 020/8747-8315; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk) is one of the premier British travel agencies offering trips to South America. The company can arrange airfare and tour packages throughout the whole continent.

Adventure Associates Pty Ltd. (tel. 02/9389-7466; www.adventureassociates.com) is the best source in Australia for high-end package tours to South America and Antarctica.