Santiago to Rio de Janeiro Group Overland Tour

What our customers ask about this tour

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  Andrew

  Asked on September 23rd, 2025

  How many people are booked on this trip? Have you run this trip in recent years? How few reviews for this trip? How safe are these areas for travel?

  Tour Details

  Travel Support
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    MadventureOperator•Written September 2025

    We currently have 18 passengers booked from Santiago. We have run this tour for several years and we've run tours throughout South America since 2017. South America's safety varies significantly by country, with popular destinations like Chile and Uruguay generally being safer. We cannot guarantee that you will not be impacted by an incident as this is not in our control and you do need to practice basic safety measures, such as being alert, avoiding quiet areas, not displaying valuables, and keeping belongings secure to reduce the risk of incidents like petty theft. We know that in Rio at Carnival time there is an increase in crime so you do need to extra vigilant then and also we advise staying in groups of at least two or more when you go out.
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  Renee

  Asked on August 23rd, 2025

  Please recommend specific tent and sleeping gear I should purchase for this trip. Brand and model please. Sleeping bag, cot etc.

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written August 2025

    We recommend a free-standing tent, like the 'Marmot Crane Creek' tent. You'll also need a sleeping mat and sleeping bag, but there are many hundreds of possibilities out there, and what you choose in the end depends on your own personal preference. Once you've booked, we'll send you your pre-departure information, and this gives more information on the kit that you need to buy.
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    Renee

    Traveler•Written August 2025

    Do you have this or similar trip in October for a single traveler.
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    MadventureOperator•Written August 2025

    This tour from Santiago to Rio only runs once a year, however, it does start earlier in Cartagena in September. If you would like to join this tour in October then we can create a quote for you. The possible options would be: Start in Quito on or around the 5th October, Start in Lima on or around the 24th October. You could then stay on the tour for as long as you wanted (minimum of 3 weeks). Just let us know where you would like to finish and we can whip up a quote for you.
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    Renee

    Traveler•Written August 2025

    I am 73 years old so I would pick something moderate.
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  Ahmed

  Asked on August 20th, 2024

  Is there an option to take partial tour, from Santiago to Ushuaia?

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written August 2024

    It's not possible to shorten this trip. You can book the full trip and join from Santiago all the way to Rio Carnival.
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  Graham

  Asked on May 28th, 2024

  Can you confirm if the tour already has the minimum number of travelers before I book?

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written May 2024

    Yes, we have hit the minimum number of passengers for the tour to run, but we will not officially confirm that the tour is running until 4 month before departure. It's looking very good for the tour to be confirmed as planned though.
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  Lynne

  Asked on January 31st, 2024

  Are small dogs allowed on this 58 day tour?

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written January 2024

    Unfortunately we don't allow dogs on our tours.
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  Nina

  Asked on January 17th, 2024

  Can you please advise if you have any departures going for this tour later in the year? Preferably in September or October.

  Price / Availability

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written January 2024

    We don't have tours in September or October. The next tour is scheduled for 2nd January 2025, from Santiago to Rio, and the 'reverse' trip, from Rio to Santiago is scheduled to start on March 4th 2025.
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    Nina

    Traveler•Written January 2024

    Those specific months are not good for us for the next two years but we will do it after that, probably three years from now if they are still offering it.
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  Claudia

  Asked on July 8th, 2023

  I was looking to do in Overland trip in South America. I did one with Intrepid across Africa for a few months. It was a good experience how many people have signed up for this trip so far and what are the group dynamics like if there are a lot of couples or solo travelers, and how old and male and female it's always good to get a good idea on the group dynamics. This looks like a fun trip.

  Group size

  Tour Details
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    MadventureOperator•Written July 2023

    So far there are 7 people signed up for the Rio to Santiago tour. And so far of this 7 there is 1 couple. We always have a good mixture of couples versus singles. Regarding ages, we have no age limits, so we always attract people of all ages. I'd say that the majority of people are in their 40's 50's and 60's though, with a few from other age groups.
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  Carl

  Asked on November 17th, 2022

  Do you supply the camping equipment? sleeping bags, tents etc. ?

  Accommodation
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    MadventureOperator•Written November 2022

    We don't provide camping equipment, no. For 2 people, we recommend a 3 person tent, so you have plenty of space, and also a roll mat and sleeping bag.
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  Ann

  Asked on October 18th, 2022

  What are local payments please?

  Payments
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    MadventureOperator•Written October 2022

    Over the years, we have found that lots of costs can only be paid in cash, during a tour, so we split the overall cost of the tour into 'Expedition Payment' and 'Local Payment'. The local payment is just a way of getting cash out to the driver to cover some of the costs along the way that need to be paid in cash (food, accommodation, access to sites, vehicle maintenance, and other fees that we might come across along the way). The expedition payment is paid in advance, and the local payment is paid on the first day of the tour in USD cash, when the group meets.
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    Ann

    Traveler•Written October 2022

    Is this overland trip similar to Dragoman? I have been with them on this same trip and it was excellent - is this comparable to Dragoman as a company? Do you do organise the flights if necessary
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    MadventureOperator•Written October 2022

    In some ways it's similar, yes. We travel as a group on a converted truck, split into cook groups, etc. Dragoman are much more expensive though. We differ in that we don't run hand-held trips. We know that people have different budgets, and that not everyone will want to do the same activities. Therefore we don't include extras, and then people can just book whatever they want, based on their budget and interests. Passengers can book whatever optional excursions they want, and are free to do whatever they want in their free time. We do not organise flights, no. Again, this is another budget thing. Some people are happy to pay a lot for a direct flight, where others would rather pay half as much and have two or three transfers along the route. People can just book whatever suits their needs and budget, and we don't get involved.
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