We have included a great deal of excursions and sightseeing in all our tours, but we know everyone is different. That’s why on a Contiki, you’ll have the choice to personalize your trip during your free time. There are many activities to suit your personal travel style, whether you are looking for culture or a bit of adventure!

Our clients like the option of deciding for themselves whether to participate in certain activities and excursions.You may choose to go to a Parisian Cabaret, a Gondola ride in Venice, or more adventurous activities such as rafting in Austria, Hot Air Ballooning in Arizona, Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef or Bungy Jumping in Queenstown.

From our experience as well as from the feedback and experiences of past clients, we know which optionals have proven most popular with our clients and that’s what we will offer with our tours.

These optionals do cost extra and a full list relating to your trip can be found with your final documents (or under the optionals heading of your tour online) to assist with trip budgeting.

These optionals can be purchased through your tour manager when you’re on the trip. Payment for these is cash only in Europe (no credit cards) while cash and credit cards will be accepted in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada tours.

Please note: All of Contiki’s optional excursions are owned and operated by third party suppliers. Contiki does not own or operate and of these excursions, but rather has used its buying power to negotiate favorable rates on your behalf with local suppliers and excursion operators.

What’s on Offer?

Here’s just a sample of some of where you may find yourself on some of the optional excursions Contiki offers:

• Crushing through the foam, paddle in hand White Water Rafting in Austria
• Flying through the breathtaking scenery of the Grand Canyon on a helicopter flight.
• Sipping Champagne at a sensational Uluru Sunset
• Hiking on a glacier in pristine wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island.
• Sipping Sangria and yelling ‘Ole!’ at a Spanish Flamenco Show
• Taking in some of the best whites in the world at our Rhine Valley Wine Tasting
• Snorkeling or diving on the Outer Reefs on a Great Barrier Reef Cruise
• Hot Air Ballooning over the Arizona desert.
• Kicking up your heals at the Moulin Rouge or Nouvelle Eve Parisian cabarets.

How to Book

Generally a few days into the Tour your Tour Manager will provided you will a full list of the Optional Excursions available on tour and tell you all about them, giving you the opportunity to ask even more questions and get a better idea about what you may like to do – Either way your Tour Manager will organize it all for you.

How to Pay

You can pay optional excursions in Australia, New Zealand and North America using local currency cash or credit cards. On European Tours payments can only be made in local currency cash (no credit cards) and payments are made to your Tour Manager once on tour.

Every Tour Manager has a different style for collecting payment for optional excursions, but like most things on a Contiki Tour, it’s hassle free.

More…

For more specific information on optional excursions check out:

• Optional Excursions – Europe

• Optional Excursions – North America

• Optional Excursions – Australia

• Optional Excursions – New Zealand