FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Aloha !

Do you have a question? You are not alone. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions. Have a read through and if you haven’’t found your answer, let us know and we might just add your question to the list. Enhance the experience but who may have different values or lifestyles than your own.

Pre-departure

Q: Who books these trips? Ages? Nationalities?
A: Travelers of all ages book, from people in their 20’’s to people in their 60’’s and 70’’s. Many are British, but other nationalities include Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Japanese and Europeans. All trips are conducted in English.

Q: How large is the group?
A: Usually from 8 to 24 travelers. See individual trip descriptions for more details.

Q: What will the weather be like on my trip?
A: It depends where and when you are traveling but most trips are planned to operate when we expect the weather conditions will be good for traveling.

Q: What inoculations do I need?
A: We give you some recommendations in your pre-departure information packet which is mailed to you once you are confirmed on your trip. However we suggest you consult your physician for the latest information on health issues.

Q: What should I pack?
A: Keep it light! Storage space on vehicles is limited and you may need to carry your bag between vehicles and camps/hotels. We will supply a suggested packing list in your pre-departure information.

Q: How much spending money should I bring?
A: This will depend on the destination and you’’re spending habits. However our trip dossiers will give you an idea of how to budget for additional meals, optional excursions, and extra expenses you might incur on any specific trip.

Q: Can I use credit cards in the places visited?
A: In most major cities yes, to some extent. However once you leave those cities behind, no. In some more remote, less developed destinations, you cannot use your credit card at all.

Q: What’’s the food like? I’’m a vegetarian, is that a problem?
A: The food is one of the greatest experiences when you travel. Trip leaders enjoy sharing their local recommendations. When camping, crew and tour participants prepare meals. Accommodating special diets is not normally a problem. On some hotel trips when meals are taken in restaurants and cafes, food choice may be more limited for vegetarians.

Q: Will I get sick?
A: Minor stomach upsets are common due to changes in diet and climate but are usually brief.

Transportations & Accommodations

Q: Is someone going to meet me at the airport? Are transfers included?
A: Yes. Airport transfers are included. Detailed joining instructions are provided with your final trip documents.

Q: What’’s included?
A: Included is transportation within the itinerary, accommodation, sightseeing where specified, meals where specified, services of a trip leader and local guides where specified. Not included are international air, visas, insurance and most meals.

Q: Why aren’’t all meals included on the hotel trips?
A: Food is not always included, so that you can choose from a wide variety of local cafes and market stalls, to really experience the local cuisine and atmosphere.

You and Us

Q: What are the trip leaders like?
A: Leaders are carefully selected for their personality, general travel experience and enthusiasm for our style of travel. They facilitate the smooth running of your trip and are there to help you get the most out of your adventure. They are recruited on the basis of their resourcefulness and people skills, rather than for expert knowledge of a destination.

Q: Is it a guaranteed departure?
A: Not all departures are guaranteed. However very few trips are cancelled.

Q: How many are booked so far?
A: Since travelers book from many different countries, exact numbers are not available. We know when the trip is almost full and when completely full.

Q. Is there any fee using our booking service ?
A. There is no charge, no fee to use our booking service for room reservations and, in fact, you will usually save a lot of money by booking at our special rates (up to 75% discount on walk in rates).

Q: When should I book my trip?
A: Because our trips book up months in advance, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. We will of course make every effort to accommodate last minute bookings.

Q: Sounds like a great way to travel, how do I book?
A: Please go to our How to Book section for complete details