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How Strenuous are these Trips?

The challenge level of this trip is Intermediate
Count on an active pace, lots of walking and intensive nature explorations.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Participants:  International Group  MIN: 8 MAX: 20

Traveling With An International Group
When you book one of our International Group Adventures, you will join an active group of travelers of all ages, most from Holland and Belgium. Depending on the trip, there will be only one to five North Americans on the trip. Most of the European participants have a superb command of English but you are likely to hear lots of Dutch spoken. The Dutch tour leader will address the group in Dutch and English. These are not lecture tours and you will get the important information.  On our African camping safaris, a local English-speaking local guide will accompany the group. Participants of these groups are extremely independent-minded  and embrace opportunities to explore or dine on their own, in addition to group activity.
 
Traveling with an international group adds another dimension to your trip. Compatibility has more to do with individual personalities of group members. Socializing can be more challenging for solo travelers and may require more effort on your part to initiate contact. The Dutch are usually quite social and often, very direct. Their politics tend to lean towards the liberal side. The European participants, of all ages, are typically very active and most everyone is up for a hearty hike or bike ride.
 
Trust your instincts....if this description sounds appealing, these trips are probably a great match for you. But if you feel that it may be too active, that you prefer more one-on-one attention, or that that the idea of being in the minority is not appealing, then a private trip or travel with our North American groups may be more suitable for you.

Book a Trip for Your Private Group
In addition to our programs that are listed in our website, specifically as PRIVATE TOURS, we can arrange many of the itineraries listed for our international groups, for your private group of 8 or more.  We make certain modifications for private groups, which, along with the size of your group, will effect the pricing of the trip. Please call for more information.
 
Are Djoser Trips Good for Families?
Families with older children will enjoy the active nature of our international group trips. The opportunity for cultural immersion with Dutch travelers adds another dimension to your experience. There will be plenty of opportunities to break off from the group for private family time. The level of activity and the long drive days may be too challenging for younger kids, some seniors, or individuals who are less physically active. On our private journeys, you can set your own pace and comfort levels, according to the needs of your family. We offer a discount for children 12 to 17 and further discounts for children 11 and under.


Guide Service
A Dutch tour leader will accompany this trip and will address the group in Dutch and in English. The tour leader serves as logistics coordinator, not a lecturer. They provide information about the daily life and culture and practical tips regarding restaurants, transport, admission fees, activities, etc.  The tour leader organizes and accompanies some activities but participants also enjoy independent time.
 
In-Country Staff
Our land representatives are situated in the destination country you will visit. We work closely with them and they function as our liaison with the guide, drivers and hotels. They are also available in the case of an emergency and their number will be provided on your emergency contact list.
 
Problems or Emergencies
While you are away, should you have a problem, you have several points of contact. Your guide, our land representative, and of course, we are just a call or email away. We will provide contact numbers for you before you leave. Please distribute this list to family or to your contact person at home. If someone needs to reach you from home due to an emergency, but is having difficulty due to language or bad connections, they can call our office and we will assist in contacting you.

Local Transportation

We travel with our own private buses, air-conditioned where needed.
 
Once we make a stop, we explore cities and villages on foot and by using the local modes of transport.
 

Accommodations

During this trip we stay in tourist class (3-star) hotels in rooms with private shower and toilet. We sleep in Chalten and Calafate in small simple hostels where you room and the bathroom with other guests. During the stay in the national park Torres del Paine you sleep in a refuge, a mountain hut with bunk beds in dormitories or in a posada, where the room and the bathroom are shared with your traveling companions.
 
Singles
If you are traveling solo, we will match you with a same-sex roommate. On our international group trips, if you request a roommate and there is not a roommate available, unless otherwise noted, there is no supplementary charge for the single room.  On most trips, you can request single accommodations for a reasonable charge. If you would like single accommodations, please indicate your preference on your booking form.   
 
 

Meals

In Argentina and Uruguay meat is the main part of the meal. However, there are some vegetarian restaurants. The menus appear with typical European dishes, you also see many local dishes. Casuelo in the cabrito Patagonia is a goat stew, sopa is a pie of Indian corn, eggs and cheese. In Uruguay, the parrillada is the national dish. If you get the chance, you should definitely try this beef dish. The breakfast consists of toast and croissants. For lunch you have many options, from salads to sandwiches and a hot meal. Dinner is the main meal, but only after served after nine o'clock. Argentines and Uruguayans drink coffee throughout the  day.

Climate

The Argentine landscapes show great contrasts. From towering Ande Stop, which reach nearly 7000 meter, to the desolate desert plains of Patagonia. This pampas reign in the pleasant summer temperatures, which naturally fall as you travel further south. The extent to which we sometimes travel in general provides for low temperatures. The Chilean coast is a landscape that resembles the Norwegian fjord coastline. In the southern parts it often rains throughout the year. Both countries lie in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite to those with us. Our winter is summer there. Our winter months are therefore the best time to travel in this region. Even in this period you will feel the cool Patagonian winds in some places in Argentina and Uruguay. The temperature drops in the mountains at night to around freezing. It is highly recommended to bring insulated clothing and a warm winter coat.

Travel Documents

For Chile, visitors will be issued a tourist visa consisting of a single sheet of paper placed in the passport. This visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days. A visit is not required for Uruguay.
 
Be sure to check with the Department of State for the most recent document requirements for travel to your destinations. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after departure from your destination. Also make sure there are extra pages in your passport.  When completing VISA applications, be sure to confirm whether you will need a SINGLE or DOUBLE entry tourist visa. We will provide you in-country contact information for your visa application. The website for the Dept. of State is:  http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
 
VISA & PASSPORT EXPEDITOR
If you are in a rush for documents, a passport or visa expediting service can arrange your documents in a couple of weeks or a couple of days. We have used ITS EASY PASSPORT & VISA SERVICES, for years. They have easy to follow process instructions and have always been reliable. ITS EASY will honor a 10% discount off the processing portion of the fee if you let them know you are traveling with us. Please use the following link for ITS EASY PASSPORT & VISA SERVICE: http://www.itseasy.com/visa-expediting-services.php
 
 

Flights

As we provide only the LAND PORTION of the trip, you will need to book your own flights from and to the United States. Book your flights into and out of the cities listed below:
 
Land program begins in:   Buenos Aires
Land program ends in: Buenos Aires

Please note the arrival and departure times listed for the Dutch participants. Plan your flights to arrive prior to the scheduled arrival of the Dutch travelers so that you will not miss the initial group meeting with the tour leader. Flight delays or late arrivals could result in missed activities or can even require that you catch up to the group, which may involve costly transfers. Leave ample time for flight connections and terminal changes. If the scheduled arrival time for the Dutch participants is between 3AM & 11AM we recommend that you arrive the night before, requesting an extension hotel night when you book your trip. If the group arrives late evening or up until 3AM, we include the hotel night and you are free to check in early and rest up or explore on your own. The hotels are usually available for check-in at 1PM.

Dutch participants are scheduled to arrive on  Day 1, 7:55 AM. We recommend that you request an extension hotel night so that you can arrive the previous day and be rested and available for the program in the morning.
On the final day, the flight for the Dutch participants is scheduled to leave at:
5:05 PM

USEFUL LINKS FOR BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS
ORBITZ:   http://www.orbitz.com/
EXPEDIA: http://www.expedia.com/

BEFORE YOU FINALIZE YOUR FLIGHT, GET TRIP CONFIRMATION!
Do not book your flight prior to written or e-mail notification from Djoser that the trip is a "go". For instance, group trips must meet the required minimum enrollment. We will notify you of the status of enrollment upon request. Also, on very rare occasions, an unforeseen itinerary or date change can occur.  We advise you to take out travel insurance. Before booking your flight, make sure that you are aware of your flight provider's penalties for changes or cancellations.  We are not liable for penalties incurred for flight changes or cancellations. 
 
Airport Transfers
Upon arrival at the destination country, a representative, holding a DJOSER sign, will meet you at the airport and will take you to the hotel where you will meet the tour leader and the other travelers. Prior to your departure you will receive more information about this.  Be sure to give us your flight information: airline name, flight numbers, airport name, arrival and departure times.
 
Flight Delayed?
If your flight is delayed or canceled, please notify us so that we can alert the tour leader and land agent of your later arrival. It is possible that we will not be able to cancel or reschedule the pick-up for you upon arrival. In this case, you should take a taxi from the airport to the hotel address, which we have provided for you. Djoser is not responsible for this extra expense, however, generally, travel insurance will cover this expense.

Airline Tickets

If internal flights, trains or boats are used during a Djoser program, the tour leader will handle the tickets and disperse them to group participants at the appropriate time. 

Money

The cost of the land packages includes city-to-city transport, guide assistance, lodging as described, and only meals listed in the price inclusive section. You should budget for out-of-pocket expenses for other meals, fees for optional excursions and activities, in-city transport and other personal expenses.  See our prices for the estimated out of pocket expenses.
 
Currency & Cash
On your trip you will want to make sure you are prepared with the proper form of currency. ATMs can be scarce and charge cards are not always accepted.  You will want to exchange money for the local currency.  Before you go, you can check the most current conversion rates, and you can also print out a handy currency exchange "cheat sheet" at: http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet
 
Local Currency:  Currency Argentina=Argentine Peso, Chile=Chilean Peso
ATM Machines:   Found in major cities
#REF!
Types of Cash Accepted:  Cash
 
Tipping
On our international group trips, for your convenience, the tour leader will organize a tip pot at the beginning of the trip. At the beginning of the trip, each participant will donate a few dollars per day to the pot. The  amounts will be disbursed to drivers, local guides, hotel staff, and others along the way.  If there are funds remaining at the end of the trip, they will be divided among the group.  The tip pot does not include a tip for your tour leader. On our private trips, tipping is up to you.

 

Health

Check with your doctor or local health authorities for the latest recommendations. Be mindful of what you eat. We recommend you carry a first aid kit and be sure to be equipped with your personal medications, painkillers, and medicines to prevent diarrhea and stomach disorders. The tour leader will also carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies. Keep in mind that travel can be tiring. It is important to be in good health, in good condition and fully equipped for the journey. Take care that you eat properly, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. Those who travel on our more physically active trips, including our   Walking Tours or Biking Tours, should have higher level of fitness and stamina. For country specific health advice, please consult the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
For piece of mind, we highly recommend that you procure travel insurance.  Make sure that you are covered in the event of illness or injury. If adequate treatment is not readily available in the area,  emergency evacuation is often required by private carrier and can be exorbitantly expensive. Also, unforeseen events at home can prevent you from going, such as the illness of an immediate relative. Even things like delayed or missed flights or lost luggage can be costly. You are free to choose your own insurance provider. Over the years, we have recommended TRAVELEX. They offer a variety of plans and most importantly, they are responsive. Should you choose to go with TRAVELEX, you will contact them directly and the cost of your coverage will depend on the plan you choose. The cost will be based over the total cost of your trip and flights, and the amount is also subject to your age. Ask about the TRAVEL PLUS plan and the more economical TRAVEL LITE plan.  Their website is www.travelexinsurance.com and phone number is 1-800-228-9792.  It is important to get travel insurance immediately after booking as most companies have a brief window (10 days from booking) for coverage of pre-existing conditions, for example, coverage of cancellation due to a chronically sick relative.

Luggage & Clothing

Please limit your luggage to 35 pounds. We recommend a soft, rolling duffle as the hard suitcases are difficult to pack on the vehicle. Be sure to bring good comfortable walking shoes with good tread, and already broken in. Sneakers can be slippery. Keep in mind that most hotels will not have porter service.

It is recommended that you bring a universal adapter plug and extra batteries for your flashlight, in the event of power outages. The voltage in this destinations is:
220 V Argentina, 230 V Uruguay

Resources

A good guidebook is invaluable. We recommend the Lonely Planet series as well as the DK Guidebooks. 

Communication

Mobile telephone use is limited. Internet cafes can often be found in larger cities but count on a slow connection. Check with your phone provider before departure regarding coverage or consult the following webpage: www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml
 
 
BOOK A TRIP
The recommended cut-off date for booking most trips is 30 days prior to departure for group trips. Many trips fill months in advance and bookings are subject to availability. For trips that have internal flights or visa requirements it is important that you book early so that flight can be booked and the documents processed in plenty of time. Feel free to call us later, however, as we can always check for availability.

You may "Book A Trip" on our website, or print a form out and fill it in manually. Or, we can email or mail you a booking form.

You will receive an invoice within a few days of booking your trip. We will notify you as to the enrollment status of the trip.
At this time your deposit is due to hold your place on the trip.

Mail the signed booking form with you check, made payable to Djoser, Inc. . Mail to Djoser at 154 Woodgate Lane, Paoli, PA 19301, Attn: Booking Dept.
The amount of the deposit is: $350
The deposit is non-refundable unless your requested date is unavailable, or in the event that we must cancel the trip, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a political or natural crisis, or  for example, on a group trip, if we do not meet the required enrollment minimum. In these events, your deposit would be returned to you.
The balance of your payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Your next communications will come to you including a day to day description of the program, your visa requirements, insurance, packing instructions, and other useful information. Invoices and other notifications will come to you by email unless you instruct us otherwise.

Before you finalize your flight, be sure that you have received written confirmation from us that our trip is a "go". In the case of a group trip, you will need to be sure that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants required. 

Be sure to verify the most recent visa requirements on the Department of State website, provided.

About 2 weeks prior to your trip you will receive your final information, which will include a hotel list with addresses and emergency contact information, your tour leader’s name, and the names of other trip participants.  In addition, you will receive a detailed list of final instructions regarding your trip, including information about your airport transfer upon arrival.
You will find our cancellation terms and conditions on our booking form.
 
CONTACT US
Phone: Toll Free 877-356-7376 -  484-595-0480
Email  - info@djoserusa.com