- > How Strenuous are these Trips?
- > Group Participants and Tour Leader
- > Private Tours and Custom Dates
- > Local Transportation
- > Accommodations
- > Meals
- > Climate
- > Travel Documents
- > Flights
- > Airline Tickets
- > Money
- > Health
- > Luggage & Clothing
- > Resources
- > Communication
How Strenuous are these Trips?
This is a very active trip with a few days of camping and lots of hiking.
Group adventures (with our Dutch groups) tend to be longer programs and are often more challenging than our private journeys in several ways. Participants, of all ages, take hearty hikes and will rent bikes to explore. The Dutch have spent their entire lives on bikes so even older travelers are good endurance. Be sure to ask the guide the nature of any hike and opt out if you feel it will be too much. (This is also a great argument to lobby for bike paths in the States!). The infrastructures in many of the countries we visit can be very undeveloped compared to the States. Long road trips on bumpy roads can be uncomfortable for some travelers. On several of these trips, we spend a day or two in remote areas that may require a willingness to “rough it”. Roosters will crow, lights may dim, and a cold shower may be expected on these days. On some of our group adventures, we stay for a night or two in indigenous lodgings which can be basic or very primitive. Some have no formal bath facilities. Be sure to check the weather conditions for the dates you are considering at worldweather.org, and pack appropriate shoes and clothing for these trips. At most hotels there is no porter service and you must be able to carry your own luggage.
Our semi-private and private trips are less challenging. While these trips are also quite active, there are fewer physical challenges. Also some hotels and modes of transport are upgraded for the private/semi-private trips, and there is a little more one-on-one assistance from the guide.
Group Participants and Tour Leader
Please consider the descriptions below before booking a trip with an international group.
On these trips, you will travel with groups of 8 to 20 travelers, of all ages, mostly from Holland and Belgium. These trips are great for our more active, independent minded travelers who welcome the added element, and occasional challenges of cultural immersion. This adds another element to your international experience. There are usually only one to four North Americans on any trip. We found that an even split of Dutch and North Americans sometimes created a cultural divide, and our intention is to blend travelers and to maintain the European feeling of these trips. True to the European style of travel is a diversity of ages represented in our groups. These active travelers blend well and participants of all ages take hearty hikes, bike rides and welcome independent explorations.
The Dutch are typically very social and have a great command of English. It is inevitable that the participants will lapse into Dutch from time to time at meals and on the bus, until they get to know you. The guide will help to integrate you, but you will enjoy this trip more if you are the type of person who is also comfortable initiating conversations, from time to time. If you have a travel partner, it will be easier to find your way into the conversations or at least to have a buffer during times when the group is chatting in Dutch. After a day or two, you will normally get your rhythm. You can probably expect lively conversations about world politics, especially in today’s climate. Depending on your personal politics, this can be lots of fun, or not. The Dutch tend to be fairly liberal minded.
If this description sounds daunting or unappealing, then these trips are probably not for you and you may wish to consider our private and semi-private journeys, instead. They offer plenty of excitement without some of the challenges. Please call us with questions. Over half of our travelers prefer to travel the “Dutch way” booking these programs again and again.
Guide
The Dutch guide (a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group in both Dutch and English. You will hear more Dutch than English, but you will get the important information. Guides will organize and accompany some activities and meals, but not all. They will offer suggestions for you so that you can also explore and dine safely on your own. These groups welcome these opportunities.
Our guides go through a period of training at our headquarters office in the Netherlands. In each country, they are in close contact with our land agents. Most of our land agents have worked with Djoser for 10 or more years. Their staff is there to help and are on call in the event of an emergency.
Private Tours and Custom Dates
Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more. Please inquire about discounts for larger groups.
Local Transportation
For the transportation on the road we will use smaller busses with air conditioning that are quite fit to travel the “Outback” in the summer. They seat 20 people and due to their size they are excellent to drive on the often-unpaved roads. Experienced Australian drivers that are very familiar with the route will drive the busses. Furthermore the advantage of a private bus is that we can be flexible and take breaks where we want for a picnic at a beautiful location, to take pictures or to have a drink in an attractive local pub.
Accommodations
The hotels where we will spend the night are quite different from each other. In the large cities we will use centrally located comfortable tourist class hotels. A number of hotels have air conditioning and in most rooms you will be able to make coffee or tea. At some remote places you will spend the night in a simple but attractive “pub”-hotel, a typical Australian accommodation. In Coober Pedy we will spend the night in a simple guesthouse that is cut out in the rocks. For a total of five nights we will sleep in tents on campgrounds. Djoser will provide the necessary camping equipment: domed tents, sleeping mats, small chairs etc. You will only have to bring a sleeping bag and possibly an extra mat. Facilities such as showers and bathrooms are available at all Australian campgrounds. Frequently there are also washers and dryers for your laundry and a store, a pub and a restaurant. There are no single-occupancy tents available during the two-day excursion to Kakadu National Park. Single travelers will be assigned to other single travelers of the same sex. If you choose not to be assigned to another participant you may book a single room/tent and an additional charge will apply. Please see the price chart for single accommodations for this trip.
If you are traveling alone you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Please note the cost of a single room listed in the cost descriptions. If you request a roommate, but we are unable to match you, there will be no penalty charge for the single room.
Meals
During the trip you may decide yourself where and what you want to eat. Of course you may eat with the group but you are also free to find your own restaurant somewhere. Meals are not included. Due to the remote location of some campgrounds and the sometimes-extensive uninhabited regions that we will traverse it is not always possible to eat in restaurants. Therefore during the camping overnights Djoser will provide breakfast five times, lunch six times and dinner three times. On your invoice you will find the charge for meals during this part of the trip. The tour guides will also be able to offer suggestions for a good restaurant or a nice café. Practically all international foods are represented so you will always have a large variety of choice of restaurants. If you like fish you should try the seafood platter. You will usually be surprised with an enormous platter richly filled with all kinds of delicacies from the ocean. Meat lovers may want to taste the delicious kangaroo steak.
Climate
As in Europe the climate in Australia has four seasons. Due to its location in the southern hemisphere the seasons are the opposite of ours. During our summer months it will be winter in Australia. Climatologically there are large differences between north, central and south Australia. During the trip you will always encounter large differences in temperature and humidity. As a matter of fact the tropical north has two seasons, a dry season and a wet season, both with year round temperatures of around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry period is from May through October. The rainy season is from December through April with occasional rainfall. Central Australia has a desert climate. The drought and the heat have colored the earth red, hence the name The Red Center. In the Australian summer months temperatures may reach above 104 degrees Fahrenheit and at night the weather may cool down significantly. Due to the low humidity the heat should be quite easy to tolerate. Another seasonal aspect is the presence of the annoying bush flies that you are sure to encounter in the summer months. The Australian wave (the wave gesture in front of your face) and the famous cowboy hats with corks on strings bring perfect relief from these flies. The climate in the south has relatively cold winters with snow in the Snowy Mountains and warm dry summers. The climate in Sydney is very mild with a subtropical character.
To check seasonal weather on a city to city basis, check www.worldweather.org
Check the weather for your destination: Check temperature and rainfall for specific cities on your trip, during your month of travel at www.worldweather.org
Travel Documents
An updated passport is needed for this trip. Passports should be good for six months arrival in Australia. A visa is required which you can get on-line. As of July 1, 2005, all ETA-eligible applicants (except for citizens of Taiwan and British Nationals Overseas) should apply for this visa on-line. The on-line visa application process is quicker, more convenient and there is no need to send your passport to this office. Visit the following website for instructions: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
All applicants aged 70 and over must have a "Fit for Travel" certificate completed. To obtain this form, please see: Over 70 Proforma form at the following website. This does not need to be completed by a panel physician, but must be filled out be a registered MD. http://www.austemb.org/DIMA/visiting/documents/ProformaforApplicants70andolder.pdf
Rush Service for Passport
In the event you need a last minute update of a passport and you would like to use a passport expediting service, we recommend “It’s Easy”. This company offers Djoser customers a 10% discount off the service portion of their fees. Just identify DJOSER on your It’s Easy Forms as your referral source and they will take 10% off of the service portions of the passport and visa fees. (There is no discount over the government portions of the fees). For download forms and requirements you can visit their website: www.itseasypassport.com
It’s Easy (Passport & Visa Expeditors)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website www.itseasypassport.com
Flights
We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times. Below you will find the usual flight times for the airline indicated.
Example of Qantas flight:
|
Depart JFK |
Return JFK |
|
8 AM. Arrive next day 10:20 PM |
8 PM |
|
Depart LAX |
Return LAX |
|
12:50 PM. Arrive next day 10:20 PM |
8:45 AM |
Usual times – subject to change
Time Difference:
Australia is 17 hours ahead of the East Coast, 20 ahead of the West Coast.
Airline Tickets
You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:
· A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
· A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).
The first document listed is needed to check in at the Automated kiosks. If you check in at the
E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).
Money
Check www.exchangerate.com for current exchange rates.
As of 12/1/05 one U.S. dollar is worth 1.35 AUD.
For current exchange rates go to www.oanda.com/convert/classic.
ATM: in the larger cities are plenty ATM machines.
Cash: Euros and Australian Dollars.
Credit Cards: accepted in many restaurants and shops
Health
You do not need any vaccinations for a tour around Australia. The circumstances in these countries are compatible with the United States and there is no increased risk. In case of emergency during the trip and if instant medical assistance is required the tour guide will have a first aid kit with antiseptic medical supplies. Of course it is recommended to bring along some of your own first aid supplies such as Band-Aids, Tylenol, disinfectant, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, etc.
Luggage & Clothing
Keeping in mind the restricted space for luggage in the trailer of the bus we ask that you bring a travel bag or a frameless backpack and that you confine your luggage to about 33 pounds. We recommend that you bring sufficient clothing for the different weather types without bringing your whole wardrobe: airy cotton clothing and a hat for hot days in the outback, but also a warm sweater and, for example, a wind breaker and comfortable closed walking shoes with good traction. Make sure that you pack sufficient warm clothes for the Australian winter months because especially in the morning and the evening it may cool off considerably. Furthermore we recommend that you bring a foldable raincoat. Also remember to bring the necessary sleeping bag and possibly an extra mat.
Voltage: 220 Volt. Australian outlets only fit plugs with three flat prongs.
Resources
Communication
Phone: available in the large centers.
Internet cafes: available in most places.
Cell Phones: range may vary. Inquire with your provider before departure.
