• > 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?

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

Group Participants and Tour Leader

PARTICIPANTS:  International Group  MIN:8  MAX: 20

Traveling With Djoser's International Groups
Djoser, Inc. has operated in the U.S. since 1998.  Djoser begin in the Netherlands in 1985 and is now one of the most highly regarded tour operators in Europe with offices in Holland, Germany, and Belgium.  Many of our land agents around the world have worked with Djoser from our beginnings. No matter where you travel with us, they work closely with the Djoser staff to maintain the spirit of all of our trips and to provide  authentic, cultural experiences with a balance of guidance and freedom.

This trip is offered in cooperation with Djoser, Netherlands.  You will join an active group with travelers of all ages, most from Holland and Belgium. Depending on the trip, there will be one to five North American participants. The Dutch tour leader will address the group in Dutch, as well as English. The guide functions as a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer, and you will receive the pertinent information. As most participants are from Holland, you are sure to hear lots of Dutch spoken.  However, the Dutch have a superb command of English and are known for their outgoing, social behavior. Participants tend to warm up to one another within a couple of days.  Like any tour group, compatibility usually depends on the personalities of the group rather than their nationalities.   

These trips attract hearty travelers. You will find that participants of all ages are always up for an adventurous exploration, a hike or bike ride. The Dutch participants welcome opportunities for independent exploration and dining in addition to the regular group activities. Participants of these groups have the assistance of the guide, but do not expect lots of one-on-one attention. We recommend these trips for independent minded, seasoned travelers who enjoy a more active style of travel.

Many regular Djoser travelers enjoy the added cultural element of an international group although it can be challenging for some, particularly for single travelers. Go with your instincts on this one... if the description above sounds like fun, chances are, this is a good match for you.  However, if you worry that you will miss out on information, if you prefer more one-on-one attention from the guide, or a slightly easier pace, then perhaps booking  with one of our North American groups or booking a private tour may be more desirable to you.

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.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

On this trip you may book a custom date for this trip for your private group of two or more people.  Ask about discount rates for groups for larger groups.

Local Transportation

Djoser provides the LAND PROGRAM only. You will need to book your own flights from the United States to the destination and back.

Travelers will be met at the airport in Delhi by a Djoser representative and taken to the hotel. In India, a locally hired bus is at our disposal. During the months of April through August the bus is air-conditioned. Our bus is comfortable and we can make stops where and when we want. Please keep in mind that roads are busy and the distances can be long. Conditions vary considerably so it is difficult to give exact travel times. From Agra to Varanasi we will use a night train where bunks are reserved in second class.

Once we make a stop, we explore cities and villages on foot and by using the local modes of transport.

Accommodations

Our tourist class hotels are a pleasant getaway from the busy India street life. They are centrally located and have a private bathroom. Most rooms are air-conditioned. In a few places, we have ceiling fans. In the backwaters, we stay for a night on a houseboat. The boats have 3 or 4 rooms and a shared bath/shower area.
 
SINGLE TRAVELERS
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

Meals are not included on the tour. This leaves you plenty of freedom to go out and look for restaurants of your choice, with the tour leader's assistance. In India, a “thali” could be your meal choice, which is a Hindi word, literally translated as “plate”. On it you find different types of food to be eaten with rice and bread. A special yogurt drink, lassie, sometimes mixed with fruit is surprisingly refreshing in warm weather. Good, cheap Indian meals are found in every place, but often pastas and pizza are on the menu.

Climate

The weather in India can vary greatly depending on the season. In winter, daytime temperatures are pleasant and nights can be refreshing, even cold. Temperatures in Nepal (except for the lowland, the Terai) are always lower than in India. In summer, temperatures can reach tropical highs, but humidity is low and the heat is surprisingly easy to bear. In summer it is wise to start the day early, take it easy around noon and go out again at the end of the day.  The monsoon season in India lasts from July to the end of August. Starting in the south, the monsoon reaches the north in the middle of July. Traveling in the rainy season does not have to adversely affect your holiday. The rains usually do not last long and nature flourishes. The Kathmandu  Valley is most wonderful at this time of year. Lightweight clothing is worn in Kathmandu from October to March with a warm coat for the evenings. In Tibet, spring and autumn are quite chilly, especially at night, so a winter coat is a must. Even in summer it is wise to bring a warm coat, though temperatures are usually pleasant. The rainy season in Tibet is also June, July and August, but the Himalayas shield Tibet from most of the rain coming from the Indian subcontinent.

Check the following website for a summary of temperature and rainfall in the region during your season of travel:  www.worldweather.org

Travel Documents

A visa is needed for India.
 
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.
 

Flights

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS FROM/TO THE U.S.
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:   Chennai
Land program ends in: Bangalore

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.

Hotel available 1PM. Dutch group flight scheduled to arrive: on Day 1,11:50 PM
On the final day, the flight for the Dutch participants is scheduled to leave at:
3:30 AM

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. 
 

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

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 bag. Hard suitcases are difficult to pack on the vehicle.  Be sure to bring good walking shoes that are comfortable and already broken in. Make sure any equipment that you bring is in good working order.

It is recommended that you bring a universal adapter plug and extra batteries for your flashlight, in the event of power outages. 

Voltage: 220 V

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

Communications While You Are On the Road
After booking your trip you will receive subsequent communications from us regarding your trip preparations. Prior to your trip, you will receive a hotel list with phone numbers and addresses and names of emergency contacts in the Djoser office, in the U.S.. You will also receive  contact information for our in-country representatives who are well-seasoned and prepared to help out in the region.  You and your family can trust that we have a good line of communication.

The better prepared you are for your trip, the fewer worries.  Please feel free to call us with your questions and concerns.  

CONTACT US
Phone: Toll Free 877-356-7376 -  484-595-0480
Email  - info@djoserusa.com