• > 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?

Djoser participants enjoy an active style of travel. On a Djoser tour, we do lots of walking. There are hearty nature walks and more strenuous hikes for the more energetic travelers. You can also forgo these activities for a more leisurely activity but be sure to discuss the nature of any hike before partaking. The Dutch travelers seem to be more accoustomed to the rigorous hikes than are many North American travelers.

Our hotels are often located so that you can walk to the nearby sites. Once in a city, we will only take transport to sites that are far away. You must be capable and willing to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel, as usually, there is no porter.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Your Dutch guide will function as a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer. He/she will plana and accompany some activities and meals but not all. Guides will make recommendations for you some that you can dine and explore safely on your own. Travelers on these trips seek a high level of independence and expect basic services from the guides.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Local Transportation

For transportation we use a car or van or private bus depending on group size.   The quality of the roads in Mexico is generally good. The tour includes a couple of long travel days. Of course we will make regular stops at small dining establishments or to stretch our legs or check out interesting places along the way. Our bus drivers are Mexican and they are experienced drivers. Occasionally you can also make use of public transportation such as the metro in Mexico City or in Palenque, a colectivo, which is a mini-bus; a cross between a taxi and a bus. You have several opportunities to participate in optional boat rides. We highly recommend the boat trip trough the Canyon del Sumidero.

Accommodations

The reserved hotels and pensions are usually centrally located 3-star hotels.  Where possible we stay in old colonial hotels with a cozy atmosphere. Several hotels have their own swimming pool. The reserved rooms are comfortable but not lavish . Where necessary the rooms are equipped with fans or air-conditioning. The voltage is 110 V, the same as in the US. In most hotels you can have your laundry done. There will be a night or two spend in more remote areas. Be prepared for an occassional power outage, or a cold shower on a night or two.

Meals

Because of the many Mexican restaurants in our country almost everyone is familiar with the local cuisine. Once in Mexico you discover the tremendous variety of usually hearty and spicy local dishes. For breakfast you can choose between toast with jam or all kinds of egg dishes, with bacon, sausage and many different styles of prepared beans. Or you can have corn flakes and muesli with yogurt. La comida, the most comprehensive meal of the day, is served between 1 PM and 4 PM and is compatible to our dinner, with a choice of soups, meats or fish, rice and vegetables. La cena, the evening meal, is a light version of our lunch. In addition there are of course the familiar snacks available such as tacos, tortillas, enchiladas and quesadillas.

Climate

The climate in Mexico differs per area. Due to the influence of two oceans and the difference in altitude you can find large variations when traveling relatively short distances. On the highlands, where Mexico City and Oaxaca are located, you find a very moderate climate with pleasant warm temperatures and cool nights. The landscape leaving Mexico City towards San Cristobal is hilly. Around San Cristobal you find vast forests; around Palenque, many jungle areas. The Chichen Itza area is flat and consists of tropical savannas with a pleasant tropical climate. On the coast there is usually a cool sea breeze. The rainy season lasts from June until the end of September which some people feel might interfere with traveling, however in these months the rain comes in short, heavy bursts at the end of the day and at night. The nature at this time is at its most beautiful.

Travel Documents

U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to visit Mexico. Your passport must be valid for six months after departing the country. Travelers from other nationalities must check with the Mexican consulate to verify entry requirements. For more information, you may call the consulate office in Washington D.C. (202) 736-1000. You may be directed to another consular office, depending on your place of residence. You can refer to the website: http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm.

If you need rush service on your passport we recommend an expediting service called It’s Easy, located in New York. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet. Please indicate you were referred by Djoser, Inc. to receive a 10% discount on the processing fee. They provide rush service for an additional fee.

It’s Easy (Passport & Visa Service)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website http://www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail mail@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.

Example of Continental Airlines

The costs of our trips are listed for trips from Los Angeles or New York City. We can provide flights from other cities within the United States at competitive prices. These “Add-on” cities and prices can be found on our website (www.djoserusa.com) within the destination section. The costs of these add-ons are added to the base price from either Los Angeles or New York. The flight routing will not necessarily go through that city, but the list price will serve as a baseline for your total cost.

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

The currency is the Mexican peso. Almost everywhere in Mexico U.S. dollars will be accepted. We recommend that you bring traveler’s checks since they are insured against loss and theft. It is always important to carry some small bills with you. In most places you can use your credit card to secure cash from an ATM-machine. As you read in the literature, the tour cost does not include meals and personal expenses. You will need to budget for meals, drinks, entry fees, souvenirs. Please see the price chart for your estimated expenses. Of course this depends on your own spending patterns. It is always sensible to bring a little extra money in case of unexpected expenses, such as special souvenirs or medical expenses. While it is not mandatory to tip the guide, it is appreciated. Some guides will collect a tip pot at the beginning of the trip to tip the driver and other people along the way who assistance our group. If there is no tip pot, a driver is typically tipped the same daily rate as the guide. The amount of a tip is entirely up to you.

Tipping
While it is not mandatory to tip the guide, it is appreciated. Some guides will collect a tip pot at the beginning of the trip to tip the driver and other people along the way who assistance our group. If there is no tip pot, a driver is typically tipped the same daily rate as the guide. The amount of a tip is entirely up to you.

Health

The most up-to-date information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAX (1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov. Typically recommended are:

• Hepatitis A/yellow fever: one shot with gamma globulin, duration depending on dosage
• DTP booster

Luggage & Clothing

Bring along a mid-sized suitcase or a frameless backpack as your luggage. This will make transporting your luggage easier for yourself as well as for the tour operator. You will also want a small day-pack to carry essentials. We request that you try to keep your luggage between twenty-five and thirty pounds since the luggage compartment in the bus is not always spacious. In most hotels you can have your clothes washed so there is no need to over-pack. In general, light cotton, airy summer clothes are preferable, however do make sure to bring something warmer for the higher altitudes. Bring along comfortable walking shoes with good traction.

Resources

It is extremely useful to pick up a good travel guidebook. We highly recommend Lonely Planet. You will find a wealth of practical information regarding money issues, maps, local customs, history, activities, and much more. There are always great travel journals, historical and political books at your local bookstore as well. The internet is also invaluable for researching and finding great photos. Be sure to check out this trip’s Slide Show (see link above) to get a good feeling for the trip, lodgings and modes of travel.

Communication

With all the modern means of communication you are easily in-touch in Mexico. In most towns you find internet cafés where you can send and receive e-mails for a nominal fee. Please check with your provider regarding use of your mobile phone in Mexico.