• > 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 lots of walking and 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.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

This trip may be organized for private groups of 10 or more. Discounts will apply to larger groups.

Local Transportation

For transportation we use a locally rented bus. The bus is spacious and air-conditioned. 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. Use the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

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

Accommodations

We use comfortable tourist class hotels, air-conditoned where needed.

Singles
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.

On our International Group trips, if you are traveling solo, we will match you with a same-sex roommate. If there is not a roommate available, unless otherwise noted, there is no supplementary charge. 

EXTEND YOUR PROGRAM
On most trips you would have the option to extend your stay in the beginning or end of our trip, or at both the front and back. It is always a great idea to be fully rested when you begin your travels. You will also need to coordinate your flight arrival with the arrival time of the European travelers. Their arrival begins the land program. For many trips the European participants will arrive early in the A.M. In this instance we recommend that you book your flight so that you arrive the day or evening before so that you are sure to begin the trip with the rest of the group. We will reserve the hotel where the group will be staying, subject to availability. Look for extension hotel prices in the price section of our literature.

HOTEL EXTENSIONS (in U.S. Dollars)
On most of your trips you will have the option to extend your land program at the beginning or end of your program.  An extension is recommended for group trips when the European participants are scheduled to arrive early in the morning, so you will be ready to start with the group. 

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.

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

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Mexico. For the most updated information refer to the website for the Dept. of State is:  http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

Visa & Passport Rush Services
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

Booking Your Flights From / To the U.S.

You will need to book your own flights from and to the United States. Be sure to schedule your flight 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 is early in the A.M. we recommend that you arrive the night before.


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 Tranfers
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

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 and hiking or cycling can be tiring. It is important to be in good condition and fully equipped for the journey. Take care that you eat properly, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. For country specific health advice, please consult the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

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. 

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