• > 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. 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

Participants

This trip is available to be booked on a private basis for two or more travelers. Price reductions apply if you have a group of four or more.  If you book Land & Air with us, you may select the departure date of your choice, however, please be aware that there is an additional charge for flights departing Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Guides

Our guides are knowledgeable about the area we travel and will willingly share their information. However, Djoser tours are not lecture tours. In Ecuador, the guides will handle logistics for travel and lodgings. The guide organizes many meals and activities. He/she will will accompany many of them, but not all (on most days a 1/2 day activity and a lunch or dinner). The element of freedom is important on all Djoser trips. Your guide will recommend safe activities and restaurants for free time and exploration. You can generally expect a free day if you are spending a second day in a city. Again, the guide will outline options. For very small groups, you will have different guides for different cities. In the Galapagos, you will be accompanied on the boat by an English-speaking naturalist who can give you thorough informaton about the flora and fauna of the area. We also have experienced land agents stationed in each country who work with the tour leader and who can assist in case of an emergency.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Local Transportation

We fly to Quito, Ecuador. Travelers will be met at the airport in Quito by a Djoser representative and taken to the hotel. In Ecuador a locally hired bus is at our disposal. The buses are air-conditioned. Our bus is comfortable and we can make stops where and when we want. Please keep in mind that roads can be busy, distances can be long and road conditions may not be optimal.

In the Galapagos, our usual vessel is designed for effiency and comfort with ample social areas and cabins providing optimum comfort for your experience exploring the Galapagos. Its stern platform was designed specially to comply with Galapagos Scuba Diving requirements. It carries 16 guests in double cabins with private facilities, A/C and hot water. It has a modern design and offers a bar-restaurant area together with spacious resting areas.

Accommodations

The hotels we use are centrally located, comfortable, local hotels. Hotels are basic and some have a lovely characteristic atmosphere. We do not lodge in any American chain hotels. Do not expect the same amenities as in the States (ice-makers, candy machines, workout rooms, mini-bars, etc.) Where necessary, rooms are air-conditioned. In the jungle we stay in a very primitive gas-lit lodge. A useful thing to bring is a flashlight, as electricity is not always reliable. We have made reservations for double rooms.

The boats are tourist class boats, although you have the option to upgrade to higher class boats. Upgrading to a 1st Class boat for a 5-day will increase the cost of the trip by at least $1000 per person, dependingon the boat.

On the Galapagos portion of the trip your sleeping quarters will be in double cabins onboard the boat Singles are not available on the boats. We will try to match you with a roommate of the same sex, however, that may not be possible. 
If you request a roommate, but we cannot match you, there is an additional charge which you will find listed with the prices.   

Meals

 Meals are not included on the tour, with the exception of the Galapagos portion of the trip. This leaves you lots of freedom to go out and look for restaurants of your choice, of course with the tour leader's assistance. In Ecuador, you will find a variety of good foods on your trip including jungle fruit such as chirimoya, which has a delicious custard-like inside. A variety of seafood, meats and stews are available. If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to try the local specialty, baked guinea pig. You will also find wonderful local beers in Ecuador. Paico is a typical lemon drink, which is quite refreshing.  On the Galapagos portion of the trip, a cook will prepare all meals on the boat for you. The cost of your meals is included in the cost of the trip. There are a few small restaurants on the islands.

Climate

Climate in Ecuador is warm and subtropical. Weather varies within the country due to the Andes mountain range and coastal changes. Mountain regions are cooler with very cold nights. Rainfall is high in coastal and jungle areas. There is little rain in the Galapagos Islands.  Galapagos is in the mid-70’s consistently throughout the year. You can check the weather chart in our website in the Ecuador section for more details.

Travel Documents

You will need a passport for Ecuador, which must be valid six months after exit from these countries. A visa is not required. If you are in a hurry, an expeditor can process your passport quickly for a fee. We recommend a 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 the Internet.

 
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.

Sample flight with Continental:

Usual flight times – subject to change

As you can see the costs of our trips are listed for trips from Los Angeles or Miami. 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 Miami. 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

Please refer to www.exchangerate.com for current exchange rates. In Peru, the currency is the New Sol (Sl.) which = 100 centimos. U.S. dollars can be exchanged everywhere and most shops will readily accept dollars. Charge cards may be limited to use in Lima. Likewise, exchange of traveler checks can be difficult. In Ecuador the currency is the U.S. dollar. Major charge cards are accepted in larger cities, stores and restaurants.

We have included the cost of the food and preparation of the jungle meals ($40) in the cost of the trip. As mentioned in the literature the tour cost does not include the other meals and personal expenses, with the exception of the Galapagos portion of the trip. All meals are provided on the boat and the cost is included in the price of the trip. In Peru and Ecuador, for meals, drinks, entry fees, souvenirs, and such you can count on a minimum of $270 per week. Of course, this is an average and depends on your spending patterns. It is always sensible to bring some extra cash for the unexpected. The $100 Galapagos entry fee must be paid in US dollars upon arrival at the Galapagos.   

The airport exit taxes will apply in this region, which you will pay yourself at the airports. Please see the price chart for estimated amounts, which are subject to change.

Tipping
At the beginning of the trip, the tour leader will collect a sum of approximately $25-$30 per traveler (for the main portion of the trip). This will cover tips for drivers, hotel staff, and others who assist us along the way. This will not cover your tour leader or tips for the Galapagos portion of the trip. A tip for your tour leader would be greatly appreciated at the end of your trip. The amount is, of course, based on your discretion and the tour leader’s performance. In restaurants in Peru, service charges of 15% are added to the bill. An additional tip of 5% is expected. In Ecuador, a 10% service charge is added to bills in restaurants. Taxi drivers do not usually expect tips in Ecuador or Peru.

Health

You can read about travel issues on the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. Further questions may be directed to the CDC at 1-800-311-3435. There is a CDC traveler’s information call line at Travelers Health 1-877-394-8747 if you need information faxed to you. Internet is the best mode of communication. Here are the current CDC recommendations:

•    Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
•    Hepatitis B,
•    Tetanus-diphtheria booster
•    Typhoid
•    Yellow fever
•    Malaria tablets     

It is not safe to drink tap water in these countries. Buy bottled water, avoid drinks with ice cubes and only eat well-cooked food. Vaccinations are not mandatory but are suggested. Contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention where you can get the latest update regarding recommended vaccinations. They can be reached at 404-639-3311. Their web site www.cdc.gov is very comprehensive with vaccine recommendations as well as helpful health precautions.

It is important that you consult with your doctor regarding necessary vaccines. Do not assume that you need everything listed above. Your doctor will advise you based on time of year, regions visited and your particular circumstances.

Luggage & Clothing

In view of the limited space for luggage in and on the bus we ask that you bring a soft duffle bag or a backpack and that you limit your luggage to about 30 pounds. We recommend that you bring along sufficient clothing for the different types of weather without packing your entire wardrobe. Even if the sun is shining during the day, you still need a warm sweater. Clothing in layers will be handy, such as a T-shirt, blouse, sweater and windbreaker. You will be able to have your laundry done in many hotels. Be sure to bring sun screen!

Voltage: 220 Volt.
Electrical outlets: the American model.We recommend you bring along a duffel bag or a frameless backpack as your luggage. If you bring a suitcase, stick to a mid-sized bag. This will make transporting your luggage easier for yourself as well as for the tour operator. A small day-pack is also useful to carry water and essentials. We request that you try to keep your luggage under thirty pounds as the luggage compartment in the bus is not always spacious. In several hotels en route you can have your clothes washed so do not over pack. Pack lightweight cottons and lines and bring rainwear. A jacket is recommended for mountain areas. Snorkeling equipment is usually available to rent on the boat but we are told that is small to find flippers for small feet.

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

Phone: available almost everywhere.
Internet cafes: in most places.
Cell Phones: reasonable reception. Inquire with your provider before you leave.