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• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
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How Strenuous are these Trips?

The challenge level of this trip is Moderate. Count on an active pace, lots of walking and 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. You will hear more Dutch than English, but please keep in mind that 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.  

The Dutch  are extremely indepedent-minded. They 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 should 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.

All Djoser trips are active with lots of walking but in particular, these trips attract hearty travelers. You will find that the Dutch & Belgian participants, of all ages, are always up for an adventurous exploration, a hike or bike ride. Compared to our group trips for North Americans, these programs are more likely to feature an even more active pace with nature hikes that range from active to very challenging. While these activities are always optional, if you are in a remote are in nature surroundings, there will be limited alternatives other than relaxing with a good book while others are hiking. Many trips include a day, or a few days, in remote areas with basic, or primitive facilities and limited infrastructure. This will mean an occasional cold shower, power failure or roosters crowing.  So you should be willing and able to  "rough it" on these days.  This may also entail some long drives on bumpy roads.   

Many regular Djoser travelers enjoy the added cultural element of an international group.  Although the cultural mix can be challenging for some travelers, particularly for single American travelers. It will help if you are comfortable and willing to initiate contact.

Trust your instincts!  We understand that travel is a big investment and we want you to enjoy your experience to the fullest.  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.

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

Local Transportation

Transportation
We travel mostly by train between cities. During the overnight train you stay in compartments with couchettes for four. Linen is included in the trip, a sleeping bag is not necessary. The toilets are available to you and a washbasin to refresh. In the cities of Moscow and Kazan  taxi, subway and tram are convenient modes of transport (Moscow has an extensive tram network). In Jekaterinburg and Vladivostok you can move around with buses, trams and taxis. In the train, there is no possibility for a single room.

 
 

Accommodations

We spend the night during the trip in tourist class hotels with private baths. The Russian hotels were built in the 70s and 80s built in the typical linear Soviet style. The hotel dezjoernaja, the floor lady, manages the room key, and drinks and hot water for tea. This is a dying phenomenon in the Russian system. There are no luggage porters. Toilet paper is always available in hotels, but rather scarce. In most hotels you will find ia piece of soap, but shampoo is rare. You can expect a cold shower, on occasion. When we travel by train, we stay in 4-person compartments.
 
Singles
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.  You can request single accommodations for a reasonable charge. If you would like single accommodations, please indicate your preference on your booking form. Singles accommodations are not available on the train.   
 

Meals

Meals are at your own expense with the exception of any meals listed as "included". The tour leader will make recommendations for dining so you are free to join the group or dine where and with whom you wish. Typically, hotels offer breakfasts.  

Climate

Travel Documents

A visa is required for Russia. We will help to procure your invitation letter.

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.
 
VISA & PASSPORT EXPEDITOR
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.
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:   Moscow
Land program ends in: Moscow

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.

Dutch group flight scheduled to arrive: on Day 1 at Moscow at 3:10  PM
On the final day, the flight for the Dutch participants is scheduled to leave :
6 PM.

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. 
 
UPON ARRIVAL - AIRPORT TRANSFER
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

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
 
Local Currency:  Currency=Ruble
ATM Machines:    Located many places
Charge Cards:   Charge Cards Frequently accepted.
Types of Cash Accepted: 
 
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 as the hard suitcases are difficult to pack on the vehicle. Be sure to bring good comfortable walking shoes with good tread, and already broken in. Sneakers can be slippery. Keep in mind that most hotels will not have porter service.

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
 
 
BOOK A TRIP
The recommended cut-off date for booking most trips is 30 days prior to departure for group trips. Many trips fill months in advance and bookings are subject to availability. For trips that have internal flights or visa requirements it is important that you book early so that flight can be booked and the documents processed in plenty of time. Feel free to call us later, however, as we can always check for availability.

You may "Book A Trip" on our website, or print a form out and fill it in manually. Or, we can email or mail you a booking form.

You will receive an invoice within a few days of booking your trip. We will notify you as to the enrollment status of the trip. At this time your deposit is due to hold your place on the trip.

Payment can be made by check or charge card.  Checks should be made payable to Djoser, Inc. . Mail to Djoser at 154 Woodgate Lane, Paoli, PA 19301, Attn: Booking Dept. 

The amount of the deposit is: $350 per person.
The deposit is non-refundable unless your requested date is unavailable, or in the event that we must cancel the trip, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a political or natural crisis, or  for example, on a group trip, if we do not meet the required enrollment minimum. In these events, your deposit would be returned to you.
The balance of your payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

Your next communications will come to you including a day to day description of the program, your visa requirements, insurance, packing instructions, and other useful information. Invoices and other notifications will come to you by email unless you instruct us otherwise.

Before you finalize your flight, be sure that you have received written confirmation from us that our trip is a "go". In the case of a group trip, you will need to be sure that the trip has reached the minimum number of participants required. 

Be sure to verify the most recent visa requirements on the Department of State website, provided.

About 2 weeks prior to your trip you will receive your final information, which will include a hotel list with addresses and emergency contact information, your tour leader’s name, and the names of other trip participants.  In addition, you will receive a detailed list of final instructions regarding your trip, including information about your airport transfer upon arrival.
You will find our cancellation terms and conditions on our booking form.
 
CONTACT US
Phone: Toll Free 877-356-7376 -  484-595-0480
Email  - info@djoserusa.com