• > 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, lots of walking and intensive nature explorations and visits to remote areas with limited infrastructure.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Participants:
If International Group  MIN: 8 MAX: 20  Dutch tour leader.
If North American Group MIN: 6  MAX: 20. Local English speaking guide(s)

Guide Service
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.
 

What To Expect When Traveling on an INTERNATIONAL GROUP TRIP

Djoser, Inc. is an offshoot of a  highly regarded, Dutch tour operator, established in 1985 in the Netherlands.  Djoser has operated in the U.S. since 1998.  We share an outstanding network of land representatives around the world, many of whom have worked with us since our beginnings.  Many of our trips are offered in cooperation with the Djoser, Netherlands office.

On our Price/Dates pages you will see that departure dates are denoted as being organized for  NORTH AMERICAN GROUPS or INTERNATIONAL GROUPS.  On INTERNATIONAL GROUPS trips you will join Dutch and Belgian travelers. This multi-cultural aspect is the draw for many regular Djoser travelers, but not the perfect fit for every traveler. We invite you to consider the description below when selecting to travel with an INTERNATIONAL GROUP or a NORTH AMERICAN GROUP. 

All Djoser adventures are designed for active travelers with emphasis on cultural interaction and nature explorations. The balance of guidance and freedom is also crucial to our journeys. Our International Group programs are some of our most adventurous and comprehensive. Some trips feature days spent in remote areas, with some long drive days, and a night or two in very basic or indigenous accommodations.

The group size ranges from 8 to 22 travelers of all ages, most from Holland.  You will find 1 to 5 North Americans participating in these groups. Almost every participant will have a superb command of English, but you are sure to hear plenty of Dutch. You may need to exert a bit more effort to make initial contact but usually in a day or two, the group warms up to one another. The success of the social interaction tends to depend more on the individual personalities in the group rather than nationalities, just as with any other tour group. 

On most trips, a Dutch tour leader will accompany the group and will speak both Dutch and English. In a few countries, a local guide will accompany instead or will assist the Dutch tour leader, such as in Japan or Syria. 

These are not lecture tours. The guide functions as a logistics coordinator and you will receive the important information. The guide will organize and accompany some activities and meals, but also gives suggestions so that participants can dine and explore independently.  Participants on these trips are rather independent-minded and welcome time on their own in addition to the group activity. Don't expect as much one-one-one attention from the guide as you would find on a North American Group tour.  

On our African safaris with camping accommodations, there will be an English-speaking, African guide with a camp courier assisting with food preparations.Most of the safaris with lodge accommodations will have a a Dutch tour leader.

If you have a travel partner, or if you are solo and can easily engage with others, and welcome the idea of an international mix and an active travel style, then this should be a fun experience for you. If you are traveling alone, or if you are more introverted, blending with the group may be more challenging. Again, so much  depends on the chemistry of the individual group members.

We want you to be happy and it is important that you select a trip style that fits.  If you are worried that you will feel like the "odd man out" then we suggest that you consider a North American group trip.  But if you welcome the added layer and occasional challenges of this added cultural experience, as well as the more adventurous nature of these trips, then these journeys are for you. 

Feel free to call us with your questions. 877-356-7376

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more. Please inquire about discounts for larger groups.

Local Transportation

Land Program
Keep in taking this trip with some long travel days, we cross half a continent. For some trips we use a private, locally hired bus of good quality. We cover other routes with good (public) buses, coaches (often with toilet, air conditioning, video, pillows and blankets). Sometimes for a fee you can get simple meals, fee, drinks and snacks.

For long trips, we use semi-cama' buses, where the seats are adjustable to a sort of half bed. You  travel quite comfortably and can sleep during night rides. From Foz do Iguaçu to Rio, we use our own bus. In small groups (max 16 people) it is possible that a part of the journey from Foz do Iguacu and Rio de Janeiro is made by  public transport (bus).

Transportation
We travel with our own private buses, air-conditioned where needed. On North American groups, depending on group size we also use vans.
 
Once we make a stop, we explore cities and villages on foot and by using the local modes of transport.

Accommodations

Our tourist class (3-star) hotels are centrally located and all rooms have private shower and toilet. Where necessary, an air conditioner or heating is available. In San Pedro de Atacama there is no heating. It can be pretty cold, but there are enough blankets available. The cozy hotel is perfectly situated around two courtyards. One hotel has a swimming pool. In Rio, our hotel is near the beach of Copacabana. Comfortable night buses to Posadas and San Pedro de Atacama.
 
SINGLE TRAVELERS
If you are traveling solo, we will match you with a same-sex roommate.   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, because our group size is larger,  if you request a roommate and there is not a roommate available, unless otherwise noted, there is no supplementary charge for the single room.  
 

Meals

Breakfast is included in all hotel overnights. For the other meals you determine yourself where and what you want to eat. Often the tour guide will be able to give you suggestions for a good restaurant or a nice café.
In Chile you will see all kinds of restaurants where you may order food from all parts of the world. The typical Chilean dishes are of Indian origin with corn as the main ingredient.  Naturally Chile is also a fine country for wine-fanciers. Although in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil meat is usually an essential part of the meal there are also many vegetarian restaurants. The menus are very similar to the European menus, but there are also some nice local dishes such as the Argentinean “casuelo de cabrito”, a stew of goat meat, or delicious patties of corn, eggs and cheese. In Brazil you will be sure to get to know the “kilo-restaurants”, where you serve yourself and pay for the weight on your plate. The national dish of Brazil is “feijoada”, a dish of beans and meat and several other ingredients depending on the region. Fish-fanciers will be able to eat to their heart’s content at the seaside region.
For lunch you will have plenty of options from sandwiches and salads to warm meals.

Climate

We traverse a diversity of climates. During our summertime you can expect cold nights (40°F) and cool days (around 65°F) in Santiago, San Pedro, Salta and Cafayate. In this period the ski slopes near Santiago are in full operation (7,875 -11,155 Feet). In Viña del Mar, La Serena, Missiones, Foz and Curitiba the nights are cool (50°-60°), but during the day it is sunny and around 68°-77°F. In Parati and Rio you may expect sunny, warm days of around 77°- 86°F.

In spring and fall it will be warmer everywhere and you may add about 10°F to our summer temperatures. In this period there will be some more chance of cloudy days and some rain. During our winter however there will be summertime with daytime temperatures above 86°F. Bring plenty of warm clothes if you travel between June and September including layers for sleep wear on cold nights.  

On the travel day to Salta we will go higher than 13,000 feet, which may cause some altitude difficulties, but in all likelihood those will be limited to headache and shortness of breath. It is important to drink plenty of water, especially on that day.
On this trip you will come to such extreme regions that you may go snowboarding as well as snorkeling during one single vacation. You can take hikes through deserts, across snow-topped mountains and through a damp jungle.

Travel Documents

A visa is needed for Paraguay and Brazil.  For Chile, visitors will be issued a tourist visa consisting of a single sheet of paper placed in the passport. This visa is valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
 
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:   Santiago de Chile
Land program ends in: Rio de Janeiro

If you are traveling with the international groups, 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.


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
 
Local Currency:  Currency Argentina=Argentine Peso, Chile=Chilean Peso, Paraguay=Guarani, Brazil=Real
ATM Machines:   ATMS found in larger cities
Charge Cards:   Major cards accepted in larger cities.
 
 
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.  220 V Argentina,Paraguay,Chile,  110 V Brazil

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