• > 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 level of activity may be challenging for some travelers. On the glacier hikes there is the opportunity to go rappeling.  Be sure to ask the guide for specifics regarding physical challenges so you can do only the elements that fit your level of fitness. You can forego options that seem overly strenuous.

Group adventures (with our Dutch groups) tend to be longer programs and are often more challenging than our private journeys in several ways. Participants, of all ages, take hearty hikes and will rent bikes to explore. The Dutch have spent their entire lives on bikes so even older travelers are good endurance. Be sure to ask the guide the nature of any hike and opt out if you feel it will be too much.  (This is also a great argument to lobby for bike paths in the States!). The infrastructures in many of the countries we visit can be very undeveloped compared to the States. Long road trips on bumpy roads can be uncomfortable for some travelers. On several of these trips, we spend a day or two in remote areas that may require a willingness to “rough it”. Roosters will crow, lights may dim, and a cold shower may be expected on these days. On some of our group adventures, we stay for a night or two in indigenous lodgings which can be basic or very primitive. Some have no formal bath facilities. Be sure to check the weather conditions for the dates you are considering at worldweather.org, and pack appropriate shoes and clothing for these trips. At most hotels there is no porter service and you must be able to carry your own luggage.

Our semi-private and private trips are less challenging. While these trips are also quite active, there are fewer physical challenges. Also some hotels and modes of transport are upgraded for the private/semi-private trips, and there is a little more one-on-one assistance from the guide.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

 Please consider the descriptions below before booking a trip with an international group.

On these trips, you will travel with groups of 8 to 20 travelers, of all ages, mostly from Holland and Belgium. These trips are great for our more active, independent minded travelers who welcome the added element, and occasional challenges of cultural immersion. This adds another element to your international experience. There are usually only one to four North Americans on any trip. We found that an even split of Dutch and North Americans sometimes created a cultural divide, and our intention is to blend travelers and to maintain the European feeling of these trips. True to the European style of travel is a diversity of ages represented in our groups. These active  travelers blend well and participants of all ages take hearty hikes, bike rides and welcome independent explorations.

The Dutch are typically very social and have a great command of English. It is inevitable that the participants will lapse into Dutch from time to time at meals and on the bus, until they get to know you. The guide will help to integrate you, but you will enjoy this trip more if you are the type of person who is also comfortable initiating conversations, from time to time. If you have a travel partner, it will be easier to find your way into the conversations or at least to have a buffer during times when the group is chatting in Dutch. After a day or two, you will normally get your rhythm.  You can probably expect lively conversations about world politics, especially in today’s climate.  Depending on your personal politics, this can be lots of fun, or not. The Dutch tend to be fairly liberal minded.

If this description sounds daunting or unappealing, then these trips are probably not for you and you may wish to consider our private and semi-private journeys, instead. They  offer plenty of excitement without some of the challenges. Please call us with questions.  Over half of our travelers prefer to travel the “Dutch way” booking these programs again and again.

Guide

The Dutch guide (a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group in both Dutch and English. You will hear more Dutch than English, but you will get the important information. Guides will organize and accompany some activities and meals, but not all. They will offer suggestions for you so that you can also explore and dine safely on your own. These groups welcome these opportunities.

Our guides go through a period of training at our headquarters office in the Netherlands. In each country, they are in close contact with our land agents. Most of our land agents have worked with Djoser for 10 or more years. Their staff is there to help and are on call in the event of an emergency.

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

For some routes we will use a private locally rented bus, some with bathrooms for the longer routes. For the long trips we will use “semi-cama busses” with chairs that adjust to some kind of “half-beds”. This way you will travel rather comfortably and you will be able to sleep during the overnight trips. Please, take into consideration that you will have a number of long travel days during this trip, because we will have to traverse half a continent. Click on Transportation on our Home Page www.djoserusa.com to view photos of the transportation we use.

Accommodations

Our tourist class hotels are centrally located and usually our rooms have private bathrooms and showers. In San Pedro de Atacama we will spend the night in nice accommodations. The rooms are built around a yard, however there is no heat and it can get cold in the wintertime. There are plenty of warm blankets in the room. It may be that you will have to share the bathroom facilities there. An occasional hotel will have a small pool. In Rio our hotel is located nearby the beach of Copacabana. Click on Hotels on our Home Page www.djoserusa.com to view photos of some of the lodgings we use.

If you are traveling alone you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Please note the cost of a single room listed in the cost descriptions. If you request a roommate, but we are unable to match you, there will be no penalty 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.

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

CHILE - *Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days. Entry fee of $100 (U.S.) charged at airport. Exit Requirement: Dependent children under age 18 (including the children of divorced parents) arriving traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else’s custody, must present a notarized document certifying that both parents agree to their travel before the child will be allowed to exit Chile. This document must be notarized before a Chilean consular officer in the United States. For further information, consult the Embassy of Chile , 1732 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202/785-1746 extensions. 104 or 110) or nearest Consulate General: CA (310/785-0113 and 415/982-7662), FL (305/373-8623), IL (312/654-8780), PA (215/829-9520), NY (212/355-0612), TX (713/621-5853) or PR (787/725-6365). Internet: www.chile-usa.org

ARGENTINA - *Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. For information concerning longer stays, employment, or other types of visas contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy , 1811 Q St., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202/238-6460) or the nearest Consulate: CA (213/954-9155), FL (305/373-1889), GA (404/880-0805, IL (312/819-2610), NY (212/603-0400) or TX (713/871-8935). Internet: www.embassyofargentina-usa.org

BRAZIL - Passport and visa required. Tourist visas are issued within 24 hours if the applicant submits in person. Visas valid for multiple entries within 5 years from date of first entry for a stay of up to 90 days (renewable for the same length of stay by the Federal Police in Brazil), requires 1 application form, 1 passport size photo, and proof of onward/return transportation. There is a processing fee of $100 for tourist. There is a $10 service fee for applications sent by mail, or by anyone other than applicant. Provide SASE for return of passport by mail. Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party, must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a third party. This authorization must be notarized, authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate, and translated into Portuguese. For information about business visas, contact the Brazilian Embassy (Consular Section), 3009 Whitehaven St., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (202/238-2828) or nearest Consulate: CA (323/651-2664 or 415/981-8170), FL (305/285-6200), IL (312/464-0244), MA (617/542-4000), NY (917/777-7777) or TX (713/961-3063). Internet: www.brasilemb.org

PARAGUAY - *A passport and visa are required. Tourist visa applicants must present with their application a passport with at least six months validity from the date of the application; one passport photograph; a bank statement or other evidence of financial solvency; appropriate fee; and a round-trip ticket or a printed trip itinerary prepared by a travel agency. Persons traveling on business must also submit a company letter. Applicants under 18 years of age traveling alone must appear with both parents or a legal guardian. In case of a guardian, an original and one copy of proof of legal guardianship is required. A document of authorization from parents/guardian will be accepted only if it is notarized and certified by the county clerk. There is an airport international departure tax, payable in either U.S. or local currency (no credit cards or checks accepted). For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Paraguay, travelers may contact the Paraguayan Embassy at 2400 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 483-6960, Internet: http://www.embassy.org/embassies/py.html

Passport & Visa Service
If you need a rush service to procure a passport or visa, 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 Internet. Please indicate you were referred by Djoser, Inc. It’s Easy can also process passports. They provide rush service and will honor a 10% discount over the service portion of the fees for Djoser customers.

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. Below you will find the usual flight times for the airline indicated.

Sample flight with Continental
 

Depart Miami	Return Miami
8:00 PM	7:00 AM
Depart LAX	Return LAX
2:30 PM	8:00 AM

Usual flight time – subject to change.

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

For the most current exchange rate please refer to www.exchangerate.com.
The currencies and their values are:
For one U.S. Dollar you will receive about 519.9 Chilean Pesos (as of November 2005). The Argentine Peso strongly devaluated over the past years and equals $ 0.33; one U.S. Dollar equals about 2.97 Argentine Peso.
1,000 Paraguayan Guarani equal $ 0.15; one U.S. Dollar equals about 6,274 Guarani.
The Brazilian Real equals $ 0.35, for one U.S. Dollar you receive about 2.81 Brazilian Real.
ATM machines: in the big cities there are ATM machines.
Cash: US Dollars.
Credit Cards: are usually accepted.
Traveler’s Checks: in U.S. Dollars from American Express, but not easy to exchange in small towns.
As a guideline for expenses that are not included, such as meals, entrance fees, optional excursions and personal expenses, plan on a minimum of $ 275.00 per person per week.
It is customary to tip for rendered services.

Tipping
At the beginning of your trip, your tour leader will collect a “tip pot” of approximately $2 per land day, per person. So that you will not be burdened with tipping those who assist you along the way, this sum will dispersed by the tour leader as tips for the driver, local guides and hotel staff. The tip pot does not include the tip for the tour leader. A typical guideline for an American tip would be $2-$3 per day but the amount is at your discretion and should be based on his/her efforts and your satisfaction level. Dutch tipping habits are different than North American guidelines. You may feel more comfortable tipping your guide privately to avoid the great cultural tipping debate. However, it’s up to you! We take pride in our Djoser guides who do their utmost to make your experience great. We do ask that you bear in mind their extra challenge of a dual language group.

Health

For this trip it is advised:
Vaccines against DTP, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever;
Malaria tablets.
To be sure you should inquire with your family physician or your local health department who are informed of the latest developments. You may also go to the website of the “Landelijk Coördinatiecentrum Reizigersadvisering”, www.lcr.nl. It is wise to watch what you eat to a certain extent. We also recommend that you bring a small medicine kit with some painkillers and something for intestinal trouble. The guides also have a medical kit with some sterile emergency relief supplies.

Luggage & Clothing

Knowing the limited space for luggage on the busses we want to request that you use a bag or a backpack without frame and that you limit your luggage to about 30 pounds. A day backpack is handy for hikes.
Without packing your entire wardrobe we recommend that you bring enough clothing for the different weather types. It is handy to choose clothing that you can layer and some sturdy shoes. Other useful items are a flashlight (sometimes electricity breaks down) and a bath towel.
Power: in Brazil 110 Volt as well as 220 Volt exist. At 220 Volt the outlets are the same as in the Netherlands, at 110 Volt the plugs have two flat ends. The voltage in Paraguay, Chile and Argentina is also 220 Volt.

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

Telephones are available everywhere.
Internet cafes are present in many locations.
Cell Phones have coverage in some places. Inquire with your provider before departure.