DJOSER...THE OTHER WAY TO TRAVEL
Djoser’s active journeys offer an ideal balance of guidance and freedom. Our reasonably priced, guide-assisted adventures cover the globe. We feature ancient ruins, amazing wildlife, intensive nature explorations and authentic cultural interaction. Book a private journey and set your own pace, or join a group. Travel with small groups of North Americans or, for a heightened cultural experience, join our adventurous, international groups, with Dutch travelers, of all ages. Let the journey begin...with Djoser!
Choice and Flexibility!
Choice and freedom are essential elements of a Djoser trip. Our day to day itineraries are not rigidly structured. We have a general daily plan but ultimately, the choices are made as a collaboration between the participants and guide. The guide will organize and accompany many activities. He/she will also make suggestions so that you can explore or dine, safely, on your own as well. Djoser travelers are active and adventurous and appreciate programs that are not confining.
Private Trips & Group Adventures
So many choices! Choose between a private journey or group adventure. Private trips can be booked for two to twenty travelers. Book a custom departure date, set your own pace, enjoy more one-on-one attention from the guide, and if you would like, upgrade your hotels. These are ideal for family or friend groups, travel or social clubs as there is something for everybody! If you prefer group travel, you can choose from our most adventurous trips, with international groups traveling with participants of all ages from Holland and Belgium. Or join small groups of North Americans.
Adventurous Group Travel (International Groups)
On our group adventures (offerred through our Djoser, Netherlands office), you will join Dutch travelers. These are our most adventurous trips. They tend to be longer and are usually more challenging than our private journeys. On these trips, you will travel with groups of 8 to 20 travelers, mostly Dutch participants with a maximum of 4 North Americans. "Why?" you ask? We found that an even split of Dutch and North Americans creates a cultural divide, and the trip loses its flavor. Our goal is to blend the travelers. Indeed, when you join as a minority, you must welcome the idea of cultural immersion with the Dutch. About half of our travelers, loyally book these trips, again and again. The Dutch guide (a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group in both Dutch and English. The guide provides basic assistance. Participants welcome a high level of independence. There is a wonderful blend of active travelers, of all ages.Participants, of all ages, take hearty hikes and rent bikes to explore.(Maybe a good argument to introduce bike paths in the U.S. for our children!!) Most hotels are comfortable 3-star establishments. On several of these trips, we spend a day or two in remote areas that may require a willingness to “rough it”. On these days we may stay in basic or even primitive, indigenous accommodations. Roosters will crow, lights may dim, and a cold shower may be expected. These trips are great for our more active, independent minded travelers who welcome the added element, and occasional challenges of cultural immersion with the Dutch. The Dutch are typically very social and have a great command of English. First-timers may find it is easier, socially, with a travel partner. Follow your gut....if this sounds great...you will love these trips! If the idea sounds daunting or unappealing, we recommend our private and semi-private journeys. These trips are single-friendly as you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. If there is no roommate available, there is not additional surcharge! Feel free to call us with questions.
A Djoser Tour
A typical day begins when the group meets the tour leader early in the day. Either in the hotel at breakfast, or on the bus your guide will describe possibilities for the day for excursions and dining. You can choose to join the tour leader and other group members for these activities and meals (which many will do) or, when you prefer to, you can dine or explore on your own.
The tour leader can give you suggestions for safe alternative activities and restaurants. The tour leader is not a lecturer but knows lots about the region. He will handle the logistics of the trip and will provide information about the area for you. Since you are free to join in or not, meals and the cost of entry fees are additional to the cost of the trip (usually about $250-$275 weekly). Estimated weekly expenses are listed in each destination sections. In some areas, government appointed local guides will be present to assist us when touring historical monuments. Since our hotels are usually centrally located, we often walk to the nearby sites or take a rickshaw, tuk-tuk or other form of local transport…great ways to see a city. Those who venture on their own often meet up with the group again for dinner.
African Safaris
Botswana, Kenya , Madagascar, Malawi , Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe
Join Dutch Groups or Mixed International Groups (English spoken, only)
You have many options for safaris. You may join our Dutch groups on trips organized through our Djoser, Netherlands office. On most camping programs, an English-speaking African guide leads the trip. On most of the lodge accommodated programs, a Dutch guide will offer assistance, who will address the group in Dutch and English.
Or you may join international groups with all English speaking participants, from all over the world. Again, a local, English speaking, African guide will assist on these trips. These trips are offered through our alternate Africa land operator.
We often camp or stay in game reserves where you can listen to the sounds of the open bush. You will enjoy game walks and game drives. For safety reasons, our safaris are more structured than our other tours; however, there is an ample selection of optional activities. You will find the lodge-accommodated safaris to be a bit less demanding physically. The age group on the camping safari skews slightly younger than the hotel accommodated trips, but you will find travelers of all ages on all of our safaris.
With the exception of a sleeping bag, all camping equipment is provided for you. With rare exception, there will be bath and shower facilities at the campgrounds. On most camping trips, participants are expected to carry their tents from the safari truck and pitch their own tent (the guide will show you how). We travel on an equipped safari truck with kitchen facilities built into the truck.
Your meals will be prepared by an African camp courier. On most camping safaris, group members are expected to assist with the clean-up and preparation of the meals. Comfortable tents are pre-set for you and meals and clean-up are taken care of by the staff. On the lodge-accommodated safaris, we stay in lodges, hotels and chalets. On a couple of the trips you may spend one or two nights in tents. On these trips you will take meals in the lodges, and occasionally at nearby restaurants. Transport is by air-conditioned safari bus.
On several African trips the total distance covered is vast; on some trips we visit 4 different countries! You need to be prepared for long drives on certain days. Although our vehicles are well maintained and serviced regularly, the challenging African roads may sometimes cause temporary breakdowns. Do not panic and please be patient if this should arise. Your guide is trained and we are well represented with good support throughout Africa. Should a mechanical breakdown or incident occur, good back-up systems are in place There will be sand and dust and hot African sun, but there will also be some gorgeous evenings spent around the campfires under the starry skies, some beautiful countryside, and some extraordinary tales about nature, exquisite photographic opportunities, and memories for a lifetime!
The Djoser Organization
Djoser, Inc. is an offshoot of a large Dutch tour company, headquartered in Leiden, in the Netherlands. There are also offices in Germany and Belgium, and we have operated in the United States for 10 years. Djoser is one of the largest largest tour operators in Europe and our active style of travel is quite familiar there and becoming more popular in the United States. Our trips are frequently highlighted in Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine.
We depend on our solid network of land agents throughout the world, most of whom have worked with Djoser for at least 10 years. Many have been with Djoser since it's beginnings, 20 years ago. Their staff will handle arrangements in their countries with hotels and transportation and they are in communication with the guide. They are also in close communication with our office. If you ever have a problem, the tour leader, land agent and our U.S. staff are at your disposal. The staff in the United States work closely with the Netherlands office. Many of our trips are offerred in cooperation with the Dutch office, joining Dutch travelers. On our private and semi-private trips, you will be accompanied by a local, English speaking guide. On trips with our Dutch groups, a Dutch tour leader accompanies the group as a logistics coordinator. Tour leaders have gone through a training program in the Netherlands. All of the people associated with Djoser are loyal to our style of travel. Each year we gather in the Netherlands with all of our land agents and guides. It is through this association that we are able to make improvements to our programs and to insure a consistant personality to our trips throughout the world. Djoser, Inc. and all of our land operators are members of Global Travel Partners, an organization of International Tour Operators that specialize in active tours to exotic destinations. Global Travel Partners sets stringent requirements for membership and can be seen as a quality trademark.
Who Travels With Djoser?
Our trips attract travelers, of all ages who seek an active experience. They love nature and cultural interaction. They seek more independence than most tours offer. Djoser clients are culturally open-minded and hearty travelers.
Our group adventures, joining Dutch participants, attracts our most active, independent minded and hearty travelers. These group are made up of all ages, which we think, makes them particularly fun. Participants of all ages will hike and bike and seek out opportunities for independent exploration.
Family groups and active seniors will particularly enjoy the flexibility of our semi-private & private adventures. Older seniors may find our trips too challenging, particularly trips with our Dutch groups.
Private & Semi-Private Trips (for North Americans only): Minimum of 2 needed for any trip. Most of these trips are booked on a private basis.
Group Adventures - With Dutch Groups. 8 to 22 participants. Mostly Dutch with a maximum of 4 North Americans. Usual group size 15 to 20.
Safaris - Dutch Groups - 8 to 20 travelers with a maximum of 4 North Americans. A local English-speaking guide accompanies camping trips. On lodge safaris, a Dutch guide assists, speaking Dutch & English to the group. The minimum age limit on safaris is 14 years of age.
Safaris - Mixed International Groups 4 to 20 travelers, most from English speaking countries. A local English-speaking guide accompanies. The minimum age limit on safaris is 14 years of age.
Guides & Tour Leaders
All of our trips are guide assisted. The guide (or tourleader) functions as a logistics coordinator, not a lecturer. They will organize and accompany many activities, but not all. They will offer suggestions and advice so that you may explore and dine independently, when you choose to, or during free days.
On our Private Journeys you will be assisted by a local, English speaking guide who is available to you each day, for several hours, with the exception of free days. You are usually met by a new guide in different cities, and countries. These trips offer more one-on-one guide attention than the group adventures.
When you travel with our Dutch groups, trips will be led by a Dutch tour leader who will address the group in Dutch and in English. Although you will hear more Dutch than English, you will get the important information. On lodge accommodated safaris, there is a Dutch tour leader. On the camping safaris with Dutch groups, there will be an African guide who speaks English, only, to the group. There is also an English speaking guide on the Finland Dogsled trip and in Australia. Our tour leaders are enthusiastic, experienced, and knowledgeable about the countries that they cover. Many have worked for Djoser for many years. New tour leaders go through a thorough training program and also travel extensively in the country. From our tour leaders' diverse perspectives, you will get a special look at the country in which you are traveling. Among other things, they can always tell you about the habits and customs of a country, the quaint little restaurants, and the authentic markets. They are responsible for all of the logistical aspects of the trip and are there to ensure a smooth progression of the trip. The tour leader is not a lecturer, but rather a liaison between the traveler and local representatives, hotels, transportation contacts, medical assistance, etc. The tour leaders will start each day at breakfast or on the bus discussing the possibilities for the day in terms of excursions and meals. Some will post the day’s activities in the lobby of the hotel. Participants may join the tour leader for outings and meals, or may choose to explore or dine independently. They will gladly give you advice and suggestions.
We also offer safaris through another land operator (camping and lodge accommodate) with an Africa guide, who addresses the groups in English, only.
The Local Representatives
In every country where we organize trips, we work closely with our local agents. These agents know the country inside and out and will make sure that your trip goes smoothly. They also arrange the hotels and the buses well in advance so there will be no surprises. At each destination, the local agent handles the emergency arrangements for Djoser so that we can always act immediately if necessary.
How Strenuous are Djoser Trips?
On our website you will see that all of our trips are rated based on the challenge level. Ratings take into account physical activity, comfort standards and the quality of the infrastructure in an area. In general you will find that the international group programs tend to be more adventurous and physically, more challenging. We do have travelers of all ages on these trips. Comparatively, the group trips with North Americans are also active, but slightly more easy-going, with occasional upgrades. On Private Trips, you have the ability to set your pace and to determine your comfort preferences.
Singles & Roommates
On our group adventures, if you travel alone, you will share a room (or a tent, on camping safaris) with someone else of the same sex. On rare occasions, you may share with two other people. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on the registration form. Our single supplements are very reasonable. If you request a roommate, but we cannot match you, on a trip with the Dutch groups, there is no additional surcharge.
If you are booking a semi-private or private journey on a published date, if you are booking a LAND ONLY package, before arranging your flight, be sure there are others booked on the trip. We require two to get a trip on the road, and many of our clients book these trips on a private basis.
In some destinations, triple rooms are available, so if you are traveling with friends or family, and would like to request a triple, let us know on your booking form and we will put in the request.
There are several trips that do not allow single accommodations, such as on the boats in the Galapagos. If you book as a single, there is no guaranty that you can be matched with a roommate of the same sex. These are double cabins only. There
Excursions
Some major excursions are written into the program with transportation provided, such as a visit to the Great Wall in China, or a day trip to the pyramids and surrounding areas, in Egypt. You will have the choice to partake in an activity presented by the guide, or you may so something independently. The guide can advise you and will make suggestions. So, for example, you are free to do something more leisurely in lieu of a hearty hike. Entry fees are not included in the price (nor is there a mark-up on these items). Estimated weekly costs are summarized on the price page. The are typical costs of entry fees, meals, and incidentals, such as a taxi or horse & carriage ride.
LAND PROGRAM
Djoser provides the LAND PROGRAM.
Local Transportation
We will travel the longest distances by airplane and night trains. We also use chartered buses so that we can stop where necessary along the way. Within cities, we will typically rely on local forms of transport, such as cabs, buses, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, or horse and carriages. Or we will simply walk to nearby sites.
Accommodations (Tours & Safaris)
Djoser’s standard of hotels are 3-stars.Our hotels are comfortable and basic. Some are quite charming, many family operated. Please do not expect the standards of American hotels, or the speed of service that you would in the U.S. or Canada. Tourist-class hotels in underdeveloped countries are charming but often have little quirks. Normally, you should not expect a porter to carry your luggage. With rare exceptions, hotels will have private baths and air conditioning, where needed. You will rarely find TVs or refrigerators in the rooms of these hotels, and if they are in the room, they are typically old models and may function poorly, or not at all. In most of the countries we travel, repair or replacement of these items can be a major undertaking and is not likely to occur during your stay. So, please assume these amenities will not be provided in our hotels. On the other hand, if an air conditioner is not working in a hot climate, or if the cleanliness of the room is not acceptable, your tour leader will work with the hotel staff to change your room. It is not unusual in these countries to experience occasional power failures, no matter how many stars the hotel has!
Some of our hotels have a great view, a pool, or a unique charm that adds to your trip such as restored palaces in India or the floating hotel in Thailand. On a few trips, we spend a couple of nights in traditional or more primitive lodgings, such as on the Trans-Siberia Express trip where we stay in gers in Mongolia, on the Gobi, or in jungle huts in Ecuador. When you book your trip we will provide you with a list of hotels, addresses and phone numbers.
We offer camping safaris and lodge accommodated safaris. On camping safaris, we stay in established camp facilities with showers and toilets. With the exception of a sleeping bag, camping equipment is provided such as tents, foam mats, and dining equipment. On most camping safaris participants will be expected to carry their tent from the safari truck and pitch the tent themselves. The guide will instruct you. In Botswana, tents are pre-set and meals are prepared for the group. On the hotel safaris, you will stay in comfortable safari lodges, hotels and chalets with a couple of nights of more primitive lodging.
Meals
Unless otherwise indicated in the destination literature, meals are not included in the cost of the trip, so you can determine for yourself whether to join the guide and group for meals or to dine on your own. The cost of meals is calculated into your estimated weekly expenses which you will find in the destination information on the website. The guide can make safe suggestions for a nice restaurant or cozy café. You can usually enjoy breakfast at our hotels, or in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. The guide will give you useful tips about safe eating and drinking practices. On safaris and during a portion of certain trips, a camp courier or cook will escort the group to prepare the meals. On camping safaris (with the exception of the Botswana camping safari) participants will pitch in with the meal preparation and clean-up. On the hotel safaris, meals will be taken at the lodges or prepared for the group. In this case, the cost of meals prepared by the camp courier will appear on your invoice unless otherwise noted.
Traveling in Faraway Countries
It is important to be fully informed in order to judge whether our trips match your dreams and expectations. Lifestyle, culture and climate in our countries of destination may be very different from home. You will come in contact with different customs, religions, and mentalities. While this makes a Djoser trip more interesting, it is something to consider before booking a trip. The tourism infrastructure of hotels, transportation, dining, and shopping differ quite a bit from what we are accustomed to in North America. These differences are the allure for most who book our trips, but for others, these differences plus a lack of modern conveniences and luxuries may be disappointing. It is important to understand the personality of our trips before booking. If you are prepared in advance, such differences will be tolerable and often add another dimension to your travels. In short, awareness and a flexible attitude come in handy.
Book a Trip!
You can book your trip on-line (see Book a Trip on the Homepage). There you will find our registration form with the terms and conditions of traveling with Djoser to faraway countries. You can complete the booking form on-line and E-mail it to us or you can print it out, fill it in and mail it. If you have requested a hard copy of the literature, you may fill out the form provided. Please mail a check for $250 per person as a deposit to secure your place on the trip. This is a non-refundable payment. We do not accept credit cards nor do we work through travel agents, as these are sources of price mark-ups that we have omitted to keep our prices as low as possible. After you register, within 10 days you will receive extensive travel information including, among other things, a hotel list, packing information, emergency contact numbers, and travel insurance information for our recommended provider, TRAVELEX. On your invoice you can expect to see such charges as: the listed trip price, airport taxes and seasonal surcharges, if applicable. If you made a special request you will find the applicable charge for: flight extension ($100), flight layover ($150), or single room charge. If you request a roommate but we cannot accommodate you, for many trips, there will be no additional charge to you. On other trips, you may be charged up to one half of the single room charge. Full payment by check is due eight weeks prior to the trip departure. We do not accept charge cards. There is a $50 administration charge for flight changes made after the original booking. You can find our trip cancellation policy on our website or attached to the registration form. A good travel insurance plan will cover penalties for many circumstances. You should purchase insurance within a few days of making your trip deposit for maximum coverage. Holiday trips fill early so we recommend you book Christmas trips six months in advance. You can always check in later to see if we still have availabilities. In the event a Department of State Travel Warning is issued for a country prior to departure, we will work with you to transfer your trip to another date or destination. You can apply your payment to another trip departing within 12 months of the trip cancellation.
Travelex Insurance
A carefree trip is not possible without good travel and cancellation insurance. In the event of an illness or injury, the cost of emergency treatment and evacuation is staggering, especially if you cannot be flown out by a commercial carrier. Therefore travel insurance is strongly recommended for everyone who signs up with Djoser. Cancellation insurance is also important. Djoser recommends TRAVELEX, a well-known travel insurance company (you may have seen their kiosks at international airports). You can check out their plan on the web at www.travelex-insurance.com or you may call them at 1-800-228-9792 (M-F, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST). Please refer to the Travelex Travel Plus plan or the less expensive TraveLite Plan. Refer to Location Number 38-0017. Be sure to apply for your insurance within 10 days of sending in your deposit to get maximum coverage for things such as pre-existing medical conditions or trip cancellation.
Travel Conditions
We promote an active style of travel on Djoser tours, which comes with a certain degree of risk on the part of the traveler. You will find a broad cross-section of age groups on our trips. However, we do not recommend our trips for extremely young children, older seniors, or individuals with physically restricting infirmities. Travel distances may be long and terrains or conditions too challenging for certain people. A reasonable level of fitness is required, although you do not have to be an athlete. Participants are free to forego activities that they consider too strenuous. Customs, infrastructure, conditions and services in the countries we visit are not equivalent to those in the U.S. and Canada and travelers should be prepared for a slower pace and more basic and sometimes primitive surroundings, which we believe, add to the charm of our trips. This sort of travel requires flexibility and openness from participants.
Passports & Visas
Most countries will require that your passport is valid 6 months from the time of departure after your visit. Some will require an empty page in your passport. Be sure to check with the appropriate consulate for the most current rates and requirements. When you apply for most visas, you will be required to send off your actual passport to the consulate. Be sure to allow time for this process, especially if you need multiple visas. There are services that will expedite the processing of your passport and visa in as little as 3 days time, however, the cost is high for this speedy service.
Health
You should consult with the Center for Disease control, at www.cdc.gov, for the most recent recommendations for shots and recommended medications. If you have health or fitness issues, be sure to consult your doctor before booking. Those with respiratory issues should be particularly careful in countries with high altitudes.
Cancellations
Cancellation Conditions
1) You have the right to cancel a booked tour by sending Djoser a letter by certified mail. In this event the following penalties apply:
Cancellation receipt dated 56 or more days prior to departure - Penalty: Forfeit of the application fee.
Cancellation receipt dated 55 to 28 days prior to departure - Penalty: Forfeit of 25% of the tour fare.
Cancellation receipt dated 27 to 14 days prior to departure - Penalty: Forfeit of 50% of the tour fare.
Cancellation receipt dated 13 to 7 days prior to departure - Penalty: Forfeit of 75% of the tour fare.
Cancellation receipt dated 6 days or less prior to departure - Penalty: Forfeit of the full amount of the tour fare.
Djoser has the right to cancel a trip 25 days prior to departure. This would occur, for instance, if in the country of your destination there is a natural disaster, or if we have insufficient trip participation (on many of our trips, we only need two participants to get a trip on the road.) In this event, we would discuss an alternative with you or give you a full restitution of the tour fare. Djoser will not be responsible for any loss resulting from cancellation or changes in international gateways or travel dates, penalties for canceled domestic add-on flights (if you have arranged this flight or should you miss your flight). Therefore, we suggest you avoid booking tickets that bear high cancellation penalty charges.
Travel Advisories and Warnings
It is the responsibility of the traveler to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department's travel Web site at www.travel.state.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-407-4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should you still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
If during your trip a travel warning is issued which requires that you leave the country or area, for example due to political unrest or natural disaters, Djoser will attempt to create an alternate itinerary, diverting you to another region in the country. If this is not possible, the earliest possible transport back to the U.S. will be arranged. Any additional costs incurred for this will be billed to the client. There will be no refund for services or excursions which have not been taken.
