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How Strenuous are these Trips?

The challenge level of this trip is Intermediate-Advanced due to the constant physical nature of the trip. 

Group Participants and Tour Leader

PARTICIPANTS:  International Group, most from Netherlands  MIN: 8 MAX: 16

IF YOU BOOK A TRIP WITH AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP
When you book one of our International Group Adventures, you will join an active group of travelers of all ages, most from Holland and Belgium. Depending on the trip, there will be only one to five North Americans on the trip. Most of the European participants have a superb command of English but you are likely to hear lots of Dutch spoken. The Dutch tour leader will address the group in Dutch and English. These are not lecture tours and you will get the important information.  On our African camping safaris, a local English-speaking local guide will accompany the group. Participants of these groups are extremely independent-minded  and embrace opportunities to explore or dine on their own, in addition to group activity.
 
Traveling with an international group adds another dimension to your trip. Compatibility has more to do with individual personalities of group members. Socializng can be more challenging for solo travelers and may require more effort on your part to initiate contact. The Dutch are usually quite social and often, very direct. Their politics tend to lean towards the liberal side. The European participants, of all ages, are typically very active and most everyone is up for a hearty hike or bike ride.
 
Trust your instincts....if this description sounds appealing, these trips are probably a great match for you. But if you feel that it may be too active, that you prefer more one-on-one attention, or that that the idea of being in the minority is not appealing, then a private trip or travel with our North American groups may be more suitable for you.

CAN I BOOK A PROGRAM LISTED AS A GROUP TRIP FOR MY OWN PRIVATE PARTY?
In addition to our programs that are listed in our website, specficially as PRIVATE TOURS, we can arrange many of the intineraries 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 discounted rates for children. 

GUIDE SERVICE
A Dutch tour leader will accompany you throughout the trip. He/she is not a lecturer but a logistics coordinator and enthusiastic biker who will help make your trip more enjoyable. They can tell you about places to eat, possible activities during free time and certain information about the local customs.
 
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 EMERGENCY
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.
 

Local Transportation

LAND PROGRAM
Djoser provides the LAND PROGRAM only. You will need to book your own flights from the United States to the destination and back.   


Cycling
The package includes the use of a mountain bike with gears. In total we bike about 300 kilometers and average 35 kilometers per day. You cycle mostly on quiet country roads and across green rice fields. We cover most of the route between Guilin and Chaotian on the bikes. In Hong Kong we have no bikes at our disposal.

Other Transport
During the trip besides the bicycles we use different vehicles. From Hong Kong to Guilin we travel at the beginning of the journey by night train. We get on the ferry boat in Hong Kong to Guangzhou and then sleep on the train, a typical Chinese way of traveling. Chinese sleeper trains are divided into so-called hard seats (where you can sit only), hard sleepers and soft sleepers. We use the hard sleepers. This means that you sleep in an open compartment, with six couchettes. These hard sleepers have sheets, blankets and pillows, but a sleep sack is useful. You can also find a thermos with hot water, so please bring a mug.  

On the return trip to Hong Kong we fly back from Guilin to Shenzhen, close to Hong Kong. We take the ferry from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. The whole journey we have access to a bus and a truck to transport the bikes. If you do not want to cycle on one of the days you can ride on the  comfortable bus, which is air conditioned. You can also opt to take a more challenging ride when the bus stops from Gong Chen  to Chaotian.

Accommodations

ACCOMMODATIONS
Mostly we stay in good tourist class hotels and sometimes in more basic accommodations for example in guest houses. The rooms have private shower and toilet. In most rooms you will find a large thermos of hot water ready, so you can enjoy a fresh cup of tea or coffee..
 
SINGLE TRAVELERS
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.  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.    

Meals

Meals during the trip not included in the price. You can decide where and with who you would like to eat. The tour leader will make suggestions. You can of course, join the group for dinner, but you are free to explore on your own, as well. For the culinary enthusiast, a trip through China and its cuisine is one big adventure. Each region has its own specialties, especially as expressed in the preparation and use of herbs. In Beijing, for example, be sure to have the famous Peking Duck. The cuisine of the Sichuan province is famous for his very use of strong herbs and spices. The Canton region is notorious for the use of all species in their dishes, like dog, cat, monkey and muskrats. A popular lunch, when the average Westerner is a rich soup with noodles, vegetables and / or meat. At night you can choose from a wide range of various dishes, which are put on the table. Everyone at the table eats  with chopsticks. Another pleasant way of eating is a kind of Chinese fondue (hotpot), where you have vegetables, meat and fish in a pot with boiling broth, cooked at the table. Although the Chinese serve delicious lunches, snacks and dinners, many foreign visitors are not very enthusiastic about the breakfast habits of Chinese with rice, pork, fried peanuts and sour vegetables, accompanied by a glass of(warm) beer. Several hotels where we stay also servea western breakfast. Sometimes there are minor variations of a Chinese breakfast available. In places outside the hotels, or just on with street vendors you can find pancakes or yogurts. Green tea is popular drink in China, in many places it is served automatically. In addition, mineral water, soft drinks and beer are widely available. Even coffee is becoming more widely available.

Climate

Because of the huge size of the country, you come across very diversified weather conditions. The summers in a large part of China are warm with an average temperature above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with the exception of the areas with high latitudes. Rain occurs during the entire year. You can expect a few rain showers, especially in the south. In the winter time in Beijing  the temperatures can drop far below zero. From the middle of November until the end of February, we don’t organize trips to China because of the cold weather.
 
 

Travel Documents

Visa is needed for China
 
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:   Hong Kong
Land program ends in: Hong Kong

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.

The Dutch participants are scheduled to arrive on DAY 1 at:  2:30 PM
On the final day, the flight for the Dutch participants is scheduled to leave at:
11:05 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 China=Renminbi (rmb)
ATM Machines:   ATMS Available in all cities
Charge Cards:   Charge Cards Useful in most cities.
Types of Cash Accepted:  Cash Travelers checks are hard to exchange
 
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.

VOLTAGE
220V

It is recommended that you bring a universal adapter plug and extra batteries for your flashlight, in the event of power outages. The voltage in this destinations is:

Resources

A good guidebook is invaluable. We recommend the Lonely Planet series as well as the DK Guidebooks. 

Communication

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.

Mail the signed booking form with you check, 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
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 90 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