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How Strenuous are these Trips?

The challenge level of this trip is Intermediate-Advanced
We have arranged tours according to difficulty. We take s into account the duration of the trips, the incline differences, the altitudes and the ratio of rest and walking days. This is of course, an estimate. Your personal experience will depend on factors like weather and your physical condition.
During these trips you make a number of longer walks (four to six hours per day) in hilly to mountainous terrain. Moderate walks are interspersed with some tough trips. Anyone with a normal health condition and can walk maken.Op trekking we leave this morning, mostly from our accommodation by minibus and we move to our next accommodation a walk. The walks are for anyone with a normal condition to do good. The landscape is diverse, mountainous terrain, flat, rising and falling paths alternate. Some walks are along narrow paths and steep precipices. Sometimes we walk through levada tunnels, which are dark and narrow. A good flashlight is essential. The longest tunnel, walk 15 minutes in the dark, on day 6. Keep this in mind, if you do not want to make this walk, we can try to arrange alternative transport to the endpoint. We walks from 3 to 6 hours. On day 5 we climb the Pico Ruivo, a hike of about 3 hours to the summit at 1862 meter (1818 meter from the starting point on). It is a tough climb. If you do not wish to make this walk, you can remain in Ribeira Brava and the days on your own fill.


Make sure you are well-prepared. Spend time prior to your trip getting into shape for your trek.  Also come equipped with proper walking shoes (broken in) and proper clothing.  

Group Participants and Tour Leader

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


Guide Service

The tour guide provides practical information about the possible hike, the route and the optional activities during rest days. The supervisor also knows about the daily life and the different customs of the country. The courier is not a lecture guide, but a logistics coordinator.  The tour guides are enthusiastic hikers and do everything to make your walking tour a success. 



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.

Traveling 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 one to five North Americans on the trip.

On most of these trips a Dutch tour leader will address the group in Dutch and English. These are not lecture tours and you will get the important information.  Participants of these groups are extremely independent-minded. In addition to group activity, they will also embrace opportunities to explore or dine on their own. On our African camping safaris, a local, English-speaking guide will accompany the group. This also applies to many of our Walking Tours and Biking Tours.

You will see that all those years of biking in Holland have paid off as the Dutch travelers, of all ages, are typically ready for a hearty hike or bike ride. All of our International Group Trips are active trips. On some trips we spend a day or a few in remote areas with limited services.

Traveling with an international group adds another dimension to your trip. You will find that  most of your fellow travelers have a superb command of English and the Dutch tend to be quite social.  Be willing to initiate conversations. You can also look to the tour leader to help to integrate the group. The group tends to warm up to each other after a day or two, but as with any tour group, compatibility has more to do with individual personalities. Some solo travelers can find integration more challenging. It can be easier, socially if you have a travel partner. There are times, especially when everyone is tired, that you will hear more Dutch on the bus or at a meal.

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 This Trip For A 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?
We offer discounted rates for children between 12 and 17 and further discounts for children 11 and under. We also discount when you book a trip for a party of 3 or more. Because of the active nature of international group trips, these trips may be too challenging for young children. The opportunity for cultural immersion can be a really interesting experience for older children however, and there are plenty of opportunities to break off from the group to take some private, family time.   Walking & Biking Tours may be too demanding for small children. Our private trips offer the most flexibility, more one-on-one attention from the guide and the ability to set your own pace, which is ideal for families.

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.

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.   


TRANSPORTATION & TOUR VEHICLE
For the transfer to and from the airports we use a bus. On the islands from our starting point and at the end of our walk, we travel with our private bus. There are many different islands.  Taxis take you to the start of an optional walk to, and pick you up at the end of the walk. You can also use the local bus. Upon arrival on the island of Faial from Pico, we walk to the hotel as it is very close to the port.

Accommodations

We stay in centrally located, comfortable hotels, the rooms are always equipped with private shower and toilet. The hotels are within walking distance of the inner cities and occasionally they have a pool. The groups on these trips have a maximum size of 15 participants.
 
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

At the breakfast the trip including the package. You can decide where you want lunch and evening eating. In Funchal is a good number of restaurants to choose from, in the smaller towns the choice is more limited. Besides the usual European cuisine restaurants are also international restaurants come. Madeira views eating as a social event, so that good times are spent comfortably in the restaurants. Some dishes, especially fish and shellfish, are calculated by weight and daily rate. Imports are more expensive. Before you order a side dish, you must remember that each main course is served with salad and potatoes and / or rice.

Climate

Madeira has an steady soft and humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. The average annual temperatures range between 16 and 22 ° C. Temperatures below 16 ° C are rare.  In summer, cool trade winds and the rising winds bring a cloud over the island crown that temper the hot, afternoon sun. Despite the name "Island of Eternal Spring", it often rains in Madeira, especially in the period from October to March. Even in summer, few days pass without a cloud. Typically, it rains through the night, which works well for the tourists.  The north coast has a greater temperature variation and is wetter than the southern coast.  The São Lourenço Peninsula is probably the driest region of Madeira. There is little rain and often there is a strong breeze blowing over the strange rocky landscape.
 

Travel Documents

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:   Funchal
Land program ends in: Funchal

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:  11:05 AM
On the final day, the flight for the Dutch participants is scheduled to leave at:
11:05 AM

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
 
The currency: Euro
Cash: Euro
Credit cards: are widely accepted, not in the small towns in the mountains.
 
 
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

PACKING
We encourage you to limit your luggage to a maximum of 35 pounds. Bring a soft duffel or a backpack as hard suitcases are hard to pack.  During your walks you will care only your water, camera,  lunch, rain gear, etc.

VOLTAGE
220V

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

WHAT TO BRING
* Shoes with a good grip (broken in!)
    * Light shoes or sandals (for swimming from lava rock)
    *Spring clothing.  rainwear, rain jacket or poncho that you can carry on daypack
    *(fleece) sweater
    *(walking) socks
    *swimwear
    *water bottle (minimum 1 liter capacity)
    *spare laces
    * sunscreen with a high protection
    *mosquito repellent
    * Sunglasses or Cap
    *lip balm
    *film / video equipment with extra film, memory cards and batteries
    *travel alarm clock
    *flashlight
    *walking sticks, which are not necessary but recommended
    *compass and binoculars
    * First aid kit including blister plasters, antiseptic and tape, aspirin and drugs indigestion
    * Toiletries

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