Oasis Overland Adventure Travel
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Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ page
What is the difference between Regional Explorers/Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions?
What accommodation is provided and will I have to share with other members of the group?
Do I need to be physically fit to go on a Regional Explorer/Overland/Ultimate Expedition?
I am a Vegetarian/Vegan or have a food allergy/intolerance - Will I be Catered for?
Why is Oasis Overland such good value compared to other operators?
What about my personal belongings and money?
What is the rest of the group like on your trips?
How many people do you take on your trips?
What about medical kits and vaccinations?
How much spending money should I bring?
Will I get any free time whilst on tour?
What type of luggage should I bring?
How long beforehand should I book?
What accommodation is provided?
Do I need travel insurance?
Do you sell flights?
What about visas?
* What is the difference between Regional Explorers, Overland Adventures and Ultimate Expeditions?
The main differences are, accommodation, transport and group size:
Regional Explorers use a variety of transport, from trains, air-con. coasters, boats and planes. Accommodation is usually in small locally owned pensions & budget hotels. Group sizes are generally 15 to 20.
Overland Adventures take place on board our purpose built Overland vehicles. Accommodation is a mixture of camping, hostels / lodges. Group sizes are generally from 20 to 25 depending on truck capacity.
Ultimate Expeditions take place on board our purpose built Overland Vehicles - you should expect a higher degree of hardship. Accommodation is primarily camping. Group sizes are generally 20 to 24 travellers.
* What accommodation is provided and will I have to share with other members of the group?
For all our trips, accommodation is normally on a shared basis, mainly because we offer group holidays! - but also to keep costs down to a minimum for travellers. On our Overland Adventure and Ultimate Expeditions, we use either two person 'A' frame or 'Dome' type tents that have an inbuilt ground sheet and mosquito netting on the doors and we tend to stay in either campsites or bush camp. They are designed for 3 people, but we only use them for 2. In towns and cities where we use hotels and hostels, you may be asked to share a twin or triple room or even a dormitory. On our Regional Explorer Trips we use small good quality locally owned pensions and budget hotels and accommodation is in either, Twin, Shared or Double Rooms (for couples). It is sometimes possible to pay extra for a single room (but this cannot be guaranteed).
* Do I need to be physically fit to go on a Regional Explorer/Overland/Ultimate Expedition?
A positive attitude and an open mind are probably more important than being physically fit. On our Overland Adventure Trips and Ultimate Expeditions we expect you to help with day to day chores such as cooking and cleaning the truck interior, but any person that leads a normal, active life should be able to cope. On our Regional Explorer Trips you will not be required to cook or clean, but some of the sightseeing involves an average level of fitness (e.g. donkey ride to Valley of Kings, climbing Mount Sinai, the Inca Trail trek). If for instance you decide to walk the Inca Trail, or hike to the Mountain Gorillas, then we suggest an average fitness level is required, and getting in some walking, or visiting a gym before your tour commences, may make these treks easier and more enjoyable.
* Why is Oasis Overland such good value compared to other operators?
Maybe the question should be ‘Why are other companies so expensive?’……..We rely mainly on direct sales via our brochure, website and recommendations, thus doing away with high commission sales via travel agents. The office and workshop are combined in the countryside in rural Somerset, therefore avoiding many high business costs. By being small we also avoid having extra staff such as marketing managers etc.
* What about my personal belongings and money?
On our Regional Explorer trips most hotels have safety deposit boxes or safes, on our Overland and Ultimate Expeditions all our vehicles have a safe on board where you can leave your money, passport and small valuables.
* What is the rest of the group like on your trips?
It’s not age that matters but your attitude! Generally however our groups are made up of adventurous people mainly British, Australians and New Zealanders predominantly in their 20’s, 30’s & 40’s. We have gap year students to older professional people travel with us also, and as long as you have the right attitude and enjoy being part of a group then you’ll fit in fine. Many people book their trips either with friends or partners, but about half join our trips as individual travellers. We do not charge SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FEES (Cairo city breaks aside), so if you are travelling solo, we will pair you up with a tent buddy of the same sex when we camp and the same goes for twin or shared rooms in hostels or hotels, so there is no need to go it alone!
* How many people do you take on your trips?
On most of our Overland Adventure and Ultimate Expedition trips our vehicles can carry a maximum of 24 travellers, the average however is around 16–20 on any trip. Our Regional Explorer trips have a maximum of 18 people per Tour Leader, although again the average is around 10-16 people.
* How long beforehand should I book?
It’s hard to say precisely, but it's advisable to book most trips at least 4-5 months in advance to guarantee a seat. Some trips and dates fill up a lot faster than others especially if they coincide with particular events or dates (Rio Carnival, Christmas, New Year, Easter, ANZAC Day etc). Remember as well, the further ahead you book, usually the cheaper flights are too!
* How much spending money should I bring?
Again this is a bit difficult to accurately say, but generally on most trips we recommend between £120 - £140/week. This can vary a lot depending on the individual and how much you want to eat out in restaurants, drink alcohol, purchase snacks & souvenirs, upgrade to rooms, and use email etc. This amount is separate to the costs of the optional excursions on all the trips. It’s better to over budget than under budget. (see individual trip pre-departure information for more info).
* What about medical kits and vaccinations?
We recommend everyone brings their own personal kit. Each of our trucks on the Overland Adventures & Ultimate Expeditions does carry a professionally compiled comprehensive medical kit. Our Tour Leaders on the Regional Explorers also carry a basic kit. Our pre-departure information for each trip lists in detail what to bring with you.
* What accommodation is provided?
On our Overland Adventure and Ultimate Expedition truck trips we use either two person 'A' frame or 'Dome' type tents that have an inbuilt ground sheet and mosquito netting on the doors and we tend to stay in either campsites or bush camp.
On our Regional Explorer trips we use small good quality locally owned pensions and budget hotels.
* I am a Vegetarian/Vegan or have a food allergy/intolerance - Our Tour Leaders will always do their best to cater for any dietary requirement or intolerance whenever possible. However we dont cater for fussy eaters. It must be remembered that the variety of dishes available may not be the same as available to meat eaters. If there is anything in particular you require in your diet or because of an allergy or would miss from home, it would be best to bring these with you, as these cannot be purchased with normal Local Payment funds due to the high cost of these specialised and often imported foods. Remember that when eating out in local restaurants & hotels that vegetarianism or food allergies / intolerances, are still not widely known about or understood by many local people. i.e Vegetarians or Vegans will often be offered fish or chicken in error. Most large towns and cities, or areas used to tourists, will often have more choice but please be aware that it will probably not be as varied as you are used to when eating out at home.
* Will I get any free time whilst on tour?
The simple answer is yes! On the Overland Adventure Trips and Ultimate Expeditions your Tour Leader will help you with booking activities and general information, but you will be expected to get out there and take a look around cities and other sights yourself. If you just want to do your own thing for a few days, so long as the Tour Leader knows your plans, you can take time out from the group and trip. On the Regional Explorer Trips there will be plenty of opportunities of free time and your Tour Leader will be available to assist with any advice and information you may need.
* What type of luggage should I bring?
A conventional backpack/hold-all is recommended for your belongings from 70 to 90 litres maximum, we also recommend you have a 15-20 litre day pack to carry your daily essentials.
* Do I need travel insurance?
Definitely! We require everybody to have their own travel insurance on all our trips. The insurance we offer covers you for medical, baggage, repatriation, most optional excursions and currency. See our Travel Insurance page for more info and prices on our tailor made overland adventure travel insurance.
* Do you sell flights?
No we do not. Flight prices can be greatly affected by factors such as where you are in the world, what time of year you are flying, your route, and your age. It is easy to find prices for flights online, through various search engines such as (www.skyscanner.net or www.ebookers.co.uk are but two) and direct with airline websites.
* What about visas?
Generally speaking the majority of nationalities (British, New Zealand and Australians) require visas for several of the countries that we pass through on our trips. However, most of these are obtainable on route so there is usually no need for you to obtain them before you leave. Our pre-departure information which you will receive upon booking a trip will give you more up to date information regarding visas and the costs for each nationality along with a lot of other information.
Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01963 363400 or email: info@oasisoverland.co.uk should you have any other questions you'd like answered about our trips.
