TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE TO KENYA T R A V E L
T R I P S
A N D
M O R E
A Soulful Journeys Travel Hosted Experience
Christy Boyce
404-913-1285
Travel Advisor Get Up Go Travel LLC/ Soulful Journeys
christy@soulfuljourneystravel.com http://www.soulfuljourneystravel.com
Travel with Purpose to Kenya Aug 12, 2020 - Aug 22, 2020 Join Christy from Soulful Journeys Travel as she hosts this transformative travel experience in Kenya. When you join me on this journey to meet the people and wildlife of Kenya, your experience goes beyond a typical African safari. I believe that true explorers know that connecting with a destination means connecting with its people and culture. Have the best of both worlds on this bucket-list journey! Find yourself immersed in the beauty of Kenya with local community members and experience what daily life is like in the Maasai Mara. You will have the opportunity to meet and learn from people in the community, while also giving back by contributing to vital projects that provide aid and assistance.
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You will stay in comfortable accommodations and have the opportunity to experience what life is truly like for the Maasai people. After you've spent a few days immersing into the local culture (and learning a little Swahili), you will continue on to experience 'glamping' at its finest as you embark on a quintessential Hemingway-esque African Safari. Be on the lookout for the Big Five, experience the Great Wildebeest Migration, and capture breathtaking photos that will become treasured souvenirs of your time in Kenya. Your 5-star luxury camping accommodations are impressive and will provide the beauty and comfort symbolic of a true African Safari camp. This Travel-with-Purpose experience in Kenya will transform you in ways you cannot even imagine; connecting you with the local Maasai people while also connecting with yourself. I hope you will join me!
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Trip Summary August 12 - Wednesday Depart US for flight to Nairobi, Kenya
August 13 - Thursday Arrival into Nairobi, Kenya Check in at Hemingways Nairobi hotel - Hemingways Nairobi hotel
August 14 - Friday Breakfast at Hotel Check out at Hemingways Nairobi hotel - Hemingways Nairobi hotel Visit the Giraffe Center near Nairobi National Park Transfer to Wilson Airport for short flight to Masai Mara Afternoon arrival to Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp Introduction and Orientation Learn about WE Villages Maasai Story-Telling with Maasai Warriors Welcome Dinner
August 15 - Saturday Enjoy Breakfast School - Building Lunch Provided Visit Baraka Hospital Dinner at Bogani Evening for reflection
August 16 - Sunday Day 2 at Bogani Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion Meet the Girls at Kisaruni Secondary School Healthy Eating at Oleleshwa Farm Women's Beading Circle Lunch and Dinner provided at Bogani
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August 17 - Monday Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion Sunrise Bush Walk A Day in the Life Lunch at Bogani Visit a Local Primary School Sundowners and Dinner at Bogani
August 18 - Tuesday Sunrise Yoga Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion ME to WE Duka at Bogani Finish School-Building and Beautification Lunch at Bogani Say Kwaheri to the Community Farewell Dinner at Bogani
August 19 - Wednesday After Breakfast, Depart Bogani for our Safari Adventure Check in at Mahali Mzuri - Mahali Mzuri Enjoy a Sunset Safari! Dining at Mahali Mzuri Dinner in the dining tent at Mahali Mzuri
August 20 - Thursday Sunrise Safari Optional Activity: Sunrise Hot-air Balloon Safari Breakfast at the Dining pavilion Relax and enjoy your day at camp Lunch on the deck, by the pool, or at your tent - the choice is yours! Optional Activity: Arrange for a Spa Treatment Sunset Safari Dinner at camp (or in the bush)
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August 21 - Friday Rise and Shine Game Drive Breakfast at camp Relax and enjoy your day at camp Lunch on the deck, by the pool, or at your tent - the choice is yours! Optional Activity: Arrange for a Spa Treatment Sunset Safari
August 22 - Saturday Depart Mahali Mzuri Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Day Room at Hemingways Hotel in Nairobi Dinner in Nairobi Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your evening flight home Kenya Program Costs and Information
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August 12 - Wednesday Depart US for flight to Nairobi, Kenya Group Economy airfare is included on Kenya Airways non-stop from JFK-NBO Depart JFK 12:55 pm Arrive NBO 10:25 am +1 (Flight time 14hr 30mins) Add-on pricing from your closest airport gateway to JFK is available.
August 13 - Thursday Arrival into Nairobi, Kenya Karibu Nairobi! Upon arrival, we will collect our luggage and proceed through customs, where we will be welcomed by our in-country facilitator in the arrivals hall. We will then have a comfortable transfer to our hotel, approximately 30 mins.
Check in at Hemingways Nairobi hotel Beautiful in its symmetry and flooded with natural light, this plantation-style property is airy and spacious. Located in the suburb of Karen, and the site of Karen Blixen's farm as highlighted in the film Out of Africa, the ambiance of the property takes you back to a time-gone era. Every bedroom has a private balcony overlooking the iconic silhouette of the Ngong Hills. Hallmark Hemingways hospitality, borne out of decades of expertise in welcoming guests to Kenya, makes you the focus of our every design. *Evening snack and dinner are at own expense (24 hour room service is also available)
Hemingways Nairobi hotel Karen, KE
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August 14 - Friday Breakfast at Hotel We will enjoy a full breakfast at the Hotel before embarking on our ME to WE adventure!
Check out at Hemingways Nairobi hotel Hemingways Nairobi hotel Karen, KE
Visit the Giraffe Center near Nairobi National Park Created in 1979, the Giraffe Centre is a safe home for many of Kenya's endangered Rothschild giraffes. We will have the opportunity to observe, feed and even kiss the giraffes! The Giraffe Centre is the creation of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W. Kenya), a Kenyan non-profit organization. Their main purpose is to educate Kenyan school children and youth on the country’s wildlife and environment, as well as give local and international visitors an opportunity to come into close contact with the world’s tallest species, the giraffe.
Transfer to Wilson Airport for short flight to Masai Mara After spending some time at Giraffe Center, we will depart for a short transfer to Wilson Airport for our flight to Bogani Camp.
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Afternoon arrival to Bogani Cottages and Tented Camp Our Soulful Journey begins in the Maasai Mara region—a stunning landscape dotted with acacia trees and rolling hills. As we make our way to Bogani, passing homesteads and farms, we’ll be greeted with friendly smiles, waves and excited calls of “Jambo!” (Swahili for hello) from local children. We will feel at home the moment we arrive at Bogani, where the welcoming staff are waiting to help us settle into our comfortable private tent or cabin. It’s time to savor our first meal on the al fresco dining platform and look forward to the days to come! Each accommodation is complete with hot and cold running water, flush toilets and comfortable beds, and is furnished with unique African fabrics and art.
Introduction and Orientation Every trip with ME to WE directly supports projects in the communities we visit. We’ll take you to local communities, where you’ll step into the shoes of the families there. Visit their homes and schools and hear from locals how they’re working hand-in-hand with WE Charity to create a brighter future. If you choose, you can even get your hands dirty by contributing to an ongoing project, like a clean-water well, classroom or health clinic.
Learn about WE Villages Learn about the WE Villages development model. Our local staff work with rural villages and regional governments to support, teach and empower people within five Pillars of Impact: 1. Education: Quality primary education
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2. Water: Safe/clean drinking water and sanitation systems 3. Health: Sanitation & health care services 4. Food: Agriculture and food security 5. Opportunity: Alternative income projects
Maasai Story-Telling with Maasai Warriors Join our Maasai Warriors/guides as they speak about the Maasai community, culture, practices, taboos and lion slaying stories. This is also a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about this deep and rich culture.
Welcome Dinner Relax into the atmosphere of the Mara as we enjoy our first dinner at Bogani. Share stories with fellow travelers as we dine on the covered outdoor platform and enjoy a delicious meal featuring both Kenyan and Western-style dishes.
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August 15 - Saturday Enjoy Breakfast Let the warmth of the sunrise wash over you each morning as you enjoy a hot cup of Kenyan chai on our al fresco dining platform. Enjoy a delicious breakfast including eggs, pastries, local fruits, yogurt, toast, coffee and tea before setting out on your day ahead! *Any special dietary needs or requests can be accommodated. Just let me know ahead of time.
School - Building Let's roll up our sleeves and get ready to help build a new school. We might be putting up a wall, mixing cement or painting a classroom. Spend some time talking to the locals as the bricks get higher, and the school gets closer to completion. This is such a vital need for the children and it's such a wonderful feeling to be of service for the community in this way.
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Lunch Provided Lunch is included and will be provided during the day according to your schedule of activities and events. Nutritious food, snacks, and beverages will always be available to keep your body nourished throughout the day.
Visit Baraka Hospital Visit one of WE Village’s newest projects, the Baraka Hospital. Baraka serves over 30,000 community members, promoting healthy living and providing preventative, curative and rehabilitative services to the most vulnerable segments of the Kenyan population. These services enable individuals and communities to enhance their health.
Dinner at Bogani Chefs, Wesley and Shake, invite you to join them on a culinary journey of Kenya, preparing Kenyan favourites like ugali, and Nyama Choma – a Kenyan barbecue. Western-style dishes are also always available, as well as options to suit any dietary needs.
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Evening for reflection Savor the delight of a hot shower after a day spent visiting local communities. Later, cozy up around a roaring evening fire, reflecting on your activities from the day, while listening to the night-time sounds of the wildlife just beyond. Spend some quiet time journaling about your experiences and thinking of the wonderful adventures yet to come! This is your home-away-from-home—your place to relax and reflect, soaking in every moment of your Kenyan adventure. Lala salama, rafiki yangu. (Sleep well my friend)
August 16 - Sunday Day 2 at Bogani We will start our day with a sunrise yoga session under the acacia trees, and feel immersed in the beauty of the world around us. Afterwards, take a stroll through the winding paths under yellow acacia groves and lush green trees, meet the resident family of goats, and enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding Maasai Mara—home to wild zebras, giraffes, gazelles and more.
Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion
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Meet the Girls at Kisaruni Secondary School Go on a guided tour of WE Village’s first all-girls secondary school and meet the girls who are completing high school education. Kisaruni focuses on community, and provides empowering curriculum that provides girls with the skills and opportunities to excel. Kisaruni strives to build on cultural values, promote leadership, value diversity, and encourage active learning.
Healthy Eating at Oleleshwa Farm Visit Oleleshwa Farm to see the impact of WE Village’s Food Pillar. Get a tour of the farm from the farm manager and learn what they are growing for a sustainable and reliable harvests. Learn where most of the ingredients for your meals at Bogani come from!
Women's Beading Circle For generations, Maasai women have gathered under the shade of acacia trees to practice the traditional art of beading while sharing conversation and stories from their families and lives. You’re invited to join in this tradition, getting to know an incredible group of women as they teach you how to bead and share how it’s helping them earn a sustainable income.
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Lunch and Dinner provided at Bogani
August 17 - Monday Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion Sunrise Bush Walk We can start our day with a morning bush walk, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Find yourself fully immersed in the moment as you take in your stunning surroundings—the sun rising over rolling hills and lush greenery, the sound of wind softly blowing through the trees and the jingling of cowbells in the distance. Learn about the unique wildlife and medicinal herbs, and take in the beautiful flora and fauna.
A Day in the Life Join mamas in the community of Emori Joi for a special walk through the community. Women play a vital role in the day-to-day running of a community. Walk side-by-side with them as they fetch water, feed their animals and cook ugali for their families—learning what it takes for a community to thrive.
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Lunch at Bogani Visit a Local Primary School Experience a guided tour of a local primary school in a nearby community, Enelerai. Visit an old school structure in the community and observe the differences from a new WE Villages school.
Sundowners and Dinner at Bogani Sundowners (or 'Happy Hour') is a unique experience when in Africa. Sipping a glass of wine or Tusker beer while watching the beautiful sun set over the Mara, and listening to the beautiful sounds of nature and the wildlife... It's a very peaceful and serene experience to be had! We will enjoy another delicious dinner in the pavilion and story-telling by the fire in the evening.
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August 18 - Tuesday Sunrise Yoga Have the option of sleeping in, or starting your day with a sunrise yoga class under the acacia trees.
Enjoy Breakfast at the Dining Pavillion ME to WE Duka at Bogani Visit the Duka, the on-site shop, which offers locally sourced gifts, exclusive Kenyan products, and ME to WE Artisans beaded accessories and home wares made by local Maasai women.
Finish School-Building and Beautification We will plant some trees in memory of our visit to Bogani. Our trees will be individually adopted and cared for by members of the community.
Lunch at Bogani Say Kwaheri to the Community Wish your new friends in the community farewell and debrief on your Volunteer Adventure and community experience with your facilitators.
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Enjoy the rest of your afternoon relaxing, journaling, taking pictures, or spending some final moments with your new Maasai family before having to say good-bye.
Farewell Dinner at Bogani
August 19 - Wednesday After Breakfast, Depart Bogani for our Safari Adventure Depart Bogani and enjoy a scenic drive through the Maasai Mara as we make your way to our next safari camp.
Check in at Mahali Mzuri Your tent is your window onto some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Each of the luxurious tents are designed to be your home-away-from-home throughout your stay, with an ensuite bathroom, inviting private deck and views you won’t want to miss. You’ve heard of glamping but this isn’t camping as you know it! These beautiful tented suites are super stylish and unlike any tents you’ve ever experienced. Included in your stay: Daily morning and evening game drives in 13,500 hectares! All meals and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) Unlimited access to the exclusive Olare Motorogi Conservancy Visits to the local markets Complimentary wireless internet available throughout the camp Laundry service (dry cleaning not available)
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Mahali Mzuri Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, KE
Enjoy a Sunset Safari! We will take an afternoon drive through the Mara to look for giraffes, lions, elephants, hippos and buffalos. You will have a close view of wildlife from your safari 4x4 vehicle so have your camera ready! Enjoy sundowner drinks in the African bush at dusk. Truly incredible!
Dining at Mahali Mzuri Our chefs have developed numerous pan-African dishes influenced by a variety of cultures, flavours and spices. Whether dining under the African sky in the open bush, on a deck or in the dining tent, our menus and meals promise to be exciting, social and inspirational. From bush BBQs to champagne picnics to sundowners our team will treat you to a wide selection of African and international menus. We use locally-sourced produce, flavours and spices to deliver something truly memorable. All meals and drinks including alcohol and our finest champagne are included in your stay and you are welcome to help yourself to whatever you'd like at any time. *If you have any special dietary needs or requests, please let me know.
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Dinner in the dining tent at Mahali Mzuri After our evening game drive, we will return to a traditional dinner prepared for our group in the dining tent.
August 20 - Thursday Sunrise Safari Wild animals roaming the Kenyan plains include wildebeest, elephants, zebra, lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffe, impala and gazelles, but that's just for starters. The abundant animal life in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy is quite simply jaw-dropping, and you won’t need to go far to see some unforgettable sights. All the drama that only nature can provide is on your doorstop and you’ll be in the hands of our experienced Field Guides with a front row seat on your safari tour. A number of lion pride territories meet in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy which can make for some interesting encounters as the different groups battle for dominance. The area is also home to roughly 150,000 Loita wildebeest that don’t make the annual migration south and seem content to 'loiter' all year round! Of course one of the biggest draws to the area is the annual 'Great Migration', which sees up to one million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of zebra, gazelles and other game undertake a journey of roughly 1,600km through Tanzania and Kenya.
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Optional Activity: Sunrise Hot-air Balloon Safari *Optional sunrise Balloon safari over the Mara is available. This is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience and provides unique photo opportunities of the landscape and wildlife below. This experience is at an additional cost and must be booked 3 months in advance of your stay. Please inquire for more information and pricing.
Breakfast at the Dining pavilion At breakfast a continental buffet will be served with hot dishes available à la carte – All breads and pastries are baked fresh daily.
Relax and enjoy your day at camp Relax in our Main Tent that features an open but snuggly lounge area with fireplace, a library of books, iPads, iPod docking stations and speaker systems and a TV/DVD. There is also a 12 metre outdoor infinity pool, big enough for a leisurely swim or a refreshing dip.
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Lunch on the deck, by the pool, or at your tent - the choice is yours! Lunch is normally served on the main deck with individual tables and you can order from the Ă la carte menu. If you fancy lunch by the pool or on your private deck our team can organise whatever you like.
Optional Activity: Arrange for a Spa Treatment What better way to relax than at Nasaro - which literally means 'refuge' or 'relaxation' in Maa - the local language. Nasaro is located down near the valley floor and provides a private, intimate setting in which to be pampered. We use a range of products from Africology ethical skin care products to capture the rejuvenating and healing essences of Africa. A whole range of treatments are available, from facials to massages to special African-inspired treatments. *Spa services are available at an additional charge. Please inquire for more information
Sunset Safari Get your camera and binoculars ready. Game drives guided by our experienced 'driver-naturalists', are by four-wheel-drive Land Cruiser. As no two drives are ever the same, you will have a front row seat to some unforgettable sights across the Kenyan Plains.
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Dinner at camp (or in the bush) We can also arrange for a dinner by fireside out in the African bush. It's an exciting experience to be in the middle of the nowhere, experiencing the wild, like in the movie 'Out of Africa'... this can be an incredibly humbling, spiritual, uplifting experience in nature like no other.
August 21 - Friday Rise and Shine Game Drive Enjoy wild and exciting close encounters with Wildebeast, Zebra and Gazelles while taking in the oneof-a-kind lanscape on this early morning game drive led by local Maasai guides. The M igration Known as one of the seven 'new' wonders of the world, the annual Great Migration, or Great Wildebeest Migration to be more accurate, is truly breath-taking. The migration is in fact a sort of circle, with anywhere up to 2 million animals, mostly wildebeest, moving en masse in a never-ending search for food and water.
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The wildebeest and accompanying zebra, gazelle, eland and topi make up the bulk of the migration, but they aren't the only players. Lions, hyenas, leopards and other predators take full advantage of the passing buffet and exploit every opportunity in search of a decent meal! Some of the highlights are being immersed in the mass of wildlife - a truly intimate experience amidst this astonishing natural spectacle. This is a key time for wildebeests to breed, and incredibly, a newly born wildebeest will be on its feet and walking around within 3 minutes, running with the herd within 5 minutes, and able to outrun a predator shortly thereafter! The best time to view the migration will depend on the climatic conditions that year, but in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy you can expect to see the herds arrive anytime from July to September, departing around November for the return journey to the Serengeti in Tanzania. *Optional hot-air balloon safari also available at additional cost and booked in advance.
Breakfast at camp After returning from your morning game drive, enjoy breakfast on the outdoor deck.
Relax and enjoy your day at camp Relax in our Main Tent that features an open but snuggly lounge area with fireplace, a library of books, iPads, iPod docking stations and speaker systems and a TV/DVD. There is also a 12 metre outdoor infinity pool, big enough for a leisurely swim or a refreshing dip.
Lunch on the deck, by the pool, or at your tent - the choice is yours!
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Lunch is normally served on the main deck with individual tables and you can order from the Ă la carte menu. If you fancy lunch by the pool or on your private deck our team can organise whatever you like.
Optional Activity: Arrange for a Spa Treatment What better way to relax than at Nasaro - which literally means 'refuge' or 'relaxation' in Maa - the local language. Nasaro is located down near the valley floor and provides a private, intimate setting in which to be pampered. We use a range of products from Africology ethical skin care products to capture the rejuvenating and healing essences of Africa. A whole range of treatments are available, from facials to massages to special African-inspired treatments. *Spa services are available at an additional charge. Please inquire for more information
Sunset Safari Enjoy your final game drive experience in Kenya. Safari njema!
August 22 - Saturday Depart Mahali Mzuri After breakfast, we'll take a short flight back to Wilson Airport in Nairobi.
Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage where you'll get the chance to experience these fascinating animals close up. Best known for their work to protect elephants, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world. "We embrace all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife including anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness and providing veterinary assistance to animals in need."
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Day Room at Hemingways Hotel in Nairobi Stay at the Hemingways Hotel for a day room to relax and recharge before our international flight.
Dinner in Nairobi Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Hotel
Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your evening flight home Potential Flight on Kenya Airways Depart NBO 11:55pm Arrive JFK 6:55am +1 (Flight time 15 Hours)
Kenya Program Costs and Information M E to WE Signature Service Every ME to WE Volunteer Adventure includes your major expenses and is designed to keep the trip running smoothly and worry-free. Your host Christy from Soulful Journeys will be accompanying, and we will also be guided by an in-country facilitator for the duration of your trip, an invaluable resource and source of local knowledge. As well, a large team on the ground will ensure your comfort and safety at all times. Soulful Journeys Travel has customized this experience exclusively for our group. We will be the only group at Bogani during our stay, and will have most of the tents reserved for our time at Mahali Mzuri. This will be a very special and exclusive trip for the Soulful Journeys group, creating bonds and friendships, while in this amazing destination. Inclusions Roundtrip International Airfare/ Economy Class JFK to/from NBO Internal flights in Kenya to/ from Masai Mara
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All accommodations, including day room on departure day All meals and beverages (except for dinner on arrival day) All domestic land and air transportation, including game drives ME to WE professional guide Entrance fees to Giraffe Manor and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi Entrance fees to Masai Mara game reserve Exclusions Tourist visa (can be purchased on arrival in Nairobi) Travel Insurance Gratuities (please figure approximately $5-10 per person per day or at your discretion) Any items of a personal nature Gifts or souvenirs Hot-air balloon safari or spa treatments are additional cost
Pricing and Rates This will be a small group with maximum 20 people. Please note I have designed this trip to be essentially 'all-inclusive' with very few out of pocket expenses while in the destination. Double: $11,950 Single: $13,925 The Double rate is based on 2 people per room throughout the trip. If you are a solo traveler and would like to have your own room throughout, there will be an additional $1975 surcharge (as reflected in pricing above). If you are traveling solo but would like to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to match you with a roommate. If no roommate is available, then the single surcharge would apply.
M inimum deposit to guarantee your spot is $1000 Mid-payment of $5000 is due no later than Feb 15, 2020 Full balance due no later than May 15, 2020. *Payment plans are available on request. *Deposit is non-refundable. Travel Insurance with Cancel for Any Reason protection available at a Group Discount rate.
