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www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
WHY TRAVEL WITH US Adventure travel trips specifically geared for working professionals from the same city. Odyssey Treks provides authentic cultural trips involving travel to remote, exotic areas with elements of physical participation and exploration of a new experience with optional volunteering opportunities. The great thing is everyone on the trip will be from the same city where you can share, relive, and get together back home after the trip.
What we want to create with this company is a community for you in your city where you can meet new friends, create meaningful relationships and have life time memories of unforgettable trips and journeys. We’ve met some truly remarkable people, shared some amazing experiences and have had some fantastic relationships through all our years of travel. The problem is all those people are scattered throughout the world. There’s amazing people, incredible friendships and wonderful relationships ready to be made right in your own city. Why not connect with them through travel and develop something meaningful and lasting. All of our tours will incorporate our “trip essence”. This trip essence includes adventure, culture and volunteering opportunities. As well we promise to follow our guiding principles and core values on all of our trips.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES QUALITY Our accommodations, local guides, pre-departure service and suppliers are constantly monitored and consistently evaluated to ensure we uphold the standard of excellence. We will always ask for traveler suggestions, requirements and any safety concerns you may have for all our trips to make this the most memorable experience possible. FLEXIBILITY All of our tours offer optional activities throughout with plenty of free time to do your own thing. Of course we want you to do as many activities as possible with the group but we also understand that having time on your own is important as well. Our small groups can venture beyond the well-worn tourist paths and experience a destination’s less publicized but equally rewarding attractions. Our itineraries are creative and responsive and make the perfect one or two week vacation so you can take full of advantage. SMALL GROUPS Limiting our groups to no more than 16 participants plus one Odyssey Treks Tour www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Leader means we can maximize cultural immersion while minimizing environmental disruption. As food always plays an important role in the local cultural experience, we make a point of avoiding large hotel buffets in favour of smaller, local restaurants. VALUE Since we design, develop and work with local partners in each country no one is more familiar with the intricacies of our product than ourselves. When you book with us, you take advantage of this first-hand knowledge and an extensive network of worldwide contacts; you’ll be in good hands with Odyssey Treks
What Odyssey Treks does is make everything easy for you from the moment you land in the country to the time you get back on that plane to go home. There’s no need to do hours and hours of planning. Let us take out all the stresses of traveling so you can enjoy your time away. Remember it’s a vacation for you. We’re going to make sure you have a fantastic time! If something were to go wrong going we will be there to help you, support you and make sure whatever challenges there are you won’t be alone. We’ve found our travel experiences sometimes things can go wrong unfortunately- that’s the nature of traveling in foreign countries.
Our CORE VALUES Develop Friendships and Community Create Happiness Responsibility Provide Opportunities Explore and Challenge We hope you choose to travel with a purpose and to travel with us! Here’s a quote from the Dalai Lama- his words I truly believe in. “We’ve lost something along the way. Our society focuses on material things and for some reason people measure others by what they have instead who they are. I wish everyone happiness and finding it can be difficult. The happiest people I’ve met are those in villages that have nothing. It’s remarkable seeing these happy kids. For them they have family, friends and an imagination.” Ryan McLeish- Owner Odyssey Treks www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
OVERVIEW Everywhere you go, a warm, laid-back welcome receives you, along with a fascinating blend of Arabic and African influences. There’s a reason safari means “journey” in Swahili: No other word better sums up the experience of this southeast African country. Tanzania’s unspoiled national parks rival any in the world. Capture the annual wildebeest migration across the Serengeti plains, or the Big Five — elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos — on camera. Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar…the names roll off the tongue like a roster call of Africa’s most alluring destinations, all packed into one country. Resonating with hints of the wild and exotic, these four alone are reason enough to justify packing your bags and heading off to Tanzania. Within the space of several hours, it’s possible to go from lazing on idyllic beaches to exploring mosscovered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing mist-covered mountains. Wherever we go, we take advantage of the opportunities to get to know Tanzanians. With their characteristic warmth and politeness, and the dignity and beauty of their cultures, it is they who will inevitably wind up being the highlight of any visit. Chances are that you’ll want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say ‘karibu tena’ (welcome again).
Tour Highlights Zanzibar’s allure is legendary. It has been for centuries a crossroads of culture, a melting pot of influences where Africa, India and Arabia meet. Relax on the white sandy beaches or learn how to kite surf, go scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking in crystal clear waters. Marvel at history and tradition while strolling through Stone Town, taking in the aromas at a spice plantation. Volunteer opportunities here with a street children project in Stone Town. Spotting the ‘Big 5′ from 4×4 safari vehicles in Tanzania’s best game parks. Spending incredible evenings under the stars “in nature” while staying at tented camps and lodges. With their wide vistas, cool climate, winding paths and picturesque villages, the Usambaras are one of the highlights and relatively quiet spots in Tanzania. It has been dubbed the “Galapagos” of the plant world. This incredibly beautiful and lush area is a welcome retreat from Tanzania’s Game Parks and cities. It’s easily possible to spend at least a week here hiking from village to village. Savouring traditional cuisine in local villages. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Tour Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Dar Es Salaam- We will be there to welcome you and transport you to the hotel. First day is a free day to ensure everyone arrives on time and also allows people to get settled, deal with any travel delays or mishaps and allows everyone to meet over dinner together. Day 2: Travel to Lushoto area- This gives us the afternoon to check out the local village, school, meet the locals or do a little shopping for our trek the next day. Spend the night. Accomodations in Lushoto area
Day 3: Umsambara Mountains- Hiking through local villages Day 4: Lushoto to Arusha- Check into hotel and afternoon free to check out the city and markets Day 5-8: Four day tented camp/lodge safari 4 day mid range lodge/tented camp safari: www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
ESCARPMENT LUXURY LODGE
Day 5: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park. Half day game drive in Lake Manyara Proceed to Escarpment Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Lake Manyara to Southern Serengeti. Afternoon game drive overnight Serengeti Savannah Camp after reaching the park, go on a game drive for the rest of the day. Lake www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Manyara National Park is home to elephants, giraffes, baboons and many species of birds and antelope. TENTED CAMP IN THE SERENGETI
Day 7: Southern Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Half day morning game drive in the Serengeti. Then drive to Ngorongoro. Overnight Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater game drive back to Arusha The Crater’s resident wildlife includes lion, leopard, zebra, hippo, and elephant. Drive back to Arusha to check into our hotel.
Day 9: Fly to Zanzibar Breakfast and transfer to Arusha airport for flight to Zanzibar. Free time upon arrival. While in Zanzibar you will have the option of volunteering. You can choose to volunteer for 1 day or up to 3 days. If you wish to take kitesurfing lessons the course is a 3 day course which will involve 3 hours each day. Afterwards you will be IKO certified. http://vimeo.com/kitecentre/zanzibar
Day 10: Free day or Tour of Stone Town a UNESCO World Heritage site with optional spice tour. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 11: Free day to do some kite surfing, snorkeling, shopping, sightseeing, chilling and relaxing on the beach. Day 12: Free day to do some kite surfing, snorkeling, shopping, sightseeing, chilling and relaxing on the beach. Day 13: Depart from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam via fast ferry. Tour officially ends for people to catch international flights or any other onward journey. Those wanting to stay longer in Zanzibar may do so but this is now on your own time.
Volunteering in Zanzibar Khaya Volunteer Projects- Zanzibar Education Project The Zanzibar Education Project offers you the incredible experience of living and working as a volunteer on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania. The needs at the local school are especially to have English lessons and support with sports and other educational activities. As a volunteer you can enjoy the white beaches and blue sea and help the local community at the same time while having the time of your life!
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
TRIP/ROUTE MAP
PRICING $5199 USD Add your OWN ROOM $1599 USD Departure Cities and Dates Please view website for dates and departure cities. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Physical Conditioning Rating: 2 out of 5 THIS TOUR IS FOR EVERYONE Cultural Rating: 4 out 5
Accommodations 4 star comfort hotels, lodges, tented camp, guesthouses and bungalows. Meals Included All breakfasts Meals on 4 day Safari 2 additional dinners on the trip Meal Budget: Allow USD15-50 per day for meals and drinks (including bottled water) not included. What’s Included Stone Town and Spice Tour Snorkeling in Zanzibar Volunteering with Khaya Volunteer Projects What’s not Included International flights, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and any alcohol purchased or consumed. Some places that we visit charge additional fees if you are entering with a camera or camcorder - your city guide will advise on these and they can be paid for locally. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Any travel vaccinations that are required. Travel Medical Insurance (this is mandatory and must be shown to our tour leader before trip begins) If you need travel insurance and want a quote please click on this link. http://odysseytreks.com/travel-insurance/
ADD ON: KILIMANJARO TREK PLEASE CONTACT US
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com