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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 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 www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
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- Owner Odyssey Treks
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 – Manila Arrival Manila. Transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the capital. Day 2 – Mount Pinatubo Early pick-up from hotel for 4-5 hour road trip by All Wheel Drive to Baguio, stopping off to view the seas of lahar, viscous volcanic material that cascaded from Mount Pinatubo following its eruption in June 1991. Thirteen cubic kilometers of material was shot in to the air in the explosion, one of the largest in the world since Krakatoa, altering the world’s climate and changing the face of the landscape between Manila and Baguio for miles and miles. Lunch is en route. Check in to Baguio Manor around 2.30 pm followed by a sightseeing tour. Dinner is natural and healthy fare at Café By The Ruins. Day 3 – Whirlwind tour of Baguio Check out after breakfast to undertake whirlwind tour of Baguio - Camp John Hay, Mines Lookout, and the central market, before having late morning coffee. We then drive out of Baguio on the Halsema Highway, billed as the highest major road in the Philippines. The views - of rice and vegetables terraces and pine-clad mountains are panoramic. At one viewpoint a packed lunch from Café By the Ruins will be taken. Afternoon tea will be had at a government-run hotel at Mount Data; it has a quaint chapel, our reason (apart from thirst) for stopping. Another two hours of further breath-taking scenery and it is Sagada, checking in Latang for a three-night stay in an emerging cultural and adventure hub. Dinner at local restaurant.
Days 4 & 5 – Activity Central Sagada: The Adventure Hub of the Philippines Breakfast Picnic at Echo Valley Guided Hike around the township of Sagada Visit hanging coffins
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Visit series of limestone caves Visit Pottery Workshop (great quality and workmanship) Visit to Sagada Weavers Hike to see the wild horses of Sagada Mountain bike the trails in the pine forests above Sagada Dare devil descent of the mountain from Sagada to the Chico River Bike to Besau (about 10 km away) Join a traditional hunt with hunters from Besau Hike to the many smaller waterfalls and swimming holes Join local guide who will take you through a village and reveal the inner workings of the dapay (traditional village administration) Raft the Chico River from Dantay (Sagada turn-off) to Bontoc, capital of Mountain Province Visit the Bontoc Museum Take a day-trip to the hot springs
Day 6 - White-Water Rafting Program Depart Sagada around 8 am for the Put-in at Dantay on the Chico River with raft and gear. Everyone helps with inflation of the raft. A briefing follows on safety and paddling technique. The trip to Bontoc may take up to three hours, but might take substantially less time if the river is fast and the rafting group is experienced. Lunch in Bontoc or Sagada.
Day 7 – Banaue Rice Terraces Depart after breakfast by AWD for Banaue, viewing the famous Banaue Rice Terraces en route to the jump-off point for Batad, a village nestling on the edge of rice terraces carved out of a curved hillside, giving www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
the appearance of an amphitheatre. Lunch in the village, with side trip to a waterfall. Return to the AWD. Proceed to Banga-an Family Inn for overnight stay in traditional Ifugao rice huts. Dinner at Inn.
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Day 8 – Banaue to Manila Pre-breakfast hike down to Banga-an Village. Check-out after breakfast, driving back to Banaue for more sightseeing and a stint of handicraft shopping. Depart after morning coffee for Manila, taking lunch at a restaurant en route and stopping periodically. Depending upon traffic arrival in Manila will be between 7 and 9 pm. Dinner on the way to Manila or upon arrival at Hotel. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 9 –Palawan Pick up from Hotel. Transfer to Airport. Flight to Busuanga, Coron. Arrive Busuanga. Transfer to Resort. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
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www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Day 10 - Pick up from Resort. Malcapuya Island Hopping and snorkelling inclusive of lunch, boat and guide.
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Day 11 – Hiking/Trekking Pick up Resort. Hiking/Trekking to Mt. Tundalara the highest point of Busuanga inclusive of lunch, bottled water and light snack
Day 12 – Volunteering Pick up from Resort for Full Day Free Arranged with the Local Community in Partnership with Barangay Youth Leader – Community Volunteering helping destribute Educational Materials to Community Children, Includes private vehicle transfer from and to hotel and lunch. Flight back to Manila early evening. Transfer to Hotel. Cultural Buffet Dinner Show at Filipino Restaurant
Day 13 – END OF SERVICE www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Pick up from Hotel. Transfer to Airport. Flight Home.
TRIP/ROUTE MAP
PRICING $3199USD WITH MY OWN ROOM ADD $699USD 2014 DEPARTURE CITIES AND DATES Please check our website for the latest dates and departure cities. PHYSICAL CONDITIONING RATING: 3 out of 5 THIS TOUR IS FOR EVERYONE
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
Cultural Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Accommodations 3 star comfort hotels, guesthouses, cabins Meals Included All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Bottled Water, Soft Drinks/Juices
What’s included All Accommodations: Manila - Microtel Hotel Mall of Asia - City View Room Baguio - Baguio Manor Hotel - Standard Room Sagada - St. Joseph Inn - Cottage Banaue - Banaue Hotel - Standard Room Coron - Hilltop View Resort - De Luxe Room Domestic Flights- Manila to Busuanga return All Airport - Hotel Transfers All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Bottled Water, Soft Drinks/Juices Tours and Activities as Detailed in the Itinerary Private Vehicle Transfers: Manila - Baguio - Sagada - Banaue - Manila Local Tour Guides and Services of Tour Coordinator
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. www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com
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. Extra services not mentioned in the program. 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 please go to our website and get a free quote
www.odysseytreks.com Phone: 1-855-888-8735 Email: info@odysseytreks.com