Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Tours
All Orienjo tours are 100% private. Your booking is exclusively for you and the people you choose to travel with—whether that's your family, partner, or a group of friends. You will never be asked to share your experience with strangers.
This ensures your tour is tailored to your pace and interests, creating a more personal and memorable travel experience. By default, our pricing is based on double or twin-room occupancy. If a member of your private group would like their own room, we are more than happy to arrange this for a supplementary charge.
Absolutely. You have complete freedom to choose any start date that works for you.
Our tour itineraries are expertly crafted in collaboration with our local guides to ensure the best possible experience, showcasing the highlights of the region. While these itineraries are designed to be optimal, your safety is our top priority. We will always adjust the schedule to account for unpredictable factors such as weather, transport issues, or any other situation that could pose a risk.
Our guides are the heart of the Orienjo experience, and we select them with the utmost care. We exclusively partner with professional local guides who were born and raised in the regions you will be exploring.
This means they are not just guides; they are true insiders who possess an intimate knowledge of the local culture, history, and environment that can only come from a lifetime of experience. Every guide has many years of professional guiding experience and holds the necessary local qualifications, ensuring your tour is not only insightful and authentic but is also conducted to the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
This is an important question, as matching your fitness level to the tour you choose is essential for your enjoyment and safety. To make this easy, we have graded each of our itineraries with a clear physical demand level. You will find a Physical Rating on every tour page.
We strongly encourage you to read the detailed day-by-day itinerary and the specific fitness notes on the tour page before booking. If you have any questions or concerns about whether a tour is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss it with you.
The accommodation is a key part of the adventure and is carefully selected to be appropriate for the location and style of your tour. Depending on the itinerary, you may stay in a variety of unique accommodations, from comfortable safari lodges and mountain teahouses to fully equipped private tented camps in more remote areas.
Because the type of lodging is tailored to each specific journey, we provide a detailed description of the accommodation used for every tour. You will find this information clearly listed within each individual tour itinerary on our website.
We believe that food is a vital part of the travel experience. You can expect delicious and hearty meals featuring fresh, local cuisine that reflects the region you are exploring. The specific menu will vary depending on the destination and the season to ensure we use the freshest available ingredients.
We are very happy to cater to different dietary requirements, including vegetarian diets. To ensure we can make the best arrangements for you, please advise us of any specific dietary needs at the time of booking. This allows us to prepare in advance and ensure you are well looked after throughout your journey.
Booking & Payments
To provide the most accurate information, we detail the specific inclusions and exclusions on each individual tour page. Every itinerary is unique, and we believe in being completely transparent about what is covered in the price.
For a definitive list, please navigate to the tour you are interested in and review the detailed "What's Included" section.
Our pricing is structured to offer the best possible value for your private tour. The per-person cost is tiered, meaning that as you add more people to your private group, the per-person price automatically decreases.
Larger Groups: If your private group consists of more than six people, please contact us directly. We would be delighted to provide you with a custom quote that reflects the size of your party.
Children's Discounts: We do offer discounts for children on many of our tours. As the specific discount can vary depending on the itinerary and local supplier policies, please email us with the details of your group and the ages of the children, and we will happily provide you with a personalised quote.
Our booking process is designed to be simple and straightforward. You can secure your private tour by following these steps:
Step 1: Secure Your Booking with a Deposit
A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm your tour and reserve your dates.
Step 2: Pay the Final Balance
The remaining 70% balance is due no later than 60 days before your tour's start date. We will send you a reminder in advance.
Last-Minute Bookings
For any tours booked within 60 days of the departure date, the full payment is required at the time of booking.
Confirmation
Once your deposit is received and your booking is confirmed, we will issue a detailed booking confirmation invoice for your records.
We accept both Visa and Mastercard card payments as well as bank transfer. Please note we do not accept Amex.
If you need to cancel your booking, the following conditions apply:
- 60+ Days Before Departure: Deposit is non-refundable (minus any bank transfer fees).
- 59–30 Days Before Departure: 50% of the total booking cost is charged.
- 29–16 Days Before Departure: 75% of the total booking cost is charged.
- 15 Days or Less Before Departure: 100% cancellation fee applies (no refund).
Certain special tours requiring advance ticket purchases (e.g., permits, site entries) may incur additional non-refundable ticket fees. These will be communicated at the time of booking and detailed in the Need-to-Know section of your itinerary.
In rare cases, Orienjo may cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances. If this happens, we will:
- Offer an alternative booking (you may be entitled to a price reduction if the new trip is of lower cost/value).
- Provide a full refund of all payments made.
Exceptions: No refund or compensation is required if cancellation arises from your failure to make payment on time or if requested changes result in additional fees.
No, Orienjo Tours does not book international flights. We specialise in creating exceptional land-based itineraries, including all your in-country arrangements from the moment you arrive.
We find that this provides our travellers with greater flexibility, allowing you to:
- Use your preferred airlines and air miles.
- Choose the departure airport that is most convenient for you.
- Take advantage of flight sales and find the best possible airfares.
- Extend your trip by arriving earlier or departing later.
Yes, absolutely. We would be happy to arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at the beginning or end of your tour to extend your stay.
To do so, please contact us with your requirements as early as possible. We particularly recommend providing advance notice if your travel dates fall within a peak season, as this helps us ensure the best availability for you. The cost of any additional accommodation will be quoted separately and added to your tour price.
Tipping is a very personal matter and is not compulsory on any of our tours. However, it is a widely accepted way of showing appreciation for excellent service, and it is a common cultural practice in many of the destinations we visit.
If you feel your local guide has done an outstanding job and has made your trip truly special, a gratuity is always greatly appreciated. As tipping customs can vary significantly from one country to another, we will provide you with specific, culturally appropriate guidelines for your destination in the pre-departure information pack we send before you travel.
Preparing For Your Trip
Once your booking is confirmed, you can provide us with your details by following these simple steps:
1) Log in to Your Account: Please visit our website and log in to your personal account using the same email address you used to make your booking.
2) Navigate to Your Booking: Inside your account area, you will find a section to manage your upcoming tour.
3) Add Your Information: You will be able to enter all the necessary details for each traveller in your group, including full names (as per passport), passport details, and your flight arrival and departure information.
We require this information to finalise arrangements with our local guides and ensure a seamless travel experience for you. Please be assured that all your personal data is held securely and is managed in strict compliance with UK data protection laws.
A private and seamless airport transfer is arranged for your arrival.
Your dedicated Orienjo guide and/or driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall after you have collected your luggage and passed through customs. They will be holding a sign with your name or the Orienjo Tours logo on it, making them easy to identify.
To ensure this connection is smooth, it is essential that you provide us with your correct and final flight details, as well as a mobile phone number that will be active in the destination country. Your guide will then transfer you directly to your hotel so you can relax and settle in.
Packing correctly is a key part of preparing for your adventure. While the specific items you need will vary depending on your destination, the season you are travelling in, and the activities on your itinerary, we provide two excellent resources to help you prepare:
1) Tour-Specific Packing Lists: Every individual tour page on our website includes a detailed, recommended packing list tailored to that specific journey. We strongly advise you consult this as your primary guide.
2) Our Blog: For more general advice, expert tips, and gear recommendations, please feel free to browse the articles in our travel blog.
As a general starting point for any tour, we always recommend packing:
- Layered Clothing: Allows you to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.
- Comfortable Footwear: Well-worn-in walking shoes or boots are essential.
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Personal First-Aid Kit: Including any personal medication you require.
- Travel Documents: Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance details, and a copy of your Orienjo itinerary.
Your safety is our absolute priority. We take a comprehensive approach to safety on all our tours, which involves preparation, expert leadership, and a partnership with our travellers.
Our Guide's Responsibilities:
- Professional Training: All our local guides are professionally trained in first aid and emergency procedures.
- Safety Equipment: Every guide carries a comprehensive first-aid kit. On our high-altitude treks, they are also equipped with emergency oxygen bottles.
- Constant Monitoring: Your guide will constantly monitor the situation, including weather and ground conditions, and will make informed decisions to ensure your continued safety.
Your Responsibilities as a Traveller:
- Pre-existing Conditions: Please inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions at the time of booking. This information is kept confidential and helps us prepare for your specific needs.
- Personal Medication: You must bring an adequate supply of any personal medication you require.
- Communicate: If you begin to feel unwell at any point during your tour, it is essential that you inform your guide immediately so they can provide assistance.
- Early Departure: For your safety and the integrity of the tour, you must remain with your guide for the planned duration of the itinerary. In the event of a personal emergency that requires you to leave the tour early, you must notify your guide and our office immediately so that we can assist you in making safe and appropriate arrangements.
Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend that all our travellers purchase comprehensive travel insurance before their trip. This should cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and emergency evacuation.
For a safe and smooth journey, we recommend checking both official health and government travel advisories for your chosen destination. These are separate but equally important.
Health & Vaccination Information: As vaccination requirements vary significantly depending on the destination country and your personal health history, we are unable to provide specific medical advice. We strongly advise you to consult with a medical professional well in advance of your departure.
- Official Medical Advice: Please contact your doctor or a specialist travel clinic to discuss your itinerary and any recommended or required vaccinations and anti-malarial precautions.
- Online Health Resources:
- For UK Travellers: The Department of Health also offers travellers health advice on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk or www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.
- International Travellers: The World Health Organization (WHO) website.
Government Travel Safety Advisories: These official government websites provide up-to-date information on safety, security, local laws, and entry requirements for your destination. We recommend all travellers review the advice provided by their home country's foreign office.
- United Kingdom: Foreign Travel Advice
- United States: US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
Ensuring you have the correct vaccinations and meet the entry requirements of the destination country is the personal responsibility of each traveller.
To ensure your health and wellbeing throughout your trip, we strongly advise against drinking tap water in the destinations we visit.
We recommend that you only drink water that is bottled, has been boiled, or has been treated with a reliable purifier. Your guide will assist you at all times in obtaining safe drinking water, whether it's purchasing sealed bottled water or ensuring water is properly prepared for you in teahouses or camps. For environmental reasons, we encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle which can be refilled from safe, large-format water sources where available.