Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are the trips safe?

A: Because of the adventurous nature of our trips, safety is always our #1 priority. We are adventurous, not reckless. We are always careful choosing the best local operators and guides and very closely monitor their performance on every trip. Safety is paramount to us, and you can rest assured that we are watching out for you every minute of our trips.

Q: I will be coming by myself and won't know anyone in the group. Will I feel awkward?

A: Not at all. You will come by yourself, but will immediately meet other travelers just like you, who will make you feel surrounded by the greatest of friends. We are very inclusive, friendly, welcoming, and our Group Leaders focus on creating an atmosphere in which everyone feels like they are among a group of old friends.

We have seen this over and over again: A person joins the trip solo and is apprehensive about traveling with strangers. However, already on their first day they feel like they have been traveling with that same group for years and that same apprehension completely dissipates! At the end of the trip, they have made great friends who share the love for traveling with them, and they look forward to traveling together again and again.

Some of the members of the community have come to their first trip by themselves and have now been to several trips where they see their old friends and meet additional new ones. One of our favorite things is to see our members posting pictures on social media about them getting together with friends they made on our trips, whether they live in the same town or travel to their friend’s town to get together. That's the true meaning of our community!

Q: Will I have to pay extra if I come by myself?

A: No. Our prices are based on double occupancy (unless otherwise specified), and we will always pair you up with a person of the same gender if you join the group by yourself. Of course, if you want your own room, that can also be arranged for an additional cost.

Q: I want to come with a friend. Is that OK?

A: Absolutely. Our groups have a mix of solo travelers, couples, and friends. If you join with a friend or significant other, you will obviously room with your friend unless otherwise requested. Regardless, if you initially come with a friend, in the end you will have made several other friends as well!

Q: How big are the groups?

A: Our groups usually have between 10 and 20 people. We have found this to be a great number in which you will make friends and meet everyone, yet also have a pool of people who you will really bond with and likely become your travel buddies for several trips to come.

Q: Where are people from?

A: Because 1000 Treks is based in the United States and our trips are conducted in English, most of our travelers come from the U.S. However, the more we grow, the more people from other countries have been joining us.

Q: What is the age range of the groups?

A: The minimum age is 18, but we don't have an upper limit. So long as you are a friendly and healthy person who wants to make friends and be with a great group, you are welcome. Since our groups are so varied, you will almost certainly find people within your age range on every trip. However, you will also find that you will make friends with people of all ages. One amazing thing we find in our groups is that age becomes irrelevant because our travelers possess a common interest. It is not unusual for us to spot a twenty-something year old hanging out with a sixty-something year old, laughing and engaging as if they were best friends of the same age.

Q: What is the minimum age? Can I bring my kid?

A: Our trips are usually adult-oriented, and the minimum age to travel with us is 18. Depending on the trip, you may be allowed to bring your kid(s). Please inquire with us before joining a trip with a minor.

Q: I am not in good shape. Will I be able to keep up with the group?

A: We list the fitness/activity level of each trip and explain them in detail on our Physical Activity Ratings page. Trips are rated from 1 (little to no physical activity) to 6 (extremely demanding). Before signing up for a trip, look at how it's rated and decide if you are in the physical condition necessary to keep up. In addition, we normally post our trips with enough advance notice that you can improve your fitness level by the time the trip happens. You might not be able to go all the way from 1 to 6 in that time, but depending where you are fitness-wise, and how physically demanding the trip is, you may be able to train appropriately for the trip in the interim.

Q: Some of the activities seem too adventurous for me. Can I opt out of some activities?

A: Absolutely. Although we encourage you to be adventurous, and take every precaution to ensure your safety, we never want you to partake in an activity that you are not comfortable with. Although it's a rare occurrence, you may incur extra expenses, especially if special arrangements have to be made for different kinds of transportation or separate accommodations. That said, forgoing an activity usually simply entails waiting on the bus or somewhere in the area, or even staying at the hotel while the group is out doing the activity.

Q: Although amazing, some of your itineraries are very fast-paced, and I want to take some time off. Can I take a day off during the trip?

A: This is usually not a problem at all. Ultimately, it's your vacation, and if you choose to take a day off at the hotel, or by yourself in town, that's usually absolutely fine. Generally speaking, the only times you are required to be with the group are when we are transferring from one location to another and at required meetings and briefings.

Q: What is included in the price of the trips?

A: This can vary from trip to trip, but generally all the transportation within the destination is included, including internal flights (flights to our original arrival and from our final departure destinations are not included), all the entrances to the included activities, all accommodations from the beginning of the trip, and daily breakfast. We sometimes include lunch and/or dinner as well, but, often times, those meals are best not to be included so you can have the freedom to choose where to go.

Q: What is NOT included in the price of the trips?

A: This also varies from trip to trip, but we usually don't include tips to guides and staff (although we strongly encourage you to be generous with them), extracurricular activities, lunches and dinners, and rentals (unless the rented equipment is necessary for an included activity).

Q: Is airfare included?

A: Airfare to our original arrival (where the trip begins) and from our final departure (where the trip ends) destinations is NOT included. Our group members come from different places in the U.S. and the world, and often want to do side trips before or after our main trip, so it becomes impractical to include flights. Flights are very easy to book on your own, and many of you can use miles or other modes to make your flight free or lower cost by booking them yourself. Instead of including airfare, we will give you guidelines so you can book your own, and we'll meet you at the beginning of the trip.

Q: What are our accommodations going to be like?

A: As a general rule, we use 3 and 4 star hotels (according to Western standards). Depending on the location, we may stay in luxury hotels, or may stay in simpler accommodations. Depending on the trip, we may even stay at campgrounds if that's part of the adventure, and sometimes we even stay with a local family. Wherever we stay, we always make sure to request clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations in safe areas, and preferably at central locations.

Q: Do I need a passport?

A: A passport is required for all international travel. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date. If you don’t have a valid passport, or if your passport expires before 6 months after the date you will arrive back in the U.S., make sure to get started on a new one ASAP. Here’s the link for the Department of State Passport section: http://travel.state.gov//content/travel/en.html

Q: Do I need travel insurance?

A: Yes. Travel insurance is REQUIRED. You may purchase insurance with any company you wish, but we require that your policy covers personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and treatment, repatriation, and personal liability, with a minimum coverage of $200,000 USD. You will be required to submit proof of insurance no later than seven (7) days prior to the start of the trip. Although not part of the requirement, we STRONGLY suggest that you get insurance right away (within 15 days of making your deposit), and that you buy a policy that will cover you in case you need to cancel your trip for any reason.

Q: How much cash should I bring? Should I exchange it into local currency?

A: We recommend that you bring local currency to help facilitate transactions and leave tips. Our general recommendation is that you bring the equivalent of $500 USD in local currency to spend per week. However, that is just a suggestion. Since people have different spending habits, you must make the determination based on your personal needs and preferences. Please use the information on our Travel Resources page to help determine your currency exchange rates.

Q: Can I join a trip after the start date or leave early?

A: We generally discourage joining a trip late, and it's often impossible to arrange it. However, although not recommended, depending on the trip, it may be possible provided you understand you will be responsible for all the arrangements and costs related to meeting a group after the staring date. Additionally, you agree not to hold us accountable for any problems that may occur, including problems occurring in the case we modify the itinerary prior to your arrival, making it even more difficult, costly, or even impossible, for you to join the group. This may also result in you missing additional days of the trip, and paid activities, or even the entire trip, without a refund.

Leaving early is usually possible, but it needs to be dealt with on an individual basis. If leaving early, keep in mind, due to circumstances beyond our control, we may have to modify the itinerary of the trip, creating additional costs and logistic needs in order for you to leave at the time you planned, and you may incur additional expenses, and miss additional days or activities without a refund.

In either case, you will be responsible for all the related arrangements and costs, and we cannot prorate or discount the cost of a trip if you join late or leave early.