International & Lodge-Based Adventures FAQs

While there are some physical requirements for joining our trips, weight restrictions may apply, and being healthy and reasonably fit certainly makes the experience more rewarding, we’ve had travelers well into their 80’s enjoy their adventures with OARS. People with medical conditions, including pregnancy, should have a physician’s approval before taking an adventure travel trip. Persons with various disabilities are welcome on OARS trips, pending a discussion of any special requirements. If you’re in doubt about your fitness level, we recommend checking with your doctor before you go.

Lunch is typically provided and is often at a local restaurant. This gives you the opportunity to experience both the culture and cuisine of your destination. In some cases, we might also provide a sack lunch if the activity that morning is in a remote area. If you’re on the river, lunch is always provided and prepared by your guides.

Dinner on our lodge-based and international adventures is typically included and may be at the lodge or a local restaurant. On our Galápagos Origins of Species trip dinner is prepared by our on-board chef each evening. Many itineraries also include a night or two on your own.

Some of our lodge-based and international itineraries are suitable for children as young as age five. The minimum age will vary greatly depending on the nature of the activities involved with the trip. We want your kids to have the time of their lives, and we want you to be relaxed and able to appreciate their enthusiasm and delight. If you’re unsure about which trip is right for your family, you can scan some of our itineraries that have been designed especially for family adventure.

On international trips, OARS requires emergency medical evacuation insurance. Additionally, although every effort is made to provide a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler’s policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury even at the last minute.

In collaboration with our guides and operations managers, our expert Adventure Consultants have compiled detailed packing lists for each trip we offer. These recommendations will be sent to you once your trip is booked. What to bring on an adventure is as varied as the itineraries themselves. Your clothes and gear will depend on the time of year, weather, and in some cases, water temperature.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of most of our lodge-based or international adventures but are frequently available for purchase at many hotels and lodges, as well as dining establishments. For river trips, you may bring your own supply of beer, wine or liquor in non-glass containers. If you choose to bring alcoholic beverages, please let us know in advance. For your safety and the safety of others, alcoholic beverages are limited to camp.

Yes, but we need to know as soon as possible about any dietary requirements we should consider in planning your trip. If you have food allergies or restrictions, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. If you are a vegetarian or vegan and you let us know well in advance, we can provide meals for you without any difficulty. For more complicated dietary restrictions, it’s important that you let us know right away so we can discuss and make arrangements ahead of time.

Guests often ask whether gratuities are appropriate, and in what amount. “Thank you” is always enough to put a smile on the faces of your guides and staff, but tipping is one of the many ways to reward them for their extra efforts. Because many of our lodge-based and international adventures consist of several components with various staff, we provide gratuity guides within our detailed itineraries to assist you with extending a tip to the people who make your trip more enjoyable.