Travelling with us
The adventure is never far away
Our tours are for people who want to have an active holiday but still want time to relax and enjoy their stay. Since everyone may not want to do the same things all the time we strive to be flexible. Most of the activities are optional; this gives you the freedom to decide how you would like to spend your holiday and your holiday budget. Offside Travel is committed to offer low-impact tours that both benefits the travellers and the hosts. Working with local communities, businesses and individuals we hope to bring a positive development of local economies. We aim to minimise environmental and cultural impacts.
How big are the groups we are travelling with?
We travel in small groups (maximum 12-16 people depending on which trip). Travelling in a small group makes us more flexible and it is also better for the local environment.
Our tours are conducted in English since we have travellers from all over the world; this means that you need to have a basic knowledge of English to be able to fully enjoy the tour.
International flight tickets are not included in the price. You have to book your own flight ticket. All domestic flights are included in the tour, when mentioned in the trip dossier.
After booking a trip with Offside travel you will receive information about how you can get to our meeting hotel the easiest way. If you would like transfer from the airport to our meeting hotel, we will happily arrange this for you (there will be an extra fee). On some of the tours transfer is included, if that is the case you will se it in the trip dossier.
When do the trips begin and end?
Usually our tours start with all tour members arriving to the meeting hotel day 1, where the tour leader will meet up with you. The last day of the tour you are free to depart at any time you like. Normally the checkout time from the hotels is between 10 am and noon. If you like to arrive one day before or stay a few days extra at our departure/ arrival point, please notify us. We can help you book an extra night at "our" hotel, for an extra fee.
Basic but charming accommodation,
Philippines
Our emphasis is on small locally owned, family run establishments since we like the money generated by our stay to benefit the local people directly. We think that the accommodation should capture the essence of the local area; sometimes we stay in nicer hotels and sometimes in simpler ones. Please note that the standard in Asia generally is lower than that of for example Europe. For more information about the accommodation on your trip, please have look in your trip dossier. Accommodation is twin-share. If you are travelling alone you will be sharing a room with a traveller of the same sex. If you do not want to share room with someone you will be charged extra, please notify us when you make the booking. Please note that on some destinations there are no single room options.
To travel with Offside travel you must be in a good physical condition and good health. Our tours are not suitable for
persons with functional disability/impairment. Please note that you are always expected to be able to carry your own bag
and to be able to participate in group activities. We have made a rating on a five-degree scale so that you more easily
can determine what kind of trip is suitable for you. Please note that many of our tours may include only one element that
may increase the rating of the trip to a higher level. For more information please refer to the trip dossier or e-mail
us with your question.
 |
Very high demands on physical condition for example high altitude trekking. | |
 |
Moderately high level of fitness; for example, hiking up to 6 hours a day. | |
| |
May include moderate hiking and other activities. | |
| |
Light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. | |
| |
Not a psychically challenging tour. |
Jeepney (Philippines)
Travelling with Offside Travel means using local transportation, for example local busses and boats. Sometimes when it is hard to find a convenient mean of transport we rent a jeepney or boat to make your tour go as smooth as possible. Please bear in mind that the means of transport in Asia do not have the same standards as in for example Europe.
Please note that the trip dossiers are always preliminary. It is impossible for us to ensure that the routs are followed exactly. This may depend on different things, such as changes in flight schedules, weather conditions and so on.
No insurance is included in the price of the trip. You as a traveller must make sure that you have adequate insurance.
What is, and what is not, included in the tour?
What is included in the tour:
- All local transports mentioned in the travel dossier
- Accommodation during the entire trip
- Tour leader during the entire trip
- Local guides, that are mentioned in the trip dossier
- Meals (where it say so in the trip dossier)
- Group activities and sightseeing (where it say so in the trip dossier)
This is not included in the tours:
- International flight tickets
- Transfer to and from the airport (if not mentioned in the trip dossier)
- Food
- Entrance fees (for example to museums, national parks etc.)
- Taxes (local taxes on flights etc.)
- Visa
- Insurance
- Taxi and other local transport in cities
- Optional activities you choose to do by yourself
- Tips
The tour leader will join the whole tour. It is a person with great knowledge about the country you are travelling in. The tour leader will help you during the trip and give you advice, for example what kind of activities there are to be found on the destination and good restaurants. The tour leader is not to be mistaken for a butler.
For information about what kind of vaccinations you should take before going to a certain destination, please contact your doctor.
If you have any special requests, we will do our utmost to honour that special requirement. We can however not guarantee that we will be able to meet this request. Please email your special request to info@offsidetravel.com. We will get back to you with information if we will be able to help you not.
While our tour leader will do everything possible to make your holiday tour best ever had, its full success will depend a lot on your own enthusiasm and co-operation. Travelling with Offside Travel is a unique holiday, and much of your enjoyment will come from the team spirit of your group and the fun you will have together. We cannot stress, too strongly, the importance of your own positive attitude - even a mechanical breakdown or rainstorm can be fun! Also respect your fellow travellers. Do not behave in a way that disturbs other travellers. We encourage responsible travel, do not; litter, step on corals, buy products made of endangered species or plants.
The tour leader will introduce the travellers to each other by name; addresses and so on will not be handed out. If you would like to keep in touch with your fellow travellers you will be responsible for collecting further information by your self.
On most of our trips it is not suitable to travel with a suitcase, we strongly recommend a backpack. When you have a confirmed booking with us, we will send you specific information and some "travel tips".
You need to bring enough money with you, for food, shopping and for any extra activities you might like to do, for example scuba diving. The tour guide will not be able to lend you money. You will also pay local taxes, for example: airport taxes, boat terminal fees etc. More information about costs for the country you are going to, look in the "short facts".
As a responsible tour operator, we are working hard to ensure that our tours benefit the host communities and local economies as well as having a minimal impact on the cultural and natural environment. As a traveller, we believe that you have as important a role as we do. When you have booked a tour we will send you a copy of our Responsible Travellers "Code of Conduct".
It is important to understand that in many Asian countries you can't have the same standard as in a western country. This especially applies to accommodation, transport, hygiene etc. But then again, remember that you are travelling to experience something new. If everything would be like home it would be quite boring, wouldn't it?
Ecpat and The Swedish Eco Tourism Association
Offside Travel is a member of Ecpat, a non-profit organisation that work against sexual abuse of children and child prostitution. You can read more about Ecpat on www.ecpat.com. Offside Travel is also a member of The Swedish Eco Tourism Association.
Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated, and if anyone is found with an illegal drug they will be instantly excluded from the tour. Should you need or take any special treatment or medication, please inform your tour leader at the start of the tour. In many Asian countries the penalties for carrying illegal drugs are severe. Offside Travel will take no responsibility for travellers carrying illegal drugs!
During the trip you are obliged to follow local laws, rules and customs. Remember that you are a guest in the country.
If you miss the departure on your international flight!?
If your plane is late or cancelled and you miss the departure of the trip, do not panic. Call one of our contact numbers and we will get you information on how you can catch up with us. Please note that this will be at your own expenses.
If you are unsatisfied with anything during the trip or have a problem, the first thing you should do is to talk to your tour leader right away. He or she will try their best to solve the problem. If you are still not satisfied when you come home it is important for us that you let us know.
The easiest way to contact us is via e-mail info@offsidetravel.com. You can also give us a call at +46 (0)8 - 653 88 18 if we cannot take your phone call please leave a message end we will get back to you as soon as possible.