Comfortable Hiking Holidays Ltd.


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What is included in the cost of a Comfortable Hiking Holiday? Can I get my own room? Am I obligated to go on every hike? How are the hikes graded? How long are the hikes? How do you ensure our safety during the hikes? I am new to hiking - can I handle a hiking holiday? What is an average hiking day like? What do you mean by "Comfortable" Hiking Holidays? Can you accommodate special diets or food restrictions? What is the general profile of your guests? What is the average size of your group on each holiday? Do you allow children? Can I extend my holiday, either before or after our hiking trip? Is it mandatory that I get health and trip insurance prior to my trip? Is it possible to book my trip using frequent flyer points? What is the Hiking Buddy Program and how does it work? What makes a Comfortable Hiking Holiday so special? What is included in the cost of a Comfortable Hiking Holiday? One thing all our guests appreciate is the fact that they spend most of their time enjoying their hiking adventure rather than taking out their wallets. While you may see lower rates published elsewhere, you may be expected to pay for all the extras - sometimes spending even more than you budgeted. Our packages include virtually everything: comfortable 3-star+ accommodations, spectacular guided hikes, all transportation and transfers, special tours & excursions (e.g. winery tours, whale-watching, local folklore shows, etc...), most meals and we even offer optional group airfare. The only things that are not included are the usuals like souvenirs, drinks and other personal expenses, the occasional meal, travel and/or cancellation insurance, departure taxes and tips. Back to top Can I get my own room? Absolutely! Single rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and there is an additional fee, known as the single supplement, which varies by trip. Call us for individual rates. Back to top Am I obligated to go on every hike? Not at all. You can come on as many or as few as you wish. Because we do day hikes and return to our hotel every night, you need not worry about keeping up with the group. You are welcome to relax by the pool, go sightseeing or even sleep in at any point during your holiday. Back to top How are the hikes graded? Each holiday is rated based on the degree of difficulty of the hikes. Our rating system is as follows: LIGHT - Easy walking terrain with a minimal amount of ascent. Trails are well travelled. No bushwhacking. MODERATE- Moderate terrain with ascents and descents on some of the hikes of up to 500 ft. Trails are usually well marked but may sometimes be hilly. May involve light bushwhacking, some rough spots or obstacles. Hiking boots necessary. CHALLENGING - More challenging terrain with climbs on some of the hikes of up to 3000 ft. Trails are not always very well marked or well-travelled. May involve steep ascents/descents, rock scrambling or other obstacles, and some bushwhacking. Hiking boots necessary. Back to top How long are the hikes? Hikes range in length from 8 to 20 km each, some of them will have dropout points. You are not obligated to participate in any of the hikes. Attend as many as you wish. Back to top How do you ensure our safety during the hikes? Many of our holidays include the services of two experienced hike leaders, one to lead and one to serve as the sweep. In addition to carrying walkie-talkies and a world phone, each guide is certified in first-aid and CPR. Back to top I am new to hiking - can I handle a hiking holiday? Absolutely! None of our holidays (even the ones rated as strenuous) are considered "extreme", or force you to be in professional athletic shape. The only thing we recommend is that you prepare for your holiday by walking, breaking in your boots, and just getting in good shape to make the most of your adventure. Back to top What is an average hiking day like? Although it varies from trip to trip, the average hiking day has us departing at 9:30 a.m. and returning to our hotel by mid-afternoon. Our hiking distance can be as short as 8km to as long as 20km, with 14km being the average. Our hike times take into account a lunch stop and several breaks throughout the day. In the evening, we usually meet up at 7:00 p.m. for a group briefing about the next day and then dinner at 7:30 p.m. The evening can be free or perhaps an activity or show is planned. Back to top What do you mean by "Comfortable" Hiking Holidays? The best way to answer that is to refer you to our motto: Hike an adventure. Rest in comfort. While the degree of difficulty of the hikes can range from easy to strenuous, you can always count on having a COMFORTABLE hotel room to relax in at the end of the day. No pitching a tent, no worrying about the elements and no using outdoor "facilities". Back to top Can you accommodate special diets or food restrictions? No problem. All you need to do is let us know ahead of time what your requirements are and we will make sure that you are taken care of. We can accommodate virtually all food requests, especially since our main hike leader is a trained nutritionist! Back to top What is the general profile of your guests? We attract hikers of all levels and age groups, from 24 to 84. We do, however, tend to appeal to a more mature market (e.g. 40 +). Generally, our groups are evenly split between singles and couples (with the exception of the "Singles Only" holidays). Back to top What is the average size of your group on each holiday? The average group size on our extended holidays is 15 guests. Back to top Do you allow children? Currently we do not have a children's program. All participants must be at least 18 years of age. Back to top Can I extend my holiday, either before or after our hiking trip? This is often possible and is known as a "deviation". We will be happy to assist you in planning an extended stay, either before or after our hiking holiday. There is a cost of $100 per person plus any additional airline costs incurred due to the change. Please contact us for details and rates. Back to top Is it mandatory that I get health and trip insurance prior to my trip? Medical and cancellation insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. You are welcome to purchase your own plan or it can be arranged through our offices. Back to top Is it possible to book my trip using frequent flyer points? Extended holidays can be booked with or without airfare. You could choose to make your own flight arrangements using your frequent flyer points, in which case you would make a reservation for the "land only" portion of the package. Back to top What is the Hiking Buddy Program and how does it work? Many of our new guests come to us by way of referrals. The Hiking Buddy Program is our way of encouraging and thanking past guests for spreading the good word about C.H.H. So, how does it work? As a past guest of ours, simply refer a buddy who has not traveled with us since January 1, 2004 and if s/he takes one of our extended trips (of 7 nights or more), you will receive a $100 discount off your next Comfortable Hiking Holiday! The more hiking buddies you refer to us, the greater your discount. The best advertising is a recommendation from a satisfied guest! Call us for complete details. Back to top What makes a Comfortable Hiking Holiday so special? Well, we have several reasons why some 70% of our guests are repeat travellers with us: 1. We take you to spectacular destinations! 2. We have some of the most competitive prices in the industry, with no surprises or hidden costs! That's why we offer virtually all-inclusive packages. 3. "Comfortable" accommodations (3-star plus). 4. As we are a small company, we offer personalized service and attention to each and every guest. 5. Our holidays include much more than just wonderful hiking. We pride ourselves on offering you a real taste of the country and culture you are in. That's why we include things like winery tours in Tuscany, cigar factory tour in Cuba, whale watching excursion in Iceland and a folklore show in Corfu, to name a few. 6. We include special perks exclusive to all C.H.H. guests, such as hiking clinics, 10% discount on merchandise at Taylor's Outdoor Gear in Toronto, Hiking Buddy rewards program and other special incentives. Back to top

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