FAQs

For the specific border crossing requirements, the COVID-19 page on the DeNure Tours web-site has links to the applicable government sites.

For DeLuxe Hiking tours purchased as land-based packages, guests are responsible for getting to the starting point of the tour, and will need to complete declarations and provide passport information as necessary. During the tour, if there is a border crossing, information will be provided describing the declarations and registrations that may be required.  If there are questions, please feel free to call 1-888-716-5523 or email us: info@deluxehiking.com

No matter where we travel, it is strongly recommended that, at a minimum, every traveller should bring along government issued photo ID. If travelling internationally, ensure that your passport is current, and carried with you.

Our tours are offered as “land only” packages. That means that the transportation required to get to the starting point, a drive or a flight, is not included in the price, and needs to be arranged separately. Once the tour is underway, you’ll find that the motorcoach is a comfortable way to get around with ample room for you and your gear.

We understand that it is may be difficult to plan your vacation very far in advance. However, we need to confirm all the key features of our tours including hotels, attractions and restaurants, typically months in advance. Often dates and room choices are gone the longer you wait to book, and flights seem to get more expensive when booked closer to departure. Booking your tour typically only requires a $400 deposit and payment arrangements can be made.  With the increasing demand for travel, hotel space is selling out sooner than in the past.  To avoid disappointment, book early and “Save your Seat” for your DeLuxe Hiking adventure!

The pace of a tour varies by itinerary, and with each destination, the hiking terrain and cultural activities are unique. Pacing is often subject to personal interpretation, but a good starting indicator for DeLuxe Hiking tours is Level H on our fitness scale. In addition, in a manner similar to ski hills, the hikes themselves have been given a difficulty rating. The difficulty rating for the tour is the most difficult hike that must be completed while on the trip. For safety, logistics, and regulatory reasons, we cannot permit guests to opt out of an itinerary item and remain with the coach, so it is important to review and have these ratings in mind while selecting your trip.

We have hiking tours that offer a range of difficulty and duration. With a hiking tour, a factor to consider is that for any given day, the efforts may be quite manageable, but when hiking several days in a row, even with a good night’s sleep in between, the pace may be difficult if you’re not used to it. Please refer to the Tour Fitness Scale and Hiking Difficulty Ratings to get an idea of the types of efforts involved. Some long walks and hikes beforehand to ensure your physical fitness is up for the challenge, are recommended..

A mistake sometimes made by folks new to hiking is that they will purchase new hiking boots before a trip. If new footwear is needed, it is important to try it out and “break in” the new hiking shoes or boots by going on a few long walks or hikes. There is nothing worse than getting blisters on your feet on the first or second day of a hiking vacation.

Some experiences require a minimum number of travellers in order to operate. If you are booking your own flights, it is recommended that flights be booked only after a departure is guaranteed. If a tour departure is cancelled by DeLuxe Hiking due to minimums not being met, you will be offered an alternate date, if available, or you will be issued a full refund.

If you are travelling outside of your province of residence, we strongly recommend that guests have a travel insurance policy to ensure peace of mind before and while traveling. A complete travel insurance package will provide protection in case of trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delays or loss of baggage, and medical expenses. DeLuxe Hiking works with a couple of companies offering travel insurance plans. See also our Optional Add-Ons and Before You Go information.

Yes, flights can be arranged to suit your location, subject to availability and pricing, and will be coordinated with the group’s flights, where possible.

Absolutely! It’s your holiday and we want to make it just right for you. For tours involving flights, we can arrange your outbound flight to arrive before the group, if you want to spend some time before the tour, or we can arrange your return flight later than the group if you would like to spend some time afterwards. Please note that flights different from the group arrangements are subject to availability and pricing. When you refer to our Optional Add-Ons, you’ll see that we may also be able to arrange additional nights of accommodation at the airport hotel.

Instructions on where to meet your tour director will be provided in your ticket package.

Many airlines have moved away from providing a paper ticket, and now issue what’s called an “e-ticket” or electronic ticket. Often, it is simply a computer print-out of the flight details and includes the reservation number, which may or may not be requested at check-in or at customs. If you have questions about your e-ticket, or if you are concerned that you did not receive it, please contact us.

Travelling within Canada requires government issued photo identification. All international travellers must carry acceptable identification and a valid visa (if necessary) when entering Canada. When travelling outside Canada, a current passport will be needed. In most cases, it must be valid for 6 months after the trip return date, and visas may be required.

Prior to final payment, any change to an existing reservation will incur a service fee per person. Please ensure that the full name provided on the invoice is spelled correctly, and that it matches the name on the passport and government issued identification. Name changes with airlines can be costly.

1 piece per person, maximum 50 pounds, plus one carry-on is permitted for motorcoach tours. Extra charges apply to overweight or additional luggage. Please see the luggage section of our Before You Go document, and if applicable, check the documents from the airlines for your flights, regarding baggage fees and restrictions.

If you need to cancel your trip, cancellation charges may apply. The amount of the penalty is dependent upon the number of days from the date we are notified until the departure date. As you can see from our Payment & Cancellation Policy, if you must cancel, it is in your best interests to notify us as soon as possible.

We recommend that you bring a small backpack with:

• Refillable water bottles or a hydration pack
• A compact first aid kit with tweezers and assorted bandages including ones specifically for blisters
• small travel package of tissues
• A whistle (may be attached to the outside of the pack)
• Snacks such as granola bars
• Extra pair of hiking socks
• Bug spray & sun screen
• Compact wallet (for ID & health card)
• Hat & sunglasses

Other items to bring:

• Comfortable hiking boots
• Hiking poles are optional, but can be helpful in hilly sections
• Light clothing that is neither baggy nor tight, that allows for free movement, such as quick-dry trousers with stretch.  Performance clothing that wicks, and merino wool base layers are also suggested.  Pure cotton fabrics and jeans are not recommended since once they get wet, you will get chilled.  Having clothing that can be layered is helpful.
• A light, waterproof jacket with a hood or a rain poncho
• Light gloves if cooler weather is possible

What to pack and wear each day during the trip will depend on the weather and the hikes.

When booking a vacation that includes flights, your reservation will require your full legal name as it is shown on government-issued identification. Once a flight is booked, it is non-refundable and any changes to name or details may not be possible or may be subject to fees imposed by the airline.

Most airlines charge for pre-assigned seats. Where pre-assigned seats are not offered, guests must contact the airline directly to arrange their seat assignment. Depending on the airline and/or destination, changing your pre-assigned seat may be subject to an additional fee. Seating is solely under the airline’s control, as are itinerary changes due to flight delays and scheduled changes.

Flight changes and cancellations are the responsibility of the airline and are beyond our control. DeLuxe Hiking will not be responsible or liable for such changes, or any additional charges that may be involved.

Some cities/countries have departure taxes that are payable upon exiting in local currency. These fees are not included in your tour price since they must be paid in cash. If required, these fees will be noted on your travel documents.

Special meal requests, where available on airlines, can be requested at time of booking. DeLuxe Hiking cannot guarantee the request will be granted.

Luggage size and weight restrictions are imposed by the air carrier. With your travel documents, DeLuxe Hiking will advise you of the luggage restrictions and cost per checked bag. Airline baggage fees may apply and are not included in the tour price.

As noted in your ticket info, all guests will retain their assigned seats. This allows you to have your own dedicated space – for you and for your gear.

For each tour there is a web-page with all the tour details.  The “What’s Included” drop-down section lists the  inclusions such as accommodations, meals, park passes and included attractions.

Drinks must be in a travel mug or container with a sealed lid. (no paper coffee cups or plastic fountain drink containers). Bringing a reusable water bottle is highly recommended and great for the environment. Snacks that are ideal for motorcoach travel include granola bars, muffins, nuts, dried fruit etc. It should be noted that as part of our COVID-19 Clean Care Promise, DeLuxe Hiking staff will be cleaning the coach at planned intervals, and guests are encouraged to keep their area of the cabin clean.

It is important to be prepared for all sorts of weather and dress accordingly (rain gear, gloves, dress in layers, etc.)  We will not hike if there are thunderstorms as this is a safety issue, and a continuous downpour of rain may make trails unsafe. Otherwise, we will hike in variety of weather, including light rain and wind, and may adjust our pace according to the conditions.

The Tour Director will assess the weather forecast, the current weather and the trail conditions and make adjustments as necessary, such as selecting a different hike or activity, delaying the start of a hike or ending a hike sooner than planned. 

As a reminder, hikers do not have the option to forego a hike and remain on the coach. Hikers who are concerned about weather conditions should consult with the Tour Director to determine their options.

While on tour, your tour director can guide you to laundromats if necessary and available.

In your travel documents, you are provided with an extra copy of your hotel listing, which includes the names, addresses and phone numbers of the hotels you will be staying at during the tour. We suggest leaving a copy with a friend or relative, so they have a means of contacting you. In the case of an emergency, a relative may contact the DeLuxe Hiking head office, and we will contact the tour director.

Banking machines are widely accessible, but it may be difficult to find your particular bank, so there may be ATM service fees. Most businesses throughout North America accept debit as a form of payment. When leaving the country, we also recommend that you let your bank and credit card companies know, and take steps to ensure that you can use your debit card if you want to have access to local currency while on the road. Please note that outside of Canada, and particularly overseas, ATMs require a maximum 4-digit PIN number and often must be connected to your chequing account, as opposed to a savings account.

We’ll check you in, look after your luggage and take care of all hotel porterage, tips and gratuities – whether it is for restaurant staff, chambermaids or porters. Please note that Tour Director and Driver’s gratuities are not included in the trip cost. Gratuities have been built into the cost of your trip for baggage handling at hotels and for the included meals on your itinerary. As a per person guideline for gratuities for other components of your trip, for local guides $2/guide, for coach drivers $5/day, and for tour directors, $5/day.