Frequently Asked Questions

If you can't find the answers to your specific question below, please e-mail our sales department and we'll answer your question as quickly as possible.

How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?

The easiest way to make a reservation is to contact us by telephone. A $300 non-refundable, per-person deposit, plus optional cancellation insurance premium is payable at the time of booking. We accept Visa and MasterCard for deposits; in Canada we also accept American Express. Your final balance is payable by cheque or online banking 60 days prior to departure; final balance payments by credit card are subject to an additional $150 per transaction "convenience fee." Early enrollment is encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. If airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send out a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary; any visa/travel permit related documents; insurance information (if purchased); invoice; clothing and equipment recommendations; general information on your destination(s), and signature forms for you to complete and return to us. Your air tickets, final hotel list, final trip itinerary, baggage tags, will be sent out approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.

What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?

Our land costs are typically based on 10-16 full-paying trip members. If there are fewer than 10, fixed costs make the per person trip expenses higher. Our travellers typically prefer to pay a small group surcharge rather than have their trip cancelled. This amount may be 10-15% of the land price; this option will be offered to you as an alternative to a full refund.

Who are my fellow travellers? Do you have age limits?

Our tours are destination focused and attract inquisitive, often well-educated, well-read and informed travellers who go on vacation to relax, have fun, meet new people, and be exposed to different cultures and points-of-view. Though it’s always hard to predict exactly how each group will shape up, our guaranteed share program and reasonable single supplements mean that we get a good number of singles on average. We attract an English-speaking crowd from Canada, the USA, and Australia. Age-wise, our groups are made all the more interesting with a broad range of life experiences. Everyone brings something unique to the group dynamic; though our clients usually fall between 35 and 55, we often get people well outside of this range. Our tours are suitable for travellers 15 and up; those over 75 require a physician’s signature.

Will Compass find be a roommate? Are there many single travelers?

Yes and yes! We have a share programme whereby we'll happily match you with a same-sex roommate (we never match smokers and non-smokers). If we are unable to find you a share partner, you may end up with your own room at no extra charge (on most tours; a few trips have a “forced” single charge). Though we cannot give out personal information about your potential share partner, we do our best to match ages if possible. If you prefer to have your own room, we can book you on a single supplement basis. Our reasonable supplements and guaranteed share option attracts many single travellers. Though such a thing is difficult to guarantee or predict, many of our trips are comprised of 25-50% singles.

What's included? What's not included?

Inclusions: Shared accommodation in two/three star hotels. Breakfast daily; other meals as per the daily itinerary description. Land transportation while on tour; flights as outlined, and taxes on those flights; sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary; services of an expert Tour Leader.
Not included: Airport departure taxes or user fees; Border taxes and fees, if applicable; visa and permit fees, if applicable; trip cancellation/interruption/medical insurance; single supplement charges, if requested; additional exclusions and meals as outlined on our itineraries. Arrival/departure transfers and porter service. TIPPING: Please allow $30-35 USD a week. Your Tour Leader can advise the appropriate amounts as you go. It is also customary to offer your Tour leader a tip; allow approximately $5-10 USD per day.

What about flights?

Compass Adventures has a full in-house flights reservations and ticketing department experienced in organizing routings to exotic and obscure (and not so obscure) destinations. Call or e-mail our Sales Department for a full tax-inclusive air quote from your home town.

Do you allow smoking on your tours?

Smoking is not permitted on any transport or during sightseeing excursions. Smoking is permitted in your own room, private areas and in designated smoking sections.

Would it be possible for me to talk to someone regarding his or her experience on a particular tour?

We are able to provide telephone numbers or e-mail addresses of previous participants who have taken a specific tour. All of these people have volunteered to be a reference and will be happy to talk to you about our tours. We have an extensive list of references, and we will try to find one close to your hometown. Alternatively, our well-travelled staff are able to provide you with first-hand experience. Many of our staff members have participated on our tours, and they'll be happy to share their experiences with you.

Do you have the ability to deal with someone with special meal requirements?

In most instances we can deal with participants with special meal requirements. It is best to contact our Sales Department to discuss your particular needs as some destinations may have certain limitations.

Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?

Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end. We can arrange accommodation in our hotel. Please note, if you extend your tour at the beginning, the arrival transfer will not be included. Similarly, if you chose to extend your tour at the end, the departure transfer will not be included. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee, which is levied by the airline.

What are Compass Adventures’ accreditations?

Compass Adventures, operating under the auspices of our parent company, Adventures Abroad World Wide Travel Ltd, is fully licensed and affiliated with numerous travel industry regulators in Canada, USA and the UK. Click here to review our accreditations and booking terms.