FAQs
Why use Us for your Overseas Adventure?
Outer Limits Explore have been providing overseas expeditions for schools and adult groups for over 10 years. There are many Overseas Adventure Travel organisations out there and it can be confusing for clients trying to choose a provider that will best suit them. Our advice is talk to us and you will see the difference. Below we’ve highlighted some of the things we feel make us stand out.
Knowledge
Our depth of knowledge and experience gained over many years specialising in Adventurous Travel and work in developing countries puts us at the forefront of our field. All of our staff are highly trained to UK standards and have travelled extensively both professionally and for their own enjoyment. We have an in depth knowledge of the countries we visit and maintain close links with our trusted in-country contacts to ensure our information is current. In short, we have a genuine interest and passion in what we do.
Quality
We have always set ourselves and maintained very high standards. To this end we personally visit, try out and inspect all our locations – we travel on the transport - mules, donkeys and camels included; walk the routes; paddle the rivers; eat the food and bounce on all the beds to ensure that you will have a great time. Over the years we have built up excellent relationships with our in-country associates, all of our destinations are fully researched and regularly assessed.
Support
Our networks of associates, throughout the UK and overseas are hand-picked for their expertise in their field, whether it be cultural, environmental, jungle or mountains. While we have clients overseas our Operations Room is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that whatever the situation the support you need is there.
Integrity
We have worked with many of our community projects over a number of years, building a relationship and friendships with the local people in the countries with whom we work. All of our community work has longevity and is undertaken following discussions with the community. We maintain contact with community leaders to ensure that the work we undertake is exactly what the community themselves require and which will benefit them the most. Both we and our clients find it extremely satisfying to watch work that we started grow and progress; be it a school in Africa, a health centre in South America or a tree plantation in Central America. We return time and again to the same areas to enhance and continue to improve the lives of the local people, thereby maintaining our good on-going relationships and indeed friendships.
Security
We maintain the highest levels of safety and emergency procedures and apply UK standards to all our work. Our locations, expedition itineraries and community work are thoroughly researched on an individual basis.
Safety
We pride ourselves on our safety record. Our emergency first aid kits and procedures have been developed and approved by our Company Doctor and satellite telephones are carried as a matter of course on all remote expeditions. The key to our Safety Policy is our highly trained and superbly motivated Staff. Outer Limits Explore staff make decisions that put safety above all else, occasionally these decisions may not make the guide the most popular person in the world, but will ensure our clients safety and security at all times. We expect our clients to abide by these decisions.
How do I know what to expect?
On confirmation of your booking, we will issue you with a comprehensive Travel Information Pack full of information on the country you have chosen to visit, everything from what jabs and inoculations you need; what the weather will be like; what kit you need to bring (and perhaps more importantly what you don’t – no girls; hair straighteners are no good when climbing Kilimanjaro).
Will I need a visa?
For some countries you will need a visa, advice on this and many other aspects of your trip is included in the Travel Information Pack you will be given on booking. You can also visit the www.visaservice.co.uk for current visa information.
Do you have a Responsible Travel Policy?
Responsible Travel is at the heart of what we do and something we feel passionately about. By visiting remote destinations and cultures we all must take responsibility for the protection of the people, their way of life and the environment; by our actions before we travel, while we’re there and after we return.
We have two Responsible Travel Policies – one for us and one for you. As we believe that by choosing to visit these delicate environments with us, you too have a responsibility. Read our Responsible Travel policy here. On your behalf we will make a contribution to sustainable energy projects through The Carbon Neutral Company (www.carbonneutral.com) and the World Land Trust, part of the Woodland Trust charity (www.worldlandtrust.org) to help offset the carbon emissions caused by your flight. If you DO NOT want to participate please notify us in writing.
Individually the difference to our world will be small, collectively it will be vast.
How fit do I need to be?
We ask you to complete a comprehensive, confidential medical form on booking, provided your general health is good we can advise any specific medical issues.
We will advise on the level of fitness required for the trip you have chosen and can offer a training package to help you achieve your fitness goals. As a rule of thumb – keeling over between the car and the front door is not an appropriate level of fitness for any trip!
How safe is it?
We have over 30 years experience of Adventurous Training and Travel. All of our trips are provided with the best and most up to date safety equipment and our highly trained guides are very experienced in operating in remote situations, all fully qualified in Remote Emergency Medical Care. In addition to this we follow the advice of the Foreign Office very carefully and are in regular contact via the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk) to monitor the situation in the countries we operate in.
Adventure Travel, by it’s very nature carries an element of risk, that’s one of the reasons why we all love exploring places that are off the beaten track. Outer Limits Explore trips travel through some of the more remote and rarely visited places on this planet and we believe that you, the client, need to be aware of this inherent risk and that it is exactly this remoteness, whilst making your trip so special that can also cause problems.
What if the country I want to go to becomes unsafe?
Wherever possible we will offer an alternative location and/or alternative dates. We will always make every effort to run our trips as closely to the original itinerary as possible. For more detailed information on this please see our Terms and Conditions.
Are there age restrictions?
All of our trips are governed by your level of fitness and not your age, provided you are over 18 you won’t even need the permission of your parents.
What if I have more questions?
The above questions are a selection of the most common queries our clients have, if you need an answer that is not covered here, please feel free to e-mail us by clicking on this link or pick up the telephone and ask us, we’re always happy to talk.
