FAQ
general questions
Wander Expeditions is not a traditional travel agency where the first to pay is the first to go. We believe that the people you share your travel experiences with are even more important than the destinations themselves. Thanks to our selection process, we ensure all our groups are on the same page and feel like a travel family. We’ll share the price with all pre-selected applicants. Applying takes only 10 minutes, so you have nothing to lose!
Part of our selection process is this filter of not showing a price. We are looking for people who can SAY YES and commit to a 10-minute application, even if the price is still to be revealed. We want people to join our Expeditions out of passion, not logic. This spark of enthusiasm is shared among all the people that make the Wander Fam. They are flexible, fearless, and fun.
As a ballpark figure, our Expeditions range between 1600 euros and 3300 euros (for those that last a week).
The company is more important than the journey and the destination! If you are stuck for a week with the wrong people, it can ruin your experience completely, no matter how beautiful the places are or how smooth the logistics are.
Our goal is to maximize your satisfaction on the Expedition, ensuring you network and make friends that are on the same page and share the values of being Fun, Flexible, and Fearless.
We balance our groups based on every candidate’s background and personality, encourage diversity, and strive to bring the right energies together so that the group experience is fun and rewarding. We’ve run dozens of Expeditions and created travel families in dozens of different destinations. Our repeater rate is 50%, so trust the process! It works!
Our selection process, although refined and improved through experience, is actually very straightforward for applicants.
There are two phases. Phase 1 is essentially your application form, with a few open-ended questions about yourself, your travel experience, and your motivation to join us, and a series of travel-related short quiz questions to get to know you better.
If pre-selected, you’ll move up to Phase 2, where you will have access to the price of the Expedition and, if you wish to confirm, you will have to complete a simple task that will be the last piece in our selection. Don’t worry, be yourself, fresh, and unscripted! We are looking for authenticity.
Head over to the itinerary page for the Expedition you are interested in. You will see a call-to-action button that says “Apply Now.” This will open up our Phase 1 form to submit your application.
You can find details on what is included on each Expedition’s itinerary page.
International flights are never included in our Expeditions. Simply because our customers are based all over the world and it would be impossible to provide a flat pricing that would be fair for all.
However, we can offer guidance and support when you research the best options for you. In some Expeditions (e.g., Yemen) where purchasing one segment of the tickets is easier as a group, we provide that service (e.g., Cairo to Seiyun or Abu Dhabi to Socotra).
At Wander Expeditions, your safety is our main priority. We wouldn’t run an Expedition if it posed an extreme risk. Even in the conflict zones in which we operate, we always ensure that the areas we visit have a reasonable window of stability.
Traveling in a group also mitigates most risks and is safer than traveling solo. Our protocols have been vetted in dozens of Expeditions through Afghanistan, Yemen, Mali, Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, and Iraq.
Finally, you will be accompanied and led by experienced leaders and local guides who know how to deal with any situation that may arise.
Nobody can guarantee your safety on any kind of trip, even a trip to Rome. Things can happen anywhere in the world, and of course, there is a higher risk when visiting a conflict zone. However, we can guarantee that you will be in the best hands. We have a trusted network of reliable local fixers, sources, and contacts to help navigate any situation that might occur. We have been everywhere and have run dozens of expeditions to ensure that our protocols and safety briefings are second to none.
Absolutely! If you have your heart set on a particular Expedition and it’s already sold out, reach out to us, and we will check if any spaces are available.
We believe age is just a number! So, as long as your values align with ours, there is no age limit except for being over 18. Fun fact: we’ve had participants ranging from 18 to 73 years old!
We can organize tailored, private tours in all our destinations for those who prefer a more personalized experience. Reach out to our team to discuss your specific travel requirements and create a customized itinerary that aligns with your preferences and schedule.
Every Expedition requires extensive logistical preparations, so generally, we don’t allow people to switch to another Expedition after they have booked and confirmed. However, reach out to our team via email, and we will have a look at your options. If the switch is still possible, we will happily accommodate your request.
If you decide to cancel due to personal reasons, generally, all payments are non-refundable due to the challenging nature of the logistics in the destinations we work with. For more information regarding our refund and cancellation policies, please refer to our Terms and Conditions. However, in certain cases, we may be able to hold part of your deposit as credit for a future Expedition. Additionally, we recommend contacting your travel insurance provider directly to inquire about their coverage for cancellations.
For more information regarding our refund and cancellation policies, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
before the expedition
Once we have closed a group and prepared the necessary logistics for the Expedition, we will send an Expedition Brief with everything you need to know before joining. This will include information on how to apply for the visa, which flights to purchase, what to pack, and more. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Depending on the Expedition, we will arrange the visa for you directly in the easiest and recommended way for destinations like Iran, Syria, Yemen, Turkmenistan, etc. However, we cannot offer any guarantees or refunds if you are unable to obtain it.
For other destinations, you will need to apply for your own visas at the nearest Embassy or online. Rest assured, you will always have our guidance and support. Our expert team will help you navigate these challenging visa processes hassle-free. However, in cases where we are not directly responsible for your visa, we cannot offer any guarantees or refunds if you are unable to obtain it.
EU, US, and strong passport holders have a 100% success rate in most destinations. If you hold a weak passport, please reach out to us for more information regarding the specific destination you are interested in. We can create a flexible plan tailored to your needs.
Even if you have been booked and confirmed for an Expedition, please refrain from purchasing your flights right away. Kindly wait until we send you our Expedition Brief, which will contain all the necessary information for you to join the Expedition, including details on how to book your flights.
We strongly encourage all clients to protect themselves against unforeseen events or situations that may affect their ability to participate in the Expedition, as well as accidents that may occur during the Expedition.
We can recommend Iati Travel Insurance as it covers most of the destinations we work with and offers a wide selection of insurance plans that suit various circumstances.
Please note that this is simply a recommendation. Wander Expeditions does NOT benefit in any way if you choose to purchase insurance from Iati. Furthermore, please be aware that Wander Expeditions is not a registered insurance agent and cannot legally provide specific advice or information regarding insurance.
As a customer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel documents and personal information provided are up-to-date. This includes passport details and any other necessary details required for visa processes or invitation letters. If you have any doubts, you can ask us at any time.
Every Expedition has an ideal group size, which depends on the itinerary and the number of days involved. After conducting numerous Expeditions, we are mindful of determining the optimal group size to guarantee the best experience.
We prioritize small groups to ensure a more immersive and tailored adventure. Our standard group size is typically 10-15 participants. However, the exact group size will vary depending on the type of Expedition we are running.
the expedition
Every Wander Expedition includes the participation of an Expedition Leader.
We have a strong team of Expedition Leaders that have been vetted in Wander Expeditions. They are senior repeaters who have shown innate leadership, people skills, caring for others in the group, problem resolution skills, and local guide management skills. They all know our culture and values and have been essential in building the Wander Fam and countless travel families. You will learn a bit more about your Expedition Leader once you receive your Expedition Brief.
An Expedition Leader is there to maximize the group’s satisfaction. They take care of the supervision of logistics and ensure that everyone has an unforgettable journey. Through our games and group dynamics, they help create each travel family and foster the bonding of our Wander Fam.
They have a clear understanding of the big picture and are your go-to person for any issues or questions during the Expedition. They handle the logistics, manage the itinerary, and know how to effectively work with our local fixers. Under their leadership, you can fully immerse yourself in the adventure, confident that you are in capable hands.
At Wander Expeditions, we love keeping things exciting, and we only reveal your travel family moments before the Expedition starts. We will set up the meeting point and a WhatsApp group so you can stay in touch.
Wander Expeditions doesn’t book flights for you and is ultimately not responsible for your flight connection. We always suggest booking direct flights or flights with ample layovers that allow comfortable transits to minimize the risk of your flights being delayed or canceled.
If it happens, don’t worry, simply let us know, and we will arrange the logistics for a new pick-up so you can join the group as soon as possible.
We will provide a detailed guide on what essentials to pack, but this applies for all our Expeditions:
- Our Expeditions are adventurous, so suitcases aren’t allowed.
- Pack light! A 30L-40L backpack is more than enough. We want to be agile explorers, not vacationers weighed down by our luggage.
For most of our Expeditions, accommodation is on a shared room basis. We prefer it since it allows you to connect and bond with your travel family better.
However, we understand that some individuals may prefer more privacy or have specific needs. In such cases, we always provide the option to have a single room. Please note that the availability of single rooms is limited, and an extra cost will apply for a single supplement. Contact us after your booking to enquire about this possibility.
We will do our best to accommodate all dietary requirements. However, please note that in some off the beaten path places, it can be challenging to guarantee specific requirements. If needed, you can bring your own food or snacks to the Expedition.
