hayestrip

Does anybody have any experience with overlanding tour companies like Oasis or Dragoman? I've been trying to find reviews online but they all seem to be pretty unhelpful, either people had the greatest time ever or the worst and not a whole lot of information about why.

qwovadis

TripAdvertizer reviews are worthless

too many fakes scams touts.

Tucantravel.com #1 in UK best reviews for this type of travel

on the baords good experience in the past but keep in mind

on all of the tours u will be crammed in small transport

for long distances with strange folks who may not share

your personal hygeine standards lots of low grade stays

early AM bus calls and mandatory tipping 15% so not great

for me unless a very budget newbie.

Prefer affordabletours.com for tours or better

do my own research self guide safe a tonne.

Happy Travels,

thursdaysd

You're more likely to find overlanders on Lonely Planet's Thorntree.

StephHackney

Hello!

I'm sorry you haven't gotten any helpful info. While my husband and I have not personally used a service (we overlanded on our own all over South America for a couple years), we did meet several groups of people who were on Dragoman tours in South America. They all had good things to say about the experience and seemed like they were happily enjoying the adventure when we saw them pull into places where we camped.

If you are going to use a service such as this, as an experienced world traveler and overlander, I would offer these tips:
1. Think about where you want to go. Make a list, ranked by top choice first on down to last choice.

2. Now, think about all the different modes of travel available for seeing these places and what appeals to you. Are you in it for the adventure? Are you selecting a mode of travel for the cost? For the opportunities it provides?

3. Determine what your travel goals are, first and foremost, for each destination. Are you most interested in being remote? Are you most interested in nature and physical activity? Do you prefer city life and activities? Or, are culture and relationships - interactions with locals, and/or other travelers, more important? Think about each mode of transportation and how that mode assists in or hinders you in reaching your travel goals.

4. Now, think about what's most important to you in terms of offering: do you enjoy the process of setting up a tent, of sleeping in the vehicle when that's not possible due to severe weather? Or, do you prefer checking into a hotel or hostel and sleeping in a regular bed each night (or even most nights)? Do you like cooking meals outdoors? Do you have dietary restrictions that could make eating what's available a challenge? Or, would you prefer to go check out the local cuisine offerings? What about the people you'll be traveling with: do you like to party it up, or do you prefer to travel with people who are in bed early and up and out early? Are you sociable, do you find it easy to meet others? Will you travel alone or with companions? If alone, and everyone else on your trip has buddies along, will you feel comfortable?


I think it's important to consider all of these things when deciding on group travel, but especially important when the group travel requires lots of interaction, sometimes under strenuous and/or stressful conditions (setting up a tent in the Patagonian winds is not a fun thing).

Most importantly, start with your travel goals. Once those are set all decisions become easier. Does this offer help me meet my goals, do what I want to do, experience what I want to experience, try the things I want to try, and meet the kind of people I want to meet? If so, it's a go. If not, then look for another option.

We have a website full of travel tips and information, as well as links to lots of other overlanders' sites. Please check it out and let us know if you have questions. We're happy to assist,

Stephanie

StephHackney

Oops, forgot that our web address wouldn't show up in my siggie.

Here's our site in case you want to learn more about our travel: www.hackneystravel.com.

Happy and safe travels!

Steph