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About the Program
1. Who can participate?
2. How do I fund my trip?
3. What is a minimum fundraising
amount?
4. What is included in the price?
5. How are trip places allocated?
6. How fit do I need to be?
7. Who leads the trips?
8. What equipment do I need to bring?
9. What will the accommodation be like?
10. What will we eat and drink?
11. What standard of hygiene can I
expect?
12. What first aid provisions will there
be?
13. Do I require travel insurance?
14. What travel documentation will I
need?
15. Can I extend my trip?
16. What is tax deductible?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who
can participate?
On regular trips, participants must be at least 18 years old, or be
accompanied by a legal guardian if they under 18 years old, and have
relevant documents enabling them to travel in and out of Australia.
There are no restrictions on gender or marital status and groups of
friends/colleagues are welcome.
On Schoolies trips, participants must be graduating from year 12 in the year of the trip’s departure, and be in a suitable physical condition to undertake the trip as set out in the chosen itinerary.
2. How
do I fund my trip?
There are two options available for funding your trip:
Fundraising Option: You will be asked to pay a $500 registration fee as a personal contribution towards the cost of your chosen trip. After the League receives this fee, you will be granted authority to raise the bulk of the Minimum Fundraising Amount through sponsorship, raffles*, events, etc. Please don’t be concerned if you don’t have much experience in fundraising as you will be sent fundraising ideas, sample letters and media releases to get you started. And don’t forget staff from the League are available to help too! If you do not reach the Minimum Fundraising Amount before the deadline, you are welcome to make up the shortfall yourself however personal contributions are not tax deductible. Using the bank slips provided, all funds should be deposited as soon you collect them. The deposit slips will have your assigned “agent number” on them to ensure you receive credit for all funds banked by you. *Some charities have policies surrounding the use of raffles and art unions to raise funds. Please check with the League before making any plans in this regard.
Upfront Option: If you choose the upfront payment option, the full amount must be paid to the League in a maximum of two payments (e.g. a deposit of $500, then the balance) at least eighty days prior to your scheduled departure. You may be able to get someone you know pay for the trip as a birthday gift, or for another reason - this may be considered a donation and you should discuss this with the League to investigate tax benefits.
3. What
is a minimum fundraising amount?
A Minimum Fundraising Amount (MFA) is the minimum cash amount you need
to raise before your place in a trip is confirmed. This is the sum of
your registration fee and the minimum fundraising level required. The
MFA must be banked eighty days before your departure date. If you do
not achieve this and cannot afford to contribute the remaining funds
from your own pocket, you risk losing your place on the trip and you
will also lose your registration fee. MFAs are indicated on the Trip
Calendar, but please feel free to raise above these amounts!
4. What
is included in the price?
The trip cost includes return international or domestic flights
departing Brisbane, all accommodation and those inclusions listed on
individual itineraries. You may need to pay for transfers to and from
the Brisbane Airport, vaccinations, personal equipment, tips, personal
spending money, overseas departure tax (if applicable) and additional
activities not included in your itinerary.
5. How
are trip places allocated?
Places for trips are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis as
each itinerary has a maximum group size. Once a group reaches maximum
capacity, we will endeavour to introduce a further departure date. Your
place on a trip is only secure after you have raised and banked the
Minimum Fundraising Amount. If you miss out on a place on the trip of
your choice, you may choose to participate in a different trip or
reserve a place on the next departure to your destination of
choice.
6. How
fit do I need to be?
The very nature of a Global Odyssey trip means a certain level of
fitness is required. Some of the trips are intended to be tough, so you
may need to undertake some form of fitness training. You do not need to
be a sporting professional, but the more prepared you are the more you
will enjoy the trip. It is recommended that you consult a doctor to
develop a safe exercise program.
7. Who
leads the trips?
An English-speaking tour guide will accompany tour groups. The guide
will be responsible for the group’s safety and will ensure to the best
of his/her ability that the planned itinerary runs smoothly. From time
to time wildlife movements, weather changes, transport problems or
forces of nature may cause last minute changes. In such circumstances,
the guide may vary the itinerary, and his/her decision will be
final.
8. What
equipment do I need to bring?
Each participant will be issued with a comprehensive itinerary which
will include a list of everything you will need to pack, including
information on any items you will need to buy yourself.
9. What
will the accommodation be like?
“In Style” trips generally provide a little more luxury for
participants, and their MFA reflect this. On some other trips, you may
go “off the beaten track” during certain sectors of the expedition, far
from the home comforts of hotels and tents may become your home for a
few days. You will however, be provided with more comfortable,
local-style accommodation on other parts of the trip.
10.
What will we eat and drink?
Please see individual itineraries which list the meals included in the
Minimum Fundraising Amount. If you have any specific dietary
requirements, it is important you include the details on your
registration form.
11.
What standard of hygiene can I expect?
The tour group must endeavour to maintain the highest standards of
hygiene possible throughout the trip. Washing facilities will be
provided daily, although these could range from mountain streams, to
bowls of warm water, to hot showers. Toilet facilities may range from
secluded trees, to tent-covered long-drop toilets, to permanent
flushing toilets.
12.
What first aid provisions will there be?
Group safety is the most important aspect of every trip. Each
participant is responsible for maintaining the highest levels of safe
conduct. Anyone causing a danger to themselves or to other members of
the Team may be removed from the group. There will be a first-aid
qualified guide travelling with the group who will carry a substantial
first-aid kit.
13. Do
I require travel insurance?
Yes! A comprehensive travel insurance policy is included in the MFA.
This policy is provided by Flight Centre Groups and Covermore Insurance
Services Pty Ltd. The policy provides cover for trekking, climbing,
canoeing, etc. The policy also protects the League as they will be
paying a substantial amount of money towards your costs, which could be
lost if you are forced to cancel. A copy of the policy will be mailed
once you have submitted your registration fee.
14.
What travel documentation will I need?
For overseas trips, you must hold a full passport, which is valid for
at least six months after the completion date of your trip. If you need
to obtain or renew your passport, please allow at least six weeks
before departure to do so. If you require an entry visa for the country
you are travelling to, details will be listed on the relevant itinerary
and you will be sent the relevant application forms once your place is
secured.
15.
Can I extend my trip?
On all itineraries, the League aims to secure the most cost effective
package. If you require FIT (Fully Independent Travel) arrangements
outside of the set itinerary, you will need to liaise with Flight
Centre Groups directly. If the change of date and/or the return routing
to Australia involves a more expensive ticket, you will be required to
pay the difference. If you extend your trip, you will also need to make
sure that your personal travel insurance is extended to cover you for
the full duration. Please think very carefully and decide exactly what
you need / want before requesting a change of return date. Once a
change is requested, the airline will change the details immediately if
the seat is available. If you change your mind once the new details
have been entered, you may have lost your original seat with the main
group.
16.
What is tax deductible?
Any donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. For an amount to be a
donation, it is assumed that the donor is not the same person as the
participant, or an associate. The conditions for a donation are that it
must be made voluntarily and does not provide benefits to the donor.
For example, the donor cannot receive a donation receipt if they are
the actual participant.
Magical Egypt