Frequently Asked Questions
From booking to departure, we've got you covered.
-
We strongly recommend arriving at least one day before your tour begins. This gives you time to recover from jet lag, adjust to the local time zone, and take care of any last-minute gear or travel needs.
Arriving early also provides a buffer in case your flight or other transportation is delayed. Your tour will depart promptly at the scheduled time, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate guests who arrive late.
-
You are required to have health and travel insurance that meets the requirements outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
We strongly recommend choosing a policy that provides appropriate coverage for medical care, emergency assistance, trip interruption, and cancellation. Before purchasing a policy, make sure you understand what is and is not covered for your particular trip and activities.
For more guidance, see our Travel Insurance guide.
-
No! You do not need to speak French, Norwegian, or any other local language to participate in an Athara Adventures experience.
We will provide you with a few useful local phrases before your trip. Learning a handful of words and understanding basic local etiquette can make everyday interactions more enjoyable and help you connect with your hosts and the communities we visit.
-
We understand that plans sometimes change, and we have designed our cancellation policy to provide flexibility while also protecting the small, family-owned businesses we work with.
Bookings made more than four months before the tour: If you cancel within seven days of booking, you are entitled to a full refund.
More than four months before the tour: Cancellations receive a full refund less the €500 deposit.
Less than four months before the tour: We do not offer a refund of fees paid. Instead, you will receive a credit toward a future Athara Adventures tour, valid for 24 months from the cancellation date.
Our tours often reserve a significant portion of the available lodging in small communities. Because many of our accommodations and other local partners are small, family-owned businesses, last-minute cancellations can have a significant financial impact. Our policy helps us support these partners while providing you with an opportunity to use your payment toward a future adventure.
Please see our Terms and Conditions for the complete cancellation policy and applicable terms.
-
We offer several payment options to make booking your adventure as convenient and flexible as possible.
Credit card: You can pay with major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. If you select a payment plan and provide a credit card, your card will be automatically charged at each scheduled payment milestone, so you don't have to remember each payment.
Bank account/e-check: You can also pay directly from your bank account using our secure e-check option. This works much like a traditional check, except the payment is transferred electronically from your bank account. This option also allows you to avoid the credit card processing fee.
Multi-currency checkout: Our tour prices are listed in euros because Athara Adventures is a European company based in France. At checkout, however, you can select your preferred currency. Multi-Currency Checkout allows guests to pay in USD, GBP, and several other currencies, making international payments more transparent and potentially reducing foreign-exchange and processing fees.
Our checkout system will automatically suggest a currency based on your location. Please confirm that it is your preferred currency before completing your payment.
-
Yes. At the time of booking, you can choose to pay the full balance or select our payment plan.
Our standard payment schedule is:
First payment: One-quarter of the tour balance, less your €500 deposit, is due six months before the tour start date.
Second payment: The second quarter of the tour balance is due four months before the tour start date.
Final payment: The remaining balance is due two months before the tour start date.
For reservations made less than two months before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
You can also log into your client account to review your payment information and available payment options.
-
For an Athara Adventures tour, a €500 per-person deposit is required to secure your reservation. Because many of our guests plan their international travel well in advance, our deposit-based booking process allows you to reserve your place without paying the full balance immediately.
Once your place is secured, you can make your travel arrangements, organize your schedule, and look forward to your adventure knowing your spot is reserved.
For an Athara Retreat, we ask you to have a brief, informal 15-minute conversation with Seoka, our retreat leader, before booking. This gives both you and Seoka an opportunity to make sure the retreat is a good fit for your needs and expectations. After that conversation, you will receive a booking link. A €500 deposit is required to secure your place.
-
Our accommodations are carefully selected to complement the experience and the location of each tour or retreat.
For example, a hiking tour on the Cathar Way may include a combination of gîtes d'étape, mountain lodges, and hotels, while our retreats are held at carefully selected retreat centers designed to support the retreat experience.
Accommodation varies by itinerary, so visit the page for your specific experience and download the itinerary to see where you will stay along the way.
-
Yes! We offer private tours for families, friends, clubs, and other small groups.
Visit our Private Tours page or contact us to learn more about creating an experience specifically for your group.
If your group has fewer than six people, you may also be able to join an existing scheduled tour, depending on availability.
-
Your experience includes much more than transportation and accommodation. Depending on the particular tour or retreat, your price may include:
20% French VAT
Accommodation
Most meals
Professional trip planning and logistics
Experienced local guides and trip leaders
A thoughtfully curated itinerary
Local cultural experiences
Support for local businesses and communities
Sustainable tourism practices
Opportunities to capture memorable photos along the way
The peace of mind that comes from traveling with an experienced team
Each experience is different, so please review the individual tour or retreat page for a detailed list of what is included and what is not.
-
We rate our experiences according to the level of physical activity, terrain, distance, and skills required, so you can choose an adventure that matches your interests and abilities.
Cultural tours involve walking and exploring villages, towns, and cultural sites at a comfortable pace. Some may include biking. The primary requirement is that you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces such as cobblestones.
Retreats generally include opportunities for gentle movement and walking, but participation is optional unless longer hiking days are specifically identified in the retreat description.
Active tours are classified as Introductory, Moderate, or Challenging. These ratings take into account factors such as daily distance, elevation gain and loss, terrain, and technical or physical skills required.
Visit the individual experience page for a detailed itinerary and activity description. You can also read our guide to evaluating your fitness and skills.
If you're unsure which experience is right for you, please contact us. We'd be happy to talk through the options and help you find a trip that fits your interests and abilities.
-
Your pre-tour information will include recommended airports, transportation options, and information about where to stay before your tour.
For many of our tours in southern France, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) is the most convenient option. For retreats and experiences near the Mediterranean, Perpignan (PGF) or Barcelona (BCN) may be convenient alternatives.
Our Norway tours generally operate from Oslo.
Because the best airport depends on your specific itinerary, always check the starting point listed on your tour or retreat page before booking your flights. Some guests also choose to arrive through another European city so they can extend their trip and explore additional destinations before joining us.
-
Yes, we highly recommend booking accommodation before your tour begins, particularly if you are traveling internationally.
Arriving at least one day early gives you time to recover from jet lag, adjust to the local time zone, and handle any unexpected travel delays.
Your tour will depart promptly at the scheduled time on the first day. If you are delayed and miss the departure, Athara Adventures cannot guarantee that we will be able to arrange transportation to meet the group later or determine when and where you can join a tour already in progress.
We also recommend considering an additional night after your tour if your return travel involves a tight connection or if you would prefer to end your adventure without immediately rushing to the airport.
-
Absolutely! In fact, about half of our participants are independent travelers. Some are experienced solo travelers, while others are trying a group adventure on their own for the first time. Either way, you won't be traveling alone. You'll have the support of our staff and the opportunity to connect with a welcoming group of like-minded travelers. Here are some ways we support our solo travellers:
Private rooms: On most tours and retreats, you can choose a private room for an additional single-room supplement or opt to share accommodations with another participant.
Communal meals: Meals are generally shared as a group, creating a relaxed opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers, exchange stories, and enjoy the local food and culture together.
Time for yourself: We intentionally build natural opportunities for personal time and space into our experiences. You might spend part of a day walking at your own pace, enjoying a quiet moment at your accommodation, or simply taking some time to yourself. Because everyone has these opportunities, solo travelers never feel singled out, and guests traveling with friends or partners have plenty of space to do their own thing, too.
Traveling solo with Athara Adventures means you can arrive on your own and still feel part of a community. You can be as social, or as independent, as you want.
If you're considering your first solo walking holiday, you may also enjoy our blog post, "Solo Walking Holidays: How to Travel Independently Without Feeling Alone.”
Still have questions? Email us!
