How long has BOAC been in business ?
BOAC was founded in 1998 and has been organizing adventure events since then. In 2001 it was registered formally as a business, and in 2005 obtained its travel agent licence. We now offers 'soft' and 'hard' adventures to some of the most intriguing destinations in the world.
What kinds of program are offered ?
Our roots are in trekking but over the years we have added a variety of other adventures to our program - wildlife safaris, overland expeditions, cultural encounters, cycling adventures, or a combination of these - and our adventures range from easy weekend get-aways to challenging 4-week long treks. We can customize any of the adventures featured in our portfolio to suit your interests & leave period.
Who goes on in a BOAC program ?
You're probably wondering about the people with whom you'll share your adventure. Chances are they're a lot like you. Spirited travelers, they share a passion for our wonderful world. Our group members are usually working professionals, including expatriates, who work in a variety of occupations and industries. They include families, couples, friends, and solo travelers and range in age from early 20s to mid-50s - reminding us all that you can never be too young or too old to have fun! Interestingly, most of our members are singles and there's usually a slightly higher ratio of women to men.
How do I know what each program is like ?
As an event organizer and a travel agent, we deem it our responsibility that our clients should have full knowledge of and be adequately prepared for their travels with us. This web site provides full details of each program via the respective program pages and the 'What To Expect - Overland' and 'What To Expect - Organised Treks' pages. If you still have questions, call us at +65-6532 3866 or email us at. We would be happy to discuss our adventure programs in detail with you !
How do I know if I'm fit enough ?
You can get a good idea of the physical requirements for each program in the detailed itinerary which lists the specific walking distances & time required. To get a real gauge of your current fitness level, we welcome you to join us on our Saturday afternoon conditioning hikes at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. We want you to be on the right program just as much as you do. Therefore, if you have any questions about your ( or the program's ) fitness level, feel free to drop us at line or a call.
How do you rate the programs in terms of difficulty ?
All our trekking programs are for active & fit travelers. Each program is rated on a level from ' 1 ' ( Easy ) to ' 5 ' ( Expedition Grade ). For Malaysian programs, you carry all your gear in your backpack but the treks are all at low altitude below 2000m except for Mount Kinabalu. For programs to the high country ( Himalaya, East Africa, SW China ), all gear and equipment are carried by porters, pack animals, or support vehicles. All you need to carry is a light daypack. That said, you'll get more enjoyment out of any program if you are in good physical condition, so the best advice we can offer is to get in shape. Check with your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program if you're above 50 years of age or have previous medical history.
How should I train for my program ?
Some programs are more challenging than others and we suggest that you refer to our Program Ratings. Most people will be able to get in shape for their upcoming adventure - if they start several months before departure and take their training program seriously. We encourage you to join our Group Conditioning Sessions ( GCS ) which we organize for all our program participants & members on complimentary basis or you may prefer to train on your own. Either way, you should engage in some sort of aerobic & strength-building activities three times a week and to slowly increase the distance and difficulty of this activity. A week or two before the program you should be comfortable walking or biking the distance that is typical of a day on your program. Take your training program seriously - it'll be worth it!
What is your maximum group size ?
For our weekend getaways, our group size is usually about 8 - 16 participants. For longer programs, we keep our groups small - usually less than 12 participants - so you will not feel herded around. Our minimum is usually 4, but varies by program and can be as low as 2 persons. The small group allows you a more intimate experience with the people and wildlife you encounter on your adventure.
What if I'm traveling alone ?
Wonderful ! More than half of our program participants are individuals traveling alone. We also have people traveling with a member of their family, a spouse, or a few of their friends, or with their colleagues. We get single men as well as single women traveling with BOAC. It is a safe, convenient way to experience a new part of the world as well as getting to know some like-minded travel friends..
Do you take children on your programs ?
Many of our programs can accommodate families. The youngest recommended age is 12 years. Due to the active nature of some of the adventures and other factors, we may give a minimum age recommendation of 16 years and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult family member at all times.
Can you cater for private departures ?
Yes ! However, there is a minimum number of participants required for a private departure. The minimum will vary by program. If you have a group of friends, family, business colleagues, schools or other special-interest groups looking at one of our outings, and the dates don't mesh, let us know. Depending upon your interests and other factors, we can customize one of our existing programs to meet your needs ! And it's certainly nice not to have to worry about logistics and to know you are in good hands.
Do you offer any group discounts ?
In recognition of the long-term support of our members, we have a special ' Earn Free Travel ' discount scheme where members can get discounts on their land travel if they join with 3 or more of their friends traveling together on our scheduled programs. This offer applies only when all group members are able to jointly confirm reservations for the same program.
Who are your oversea partners ?
On all our faraway overseas programs, we form business partnerships only with well-established & reputable local companies who provide knowledgeable local experts to lead our programs. These local companies are almost always recommended by travel guides such as ' Lonely Planet ' and they see to all aspects of the land arrangements such as local transportation, hotels, and other services. These local guides - both men and women - know their homeland intimately, and are enthusiastic and accommodating. They "show you the ropes" and encourage you every step of the way.
What's included in my program ?
Items that are typically included in our programs:
Internal airfare ( if applicable ), accommodations on double/twin-share occupancy, meals as noted in the itinerary ( B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner ), airport transfers, sightseeing as noted in the itinerary, expertise and services of professional naturalist and trekking guides ( if applicable ), ground transportation of various modes, national park & entrance fees, and permits ( if applicable ), and all group camping equipment ( if applicable ).
Items that are typically not included in our programs:
International airfare, special charter flights, airport taxes, meals not noted on itinerary, insurance of any kind ( we strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance ), optional tipping & gratuities to trip leader, guides and local staff, excess baggage charges, local taxes ( if any ), cost of medical immunizations, visa application fees, and items of a personal nature ( sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc. )
Specific day-by-day itineraries for each departure will give you more complete information on what is included and what isn't for your program.
What do I need to bring ?
Usually all you need to bring - besides your spirit of adventure - is your personal gear. Don't worry, we'll send you a detailed clothing and equipment list in your pre-program information package so you know what you'll need. That's why it's good for you to sign up early ( preferably 3 months ahead ) so you can get ready for the program physically in terms of both gear and personal fitness.
What kind of accommodations can I expect ? Camping in Comfort & Style
Many of our programs take you to destinations far from well-traveled routes and suitable nearby lodgings. On organised treks to places like Nepal, we stay in our own mobile camps which you may find as pleasantly comfortable. We provide sleeping tents on twin-sharing basis, dining tent with tables and stools where we share some spirited conversations ( and great meals! ), "toilet" tents or other private toilets with bathing facilities ( ranging from "bucket baths" to solar showers ) if we happen to camp next to a teahouse.
On most camping programs, a friendly support crew takes care of all the details while you relax and enjoy yourself. They'll set up tents, prepare tasty, wholesome meals, clean up, and see to it that you stay healthy. However, on most of our safari programs, overland expeditions and tropical jungle trekking programs, everyone helps with camp chores ( including setting up / dismantling camp, cooking & cleaning up ) which adds to the teamwork required for these programs.
Hotels, Backpacker Lodges, Hostels & Inns
Some of our programs also feature cozy accommodations with a delightful ambiance. In the cities, we use standard tourist-class hotels or backpacker lodges to keep our style of travel simple and travel costs low for our programs. Where available, these come with private bath. Although budget in nature, they are comfortable and centrally located for easy access. They may be located in the old part of town, away from the main tourist scene but close to local points of interest like small shops and colorful markets or right in the heart of town for ease of that end-of-program shopping spree.
What is the food like?
Even in the most rustic settings, like camping in the remotest part of the Karakoram, you'll dine well. All water used for cooking and drinking is purified by filter or it is boiled. The camp cooks are experienced professionals who are able to prepare amazing culinary treats in the most remote places. In some regions the supply of produce may be more limited and consequently the food will be less varied. But you can rest assured that it will always be hearty, healthy, and tasty.
We can accommodate special dietary requests ( vegetarian, food allergies, etc. ) but ask that you please discuss your requests with us when signing up for a program. For a list of which meals are included on your program, please refer to the specific program itinerary.
What Is Your Style Of Adventure ?
We believe in a participative style of adventure. Except for fully supported treks in the Himalaya, each and every group member is expected join in and assists the local guide in the daily camp chores ( ie. set up tents, pack / clean up the campsite, prepare the meals, and wash up the group equipment afterwards ). A willingness to participate is fundamental in all these adventure programs. There is an inherent assumption that everyone in the team shares the attitude that it's fun and enjoyable to be involved. Joining in means one will get far more out of the program at the end of the day.
In the interest of all fellow team members, a decision to join in these programs ( to Malaysia, New Zealand, Namibia, and South Africa ) should be based on the attraction of the style and itinerary of our adventure programs and of the fun and enjoyment that one may get out of these activities with fellow new-found friends. This is MOST IMPORTANT and all prospective joining participants need to understand and accept this. We want your experience to be positive and rewarding and we believe that by being personally involved in the adventure, you will be physically challenged and intellectually stimulated, making for a memorable experience.
A Final Word On Adventure Travel . . .
ADVENTURE travel, as we interpret it, is an active vacation that brings the traveller to a destination that physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenges all that are familiar to the visitor. Most of the destinations in our adventure portfolio are remote areas in underdeveloped countries where events are less predictable than is usually the case in our home country ( Singapore ). The unexpected is the norm in these areas, and despite painstaking planning and organization, these adventure programs can never be taken for granted like a normal vacation. Many of the places that we visit do not have the same quality of emergency health and safety services that we are used to in the developed world. Internal flights can be canceled, road transport is generally uncomfortable and unreliable, and hotels often do not approach the standards of the West and the First Wold.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THIS FORM OF TRAVEL, THE EXPERIENCE CAN BE VERY DISTRESSING ( NOT ONLY TO THE PERSON CONCERNED BUT ALSO THOSE AROUND HIM / HER ) AND WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU NOT TAKE UP THIS TRAVEL UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
The unpredictability also means that the itineraries that we put forward for each of our programs should be seen as statements of intent, rather than as contractual obligations. A variety of factors, including weather, transport difficulties and political instability, might dictate that we change any of these itineraries. The program leader or local guide will make any changes that are necessary, after consultation with the group. Only rarely will such changes be considerable, and we will always do everything within our powers to minimize the effects of the enforced changes. We cannot be held responsible for the results of changes or delays, irrespective of how they are caused. Nevertheless, your safety is our highest priority and we request that you join us with an open heart and an open mind. Do expect the unexpected !
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