Frequently Asked Questions

We know that planning a long-haul journey can come with plenty of questions – and today we are covering off some of the “Frequently Asked Questions” we receive from our travellers, helping you understand what’s involved and giving you the information you need to make confident decisions about your next adventure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. What makes a Maher Tours escorted tour different?
We’re proud to be a small, family-run travel company with many years of experience, and we think that’s a big part of what makes travelling with Maher Tours different.

Rather than being a large, impersonal tour operator, we take a more bespoke approach to our tours. We carefully select the destinations, accommodation, experiences, and local partners we work with, creating journeys that we genuinely believe our travellers will enjoy. Our tours have a real family atmosphere. We get to know our travellers, our Tour Leaders get to know you, and many of our guests return to travel with us time and time again. We love seeing friendships develop along the way and watching our travellers share new experiences together. While we may be a smaller company, we certainly aren’t short on experience. We’ve been creating and operating tours for many years, so we know what works, what our travellers value and how to make a journey run smoothly. In short, we’re small enough to care, experienced enough to know what we’re doing, and passionate about creating memorable travel experiences for our Maher Tours family.

2. What is the role of our Tour Leader?
Our Tour Leaders are there to help make your journey as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. They help keep the tour running smoothly, liaise with hotels, guides and local suppliers, keep you informed about daily activities and timings, and are on hand to answer questions or provide assistance when needed. It’s important to note that our Tour Leaders are not traditional tour guides. Their focus is on ensuring the logistics of your journey are well coordinated. At each destination, we engage knowledgeable local guides who provide the detailed history, culture and local insight that bring each place to life. Most importantly, our Tour Leaders bring a friendly, personal touch to your journey. They’re there to make sure you feel comfortable and well looked after, allowing you to relax and enjoy the destination, the experiences and the company of your fellow travellers.

3. Can I arrange my own flights?
Absolutely! We understand that some travellers may prefer to make their own flight arrangements, and you are more than welcome to do so.

If you choose to arrange your own flights, we can provide a “Land Only” tour price, excluding the international flights and any included stopovers. Simply let us know when you enquire about your tour, and we can provide you with the revised pricing. This gives you the flexibility to arrange your flights in a way that suits you – whether you have airline preferences, want to use frequent flyer points, or would like to extend your travels before or after the tour. As always, our team is happy to discuss your options and help you find the travel arrangements that work best for you.

4. Can you assist with pre/post tour arrangements?
We’re more than happy to assist with pre- and post-tour arrangements to help you make the most of your time away.

Whether you’d like to arrive a few days earlier, stay on after your tour, add extra nights, arrange additional sightseeing, or explore another destination, our team can help organise the additional arrangements to suit your plans.

5. Can I pair up with another solo traveller?

If you’re travelling on your own and would prefer to share a room, we can do our best to pair you with another solo traveller of the same gender who is also looking for a twin-share arrangement. This can be a great way to enjoy the benefits of travelling with a companion while avoiding the additional cost of a single supplement.

We’ll do our best to match you with another solo traveller; however, twin-share pairings are subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed. If we’re unable to find a suitable twin-share partner, the applicable single supplement will apply. Remember, travelling solo doesn’t mean travelling alone – our escorted tours are a wonderful way to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends along the way.

6. How many people are usually on a tour? 
Our tours are designed with small groups in mind, with most departures having around 15–25 travellers, depending on the destination and itinerary. We believe smaller groups create a more enjoyable and personal travel experience, giving you the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers while allowing for a smoother and more relaxed journey.

We also use full-size vehicles, giving everyone plenty of room to travel comfortably. On certain tours, we deliberately limit group numbers to ensure our travellers can make the most of the experience and enjoy the destination without feeling crowded.

7. Can I travel if I have mobility concerns?
Many of our travellers have different levels of mobility, and we specifically design our tours with the mature traveller in mind. We aim to keep our itineraries as comfortable and leisurely as possible, allowing you to enjoy the destinations without feeling rushed. That said, some tours do require a higher degree of fitness than others, particularly those involving more walking, uneven terrain, stairs or longer days of sightseeing. If you have any mobility concerns or specific requirements, please talk to our team before booking. We’re happy to discuss the itinerary with you and help you understand what to expect, so you can travel with confidence and enjoy your Maher Tours experience.

Meet our Tour Leaders: OUR TEAM