QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (FAQ)
WHY NOT DISPLAY THE DAY-TO-DAY PROGRAM?
Because we believe that transformative travel begins by changing our consumption habits, by reconnecting with trusting human relationships before going into the details of what will be offered.
It’s counter-intuitive, we agree, but it’s a bet we’re making, towards people who take the time to choose a useful journey, a journey with a mission, a journey with a conscience, and not on a whim.
But don’t worry, we’ll pass it on to you.
WHY IS THE GEOGRAPHIC DESTINATION NOT DECISIVE?
Because we believe that the first virtue of travel is what it will change in you. Of course, it’s possible to think of a vacation as total rest, far removed from metaphysical concerns. But today, if we take into account the environmental impact of international flights, we might as well justify going so far as to find something you can’t easily find when traveling close to home.
So we choose a destination that meets this “utilitarian” objective, that of working on ourselves through contact with cultures or places that take us out of our comfort zone. If the real destination is yourself, then let’s look for countries that offer the conditions for such a rethink at home, or for the care you’re looking for.
HOW IS ARAKIS A RESPONSIBLE AGENCY?
On several counts:
Flights: we prefer regions that don’t require air travel. In the case of long-distance travel, it’s hardly conceivable not to take a flight, unless you have the luxury of time (and, in reality, the financial means). When we do fly, we set up a carbon offset scheme, not to clear our name, but for want of a better solution. This consists of a sum paid into a fund to support a virtuous project (whose seriousness we know).
Pace: to minimize transport and fatigue, which are incompatible with the purpose of our trips, we opt for a “slow travel” mode, staying several consecutive days in the same place and making visits from there in “star” mode.
Supplier commitment: we prefer to work with committed suppliers. At the very least responsible and aware of their impact, at best concerned with regenerating their environment and links with humans and non-humans. Of course, the world is an imperfect place, so we do our best to select our partners.
Our relationship with our customers: it’s not just a question of marketing language, but we want to treat our future travellers like members of a big family, people who make daring choices about a form of travel that is more demanding, but oh so much more rewarding. This relationship is not that of supplier to consumer, but that of humans in search of relationships based on empathy and benevolence.
Non-humans: a vast subject. We aim to respect all forms of life, and all beliefs, since we’re also talking here about the existence of non-visible entities. We don’t want to be judgmental, but open-minded, even skeptical if necessary.
HOW DO I IDENTIFY THE TRIP THAT’S RIGHT FOR ME?
Simple: we call each other, we get to know each other, we open up. It’s almost like a job interview or a medical consultation 😊
If the objective of one of our trips matches your personal search, then we’ve done our job.
Likewise, as trips are qualified according to their level of comfort, difficulty and learning, we’ll see what suits you.
THE AGENCY IS BASED IN THE UNITED STATES… WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR A EUROPEAN TRAVELER?
If you think we’re serious, it doesn’t really matter where we’re based.
There may, however, be certain aspects to consider:
- The method of payment: we currently prefer bank transfer, but will do our utmost to offer you another method, such as online payment by credit card.
- The financial guarantee required by French legislation for travel agencies, even outside France: this guarantee is not available in the USA, where we are based. That said, the commitments we make with you and our service providers allow us to reimburse your advances in compliance with our terms and conditions of sale and current legal obligations.
- You will need to take out health and repatriation insurance in your home country, if you are not a North American resident or citizen (we have the contacts for this), as here too we cannot offer American insurance to European customers. Globalization doesn’t apply to everything 😊
All other aspects of the trip are identical to those you would have if you went through an agency headquartered in France.
Contact
Our email
contact @ arakis.travel
Call us by Whatsapp
+593 984 082 754