Question 1

Can I trust Pique with my investment?

Accepted Answer

Travelers should carefully consider the reputation of their travel partner.  Not all are created equal.  Pique has been recognized for our expertise by some of the most reputable authorities in travel.

• Virtuoso member representing the Top 1% of travel agencies 
 • Accredited by industry associations – ARC, CLIA and ASTA
 • Industry-leading client ratings with perfect 5 Star Google Reviews
 • Featured in the Associated Press, Barrons, New York Times and Fodors  
 • Best “Little Black Book” in the industry

Our designers are not commission based and earn a salary.  This unique model ensures we have your best interests at heart.  We believe in meaningful, long-term relationships built on trust.

Question 2

What is different about Pique's travel designers?

Accepted Answer

Pique Travel Design has been fortunate to attract some of the best minds in the industry. Our designers are curious, highly educated with college degrees (and some post-graduate) and, dare we say, fun to work with.
 
Our designers are paid on salary to eliminate any potential bias that commission structures could add to the equation. And each designer has traveled extensively in their areas of expertise (and beyond). You can rest assured we have a knack for finding the most remarkable things to do and places to see.

Question 3

Is working with a designer more expensive?

Accepted Answer

As a Virtuoso member, Pique has over $30 billion in buying power allowing us to secure the best access, service and value for our clients.  Much like other professional services our pricing adjusts based on the desired level of service.

Question 4

How does your cruise pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Our cruise only pricing is the same as booking direct.  In addition, we offer “Pique Perks” on over 500 sailings only available through us.  These perks may include shipboard credits, private car & driver, special shore excursions, onboard host and events.  Best of all we provide a side-by-side cruise comparison to help you make the best decision.

For clients seeking additional assistance with pre/post trips or concierge services such as shore excursions, dining and port recommendations, we offer a reasonable $295 consulting fee to share our insights and advice.

Consulting Fee Benefits:
 • Best available cruise rates
 • Unbiased advice and cruise line comparisons
 • Industry leading destination knowledge and advice
 • Seamless cruise integration with pre/post stays 
 • Work with one reliable travel designer on all travel details
 • Worry-free management of changes, delays and cancelations 
 • Insider access for special requests and advocacy (waivers & favors)

Question 5

How does your group tour pricing work?

Accepted Answer

If you enjoy traveling with companies such as A&K, Tauck, National Geographic, Backroads and more, you’ll be pleased to know our pricing is the same as booking direct.

For clients seeking additional assistance with pre/post trips we offer a reasonable $295 consulting fee to share our insights and advice.

Consulting Fee Benefits:
 • Best available group tour rates
 • Unbiased advice and tour company comparisons
 • Industry leading destination knowledge and advice
 • Seamless tour integration with pre/post stays 
 • Work with one reliable travel designer on all travel details
 • Better manage changes, delays and cancelations for all travel details
 • Insider access for special requests and advocacy (waivers & favors)

Question 6

How much should I budget for a custom designed trip?

Accepted Answer

Our custom designed trips tend to offer more value than companies such as A&K, National Geographic and Tauck.  Pricing varies by destination and travel preferences.  Your designer can share budget ranges based on your individual interests.  To get started, we offer a reasonable $295 consulting fee to share our insights and advice.

Benefits:
 • Custom designed around your unique individual interests
 • Unbiased advice and recommendations from a trusted expert
 • Industry leading destination knowledge
 • Seamless design of all travel details
 • Work with one reliable travel designer 
 • Worry-free management of changes, delays and cancelations 
 • Insider access for special requests and advocacy (waivers & favors)

Question 7

How long will it take to design a trip?

Accepted Answer

This will depend on the complexity of your trip.  The benefit of using Pique's services is we have one of the best “Little Black Books” in the industry with partners in over 150 countries around the world.  As you can imagine, time zones and cultural hurdles may come into play impacting the timeline.  On average, our travel designers can usually have an initial proposal for your review 3-5 days after our initial consultation.  If you have a pressing timeline please let us know and we'll do everything we can to help meet your needs.

Question 8

What are the steps in your planning process?

Accepted Answer

1. Our initial 15-minute consultation is offered on a complimentary basis.  This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and determine if we’re the right fit for your needs.  
2. If you want to move forward, your designer will begin crafting your trip.  They will provide an estimated delivery date for your itinerary.  Please note, with varying time zones and cultural differences delivery dates are subject to change.   If you have a pressing timeline, please alert your designer.
3. After reviewing the itinerary, your travel designer can make up to three revisions to finalize your plans.  If more revisions are required your designer may request additional budget to cover the extra consulting time.  Our hourly rate is      $125/hr.  
4. To confirm a trip, a deposit is required.  The remaining balance will be due 60 days prior to travel.  Price and availability are subject to change until a deposit is paid.
5. Final documents will be presented 1-3 weeks prior to travel.  For cruises and group-escorted tours, delivery dates may vary depending on partner policies.  For custom designed trips, you can choose cell phone and/or printed travel documents featuring day-by-day details, confirmation numbers, contact numbers and destination information.  
6. Prior to travel your designer will schedule a pre-trip consult to walk through your documents and discuss any last-minute travel questions to ensure you’re all set for your trip.  
7. During your travels, your designer (and partners) will be “on call” to assist with any unforeseen circumstances that may pop up during your trip.   
8. Upon your return, your designer will schedule a post-trip review to discuss your experiences.

Question 9

How is pricing presented for custom designed trips?

Accepted Answer

Prior to designing your trip, your designer will discuss a budget range with you to ensure you’re on the same page.   Your itinerary will include package pricing which displays the per person investment and inclusions (i.e. transfers, tours, hotels, etc.).  If we are assisting with air, in most cases this will be presented as a separate cost.  Pique uses the same per person pricing model that you experience with cruise lines, and companies such as A&K, Tauck and National Geographic.

Question 10

Can I get a price break down?

Accepted Answer

Pique's pricing is presented on a per person basis and not itemized by each individual detail. If you want to adjust the pricing we can make changes to your itinerary to meet your needs. Unfortunately, we can't offer a price breakdown.   We have negotiated special rates that can't be released to the public.  Our per person pricing model is based on an industry standard.  It's the same approach used by cruise lines and group escorted tour companies such as A&K, Tauck and National Geographic.

Question 11

I found it cheaper online?

Accepted Answer

• Most online comparisons leave out important details such as government taxes, resorts fees, room category differences, and amenities.  The trip booked online is not the same trip designed by Pique.  
 • Our trips have higher value by offering the best guides, transfers, lodging and recognition as a Virtuoso traveler.  You can’t VIP yourself.   And when things go wrong.  You don’t want to be on your own.   
 • Our pricing for custom-designed trips can vary 0-5% more than booking direct.  Our clients feel this small price difference is well worth the investment to gain access to our deep expertise and insights.  
 
Warren Buffet once said, “Price is what you pay, value it what you get.”  You can rest easy knowing Pique's pricing is sensible and you’ll receive tremendous value through our insider insights and attentive service.

Question 12

How does your hotel pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Our hotel only pricing is the same as booking direct.  In addition, we offer “Pique Perks” at over 1500 Best of the Best hotels only available through us.  These perks have a value of over $500 and may include free daily breakfast, resort credits, room upgrades and late check out.

For clients seeking additional assistance with transfers, tours, dining and destination recommendations we offer a reasonable $295 consulting fee to share our insights and advice.
  
Consulting Fee Benefits:
 • Best available hotel rates
 • Special “Pique Perks” at over 1500 hotels ($500+ Value)
 • Unbiased advice and hotel comparisons
 • Industry leading destination knowledge and advice
 • Work with one reliable travel designer on all travel details
 • Worry-free management of changes, delays and cancelations 
 • Insider access for special requests and advocacy (waivers & favors)

Question 13

How does your airline pricing work?

Accepted Answer

The complexity of managing airline reservations has dramatically increased during the pandemic.  It’s not uncommon for travelers to wait hours on hold to make simple changes or adjustments. For clients looking to minimize the stress of air travel we offer a $60/ticket consulting fee on domestic flights and $100/ticket fee on international routes.

Consulting Fee Benefits:
 • Best available airline rates
 • Best route recommendations to save travel time.
 • Worry-free management of changes, delays and cancelations 
 • Never sit on hold with airline again.
 • Work with one reliable air specialist.  Not a random call center contact.  
 • Insider access for special requests and advocacy (waivers & favors)

Question 14

What are my refund options?

Accepted Answer

We will make all reasonable efforts to try and negotiate future travel credits and/or refunds with suppliers in the event you need to cancel your trip.  Please know we make no promise or guarantee favorable terms can be achieved.   Here are our standard cancelation terms:

Partner cancelation terms will apply for the following bookings:
 • Cruise only bookings
 • Group escorted tour bookings
 • Hotel only bookings
 • Airline only bookings (change fees may apply)

Pique cancelation terms will apply for the following bookings:
 • Cruise pre/post trip
 • Group escorted tour pre/post trip
 • Custom designed trips

Pique Refund Timeline
 • If cancelled greater than 60 days prior to departure (and supplier terms comply), a refund up to 90% may be issued.
 • If canceled less than 59 days prior to departure (and supplier terms comply), a refund up to 50% may be issued.
 • If canceled less than 30 days prior to departure no refund will be issued.

Other non-refundable Pique expenses
 • Any upfront planning fees 
 • Trips paid by credit card - the 3.5% processing fee charged by banks.
 • Bank wire fees

NOTE:  Non-refundable expenses are in addition to the cancelation timeline percentages.  Supplier terms may be more stringent and supersede the terms above (a copy is available upon request).  Final terms & conditions will be provided during the proposal stage and are subject to change.

southern africa

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS

PITFALLS

south africa

Best Time To Go

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Humidity

Precipitation

Daylight

10 DAYS (fri-sun)

12 DAYS

14 Days

zimbabwe

Best Time To Go

Temperature

Humidity

Precipitation

Daylight

10 DAYS (fri-sun)

12 DAYS

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zambia

namibia

Botswana

mozambique

seychelles

madagascar

east africa

East Africa Country Pairings

Average Cost of a Trip to East Africa

Country Pairings

Country Pairings

tanzania

kenya

rwanda

uganda

ethiopia

north africa

North Africa Country Pairings

Egypt

Country Pairings

Country Pairings

Morocco

Country Pairings

Country Pairings

Average Cost of a Trip to Egypt

Average Cost of a Trip to Morocco

egypt

morocco

(855) 515-TRIP