Local Fund
Why we have a local fund
Travel Style: Budget Expeditions
The cost of a Budget Expeditions travel style tour comprises of two payments: tour price and local fund. The tour price is paid before you depart the local fund is paid directly to your tour leader on day 1 of your tour, in US dollars cash.
Please note: You are required to pay the local fund that is printed in the brochure current at the time of your tour’s departure. This amount may change from one brochure to the next on 1 November each year when the brochure is officially published. Please see your specific tour page on our website for the current amount if you are unsure about this.
There are several reasons why we structure the payments in this way. We have found that the vast majority of travellers prefer to pay a predetermined cost to cover day to day group expenses. Paying this money locally ensures tour leaders have a supply of money if access to banking facilities is limited or non-existent. Having a local fund also helps us to keep the cost of our tours competitive and save on operational and administrative costs so that we can pass the savings on to you. Your tour leader keeps an individual account of how the Local Fund is spent for each passenger and once the tour finishes, any left over money will be refunded to you.
What the tour price includes
Budget Expeditions tours are led by an expert tour leader and qualified driver. They travel on custom built overland expedition vehicles with all the essentials such as massive storage space, plenty of leg room and large windows. Cooking and camping equipment is provided (BYO sleeping bag and mat).
What the local fund includes
Your tour leader keeps an individual account of how the local fund is spent for each passenger and once the tour finishes any left over money will be refunded. Most meals are included when camping and on travel days, and accommodation is a combination of camping and inexpensive hotels and hostels as specified in on each tour page.
Please note: Occasionally there may be a short fall in the local fund due to exchange rate fluctuations or local price rises. In this unlikely event clients will be required to make an extra contribution.
What’s not included?
International flights and departure taxes, visas and vaccinations, travel insurance (this is compulsory and a copy of your policy will be collected by your tour leader), sleeping bag, camping mattress, tips for local guides, excursions and restaurants.
