All prices exclude flights, petrol and alcoholic beverages. Everything else (4×4,, equipment, guiding, camping, hotels, food in the desert) is included. See the full included/excluded breakdown on each adventure page.
Pricing
What It Costs
Payment Schedule
Deposit & Balance
Cancellation
If Plans Change
We understand that circumstances change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair while reflecting the real costs involved in planning and running small-group expeditions.
| Notice Given | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| More than 90 days before departure | Deposit refunded less any non-recoverable costs | We'll always try to recover as much as possible |
| 60–90 days before departure | Deposit retained, balance refunded if already paid | 30% deposit is non-refundable from this point |
| Under 60 days before departure | No refund | Full balance is due at 60 days, all costs committed by this point |
| Transfer to another date | Subject to availability | Contact us as early as possible. We'll always try to find a solution |
If one person cancels from a shared vehicle or room, the remaining participant may be required to pay the single supplement. Please notify us as early as possible in this situation.
Cancellation must be notified in writing, email is sufficient.
Vehicles & Damage
Your Vehicle Responsibilities
Vehicles are rented from licensed local suppliers and paid for by Scarab Adventures. When you arrive, you'll sign a rental agreement directly with the rental company, this is the contract for your vehicle.
You are responsible for any significant damage caused to your vehicle during the trip. That said, we choose rental providers who understand off-road driving. Minor scratches and small tyre damage are part of the territory and are rarely charged. The rental agreement will set out the specific policy of each provider.
We will always advise if we think a line or obstacle is beyond the vehicle's capability. It's in everyone's interest that the vehicles stay in good shape.
Depending on the destination and supplier, you may be asked to provide a credit card security deposit directly to the rental company when you collect your vehicle. Details are provided in your pre-departure pack.
Insurance
What You Need
Travel insurance is mandatory for all Scarab Adventures participants. You must hold a valid policy before departure that covers:
- Medical emergencies and evacuation
- Repatriation to home country
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Personal accident and liability
- Off-road driving (as transport, not motorsport)
Off-road driving on a Scarab adventure is transport, not competitive motorsport or racing. Most standard travel insurance policies cover it without issue.
You will be asked to provide your insurance policy number and emergency contact details when you sign the participant waiver before departure.
Before You Go
Your Pre-Departure Checklist
Once booked, here's what you need to take care of before you arrive:
- Book your flights to the gateway city on the dates confirmed with Tibet
- Purchase travel insurance covering the requirements above
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date
- Check visa requirements for your nationality. We'll advise when you book
- For Kazakhstan: obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national licence
- Download offline maps for the destination region (Google Maps works well)
- Consider getting a local SIM or eSIM (Airalo works well for both Morocco and Kazakhstan)
- Review the pre-departure pack sent one week before departure
- Sign the participant waiver sent before the trip
- Bring cash for petrol, personal spending and local purchases, we make an ATM stop on day one
The essential kit list is short: a sleeping bag, a head torch, and basic outdoor clothing. A full detailed list comes with your pre-departure pack. Don't over-pack: vehicle space is limited.
Legal Documents
The Full Conditions
The Booking Conditions are the formal contract between you and Scarab Adventures Ltd. They cover pricing, payments, cancellation, vehicles, insurance, behaviour, liability and governing law. By making a booking you agree to these conditions on behalf of yourself and everyone in your party.
A Participant Information and Safety Agreement is also sent before departure, covering how the trip is run day-to-day, safety rules, and media consent. Both documents are straightforward to read, no surprises.
Trip Flexibility
When Plans Change in the Field
Desert adventures require flexibility. Routes, timings and activities may change at short notice due to weather, sandstorms, road closures, river crossings that become impassable, or other safety considerations. Changes are always made with the group's welfare in mind.
Our founder has run enough desert expeditions to know that the unplanned moments are often the best ones. An unexpected diversion, a sandstorm that forces an early camp, a canyon discovered off-route — these become the stories you tell for years. Flexibility is not a compromise on the experience. It is the experience.