Frequently Asked Questions
Cancellation Policy:
For trips booked with overnight accommodations:
- If an overnight accommodation is cancelled 7 days prior, all payments made are 100% refundable.
- If an overnight accommodation is cancelled less than 7 days prior, 100% of the total costs are forfeited.
For trips booked with ONLY activities and no overnight accommodations:
- If an activity is cancelled 72 hours (3 days) prior, all payments made are 100% refundable.
- If an activity is cancelled less than 72 hours (3 days) prior, 100% of the total costs are forfeited.
Other Cancellation Options:
- If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your spot to another person to avoid cancellation fees.
- If you are unable to attend, you MAY be able to receive a credit to attend the same or similar trip at a later date.
The Cancellation Policy is also outlined in our Terms and Conditions Policy.
*Sailing does not apply to the 72 hours. Sailing cancellation policy is 10 days prior to your sailing date.
The earlier the better! Some of our overnight accommodation properties and activities we work with book out several weeks to several months in advance for popular weekends (especially in the Fall). However, other weekends (and weekdays), some places are not a problem to book closer to your travel date(s).
It is always highly recommended to book early. Some of our guests contact us to begin planning several months in advance, while other guests are sometimes just a couple weeks before. It all depends. Earlier the better so that everything that you want for your trip is still available. Also, we offer a discount for booking early!
Email us to find out more about your specific trip that you're interested in planning.
*If the overnight accommodation property or activity is unavailable at the time of your booking, we will always recommended another suitable option for you and your group.
To book a trip, visit our "Booking" page and fill out the online form with details such as:
- The trip you're interested in
- Your preferred date(s)
- Amount of people
- If transportation and overnight accommodations are needed
You'll then be contacted back by Active Lifestyle Tours to finalize the details and then book your trip!
Active Lifestyle Tours gives you the perfect balance of sightseeing, outdoor fun activities and relaxation in the Hudson Valley and/or Catskill Mountains! We can easily accommodate the guests that are looking for a get away from the hustle and bustle of a city, or the guests that come from afar who have always dreamed of visiting New York's mountains! No matter who you are, we have an itinerary for you! We guarantee you unforgettable activities that you get to choose from such as hiking, biking, sunset sailings, local farms, llama/alpaca hikes, wineries, breweries, distilleries and more!
- No problem! Active Lifestyle Tours firmly believes that it's your trip and you may make the choice as to which activities you want to do and don’t want to do.
It is recommended that at least 10% to 20% gratuity should be given to our Drivers/Guides depending on your tour length, inclusions, size of your party, etc. Most instances, Driver/Guide gratuities are NOT included in our tour price.
Do you love our Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain New York itineraries? Go through our trip options and choose what you want for the dates that you want.
We organize trips for small groups to large groups:
- Corporate events
- Birthday/anniversary parties
- Bachelorette/bachelor parties
- Families/friends/couples
- Small private intimate tours for a couple
Let Active Lifestyle Tours help you book the epic trip that you'll always remember. Contact us today!
Customer Reviews
- "I know first hand you'll have an energetic host and have a lot of fun."
-Traci, Cornwall, New York
- "Highly experienced owner with international standards of quality."
-Gabriel, San Carlos, Costa Rica
- "Not your normal vacation, but rather an EXTRAORDINARY one!"
-Tonja, Greensboro, North Carolina
- "Just what I was looking for! Professional, fun, and active. Food, accommodations and events were great. Billy was great to deal with. Been on a few different tours and this was hands down the best. Definitely would recommend and will be traveling with them again."
-Bryan, Tustin, California
- "This company was able to customize a trip for my wife and I and it couldn’t have been more organized. Every detail of our trip was personalized with our guide doing an incredible job making sure we were having a great time."
-Dennis, Hoboken, New Jersey
- "Billy and his team at Active Lifestyle Tours did an amazing job putting together a day of activities (and hotel) for a group of 18 individuals for our first team offsite. Everyone had a blast and every detail was thought of. They were a true pleasure to work with, very flexible and experts around the Catskills/Hudson region. Thank you for making our trip fun and memorable!"
-Cat, Manhattan, New York
To leave a customer review or to view more reviews; visit our Trip Advisor page or our facebook page. You can also see reviews via Google when you type Active Lifestyle Tours into your search bar.
"Super Experience !" December 30, 2020 - A Tripadvisor Traveler Read 9 reviews of Active Lifestyle Tours, LLC
- Yes, our activities are rain or shine.
We hate when the weather doesn't cooperate. We know that it's difficult to predict, however we kindly ask that you keep an eye on the weather leading up to your trip. Please be in contact with us if you're thinking of cancelling.
Furthermore, we do have indoor options available as well. Some of these include indoor rock climbing/top roping, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Museum, axe throwing, shooting ranges, etc.
*Many of the wineries, breweries and distilleries we visit do have indoor areas as well.
Google Review:
- "Could not have asked for a better experience! These guys made it so easy to plan my trip upstate. In addition, on the trip it started raining. My tour guide quickly switched our wineries to make sure we could be accommodated inside. Could not recommend them enough!"
- Jess, Manhattan, New York
- Active Lifestyle Tours always works closely with you on any specific hotel rooming requests you may have. Furthermore, all standard rooms we book for our guests will have either:
- 2 queen beds
- 1 king bed
- or 1 queen bed
Please let us know at the time of your booking if you have any specific requests such as a room upgrade.
Below are some of the hotels that we work with in the areas of our trip activities. However, we can book any different hotel/VRBO/Airbnb property that you or your group desires. Click the below links to check out the hotel descriptions and pictures:
- Hotel in Dutchess County, New York (Dutchess County- The Hudson Valley) (located in close proximity to our winery/brewery tours, The Walkway Over the Hudson, Mount Beacon hike, llama/alpaca hike, trail biking and more!
- Resort and Spa in Ulster County, New York, Mt. Tremper, New York (Ulster County)(located in close proximity to our rail biking, waterfall hike, chairlift ride and more).
- Yes, you may do so! We would love to assist you with this so you can get our discounted rates. We work with many Airbnbs, VRBO's and hotels in the local area. Ask us at the time of your booking: info@activelifestyletours.com
- Yes, of course you can! We would love to book this for you. Ask us at the time of your booking: info@activelifestyletours.com
Below are some of the hotels that we work with in the areas of our trip activities. However, we can book any different hotel or Airbnb/VRBO that you or your group desires. Click the below links to check out the hotel descriptions and pictures:
- Hotel in Dutchess County, New York (Dutchess County- The Hudson Valley) (located in close proximity to our winery/brewery tours, The Walkway Over the Hudson, Mount Beacon hike, llama/alpaca hike, trail biking and more!
- Resort and Spa in Ulster County, New York, Mt. Tremper, New York (Ulster County)(located in close proximity to our rail biking, waterfall hike, chairlift ride and more).
- This varies for each trip. We work closely with you to coordinate times that work best for you.
- Active Lifestyle Tours trips are primarily English speaking. However, we're always happy to customize a trip with a translator for you.
Active Lifestyle Tours would be happy to book any flights that you may need. Please contact us to do this!
Contact: info@activelifestyletours.com
- Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available in many of the overnight accommodations we work with, as well as many places we visit for activities. However, in some areas throughout your trip, you may not have any cell service as we might be on the back roads and/or in the mountains.
Here's information from usa.gov on obtaining a visa for travel into the United States
Apply for Nonimmigrant Visas to the U.S.
Learn how to apply for different types of nonimmigrant visas for tourists, students, business travelers and future spouses. Also, find information about the Visa Waiver Program, and how to get a job in the United States as a foreign worker.
How to Apply Online for a Business or Tourism Visitor Visa to the U.S.
If you are planning a brief visit to the U.S. for business or tourism, you might need to apply for a visitor or a transit visa. These are the steps you should take:
1. Find out if you need a visa.
Check to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you don't see your country listed, you will need a nonimmigrant visa to visit the U.S.
2. Determine which visa you might need for your visit.
Most business and tourism travelers use B-1 and B-2 visitor visas.
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B-1 visa classification is for business travelers to consult with business associates, attend a conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract.
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B-2 visa classification is for tourists on vacation and people coming for medical treatment, a social event, or participation in amateur contests for no pay.
Transit visas are less common.
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Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.
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Transit C-1, D, and C-1/D visas are for crew-members of sea vessels or international airlines traveling to the U.S.
3. Apply for a visa.
The process of applying for a visa will vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Follow the specific instructions for the country that you’re in.
In general, you will need:
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To complete online form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form
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A photo
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To schedule an interview
Waiver Program for Tourists and Business Travelers
International travelers for business or pleasure who are citizens of one of the 38 countries that participate in the U.S.’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can get a visa waiver. While you do not need a visa to come to the U.S. for your business meeting or for vacation, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip to the U.S.
How to Apply and Get Approval to Travel to the U.S.
- Check the list of 38 countries that participate in the VWP.
- You must have an e-Passport to use the VWP. This type of passport is also known as an electronic passport and has an embedded chip in it.
- Fill out the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
- The processing fee is $4.00 and if you are approved, there is an additional $10.00 authorization charge. Learn how to pay for your ESTA fee.
- When you fill out your application, you will get an ESTA application number. Use this number to check the status of your application if it has been accepted to travel to the U.S.
Visitors traveling to the U.S. for tourism or business meetings or conferences under the VWP can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
Student and Vocational Training Visas
Eligibility
An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.
Types of Educational Visas
Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.
The most common student visas are F-1 and M-1 visas.
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F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
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M-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing vocational studies.
Check out the differences (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) (PDF, Download Adobe Reader) between F-1 visas and M-1 visas and how to apply.
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J-1 visa classification is also known as the exchange visitor program (EVP) and is for foreign nationals approved to take part in work or study-based exchange programs. Examples include visiting scholar, camp counselor, or research assistant.
Learn how to apply for a J-1 visa.
The duration of stay for J-1 visa holders depends on the agreement between you and your Department of State approved sponsoring organization. Find a Department of State approved sponsoring organization or program.
Learn more about studying in the U.S.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Professional Visa
Eligibility
Only citizens of Canada and Mexico are eligible for a nonimmigrant North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Professional visa to work in the U.S. The NAFTA Professional visa classification is TN and grants the holder temporary entry into the U.S. to work in business activities at a professional level for an initial period of up to three years.
How to Apply
After getting a letter from your future employer confirming your offer of a position, the application processes varies for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
Canadian Citizens: a NAFTA Professional (TN) visa is usually not required. You can go directly to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) port of entry, with your documentation for an interview to be admitted to the U.S. as a nonimmigrant who can legally work in the U.S.
Mexican Citizens: a NAFTA Professional (TN) visa is required. Complete the online visa application form DS-160, print out the confirmation page, and bring it to your interview. If you are applying in Mexico, a photo is not required for your application.
Learn more about the process of applying for a TN nonimmigrant visa.
Prepare for Your Interview
Getting a Job in the U.S. as a Foreign Worker
Based on your skills, circumstances, and the job that you intend to do, you may be able to come to the U.S. as a temporary or permanent foreign worker or as a temporary visitor for business. Under certain circumstances, you may also be able to work in the U.S. if you’re a foreign student or an exchange visitor.
Work Visas
As a foreign worker, you will need a visa to be employed in the U.S. Each type of visa has unique requirements, conditions, and time limits.
- Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) Working in the U.S. website for an overview of each worker category and type of visa.
- Use the Department of State’s visa wizard to find the visa you need, the application process, fees, and estimated wait time for a visa interview.
Your Rights and Protections
- As a temporary foreign worker in the U.S., you will not be denied a visa or be punished by the U.S. government because you have exercised your rights under U.S. laws. Learn your rights and protections.
- If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked and you could be removed from the U.S. (deported), arrested, or denied reentry into the U.S.
- If you suspect you or someone you know is being brought to the U.S. for the purpose of human trafficking, get help now.
Immigration Questions
If you’re in the U.S. and have questions about visas and immigration, contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center. If you’re in another country, contact your nearest international immigration office.
The K-1 or Fiancé(e) Visa
If you’re a citizen of another country engaged to be married to a U.S. citizen, and you plan to marry and live in the United States, your fiancé(e) can petition for a K-1 visa for you. The K-1 visa allows you to travel to the United States to marry your fiancé(e) within 90 days of arriving. After you marry, you may apply for an adjustment of status to permanent resident and receive a Permanent Resident (Green) Card.
The K-1 visa expires after 90 days and cannot be extended. If you don’t marry within that time, you must leave the country immediately or face possible deportation.
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Find step-by-step instructions on the Department of State K-1 visa page for petitioning and applying for your K-1 visa.
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Download forms from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fiancé(e) visas page for your fiancé(e) to petition for your visa and for you to apply for authorization to work .
Do you need help?
Ask us any question about the U.S. government for free. We'll get you the answer or tell you where to find it.