TOURISM
Tourism is relatively new in parts of Asia and standards of comfort and service cannot always be compared with those in other developed countries. For up to date information, essential travel advice and tips, please contact the Foreign Commonwealth Office. www.fco.gov.uk/travel. If the Foreign Office advises against visiting a particular country, we would act on this and reserve the right to cancel your holiday.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL                                                                                                             While enjoying your holiday, please respect and protect the beautiful destinations visited. You are encouraged to support environmental projects including nature conservation, protection of wildlife and preservation of historical monuments.                                                                                 PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Passports must be valid for at least six months after final departure from the countries visited. Please check if you need to renew your passport. The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket. Please visit www.ukpa.gov.uk
VIETNAM /MYANMAR/CHINA /INDIA/ NORTH KOREA / UZBEKISTAN/ NEPAL/ TIBET/ BHUTAN/ MONGOLIA
All visitors require an entry visa prior to departure. Where we provide visa service, we will require all your passport details and we will need to keep your passport for about 2 weeks in order to obtain visa stamp for you. This should take place about a month prior to departure. Should you wish to use your passport during this time, please notify us on booking so we can obtain your visa earlier.
LAOS/CAMBODIA/ NEPAL
All visitors require an entry visa which is obtainable on arrival at airports in major cities. For other remote ports of entry, visa must be obtained in advance. 2 photographs are required for visa processing and a fee, in US$ cash, is payable.
THAILAND/SINGAPORE/ HONGKONG/ MALAYSIA/ BORNEO/ SRI LANKA/ JAPAN/ SOUTH KOREA
Visas are not normally required for short stays for nationals of most countries.
INSURANCE                                                                                                                                Your Travel Holiday Insurance is compulsory and must provide full cover for the cancellation of your holiday including missed flights, cover against theft, terrorism, personal accident, personal liability, legal assistance, medical expenses, repatriation. Please send us a copy of your insurance policy and keep one copy with you during the trip.                                                                                                    CLIMATE
Climate varies from one area to another and with altitude but most countries in Asia enjoy tropical warm weather all year with rainy season from May to October and cooler dry season from November to April. Temperature can be variable depending on season and country. Please check more details for each specific country. Please note that weather is unpredictable and we cannot be held responsible for disruption to your holiday due to sever or unusual weather conditions.
CURRENCIES
Currency for Thailand/Japan/ Korea/ China/ Singapore/Malaysia may be obtained prior to departure. Currency for Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar/ Nepal cannot be obtained prior to arrival and you should take US$ travelers cheques (except Myanmar) and cash which may be exchanged at banks, hotels or authorised exchange counters. Credit and debit cards (except Myanmar) are also acceptable at larger hotels, restaurants and shops although a surcharge may be payable.
TIPPING
Tipping is widely accepted and very much appreciated by local people. On average, a tip of $1-2 should be sufficient for hotel staff and taxi drivers. $20 is an average tip to a guide for a few days service. Tipping is not the norm in Japan or Korea and is not expected.                                                          DONATIONS                                                                                                                                are very much encouraged in temples and places of interest to contribute to the maintenance of sustainable activities.
STREET TRADERS
Street traders are generally polite and pleasant. Some however can be very persistent so you are advised to take care when dealing with them. However due to questionable hygiene, we do not recommend buying food from street traders, unless you intend to cook it yourself. Please note that street theft is common in many of Asia's major cities, so try not to carry handbags or other valuables.
AIRPORT TAX
Airport tax is payable, in cash, on departure from local airports. These taxes are not included in the tour price and as these taxes vary further advice will be given with your travel documents.
INTERNAL FLIGHTS & TRAINS
Internal flight schedules are subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Flights should always be reconfirmed at least 24 hours prior to departure. Check in should be at least one hour prior to departure. The conditions on some trains are basic and the level of comfort cannot be compared with trains in other countries. Nevertheless a train journey can be a very enjoyable experience. Tickets for trains and internal flights are issued locally and are delivered to you on arrival. Should you have any problem, our local staff will be happy to assist you.
LOCAL TRANSPORTS                                                                                                              Trains, buses, metro, taxies etc. combined with walking tours are the best way to experience the real way of life of local people. Seat in coach trips, operated by independent tour operators, can be booked by us, on your behalf, prior to departure but we are not responsible for the operation of these trips.
HEALTH
Please consult your doctor for up to date advice at least one month before traveling or call the Health Advice for Travelers on 0800 555777. We recommend that you only drink water from sealed bottles or cans. Travelers on long haul flights should be aware of Deep Vein Thrombosis syndrome and non smoking policies imposed by airlines. Most overseas hotels and means of transport are not equipped to cater for the needs of many disabled holidaymakers. Please make sure that your special needs can be catered for before booking your holiday. There are no special vaccination requirements but the following are recommended: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Diphtheria, TB, Hepatitis A & B inoculations and malaria tablets.
Please visit www.doh.gov.uk
LOCAL ASSISTANCE                                                                                                                  During your trip, if you need some help, please contact our local representative or our local office who are the most efficient people to deal with local problems. Due to time difference and long distance phone call, it is not advisable to contact our London office unless the matter cannot be resolved locally. Please note that we cannot refund your phone calls if you choose to phone our London office instead of using our local service and support.                                                                                                                 USEFUL TIPS                                                                                                                            Travel light: It is advisable to travel light as you may need to walk to and from train/bus stations and must carry your own luggage on and off trains and through stations. It's a good idea to take with you light items of clothing that can be washed and dried overnight.                                                                      Respect : Visitors are expected to take off shoes and walk bare feet when entering temples and mausoleums. Certain religious buildings require that people dress conservatively. If you are unsure about the customs, our local staff will be happy to answer any questions.                                                          RECOMMENDED READING
Vietnam/ Cambodia/ Laos/ China by Rough Guides. China by Lonely Planet. Myanmar by Lonely Planet. Vietnam by Insight Guides. Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia/Myanmar/Thailand by Footprint Handbooks.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US ON 020 7736 4347