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GETTING PREPARED
Where do I get more information about the tour?
You can have a look at the trip dossier for each trip on the
relevant trip details. This will give you a detailed insight
into the day-to-day itinerary and inclusions as well as some
other useful information. You should also refer to “ Before you
Go” which will give you more of the nitty-gritty info about
visas, vaccinations and all the other vital stuff you’ll need
before you go.
Do I need to get a visa for my trip?
All nationals traveling to India do require a visa in
advance before you arrive at the port . There is NO provision of
obtaining Indian Tourist Visa on arrival port. For Nepal is
advisable to obtain a tourist visa before arrival, although
there is a provision of obtaining a visa on arrival. The visa on
arrival fees is US $ 30 .
How fit do I need to be?
Our holidays are fun and can be enjoyed by anyone who love
outdoors and is reasonably fit. However, some trips visit remote
areas where medical facilities are very limited or non-existent,
so you must be in good health. Note that some trips may include
a moderate to strenuous trekking element, so some pre-trek
preparation will be an advantage. There are some other factors
to consider: hot, bumpy roads, dust, traffic, delays and
unfamiliar customs and cultures may all create additional
demands. You will also have to carry your own bags so bear that
in mind when deciding if you really need that other pair of
shoes.
Trip Grading
Our trips are all graded. An ‘easy’ trip is just that; they can
be enjoyed by anyone and no particular level of fitness is
required. ‘Moderate’ trips normally include some moderate
physical activities. ‘Moderate Plus’ trips usually include some
trekking, may have some long travelling days and the
accommodation can be fairly basic. On all holidays, physical
preparation is useful and a flexible, open-minded approach is
essential.
Do I need to take any medical supplies?
We strongly recommend you carry personal medical items for
managing your common minor ailments such as colds, diarrhea,
blisters and sore throats etc. Travellers who take regular
medication should take an appropriate supply. Asthma sufferers
should ensure that they have an adequate supply of their routine
medicine, as some major cities have high levels of air-borne
smog. Although all our tours leader carry a well stocked “ first
aid kit” for which they are trained to use. Travellers are also
advised to give details in case they are allergic to certain
environmental and food conditions, in advance.
How much luggage can I take?
As a general rule, the less luggage you bring with you, the
better. You will probably be buying souvenirs and the like along
the way, so leave some space! There will be times when you will
be carrying your luggage on and off public transport, so you
should consider travelling with a backpack or a soft duffel bag.
Suitcases are definitely not suitable for these types of
holidays. Each airline has specific rules as to luggage
allowances, so check directly with them.
Will I be able to do any laundry?
Many of the places we stay will have laundry facilities in
house, especially within the main cities. It is also a good idea
to bring some ‘travel wash’ and a travel clothes line to wash
the necessities. This will help you cut down on the packing
space, and hence the amount you will have to lug around with
you!
What standard can I expect in terms of accommodation etc ?
Being an adventure company it is our conscious effort not to use
high end chin of hotels. However, all hotels we use have an
element of comfort and personal touch and can be rated as 2-3
star hotels.(The star ratings can be different in different
countries) .Bathroom facilities range from western toilets with
attached bathrooms to being more basic for some tours which
involve village stays , homestays, and camping . The facilities
at these places can be both western and squat toilets
How early before the trip should I book ?
For the Fixed departure Group Tours , as a policy we keep the
group size small, (generally max limit is 16 pax ,on some tours
visiting remote areas max 12 pax) so the earlier you book, the
better This ensures a good chance of going by the date which is
most desirable to you. Our bookings close a 2 weeks before the
departure date. For Independent and Short Escapes / city breaks
packages you can inform us earliest by 7 days in advance before
the desired departure date.
What is the best way to take money with me?
Cash, travellers cheques, or credit cards… that is the question!
The safest way to carry money with you is in the form of
travellers cheques; however, It is difficult in cashing
travellers cheques in remote areas etc. We recommend a
combination of the two – half cash and half travellers cheques,
but be aware that most insurance companies will not cover for
the loss of cash. As a general rule, American Dollars are widely
accepted throughout the region.
The rapid emergence of ATMs in major cities around India means
that you can now withdraw money from your Visa or MasterCard
accounts, or even directly from your savings account, if you are
linked with Cirrus or Maestro. Whilst this can make things
extremely convenient, we advise that you do not rely solely on
this form of obtaining funds, as there will not always be an ATM
handy. Credit cards can also be useful, but we suggest you bring
these in case of an emergency, rather than as a day-to-day
spending tool.
Can I bring gifts for people?
If you want to give something to the local people please bring
something useful like pens or school books, not lollies. The
other thing we insist upon is that the distribution of these
gifts are done in an organized manner - either through the
headmaster of a school or ask your tour leader what the most
beneficial approach is. Some children, and even adults, may ask
for things on the street, in villages, etc, and although giving
a ‘present’ may give both of you a brief moment of joy, handing
things out like this only encourages begging and is destructive
in the long term.
BOOKING A TOUR
What guarantee is there that the tour I booked would run?
We need a minimum of 4 people to run a fixed departure group
tour. So the chances are that most of the tours we take will
have that minimum number. In some special condition when we are
forced to cancel any tour we will always inform you a few weeks
in advance.
Will I have to pay extra for a single room, if I am
travelling on my own ?
No, single travelers don’t have to pay extra for a single room
on our group tours . For most of our set departures we have a
twin share formula and you share a room with your fellow
traveler of same sex. However for our “ Discover” tours
travelers who wish can book a single supplement on little
additional price. For some our tours “ Independent” ; “Short /
city breaks” , it is compulsory to book a single supplement for
single travelers.
If I’m booking a few trips at once, can I get a discount?
Of course we reward loyalty. If you book a combination of two or
more tours you are entitle for a 5% discount. On your fourth
trip onwards with ‘Escape Voyages” we offer a 10% discount.
Is the trip I book definitely going to run?
All our fix departure group tours are definite to run with
minimum requirement of 4 pax. If the booking are less than 4 pax
, 30 days of scheduled departure your trip will cancelled the
tour . Under circumstances when the tour you have booked get
cancelled you are entitled to undertake any other of our tour of
the same value without additional charges or any other tour on
payment of the difference in cost. Please note that this
guarantee cannot apply if a tour is cancelled for reasons beyond
our control, such as natural disaster or political unrest. Check
booking conditions for full details.
How do I know which trips are available?
Have a look at the dates and prices section of each specific
trip.. In this 'availability' column, 'REQUEST' means that there
are only a few places left on the tour but by booking
immediately, you stand a good chance of securing a place on the
trip. 'AVAILABLE' means that there are several places left on
the tour, but the sooner you book, the better.
Can I just do part of the tour?
Unfortunately it is not possible to just do sections of the
tour. Some of the long duration group tours are made up of
smaller tours completed back to back, and hence it is possible
to book separately. However if you choose to leave a tour early
their won’t be any refund for the unused services.
Does the tour price include international flights?
The prices quoted on the site do NOT include international
flights. However air travel which is a part of itinerary is
normally included in the price quoted. In case if you wish to
book an additional domestic flights or train, Let us know at the
time of booking, and we’ll look into them for you.
How far in advance do I need to book?
For our group departures there is no guarantee as to when other
people will book and hence when the tour will fill up. Our
advice is that as soon as you know which one you want to book,
don’t delay - put your name down as soon as possible, that way
you won’t be disappointed.
However, we can usually take bookings for most of our tours
right up until 2 week before departure date if there are spaces
left, so have a look at the availability, and if there’s still
space we’ll gladly take your booking! Our Hot Deals section has
all the details of the discounted and late availability.
What is Local Payment?
A separate Local Payment is payable on some tours. This is a
part of the overall selling price of the tour as shown on the
Dates & Prices page of this website. This amount is paid to your
Tour Leader on arrival at the start of the tour. It is normally
paid in cash or travellers cheques in the currency stated. More
details can be found on the tour dossier.
Which are your favourite trips?
It’s a question we get asked a lot… which one would you do if
you had the choice? The answer is not simple. We truly believe
that all of our itineraries are exceptional, and each one is
designed to fit different peoples needs. Its all dependent on
how much time you have, which activities you like, and most
importantly where you want to travel ! With all this in mind we
have a specific section on this site dedicated to our most
popular trips, the ones that we like the most.
Can I be informed about the latest deals you offer?
Certainly! We send out regular e-mail newsletter to our database
with all the latest news, events and special departures. Go to
NEWSLETTER section , fill in your details and subscribe here.
You can also refer to “Hot deals” section on our website to view
discounted trips and special departures .
What’s included in the trip cost?
Included in the price of each trip is all accommodation,
transport, your tour leader, local guides and other supporting
staff, sightseeing and excursions to all the major highlights,
and you’ll also find we include entrance fees and some meals on
many trips.
What’s NOT included in the trip cost?
International flights, baggage lost with airlines , your travel
& health insurance ,optional activities, meals which are not
mentioned in the itinerary and all expenses of personal nature.
ON TOURS
What standard of hotels should I expect?
Your lodging will be basic, but clean and comfortable,
locally run, and usually reflecting the character of the region.
You might also spend a night or two in a ‘home stay’, jungle
lodge or tent - these could be fairly basic, but will almost
certainly end up being one of the highlights, offering a chance
to really immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
How much free time is there?
It is an integral part of all our trips to give you enough free
time to explore by yourself. We believe that many of your most
memorable experiences will occur when you branch out and do your
own thing. You can venture out for various optional activities
to fill this time or you can just relax, enjoy a cold drink and
watch the world go by if that’s what you feel like doing.
Can I book extra accommodation for the start or end of the tour?
We are happy to arrange extra night's accommodation for you at
the beginning and/or end of your tour. You will find the costs
detailed under Travel Extra section of this website . Please be
aware that if you are travelling alone you will need to pay the
single supplement for pre and post tour accommodation.
What form of transport do we use?
As a general rule, we mix a variety of transport ranging from
comfortable private vehicles public buses, private taxis and
trains. some places, the best way to explore is on foot, in
others we’ll jump on boats, canoes, cyclerickshaws , camels and
tuk-tuks. Please refer to individual trip notes to know more .
I am single — do you have many single travellers and do I need
to pay a single supplement?
We do have a number of single travelers who undertake our tours.
Generally, if you are happy to share a room with another single
traveler of the same sex, then you do not need to pay the single
supplement. For pre and post accommodation, you will need to pay
the single supplement.
For independent, itineraries and something other special
interest trips, single travellers will need to pay the single
supplement .If undertaking a city break and bolt on package,
single travelers must pay the single supplement.
How do I get to the start of the tour?
Tours will always start in a specified hotel and we will let you
know exactly when you need to be at that hotel. We can organize
complimentary arrival airport transfers, if you wish. Just let
us know your flight arrival details atleast 2 weeks in advance .
Will there be time to explore the cities we start and end in, or
should I allow extra time?
With all of our tours, we strongly believe we have well balanced
itineraries to enable you to explore all the places you are
visiting. There is generally no need to arrive early or leave
later, unless you have a specific interest in the relevant city
but then again, there is always more to discover and we can
arrange additional accommodation, should you need it.
We also offer wide range of independent city breaks and sort
break packages ranging from 3 to 7 days. Please check our “City
breaks/ Short Escapes” section for more details.
Are there any long travelling days?
Many of the tours have several long travelling days,
sometimes on local transport, and on rough roads. The trips are
packed with highlights and the pace is fast, so we can see as
much as possible. The trip Notes for each trip will give you a
strong indication of the traveling and transportation conditions
for each day.
What will the food be like?
The food is certainly a highlight on our trip and our tour
offer great flexibility for this. . Being local leaders, we can
take you to out of the way places and experience foods that you
would never dream of! There will always be a very strong local
influence in the food, which we believe is an integral part of
traveling to this part of the world. There might also be a
chance to take part in a cooking course in certain destinations.
We usually include a trip to the local markets also where you
have a chance buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
I’m a vegetarian or have special dietary needs, is that a
problem?
No problem at all, In-fact this region is a paradise for
veggi lovers! There is a wide option of vegetarian food
available in all hotels and local restaurants. The only
important thing is that you let us know in advance so we make
sure you are looked after in the local restaurants.
How do I get to the start of the tour?
Tours will always start in a specified hotel and we will let
you know exactly when you need to be at that hotel. We can
organise complimentary arrival airport transfers, if you wish.
Just let us know your flight arrival details.
How many people will be on the trip?
Normally the maximum group size for our group departures
trips is 16. However for some tours which involve hiking and
visiting remote areas the maximum group size is limited to only
12. The average group consists of about 10 travellers. Please
check the individual trip notes for details.
Is Escape Voyages group style travel for me?
Our tours appeals to people who want the fun, freedom and
flexibility of independent travel, but want to make the most of
their time and prefer that someone else takes care of the
hassles and organisation - queuing for tickets and looking for a
hotel at night can be a real drag! Our trip are designed for
people who want to get a deeper understanding of the region they
visit - our innovative itineraries and exceptional local
knowledge make this happen. Normally our group tours have a fine
mix of people of various ages and diverse countries. Our tours
are ideal for single traveller who like the safety and
companionship of travelling with a few others, sharing the
experiences and adventures together.
We include many of the ‘must see’ sights, but keep plenty of
free time aside so you can go on your own way and make your own
discoveries. Your lodging will be basic, but clean and
comfortable, locally run, and usually reflecting the character
of the region.
I am a single traveller, is that a problem?
Most of our travellers are ‘flying solo’ and like the
thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. We do not
believe in charging a single supplement. You'll probably be
sharing a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but
even if you do get your own room, you won't be charged extra.
Because many of our travellers are travelling alone, your tour
will probably have a strong social element and you'll almost
certainly come home with some new friends.
Are there any age limits?
There is no specific upper age limit on our tours. People of
all ages are welcome to Join, but most of our tours are active
in nature and do require reasonable level of fitness in order to
participate in group and optional activities.
For travellers over the age of 70, we ask that you fill out a
medical questionnaire. As a rule, we do not take people under
the age of 18. If you are interested in taking your family away,
let us know and we’ll see if we can organise a Family departure
for you.
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