Northern Vietnam Trek Tour Itinerary

Northern Vietnam Trek Tour Itinerary
REF: ASV9
VERSION: 17

Duration:	8 days - Hanoi to Hanoi
Countries Visited:	Vietnam
Age Guide:	18-55 years
Max Group Size:	16
Transport:	Private Vehicle, 4wd Jeeps, Train, Boat, On Foot
Accommodation:	Hotel (1 Night), Homestays (3 Nights), Sleeper Train (2 Nights), Traditional Junk Boat (1 Night)
What's Included:	7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners - All Activities and Entrance Fees as per Itinerary - Escorted Tour - English Speaking Local Tour Leader and/or Local Guides - Overnight on Traditional Junk Halong Bay
Local Payment:	NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:	Vietnam - Hanoi City Tour - Hanoi Old Quarter - Sapa Market - Village Trek - Hill Tribe Villages - Hoang Lien Mountains - Spectacular scenery - Halong Bay Overnight Boat Stay
Optional Highlights:	No optional highlights
Grade:	Moderate - need to be fairly fit as long periods of walking and hill climbing involved
Staffing:	Escorted Tour: Services of Kumuka Tour Leader and/or Local Guide where required Please note that the overnight train between Hanoi and Lao Cai is generally not escorted, but you will be transferred to the train and met on arrival by the Local Guide.
Meeting Point:	Hong Ngoc I (New Building) 29 Hanh Manh St Hoan Kiem District Hanoi Vietnam Tel: +844 3828 5053 Check in for this hotel is at the main Hong Ngoc I building opposite (34 Hanh Manh St) NOTE: Tours departing between 15th May and 18th August 2012 will meet at the following hotel instead: Hong Ngoc 5 95 - 97 Nguyen Truong To Street Hoan Kiem District Hanoi Vietnam Tel: +844 3928 9725
Introduction:	This colourful eight-day trip starts with a tour of Hanoi, a city full of lakes, boulevards and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. There are three key elements: trekking in the far north, the famous Sapa market and a tour of the capital Hanoi. Trekking, for up to five hours a day, is a great way to explore Vietnam near the Chinese border with its high mountain valleys laced with stunning rice terraces, forests, waterfalls and indigenous hill tribes who inhabit these isolated regions. The dominating Hoang Lien mountain range, the highest in South East Asia, will shadow your route as you trek these paths from one remote village to another. The people who live here are friendly but still unaccustomed to travellers who periodically show up. We will be eating fresh food, cooked over wooden fire pits and experience hill-tribe life that remains virtually uninfluenced by the outside world. These tours take you to Lao Cai, Sapa, Ban Ho, Nam Sai and Bac Ha. Before returning to Hanoi we visit the market in Sapa.
Day 1:	Hanoi. Today is a joining day, and you need to arrive in Hanoi for our pre-departure meeting at 6pm on this day. The meeting will be about your trekking tour, and will be conducted by our local guide. This meeting will take place in the hotel foyer, and gives you a chance to meet the other people who will be in your group during the tour.
Day 2:	Hanoi - Overnight train to Lao Cai. This morning after breakfast we have a half day City Tour, to explore some of the sights of the City. We will visit the Presidential Palace where Ho refused to live, choosing instead a small stilt house beside a lake. Close by, is the One Pillar Pagoda where we also stop. If open, we will also visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where Uncle Ho is laid out in state, surrounded by immaculately dressed soldiers. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes annually for 6 to 8 weeks for maintenance at which time visitors are not allowed into the Mausoleum, but we are still able to visit Ho Chi Minh's house and the museum. A drive around the beautiful West Lake takes us to the venerable Temple of Literature. The Army Museum is a must for all visitors. Not only does it cover a crucial period of Vietnamese history but also it is also comparatively well laid out and provides a large amount of English explanation. If you have the energy after that, an optional visit could be taken to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the National Fine Arts Museum or why not stroll around Hanoi and admire the beautiful French architecture. The afternoon is free, and in the late evening, we transfer to Hanoi train station for the overnight soft sleeper train to Lao Cai. Please note that depending on the group size, you may be sharing a cabin on the train with other members of the group or with other travellers. (B)
Day 3:	Lao Cai – Sapa. We arrive in Lao Cai at about 06.00am where we meet our pick up and transfer to Sapa. We check into the guesthouse and have breakfast before a short hike out to visit Cat Cat village. Cat Cat is part of the Black H’mong village and the walk takes in some of the beautiful scenery, which includes the rice paddies and the Cascade Waterfall. Lunch is taken in a local restaurant and then in the afternoon you are free to explore Sapa. Sapa, originally a Black H’mong settlement, served as a French retreat after its European discovery by a Jesuit missionary in the early 20th Century until its the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 when the Vietnamese took over. Here you can visit the church, museum and take a walk up Dragon’s Jaw Hill offering excellent views of the town. We overnight in Sapa. (B,L,D)
Day 4:	Trek To Sin Chai B Village of Red Zao Group. Rising early we transfer by vehicle to Thanh Phu Bridge. From here we begin our trek to the Muong Bo hamlet of the Tay people. We then trek through Nam Cum and Sin Chai A Villages of the Red Zao people, ending at the Sin Chai B Village where we overnight. Dinner and overnight at Sin Chai B village, staying in bamboo huts. (B,L,D)
Day 5:	Trek to Thanh Phu Village. Today's trek takes you through several villages where you will be able to meet Tay, H'Mong and Xa Pho ethnic minorities. It is estimated there are only 6500 people from the Xa Pho ethnic group throughout Vietnam.This group is very colourful and wears special costumes and headwear. You will pass through scenery of rice paddy terraces and the surrounding mountains. On the way you may have the opportunity to visit a local school. Your lunch will be prepared and served in a local house. In the afternoon you will trek to Thanh Phu Village of the Tay minority. Here you will spend the night. You can take a walk to explore daily life whilst dinner is being prepared. (B,L,D)
Day 6:	Bac Ha Market, Lao Cai, Overnight Train to Hanoi. After breakfast we transfer from Thanh Phu to Sapa through to Bac Ha. In Bac Ha we visit the local house of Vua Meo and Bac Ha market. Lunch is at a local restaurant, then we visit a plum garden in Bac Ha as well as Ban Pho, 3 km away from Bac Ha. We transfer to Lao Cai, and visit the Lao Cai border. Dinner is at a local restaurant and we then transfer to the train station for the overnight soft sleeper train to Hanoi. Please note that depending on the group size, you may be sharing a cabin on the train with other members of the group or with other travellers. (B,L,D)
Day 7:	Hanoi to Halong Bay. On arrival in Hanoi, we transfer to the hotel for breakfast. Excess luggage can be stored at the hotel. After breakfast we transfer onto a bus for the 4-hour drive to Halong Bay. This trip allows us to catch a glimpse of Vietnamese rural life. We pass lush green paddy fields and on the way we stop at a factory to watch the potters at work or visit the Humanity Centre. We may even be tempted to buy a few gifts. Halong Bay was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994. Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. On arrival in Halong Bay we board our junk for the overnight boat trip. After lunch, we begin our fantastic cruise in Halong Bay. The scenery is truly breathtaking and is continuously changing. This includes a visit to Sung Sot Cave, round over Tuan Chau Island, Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island and a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on board while watching the sunset. (B,L,D) Please note that depending on the group size there may be other clients from other tours on the transfer to Halong, and also on the boat.
Day 8:	Halong Bay & return to Hanoi. After an early breakfast we continue our cruise to visit Man‘s Head Island, Tortoise Island, Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain. Upon our return to Halong city we have lunch on board, and then board our transport back to Hanoi in the afternoon. The tour ends on arrival back into Hanoi in the late afternoon (approximately 4 - 4.30pm) - no accommodation is included tonight. (B,L)
Finishing Point:	Hong Ngoc I (New Building) 29 Hanh Manh St Hoan Kiem District Hanoi Vietnam Tel: +84 4 3828 5053 Fax: +84 4 3828 5054 Check in for this hotel is at the main Hong Ngoc I building opposite (34 Hanh Manh St)
Please Note:	Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible. Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect. This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler. You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken. Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.
What's Not Included:	All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, drinks, visas, tipping, pre-tour and post-tour accommodation.

Pre Departure Information Follows


Pre Departure Meeting:	The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your guide and fellow passengers. In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING. In addition the guide will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting. All passengers MUST bring: 1. Passport. 2. Vaccination Certificate. 3. Travel Voucher. 4. Travel Insurance Policy. In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.
Insurance:	Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office. Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.
Visa Requirements:	It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this. EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR. You MUST obtain a Vietnam visa in your home country before joining the tour. Please note that regulations and costs change frequently so it is advisable to check the current rules. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Kumuka cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation.
Departure Taxes:	Vietnam – Departure Taxes are now generally included in airfares. Please note that these taxes are subject to change.
Medical Information and Vaccination:	Vaccinations: No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus. NB A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia. We also recommend: - A dental check-up prior to travelling. - That you know your blood group in case of emergency. - That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking. You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details. Medical Supplies: We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items: Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills. A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.
Security:	Do not take unnecessary valuables with you. A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money. DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk. Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care. Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
Money:	The official currency is Dong which is non-convertible. The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants. Travellers cheques can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks and require presentation of a passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing Travellers cheques. Visa and Mastercard are becoming more accepted in many of the larger hotels and restaurants, especially in the major cities. Make sure that the Vietnamese notes you receive are not torn, because many shops and restaurants will not accept them. The largest denomination is currently 500,000 dong (approx. US$33). The government introduced new 500,000 and 50,000 notes made from plastic rather than the regular paper notes. In 2004 Vietnam introduced coins for smaller transactions. These are in the form of 200; 1,000 and 5,000 Dong. Other paper denominations include 2,000; 5,000; 10,000 and 20,000. Most are clearly identifiable by colour. There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including ANZ Bank in Hanoi and the HSBC in Ho Chi Minh City. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Mastercards as well as other cards such as Cirrus. Please note that the Vietnamese Dong is non-convertible outside Vietnam. We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget. US dollars cash is more widely accepted than pounds sterling. US dollars cash are needed to pay for visas on borders. Carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable. It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport. ATM's are now available at arrival airports. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning. In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns. Some Hotels will also change money.
Tipping and Bargaining:	Tipping is not expected in South East Asia, but salaries are very low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted. Bargaining is the rule in markets, when hiring vehicles and sometimes even when taking a room, but in most countries you won't need to be as forceful as you would in Thailand. In order to ensure that you receive the best service from our local guides and operators we use throughout the tour, we operate a Tip Kitty. For this we request an amount of: US$25 - US$40 per person. The amount that your guide will ask for the tip kitty, depends upon the number of people on your tour. The tip kitty is monitored during the tour and detailed in a tip kitty report form for the tour leader to record all tipping expenses for the tour - and they will ask a passenger to sign as reference. NOTE: The suggested tip above does not go to your tour leader / guide - it is entirely up to your discretion if you are satisfied with his / her performance however, our suggestion for a tip for your tour leader / guide is from US$2 to US$4 per person per day. .
Luggage and Personal Equipment:	How much should I take? Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times. Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes. TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!
Personal Effects:	We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available. Personal Effects: Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen. NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses.
Trekking:	Vietnam Northern Trek and Combination: Please note that sleeping bags are not necessary for the two-night homestay in the Wooden Stilt houses in Ban Ho and Nam Sai, as bedding is provided. Mosquito nets are also provided. It is recommended that you take bathers/swimmers in case there is the chance for a dip in the natural pool. Walking boots are advised because of the sometimes wet and slippery conditions. Luggage for the trek should be packed in a daypack or backpack, as you will be required to carry your own personal luggage. Excess luggage can be stored at the joining hotel in Hanoi, and collected on your return. Trekking Grading: It is always hard to classify because lots of the time depend on personal abilities. Consider the following just as a general guide to our trek grade, which should help you, prepare for your trip. However, if you still have doubts call us now for more detail information. Remember that the more prepare you are, the more you will enjoy yourself! Grade: Moderate to hard. This trek involves long walks (around 3-5 hours) at lower altitudes but in hot conditions and hilly terrain. During the summer, due to the high levels of humidity, trek conditions are likely to be more demanding. Please note that the support crew will be only at the beginning of the trek and once started there is no turning back. We do suggest doing some fitness activity before joining the tour in order to enjoy more your holiday. However, this walks should be suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness and mobility that is those who normally lead an active life.
Local Customs:	Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe. Dress discretely, especially if you are visiting religious sites. For women this means skirts or long pants with T-shirt. For men, this means long shorts or trousers with a T-shirt. Always take your shoes off when entering temples or any religious site. Care should be taken to respect the conventions of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.
Festivals (Vietnam):	The Vietnamese Lunar New Year The most important and widely celebrated public holiday of the year is Tet, the Lunar New Year, which coincides with the cycle of the moon. This public holiday usually takes place in late January or early February and lasts officially for three days, although many businesses are closed the entire week. There is no more colourful time to be in Vietnam than during the days leading up to Tet Nguyen Dan, the most important festival of the year for Vietnam's Kinh ethnic majority. Since the first day of lunar year is thought to set the tone for the next 12 months, everyone strives to plan the perfect Tet. In Hanoi, the narrow lanes of the Old Quarter buzz with activity. Everyone is in a rush to get a haircut, buy new clothes, spruce up their homes, visit friends, settle outstanding debts, and stock up on traditional Tet delicacies. Businesses hang festive red banners which read "Chuc mung nam moi"(Happy New Year) and city streets are festooned with coloured light. Stalls spring up all over town to sell nothing but cone -shaped kumquat bushes. Others sell flowering peach trees, symbols of life and good fortune which people bring in to their homes to celebrate the coming of spring. As vendors pour into the city with peach trees strapped to their bicycles, the streets look like moving pink forests. In the south, people bring yellow mai (apricot) branches into their homes and place a coconut, a papaya, a mango and a custard apple on the family altar. Spoken in the southern dialect, the names of these fruit form a prayer for success and fulfillment. Three crucial meetings are said to take place on Tet. The first meeting is between three family deities: Tien su, the deity responsible for introducing the family to its traditional career; Tho Cong, who oversees the land where the family lives; and Tao Quan, the Kitchen God, who cares for the family's food. The second meeting takes place between the dead and the living. People place offerings of food and drinks on their ancestral altars, light incense, and invite their ancestors to join the family's Tet celebrations. The third meeting involves the immediate family. On New Year's Eve, family members gather for a dinner of traditional food like banh chung (a square cake made of sticky rice stuffed with beans and pork), mang (a soup of boiled bamboo shoots and fried pork) and xoi gac (orange sticky rice). This is followed by a visit to the local pagoda and perhaps an outing to see the town's fireworks. Please note that for tours which coincide with the Tet festival, many shops may be closed. and it may be necessary to amend the itinerary at short notice. We will, however, endeavour to try to ensure that all included sights are still visited.
Books and Reading Material:	You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.
Climate Information:	For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!
Time:	For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com
Language:	Vietnamese, the official language, is a tonal language that can be compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer. With each syllable, there are six different tones that can be used, which change the definition and it often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a member of the Austro-Asiatic language family. In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to show tones. This system of writing called Quoc Ngu, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries. English will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.
Food:	Food is one of the highlights of any trip. Vietnam has one of the most sophisticated and exciting cuisines in the world. Its historical influences and geographical gifts have created a cuisine rich in variety and vibrant in colour and freshness. Vietnam's culinary heritage combines elements from three of the world's most celebrated cuisines - French, Chinese and Indian. Paired with an acute sense of aesthetics and presentation, these influences give Vietnamese cooking a tremendous edible tapestry of flavours, textures and colours, which is sure to offer something that everyone will appreciate. Most Vietnamese dishes are served accompanied with chilli sauce, fish sauce and soy sauce. The traditional Vietnamese breakfast is Pho - a large bowl of rice noodles flavoured with sliced beef or chicken and fragrant broth, and garnished with fresh coriander and bean sprouts. Vietnam has 3 main regions, the North, the Centre and the South, and each has a distinct cuisine. Generally the North is best known for its noodle soups and meats and seafood stir-fries. The Central region, especially around Hue has more elaborate dishes. In the South, where there is a greater abundance of spices, the food tends to be somewhat hotter. With over 3000kms of coastline, the seafood is delicious and varied. Crabs, prawns, crayfish and squid are in plentiful supply, as well as hundreds of varieties of fish. Vegetarians, or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for, however in some places the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs. The variety of food will differ, as you may be visiting a number of different countries. We try to ensure that you get the most experience from your Kumuka trip and one of the ways to do this is by trying local cuisine.
Photography:	Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission. It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation
Accommodation:	We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation, except whilst trekking when it is more basic, is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above). If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it before when you check out of the hotel.
Arriving:	Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration. Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point it is best upon arrival at to take a metered taxi. Drivers may want to negotiate a price before leaving the airport. Do not agree to this, insist that they switch on the meters and pay the amount that it displays when you arrive at your destination.
Optionals:	Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Although Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by a third party. Details and prices of optional activities will be advised by your tour leader.
Drug Policy:	Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.
Staying in Touch:	Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this: Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use. Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!
Tour Feedback:	Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com
Contact Details:	KUMUKA WORLDWIDE UK OFFICE Hillswood Business Park 3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664 Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492 Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au
Map:

This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.

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