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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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Please bring enough money (cash) for departure tax. 300 Taka will be needed for your crossing of the Bangladesh border.
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Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Local Staff: Accordingly, you should allow for 70USD for tipping. This tip will need to be provided to the tour leader in USD rather than GBP.
Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: Bangladesh: Taka. India: Indian Rupee. Bhutan: Ngultrum. Nepal: Nepalese Rupee.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: GBP/US$ are the best currency to change into local currency. Take small denominations of US$ for Bangladesh.
Where to Exchange: In India: In major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival. In Bangladesh you can change cash US$ at the hotel in Dhaka. In Bhutan you can also spend Indian Rupees.
ATM Availability: ATMs are available in most large cities in India but they are very limited elsewhere so please do not rely on this. There are no ATMs available in Bhutan.
Credit Card Acceptance: Very rarely, only in the larger outlets. Larger shops in Thimpu and Paro accept credit cards.
Travellers Cheques: Opportunities to exchange are limited.
Additional Information: Be careful of accepting worn or ripped notes, as they may be difficult to change.
Camera and Video Fees: Bear in mind that at some sites there is an additional camera charge. Video filming fees up to £5 per site may be payable.
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| UK | Bangladesh | Bhutan | India | Nepal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | £0.20 | £1.00 | £0.50 | |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | £0.50 | £1.00 | £0.80 | £0.70 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | £0.30 | £1.00 | £1.50 | £0.30 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | £2.00 | £2.50 | £3.50 | |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | £2.50 | £6.00 | £7.60 | |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | £3.50 | £8.00 | £10.00 | |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | £12.00 | |||
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Important note: passengers with dual or multiple passports must ensure that they use the same passport for entry to all countries on this trip.
Bangladesh: A single entry visa is necessary for your entry into Bangldesh and must be obtained before departure. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
India: A single entry is required for India and must be obtained before departure. The Indian authorities recently changed the rules governing re-entry to India. The new rules state that you cannot re-enter India within 2 months of exiting unless your visa is specifically endorsed for re-entry within this period. If you have recently travelled to India please ensure that you check the visa requirements very carefully before confirming your booking.
Please Note: It is no longer possible to obtain an Indian visa directly from the Indian Embassy. You must either apply for a visa through your travel agent or through the Explore Visa Service. Alternatively, you can go through to VFS global http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk (the company who the Embassy has outsourced its visa service to) online, by post or at the centre after prior appointment. All visa information is subject to change.
Sikkim: You will need to bring one passport photo for your Sikkim permit to enter the restricted area. Please DO NOT apply for a Sikkim permit – this permit will be organised locally for you by our agent.
Hotel documentation required- Hotels in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Gangtok and Pelling all require 2 passport photos to be be produced at check in. You will need a total of 8 passport photos for hotel check-ins on this tour (along with the Sikkim permit and the Nepal Visa- please see relevant sections. This equals a total of 10 passport photos for this tour)
Document
Bhutan: A visa for Bhutan will be arranged locally. In order to do this please forward a colour scanned copy of your passport to Explore at least 8 weeks before your departure. You will pay for your Bhutan visa on arrival – allow US$40 cash for this. You must hold a valid passport to enter Bhutan. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Bhutan.
Nepal: A single entry visa is required and this can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. This currently costs $25 for a 15 day visa. You will require 1 passport photo. Payment must be made in cash, UK£ and US$ are both accepted.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens – Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis & polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to immunise themselves against meningitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topThere is considerable variation between regions in the Indian subcontinent but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer (April – June) temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June-September . Winters on the plains are warm. Temperatures at altitude can be quite cool at any time especially at night. Rainfall is at a minimum in Darjeeling from February through October, though showers can occur at any time.
Bhutan: The best weather lasts from September (after the monsoon) through to June, though it’s cold from December to February, particularly in the highlands. Spring (mid March-May) is cool & often stormy. Autumn is from October to mid November with clear skies, warm days & cool (sometimes cold) nights. As in any high mountain area it can rain, hail or snow at any time of year.
Back to topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topOne main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
Back to topHigh altitude night temperatures in the Himalaya are cold so make allowance for warmer clothing (especially at night), including jumpers, warm pajamas, and socks, and a waterproof accordingly. On the Gangetic plains, only lightweight clothing is needed from March to November. If travelling from December through February you will need at least some warmer clothing for evenings. Local people may be offended by western styles of dress. Brief shorts tight fitting clothing etc. should be avoided by both men and woman. For Dzong visits, you will need collared, long-sleeved shirts and closed shoes.
Back to topComfortable closed shoes suitable for walking and sandals. Good walking shoes are needed to walk to the Tigers Nest monastery.
Back to topBring a personal water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen, torch and mosquito repellent. You may also like to bring walking poles for our walk to the Tigers Nest Monastery.
Back to topFor an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Back to topIt is illegal to sell or purchase tobacco products in Bhutan. Up to 200 cigarettes may be imported, on payment of tax and import duty of 200%. You must have your customs receipt on your person if in possession of tobacco products. If you cannot produce it on demand by police you will be charged with smuggling and can expect a prison sentence of three years. Smoking is forbidden inside public spaces such as hotels, restaurants and bars.
Back to topBecause the monasteries are still active photography is often limited. Open toed footwear and bare arms are not permitted in the dzongs. Some of the mountain journeys can be winding and lengthy, although views are oftern spectacular.
Back to topUnfortunately Wangdi Dzong was extensively damaged in a fire in June 2012. The Dzong will be reconstructed however at this time we are unable to visit.
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In order to purchase flights to and from Bhutan we require full passport details at the time of booking. Failure to provide this information at this time may prevent you from getting a place on the tour. Any changes to the passport details after booking must be notified immediately with a photocopy of the changes/new passport. As flights are limited in number seats are booked and confirmed immediately, it is not possible to obtain a refund if you cancel you booking for any reason. As such an additional deposit will be required at the time of booking, this deposit is retained in the instance of any cancellation. Explore does not accept any responsibility for any extra costs incurred by clients who do not heed this information.
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topRecommended Maps: Bartholomew, Nelles and GeoCentre all do regional maps of India.
Recommended Books: William Dalrymple: The City of Djinns & Age of Kali, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide& Footprint guides to India, Alexander Frater: Following the Monsoon, Paul Scott: The Raj Quartet, AL Basham: The Wonder that was India, Kiran Desai: The Inheritance of Loss, Michael Peissel: Lonely Planet guide to Bhutan, Keith Dowman: The Divine Madman, Britta Das: Buttertea at Sunrise: A Year in Bhutan, John Berthold: Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon, Jamie Zeppa: Beyond the Sky and the Earth, Linda Leaming: Married to Bhutan. Back to top
