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.
While our intention is to adhere to the day-by-day route as printed, a degree of flexibility is built into the route. Overnight stops may vary from those suggested and opening times of museums may change without notice.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants.
Prices quoted are correct as of the date this dossier was originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Please note it will not be possible to do all of the optionals due to time constraints.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
China |
Hong Kong |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.30 |
£1.30 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.30 |
£1.30 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.20 |
£2.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£7.50 |
£7.50 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£14.00 |
£14.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
£4.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
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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Visa Requirements
Entry visas are required by all visitors to China, and can be obtained through Explore’s recommended Visa Service, Visa Swift, or for overseas clients by their Explore agent.
Registering with the Chinese authorities: You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China: Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process, and you will be registered for the duration of your tour. Please note that if you intend to arrive more than 24 hours before your tour starts or to stay in China after your tour has finished and you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to register with the local Public Security Bureau.
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.
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Please Note: Passengers travelling on the Air China group flight from London to Hong Kong will need a double entry visa for China as this flight transits through Beijing where the first entry on your China visa may be cancelled. The second entry will be cancelled on reentering China at Shenzen on day 3.
Passengers wishing to extend their stay in China should be aware that current visa regulations only allow foreigners to stay in the country for up to 30 days. Please bare this in mind when planning your trip.
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Vaccinations & Protection
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.
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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against infectious hepatitis, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to take immunisation against Japanese Encephalitis.
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Know before you go
We 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/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
China has primarily a temperate climate, with a wide spectrum of extremes due to its huge area. Summer months are hot and rainy though in the south the climate is tropical and we can experience rain at any time of the year, often falling in sharp tropical rain-storms which are heavy but short lived. Winter is colder and drier, temperatures in Beijing can be as low as -12c.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately 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
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One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself. Whilst walking on the Great Wall your main luggage will be left on the vehicle or in the hotel. You should carry a daysac containing water, sunscreen and a hat at the very least.
It is essential that your baggage is lockable to comply with local aviation regulations. Please be aware, before boarding a flight in China that the Chinese authorities will only allow bottles onto aircraft if they have been checked in as main luggage. Any bottles in the hand luggage may be confiscated.
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You will also need a shoulder bag to carry clothing and toiletries for your nightstop in Ping An. Your main baggage will be transferred from Yangshuo to Guilin and you will collect it before flying to Chengdu on day 7.
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Clothing
Pack as for ‘All Tours’ and ‘Hot Conditions’. Light rainwear is advisable at all times.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes or trainers and sandals. You might choose to bring walking boots for the walks on days 6 and 7.
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Equipment
Bring a sunhat, insect repellent, torch and waterbottle. You may find rehydration salts useful. And you may like to bring a towel for the overnight train.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
Starting in Hong Kong, this tour provides an in-depth exploration of the South of China – including time spent in the scenically dramatic region around Guilin and Yangshuo and in the Zhuang and Yao minorities area around Longji where we have an opportunity to observe their traditional way of life. Chengdu with its famous Panda Research Centre is included, as are the cliff sculptures at Dazu. Then we board our cruise boat for a 2 and a half day journey down the Yangtse River, the longest in China. As well as travelling through the amazing ‘Three Gorges’ we stop off en-route to visit some of the towns and temples. Finally, explore the dynamic city of Shanghai. In its YRB extension this tour also includes Xian and Beijing .
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Please note:
Water-based activities: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including whitewater) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided.
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Country info
Area: 9.59 million sq km. Population: 1.31 billion.
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin & regional and minority dialects.
Religion: Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Muslim, Christian.
Local Time: China: GMT +8.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v 50Hz. European two pin round plugs.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
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/
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