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.
You’ll also need some extra money to cover meals not included in the tour price, other sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.
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 these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Armenia |
Azerbaijan |
Georgia |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$0.80 |
$0.75 |
£0.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$0.80 |
$0.75 |
£0.50 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$0.50 |
$0.50 |
£0.30 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$1.00 |
$1.40 |
£0.90 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$7.50 |
$7.50 |
£5.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
£7.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
$6.00 |
$4.50 |
£3.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
|
|
*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
Armenia: Visas are not needed by EU citizens. For USA, CAN, AUS, NZ citizens, visas can be obtained on arrival at Yerevan airport for AMD3000 (approx US$9). To save time in the processing of the application, we recommend that you change money into Armenian Dram prior to attending the visa issue desk. You may also obtain a visa via the internet – see www.armeniaforeignministry.am.
Georgia: Visas are not needed for EU, CAN and US nationals. All other nationalities should check with their travel agents.
Azerbaijan: All nationalities require a visa before entering Azerbaijan.
You will need to submit an invitation letter from our local operator in support of your Azerbaijan visa application. Explore require a scanned copy of your passport in order to request the invitation letter and will forward this letter to you 6 weeks before the tour departs. If for any reason you need to make an earlier visa application please contact us.
The Azerbaijan embassy in London will accept applications from nationals of the UK, Ireland, Iceland and Denmark as well as EU citizens who are resident in the Ireland, Iceland and Denmark and all other nationals resident in the UK. It will no longer accept postal applications from Australian citizens.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Please note: If you have a diplomatic passport or an official passport of any nature then you will need to apply for your visa before travel.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
Special Note: Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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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.
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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
Due to the fact that Armenia is on a high landlocked plateau the temperature extremes are pronounced: winters are cold and summers can be very hot, spring and autumn are widely regarded as the best times to visit. Georgia has a temperate climate with warm dry periods from June to September. Early and late in the season, temperatures can drop to sub-zero at higher altitude. Azerbaijan also experiences extremes of climate: while Baku and the Caspian coastal areas are hot and humid in mid-summer, May to September are the best months to visit the mountainous north-west.
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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 of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Clothing
Weather is changeable in the north and mountains; it can be cool especially at night, bring a warmer jacket. Raingear is essential at all times. In remote parts of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan you should avoid shorts and vest tops; long trousers or skirts are ideal. A headscarf is essential for visiting churches and mosques.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes for visiting sites and hilly towns; sandals; lightweight walking/trail boots for optional day walks.
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Equipment
A waterbottle, torch, swimsuit, sunhat, suncream and sunglasses.
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General Information
Please note:
Armenia/Azerbaijan Relations - Tensions between these two countries remain high due to the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabach. When entering Azerbaijan there may be problems if you have postcards, books or any type of literature or goods that contain information from/about Armenia. It is also not permitted to import alcohol.
Infrastructure - The infrastructure for tourism is still developing in this region. You must come prepared for poor road conditions, possible electricity shortages and some basic accommodation.
Accessibility - To gain access to some of the sites a fair amount of climbing steps and walking on uneven pathways is involved so this trip is only suitable for those of reasonable agility.
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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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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
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