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.
As we travel by sailboat, an ability to swim is recommended, although life jackets are provided on the boats.
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 |
India |
Nepal |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
£0.70 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
£0.30 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
£3.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£6.00 |
£7.60 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£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.
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
India and Nepal: Entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens – other nationalities should consult their travel agent or consular office. Nepal entry visas can be obtained upon arrival in Nepal. 1 passport photo is required, please bring this in your hand luggage. Indian visas must be obtained before travelling from your home country.
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 VSO global http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk (the company who the Embassy has outsourced its visa service to) online, or apply the centre after prior appointment. As of July 2009 all Indian visa applications require an additional health card to be filled in when applying for the visa. Please make sure you obtain one of these cards along with your Indian visa application.
Please Note: It is no longer possible to get a single entry visa or 4-day transit visa for Nepal. You will now need to obtain a multiple entry visa to cover your stay in Nepal. There are three different types of visa available; a 15 day visa costing US$25, a 30 day costing US$40 and a 90 day visa costing US$100. Your visa should be obtained to cover your full stay in the country. Please do note that these days refer to each entry i.e. 15 days for each entry. Your tour leader will advise you on which visa you should obtain on entry.
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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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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 malaria, typhoid, tetanus, Japanese Encephalitis, infectious hepatitis and 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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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
There is considerable variation between the different regions of India but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon which lasts from June- Sept. As we drive up to the Kathmandu Valley, temperatures can become quite cool at night and may drop below freezing between December and February.
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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 a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember – porters are not always available, so don’t overload yourself.
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Clothing
Pack as for ‘All Tours’. High altitude night temperatures in Nepal can be cold so make allowance for warmer clothing and a waterproof accordingly. On the Gangetic plains, only lightweight clothing is needed from March to November. December through to February is cooler especially early mornings. Local people may be offended by western styles of dress. Brief shorts, tight fitting clothing, etc. should be avoided by both men and women.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes, trainers and sandals.
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Equipment
Though lamps are provided, a torch is useful at our camp. Binoculars are useful for game/ bird viewing.
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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
This classic journey takes in many of the major highlights of India and Nepal including the Rajasthani city of Jaipur, the Taj Mahal at Agra, India’s holiest city Varanasi and the Kathmandu Valley. We also spend 2 days travelling by local sailing boat on the River Ganges or ‘Ganga’. Known locally as the ‘Lifeblood of India’, the Ganga not only runs through the heartland of the country but also through the mythology of Hinduism. It attracts millions of pilgrims and devotees every year – many of whom travel huge distances to bathe in its purifying waters. Accommodation throughout the tour is in comfortable hotels and a unique camp on the shores of the sacred Ganges.
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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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