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.
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 |
Bhutan |
Nepal |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
|
£0.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.70 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
£0.30 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.00 |
£3.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
|
£7.60 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
|
£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
Nepal Visa: Visas can be obtained from the Nepalese embassy prior to travel or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and various international border crossings beyween Nepal and its neighbours. A passport sized photograph is required, please bring this in your hand luggage.
All visas sold on arrival are multiple entry visas and they are available to cover 3 different durations of visit ; a 15 day visa costing US$25, a 30 day costing US$40 and a 90 day visa costing US$100. Please ensure you purchase the duration sufficient to cover your whole visit including days of entry and exit. Please do note that these durations refer to each entry into Nepal e.g. 15 days for each entry.
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.
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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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, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, typhoid and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria (eg. Paludrine, Chloroquine, Mefloquine etc.)
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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
Additional Information for your Cycling Tour
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Climate
Nepal: Temperatures in the lower altitude regions are extremely pleasant and the Kathmandu Valley has a reasonably mild climate throughout the year. In Kathmandu average temperatures between March and May are around 16-22°C, whilst September- November sees the averages dropping form the low 20’s to around 14°C.
Bhutan: The best weather lasts from September (after the monsoon) through to June and the mountains are best admired, with greater air clarity in the autumn. 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.
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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
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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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
In general pack for all conditions. However, you must bring a warm sweater or jacket for cycling on cool days and for wearing during the evenings. We recommend you bring padded cycle shorts, cycle gloves and quick drying cycle shirts. In case of rain, waterproofs are essential. High altitude night temperatures in the Himalaya can be cold so make allowance for warmer clothing and a waterproof accordingly. Clothes should be casual and practical but to avoid giving offence to local people when not cycling you may need to cover legs, heads and arms. Shorts and leggings are not appropriate. A scarf or bandanna can be useful on the dustier sections of road. For Dzong visits, you will need collared, longsleeved shirts, long trousers and closed shoes. While cycling it is ok to wear baggy cycle shorts, lycra is more likely to offend.
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Footwear
Shoes for cycling. Closed toe shoes are required for monastery visits. Ankle support is recommended for the Tigers Nest hike.
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Equipment
A puncture repair kit and lock are provided – we recommend you bring your own cycle helmet. We strongly advise that helmets are always worn whilst cycling. Bring a water-bottle, insect repellent, high factor suncream and a lip salve with sun protection. Wraparound sunglasses help protect your eyes. For added comfort you may like to bring a gel seat cover. A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies. Please consider carrying all or some of your cycling equipment, e.g. helmet, as part of your hand luggage. You may wish to take a walking pole with you for the Tigers Nest hike and a swimming costume if you wish to swim at the Kathmandu hotel.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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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
Please note:
You will meet your tour leader on arrival in Bhutan. Whilst in Nepal the Kathmandu included sightseeing will be accompanied by a local guide and a local representative will accompany the group to and from the airport.
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General Information
Area: Nepal: 147,181 sq km. Bhutan: 38,394 sq km.
Population: Nepal: 25.8 million. Bhutan: 672,425.
Language: Nepal: Nepalese, Hindi. Bhutan: Dzongkha, plus various Nepalese and Tibetan dialects.
Religion: Nepal: Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim. Bhutan: Lamaistic Buddhist, Indian/Nepalese Hinduism.
Local Time: Nepal: GMT + 5.45 hours. Bhutan: GMT +6.
Electric Supply & Plugs: Nepal: 220/230v AC 50 Hz. Type C and D.
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Tobacco
It 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.
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High Altitude
On this tour we will cross some high passes and be cycling at altitude on most days. Extreme cases of Acute Mountain Sickness are possible at this altitude, although very rare. Please consult your doctor if you suffer from heart or respiratory condition or have any concerns in this regard.
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Unfortunately 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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Tour Leader
On this tour you will meet your tour leader on arrival in Bhutan on day 3. Whilst in Kathmandu a local representative will escort all airport transfers and a local guide will accompany the Kathmandu city sightseeing on day 2.
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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.
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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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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: Nelles, GeoCentre, Bartholomew and Globetrotter all do good maps of the country.
Recommended Books: Lonely Planet: Kathmandu & the Kingdom of Nepal, 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 Zeppz: Beyond the Sky and the Earth, Linda Leaming: Married to Bhutan.
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