General Information
CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION & MAP
DAY BY DAY SUMMARY OF THE TRIP
PRICE & INCLUSIONS
TOUR INFORMATION
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
JOURNEY THROUGH CAMBODIA & LAOS – ESCORTED GROUP TOUR OCTOBER 2012
General Information
JOURNEY THROUGH CAMBODIA & LAOS INTRODUCTION
Your tour begins with two nights at the Anantara Golden Triangle, one of our favourite hotels in Asia. You have a free day here where there are various activities on offer or you can just relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. From here you take the Luang Say cruise into Laos – the perfect way to enter the country as it prepares you for the laid back way of life here. You then have three nights in Luang Prabang, in order for you to fully appreciate this beautiful UNESCO protected town. You then fly south to the capital, Vientiane, for a night before flying to Pakse, the gateway to the ancient Khmer ruins of Wat Phou and the tranquil Four Thousand Islands region of southern Laos. From here it is on to Siem Reap in Cambodia for three nights to explore the majestic temples of Angkor. Our specialists have selected some of the very best temples for you to visit, along with a trip on the famous Tonle Sap Lake. And then comes the adventure; you head to the edge of the Cardamom Mountains in the remote south west of the country. Here you can get away from the tourist trail and see some outstanding natural scenery. After a couple of nights at the sleepy coastal resort of Kep, you then drive back through the Cambodian countryside to the capital, Phnom Penh, where the tour ends at the luxurious Raffles Le Royal Hotel, a landmark in itself.
C LIMATE One of the best times to visit Indochina is during the UK’s autumn/winter. The weather is likely to be generally dry and hot throughout the day with temperatures dropping slightly in the evenings. You will encounter some rain although showers are likely to be short lived. In some of the more elevated areas such as the Golden Triangle at the start of the tour and in Luang Prabang you may find it a little fresh at night. Please note that weather patterns are becoming harder to predict each year due to global warming but the above can be considered a general rule.
MARK HOTHAM OUR C AMBODIA AND LAOS SPECIALISTS Along with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos were the first destinations for Audley Travel when the company started 15 years ago and are countries that are still close to our hearts. We have a number of specialists dedicated to selling the Indochina region which includes Mark Hotham, Jack Tydeman and Nick Ghosh. They are all passionate about this part of the world and know it inside out having travelled extensively to all corners of the country with Audley keeping abreast of new developments, inspecting hotels and meeting guides. Please
feel free to contact them on 01993 838105 or at [email protected].
• Front cover photograph – Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang
Mark on his travels in Indochina
NICK GHOSH JACK TYDEMAN
Nick on the Mekong River Jack during a baci ceremony in Laos General Information
DAY BY DAY SUMMARY
Itinerary in Brief Accommodation Arrangements
Monday 22 Fly from London to Bangkok with Thai Airways. Overnight onboard the aircraft. October 2012
Tuesday 23 In Bangkok you will transit to your flight to Chiang Rai. On Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle October 2012 arrival here you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Deluxe room the Golden Triangle. The drive takes around an hour. You Breakfast is included will arrive in time for a light snack or drink in the Elephant Bar before an early night.
Wednesday 24 Full day at leisure at the Anantara resort. You can either Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle October 2012 use this day to recover from your flight, enjoy the facilities Deluxe room of the hotel, or we could arrange a cookery course for you Breakfast and dinner are included or a day learning to be an elephant mahout.
A Thai welcome dinner is included this evening.
Thursday 25 Transfer to the Thai/Lao border where you will board your Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng October 2012 boat. Cruise down the Mekong through the beautiful and Bungalow varied mountainous scenery, stopping at one or two rural All meals are included villages on the way. Overnight in rural Pakbeng.
Friday 26 Wake up early to see the sun rise over the misty Mekong. La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang October 2012 Visit the local market in nearby Pakbeng village before Mountain View Room rejoining your boat. Visit the Pak Ou cave shrine and a rice Breakfast and dinner are included whisky village before continuing on to Luang Prabang.
Saturday 27 Full day tour with your local guide discovering the La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang October 2012 highlights of the city of Luang Prabang. Mountain View Room Breakfast and lunch is included
Sunday 28 Today you visit the nearby Kuang Si Falls. This gives you a La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang October 2012 chance to see some of the countryside surrounding Luang Mountain View Room Prabang as well as visiting the falls themselves which Breakfast and a picnic lunch is included should be fairly powerful at this time of year. While here you can also visit the bear sanctuary.
Monday 29 Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. On Ansara Hotel October 2012 arrival here you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Savvy Room In the afternoon you will be taken on a tour of the capital Breakfast is included city.
Tuesday 30 An early transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse. On La Folie lodge, Champasak October 2012 arrival you will be met and transferred to La Folie lodge on Bungalow Don Daeng Island. En route you will be taken to the Breakfast is included ancient Khmer ruins of Wat Phou, allegedly the blueprint for Angkor Wat.
Wednesday 31 Spend the day exploring the 4,000 Islands area by La Folie lodge, Champasak October 2012 traditional longtail boat. Bungalow Breakfast is included
Thursday 01 After a relaxing morning you will be taken to the airport for La Residence d`Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap November 2012 your flight to Cambodia. On arrival in Siem Reap you will Pool View room be met and transferred to your hotel where you will have Breakfast is included time in the afternoon to settle in and familiarise yourself with La Residence d'Angkor
Friday 02 Your time at the temples starts in the early morning when La Residence d`Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap November 2012 you visit Audley’s favourite temple, Ta Prohm. By far the Pool View room most atmospheric of all the ruins, it has been reclaimed by Breakfast is included the jungle and is being crushed by massive tree roots. Seeing this temple at dawn avoids the crowds and allows you to witness the temple emerge slowly from the dark until it reveals itself in all its ruined finery. In the afternoon you explore the incomparable Angkor Wat itself with your guide and take in the sunset from the top of Angkor Wat itself or view the whole scene from nearby General Information
Phnom Bakheng.
Saturday 03 First you will visit the enormous site of Beng Melea - left to La Residence d`Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap November 2011 the ravages of the jungle and a warren to explore. This is Pool View room followed after lunch by an afternoon on the famous Tonle Breakfast is included Sap Lake visiting the floating villages.
Sunday 04 This morning you will be collected and transferred to the 4 Rivers Ecolodge November 2012 airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Floating Tent Breakfast is included On arrival you will be met and transferred south to Koh Kong on the edge of the Cardamom mountains.
Monday 05 Today enjoy an excursion along the Tatai river to the 4 Rivers Ecolodge November 2012 dramatic and picturesque Tatai waterfalls. Floating Tent Breakfast is included
Tuesday 06 Starting early you will travel along the coast to the sleepy Veranda Natural Resort November 2012 resort of Kep where you have a couple of nights of Deluxe room relaxation. Breakfast is included
Wednesday 07 Today you can choose to relax at your hotel or you can Veranda Natural Resort November 2012 visit Koh Tonsay, an idyllic island just 20 minutes off the Deluxe room coast of Kep. You have the day to relax on the beach or Breakfast is included explore the island at your own pace.
Thursday 08 Return to the capital, Phnom Penh today. You will begin Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh November 2012 your exploration of this fascinating city with a sensitively State room handled insight into Cambodia's recent past. Breakfast is included
You will also have the opportunity to pick up some last minute souvenirs at some of the best places to shop, including a visit to the must-see Russian market! Alternatively you may prefer just to relax at your hotel.
Friday 09 This morning discover Phnom Penh's lesser known cultural Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh November 2012 highlights before visiting the Pour un Sourire d'un Enfant State room (For the Smile of a Child) project. Lunch at the small Breakfast and dinner are included training restaurant on site is highly recommended as all profits are reinvested directly back into the project to help its development within the country.
You will have the afternoon to relax at your hotel (or to further explore the city at your leisure).
Saturday 10 This morning you will be transferred to the airport in plenty November 2011 of time for your onward flight to Bangkok. In Thailand connect with your long haul flight to London Heathrow. You will arrive in the UK in the evening.
Please note that there are sometimes schedule changes imposed by the regional airlines we are using and the itinerary may have to be amended accordingly. General Information
PRICES
Journey through Laos & Cambodia tour cost per person £4,900
Single Supplement £1,850 Upgrade to Business Class per person £1,830
Per person deposit required to confirm these arrangements £735
INCENSE BURNING AT ANGKOR WAT
HOW TO BOOK If you have any questions regarding the tour or would like to hold a no obligation option for a place on the tour, please feel free to contact our dedicated team of Indochina specialists on 01993 838150 who will be delighted to assist you. To confirm an option, please send us a completed booking form and the deposit specified above, plus any applicable insurance premium. This can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or credit / debit card.
FULLY BONDED ARRANGEMENTS Audley Travel Group Ltd holds an ATOL licence number 4817. We are fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority so you can have complete confidence that your monies are protected when you book with us.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE • International long-haul flights as specified in the itinerary with UK airport taxes. • All short-haul flights as specified in the itinerary. • Full-time services of your Western tour manager and local guides. • Sightseeing and entrance fees. • Private coach or 4x4 transfers where specified. • All boat journeys and excursions. • Twin share accommodation as specified. • All breakfasts and full board whilst on the Luang Say cruise. Two lunches and one dinner are included at La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang as well as a welcome dinner at the Anantara and a farewell dinner in Phnom Penh.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE • Local airport departure taxes - payable locally on each departure • Travel insurance. • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, etc. • Tips for your guide and driver (discretionary). • Any camera or video fees at any sites.
General Information
VISAS
Cambodia British, Irish, Canadian and US nationals can obtain a one month tourist visa on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap International Airports or at the border with Chau Doc in Vietnam. A fee of US$20 in cash has to be paid at the airport and you will also need 2 passport photographs. If you are arriving by boat from Vietnam, the visa process is the same but the fee is US$23 in cash. Other land borders charge US$25. Arriving on a weekend incurs an additional supplement of US$2-3. Please note your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of return to the UK and you must have at least two full blank pages available.
It is now possible to obtain e-visas for Cambodia, but only if you are entering the country through Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or a small number of land border crossings. Exit must also be through one of the designated border points so you may wish to consult your specialist at Audley about this. It is a quick and efficient method, requiring one passport photograph in JPEG or PNG format. It costs US$25 and can take a maximum of three working days, though usually takes just one. You will be issued with a form which you need two copies of to present on arrival and when you leave the country. You do not get a visa stamped in your passport. On arrival in Cambodia you go directly to the e-visa queue, thus avoiding the queue for visa on arrival. For further information or to apply for a Cambodian e-visa go to www.evisa.mfaic.gov.kh Laos All western nationals require a visa to enter Laos. Your visa will be issued on arrival (on presentation of 2 passport photos and a visa fee currently US$35 payable in US dollars cash). Please note these visa regulations are subject to regular changes, and there is often a supplement of 1 USD charged for entry to the country on Saturdays and Sundays. Please note your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of return to the UK and you must have at least two full blank pages available. Thailand UK citizens, along with the citizens of 38 other countries, do not currently require a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Thailand if arriving by air, but your passport must be valid for six months after the date of return to the UK. Passport holders from 21 other countries can obtain a fifteen day visa on arrival. Other nationalities need to apply for a visa in advance. If you are crossing into Thailand from one of its land borders UK citizens are permitted to stay for fifteen days without a visa.
Important Note: We cannot under any circumstances guarantee that your visa application for any country will be accepted. However, in our experience refusals are extremely rare. Visa information is given in good faith and is accurate to the best of our knowledge.
The 4,000 Islands, Laos General Information
TOUR INFORMATION
HOME TRUTHS We aim to provide accurate and detailed information and to make you aware of the less positive aspects of the journey you are undertaking, some facts you should be aware of are outlined below:
There are a number of early starts in the itinerary. This is done invariably in order to capture the best part of the day for a particular site, to avoid crowds or, if it is a busy excursion, to fit everything in to the day. For this reason we have built in more time at leisure to relax on this tour than was previously the case.
Internal flight schedules are often changed at short notice. Generally, the timings only alter by an hour or two, but changes are sometimes more serious. If any of your flights are changed after booking we will notify you and amend your itinerary accordingly. Serious changes can result in additional costs which in some cases will have to be met by you.
GROUP SIZE The group size is between a minimum of ten and a maximum of sixteen. The small size of the group ensures that the trip is a more personal experience and that you can always hear and speak to your tour manager and guides. The small group size also ensures that your experience of a particular sight is not marred by the presence of too many people.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS Although we welcome single travellers, due to the complicated logistics of this tour, the single supplement can make this a prohibitively expensive option. There are still two options; you can choose to share a room with another single traveller on the tour and pay the standard tour price or if you really do want to guarantee sole occupancy of a room, a supplement of £1,750 will be payable. Please note that due to limited availability at some of the lodges on the tour, we are only able to accept a maximum of two single travellers unless you are prepared to share a room.
LOCAL GUIDES Experienced English-speaking local guides will travel with you throughout your time in the destination. Our local guides are carefully selected for their in-depth knowledge, interpretation, and ability to manage large groups as well as their skills as charming hosts.
DINING Breakfast is included throughout the trip. Whilst you are on Luang Say Cruise all meals are included. Two lunches and one dinner are included at La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang as well as a welcome dinner at the Anantara and a farewell dinner in Phnom Penh.
EXTENDING YOUR TRIP After or before the tour, you have the option to extend your trip, maybe with a few days relaxing by the beach in Thailand or discovering a nearby region on a short tour. You may also choose to break the journey to Bangkok by using flights that go via a Middle Eastern hub for example Dubai or Doha. On the extension, you will be looked after by our carefully selected local agent. Please contact Mark, Jack or Nick if you would like to look into arranging an extension or pursuing alternative flights.
TOUR HEALTH & FITNESS REQUIREMENTS To ensure that all participants get the most out of the tour, it is important that you are fully aware of the level of activity and fitness and medical health required to successfully complete this itinerary. Please read this dossier carefully prior to confirming your place on the tour, and having established the facts, it is your responsibility to contact us with any concerns regarding individual levels of fitness, health or ability.
For further information please read the General Information section found towards the end of the dossier.
ACTIVITY LEVEL – LOW/MEDIUM The vast majority of this trip does not require any significant level of physical fitness or agility. However, there are a few elements which involve getting in and out of boats or walking on rough unsurfaced paths and so a certain degree of physical dexterity will be required. An experienced guide will be on hand to help anyone should they need it. Some excursions also involve an option to climb steps or paths which may be steep, loose and/or wet underfoot. You should also be aware and prepared for the following on this trip: • High altitude – there are no high altitude elements on this tour. • There are occasional drives on rough, bumpy roads, in a range of vehicles including coaches and 4x4 cars – journey times should not exceed four to five hours but may vary depending on local conditions. • It may on occasion be necessary to carry your own luggage through airports or from the vehicles to hotels and vice versa. General Information
ITINERARY IN DETAIL
Khmer woman, Cambodia
Monday 22 London Heathrow Terminal 3 to Bangkok October 2012 Thai Airways flight - Flt No: TG917 - Dep: 2130 - Arr: 1505 - (next day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; Non-smoking
Tuesday 23 Bangkok to Chiang Rai October 2012 Thai Airways flight - Flt No: TG140 - Dep: 1820 - Arr: 1940 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; Non-smoking
Thailand Introduction Swathed in virgin jungle, with sun-bleached shores caressed by clear blue waters, Thailand is an exotic beauty. The modern cities of this kingdom flourish whilst birds and orchids fill the national parks, wild elephants roam through forests and dolphins swim in the Indian Ocean. From the mountains of the north, down through fertile plains and on to southern tropical islands, you will discover an exciting blend of culinary delights, ancient ruins and mystical temples.
A factor that draws people to the Kingdom of Thailand is the friendliness of the people. You will often hear Thailand called 'The Land of Smiles' and for a very good reason. Thai people are very courteous and polite and will invariably greet you with a smile and a traditional 'wai'. The 'wai' is a gesture made by putting the palms of the hands together as if praying, and shows respect to the person that you direct it to. Thai society is hierarchical, based mainly on age. When meeting a senior, you must 'wai' to show your respect. It is very important that you 'wai' when meeting a monk, or anyone holding a position of authority, such as a policeman. If somebody greets you with a 'wai' you should 'wai' back to them. If service personnel greet you with a 'wai', it is not necessary to 'wai' back, however if you would like to be most polite then this is perfectly acceptable.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, is the longest reigning monarch in the world and is highly revered in Thailand. You will see portraits of the King and Queen in almost all businesses and homes in Thailand, and outside all government buildings and hotels.
One of the best things about travelling in Thailand is the food. Some of the ingredients used in Thai cooking are; lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, chillis, galangal, fish sauce, and coconut milk. In Thai towns and cities, most people eat out as it is cheaper and easier than cooking at home, as many people do not have cooking facilities in their homes, especially in the city. Noodle soup is eaten from street stalls, as a snack, just as we might eat a sandwich. As a quick meal, fried food is popular in Thailand, and again is often eaten from street stalls. Traditionally, meals are shared in Thailand, and are seen as a time for sanuuk (fun). The oldest male orders a few different dishes (and pays), and everybody helps themselves to plain rice and a bit of each dish. Eating in Thailand is very much a friendly affair.
Chiang Rai airport to the Golden Triangle On arrival at Chiang Rai airport you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the picturesque Golden Triangle. The journey should take approximately one hour and the drive takes you through some stunning scenery. You will have opportunity to stop en route for photographs and refreshment.
Golden Triangle Introduction The Golden Triangle, where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers converge, is serene and picturesque with majestic mountains and colourful hill tribes. Stretching for thousands of square miles, the region extends deep into the distant valleys of northern Thailand, Burma and Laos. Previously at the heart of the opium industry, the town of Chiang Rai has taken on a new role as the main gateway town for the tiny villages scattered around the area. From here you can visit the frontier towns of Laos or Burma or begin a more in-depth exploration of Indochina by travelling down the Mekong River into Laos.
General Information
Elephant with Mahout, Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle
Anantara Golden Triangle Breakfast is included
Wednesday 24 At leisure at the Anantara Resort October 2012 recommendations for your free time - not included The Anantara Resort and Spa offer a wide range of activities that can be booked locally. There is a course where you can learn to be an elephant Mahout, either in one or three days. You can join a Thai cookery course and learn to cook some of the wonderful cuisine you will have eaten during your stay in the Kingdom. Other excursions that you can book through the Anantara include the following:
Northern Hill Tribes, Cottage Industries and Burmese Border: On this trip you will get an insight into local people working on a variety of products grown and manufactured in the area including weaving, paper making, pottery, and coffee. The trip will also include a visit to the Princess Mother's Villa; the villa is constructed from recycled shipping crates, and was lived in by a member of the revered royal family in her final years. It is said that the Princess Royal's vision and love for all Thais, wrested control of Doi Tung from the opium warlords that once ruled the area. You will then head over the Burmese border via a contemporary Akha hill tribe village, to the Burmese town of Ta Khi Lek with its busting market. The market has a weird and wonderful array of goods, many from nearby China. This is a fascinating day out.
Elephant, Longtail Boat, Laos and Bullock Cart Adventure: You will be met in the lobby and taken to the elephant camp to meet your elephant. With her mahout as your guide, you travel at lumbering elephant pace for an hour, through bamboo forest, tropical woodland, and grassland habitats, spotting local birdlife, mammals and possibly reptiles. Dropping you back at the hotel, you are then taken to your next mode of transport, a longtail boat. Travelling along the Mekong, you pass picturesque villages on the banks of the river, and cross to Don Sao, a Lao island where you are able to browse a market with Lao handicrafts and produce on sale. You then head by boat to the village of Sob Ruak where you will be met by car and driven a short distance into the hills for your next form of transport, a bullock and cart. You will be taken on the cart for forty minutes through rice paddies and farmland; the journey is very sedate and picturesque, while the scenery is full of interest and action. After this you will be driven by car back to the hotel.
Trekking to the Top of Doi Sa Ngo: The guided trek begins at the King's Royal Project; a flower farm designed to give the local hill tribe people an alternative income from opium growth and slash and burn cultivation. From the lowland Akha tribe village you will then climb to the view point at 710 metres. The Akha village offers an insight into remote hilltribe life and the decent from the mountain top offers spectacular views of the rice paddies leading off to Doi Tung and the Nang Non hills in the distance. 12.5% of the cost of the trek goes towards the Village Development Fund to aid sustainable tourism in the area, ensuring limited tourist access and minimal tourist impact. The walk takes approximately two hours and is for relatively fit walkers only, as there are some steep sections involved.
General Information
Bird Watching in the Golden Triangle: In the past hunger drove people to hunt even the smallest of birds, and this led to a decline in the local bird population. The situation has improved significantly in recent years but birdlife is still under threat, particularly from changes in land use; deforestation is common in order to create rubber and fruit plantations and this is destroying the birds' natural habitat, so they are in some cases, seeking home elsewhere. Local bird watchers and members of the Oriental Bird Club will take you to their favourite spots by 4WD vehicle, culminating in a visit to a little known harrier roost and wetland where up to 250 harriers of different species can be viewed coming in from their day's cruising of the local paddies. You can either do a morning or an afternoon trip. For this trip, please give as much notice as possible to ensure availability of the guides.
During your stay here you should also visit the nearby History of Opium Museum. This gives a fascinating insight into the trade between the three bordering countries. Please note that the museum is closed on a Monday.
Anantara Golden Triangle Breakfast and dinner are included
Thursday 25 Anantara Resort to Huay Xai, Laos October 2012 This morning you will depart the Anantara Resort for the transfer to the Laos border. The drive itself takes around one hour and is very scenic with its twisty mountain roads and H'mong ethnic villages. On arrival in the border town of Chiang Khong, your guide will help you through Thai immigration procedures before putting you into a small public boat over to the Lao side. The Luangsay Cruise guide will collect you from the boat on the other side and will guide you through Lao immigration in Huay Xai. Some patience may be needed whilst you are applying for a visa on arrival, as the customs officials often have a typically Lao laid back attitude to the process! Once all formalities are completed, and all the Luangsay guests are ready, you will be taken to your cruise boat where your luggage will already be waiting for you.
Mekong river scenery
Laos Introduction From its mountainous north to the lush Mekong islands of the south. Laos is a country that radiates natural beauty. However, its charm is not confined to the mesmerising natural scenery. The city of Luang Prabang has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, such is the unique appeal of the ornate temples, beautifully restored French colonial buildings and riverside restaurants that characterise it. Add to the mix the smiling faces of the Lao people and the relaxed mentality that encompasses all aspects of life here and it's not difficult to understand how Laos captures the hearts of its visitors.
Huay Xai Introduction Known locally as Ban Huay the town has been quite an important trading centre for river transport for centuries, although these days it is just a rather small, insignificant riverside town it is still a bustling destination as it is the main transit hub for people travelling along the Mekong to and from Luang Prabang. This is the area where the locals fish for the Giant Mekong River Catfish the largest freshwater fish in the world at up to three metres in length and weighing up to 650 pounds!
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Huay Xai to Pakbeng by Luangsay Cruise boat travel by shared boat, accompanied by your guide and other Luangsay Lodge guests (lunch and dinner included). Boarding your Lao Riverboat with other guests of the Luangsay Lodge, you begin the 90 mile journey through the northern Lao mountains to Pakbeng. Your boat is the beautifully crafted Pak Ou which has armchair seating in the shade, a sun-deck, a large dining table and a well stocked bar. Coffee, tea and water are all free all day. The seats in the prow of the boat offer the best views of the countryside. The journey takes you through surprisingly varied scenery, from remote 6,000 foot mountains to lunar rock faces and sandbanks. You will pass many tiny villages whose lifestyle has remained unchanged and unspoilt for centuries and you will witness a truly timeless Asia. The first day’s sailing is broken up after around an hour and a half to get the boat’s papers stamped. Just before lunch you will visit a small hilltribe village on the banks of the river. When you return to the boat your lunch will be waiting for you - a delicious and plentiful array of local Lao dishes. You arrive in Pakbeng around 4.30pm.
Whilst the weather is usually very pleasant in this part of the world, you should note that it can get quite cold on the river and you should have wind and water proof clothing with you. Please pack an overnight bag (including valuables) for your one night stay at the Luangsay Lodge. There is a special compartment on the boat to safely lock your main luggage away for the night. Staff also sleep on the boat for extra security.
Pakbeng Introduction Essentially, this small rustic town is a staging post, halfway from the Thai border to Luang Prabang. It is also the end of Route 2 from Udomxai. Built on a steep slope, overlooking the river, it is has a central market, in which you often see tribal H’mong and Tai from the surrounding villages. If you are an early riser, it is recommended that you visit around 6am, to experience it at its best.
There is not a lot to do in the town, however there are some simple restaurants, in which you can sample the authentic northern Lao cuisine. These are on the only road through town, and are nice to sit in and simply people watch.
Mekong scene
Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng All meals are included
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Friday 26 Pakbeng to Luang Prabang by Luangsay Cruise boat October 2012 travel by shared boat, accompanied by your guide and other Luangsay Lodge guests (lunch included). An early start this morning is rewarding because you will witness a Mekong sunrise over misty mountains in this beautiful and isolated region. If you are an early riser you may wish to take a 20-30 minute walk into Pakbeng after breakfast and explore the local market and ethnic village before joining the boat again. You set off at around 8.30am and the journey from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang takes all day. In late morning you will visit another hilltribe village where you can look at the small pagoda and old prayer drum and buy local crafts and silks from the villagers. On return to the boat your lunch will be waiting for you. You continue on down the Mekong as you eat and you will stop to visit the Pak Ou caves at around 4pm. These caves are an important place of worship for nearby Luang Prabang and the thousands of Buddha images in the cave are interesting viewing. If you can make the climb to the top, the views over the Mekong are rewarding. You arrive in Luang Prabang at around 5.30pm and will be met at the jetty by your guide and driver who will take you to your hotel.
Luang Prabang Introduction Once the ancient capital of northern Laos, sleepy Luang Prabang has retained much of its majesty and tranquility and is now a UNESCO protected site. The town has more than 30 beautifully gilded temples and is a spiritual centre for the entire country. At dawn, saffron-robed monks stream through narrow streets and alleys between buildings dating back to the French colonial era, collecting alms from their neighbours in the gentle morning light. The temple of Wat Xieng Thong is a highlight with its intricate mosaics and painted figurines, while the hilltop Wat Phu Si affords wonderful views over the town, the Mekong River and surrounding mountains. Outside Luang Prabang itself there are many small minority villages to be explored, providing some good trekking opportunities, as well as the picturesque Kuang Si waterfalls. Travelling by boat, you can visit the Pak Ou caves or the dramatic gorges of the Ou River. After sun sets over the Mekong the town comes to life, with a colourful night market offering a range of goods.
Transfer from the jetty at Luang Prabang to your hotel On arrival in Luang Prabang, you are met by your guide and helped with your luggage up the steps from the river bank, to the road, where you driver will be waiting. You are driven through the attractive streets, to you hotel to check in. You will immediately notice a French influence, with an abundance of crumbling French colonial architecture.
La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang Breakfast and dinner are included
Saturday 27 Discovering Luang Prabang (full day) October 2012 Each morning at dawn in Luang Prabang the local Buddhist monks form a procession around the streets of this charming town, collecting alms of rice and vegetables from the local population. Alms giving is an integral part of the Buddhist philosophy, earning the giver merit, or 'bun', towards their next life, enhancing their chances of improving their existence next time around. Taking part in this daily ritual can be one of the highlights of a stay in Luang Prabang. You will be collected by your guide from your hotel early in the morning (approximately 5.30 but varying according to season) and given a small food parcel which will have been freshly prepared that morning. A short walk will take you to a suitable vantage point and your guide will give you a quick instruction in etiquette. The procession does not last very long and you will be back at your hotel in plenty of time for breakfast.
The remainder of the day is spent with your guide discovering the magical temples and ancient crafts practiced in this beautiful city in the mountains. The tour includes visits to the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong and the Water Melon Stupa in the morning. You also cross the Mekong to the less visited west bank to spend some time in a small village and visit one or two of the quieter temples. The day is likely to end with a walk up the central hill, as dusk approaches, to holy Phu Si temple to watch sunset over the town. Alternatively you could walk around some of the smaller ‘forgotten’ temples as the monks say their evening prayers.
La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang Breakfast and lunch are included
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Temple detail, Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang
Sunday 28 H’mong Village and Kuang Si Waterfall October 2012 Leaving Luang Prabang you travel out into the countryside to the village of Ban Thinkeo. On the way you pass through beautiful scenery and rural landscapes with rice terraces and pineapple fields. Ban Thinkeo is a local H’mong village where the culture, customs and language are all different to mainstream Laos. Here you can learn more about the H’mong culture as well as enjoy a walk in the surrounding countryside. From the village you will then walk to the villagers’ garden, which is where a variety of local vegetables are grown. Your guide will be on hand to explain what the various vegetables and herbs are. You then get the chance to learn how to cook some local dishes as your lunch is prepared for you. After lunch the villagers will demonstrate some traditional games, providing a fascinating insight into H’mong culture. Departing the village you continue on to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls. Here you can enjoy a swim in the refreshing pools. Also, near to the waterfalls and worth a visit is the Bear Sanctuary which cares for rescued bears.
Note: moderate walking; wear suitable footwear, especially important if travelling between June and November.
Monks at Kuang Si Falls
La Residence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang Breakfast and picnic lunch are included General Information
Monday 29 Transfer from Hotel to Airport October 2012 You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.
Luang Prabang to Vientiane Lao Aviation flight - Flt No: QV102 - Dep: 1310 - Arr: 1350 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; Non-smoking
Vientiane Introduction Vientiane is the capital of Laos, although the largest city in the country, it still has a provincial feel to it and is small enough to stroll around comfortably. It is not difficult to visualise how it was fifty or sixty years ago, when Vientiane was considered the playboy capital of Asia. Even today parts of the town remain attractive, where wide tree-lined boulevards, mingle with old temples, creating a relaxed laid back atmosphere. It is of no wonder that many ex-pats have made Vientiane their home.
Transfer from Airport to Hotel On arrival, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
Half day city tour The first stop of the tour is the National Museum, where you can follow the history of Laos from pre- history to the present day. You also visit Wat Sisaket, where thousands of Buddha statues are displayed along the walls. Wat Phra Keow is a private royal chapel which sheltered the Emerald Buddha from 1565 to 1779 when the Siamese invasion took the Buddha back to Bangkok. Continuing the visit, you visit Wat That Luang, one of the biggest monuments in Laos. It is known as the Golden Stupa and is both a religious symbol and a symbol of the union of the country. To end the day, climb to the top of the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ in Paris. There are wonderful views of the city from here.
Ansara Hotel, Vientiane Breakfast is included
Tuesday 30 Transfer from Hotel to Airport October 2012 You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.
Vientiane to Pakse Lao Aviation flight - Flt No: QV515 - Dep: 0745 - Arr: 0900 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; Non-smoking
Pakse to La Folie via Wat Phou Leaving the town of Pakse you board a boat to travel south to Champasak to the ancient ruins of Wat Phou. This 5th Century temple complex is a fine example of pre-Angkor period Hindu architecture and is reputedly the blueprint of Angkor Wat itself. On the upper level you can cool yourself with water from the sacred spring, once used to bath the linga sculpture when this was an active Hindu temple. You can also see the remarkable Crocodile Stone where volunteer virgins would be ritually sacrificed to appease Shiva. From the temple, you continue on to your hotel crossing the river over to Don Daeng and La Folie.
La Folie, Champasak Breakfast is included
Wednesday 31 Full day tour of Si Phan Don (the 4,000 Islands) October 2012 After an early morning breakfast, you will head south by road and boat to Done Khone. Here you begin by re-tracing the French Colonial past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand, and glimpse the first (and last) Lao railway with its own locomotive. Then continue your exploration of the area of the 4,000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng - the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east', though somewhat smaller than its namesake! The whole day will give you a wonderful insight into this unique region and a chance to soak up the laid back atmosphere of this remote part of the world.
La Folie, Champasak Breakfast is included
General Information
View from La Folie lodge, Champasak
Thursday 01 La Folie to Pakse airport November 2012 Your guide will collect you from your hotel for the transfer back up to Pakse which will take about an hour.
Pakse to Siem Reap Lao Aviation flight - Flt No: QV513 - Dep: 1320 - Arr: 1420 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; Non-smoking
Cambodia Introduction Surrounded by dense jungle, colossal stone faces stare down impassively at you, their diminutive guest. This is the complex of Angkor, the famous ‘lost city’ of the Khmers and the most astounding archaeological site in Asia. Beyond the temples, Cambodia has survived nearly three decades of war and isolation. With her scars laid bare on the landscape she reveals a strange beauty co-existing with these painful memories.
Surrounding the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, Angkor’s nearest town, Siem Reap, and the palm-fringed beaches of Sihanoukville, is a land rich with the cultural heritage of an ancient civilisation. Your memories of Cambodia will inevitably involve the ever smiling, and particularly friendly, Khmer people.
Siem Reap Introduction Just north of Tonle Sap Lake and just three miles from the major temples of Angkor is the town of Siem Reap. The town has grown rapidly in the last few years due to the draw of the temples of Angkor. The ‘lost city’ of Angkor captured the imagination of Europe’s archaeologists and explorers when in 1861, Henri Mouhot returned from his travels in Siam and wrote of a magnificent city engulfed in the jungles of northern Cambodia. The sheer scale and grandeur of the Angkor complex is rivalled by only a handful of sights elsewhere in the world. Angkor Wat itself is the most famous of all the temples and is the national symbol of Cambodia.
The key to exploring this area is flexibility. Although all itineraries are based on our own experiences of Angkor, it is also a good idea to discuss your plans with your guide allowing yourselves to remain adaptable according to the number of other visitors in each temple, the time of day and weather conditions. Many of the guides also have their own personal favourites which they may wish to share with you. Audley Travel guides try to avoid the established and prescribed order in which temples are usually visited by large tour groups, as various temples can often be overcrowded at certain times.
General Information
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The area is now toured by many large groups, mainly from Europe, America and Japan. Such groups often have very different ideas of how to conduct a tour and have little respect for ‘noise pollution’. If you come across a large group, you may well wish to beat a retreat from whichever particular temple you are in and re-visit later once the megaphone wielding tour leader has moved on.
A typical day touring Angkor starts early by heading out for sunrise before returning to Siem Reap and your hotel for an early lunch. You will then head back out to the temples in the late afternoon. The wisdom is obvious as the oppressive midday heat is avoided, however, with most itineraries following such predictable patterns, to alter these conventional itinerary timings may well allow you the opportunity to enjoy a little more tranquillity. Angkor Wat itself is virtually deserted at midday!
Transfer from Airport to Hotel On arrival, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap Breakfast is included
Friday 02 Ta Prohm temple at dawn November 2012 A magical day beginning at dawn amongst the jungle covered ruins of the Ta Prohm temple. Abandoned and engulfed by the jungle hundreds of years ago, giant trees tower above the ruins - their roots prising apart the massive stone blocks. This is the only temple that was left to the jungle after the rediscovery of Angkor in the late 1800’s. The atmosphere is incredibly eerie and haunting, especially at dawn as the growing light reveals its secrets one by one. After Ta Prohm you can continue to some of the lesser known temples, all of which played a significant role in the evolution of Khmer society hundreds of years ago.
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Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap
Exploring Angkor Thom, The Bayon and Angkor Wat The rest of the day is spent exploring the magnificent ruins of Angkor Thom, The Bayon and Angkor Wat. The South Gate of Angkor Thom was one of only five gates entering the great fortified city. In the late 12th century it is estimated that the city had around a million inhabitants - more than any European capital of the time. A massive stone wall and deep moats (over 300 feet wide) guarded the city from attack by the Cham people who then inhabited what is now South Vietnam. The Chams had sacked the previous capital centred around the Baphoun (close to the Bayon) earlier in the century.
Lying at the exact centre of the city was the vast Bayon temple with its 172 icily smiling faces and extraordinary bas-relief decoration
Nearby the grand Terrace of the Elephants was where the Khmer Empire held its great public ceremonies. Imagine as you stand here the Khmer kings reviewing vast processions of infantry, chariots and war elephants.
Time allowing you will be able to explore several of the other temples and monuments in the vicinity. At lunch time you can either return to your hotel for a couple of hours or take lunch at a small restaurant.
Much of the afternoon is devoted to exploring Angkor Wat the largest religious monument in the world. Arriving after the worst of the midday heat, the afternoon stretches on as you explore this vast complex, having missed most of the crowds that have it time tabled in the mornings of their itineraries. I would suggest that you linger until sunset, which is a breathtaking experience sat on the ancient stones watching the sun disappearing. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We begin by unravelling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world's longest unbroken piece of art. Following in the footsteps of the devout and the destructive before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old were to stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up.
La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap Breakfast is included
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Saturday 03 Beng Melea and the Tonle Sap villages including Kompong Khleang November 2012 This morning, you travel to the lost temple of Beng Melea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor's lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. Constructed by Suryavarman II (1113-1150), the builder of Angkor Wat, the forest has run riot here and it is hard to get a sense of the monument's shape amid the daunting ruins.
You then continue south to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, which has a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. Here you explore the canals (wet season) of this incredible town. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers. You visit one of the pagodas here, built on the site of an ancient temple, and see the wall paintings.
Floating Village on the Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap
You then travel by boat on the great lake to Kompong Phluk. Cruising down a narrow waterway, we enter this timeless floating village, where the houses stand atop stilts as much as seven metres above the water. Everything lives on the water, pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating community. You explore the amazing flooded forest here before returning back to Siem Reap by road.
The water level of the Tonle Sap fluctuates greatly throughout the year and the lake will be at its most picturesque and scenic during the months of October to January when it is full from the heavy summer rains.
La Residence d’Angkor, Siem Reap Breakfast is included
Sunday 04 Transfer from Hotel to Airport November 2012 You will be collected from your accommodation and driven to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Siem Reap Airways flight - Flt No: VN9850 - Dep: 1110 - Arr: 1200 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight; flight to be confirmed
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Phnom Penh to Koh Kong in the Cardamom Mountains Departing Phnom Penh the first part of your journey to the outskirts of the Cardamom Mountains is by car. En route is a great opportunity to see the local people going about their everyday lives and you can see how the Cambodian countryside changes from flat plains to mountainous forests. The final part of your journey is by boat, it is at this point that you say goodbye to your guide and the staff at the lodge welcome you.
The car journey from Phnom Penh to Tatai bridge is four and a half to five hours, the road is mostly good apart although some sections are quite bumpy. Depending on where you are staying the boat journey takes from 15 to 25 minutes. Koh Kong Introduction The southwest province of Koh Kong is home to some of Cambodia's most remarkable natural landscapes and habitats including deserted islands and beaches, thundering waterfalls, mangrove-lined rivers, as well as the dense jungle of the Cardamom Mountains, deemed the second-largest virgin rainforest in mainland Southeast Asia. The Cardamom's have remained ecologically-sound due largely to their remoteness and provide territory for at least 59 globally threatened animal species including the Asian elephant, bears, tigers and the Siamese crocodile. Much of the area is recognised as protected forest and many NGOs work to secure the area's distinct eco-systems from loggers and poachers. Some areas have already opened up to eco-tourism ventures to encourage sustainable development. The most accessible habitats and therefore in the province are accessed from the main city of Khrong Koh Kong. From here to the Gulf of Kompong Som stretches the Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, encompassing not just the vast protected areas of the Cardamom's but the mangroves of Pream Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary. A few days at a base near Khrong Koh Kong provide an insight into Cambodia's natural beauty with opportunities to kayak amongst pristine mangrove forest, swim in waterfalls and visit remote fishing communities. Accessible from Phnom Penh and only a short distance from a straightforward border crossing with Thailand, a visit to this region is a must for those wishing to discover more of Cambodia as well as Southeast Asia.
4 Rivers, Koh Kong
4 Rivers Tented Camp, Koh Kong Breakfast is included
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Monday 05 Boat tour of the Tatai River and waterfalls November 2012 Your boat tour to the Tatai River and waterfall will begin in the morning, with a stop at Tatai village en route. The beautifully forested gorge that surrounds you on both sides of your river journey takes you to the waterfall, which stretches across the width of the river. During the wet season, it becomes a thunderous set of rapids with a 4m drop. In the dry season, the water level reduces and you can walk along the waterfall ledge and bathe in the rock pools. We'll provide a picnic at the waterfall and kayaking is also possible. It is a beautiful spot along the river and rarely sees any other visitors. We'll return you to 4 Rivers later in the afternoon.
4 Rivers Tented Camp, Koh Kong Breakfast is included
Tuesday 06 Koh Kong to the coastal resort of Kep November 2012 Departing the lodge you travel to the coastal village of Kep. The journey will take approximately four and a half hours.
Kep Introduction Kep has a sleepy, relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to recharge your batteries. Just an hour or so along the scenic coast road from Sihanoukville, Kep was Cambodia’s first seaside resort, founded by the French in 1908. Today it has an atmospheric, abandoned feel as fine examples of modernist architecture stand empty, pockmarked by the civil war. The delicious local crab is a tasty lunchtime treat that attracts crowds of Khmers. A stay in Kep can be combined with a visit to Kompong Trach, where you will find karst limestone formations riddled with a network of caves.
The Queens villa in Kep
Veranda Resort, Kep Breakfast is included
Wednesday 07 Optional Boat trip to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) November 2012 This morning you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the pier to board a local boat for the 20 minute journey to the beautiful, palm-fringed island of Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island. There is plenty of free time to enjoy the white-sand beaches that ring the island, sample some of the delicious local seafood and simply enjoy the sun, sea and sand before returning to Kep by boat.
Alternatively you may prefer to relax at your hotel or explore Kep at leisure.
Veranda Resort, Kep
Breakfast is included Thursday 08 Private transfer from Kep to Phnom Penh November 2012 You will be collected from your hotel and driven back to Phnom Penh. The four hour journey travels through some wonderfully scenic countryside and your driver will be happy to stop for you to take photographs or refreshment along the way. General Information
Phnom Penh Introduction With its tree lined boulevards and beautiful setting at the confluence of three rivers, Phnom Penh was once the loveliest of the former French cities in Indochina. Rapidly re-discovering itself after its troubled recent history, the streets are bustling with activity although many things grind to a halt as the locals enjoy a lunch-time siesta. In the evening you may wish to drop in at the ‘Foreign Correspondents Club’’ and enjoy an evening drink in this friendly local institution.
Modern History tour Outside of Phnom Penh are the infamous killing fields, the site of over 100 mass graves containing thousands of the victims murdered during the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. A memorial stupa erected in memory of this horrific time contains the skulls of thousands of victims. Our guides are always sensitive enough to give you a moment alone to reflect on such horrors. Returning to the city you will visit the sombre Tuol Sleng museum, a former school before the forced evacuation of the capital, when it was turned into a prison. With its torture instruments and blood stained walls, it brings a shocking reminder of the horrific genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge.
Phnom Penh riverfront
Raffles Le Royal, Phnom Penh Breakfast is included
Friday 09 Living History of Phnom Penh November 2012 This tour is designed to give you a fresh perspective of Phnom Penh by using the city's notable building landmarks as focal points in a narrative of the city's history including the You begin your tour of the living fabric of Phnom Penh at Wat Phnom. The city’s first pagoda was erected here in 1373 at the behest of the city’s founder, Madame Daun Penh. Visits to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are also included. You then have a look at some of the iconic buildings of the city, the national library (Le Bibliotheque), the classic Raffles Hotel, Le Royal, and a quick stop at the deserted Railway Station before heading north along Monivong Boulevard to the French Embassy, the site of the final evacuation of foreigners when the city fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Although you will see just the exterior wall here it is a poignant landmark in the city's history. Returning south you head to the gorgeous French colonial-era buildings that have been restored near the Post Office such as Van’s Restaurant and to see the locations used in the film City of Ghosts. Continuing along Norodom Boulevard you will visit Lycee Sisowath, the first 'modern' school in Cambodia, established in 1873, before sweeping onto The Building, a purpose built housing block built in the New Khmer Architecture style of the 50s and 60s, to give you an insight into the current living conditions of the city’s residents. You finish the tour with an aerial view over the capital from one of its highest points, in the Sorya Shopping Centre, and a bird’s eye look at recent renovations of the art deco-styled Central Market.
Late morning you will travel a short distance from Phnom Penh to visit the PSE project (Pour un Sourire d'un Enfant or For the Smile of a Child) to see some of the positive work they are undertaking with some of the most deprived children from Phnom Penh who were previously found earning the smallest of wages working in the municipal dump. The PSE Centre and school, provides education, but also excellent vocational training from silk weaving to gardening for children and young adults. At the school there is a small yet excellent training restaurant called Lotus Blanc (there are several other outlets also in Phnom Penh) for hospitality and catering students of PSE. It is worth stopping for a drink or a light lunch as all profits go straight back into the project.
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The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Raffles Le Royal, Phnom Penh Breakfast and Farewell Dinner are included
Saturday 10 Transfer from Hotel to Airport November 2012 A late check-out is included for the group today, enabling you to enjoy the facilities of your hotel until you depart. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight.
Phnom Penh to Bangkok Thai Airways flight - Flt No: TG581 - Dep: 1000 - Arr: 1105 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight;
Bangkok to London Heathrow Terminal 3 Thai Airways flight - Flt No: TG916 - Dep: 1330 - Arr: 1935 - (same day) Economy class; Non-stop flight;
IMPORTANT NOTES • Flight times and the daily order of sightseeing are subject to change. • Where specified aircraft types are for indication only and are subject to change without notice. • Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel. • All flight times are local
Elderly pilgrim, Angkor
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ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Your accommodation is described below; if you require further information about any guest house or hotel please call. Upgraded (or simpler) hotels and rooms are available in many places, particularly in the main towns and cities. All rooms are standard class with air-conditioning and en-suite facilities unless otherwise stated. Where available we enclose (or have previously enclosed) individual hotel brochures.
HOTEL, RESORT & GUEST HOUSE GRADING
Basic: Very primitive accommodation where we are not aware of anything better. Simple: Clean and simple but limited facilities. Medium: A good standard of accommodation, reasonable range of facilities. First Class: A high standard of accommodation with a wide range of facilities. Deluxe: Superb accommodation with facilities and service to match. Opulent: The world’s most unashamedly luxurious hotels and resorts.
• ‘Plus’ indicates that the accommodation is classified as between the rating given and the next rating up. • The above classifications are for your guidance only; they are the opinions of our staff and are quite subjective.
Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle Deluxe From the hotel's hilltop location you can gaze across the Mekong and Ruak Rivers into the infamous Golden Triangle region as it stretches deep into Laos and Burma. The 110 rooms are beautifully furnished with local materials and all have balconies, many of which have views of the Mekong River.
Other facilities include a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, fitness room, sauna and massage. The hotel also offers elephant rides in the surrounding jungle and has a selection of restaurants.
Our opinion: A relaxing, luxurious hotel perfectly positioned to capture the unique atmosphere of this
mysterious mountain area. As you might expect of a five- Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle, Golden Triangle star hotel in a secluded location, food and beverage costs are relatively expensive.
Deluxe room at the Anantara Resort
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Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng Medium A new bungalow complex, built by French owners, to provide quality accommodation midway down the Mekong River. 19 wooden cabins have been built, linked by walkways, overlooking the River. The views are wonderful and the rooms comfortable, with ceiling fan and en suite (basic) bathrooms. The hotel is 1km out of town and has its own restaurant with veranda. Evening meal is included in the rates.
We recommend that you take an overnight bag for your stay at the lodge. Your main baggage can be stored safely on board the cruise boat ready for your departure in the morning. This makes for an easier check-in and departure.
Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng The Luang Say Lodge does not operate 24 hour electricity, power will be switched off at 11pm and is turned back on at 5am. Torches are provided in room to assist you of an evening.
Our opinion: This is the nicest accommodation in Udomxai Province (indeed Northern Laos, outside of the major cities). Leave your shutters open at night for superb river views when you wake up. Please note it can get cool at night between October and February, so it may be worth having a light sweater for the evening.
Bungalow, Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng
La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Luang Prabang Deluxe Formerly the Pansea, this beautiful hotel is set in lovely gardens, on the valley side overlooking Luang Prabang. Although not in the town centre itself, it is easily accessible by tuk tuk or even a 20-30 minute walk through the peaceful countryside. All the rooms are tastefully decorated with the huge signature Pansea bath tub. Terraces have Thai style loungers so you can recline whilst watching a class Lao sunset. The hotel restaurant also has an excellent reputation for fusion food and delicious homemade cocktails.
Our opinion: This is one of our favourite hotels in Luang Prabang - very stylish and with a wonderful infinity swimming pool overlooking the gardens. A peaceful and Pool; La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Luang Prabang relaxing atmosphere.
La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Luang Prabang
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Ansara, Vientiane First Class The Ansara hotel is ideally located on a quiet lane right in the centre of this historical capital, offering easy access to Vientiane's most popular sights and attractions. The colonial inspired Ansara has only 12 rooms and 2 suites adding to the intimacy and personal service all guests receive on arrival and throughout their stay. The decor is a subtle blend of traditional and contemporary; from the hand-woven silk headboards and cushions to the wood and rattan furnishings, rosewood floors and striking black and white photographs depicting scenes of Laotian culture. Every room has a private balcony overlooking the garden, widescreen television, complimentary use of personal in-room laptop and internet access as well as complimentary soft drinks in the mini-bar. The hotel has
a charming open-air terrace and lobby lounge for Ansara Hotel, Vientiane breakfast, light meals and refreshments, and a fine dining restaurant serving a selection of international and Laotian dishes.
Our opinion: This charming hotel is a welcome addition to Vientiane's hotel options. This stylish boutique property is great value. Although the standard rooms (Savvy Rooms) are slightly smaller than the average city hotel room - the location, style and ambience offer a good compromise. The Ansara does not have a swimming pool due to the protected colonial heritage of the property however for a short stay this isn't always necessary
Savvy Room, Ansara Hotel
La Folie, Champasak Medium This is a wonderful and welcome addition to the simple lodges available in Southern Laos. The 24 room lodge is located on the tranquil island of Dong Daeng, a mere 35km from Pakse airport and the famous archaeological site of Wat Phou is just a twenty minute boat ride across the river to Champasak. Each simple but comfortably appointed room is housed within a bungalow and affords magnificent views across the Mekong towards the ruins of Wat Phou. The lodge offers a refreshing swimming pool (one of the few properties to do so in the south) and also has bikes available to explore the traditional riverside life of the island.
Our opinion: One of the most comfortable, atmospheric
and stylish places to stay while exploring this remote part Pool, La Folie lodge, Champasak of Laos. Perfectly positioned for Wat Phou, the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 islands.
Bungalow, La Folie lodge, Champasak
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La Residence d`Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap Deluxe La Residence d'Angkor Hotel, formerly the Pansea, has been taken over by the Eastern and Oriental group. This boutique hotel, in a good central location by the river, offers a chic yet luxurious alternative to some of the bigger hotels in town. The elegant, minimalist reception leads you to the central pool, around which the superb rooms are situated. The pool itself is an oasis of cool water and foliage, providing welcome refuge from the midday sun. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the town's restaurants and bars.
Our opinion: Good value and great design come together at this riverside hotel, making it a unique and rewarding place to stay. Pool at La Residence d`Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap
4 Rivers Ecolodge Simple Situated in the heart of the protected rainforest of the Cardamom Mountains and only accessible by boat, this unique ecolodge is the ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle and to experience Cambodia's countryside. There are a total of 18 tents all erected on platforms floating on a meander in the Tatai River. This means that no trees from the surrounding forests had to be felled for the lodge's construction. A larger central floating platform is home to the restaurant and there is a swimming pool in the front. The luxurious tents are en- suite and each has a private terrace with table and chairs so that you can relax by the river.
4 Rivers, Koh Kong
4 Rivers, Koh Kong
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Veranda Natural Resort, Kep Simple Nestled on the quiet hillside of Kep National Park, the Veranda Natural Resort offers a choice of 23 unique wooden and stone bungalows and small residences all joined by raised wooden walkways in amongst the verdant gardens which attract a host of birdlife. The accommodation itself is tastefully decorated and private, with some rooms offering outstanding views of the area and coastline. Most of the rooms have air-conditioning, a private balcony or terrace and complementary wifi should guests really want to keep in touch with the outside world. Facilities include a restaurant and bar area, a small bakery and ice cream shop as well as a good-size swimming pool. The resort can arrange day trips to Bokor Hill National Park, nearby Rabbit Island,
pepper plantations for which the area is well-known, as Pool, Veranda Natural Resort, Kep well as hikes into Kep National Park.
Our opinion: The hillside location renders fantastic views of the coast and the restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset with Bokor Mountain in the distance.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh Deluxe Le Royal is one of the finest hotels in Cambodia and is evocative of a bygone era. Built in 1929 this colonial landmark has had an interesting past and clientele from well-known journalists between 1970 and 1975 who were reporting on Cambodia's raging civil war to distinguished royalty, as well starring briefly in the film, The Killing Fields. After many years of neglect the hotel reopened in 1997 under the Raffles brand and now sits comfortably alongside other grand dames of Southeast Asia such as the Oriental in Bangkok, Raffles in Singapore and Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap. New wings have been added that are in keeping with the original building and now accommodate 170 guest rooms and suites, each tastefully appointed with art deco style
furnishings, and set around manicured gardens and Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh attractive swimming pools. Facilities include the Amrita Spa, a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam and massage rooms as well as several shops selling Khmer gifts and artefacts. There are also several dining options including the refined Restaurant Le Royal, serving Royal Cambodian cuisine and modern French fare. A small deli hosts a delectable range of pastries, sandwiches and fresh salads, whilst the famous Elephant Bar is the perfect setting for an aperitif and a chance to soak up the old colonial charm.
Our opinion: Raffles Le Royal combines history, service, character, ambience and location to create a truly memorable stay.
View of pool at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Travel insurance Bowlin Insurance (01832 272 888) offers Financial security It is advisable to take out your travel a totally bespoke service, tailoring a We hold an Air Travel insurance at the time of booking your policy to your specific requirements, Organiser's Licence (ATOL) trip as cover will commence for pre- American Express (0800 028 7573) offer issued by the Civil Aviation departure cancellation from the policy cancellation cover up to £12,500 per Authority (ATOL number issue date. This will, therefore, provide person and Insure and Go (0844 888 4817). When you buy an ATOL cover should you have to cancel your trip 2787) offer cancellation cover up to protected air inclusive holiday* from us, for an insured reason such as illness or £7,500 per person. This information can you will receive a confirmation invoice serious accident. also be found at www.audleytravel.com from us (or via our authorised agent with links to the insurers’ websites. through which you booked) confirming
We strongly recommend that you and all Clients over 65 years of age your arrangements and your protection members of your party are adequately Many companies now offer cover to under our ATOL. In the unlikely event of insured, protecting against unforeseen people over 65 years of age. However, if our insolvency the CAA will ensure that circumstances that could otherwise spoil you are finding it difficult to get cover you are not left stranded abroad and will your travels. Cover should include you could try Age UK (0845 600 3348) arrange to refund any money you have medical expenses and repatriation in the or Saga (0800 015 8055) both of whom paid to us for an advance booking. event of accident or illness. In addition, currently have no upper age limit on their *The air inclusive holidays we arrange are we strongly recommend that you have policies. See also the companies referred ATOL protected providing either the cover for personal belongings, delay at to under pre-existing medical conditions person who pays for the booking is your outward or homeward point of below. This information can also be present in the UK when the booking is departure, personal liability, overseas found at www.audleytravel.com with links made or the first leg of any flight or legal expenses and cancellation. If you are to the insurers’ websites. flights we arrange for you commences in undertaking any sports or adventurous the UK. For further information, visit the activities, including trekking, on your trip Pre-existing medical conditions If you have a pre-existing medical ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk you should also make sure that your policy covers these. Please also ensure condition, there are a number of Not all holiday or travel services offered you read the policy conditions and companies that may be able to help you. and sold by us will be protected by the exclusions. P J Hayman / Free Spirit (0845 230 5000) ATOL scheme. Those arrangements will consider most pre-existing medical which are not protected by our ATOL The type of trips we create and the conditions and they have no upper age are covered by insurance arranged by requirements of Audley clients vary limit on single trip policies. Age UK (0845 AmTrust Europe Ltd. This insurance greatly. We have therefore listed below a 600 3348) and Insure and Go (0844 888 means your money will be refunded or number of providers who offer policies 2787) will also consider a number of pre- you will be returned to the starting point which may suit these varying existing conditions and may be able to of your contracted arrangements if requirements. You can find a more help. Cancer Travel Insurance Services already abroad in the unlikely event of comprehensive list, including links to the (0845 880 0163) specialise in travel our being unable to provide your holiday providers' websites, at insurance for people with non-terminal due to our insolvency. Please ask us to www.audleytravel.com. Other providers cancer and have no upper age limit on confirm what protection will apply to and policies are also available. We are their policies. This information can also your booking. unable to provide you with more detailed be found at www.audleytravel.com with information and you should contact the links to the insurers’ websites. Health provider concerned directly for this. It is essential that you see your GP or a Non-UK residents Please note, this is general travel clinic before booking your trip and If you are not a UK resident you will information only. We are not before travelling to make sure that you usually need to get insurance in your providing any specific advice on have taken all the necessary health country of residence. Some insurance travel insurance or recommending precautions. Some vaccinations require companies, such as Colombus Direct any particular policy or insurer. more than one visit with a period of (0870 033 9988), however, will consider weeks between injections. You should Trips of up to £5,000 pp policies for non-UK residents. This visit your GP at least six weeks before A large number of companies offer information can also be found on our departure. For up to date medical advice insurance policies which include cover for website www.audleytravel.com with links you may wish to call the Medical cancellation charges of up to the full to the insurers’ websites. Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad holiday cost. American Express (0800 (MASTA). 028 7573), Insure and Go (0844 888 Once you have a travel insurance policy 2787) and the Post Office (0800 294 in place, please let your specialist know MASTA Traveller’s Health Line 2292) all have policies that you may like who your provider is and your policy Before travelling abroad, you can to consider. This information can also number. telephone 0906 550 1402 (premium rate be found at www.audleytravel.com with call 60p/minute) to obtain a ‘Health Brief’ links to the insurers’ websites. The above information is provided in specifically tailored to your journey. Your brief will give information about Trips over £5,000 pp good faith and is correct to the best of immunisation and malaria as well as any It can be more challenging to get our knowledge as at July 2011. No Foreign Office advice and the latest insurance which includes cover for liability is, however, accepted for any health news. Their lines are open 24 cancellation charges of up to the full errors and all information must be hours a day, 7 days a week. MASTA, 52 holiday cost for higher value trips. A checked directly with the insurance Margaret Street, London W1W 8SQ. number of providers do, however, offer provider. Internet: www.masta-travel-health.com such policies. General Information
Other health information services escorted group tours. Stops are regularly Travel advice are available, including made where you will be able to smoke. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.nathnac.org and For smokers travelling on a tailor-made Travel Advice Unit monitors all overseas www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk tour we request that you check with destinations and offers safety advice to your driver or guide whether smoking is British travellers. You can contact the Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) permitted in the vehicle. service on 0845 850 2829 or visit The majority of international airlines now www.fco.gov.uk/travel issue advice on how to lessen the risk of Health and safety standards DVT, however, if you have any concerns, Each country has its own regulations and Flights and airlines we recommend that you consult your enforcement levels relating to health and The difference between a direct flight and doctor. safety standards. These do not always a non-stop flight can cause confusion. To match the very high standards we are clarify, on a direct flight no change of Pre-existing medical used to in the UK. We therefore aircraft is scheduled but touchdowns will conditions/Disabled passengers recommend that you follow a few be made en route either to refuel or to It is essential that you advise us before precautionary safety procedures. Always board or disembark passengers. On non- booking if you have any disability or pre- check where the nearest fire exit is and stop flights no change of aircraft is existing medical condition which may how to raise the fire alarm. Do not enter required and no stops are made en affect your holiday or any special a swimming pool before checking the route. Virtually all of the flights that we requirements as a result of any disability water depth first. For more suggestions use are direct and many are non-stop. or medical condition (including any which please see the Important Information Exact details will be given with your affect the booking process) so that we section in your Travel Organiser. itinerary. can assist you in considering the suitability of the arrangements and/or Passport and visa information for Premium Economy, Business and making the booking. British Citizens First Class Passengers must hold a passport which is If you require business or first class flights Full details must be confirmed in writing valid for at least six months following the these can be arranged on most airlines at at the time of booking and whenever any return date of your holiday. British very competitive rates. Premium change in the condition or disability passport holders (full British Citizens) economy can be arranged on certain occurs. You must also promptly advise us currently require visas, in advance of airlines, please call us for details. if any medical condition or disability travel, for the following destinations which may affect your holiday develops featured in our brochures: Australia, Specific seat requests after your booking has been confirmed. Bhutan, Burma, China, Cuba, Gabon, We will do all we can to try to reserve a The nature of many of the destinations India, Iran, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, specific seat for you, if you have a featured within our brochures means that Madagascar (not necessary for 2011 preference. However, whilst airlines may in the majority of cases they are travel), Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal allow us to request seats, they will not unsuitable for those who are wheelchair (also available on arrival), Libya, Pakistan, guarantee any specific seat reservation. If bound or have a lack of mobility. We will Papua New Guinea (also available on this is important to you, it is always best be delighted to discuss the feasibility of arrival), Russia, São Tomé & Príncipe, to arrive for your flight early, regardless creating a tailor-made itinerary for you Syria*, Tanzania, Tibet, Uganda, of having made this request in advance. that takes into consideration your level of Uzbekistan, Vietnam**, Zambia and Please make it clear on your booking mobility. Zimbabwe. form if you have a specific request. Visas may be required for other On our escorted group tours the Tour countries but can be arranged on arrival. Flight amendments Leader is, unfortunately, unable to offer *Visitors to Syria can obtain a visa on We generally use special ‘inclusive tour’ additional assistance to passengers with arrival but we will need to forward your fares when we purchase your air tickets limited mobility and all such assistance passport details prior to travel. from the airlines. While these fares are will need to be provided by whoever the **Visitors to Vietnam can obtain a visa on very good value they are inflexible in passenger is travelling with. We may arrival but require a letter of terms of changes and offer no refunds request that you provide a letter from authorisation from ourselves – please once the tickets are issued. Once your your doctor confirming your fitness to speak to your specialist. flight is confirmed the airlines will charge travel. an amendment fee or insist on the We are normally able to obtain visas on purchase of a completely new ticket if High altitude your behalf, please ask for details at the you make changes. Your itinerary may include sections time of booking. Non-British passport where the altitude exceeds 10,000 feet holders should check with the relevant Internal flights (3,048 metres). If you suffer from embassies as visa requirements may be Smaller local airlines are often more likely circulation, heart or respiratory problems different to those of British passport to change their schedule at short notice. we advise that you consult with your holders. It is your responsibility to ensure We will endeavour to inform you of any doctor before confirming your booking. you have the correct documentation and changes in advance of travelling but this visa stamp(s). Failure or inability to obtain may not always be possible. Smoking all required visas for whatever reason Airlines do not permit smoking on the does not entitle you to cancel without Frequent Flyer Clubs aircraft. At the request of the majority of paying the applicable cancellation charges. If you collect points through any of the our clients we do not allow smoking on airline frequent flyer clubs please provide any form of transport used for our General Information your membership details on the booking their schedules, roads may close and time of booking or to overseas form and we will ensure that these are government regulations may alter. Should customers who have booked directly recorded against your flight reservation. there be any changes to the travel with the member. Members have to Please note that on some of our specially arrangements you have booked we will comply with UK Government Regulations negotiated ‘inclusive tour’ fares are not do our best to keep you informed of the in this respect. Members submit details of always awarded. situation prior to departure. their bonding and guarantee arrangements to the Association on a Carbon off-setting Travel in the developing world regular basis. Please let your specialist know if you Many of our destinations are in the would like to carbon offset your flights. developing world where attitudes, Accurate brochures and web sites We work with Friends of Conservation infrastructure, priorities, lifestyles and All members do their utmost to ensure and all offsetting payments are donated cultures are very different from our own. that all their brochures and other through them. For more details visit This is often the very reason to visit the publications, print or electronic, clearly www.audleytravel.com/offset. The destination but certain aspects may be and accurately describe the holidays and suggested amounts are in line with the frustrating. We always advise that the services offered. DEFRA’s current guidelines for the cost first thing you should pack is your sense per tonne of carbon. If you wish to of humour. This can prove invaluable Professional service and continual ensure that Gift Aid is included please when travelling over rougher roads, improvements donate directly via waiting for a delayed aircraft and All members are committed to high www.audleytravel.com/offset communicating with hotel staff whose standards of service and believe in regular first language is not English. and thorough training of employees. UK airport hotels, car parking and Members continually seek to review and lounges Data Protection Act improve their holidays. They listen to We are able to arrange airport hotel We will hold your name, address and any their customers and always welcome accommodation, car parking, meet and other details you supply us with on our suggestions for improving standards. greet services and airport lounge access database. This information will be used to in the UK, subject to availability. To make your travel arrangements and to Monitoring standards arrange any of these services please call send you information about Audley AITO endeavours to monitor quality our Administration Team on 01993 838 Travel. In order to make your travel standards regularly. All customers should 051. arrangements we will need to pass your receive a post-holiday questionnaire the details to companies and individuals results of which are scrutinised by the Hotel information outside the EC where less stringent data Association. There is frequent confusion over the protection controls may be in place. We terminology used for bed arrangements will not pass on your details to third Responsible tourism in hotel rooms. A ‘double’ is recognised parties for any other purposes. All members acknowledge the as meaning a room with a double bed, importance of AITO’s Responsible this may be two single beds pushed AITO Quality Charter: Tourism guidelines, which recognise the together. A ‘twin’ is a room with two The Association of Independent social, economic and environmental single beds. Please note that all rooms Tour Operators responsibilities of tour operating. Those are allocated at the discretion of the AITO is the association for independent demonstrating their achievements hotel and cannot be guaranteed. and specialist holiday companies. Our beyond the pure acceptance of this member companies, usually owner- principle are recognised by the award of Single rooms managed, strive to create overseas 2 to 5 star status. Single rooms tend to be smaller than holidays with high levels of double or twin rooms, however, many professionalism and a shared concern for Customer relations hotels do not have single rooms, in which quality and personal service. The All members endeavour to deal swiftly case you will be allocated a twin or Association encourages the highest and fairly with any issues their customers double room. standards in all aspects of tour operating. may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a Special dietary requirements Exclusive membership customer cannot be settled amicably, Special diets should be requested on the AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute booking form, however, it is unrealistic finance and quality which must be Settlement Service may be called upon by to expect special diets to be catered for satisfied before new companies are either side to bring the matter to a in some of the destinations we feature. admitted to membership. All members speedy and acceptable conclusion. We will advise the hotels and airlines of are required to adhere to a Code of Audley is a member of the Association of your request but we cannot guarantee Business Practice which encourages high Independent Tour Operators. To contact their availability. operational standards and conduct. the Association, visit www.aito.co.uk or call 020 8744 9280. Brochure and itinerary accuracy Financial security We thoroughly check all the information An AITO member is required to protect that is included within our brochures and money paid by customers to the member individual tour itineraries, however, for any holiday sold under the AITO changes do occur and errors are logo. This protection applies to occasionally made. Airlines may change customers who are in the UK at the
General Information
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please read the following conditions carefully. All holidays we have contracted to provide will be held by them on our can reasonably expect to have a major effect on your are sold by us subject to these conditions and the other behalf. If you book your holiday through a travel agent who holiday. Significant changes are likely to include the general information in this booklet, our brochures and is not a member of ABTA, all payments must be made to following changes when made before departure; a change quotations. us directly and not your travel agent. of accommodation to that of a lower official classification Audley Travel Group Ltd (whose administrative offices are or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you at New Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxon OX29 9SX) 2. If you change your holiday are away*, a change of accommodation area for the whole are members of the Association of Independent Tour If, after the contract between us has come into existence, or a major part of the time you are away, a change of UK Operators. Audley Travel Group Ltd (hereafter referred you want to change your holiday we will do our best to outward departure time or overall length of time you are to as ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) offers a number of products and the pass your request to the relevant supplier, however we away of twelve or more hours, or a change of UK trading names we use are ‘Audley’, and ‘Audley Travel’. In cannot guarantee that such changes can be made. Where a departure airport to one which is more inconvenient for these Terms & Conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all change can be made, we will charge for any additional costs you (except as between Gatwick and Heathrow). persons named on the booking, or any of them as incurred including any costs imposed or incurred by any of applicable (including anyone who is added or substituted at our suppliers, and including for example cancellation *Please note: A change affecting a stay in a hotel during a a later date). charges that may be incurred for sectors cancelled. You tour where the hotel itself is not the focus of the tour, does should note, for example, that a change of name on or not constitute a significant change. Your contract with us and all matters arising out of it are other alteration to an airline ticket will usually incur a 100% governed by English law. We both agree that any dispute, cancellation charge and full rebooking fee. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will claim or other matter which arises out of or in connection tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before with this contract or your holiday, will be dealt with by the 3. If you cancel your holiday departure, we will offer you the choice of the following AITO Arbitration Scheme - see clause 9 or the Courts of If you have to cancel part of the booking or cancel the options:- England and Wales only unless, in the case of Court entire booking once it has been confirmed by us, written proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In notification must be sent to us by recorded delivery post or (a) (for significant changes) accepting the changed this case, proceedings may be brought in the Courts of by email. As proof of receipt by email of your notification to arrangements or your home country. If proceedings are brought in Scotland cancel you must receive and retain written or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your acknowledgement from Audley Travel. Charges will be (b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar contract governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland applied from the date the letter is received, or the email is standard to that originally booked if available. Please note: as applicable. If you do not so choose, English law will apply. acknowledged by Audley Travel, according to the scale Due to the original and individual nature of our holidays it below. The charges are applied as a percentage of the total frequently may not be possible to offer you a comparable 1. Paying for your holiday holiday cost excluding any amendment charges and any holiday to that originally booked. (i) The procedure for making a booking is shown in your amounts paid in addition to the deposit at the time of itinerary quotation and on our website. All bookings are booking or before balance due date (see clauses 1(ii) and (c) cancelling or accepting the cancellation in which case subject to these terms and conditions and by asking us to I(iv)) which are non refundable in the event of cancellation. you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you confirm your booking, the person who makes the booking have paid to us. is taken to have accepted these booking conditions on The following cancellation charges apply if your final balance behalf of all persons named on the booking. Once we have due date is 8 weeks prior to departure. Please note, You must advise us of your decision within 7 days of the received the applicable payment(s) due at the time of different cancellation charges apply in relation to certain date on which we notified you of the significant change or booking (see below), we will, subject to availability of the products – please see your quote for details. cancellation. Please note, the above options are not requested arrangements, send you your invoice. It is at the available where any change made is a minor one. A minor point when we issue this to you that a valid contract will Period before departure Cancellation change is any change which, taking account of the come into existence between us. Please check your date within which written Charge information you have given us at the time of booking or confirmation/invoice and all tickets/documents carefully as notification is received at Per Person which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour soon as you receive them and contact us immediately if our offices operator, we could not reasonably expect to have a you think any details are incorrect. We regret we cannot significant effect on your confirmed holiday. accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies Up to balance due date Deposit only (for which we are responsible) in any document within ten Balance due date-43 days 30% If we have to make a significant change or cancellation we days of our sending it out (five days for tickets).We will do 42-29 days 60% will pay you the compensation set out below subject to the our best to rectify any mistake notified to us outside these 28-3 days 90% following exceptions. Compensation will not be payable time limits but you must meet any costs involved in doing Within 2 days 100% and no liability beyond offering the above mentioned so. choices can be accepted where (1) we are forced to make Alterations or cancellations by you after a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable (ii) The deposit is part payment of the holiday. The deposit commencement of travel and unused services circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of required will be shown on the quotation page of your We will do our best to implement any changes to your which we could not have avoided even with all due care or itinerary. In addition to the deposit, full or part payment of arrangements you request once they have commenced, but (2) we have to cancel because the minimum number of certain elements of your holiday (such as flights) may be we cannot guarantee this will be possible. In the event of bookings necessary for us to operate your holiday has not required at the time booking or at some point between such amendments being made you will be liable for any been reached - in this case we will notify you no less than booking and balance due date. Also see clause I (iv). The cancellation charges that may be levied for the services 60 days before departure. Please note: all escorted group deposit and all such additional payments are non refundable originally booked, and for the cost of booking the revised trips are based on group arrangements involving a given except as set out in clause 4. The balance must be paid not arrangements and the arrangements themselves. As a basic minimum number of passengers. No compensation will be later than the date specified on the invoice. This is normally principle, no refunds will be paid to clients who do not payable and the above options will not be available if we no less than 8 weeks before the departure date. However, complete a tour. However where we ourselves are able to cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any there are a few destinations or trip components that obtain a refund from hotels or principals for services not requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to require payment no less than 90 days before the departure used, we will pass this on to you, less any reasonable cancel (such as paying on time). date which will be specified on your invoice and quotation. administration charges. Please note if we do not receive all payments due (including Period of notification of Compensation any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE change before scheduled per person entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In If you have taken out holiday insurance you may, depending departure date this case, we will be entitled to keep all amounts paid or on the detail of your policy, be able to recover the due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because cancellation charges, check your policy for details. Never More than 60 days Nil you have promised to make payment, you must pay the travel without insurance, the unexpected can always 60-43 days £10 cancellation charges shown in clause 3 depending on the happen. It is your responsibility to ensure you are 42-29 days £20 date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled. adequately covered by insurance. Please read your policy 28-15 days £30 and take it on holiday with you. 14-0 days £40 (iii) Full payment is required at the time of booking for all bookings made after balance due date as above. 4. If we change your holiday In the unlikely event that we become unable to provide a We start planning the holidays we offer many months in significant proportion of the services you have booked after (iv) On occasions, we may be asked by suppliers to make advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and you depart, we will make alternative arrangements for you payment to them earlier than normal. Such requests may, correct errors in itineraries and other details both before at no extra charge, or, if this is impossible, or you do not for example, be made in order to secure accommodation and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel accept these alternative arrangements for a good reason, and other services during periods of peak demand. Whilst confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid we will provide you with transport back to the point where suppliers may have no contractual right to make such changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do your holiday arrangements with us commenced. If we are requests, failure to comply with them may result in the loss so. However, we promise we will only cancel your forced by ‘force majeure’ (see clause 5) to change or of confirmed arrangements. Where this situation arises, we confirmed booking after balance due date where you have terminate your holiday after departure but before the reserve the right to ask you to make payment of the failed to comply with any requirement of these booking scheduled end of your time away, we regret we will be requested sum within a stipulated period and prior to conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying on time) or unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds balance due date. We will of course endeavour to avoid where we are forced to do so as a result of ‘force majeure’ from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any doing so if we can. Any such early payment will be non as defined in clause 5 below. We will not cancel after this costs or expenses you incur as a result except as set out refundable except as set out in clause 4. date for any other reason. above.
(v) If you are booking your holiday through one of our Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a 5. Force majeure authorised travel agents the balance must be paid to the ‘significant change’. A significant change is a change made Except as set out in these terms and conditions, we cannot agent two weeks prior to the applicable balance due date as before departure which, taking account of the information accept liability or pay any compensation where the specified on the invoice and quotation. All payments made you give us at the time of booking and which we can performance or prompt performance of our contractual to one of our authorised travel agents for the arrangements reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise General Information suffer any loss or damage (as more fully described in clause (c) an event or circumstance which we or the supplier of 8. Flights and your responsibility 7 (i) below) as a result of circumstances amounting to the service(s) in question could not have predicted or The flight details shown in your itinerary quotation are for ‘force majeure’. In these terms and conditions ‘force avoided even after taking all reasonable care (see clause 5) guidance only and are subject to change. Final details will be majeure’ means any event or circumstances which we or confirmed on your travel documentation, sent the supplier of the services in question could not foresee (d) the fault of anyone who is not carrying out work for us approximately 14 days prior to departure. The times or avoid even with all due care. Such events and (generally or in particular) at the time. shown on all tickets are local times and check in for both circumstances may include, whether actual or threatened, outward and return flights is at least 3 hours prior to the war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by In addition, we will not be responsible where you do not departure times on the travel documents. It is possible that governments or governing authority, technical or enjoy your holiday or suffer any problems because of a flight times may be changed even after tickets have been maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules reason you did not tell us about when you booked your dispatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity, holiday or where any problems you suffer did not result occurs. industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, from any breach of our contract or other fault of ourselves epidemics/pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire and or, where we were responsible for them, our suppliers or In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 all similar events outside our control. agents or where any losses, expenses, costs or other sum Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the you have suffered relate to any business. existence of a “Community list” which contains details of 6. Surcharges air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed Please note: we cannot accept responsibility for any EU. The Community list is available for inspection at at the time of booking, we will only increase or decrease it services which do not form part of our contract. This http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/ in the following circumstances. Price increases or decreases includes, for example, any additional services or facilities flywell_en.htm. In accordance with EU Regulations we are after booking will be passed on by way of a surcharge or which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the refund. A surcharge or refund (as applicable) will be for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will payable, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our brochure and we have not agreed to arrange them as operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are transportation costs (e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any part of our contract and any excursion you purchase during only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of other airline surcharges which are part of the contract your holiday. booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing (ii) The promises we make to you about the services we to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the airports change. and the laws and regulations of the country in which your carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase deciding whether the services in question had been which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise alternative the provisions of clause 4 will apply. Any change (excluding any amendment charges), will we levy a to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost regulations applicable to those services at the time, the type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), you services will be treated as having been properly provided. other arrangements without paying our normal charges will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full This will be the case even if the services did not comply except where specified in these conditions. refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any with the laws and regulations of the UK which would have amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another applied had those services been provided in the UK. The We can accept no responsibility if you arrive late for the holiday from us as referred to in clause 4 ‘If we change your exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns check in and miss your flight as a result nor can we accept holiday’. Please note that travel arrangements are not the absence of a safety feature which might lead a responsibility for any loss by you of your holiday/flight travel always purchased in local currency and some apparent reasonable holiday maker to refuse to take the holiday in tickets, vouchers or coupons. changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to question. contractual and other protection in place. Air travel is subject to operational decisions of carriers and (iii) We limit the maximum amount we may have to pay airports which may result in delays and diversions. Please A refund will only be payable if the decrease in our costs you for any and all claims or parts of claims which do not note that minor carriers sometimes change the departure exceeds 2% as set out above. Where a refund is due, we involve personal injury, illness or death. Except where loss time of short-haul or domestic flights at short notice, and in will pay you the full amount of the decrease in our costs. of and/or damage to luggage or personal possessions is some instances, schedules shown in the computers of concerned or a lower limitation of liability applies to your intercontinental carriers differ from those actually flown by You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the claim, the maximum amount we will have to pay you for smaller local carriers. We advise you that it is your surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel or such non personal injury claims if we are found liable to you responsibility to be meticulous in locally reconfirming purchase another holiday where applicable. If you do not on any basis is twice the price (excluding any amendment directly with the carrier operating the flight. We accept no tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in liability for the consequences of flights missed owing to the are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any total. This maximum amount will only be payable where passenger’s failure to reconfirm. surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the everything has gone wrong and you have not received any holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the benefit at all from your holiday. Clients flying in economy class to long-haul destinations surcharge invoice, whichever is the later. should be aware that flights are often full and you may not Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any be able to get seats together. We also recommend that We reserve the right to make changes to and correct luggage or personal possessions (including money), the you check in early for a long flight, and in any case not less errors in quoted prices at any time before your holiday is maximum amount we will have to pay you is £150 per than 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. confirmed. We will advise you of any error of which we are person affected as you are assumed to have taken out aware and of the then applicable price at the time of adequate insurance at the time of booking. Please also see If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is booking. clause 7(iv) below. downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in circumstances which would entitle you to claim (iv) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is compensation or any other payment from the airline under 7. Our responsibility based on any travel arrangements (including the process of EC Regulation No 261/2004 - the Denied Boarding (i) We promise to make sure that all parts of the holiday getting on and/or off the transport concerned) provided by Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the we have agreed to arrange, perform or provide as part of any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you our contract with you are arranged, performed or maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay receive or are entitled to receive from the airline provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full subject to these booking conditions, we will accept that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not concerned would have to pay under the international or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the convention or regulation which applies to the travel distress, inconvenience or effect on any other failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to arrangements or hotel stay in question (for example, the arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or Warsaw Convention as amended for international travel by your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday air and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by other arrangements even where those arrangements have arrangements. Please note, it is your responsibility to show an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish for national and international travel by air, the Athens liability to make any payment to you in relation to the to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be Convention for international travel by sea and COTIF, the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers Convention on International Travel by Rail). Please note: cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make denial of any boarding as the full amount of your course of their employment (for employees) or carrying any payment to you under the applicable International entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as out work we had asked them to do (for agents and Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a dealt with above) is covered by the airline's obligations suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If your airline does death, loss (including loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any not comply with these rules, you should complain to the cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061 which results from any of the following:- have received or are entitled to receive from the transport www.auc.org.uk provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. (a) the fault of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of We cannot accept liability for any delay unless it has a their party or (v) You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all material effect on your holiday arrangements. See clause 4. assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us (b) the fault of a third party not connected with the and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint provision of your holiday which we could not have as set out in clause 9 below. predicted or avoided or General Information
You undertake to behave with propriety and in such a on a particular itinerary or programme, this information 14. Prices and Brochure Accuracy manner as in no way causes or is likely to cause distress, should be regarded as a term of the contract. Please note, the information and prices shown in our danger or annoyance to other clients and/or any third party brochures and/or quotations may have changed by the time or damage to property. If, in the view of ourselves, our The hotel classifications given in our brochure, quotations you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is employees, agents or suppliers, you are in breach of this and dossiers and fact sheets are for guidance only. They are made to ensure the accuracy of the brochures, quotations clause, we reserve the right to terminate your contract and not based on any national or international classification and prices at the time of printing or when they are given to neither we nor the providers of any of the services in system, they are the opinions of our staff or agents and are you, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must question will have any further contractual obligations to you quite subjective. therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen either in respect of covering any expenses, paying any holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. compensation or refunds, or arranging for your return 11. Special requests home. If you have any special request, you must advise us in 15. Honeymoon Gift Service writing at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour All honeymoon bookings and use of Audley's Honeymoon When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, Gift Service are subject to our terms & conditions. It is damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such we regret we cannot guarantee any request will be met important to note that in the unfortunate event of the damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely unless we have specifically confirmed this. For your own cancellation of your booking you will be responsible for all known) must be paid direct at the time to the protection, you should obtain confirmation in writing from cancellation charges as detailed in our Terms & Conditions. accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If the us that your request will be complied with (where it is Audley also reserve the right to charge a £150 actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid possible for us to give this) if your request is important to administration fee to cover refunding all monies to your where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. you. Confirmation that a special request has been noted or guests. These refunds will only be made once all If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special cancellation charges have been paid. As the client, you will will be refunded. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible request on your confirmation invoice or any other take on the responsibility for the full payment of the for meeting any claims subsequently made against us documentation is not confirmation that the request will be booking as the amount of your guest contributions cannot (together with our own and the other party’s full legal met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special be guaranteed. costs) as a result of your actions. requests are subject to availability. Audley Travel Group Limited. Registered Address: New You must ensure that all your travel documents, full We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. Mill, New Mill Lane, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 9SX. passports, visas, vaccination certificates, currency and any booking which is specified to be conditional on the Registered in England with Company Reg. No. 3190720. travellers cheques are in order and valid for travel. All costs fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be VAT Reg. No.676420523. October 2009 incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by treated as ‘standard’ bookings subject to the above you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are provisions on special requests. refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. We If you have any medical problem or disability which may are able to give general advice on these matters for British affect your holiday, please tell us before you confirm your citizens holding a British passport. However, non-British booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the citizens and non British passport holders should check with chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full their embassy or consulate vis-a-vis current requirements. details in writing at the time of booking. You must also See also our General Information section. promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents has been confirmed. If we reasonably feel unable to results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being properly accommodate the particular needs of the person imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us concerned, we must reserve the right to decline their accordingly. reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details. The name on your airline tickets must be the name that appears on your full passport. 12. Your financial protection We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) issued Please note that if you believe that we have stated orally by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 4817). that a particular facility or service should be available, but is When you buy an ATOL protected air inclusive holiday* not in the brochure or in writing from us, please make from us, you will receive a confirmation invoice from us (or reference to it on the booking form so that we may via our authorised agent through which you booked) confirm it to you when accepting your booking. confirming your arrangements and your protection under our ATOL. In the unlikely event of our insolvency the CAA 9. Complaints will ensure that you are not left stranded abroad and will Should you have any complaints about any aspect of your arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an holiday arrangements, you must inform our local advance booking. representative or tour leader immediately and the supplier of the arrangements concerned. Problems can most easily * The air inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL be dealt with on the spot. Please note, if you do not report protected providing either the person who pays for the a problem or complaint which, if it had been reported at booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the time it occurred could have been resolved there and the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you then we cannot accept any liability in respect of that commences in the UK. For further information, visit the problem or complaint. It is sensible to expect a client ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk travelling in the developing world to be reasonably resourceful if things go wrong. If you experience any Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will difficulties, contact us in the UK on our 24 hour emergency be protected by the ATOL scheme. Those arrangements telephone service. The number will be found on your pre- which are not protected by our ATOL are covered by departure information and with your tickets. In the unlikely insurance arranged by AmTrust Europe Ltd. This insurance event that an acceptable solution cannot be found, you means your money will be refunded or you will be should then write to us within 28 days of your return with returned to the starting point of your contracted full details of your complaint. If you fail to follow this arrangements if already abroad in the unlikely event of our complaints procedure, your right to claim the being unable to provide your holiday due to our insolvency. compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to For further details visit www.audleytravel.com/protect may be affected or even lost as a result. Please ask us to confirm what protection will apply to your If we cannot reach an amicable solution to any dispute you booking. do have the right to refer the dispute to the Association of Independent Tour Operators which operates an 13. Excursions Independent Dispute Service (details on request) for Please note that we do not provide or arrange excursions resolution of the dispute by a mediator provided the claim other than those listed in your itinerary and forming part of does not involve personal accident, injury or illness. the arrangements booked and paid for in the UK. Our local representatives or guides may put you in touch with local 10. The brochure and quotation organisers of excursions if you request but we can have no We have taken every care in ensuring that the information liability for such excursions, as your contract for such in the brochure and given in quotations/itineraries is excursions will be with a local company providing the correct at the time of publication. However we are sure services and not with us. you will appreciate that subsequently minor alterations may arise. We reserve the right to change any of the prices, services or other particulars contained in this brochure or any quotation at any time before we enter into a contract with you. If there is any change we will notify you before we enter into such contract. Where we state that additional information, a fact sheet or a dossier is available