Useful Information

Trip Dossiers and Booking

Limited space only allows us to give you an outline of each tour in this brochure, but comprehensive Trip Dossiers are available for all our holidays. They include a detailed day-to-day itinerary, fascinating background information on the history, geology and culture of the area, visa and vaccination requirements and other useful information such as local food, customs and a suggested equipment list. These are available from our website or we can email, fax or post them to you. Once you are ready to book you will find all you need to book online.

What We Include

The information box, printed beside each itinerary, shows you what we include in our prices. All 2009 prices are subject to confirmation. We do not believe in hidden costs and aim to include as much as possible which usually means flights, transfers, guiding, park fees, most meals and tours of interesting sights. Some of our more flexible trips are priced 'land only' due to the variety of different airports and airlines available. Airfares for these trips are easily provided on request. The usual exclusions are main meals in towns (thus allowing flexibility for different palates), tips, drinks, local departure tax (if applicable), visas and insurance. All these are very clearly stated in the individual Trip Dossiers so there can be no confusion or nasty surprises. We do not charge local payments or late booking fees.

Group Size

The maximum number in any of our scheduled groups will be 16. This ensures that we do not swamp the areas that we visit and that everyone can easily get to know one another. Of course if you are organising a private group, the numbers will be flexible and determined by you. Most of our tours are budgeted to run with numbers as small as three or four people (and in some case just two). In this way we hope not to cancel tours if numbers are low.

Tour Leaders

Smaller groups will normally be led by an English-speaking local guide who usually proves extremely popular with our customers. Occasionally if numbers are deemed large enough (usually more than nine passengers), then a European leader may be sent out to accompany the tour as well. We place great emphasis on experience, knowledge and 'people skills' with our leaders and are happy to receive excellent feedback from clients on their return home with many leaders actually being requested to accompany the same clients on their next trip!

Single Travellers

There is no compulsory single supplement charged to join one of our group tours - and many solo travellers do join us! You will share with a (hopefully) like-minded person of the same sex. Even open dated selfguided trips or extensions can usually be organised for people travelling alone although the price will inevitably vary from the two-person rate. If however you would prefer a single room or tent on a group departure then we can arrange this for the price shown in the information box beside each trip (subject to availability). In this case please indicate that you wish to pay the single supplement on the booking form.

Accommodation

We prefer to use 'character' hotels, lodges and guesthouses often in the more interesting parts of villages offering simple but clean accommodation. These will frequently be in historical buildings run by friendly locals thus avoiding the anonymity attached to chain hotels on the outskirts of towns. Our trips involve a huge variety of types of accommodation and you may well find yourself staying in restored Mediterranean villas, scenic mountain refuges and gites, traditional haciendas, simple jungle cabanas, opulent heritage hotels, luxurious safari lodges, unique eco-camps - even a Bedouin camp!

Flights

We believe in using the services of reputable scheduled airlines to all our destinations (with the exception of some European locations, for which we use reliable charter or occasionally low-cost airlines). The fares are usually discounted or group-based which may incur restrictions as regards route, validity and stopovers should you wish to deviate from the organised flights. We can also usually arrange 'add-on' flights for an additional cost if you prefer to fly from a regional airport although we are restricted as to which ones according to the airline contract. Please note that although you are welcome to arrange your own 'add-on' flight we are not responsible for missed connections due to delays or schedule changes. Due to the variety of tours that we offer and possible changes to airlines' schedules, we do not state details of airlines and flights times in this brochure. These details will be given in your booking confirmation and reconfirmed in your Final Joining Instructions, sent with your tickets two weeks before departure. Please remember however that airlines are permitted to change their schedules right up until departure - this is out of our control as are baggage handlers or airline strikes, lost luggage etc...although we will always do our best to rectify the situation for you.

Land Only

Should you wish to arrange your own flights we will gladly quote you a 'land only' price on request. This will not include arrival or departure airport transfers, with the occasional exception where transfers are an integral part of the trip. Please contact us for further details. If you are travelling on one of our scheduled group departures please do not book any non-refundable travel arrangements until the trip is guaranteed to operate which will be six weeks prior to departure - please contact us if you require further advice.

Early Booking

Not a sales tactic but an earnest plea to book in advance if you want to be certain of a place on the trip that you want on the dates that you prefer. We cannot emphasise enough how important early booking is. Ultimately airline availability is out of our control and we find it extremely frustrating to be able to offer a holiday but with no means of reaching the destination if the flight is sold out. We have access to the airline reservation system and are quite happy to hold seats for people for a limited period whilst final details are arranged - better this way round than to try to book flights too late! Certain destinations, such as Kathmandu, Kilimanjaro and Lima, and peak times, such as Christmas and school holidays, are particularly notorious so please do call us in advance to reserve your space. However if circumstances decree that you are unable to commit until close to departure date please do contact us, or check the STOP PRESS section of our website, for last minute availability. We do not charge a basic late booking fee. Any additional surcharge for late booking comes directly from the airline if the cheaper seats have sold out.

Airport Taxes

Pre-payable airport taxes (correct in October 2007) are included in the prices in this brochure. These however are subject to change beyond our control, and on rare occasions may result in an increase in the cost of the holiday. Certain countries impose a local departure tax payable locally usually in the local currency - we detail these amounts in the individual Trip Dossiers although they do occasionally change without notice.

Kitbags, Fleeces, Hats and 'Nomad' Vouchers

We provide a strong, complimentary kitbag for all our passengers on supported treks in which to pack your entire personal luggage. These are especially useful on treks where porters or pack animals are used to carry your belongings. They are similar to general sports hold-alls and have a 70-litre capacity.

As an alternative for clients who already have one of our bags, for people where some backpacking is required or for those who would simply prefer to use suitcases (on vehicle-supported or centre-based trips) we also offer good quality micro-fleeces (S-XL, male and female design) in black with an embroidered Walks Worldwide logo. A local manufacturer makes these especially for us.

For clients on their third trip or more we will send you a voucher to spend at Nomad Travel Stores. Nomad provides an excellent range of goods for travellers and the voucher we send you can be used online at www.nomadtravel.co.uk.

You will also receive one of our good quality Walks Worldwide beanie hats - useful whatever the weather!

Delivery charges will apply to overseas clients. All of the above are also available for purchase from our office. Kitbags - £17 Microfleeces - £17 'Beanie' Hats - £5

Client Loyalty Scheme

Due to an increasing number of clients who choose to travel several times a year with us we are pleased to offer a client loyalty scheme to all our regular travellers! For each additional holiday booked directly with Walks Worldwide and taken in the same calendar year we will offer a discount of 5%. Just reserve your trip with the usual deposit (£100 or 10% whichever is greater) and we will adjust the balance to show this reduction in your confirmation invoice.

Visas and Vaccinations

Our individual Trip Dossiers detail requirements for visas and recommendations for vaccinations. Passports should have at least 6 months validity. We regret we are unable to acquire your visa for you. Please be aware that certain visas do take some weeks to process and allow the appropriate time before departure. Similarly some inoculations require a gap between first and second injections - you should consult your doctor who will be able to offer you the most sensible, up-to-date advice.

Know Before You Go

As a partner in the Know Before You Go campaign, we are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Before you go overseas, check out the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo. It is packed with essential travel advice, tips and up-to-date country information.

Equipment Hire

We are able to supply for hire those items of personal equipment listed below. This could save you considerable expense if you do not own these items. You should consult the equipment list provided within each Trip Dossier to help you decide exactly what you will need.

• Sleeping bag and liner £40
• Down jacket £30
• 55-litre backpack £30
• 30-litre daypack £20
• 'Karrimat' sleeping mattress £5
• Lightweight inflatable sleeping mattress £15
• Breathable waterproof jacket & trousers £20

Prices include VAT and delivery. Please contact us if you wish to hire any equipment.

Equipment Purchase

Lowe Alpine - for quality trekking clothing and rucksacks: www.lowealpine.com

Rab - for superior Down jackets and sleeping-bags: www.rab.uk.com

Terra Nova and Extremities - for exceptional tents and accessories www.terra-nova.co.uk

All the above suppliers should have their products available at your local outdoor retailers. If not, please contact the supplier direct.

Click here for Booking Form.