Pre-departure information

Our Pre-Departure Information contains a wealth of information you need to plan for your trip. Please select the category you need.

• Preparing to go
• Arrivals
• General Information
• Ramadan Information

Documentation

The Imaginative Traveller can accept no responsibility for clients who are refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation.

Passports

Check your passport
It is a standard requirement for entry into almost any country that you have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you complete your travels. If your passport has only a few months' validity or only a few pages remaining, it may be wise to apply for a new one before you set off. Bear in mind that visas, plus entry and exit stamps, can be large – some even take up a whole page. If you need to apply for a new passport, make sure you do this well in advance of your travel date. In many countries you will need to show your passport when checking in to hotels, buying airline tickets or changing money.

Make a copy
It is highly recommended that you make a note of your passport details (passport number, visa number and place and date of issue of both), or even better, take a photocopy. Keep this information separate from your passport. If you lose your passport you must report it at once to your Tour Leader, the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate of your country.

Visas

Visa requirements vary from one country to another. They also vary according to nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all visas necessary for your travels. The relevant Trip Dossier will contain information about the specific visa requirements for your chosen tour. It is always preferable to obtain your visa before setting off. Even though some countries will issue a visa on arrival, it can be time-consuming and in the unlikely event that there is something wrong with your passport it is far better to find out before you set off.

Some countries insist that travellers obtain their visas in their home country and can be awkward about issuing visas to those temporarily resident in other countries. You should also be aware that most visas are only valid for a limited period of time from the date of issue. If you are applying for your visa a long way in advance of your planned entry into the country, make sure that the visa will still be valid on the date of your arrival and for the duration of your visit.

Be aware that whilst a few embassies and consulates will issue visas the same day or within 48 hours, it is more usual for visa applications to take several days, or sometimes even weeks. Be very cautious about applying for visas by post. Postal applications tend to be given the lowest priority of all and some embassies have a huge backlog of postal applications. If you make a postal application, we recommend that you send your passport by registered mail / special delivery.

If an address in the destination is required for your visa application, you can use either the address of the Meeting Point hotel, or the address of our local office. Details of these can be found in the Trip Dossier for each trip.

Visa Services
A large number of our travellers have found it beneficial to use a specialist Visa Service. As it is their business to obtain visas every day, these companies build up good working relationships with the various embassies and consulates. They are usually able to obtain a visa more quickly than you would and are particularly useful for some of the more awkward visas. Likewise if a destination is not represented in your home country or if you live too far away to visit an embassy in person, a visa service can be invaluable. Visa service companies do charge, but you should weigh this up against the convenience and time you will save. For further visa information please see our detailed Visa Requirements page.

Check your visa
Check your visa as soon as it has been issued – it is your responsibility to ensure that your visas are correct. Likewise if you applied for a multiple entry visa, check to make sure one was issued. Be aware that possession of a visa does not guarantee you entry into a country. The final decision on whether or not you may enter a country rests with the immigration official to whom you present your passport on arrival.

Travel Documents & Vouchers

When you book a tour you will be issued with a Confirmation Invoice. Please ensure that all the services which you have booked and paid for are shown on your travel documents and that all names have been spelled correctly. If you have booked additional services like extra nights' accommodation, transfers or excursions, please make sure that these are shown on your Confirmation Invoice and that you have been issued with a voucher for these services. (Vouchers are generally sent out one month prior to departure.)

Our staff overseas can only provide the services detailed on your travel documents.

Money

Currency Exchange

There are a wide variety of different ways that you can obtain or carry money overseas, including credit cards, ATM cards and cash. Traveller's cheques are a useful back-up which are popular for security reasons but they can be difficult to change in some countries. For more information on what we recommend for the specific destination that you are travelling to, check your Country Dossier.

Do carry some cash – a small amount is often useful in more remote regions. It is a good idea to obtain a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival as this can be very useful for any immediate expenses. If you can’t obtain currency in advance, you will usually find banking services in the Arrivals Hall of the airport, port or border post, though these won’t necessarily be open 24 hours a day.

You should try to carry at least some of your money in small denominations so that you can change only the amount you will actually need. US dollars are widely accepted around the world. This is particularly important near the end of your holiday as it is sometimes difficult to change back surplus local currency.

We regret that regional Imaginative Traveller offices cannot accept traveller's cheques as payment for services booked while on tour. They can accept Visa and Mastercard, subject to a minimum transaction of £100 (US$150). The only exception to this is the Local Payment which must be paid in cash, usually in US dollars. Please see the Trip Dossier for details.

Currency Declaration Forms
Some countries still have regulations restricting the flow of their currency and require all visitors to complete currency exchange documents. In most countries this requirement only applies if you are bringing in a large amount of money. If you do have to complete one of these documents don’t lose it, as you may be required to present it upon departure.

Imtrav Travel Tip
Take along a little bit more money than you think you will actually need, just in case – you don’t have to spend it. Remember, few insurance policies will provide you with instant cash in an emergency and you cannot count on borrowing money from fellow travellers.

Safety

By choosing to travel with Imaginative Traveller you can be sure that your safety and well-being is our prime concern. Over the years we have built up a network of local offices, and a team of Destination Managers, local and non-local staff enables us to maintain constant contact with events on the ground in each of our destinations, and to ensure that every aspect of your tour runs as smoothly as possible. As a UK-based operator we also abide by the advice of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) at all times. For travel information and current FCO advice visit http://www.fco.gov.uk .

If you find yourself worrying far too much about all the terrible things that might happen to you while travelling overseas, remember that generally overseas travel is very safe and group travel even more so. If you have not done much travelling before, a few simple guidelines may be useful:

Personal Safety

• Enjoy your time in a new environment – don’t worry yourself sick.
• Conversely, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security.
• The best advice is simply to take the same precautions you would when travelling in your own country.

Your Belongings

• Although it can be traumatic and distressing to lose personal belongings, remember that almost everything can be replaced.
• Your valuables are your responsibility so look after them. Keep items like cash, traveller's cheques, tickets and passports on your person in a hidden money belt or stored in the hotel safe.
• Leave all non-essential jewellery at home.

Working out your budget

It is impossible to state exactly how much money you will need during your trip but hopefully the following will help you identify things to consider when budgeting.

International Flights

The tour prices listed in our brochures are for land content only. International flights are not included. Regional, domestic and international flights are included in some itineraries. Consult the relevant Trip Dossier for more details.

Insurance
Our tour prices do not include insurance. However, it is a condition of joining our tours that travellers are fully insured for any medical expenses they might incur while travelling. At the start of your tour the Tour Leader will ask to see your insurance documents and will note down the policy number and emergency contact number.

We recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers repatriation and evacuation in case of a medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment as well as covering baggage and valuables. If your tour involves certain adventurous activities (i.e. trekking, whitewater rafting, house building or scuba diving etc.) you will need to make sure your policy specifically covers these activities. You may also need specific cover for expensive camera equipment.

Many credit card companies offer complementary travel insurance. However the majority of such policies offer virtually no cover and cannot be accepted as adequate travel insurance. If you are planning on using credit card insurance you must bring along proof that the policy covers medical emergencies. Failure to be able to provide such proof to the Tour Leader will result in you being compelled to purchase a new approved policy before you can join the tour. If your travel insurance was not purchased from Imaginative Traveller or our agents, you will be required to sign a waiver absolving the company and its agents should your policy not be adequate.

Any clients unable to provide proof of adequate travel insurance cover will be required to purchase a policy or will not be allowed to join the tour.

Most insurers require a local police report to support claims for loss of or damage to personal property. Our office can only issue a letter verifying that personal items have been lost or damaged on tour if they are over £25 (US$35) in value and the tour leader was informed of the loss or damage at the time that it occurred.

Tipping Kitty
We operate a Tipping Kitty system on almost all our group tours. This system has evolved over a number of years to save you money and avoid embarrassment in countries where tipping is a way of life and where requests for tips can be persistent.

For information on how much to allow for the Tipping Kitty, see your Trip Dossier. Each member of the group contributes to the Tipping Kitty and this is then used to pay tips to any people who provide services to the group as a whole, such as guides, porters, drivers, sailors, housekeeping staff in hotels, and so on. The Tour Leader administers these tips and keeps a detailed record of how the tipping funds are distributed. These are open accounts so feel free to ask to see them. Please note that the Tipping Kitty system can’t guarantee that you won’t be pestered for tips. Direct such people to your Tour Leader.

Border Taxes
Many countries impose taxes on travellers arriving and departing. These are sometimes, but not always, included in the price of your airline ticket if you are arriving or departing by air. However, if your tour involves entering or leaving countries by land or sea there will almost certainly be border taxes to pay. Refer to your Trip Dossier for details of any taxes applicable to your tour. These taxes are not included in the tour price.

Entrance Fees
Concessions are available on some entrance fees for holders of some student and youth cards. If you have a card, or are entitled to one, you should bring it along so you can take advantage of any discounts.

Local Payment
All our tours include a Local Payment which must be paid to your Tour Leader in cash on Day 1 of the tour. The Local Payment is an integral part of your tour cost. By structuring your payment in this way we are able to keep the Local Payment in the destination where it is needed, avoiding costly bank charges and administration overheads, which in turn means we can pass this saving on to our clients. Please refer to the brochure or the Trip Dossier for details of the amount and currency. We regret that traveller's cheques and credit cards cannot be accepted.

Optional Excursions, Free Time, Meals & Drinks
Details about optional excursions, free time and meals are given in each Trip Dossier. Please consult the relevant dossier to find out how much free time the trip involves and to work out how much you will need for meals and excursions that are not included.

Health & Medical

Vaccinations

It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. To find out which, if any, vaccinations are mandatory or recommended for your destination contact your local doctor, Immunisation Centre or Medical Centre for up-to-date information. If you need to arrange vaccinations or a supply of preventative medicine (e.g. malaria tablets), you should contact your doctor at least two months before you depart. Some inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer the full course.

Carry your certificate
You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination for each vaccination. Always carry these with you on your travels; they could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling.

Malaria
Malaria is common in many parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Protection is in the form of tablets, taken either daily or weekly, or both. The course of tablets should normally begin 1-2 weeks before you depart, continue throughout your travels and for 4 weeks after your return, depending on the brand. Although you can obtain tablets from most pharmacies without prescription, you must check that they are appropriate for the area you are visiting. There are many different strains of malaria and a large number of them are drug-resistant. It may be necessary for you to take a combination of tablets for the region you are visiting.

No malaria tablets guarantee complete protection. The most effective protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten. Mosquitoes mostly bite at dusk and dawn so cover up and wear long trousers, long sleeves and socks at these times. You should take a good insect repellent and apply it liberally. Repellents with a high concentration of DEET (at least 35%) are generally considered the most effective.

Diarrhoea
Sampling the local food and drink is one of the highlights of travelling. In most cases the food is freshly prepared for you and is completely safe to eat. However, it will probably contain ingredients that you are not familiar with or may be prepared in a different way. This change in diet is one of the most common causes of travellers' diarrhoea.

You can reduce the likelihood of suffering diarrhoea if you treat food and drink with caution – at least in the early stages of your travels. In many countries it is not recommended that you drink tap water but buy bottled water instead, which is usually very cheap. Beware of ice in drinks and make sure you wash your hands frequently. Antibacterial gel or wipes can be very useful. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a bout of “Montezuma's Revenge” or “Delhi Belly” you should be careful not to become dehydrated.

In general we do not recommend the use of anti-diarrhoea pills as in most cases they do not cure the problem, but merely put it on hold. However, there are situations where blocking up your system may be desirable – for instance if you are embarking on a long bus ride.

Diarrhoea which lasts for longer than 48-72 hours, shows signs of blood or mucus or which is concurrent with other symptoms, such as a headache or high temperature, should always be taken seriously. Seek medical advice. (Your Tour Leader can assist you with this.)

Dehydration
In deserts, in the tropics and at high altitude, your body can lose a lot of water. Dehydration also occurs when you are suffering from diarrhoea. The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids.

In most countries you can obtain rehydration salts or electrolyte solution. Although these do not taste great, they restore the salts lost by your body. You can also make your own rehydration mixture by adding 8 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 litre of clean water.

Sunstroke / Heatstroke
It is easy to underestimate the strength of the sun, particularly when you are busy sightseeing. Until you have become acclimatised you should try not to overdo your exposure to the sun and if you go out during the hotter parts of the day, cover up and wear a hat. Use a sun cream or sunblock that is appropriate for your skin type and reapply it frequently. Drink plenty of water – far more than you would normally do at home.

Altitude Sickness
This condition can affect you at altitudes of 3,000 metres and higher. Your Trip Dossier will contain more detailed information if your trek goes above this altitude. Drugs are available to treat the effects of altitude sickness and you should refer to your doctor for more details. Please note our Tour Leaders do not carry this type of medication.

On many trips in Tibet and Nepal we carry a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) which can be used when conditions do not allow for an immediate descent. The PAC works by increasing pressure inside the chamber using a foot pump. At high altitude this increased pressure delivers a therapeutically significant amount of extra oxygen which simulates a descent.

Personal Medical Kits
It is up to you to bring along a personal supply of basic medical items like plasters, aspirin, insect repellent etc. In areas of limited or suspect medical facilities, some travellers also like to take their own emergency medical kit which can be used by the local medical staff in case of accident or illness. Our Tour Leaders carry a comprehensive First Aid Kit (including a sterile pack) for emergencies, but do not dispense medicines.

Existing Medical Conditions
All persons joining our tours are assumed to be in good health and to have a sufficient level of fitness to complete their chosen itinerary. If you have an existing medical condition or disability you must make this known at the time of booking. If accepted on the tour, you must also make your condition known to the Tour Leader.

The Imaginative Traveller reserves the right to turn away, without recompense, any person who is found, at any time during their trip, to have concealed an existing medical condition. We also reserve the right to turn away any person who we consider incapable of completing the trip.

If you are taking any form of medication, please make sure that you bring with you an adequate supply to last the duration of your holiday and inform your Tour Leader at the start of the tour. You might not be able to obtain suitable medication in the countries you are visiting.

What to Pack

Travel Light

The first thing to remember when you are packing for your trip is that your airline baggage allowance is almost certainly going to be no more than 20kg. The next thing to remember is that apart from a few occasions when hotel porters will take your bags from the hotel out to a tour bus, you will have to carry your own luggage.

Don't pack more than you can comfortably carry.

On some tours there may be specific weight and size restrictions for luggage due to weight limits for porters or the size of storage areas in vehicles. Refer to your Trip Dossier for details.

Room for Souvenirs
It is almost inevitable that you will want to buy souvenirs of some sort so make sure that you leave space for this in your luggage. We strongly recommend that you carry all souvenirs with you rather than requesting shopkeepers to ship them home for you, since if you leave your souvenirs behind, they may never arrive, or you could be hit with additional charges such as customs clearance or storage fees. We can accept no responsibility for any lost items or additional charges if you arrange for your purchases to be shipped.

Luggage
For ease of use, the best type of bag to bring is a backpack or a holdall, preferably with some sort of shoulder strap. This type of bag tends to be less bulky and easier to handle than rigid suitcases. Wheeled suitcases might be useful for airport concourses, but not for anywhere else.

In addition to your main bag, we also recommend that you bring:

• A smaller day pack for items like camera, water, sun cream, hat, etc.
• A money belt or waist pouch (bum bag) for your travel documents and money.

Your luggage, bags and personal belongings are your own responsibility at all times.

Luggage checklist

As a guideline we have compiled a list of things that you might need on tour. Naturally you will have your own ideas so please remember that with the exception of The Essentials these lists are only intended as a guide and you should choose which items you wish to bring.

The Essentials

• Trip Dossier
• Country Dossier

Note that these can both be downloaded from our website.

• Passport
• Money

Keep a note of the emergency contact number for your Visa or ATM card, and the serial numbers of any traveller's cheques, if used.

• Travel insurance

Take a photocopy of your policy with you and make sure you leave a photocopy at home.

• Airline ticket
• Vaccination Certificate - if applicable
• Tour meeting point address
• Travel documents / vouchers
• Your travel agent’s phone number

Useful Equipment

• Money belt or pouch
• Water bottle
• Torch and batteries

Essential on camping tours, tours involving felucca cruises, travel to remote areas and tours with homestays.

• Plastic bags for storage
• Personal washing / shaving kit(¦)
• Camera and film / memory cards
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Travel plug / international adapter
• Swiss Army Knife / Leatherman(¦)
• Sewing kit(¦)
• Travel alarm
• Antibacterial gel / wipes
• Writing materials
• Sun hat
• Headscarf / sarong
• Lightweight wind / waterproof jacket

(¦) Ensure these are packed in your main bag, not hand luggage, for the flight.

There are some items of equipment, e.g. sleeping bags, which you will need on some tours. Check the Trip Dossier for any special luggage requirements.

Medical / Personal

• Insect repellent
• Sun cream or sunblock
• Lip balm
• Moisturiser / After Sun lotion
• Personal medical supplies

Aspirin, paracetamol, plasters, bandage, safety pins, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea tablets, tampons, condoms etc. Our Tour Leaders carry comprehensive First Aid Kits but these are for emergency use only.

• Antihistamine / insect bite cream
• Rehydration solution
• Personal medication

If you are taking any medication or have a condition that needs specific medicines (e.g. asthma) you must take all necessary medicines with you. You must also inform your Tour Leader of your condition at the start of your tour.

• Contact lens solution

If you wear contact lenses, dust can be a big problem. If you are on a long trip you should also take the prescription for your glasses.

• Spare pair of glasses, if worn.

Clothing
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, hard-wearing and easily washed. Almost everyone brings too many clothes so try to travel as light as possible.

If you are travelling to a hot country we recommend that you take loose fitting clothing, preferably made of cotton, as this will help you to keep cool. Bear in mind even tropical countries can get cold at night.

More specific dress requirements can be found in the relevant Country Dossier.

Footwear
Almost all our tours involve some walking or hiking so it is important to bring footwear that is suitable and also comfortable. The question of whether to bring hiking boots is a tricky one to answer. You should consult your Trip Dossier for a detailed description of any hiking and trekking on the tour and then decide on what you think you will be most comfortable in. This may be hiking boots, cross trainers or some other trusty footwear.

• Lightweight hiking boots

If you decide to take hiking boots, it is vital that you wear them in before you travel. You should also bring spare laces.

• Comfortable shoes

Deck shoes, cross trainers, desert boots etc. for everyday use (a good idea if you also bring hiking boots).

• Sandals

(or thongs, flip-flops, jandals, pita-patas etc, depending where you are from.)

Laundry
Most of the hotels that we use have a laundry service and, generally speaking, it is not too expensive. Tours often spend two or more days in the same town allowing plenty of time for laundry. You will find it more convenient to travel light and have your clothes laundered (or wash them yourself) than to bring too many changes of outfit.

As the saying goes, once you are all packed and ready to leave, you should discard half your luggage and take twice as much money!

Photography

Special Permits
Occasionally some historical sites have a charge for taking your camera on site, and others prohibit cameras altogether. Often flash photography is prohibited (even if you have bought a permit). Rules for video cameras are usually more restrictive than for still cameras. Video cameras must be declared to customs on arrival in many countries and special permits are often necessary for use at historical sites.

Film & Digital
Film may not always be available locally and can be of variable quality, so you should bring plenty with you. If you use digital, ensure you have an adequate supply of memory cards. Many internet cafés or photo shops can burn memory cards onto CD, but do not delete any images from the card until you have seen the CD on a different computer. Take spare batteries, especially if they are of an unusual size. Two sets of rechargables are best so one set is always full. Don't forget to take the charger as well as a travel plug adapter.

Local Sensitivities
Most people are happy to have their photo taken. You should, however, be respectful of people's right to privacy, and of cultural differences. Women in Muslim cultures are often unwilling to have their picture taken. If somebody objects to you photographing them, always respect their wishes. If in doubt as to whether you should photograph something, consult your Tour Leader.

Sometimes people will demand payment in return for you photographing them. This is a difficult issue, since while it can in some ways perpetuate a begging culture, often giving them a small tip would be appreciated. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise on the best practice locally.

Forbidden Pictures
Do not take any pictures of military installations or personnel. Similarly be cautious if photographing bridges, dams, or anything else of strategic value. Many countries are sensitive about such things and photographing them could be seen as suspicious. In addition we ask that you adhere to our responsible travel policy by not taking pictures of dancing bears, snake charmers or other performing animals, as this encourages such activity.

Camera Care
It is advisable to keep your camera and lenses in a bag or case that will protect them from dust. In the rainforest, damp is a problem – keep it in a sealed bag. Take out adequate insurance for your camera equipment. If your camera is a good one, it is unlikely that your standard travel insurance will cover its value. Specific camera insurance is often prohibitively expensive so a more viable option is to make sure that it (and any other valuables) is covered under your home contents insurance policy.

Guidebooks

As most, if not all, of your transport and accommodation arrangements will be taken care of during the course of your tour, we recommend that you choose a guidebook with a good historical content. This will supplement the information that your Tour Leader provides and can help you gain a better understanding of your destination.

If you are spending time travelling on your own before or after your tour, you may wish to bring along a guidebook that also has more practical information on accommodation, eating out, transportation etc. As well as guidebooks there are some very good travelogues, historical accounts and historical fiction. Many of these make excellent reading at any time. Most good book shops have a section dedicated to travel writing. There are a few suggestions for books in each Country Dossier but the list is far from exhaustive.

The Travel Info section of our website contains links to useful information about your tour and more general information about destinations at http://www.imaginative-traveller.com .

Keeping in Touch

Emergency Contact
If someone needs to contact you while you are on tour, the best method is for them to contact your booking agent, who can then pass on a message. If your booking agent is closed and someone needs to make contact with you urgently, they should telephone our regional office in the area in which you are travelling. Emergency Contact details are shown in each Country Dossier. We recommend that you leave a copy of your Trip and Country Dossiers and details of your booking agent with someone at home.

Phoning Hotels
We do not recommend that you ask friends and relatives to contact you by phoning tour hotels. Receptions are often manned by non-English speaking staff and it is highly unlikely that the person answering the phone would be able to locate you. In addition it is also not possible to give out details of hotels before the tour starts (except for the Meeting Point hotel) as these may be subject to change.

Email
Most of the countries in which we operate have internet cafés or other email access facilities. This is developing all the time and you should consult the relevant Country Dossier for specific details. Your Tour Leader should also be able to advise you of the local facilities.

Mobile Phones
One of the attractions of adventure travel is to take a break from modern lifestyles. We therefore ask that, as a courtesy to other travellers, you switch off the ring tone on your mobile phone and only use it when absolutely necessary. In fact it's probably best to just leave your phone at home – international phone calls can often be made cheaply in internet cafés or from Post Offices in some countries.

Reconfirming Flights
If your travels include more than just your tour with Imaginative Traveller and you are leaving home some time before the start of your tour, please make sure that you leave a contact number and email address with your travel agent so that you can be contacted in an emergency. In certain circumstances, details of the tour arrangements or the Meeting Point hotel may change at the last minute and it may be necessary for us to contact you.

Back to top

Arrivals

Arrival Transfers

Arrival transfers are included in most destinations for all travellers arriving on Day 1 and for all travellers arriving before Day 1 provided the extra nights' accommodation are booked with Imaginative Traveller. Please see your Trip Dossier for information on whether an arrival transfer is included in your tour and how it operates.

If your tour does not include an arrival transfer please consult the Country Dossier for details on how to make your own way to the Meeting Point hotel.

Departure Transfers

We do offer the option of booking a departure transfer at the end of your trip, but realistically this will cost more than you arranging it yourself. By the end of the tour you will probably feel comfortable enough to arrange your own transport to the airport. If you require any assistance the Tour Leader will be happy to advise you.

If your tour does not include an arrival transfer or if you are not eligible for one, we can usually arrange this for you, but there will be a charge. Please ask your travel agent for details. This service should be booked at the same time as you make your tour booking. Although it is possible to add extra services at a later date, we do reserve the right to charge a £25 administration fee for any changes to the original booking.

Please note that if your arrival coincides with one of our airport transfers, but you have not booked this service, it is not possible to hitch a ride in the pre-booked transportation.

If you are eligible for a complementary transfer or have booked a transfer you should follow the procedures outlined below.

Prior to Departure
In order to be able to meet you at the airport, we need to be informed of your flight arrival details well in advance. Please ensure that we have the following information at least 1 month prior to your arrival in order to avoid payment of an administration fee:

• Nationality and passport number
• Airline and flight number
• City of embarkation
• Date and time of arrival

If we do not have this information we cannot meet you. We will not chase you for this information, so please make sure that you or your travel agent provide it in good time.

On Arrival
After clearing Customs & Immigration please look for our representative who will be carrying an Imaginative Traveller sign. In one or two countries they may actually be waiting for you before you reach customs. Please refer to the relevant Country Dossier for the specific details of your destination.

If you do not see our representative immediately, do not worry, he/she is probably attending to other clients and will be with you as soon as possible. He/she will usually wait until all passengers arriving on the same flight (or at the same time) have arrived, then escort you all to the taxi or transfer bus.

If there are only a few people, the transfer to the hotel might be by taxi. Our representative will give the taxi driver specific instructions and will pay for the ride. You do not need to give the driver any money.

What if I am not met?
If you have not made contact with our representative 20 minutes after clearing Customs & Immigration, we advise you to take a taxi to the Meeting Point hotel (see the Making Your Own Way section of the relevant Country Dossier) where you should inform your Tour Leader that you were not met.

We regret that we cannot guarantee to meet you if your flight is rescheduled or heavily delayed.

Making your own way

Taxis
You may have heard stories of the perils of hiring a taxi in an unfamiliar city. A common tale is of taxi drivers telling newly arrived travellers that their hotel is closed down, full or no good and that they know of another, better hotel they can take you to instead. If you hear any stories like this simply insist on being taken to the hotel that is listed as your tour Meeting Point.

It is possible that some taxi drivers may try to overcharge you for the journey you are making. To avoid this you should either insist that the driver switch on the meter or agree a set fare at the start of the journey (consult the relevant Country Dossier for approximate costs of taxis in your destination). If a driver will not agree to either of these requests then you should find an alternative taxi.

If you have any problems once you reach the hotel, go to the reception desk and ask them to contact the Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader. If for any reason the Tour Leader is not at the hotel, the reception staff will help you sort out any queries or problems.

In the interest of comfort and safety it is always best to travel in the rear seat of a taxi. This will not be considered rude by the taxi driver. If the driver insists that you should sit in the front, we recommend that you locate an alternative taxi.

Although the driver may not be wearing a seatbelt, if one is fitted we would advise that you use it.

Arriving at your hotel

Upon arrival at your hotel please report to the reception to check in and the staff will show you to your room. You should find an Imaginative Traveller notice board in the reception area or a letter waiting for you from the Tour Leader (note: if you are arriving before Day 1 this information may not be immediately available). The notice board or letter will include a welcome notice from your Tour Leader, information about how to contact him/her and an outline of the programme for the next 24 hours. It will also tell you when and where to assemble for the Introductory Tour Briefing.

In some countries you may be required to deposit your passport at reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about – just make sure that you retrieve it before you check out of the hotel. You can also leave any valuables in the hotel safe.

Please note: The official check-in time for most hotels around the world is midday. If you reach the hotel earlier than this, you may have to wait for a room to become available.

If you are arriving late at night or in the early hours of the morning and you wish to go straight to your room you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation. For example, if your tour begins on 23rd March and your flight arrives at 01:00am on 23rd March, you’ll need to book an extra night’s accommodation for the night of 22nd March if you wish to use a room before midday on the 23rd.

Pre- and Post-Tour Accommodation

If you require extra nights' accommodation before or after your tour, we will be happy to organise this for you. The rates for this service are shown in the Extra Services section in the back of our brochure. They can also be provided by your travel agent.

Our pre- and post-tour accommodation rates include the cost of a hotel room along with local taxes, booking services and administration expenses. It is therefore likely that hotel rates available locally will be lower than those offered in our brochure. It is not compulsory for you to book your pre- or post-tour accommodation through Imaginative Traveller.

Any extra nights' accommodation required should be booked at the same time that you book your tour. Although it is possible to add extra services at a later date, we do reserve the right to charge a £25 administration fee for any changes to the original booking. We will always try to book extra nights' accommodation in the same hotel that has been designated as the Meeting Point for your tour, but in certain circumstances this may not be possible.

If you have booked extra accommodation you will receive a Hotel Voucher. If your extra accommodation is prior to the start of the tour your voucher should be presented to the hotel reception upon check in. If the extra accommodation is after the end of your tour, the voucher should be presented when the accommodation included in your tour has ended.

If you are travelling alone, additional nights' accommodation will be booked, and must be paid for, on a single room basis.

Lost Luggage

Should you discover upon arrival that your luggage is missing or has been damaged, you should report this immediately to the information desk in the baggage hall. The staff will be able to tell you what the procedure is for reclaiming your luggage and advise you on any forms that may need to be filled in and stamped.

If you experience any problems in dealing with airport officials your Tour Leader will be happy to assist you. However, please remember that lost luggage is a matter between you and the airline / airport authority and the recovery of your luggage is your own responsibility and at your own expense.

Please make sure you do not leave anything behind at any point on the tour or at the end of your holiday. Unfortunately we are not in a position to forward any luggage or other belongings you may leave behind.

Back to top

General Information

Responsible Travel

Since the creation of The Imaginative Traveller in 1991, responsible travel has been a fundamental part of our philosophy. All of our policies, guidelines and projects have one thing in common – to help improve the lives of the people in the countries we visit. We don’t do this on a large scale because the very essence of our style of travel is not about large scale. Instead we choose to remain small, local and hands-on to ensure that our help directly benefits those who need it.

We believe that responsible travel has to be a two way street and that giving back something tangible is essential. We employ a high percentage of locally recruited Destination Managers, Tour Leaders, office staff, guides and drivers, and we choose our overseas partners with care. We are involved in on-going humanitarian and environmental projects in many of our major destinations, including Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Cambodia, India, China and Thailand. For further information email our Responsible Travel Officer on rto@imtrav.net

Our whole ethos is based upon working with local communities, rather than imposing ourselves upon them and we ask that you bear this in mind when travelling with us.

Collection Boxes

You will find collection boxes in most of our frequently used Meeting Point hotels in Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Syria, India, China and South East Asia, so even your leftover currency can make a difference to the local community. All proceeds from the collection boxes will be donated directly to our project in that region.

Traveller's Guidelines

Although we want you to consider the environment, the last thing we want to do is to subject you to endless rules and regulations. Therefore we try very hard to maintain the balance between your enjoyment on our trips, and continued conservation and respect for the local environment. Our travellers' guidelines are not meant as rigid instructions but rather as suggestions to make your holiday more enjoyable – for everybody. These guidelines also support the efforts of our Tour Leaders who are in the best position to lead by example. As cultural and environmental sensitivities vary from country to country more specific guidelines can be found in our Country Dossiers.

• General

Use the Country Dossier and guidebooks to familiarise yourself with the culture and customs of your destination. Learn a few useful words in the local language.

• Begging

Try to avoid giving out money, sweets and pens, especially to children, as this encourages begging. Pens are not in short supply and are cheap to buy. Sometimes locals will give to beggars; if you decide to follow suit, a useful rule is to limit it to the first beggar you see that day. You cannot give to them all.

• Photography

If you wish to photograph somebody, always ask their permission and respect their decision if they decline.

• Dress

How you dress will have a major bearing on how you are regarded. Respect local dress codes. At religious sites you may need to cover your head or remove shoes. Women in particular must take care to adhere to dress codes in Islamic countries to avoid causing offence. The Country Dossier contains specific details.

• Religion

Some religions and customs may seem strange and at times unfathomable, but they are important to the locals so please be respectful.

• Animal Cruelty

In many of the countries we visit you may see examples of animal cruelty such as dancing bears, snake charmers and performing monkeys. Please do not give money or take photographs as this encourages the practice. If we have any concerns over animal welfare on our activities, such as the elephant rides to Amber Fort in India, we refuse to use them.

• Haggling

While it is customary to haggle in many cultures, please remember the shopkeeper has to make a living. Be firm but polite, and never agree on a price but then walk away. Sometimes a shopkeeper will initially quote an outrageous price in the hope that you will offer half. The only way to find out the true value is to ask around locally.

• Local Produce

Try to buy local produce, clothing and souvenirs, rather than imported goods.

• Souvenirs & Artefacts

Use common sense when buying souvenirs. Some animal and plant products are endangered. In addition importing some goods to your home country may be illegal.

• Litter

Use rubbish bins or take it with you. Even if the locals litter, try to avoid doing so yourself.

• Water

Water is a precious resource – don't waste it. If it is necessary to wash in streams, avoid contaminating the water with soap. Rinse off away from the stream – it may be someone else's drinking water.

• Toilets

If there are no toilets available in the wild, make sure you are 30m from a water source, bury waste and burn toilet paper. If there is a fire hazard, take it away with you.

Drugs & the Law

A Word of Warning
The possession or use of any illegal drugs is strictly prohibited in all the countries we visit. When overseas you are subject to local laws and the penalties for breaking the law are severe. In order to safeguard the interests of the group as a whole, our Tour Leaders are instructed to insist that any person found to be in possession of drugs leave the group immediately. The Tour Leader’s decision on this matter is final.

If you need to carry certain drugs with you for purposes of medication, please ensure that you also carry a copy of your prescription.

Onward Travel

Many of our travellers book a tour in conjunction with connecting flights. It is advisable to have all your onward travel arranged before you set off, especially if your travelling time is limited. Bear in mind that flight tickets bought locally are rarely cheaper than they would have been at home and the choice is seldom as good.

Flight Reconfirmation

Reconfirmation of your flight ticket is your responsibility. Please be warned that even if your flight has been reconfirmed, certain airlines may still deny this when you arrive to board the flight – particularly if they have overbooked. You should try to arrive at the airport early and ask for a confirmation reference when reconfirming any flights.

All the information in this document has been compiled with care and is given in good faith. At the time of writing this information is correct to the best of our knowledge. Over time, details and arrangements may be subject to change for a number of reasons. Any prices quoted are intended as a guideline only and are subject to variation. This document forms no part of any contract between Imaginative Traveller and any of its clients.

Back to top

Ramadan information

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a special month of the year for more than one billion Muslims throughout the world as it is the month in which Allah sent the Koran to the prophet Mohammed. During Ramadan, the faithful abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations between sunrise and sunset. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives and often become 'more holy' by visiting the mosque more regularly and reading as much of the Koran as possible.

Islam has five main pillars which all Muslims should follow. These are:

• The Testimony of Faith (Shahadah) - the declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his prophet.
• Ritual Prayer (Salat) - The observance of the five daily Prayers.
• The giving of alms (Zakat) - money or produce distributed among the poor.
• Sawm - Fasting
• The Hajj - the pilgramage to Mecca which all Muslims should do once in their lifetime.

As the fourth pillar, Muslims cannot fulfil their religion without experiencing fasting. Fasting teaches patience and is a way of experiencing hunger and feeling empathy for the less fortunate. Ramadan is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control.

When is Ramadan?

Ramadan always falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the actual start is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon. As the Islamic lunar calendar is 11-12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan gets earlier each year until the cycle begins again (this takes around 35 years). In 2006 Ramadan began on 23rd September and in 2007 it will begin around the 12th September.

What happens during Ramadan?

At the time of the sunset call to prayer Muslims break their fast with a small amount of food (e.g. some dates and fresh juice), go to pray, and then start the first main meal of the day which is called El Fetar (literally break fast). At night there is a festive atmosphere and the streets are crowded with people enjoying the break fast. As Ramadan places emphasises on the community and everyone eats at the same time, friends and family often get together for the evening meal and many people go out to coffee shops. Many big hotels and sports clubs set up an oriental tent where shisha (tobacco smoked in a water pipe), food and drinks (but no alcohol – see below) are served all night. This is often accompanied by live music and traditional dancing. These parties and celebrations often go on until sunrise.

Just before sunrise, people have their second big meal, which is called El Sohour which will help them to fast the next day.

You may see big tables in the streets and near the mosques with huge amounts of food served for El Fetar and El Sohour. This is called Maadet El Rahman and is free food that the rich have prepared for the poor.

How should I behave?

As a non-Muslim you are not expected to adhere to fasting. However it is extremely important to be respectful of local and religious customs. You should keep in mind what the local people are going through and do your best to avoid offending anyone - the local people will respect your consideration. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to brief you on appropriate behaviour. The following are important guidelines to remember during the day:

• Avoid eating and drinking in public
• Do not smoke in the street or on trains during the day. If you have to smoke be discreet about it.
• Dress conservatively (i.e. covering legs, shoulders, chest and upper arms)
• Avoid any public displays of affection such as holding hands or kissing.

You should also be aware that alcohol may be in limited supply or not available at all in some parts of the country. Bars at many hotels will close for the entire month.

How will Ramadan affect my tour?

During Ramadan things will happen more slowly and less efficiently than usual. People who are fasting will be tired and will not have a lot of energy, so please be very patient and courteous.

During the breaking of the fast (El Fetar) after sunset each day, the country will grind to a halt. You should not ask for any service from the hotel staff at this time. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer assistance if required. Generally any meals which are included in your itinerary will be arranged for a time well after the break-fast (which usually lasts at least one hour).

During Ramadan you will find that many cafés, restaurants, bazaars, shops and other services may be closed during the day or have limited opening hours. (Note: opening hours tend not to be affected as much in Turkey)

Sites may also close early or have different opening hours and train and bus timetables may be affected. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any changes and will assist you in making plans for your free time.

Enjoy Ramadan!

None of the above points should be seen as a hindrance. This is a special time of year for the local people and it is a great experience that is well worth sharing in. If you are invited to share El Fetar with a family you should take the opportunity; it is a real treat and a great honour for you and your host.

"A few years ago when I was running a tour in Syria during Ramadan, I asked my group to fast for a day so they could truly understand how it feels. The whole group said it was an excellent experience and they really enjoyed being able to share in the atmosphere of a restaurant full of people breaking their fast."

Yavuz Salataci - Destination Manager, The Imaginative Traveller

Back to top