A journey along the ancient information super-highway will have you travelling from the heart of modern China, through incredible landscapes and desert oasis towns deep into the heart of Central Asia. Explore bazaars, caves and the ancient Terracotta Warriors on this adventure of a lifetime. Silk Road Adventure Original 2008 GPA 6 15 Max 15, Avg 10 Asia China China China Culture/History, Wildlife/Nature 18 3 3 Arrive in Beijing at any time. Explore the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, making sure to scout the various markets scattered throughout the city. Wander through the alleyways (hutongs) in Beijing's Old City and perhaps visit the Tibetan Monastery. Walk the ancient steps of the Great Wall. This charming city is the traditional starting point of the westbound caravan routes and home to the Terracotta Warriors. Explore the live archaeological site. Visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and climb the city walls that surround Xi'an for an impressive view of the city. The seldom-visited far end of the Great Wall is a lonely outpost overlooking the desert, guarding China’s western frontier. Spend the day exploring its ruins and surrounding forts. Dunhuang is a lovely, relaxing oasis town and nearby, lies the Mogao Caves containing China’s richest Buddhist heritage and the towering Mingsha sand dunes. Don't miss one of the greatest sunsets in the world. Relax beneath the grape trellises or discover Uyghur culture and silk road relics in the surrounding oasis villages. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and green meadows, this alpine lake lives up to its name. Spend a memorable night in a local yurt. Enoy the evening feasting on local Kazak food and gazing into the fire. Set astride ancient trade routes, Kashgar is a true Central Asian oasis town of mosques, mausolems, bazaars and Turkic peoples. Arrive in time for the Sunday market, where people gather from all over to sell their wares. You can find anything from goats' hooves to colourful painted wooden saddles. It is in this medieval setting that our trip comes to an end. As group members will arrive at different times there are no arranged activities on Day 1 until our group meeting in the early evening followed by dinner. Please see the notice board in the hotel foyer for details of this meeting.

Travel north to the Great Wall. An incredible piece of engineering stretching 6000km westwards along the mountain ridges north of Beijing, it was originally constructed to protect the Chinese empires from the Mongolian 'barbarians' of the north.

Spend the morning of day 3 exploring the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City while still leaving free time to shop in the various markets scattered throughout the city, take a tour of the ancient alleyways (hutongs) in Beijing's Old city or visit the Tibetan Monastery.

In the late afternoon of Day 4, board an overnight train to Xi’an.
Arrive in the early morning and take excursion out of town to the Terracotta Warriors (approximately 45 minutes from Xi'an) - a site containing over 6000 life-size warrior statues that were buried for over 2000 years, until being discovered in 1974 by a farmer digging a well.

After returning to Xi'an, visit the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter, a wonderfully serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and the city walls that surround Xi'an, that can be climbed to gain an impressive view of the city, especially at sunset. Make sure to try some of the best market food in the whole country.

Head off on a journey west, following the path of the past traders on an overnight train to Jiayuguan (approximately 26 hours). The train journey takes you through some amazing landscape like the Hexi Corridor, the geographical boundary between China proper and the west, before we reach Jiayuguan.
Disembark the train at this former garrison town in the mid-afternoon. Situated at the very end of the Great Wall, Jiayuguan was considered the western frontier of the empire during the Ming Dynasty. The town's impressive fort is a remarkable sight, with 17m-high towers flanking the main gates. Spend a full day exploring the fort and the last remnants of the wall. Board an early morning local bus for a full day's travel (approximately 8 hours) to Dunhuang. Stark, fascinating desert scenery compensates for the rather bumpy journey. And before you know it, cultivated fields surround you and the oasis town of Dunhuang. Set into cliffs above a dry river valley, the 4th-Century Mogao Caves contain some of the most extraordinary Buddhist art to be found in China. The art illuminates a time when Dunhuang was a major centre of Central Asian culture and the main contact point between China and the rest of the world. Ride camels out to a pre-dawn climb to the crest of the massive sand dunes, essential for a stunning desert sunrise.

In the evening of Day 11, board an overnight train to Turpan (approximately 11 hours).
Turpan is a beautiful oasis town famous for its vineyards, stone fruits and the nearby Flaming Mountains. Once an important staging post on the Silk Road, Turpan is the first stop in East Turkestan or Xinjiang (New Frontiers), as the Chinese choose to call it. The country roads are lined with poplars and lovely old mud brick dwellings of the Uighur people. Visit some of the many attractions surrounding the town, which include the beautiful Emin Minaret, the ruined city of Jiaohe, the famous Karez underground irrigation system and the famous Grape Valley, to sample the local grapes and wine. Take a chartered bus (approximately 4 hours), via Urumqi, high into the Tian Shan mountains to Heavenly Lake for a relaxing break. Along the way, stop at the provincial museum to see well preserved mummies and the traditional clothing of the local ethnicities.

Explore the alpine wilderness for a full day. Savour the fresh air and the brave can venture a swim in the refreshing waters of the lake. Spend two memorable nights in a local yurt (tent), a home of the Kazak people. This is basic accommodation, but a wonderful experience where you enjoy an evening spent feasting on local Kazak food and sitting around the fire.

On Day 15 return to Urumqi with time for lunch in a typical covered market before boarding the overnight train to Kashgar.
The final destination is the trading town of Kashgar, a fabulous place to wander around. The main landmark of the town is the famous Id Kah Mosque with its surrounding square and bazaar. Prepare to encounter some of the many different nationalities bringing their wares into town for trade; Uighur, Han Chinese, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Pakistani and Afghanistani!

Every Sunday, including the second-last day of our journey, around 100,000 people gather in the enormous Kashgar Bazaar area where you can buy anything from goats' heads and hooves to colorful painted wooden saddles. The traditional costumes and food give it an almost medieval feel and bring alive the legends of our trip along the Silk Road. Don't miss the huge animal market or the local craftsmen either! It is in this giant oasis, near the westernmost tip of China, that our epic overland journey ends.

Depart at any time on Day 18.
1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1200 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD 1555 1360 955 680 1880 1360 1165 Local Payment 300 USD Accommodation Hotel (12 nts), sleeper train (4 nts), shared yurts (1 nt). Brief Highlights Beijing, Great Wall, Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Heavenly Lake, Taklamakan Desert, Kashgar
Departure Departs on selected Fridays, Apr-Oct DepEnd Fri-Mon Group Leader Tour Leader, local guides. Group Size Max 15, Avg 10 Included Highlights Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City guided tour, Entrance to Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors tour, Entrance to Jiayuguan Fort, Guided tour to Mogao Buddha Caves, Entrance to the Mingsha Sand dunes with Camel ride, Guided day tour including entrance to Turpan sites, Kashgar Sunday Market
Local Payment USD300 Max Pax 15 Meal Budget Allow USD270 for meals not included. Meals Included No meals are included. Min Pax 6 Recommendation Continue on to Pakistan with our Karakorum Highway adventure? See Karakorum Highway - trip code APKH. StartFinish Beijing to Kashgar Transport Train, local bus, aircon bus, walking, bicycle (optional). A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Brochure Intro A journey along the ancient information super-highway will have you travelling from the heart of modern China, through incredible landscapes and desert oasis towns deep into the heart of Central Asia. Explore bazaars, caves and the ancient Terracotta Warrior on this adventure of a lifetime. Checklist Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travellers cheques
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
G.A.P Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Day pack for daily personal items
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Water bottle and Plastic mug for train journeys
Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Money belt
Shorts for summer months (June – September)
Long trousers
Hiking pants/track pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-April. Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves
Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
Camera and film
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
Departure Tax Departure Tax is included in all International and Domestic tickets in China, Thailand & Vietnam. Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro A journey along the ancient information super-highway will have you travelling from the heart of modern China, through incredible landscapes and desert oasis towns deep into the heart of Central Asia. Explore bazaars, caves and the ancient Terracotta Warrior on this adventure of a lifetime. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G.A.P Adventures Local Office – Beijing, China
Beijing Office Tel: +86-10-8779-6501

China Manager Emergency Mobile: +86-1343 958 8732 - Blair (China)

Asia Operations Manager Mobile: +66-879 118 802 - Gabe (Thailand)

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from the UK: 0870 999 0144.
Outside North America and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
Mobile: + 1 647 504 6467
Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description All G.A.P Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. Health You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G.A.P Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group. Important Notes If you are returning to Beijing at the end of this trip please budget approx. 350USD for a flight from Kashgar (Kashi) to Beijing. Please note that this flight normally has a connection in Urumqi. If you are flying back to Beijing on day 18, we strongly recommend that you book your international flight not until the next day as it can be a full day journey back to Beijing. Please inquire with your tour leader at the start of your tour if you need assistance booking a return ticket from Kashgar to Beijing. They may be able to assist you at that time. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Dong Jiao Min Xiang Hotel - 东交民巷饭店
23A Dong Jiao Min Xiang,
Dong Cheng District,
北京市正义路东交民巷甲23号
Beijing China
Phone: +86-10 6524-3311 Joining Instructions When arriving at Beijing Intl Airport you have a choice of metered taxi or airprt bus. Please follow the signs for taxis or bus which is clearly marked once you exit from the baggage hall. DO NOT GO WITH ANYONE WHO APPROACHES YOU WHO SAYS THEY HAVE A METERED TAXI IN THE PARKING LOT. THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF!!!! The taxis are all lined up out from of the airport and have traffic guards directing people into a waiting taxi. The ride from the airport to our starting hotel will take between 35-45 minutes depending on traffic and should cost approx. 95-120 Yuan (plus 10 yuan for the airport tollway). There are about 6 different airport buses that drop you off at different places around the city. The staff at the airport bus counter can tell you which bus will be closes to your hotel. The cost is 16 yuan. If you have paid for an arrival transfer when you booked your trip our driver will be waiting for you with a G.A.P Adventures Sign with your name on it. Please check carefully once you exit the baggage hall as there seem to be hundreds of people waiting outside in the arrival area. Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap. Local Dress In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites. In Pakistan we recommend a head scarf for women while walking around. Local Flights All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This amount is a portion of the price of the trip and the final payment for your tour. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our costs savings on to you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for local payment.
Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Included breakfasts will usually be asian style consisting of noodles or congee (rice porridge) or bread and eggs. Vegetarians will be able to find a range of different foods, although in some areas the choice maybe limited. While trekking in remote regions food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical and culture shock ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Money Exchange As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com As of Nov 2007 the exchange rate for HONG KONG was 1 USD = 7.7 HKD (HongKong Dollar) and CHINA was 1 USD = 7.4 CNY (Chinese Yuan). There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard but these are limited to major cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travellers cheques in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities Beijing
Acrobats or Shaolin Monks USD12
Summer Palace USD5
Opera USD20,
Hutong Tour USD15
Temple of Heaven USD8
Beijing Duck Dinner USD10

Xian
Drum or Bell Tower USD2
Terracotta Warriors USD12
Great Mosque USD2
Great White Goose Pagoda USD4
Hua Shan Mountain USD30

Dunhuang
Bike Rental USD5
Fort USD4

Kashgar
Mosque USD2
Tombs USD5 Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your GA.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1-$2 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G.A.P Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $10-15 USD per person, per week can be used. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Validity Valid for all trips departing January 1, 2008 - December 31st 2008. Visas Please note that visas for China are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. For the most up to date information please check your governments foreign ministry website or with you travel agent as rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself. For most travellers there will probably have an embassy and consulate in the country that you live in. Please note that China and Hong Kong are two separate government areas so you go through two sets of immigration procedures. If your trip finishes in Hong Kong and you are travelling back into Mainland China then you may need a double entry visa. Please check your travel itinerary. We Want Your Photos Want to see your photos and/or stories in print or on the web? Then enter our "Great G.A.P Adventures Photo Story Contest". Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/contests/photo-story-contest to upload your photo stories! There are travel and camera prizes worth more than $5000 available to be won! If you prefer to submit slide film or photos instead of digital entries online, just make sure they are clearly marked with your name and contact details on each and the place where it was taken. Unfortunately, we are unable to return any entries. Send mailed entries to "Photo Editor" at our head office.
What to Take What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G.A.P Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you. Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.