KATHMANDU TO KOLKATA OVERLAND EXPEDITION

This tour begins in Kathmandu, a travellers paradise where on day 1 we will meet at the hotel reception at 18H00 for a quick pre-departure meeting before heading out for a group welcome dinner to get to meet your fellow travellers and crew.

On day 2 after breakfast we will take a guided half-day tour of Kathmandu’s old town which is steeped in history and where the smell of incense wafts through the air as you marvel at the pagodas and temples adorning the squares. 

Please note that we depart Kathmandu 2 days after the tour starts so if you would like more time here you may wish to arrive a few days prior the tour departure date, especially if you want to do the scenic flight over Mt Everest.

We leave Kathmandu behind us and head for Trishuli River, an adrenaline junkies paradise with activities such as rafting, ziplining and sky cycling.

Heading west we reach Pokhara at the foothills of the Himalayas. This mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear up for a short trek into the stunning Annapurna range.

At our last stop in Nepal you have the option of visiting Chitwan National Park on foot, or even on elephant back, allowing you to explore the jungle in search of the rhinos, sloth bears and tigers that inhabit the area.

Our first stop in India is Kesariya, an ancient buddhist site that has loomed above marvelling onlookers for over 2000 years. Here we step back in time and explore the extensive terraces of India’s tallest stupa. 

We then travel east to Darbhanga, a city with deep musical and agricultural roots, where Rambagh Fort showcases a unique blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Leaving our truck in Siliguri we now take local transport up narrow switchback roads into the Himalayas to explore the towns of Gangtok and Kalimpong where you have the opportunity to visit Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, Royal palaces and an impressive zoo where you can see red pandas, Himalayan bears and even snow leopards roaming enclosures so large you will need patience to see them.

We continue to the town of Darjeeling set impressively on a steep ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by the world’s 3rd highest peak Mt. Khangchendzonga.

On our journey out of the Indian Himalayas we can enjoy striking views of the landscape from the comfort of the charming local toy train which takes us from Darjeeling back to Siliguri where we then collect our truck and continue our journey towards the peaceful land of Bhutan.

Please note that the Bhutan section of the tour will be conducted in a private bus and our truck will wait at the India border for us to return after our visit here.

Bhutan is an exciting new destination in the world of overland travel, a relaxed country where they measure their wealth by the ‘Gross National Happiness Index’.

In the capital Thimphu you will have the chance to visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, the impressive 169 ft Dordenma Buddha, the National Library containing the world’s biggest book and if we are lucky we will get to witness Bhutan’s national sport during an archery demonstration.

Our next stop is at the majestic Punakha Dzong, probably the country’s most beautiful structure. Nearby we also visit the temple of the Divine Madman in an area where phalluses are painted on most of the village walls and childless women come to seek blessings.

We then visit Simtokha Dzong and Tachogang Lhakhang before arriving at Paro, where you will have the opportunity to hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic site.

Our last night in Bhutan is spent in Paro where we can enjoy a traditional dance at our hotel the evening before we exit back into Northeast India.

Back in India we now visit Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a true haven for nature enthusiasts. This pristine wilderness is home to an array of diverse fauna and flora where our safari vehicle will take us deep into the dense jungle giving us the chance to spot iconic species such as the clouded leopard, Indian elephants, Bengal tigers, great hornbills, Indian rhinoceros and the endemic Assam roofed turtle.

We now transit across the state of Assam towards Bangladesh and break the journey up by visiting Shillong, a beautiful hill station surrounded by lakes with scenic hiking trails. 

We then continue to Dawki, a picturesque town famed for the Umngot River where the crystal-clear water gives the illusion that boats are floating in the air.

Please note that Bangladesh does not allow entry to foreign vehicles so this section of the trip will be conducted in a private bus and the truck will transit around and meet us at the border near Kolkata.

Our first destination in Bangladesh is Srimangal, often referred to as the ‘Tea Capital of Bangladesh.’ This picturesque town is nestled in the northeastern part of the country and is renowned for its lush tea gardens, serenity and verdant landscapes.

We continue to the capital Dhaka, the beating heart of Bangladesh where we spend a few days visiting sights such as the atmospheric Lalbagh Fort, the very pink Ahsan Manzil Palace and Old Dhaka’s incense-filled Hindu Street.

Upon leaving Dhaka we head down to the city’s famous Sadarghat Buriganga river area where we board a ferry and spend a night and day travelling down the waterways enjoying the riverine beauty of Bangladesh.

We get off the river at Hularhat and visit the open-air museum of Bagerhat, a medieval masterpiece with the multi-domed Shait Gumbad Mosque the crowning jewel.

From the town of Khulna we will now take a 3 day/2 night boat tour into the Sundarbans National Park, the world’s largest mangrove forest home to over 400 Royal Bengal tigers, spotted deer, wild boar, monkeys and reptiles. This is often the highlight of any trip to Bangladesh!

From the Sundarbans we now head back towards India where our truck will meet us at the border.

Kolkata is our final destination on this tour and is an attack on the senses, a place where India and England collide. With an impressive display of colonial-era architecture including the beautiful Belur Math religious centre, the white marble Victoria Memorial and South Park Street Cemetery, this city can feel very English but the complex smell of Bengali street food and the constant beeping of tuk-tuk’s will remind you that you are in one of India’s largest and friendliest cities!

The tour ends in Kolkata after breakfast on the last day of the trip so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

Before the start of this tour our truck travels through Mongolia, China and Tibet, so you are able to add on any of these destinations to this tour should you wish to. 

After this tour ends in Kolkata our truck continues down India’s east coast to Sri Lanka before turning around and travelling up India’s west coast all the way to Delhi, so you are able to add on any of these destinations to this tour should you wish to. 

We are happy to create a bespoke itinerary and price for you so please feel free to contact us to discuss all options.

If you can’t do the whole tour it may be possible to book a shorter section of your choice. Please get in touch and if this option is available we will be happy to work out a bespoke itinerary and reduced price for you.

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Revolut, Wise or Paypal.

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your tour preparations.

TOUR PAYMENT

The Tour Payment of £3995 is the main bulk payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to departure a further payment of £1700 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £1995 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the departure date a deposit of £2000 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the departure date the full Tour Payment of £3995 should be paid upon booking.

The Tour Payment can be paid by Bank Transfer, Paypal, Wise or Credit/Debit Card.

Credit and Debit Card Payments (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

You can use the following link to pay by credit or debit card:

Dragoman Tour Payment

Or feel free to call us on +44 7858 468 953 in order to make a credit or debit card payment over the phone.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Revolut (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Revolut offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Revolut account? Create one now - www.revolut.com 

Wise (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Wise offers a cheap and fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now - www.wise.com

Paypal (please use your full name as a reference when paying)

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now - www.paypal.com

LOCAL PAYMENT

This is a cash payment of USD $1000 that must be paid to your tour leader at the beginning of your trip and will be used to pay for cash expenses while you are on the road such as food, accommodation, fuel and included activities.

Please bear in mind that this is not a kitty and is not refundable. The local payment is simply a way for us to get cash to the tour leaders so they can run the trip.

Please bring your local payment in new unmarked $100 bills if possible.

Although all local payment amounts are advertised in USD you may be asked to bring the equivalent amount in either EUR or GBP.

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader and driver

Local guides when required

Transportation in our custom built Dragoman overland truck

Use of all equipment on the truck

Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle

Private bus transportation in Bhutan and Bangladesh

Local transportation when required

Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group)

39 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 evening meals

All accommodation costs (100% hotels, guest houses and hostels)

National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

Kesariya stupa, India

Darjeeling toy train, India

Dordenma Buddha, Bhutan

Punakha Dzong, Bhutan

Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan

Manas National Park half day safari, India

Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, Bangladesh

Lalbagh Fort, Bangladesh

Sadarghat Buriganga overnight river cruise, Bangladesh

Bagerhat museum, Bangladesh

Sundarbans 3 day/2 night boat tour, Bangladesh

NOT INCLUDED

International and domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended)

Visas and Letters of Invitation (budget approximately £300 for your visas)

Lunches and evening meals (Except during the Sundarbans boat tour)

Accommodation upgrades

Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks

Any optional activities and excursions

Tips (USD $40 per crew member recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Dragoman so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in GBP.

NEPAL

Mt Everest flight, Kathmandu £110

2 day Annapurna Mountains trek, Pokhara £150

Paragliding, Pokhara £100

1 day rafting trip, Pokhara £30

Elephant safari, Chitwan NP £30

Walking safari, Chitwan NP £10

BHUTAN

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Paro £20

BANGLADESH

Ahsan Manzil Palace, Dhaka £5

INDIA

Gangtok Zoo £3

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata £3

You will spend 100% of the time on this expedition staying in locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels, ferries and houseboats. There is no camping on this tour.

We always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

In Bangladesh we will spend at least 1 night sleeping on a ferry and 2 nights sleeping on a private houseboat in the Sundarbans.

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland vehicle 40% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

The other 60% of the time we will be travelling in local jeeps, private buses, local ferries and private houseboats.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so our Dragoman vehicle has high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc. should we ever need to prepare a meal on the vehicle.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for food only. For personal drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. In the evenings after you are checked into the hotel you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

39 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. In Bhutan and Bangladesh you will also have English speaking local guides. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions and guides that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $40 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of £120 – £150 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunches, evening meals, snacks, soft drinks, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £300 for your visas and letters of invitation.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying souvenirs you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend you bring half of your spending money in cash US Dollars and the rest of your money on your credit/debit card.

They generally accept all major currencies for exchange but US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATM’s are widely available but sometimes do not work so it is always good to have cash with you on this tour.

To keep your money/credit cards/ipad/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to a fixed feature of the vehicle when travelling and also attached to a fixed feature in your hotel room when off the vehicle.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports according to the most recent information we have from previous tours. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only and if you are unsure please check with your local consulate. Dragoman is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

Approximately 3 months prior to departure you will be sent the information required in order to complete your applications and apply for your visas (there are often time restrictions on visas so you can not apply earlier). We recommend that you make your passport available 2 months before departure in order to obtain your visas comfortably.

Budget approximately £300 for all your visas and letters of invitation.

Please ensure you have 5 blank pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.

You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

You will need a digital colour copy of your passport and a digital colour passport photograph (both 5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded onto your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for some visas and to cross some borders.

Nepal visa – for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is required to enter Nepal and is usually obtained on arrival at the airport when you enter. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

India visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is required to enter India by land and you should apply for your India visa in your country of residence prior to departure. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Bhutan visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is required to enter Bhutan and is usually obtained on arrival at the land border where we enter. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Bangladesh visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is required to enter Bangladesh and is usually obtained on arrival at the land border where we enter. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations, malaria and other general medical advice for all the countries we will be visiting and they also administer vaccinations at their travel clinics in various locations in the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

It is not necessary to be vaccinated against covid to join this tour.

An up to date Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate should be brought with you as it is sometimes required to enter certain countries on this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

You need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. You need to be able to carry your bags from the vehicles to the hotels, do the short walks to the sites we visit, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on this tour, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Dragoman obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for people based in the UK seeking a comprehensive and reliable policy that includes Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, +44 20 7938 1734, http://www.campbellirvine.com/Madventure

Campbell Irvine are familiar with what we do so if you mention Dragoman and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company named Allianz offers good cover, +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and if possible make sure your policy includes Medical Repatriation.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume.

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the expedition vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed part on the back of the expedition vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed feature in your hotel room. 

Headtorch: An invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps. 

Water purifier: Quite a handy thing to have to purify contaminated water and avoid stomach bugs. Check out the range of Lifestraw products.

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: not a necessity but most places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will enable you to stay connected.

Smartphone:  It is highly recommended that you bring a smartphone with you as the majority of the tour communications are sent via WhatsApp. It is also very convenient for storing all your digital documents, emailing, taking and sharing photos, mapping and calling home.

E-sim: Airalo has an affordable digital E-sim that you can use while travelling abroad which means you can stay connected and be online without having to constantly buy local physical sim cards to connect to the internet. Just make sure your phone is E-sim compatible before buying any E-sim.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people use their phone.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap, shampoo and feminine hygiene products. 

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport: Please ensure you have 5 blank pages in your passport to accommodate all the visas and stamps required on this tour, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your expedition end date.

Digital passport copy: Please have a digital colour copy of your passport (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Passport photos: You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

Digital passport photo: Please have a digital colour passport photograph (5 - 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop as it may be required at some borders or when applying for certain visas.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: An up to date Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate should be brought with you as it is sometimes required to enter certain countries on this tour.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

2 x sports bras

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

1 x waterproof jacket

1 x plastic poncho

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x swimwear

1 x beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

Overlanding with Dragoman in Southern Asia is all about taking the road less travelled in a custom-built overland expedition vehicle with a group of up to 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities. This overland tour moves at a relaxed pace and visits remote areas as well as the highlights of all the countries we travel through, with many of the main activities included in the price!

Overland travel affords you the time to really immerse yourself in the culture of the local communities we visit and gives you the opportunity to truly explore off the beaten track destinations. This overland tour may sometimes take you out of your comfort zone as it travels through many different climates, altitudes and cultures. We believe it is these experiences that make overlanding in Southern Asia so rewarding. So if you are looking for a unique adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers on a journey of a lifetime then an Asia overland tour may be the trip for you because with overlanding it's all about the journey, not just the destination!

At Dragoman we like to go through every aspect of the tour with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. We believe in not only telling you about the highlights of the tour but also providing you with all the small details of what to expect as we know these are just as important. We want to explain the tour in as much detail as possible so that you are sure you are suited to one of our overland group adventures. If after reading the information below you decide that this tour is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid.

YOUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

We have no age restrictions on our overland tours and if there is one thing we have come to realise, it’s the mental attitude that counts the most. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 24 travellers and 2 crew of all ages and nationalities so you can expect to share this experience with a wide variety of characters from all walks of life. 

WEATHER

You will generally experience warm, dry weather on this tour as it runs post-monsoon season and during autumn when it is not too hot. You can however expect a few cool nights at altitude in Nepal, India and Bhutan, but besides that the weather is usually very comfortable for travelling.

ALTITUDE

We travel up to 2000 metres above sea level on this tour so you should not suffer from altitude sickness, but if you do suffer from altitude sickness be prepared for it and have altitude-sickness tablets with you.

HYGIENE

As wonderful as Southern Asia is, some places do not have a western infrastructure and their acceptable level of hygiene standards may be very different to ours, so be prepared to accept that things may not be as clean as they are back home.

You must maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone smells bad or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone on the tour.

SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES

On this expedition we include a lot of the main activities in the tour price but we do however understand that you won’t want to visit every site or take part in every activity along the way so we have left some of the activities as optional and therefore kept the tour price to a minimum. 

With regards to all the activities that require forward planning and/or a guide your tour leader will arrange this and let you know all the options before arriving at a destination. Your tour leader however is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions and guides that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

On this tour you are completely free to do as you choose and you can be as active or inactive as you like.

YOUR ATTITUDE

A friendly, easy-going attitude will help you enjoy this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to any tour are people that constantly moan. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, some people just like to find fault in everything and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. This type of constant negativity can be extremely detrimental within a group so it may sound a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them to try and ensure your tour is as good as it can be. We don’t hide anything so people who travel with us usually know exactly what to expect on this tour which makes for an enjoyable group experience.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the tour if nothing improves, and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme case but we will not let one or two rude individuals spoil it for everybody else. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

The one thing we can guarantee is that at some point things will not go according to plan! We have to follow the legislation of each individual country and they all have different regulations which can sometimes slow us down. It is however usually obstacles such as bad roads, border closures, breakdowns and natural disasters that have a bearing on the expedition. Expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not! When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual. 

TRAVEL TIMES & ITINERARIES

This trip is designed to allow plenty of free time in all the places of interest but we are driving a fair distance across Southern Asia so yes, there are going to be a lot of drive days and some of them will be long. This is where you have to be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

Generally on a drive day we leave in the morning after breakfast, around 7 - 8 AM, and arrive at our destination before dusk in daylight, but this really depends on the distance between destinations and the road conditions.

Sometimes it will be a full day’s drive between destinations and you'll have the following day or two free. On rare occasions it may be 2 or 3 drive days in a row where you'll leave early, stop overnight at a hotel and then continue early again the next morning. Some areas are remote and the pleasure is in the scenery. Sometimes however it's only a few hours drive between destinations.

Our proposed itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. If a border closes unexpectedly then we have to try and find a safe alternative route which may not be to everyone’s liking. In the worst case scenario we may get stuck with no way forward and at that point we would have to decide whether to fly over the obstacle and continue on local transport or abandon the trip. We have never had to abandon any trip before but we want you to be aware of the worst case scenario.

Please note that we may be placed under military or police escort when travelling through troubled areas. If this does occur then we follow their directions and they make the decisions with regard to driving hours and routes. We do not argue with those who are trusted to ensure our safety, so please be aware that if this happens the pace may be faster or slower than we would personally choose and the route they pick will be the one we follow, regardless of our proposed itinerary.

We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but our itinerary can change if an area of our route becomes off-limits for any reason, so when we do experience delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in Southern Asia and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. Never carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

You need to be in good general health for this tour and be reasonably fit and able. You need to be able to carry your bags from the vehicles to the hotels, do the short walks to the sites we visit, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on this tour, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

ACCOMMODATION

You will spend 100% of the time on this expedition staying in locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels, ferries and houseboats. There is no camping on this tour.

We always try to use clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of all genders.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

In Bangladesh we will spend at least 1 night sleeping on a ferry and 2 nights sleeping on a private houseboat in the Sundarbans.

TRANSPORT & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland vehicle 40% of the time on this tour. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. Our vehicle can accommodate up to 24 travellers and 2 crew.

The other 60% of the time we will be travelling in local jeeps, private buses, local ferries and private houseboats.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so our Dragoman vehicle has high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, barbecue grate, tables, etc. should we ever need to prepare a meal on the vehicle.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for food only. For personal drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels and campsites we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

MEALS

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. In the evenings after you are checked into the hotel you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

39 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 evening meals are provided during this expedition.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. In Bhutan and Bangladesh you will also have English speaking local guides. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Your tour leader will be in charge of routes, itineraries, food and accommodation and will ensure the smooth running of the tour. Your tour leader is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every place we visit, you can look up that information yourself or hire a local guide when you want to. Apart from the excursions and guides that need to be organised by the tour leader in advance, we leave most of that for you to arrange yourselves, this way ensuring you get to do what you want at the price you are happy to pay.

Your driver will drive and maintain the vehicle to a high standard but he/she is not a tour guide and may not know all the facts about the countries we travel through.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Dragoman but they may or may not have done this tour before. They will, however, have detailed notes from previous tours and backup from the office in the UK.

Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated if you feel they have done a good job. People often ask us what amount they should leave as a tip so we recommend you tip your crew a minimum of $40 each at the end of the tour if you feel they have given you good service, thank you.