Our journey begins in the bustling capital city of Ulaanbaatar where on day 1 we meet at our joining hotel in the city centre at 15H00. Once a nomadic monastery town, Ulaanbaatar is now a thriving urban centre abundant in history and culture, offering highlights such as Sukhbaatar Square, Gandantegchinlen Monastery, and Zaisan Hill Monument which provides a scenic vantage point over the city and its surroundings.

This evening you will be invited to attend a traditional Mongolian welcome dinner to get your first taste of this country’s cuisine and meet your fellow travellers.

On our second day in Ulaanbaatar you will be invited to join our half day city tour which takes in the highlights of this historic frontier town.

Please note that this tour departs Ulaanbaatar 2 days after the tour starts so should you wish to spend more time here you may want to arrive a few days prior to departure. Ulaanbaatar is an easy city to navigate on your own.

After breakfast we take our first short journey on the truck to visit the giant stainless-steel statue of Genghis Khan on horseback, a 40 metre tall structure that allows you to walk through the horse's chest and neck to reach the horse's head which gives you a panoramic view of the area. The attached museum gives you a good insight into Mongolian history with an impressive display of artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age.

Tonight we will stay in a traditional yurt (‘ger’), a great way to get your first taste of the Mongolian lifestyle whilst enjoying views of Bayan mountain.

Today we are bound for the vast expanse of the Gobi desert as we begin to make our way towards China. Nomadic camps dot the horizon as we cruise past herds of bactrian camels and yaks grazing freely on the plains. Witness the landscape transform as the rolling green steppe gives way to the immense desert.

Following our night in the desert we continue south, cross into China and stay in the town of Erenhot. This humble and unique border town is known for its dinosaur themed attractions, a testament to the discovery of various fossils found in the region.

We venture further into China and along our route to the city of Ulanqab we make a stop at the incredible Wulanhada Geopark. Here you can wander through ancient, otherworldly landscapes where the red and brown hues of extinct volcanoes create a striking contrast against vibrant green grasslands.

We now head to Beijing, a lively capital city with impressive highlights such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, iconic sights all well worth exploring. You will have 3 days here to visit the must-see landmarks and experience the unique blend of tradition and modernity in this captivating metropolis.

From Beijing we head directly to the Badaling section of the iconic Great Wall of China where you will have half a day to explore a beautiful part of this 8000 km feat of engineering.

We continue to Datong where we visit the Yungang Grottoes, an impressive series of caves displaying Buddhist sculptures dating back to the 5th century.

Following a route through the beautiful Wutai Shan mountains we now visit the incredible Hanging Monastery, a Buddhist temple built 75 metres above the ground on a sheer precipice!

Later in the day we arrive at the well-preserved ancient walled city of Pingyao, a step back in time where a day can easily be enjoyed wandering through the atmospheric cobbled streets of this typically Chinese town.

Xian gives you the opportunity to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and see the archaeologists at work uncovering new finds.

We have a night’s stop-over in Guangyuan before arriving in Chengdu where you have the opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Bear Breeding Research Center to get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.

In Leshan you have the option to visit the world’s largest stone Buddha, a UNESCO heritage site which has been carved out of a dramatic cliff face.

From here we continue towards the Himalayas and the fabulous land of Tibet.

We now undertake a journey along Route 318, a spectacular Tibetan road that takes us through the heart of the Himalayas along cliff-hugging tracks with jaw-dropping scenery and friendly locals. Here you will discover a traditional side of Tibet as we pass through small Himalayan villages that tourists rarely visit.

Lhasa is the spiritual home of Tibet where we have a few days to explore the holy Potala Palace, the golden roofed Jokhang Temple and the spectacular Norbulingka Palace, all former residences of the revered Dalai Lama.

From Lhasa we travel along a beautiful road hugging the shores of lake Yamdrok Tso and visit the town of Gyantse where the Pelkor Chode monastery houses Tibet’s largest stupa with 9 tiers, 108 chapels and excellent murals.

Joining up with the Friendship Highway we continue on to Shigatse where you have the chance to visit the marvellous Tashilhunpo Monastery.

Our next destination is definitely the ‘highlight’ of Tibet - Mt Everest! A snaking track makes it possible to drive up to base camp where you can get a stunning view of the north face. From here you can also send a letter from the world’s highest post box and visit the world’s highest Buddhist monastery.

Descending the Tibetan Plateau we now pass through remote villages as we cross the Nepal border and follow a rough Himalayan track to lower elevations. Keep an eye out for the rare Tibetan Macaque monkeys which are often found in this area.

Our final destination on this tour is Kathmandu, where this tour ends. Here you will have a couple of days to explore this tourist hub which is steeped in history and where the smell of incense hangs heavy in the air of the squares adorned with pagodas and temples. The scenic flight over Mt Everest is also a must-do while you are here.

On the final evening of the tour you will be invited to attend a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your fellow travellers, tour leader and driver.

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

Before this trip starts our truck visits more of Mongolia on a 21 day tour to remote parts of the country, so you are able to add on this tour should you wish to.

After this tour ends in Kathmandu our truck continues to visit more of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India so you are able to add on any of these destinations 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 £4447 is the complete payment for your tour and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). There is no Local Payment or Kitty to pay on this tour. In order to reserve a place on this tour you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to the tour start date a further payment of £2000 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Tour Payment £2147 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 tour start date a deposit of £2300 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the tour start date the full Tour Payment of £4447 should be paid upon booking.

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

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

INCLUDED

Services of your Dragoman tour leader and driver

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

Local transportation costs (if required)

38 breakfasts and 4 evening meals provided

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

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

Genghis Khan statue, Mongolia

Wulanhada Volcano Geopark, China

Badaling Great Wall, China

Terracotta Warriors, China

Giant Panda Research Centre, China

Big Buddha, China

Mt. Everest base camp, Tibet

NOT INCLUDED

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

Airport transfers

Personal travel insurance

Personal spending money (£150 – £200 per week recommended)

Visas (budget approximately £250 for your visas)

Lunch and 35 evening meals

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.

CHINA

Forbidden City, Beijing £6

Yungang Grottoes £17

Hanging Monastery £15

City pass, Pingyao  £15

TIBET

Potala Palace, Lhasa £45

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa £9

Norbulingka, Lhasa £9

Kumbum Monastery, Gyantse £7

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse £9

NEPAL

Mt Everest flight £120

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

Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another member of the tour, of any gender. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed.

There is a single supplement fee of £950 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% 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.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have 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.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and 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.

We provide 38 breakfasts and 4 evening meals during this tour.

A wholesome and nutritious breakfast is usually provided at the accommodation we stay at.

For lunch we usually stop at a local restaurant giving you the chance to taste the local fare. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat and you will be sure to get a real flavour of the country at a cheap price.

In the evening after we have checked in to our accommodation you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local restaurants are generally quite cheap so you can expect to eat delicious food for a reasonable price. We do however include 4 evening meals during the tour.

On rare occasions we may prepare breakfast or lunch on the truck if we have an early start or are in a remote area but you are not expected to cook at all during this tour.

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Local guides will accompany us when required by law, usually in China.

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 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 £150 – £200 per person per week to live comfortably during this tour. This budget should cover day to day things like lunch, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £250 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 1/3 of your 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 often available for you to draw local currency using your Visa or Master credit/debit card except in a few areas where it is recommended you have cash available to exchange.

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 £250 for all your visas and letters of invitation.

Please ensure you have 3 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 2 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.

Mongolia visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many EU countries a visa is not required to enter Mongolia. Other nationalities may be able to apply for a Mongolia e-visa online. If your nationality does not allow you to get an e-visa please contact your nearest Mongolian consulate to find out the easiest way to obtain the visa.

China visa - for most nationalities including citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand a visa is required to enter China. All nationalities should apply for their China visa in their country of residence prior to departure.

In order to apply for your China visa you may require a Letter of Invitation from a Chinese travel agency. Sometimes we can provide this for you for a fee.

Tibet visa - your China visa covers you for entry into Tibet.

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 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 may be required if you have flown in from a country deemed to be a Yellow Fever risk area.

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. The longer hikes are optional so 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 tour leader knows 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 feature on the back of the expedition vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed feature in your hotel room when off the vehicle. 

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 and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Towel: A microfibre travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

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 3 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 2 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 may be required if you have flown in from a country deemed to be a Yellow Fever risk area.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

7 x socks

7 x underwear

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

1 x waterproof jacket

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

1 x swimwear

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x baseball cap

OVERVIEW

This Dragoman tour is for travellers seeking an adventurous yet comfortable vacation where your tour leader does all the planning and you get to enjoy yourself as much as possible. On this trip our group size is a maximum of 24 travellers of all ages and nationalities. We use our custom-built overland expedition vehicle to reach our destinations safely and we stay in clean and comfortable locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts to ensure your comfort at all times. This tour is meticulously planned to ensure you visit the highlights of the Far East at a leisurely pace and we also visit a couple of harder to reach destinations. So if you are looking for a true adventure shared with a group of like-minded travellers then this Dragoman overland tour may be the trip for you!

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 small 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 experience all kinds of weather on this tour from hot days in Mongolia and China to cold nights at high altitude in Tibet and Nepal, so be prepared for all the elements and you will be comfortable.

ALTITUDE

We travel up to 5500 metres above sea level on this tour so if you suffer from altitude sickness be prepared for it and have altitude-sickness tablets with you.

HYGIENE

As wonderful as the Far East 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 aboard the vehicle.

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 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.

Local guides usually accompany us in China.

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 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 wild camp or 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 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.

Alcohol is generally available in all regions we visit on this tour.

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. The longer hikes are optional so 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 tour leader knows 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 tour staying in locally owned hotels, guest houses, hostels and yurts. There is no camping on this tour.

Accommodation is provided on a twin share basis so if you are travelling alone be prepared to share your room with another member of the tour, of any gender. Your tour leader will always strive to put you in a room with a suitable partner. Couples can request a room with a double bed.

There is a single supplement fee of £950 if you are a solo traveller and prefer to have a private room just for yourself.

TRANSPORT & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a custom-built Dragoman overland expedition vehicle 100% 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.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have 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.

Our vehicle is also equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook group’s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and 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

We provide 38 breakfasts and 4 evening meals during this tour.

A wholesome and nutritious breakfast is usually provided at the accommodation we stay at.

For lunch we usually stop at a local restaurant giving you the chance to taste the local fare. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat and you will be sure to get a real flavour of the country at a cheap price.

In the evening after we have checked in to our accommodation you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local restaurants are generally quite cheap so you can expect to eat delicious food for a reasonable price. We do however include 4 evening meals during the tour.

On rare occasions we may prepare breakfast or lunch on the truck if we have an early start or are in a remote area but you are not expected to cook at all during this tour.

CREW

You will have a crew of 1 tour leader and 1 driver on this tour. On some tours we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media.

Local guides will accompany us when required by law, usually in China.

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 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.