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I have "extracted" the following from a website of a popular outfit offering numerous trips. Participants make their way to a designated meeting place (usually a hotel in the country visited) to join the trip. They offer similar types of travel. The notes below makes good reading to understand the type of travel that is offered on Yongo Travel.
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. (yongleemin writes - on Yongo, travel insurance is encouraged but not compulsory).
VISAIt is your responsibility to arrange visas before you travel. Your travel agent can assist. Below are the visa requirements at the time of printing. (yongleemin writes - I usually do up the visa for group members).
PHYSICAL FITNESSOur 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. Travellers over the age of 70, or 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 senior 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. (yongleemin writes - I usually go along to assist group members, instead of leaving it all to local guides. There's always options for those not so physically inclined).
MONEYEvery 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.
You will need to allow enough money for the following:
Meals not included
Money for drinks and shopping.
Money for sightseeing/entrance fees.
Tipping is an integral part of travel and is essential to a smooth trip. To make things easier your group leader will cover tips for hotel room boys, local guides and for drivers of private transport the group uses. This does NOT cover restaurant tips. Any tip that you wish to give your leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated. (yongleemin writes - Yongo travelers tend to shop for wide range of products. I do encourage tips to be given to the local guides/drivers in recognition of their good services. Group members are not expected to tip me),
STAYING IN CONTACTIf 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. (yongleemin writes - with international roaming on mobile phones, it's pretty easy to keep in touch. There's always a few pax with mobiles which can be borrowed to make or receive important calls or sms).
YOUR FELLOW TRAVELERS
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe also 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. (yongleemin writes - this outfit has people from all over the world joining in at a meeting place in the country visited).
YOUR TRIP LEADERAll 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. Your leader is available from 12 midday on arrival day until 12 midday on departure day. (yongleemin writes - some of the local guides I engage are excellent. Others are at best mediorce. Please do not expect too much form them because some of them are just accompanying guides rather than full fledged licensed guides).
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELWe believe strongly in low impact or rather positive impact tourism at Intrepid. Broadly speaking this means that we try to minimise the negative aspects of tourism on the local cultures and environments that we visit and highlight the positive aspects. (yongleemin writes - means asking permission before photographing people/places and visiting homes. Also means not spoiling village children by say giving money).
EATING
Travelling with us you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available 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. As a rule 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. The above information applies to group trips. (yongleemin writes - agree 100%. This part of the trip is great as food is an important part of Malaysian lifestyle).
DRESSINGWhen packing be aware that dress standards of the country visited. To respect the locals and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing in most instances. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not acceptable. One piece bathing suits are recommended and topless sun bathing is unacceptable. (yongleemin writes - I leave it to the discretion of the group members but have made a mention on a few occasions of improper dressing, in my opinion).
SECURITY
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.
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 make 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.
PARTICIPATION FORMAll travellers are required to sign a Participation Form on day 1 of the trip. The wording of this form follows. Please note that signing the form is a pre-requisite of travelling with us.
"I understand that travelling with Intrepid may involve risks (and rewards) above and beyond those encountered on a more conventional holiday, and that I am undertaking an adventure trip with inherent dangers. I understand that I am travelling to geographical areas where, amongst other things, the standard of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, cleanliness, medical facilities, telecommunications and infrastructure development may not be of the standard I am used to at home or would find on a conventional holiday. I have read and understood the Intrepid trip notes for the trip I am undertaking and have provided details of any pre-existing medical conditions I have to Intrepid's representatives. I accept these risks and obligations and I fully assume the risks of travel . I release youl from any liabilities connected to these risks to the maximum extent permitted by law."
FINAL WORDS
The information in these trip notes 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 Travel Company..