SAMARKAND AND THE SILK ROAD TOUR

Transcription

1 A holiday of discovery to the Silk Road cities at the heart of Central Asia Delightful walks in the Nurata and Zarafshan mountains Guided sightseeing in the fabled cities of Samarkand and Bukhara Enjoy a warm welcome in an Uzbek mountain village home Great value and simplicity - All meals included in the trip price HOLIDAY CODE SST Uzbekistan, Trek & Walk, Discovery, 14 Days 3 nights homestay, 2 nights yurt, 5 nights guesthouse, 3 nights hotel, 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners, max group size: 12, 4 days walking, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Situated at the heart of Central Asia, the republic of Uzbekistan has a richness of history matched by few places on earth. A succession of conquering forces, from Alexander the Great to Ghengis Khan and his descendants, have left their mark on the region's culture and architecture. Starting out in Khiva and journeying on following the Oxus River to the magical Silk Road oasis of Bukhara, which flourished in the 9th and 10th centuries, we also travel to Samarkand, one of the undoubted wonders of the world, with its mosaic-clad and turquoise-tiled monuments. To allow us a better understanding of the region, we hike and ride camels across the steppes and into the high valleys of Zarafshan mountians, where we have the opportunity to meet the Uzbek shepherds and farmers of this rarelyvisited part of the greater Pamir range. With a unique blend of sightseeing and straightforward day-hikes, this is a superb adventure holiday at the crossroads of Asia. Is this holiday for you? This is principally a Discovery holiday, but we have included 4 days of relatively easy walking to allow us to gain a more full understanding of this fascinating part of the world. Three of the walking days are relatively short (days 7, 8 and 11). There are 2 options for the walk on day 9 - either a short walk around the foothills of the Zarafshan foothills near Tepakoul or a longer walk traversing the range of around 8-9 hours. This extended day-hike is entirely optional. All of our walking is on good trails and walking times will vary between 4-6 hours. Altitude is not a consideration on this trip. Please note that the sightseeing tours in Khiva and Bukhara will be primarily on foot which alllows for a more personal experience of life in these ancient cities. There will also be some long days of travel by bus or minibus on roads of variable condition. There are 3 nights where we will use basic but charming 'homestay' accommodation, and 2 nights in yurts where a lightweight sleeping bag will be needed. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Tashkent. A single transfer from Tashkent Airport is provided. Fly to Khiva. Rendezvous at Tashkent Airport in the early hours of the morning. After meeting your guide or a representative of the local agent, KE Land Only package services begin with the group transfer to a hotel in the city where hotel rooms are provided for a brief rest and the opportunity to wash and change. After breakfast, there is time for sightseeing in the Uzbek capital, at the Tchorsu Bazaar and the Koukeldash Madrasah. After lunch in the city, later in the afternoon we return to the airport and fly to Urgench, from where we take a short transfer to our hotel accommodation in the town of Khiva, which is close to the border with Turkmenistan. HOTEL Day 2: Guided tour of the Silk Road city of Khiva including the Ichkan Kala with its blue-domed madrasahs. We have a day for sightseeing, with a guided tour of the city. Khiva is an ancient settlement, with a long and turbulent history. There may have been a city on this spot for more than 1500 years. More recently, Khiva was the capital of an important Khanate in the 17th century and was a major Silk Road trading centre. The Ichan Kala (historic centre) has more than 50 important monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs (schools of Koranic learning). Later in the day there will be some free time to take it easy or to do some independent exploration. The ancient city looks particularly magical as the rays of the sun fade towards the end of the day. We spend a second night at the hotel in Khiva.

3 PAGE 3 HOTEL Day 3: Drive along the Oxus River to Bukhara, following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Today, we make a reasonably early departure for the long drive back towards the east. After the first hour, our road runs alongside the Oxus River, locally known as the Amu Darya. Here we are following in the traces of Alexander the Great, whose army passed this way in 329BC. Turning away from the river, we cut through the striking landscape of the Kizilkum Desert, stopping off for lunch at a roadside restaurant and reaching our guesthouse in Bukhara in the late afternoon. Journey-time will be around 6-7 hours. GUESTHOUSE Day 4: Exploration of Bukhara `Pearl of the Desert`, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bukhara is another important Silk Road city and dates back thousands of years. It is the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia, with a structure that has remained largely intact. Bukhara was one of the largest cities of central Asia, owing its prosperity to its site on a rich oasis and at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. It became a major cultural centre of the Caliphate of Baghdad in 709, and in 892 the capital of the independent Samanid Kingdom. It was destroyed in 1220 by the Mongol horde of Genghis Khan. Every stage of the city's history can be glimpsed today. The earliest monuments include the 10th century Ismail Samani Tomb, the decorated brick minaret of Poi-Kalyan from the 11th century, along with the Magoki Mosque and the Chasma Ayub Shrine. The Timurid period is represented only by the Ulugbek Madrasah. The most celebrated buildings date from the Shebibanid period - the Poi-Kalyan group, the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, the Kosh Madrasah, and the Gaukushon Madrasah. The historic part of the city is, in effect, an open-air museum and we will have a full guided tour on this first of our 2 days in this city known as the 'Pearl of the Desert'. Of particular interest is the Ark Fortress, former home of the Bukhara Khans, where, in the 19th century the Emir of Bukhara had the English officers Stoddart and Connolly imprisoned and killed. Much of the "The Great Game", the battle between Imperial Britain and Tsarist Russia for control of the Central Asian states was played out in this part of the world. We spend a second night at our guesthouse in the World Heritage Site of Bukhara. GUESTHOUSE Day 5: A second day in Bukhara, with time for further exploration of this amazing Silk Road city. After yesterday's guided sightseeing, we will have the opportunity today to do some independent exploration. As well as its famous monuments, Bukhara has excellent bazaars and tranquil squares, such as Lyabi-Hauz, shaded by mulberry trees and a great place to take it easy. Watch the world go by as you sip a cup of green tea in one of the Chaikhanas (tea shops) or visit one of the city's hammomi (baths) for a hammam steam bath and massage. The hammomi in Bukhara are housed in ancient buildings and are amongst the most atmospheric in the country. Bukhara is an excellent place to shop for souvenirs, with a wide range of goods available from street vendors and the shops in the ancient bazaars. Overnight at our Bukhara guesthouse. GUESTHOUSE Day 6: Drive to Nurata, a desert oasis. Visit to an Alexandrian Fort and then on to a desert yurt camp. It's back into our bus today, for the drive north and east towards the lake of Aydarkul. Our first stop is at the ancient oasis of Nur, now known as Nurata, where the sacred 'Chasma' spring rises close to 2 mosques and flows

4 PAGE 4 through the town in a narrow canal. The spring waters are teeming with fish, which are considered sacred and grow to a good size. There is also the ruin of an Alexandrian fort on a low hill above the mosques and visiting it will both stretch our legs and give us great views over the town. Our overnight stop tonight is in a yurt camp at Yanghi- Gazgan, a short drive from Nurata. YURT Day 7: Onward to Lake Aydarkul where we take a short walk. Transfer to Urazmat village. This morning, there is the opportunity to take a ride on camelback. Then, we will drive north for an hour or so to Lake Aydar. Amazingly, this 200 kilometre-long lake is a recent development, having arisen as an accidental biproduct of the damming of the Syr Darya River in the late 1960's. This flooded former salt flat now appears to be a permanent feature of the landscape and has been stocked with fish, which thrive in the slightly salty water. We will go for a hike along the shore, meet the local fishermen, take a picnic lunch and maybe even have a swim. Returning to our transport, we drive to the village of Urazmat, where we spend a second night in a yurt. YURT Day 8: Walk across the Nurata Mountains, ascending to a 1500m pass. Drive to Tepakoul village. To gain a better appreciation of this culturally rich region, we go for a 6-hour walk across the Nurata Mountains, which form a 200 kilometre-long chain, rising to just over 2000 metres, on the south side of Lake Aydar. Our walk takes us through a picturesque valley, home to shepherding communities, and across a 1500 metre pass. We drop down to the village of Andak. In the late afternoon, we make the 3 hour drive south to the Uzbek village of Tepakoul (travelling via Samarkand), where we stay with the villagers in a homestay HOMESTAY TIME 6 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 9: A morning's walk in the Zarafshan mountains or a traverse of the range. Overnight in Taragay village. There are 2 options for today. Option 1 is a morning's walk into the Zarafshan Mountains, the western extension of the Pamir-Alay Range that reaches greater prominence in neighbouring Tajikistan. After lunch at the homestay, we return to Tepakoul and drive (3 hours) to the traditional village of Taragay, the birthplace of Tamerlane's father. Those who wish to take a longer and more arduous walk can undertake a traverse of the Zarafshan Mountains, from Tepakoul directly to Taragay via the Ilonsay Pass (1842m). The ascent of approximately 1000m is gradual, through boulder fields and across high alpine pastureland to the top of the pass where the landscape flattens. The descent route is on steeper terrain initially before reaching the valley floor. There are stupendous views to Samarkand and beyond from the ascent route on the northern side of the mountains. Note that this option is more akin to Moderate trekking and the walk will take at least 8 hours with a local guide who will speak limited English. Once again, we spend the night with the local people in a homestay in the lovely traditional village of Taragay. HOMESTAY TIME 3 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 10: A day's excursion to Shakrisabz to visit the remains of Tamerlane's White Palace, Drive to Ayoqchi. After breakfast, we drive to the ancient city of Shakhrisabz, formerly known as Kesh. This is a pleasant place, set within a green landscape of orchards and vineyards and was the summer home of Tamerlane. It has a number of

5 PAGE 5 important architectural landmarks linked to Tamerlane, including the ruins of the incredible Ak-Saray Palace, the Jahangir Mausoleum, which dates from the late 14th century and is the resting place off Tamerlane's eldest son. We'll also be able to visit the impressive Kok-Gumbaz Mosque, built by Ulugbek, Tamerlane's son and successor and the mausoleum of Sheikh Shamseddin Kulyal, spiritual guide to Tamerlane and his father. Shakhrisabz is a traditional centre of handicrafts, especially embroidery, and is a good place for souvenir hunting. After our visit, we make the drive to another Zarafshan foothills village, Ayoqchi, for our third night in a homestay. HOMESTAY Day 11: Walk to the head of the Zarafshan valley, transfer to Samarkand. Today we have a half day walk to Alvastikul, a pool in the river at the head of the valley beyond Ayoqchi. This 5 hour walk takes us through foothills and mountain villages, whose principal crop is potatoes. Higher, we will find open pastureland and meet local shepherds. We return to the Uzbek family for late lunch. In the afternoon, we will meet our transport and drive for to Samarkand and our guesthouse. GUESTHOUSE TIME 4-5 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 12: Full day guided tour of Samarkand including the Registan, the Gur Emir complex and the Shah-i- Zinda. Today you can choose to explore independently or to join a guided city tour. Our tour of the city will include the Registan, one of the most magnificent squares in the Islamic world and the undoubted highlight of the tour. The 3 Madrassahs (Islamic colleges); Ulug Beg Madrassah, Tillya-Kari Madrassah and Shir Dor Madrassah, that border the square have been restored to their former glory. We will also visit Gur Emir, where the tomb of Tamerlane lies beneath an enormous slab of dark green jade. The interior of the mausoleum is ornately decorated with blue and gold panels, which shine brightly. Our tour will also include the Bibi-Khanym Mosque built for Tamerlane by his favourite wife, the Chinese Bibi-Khanym, and the Shah-i-Zinda, a mausoleum which is one of Samarkand's most atmospheric sights. We spend a second night at the guesthouse in Samarkand. GUESTHOUSE Day 13: A free morning for exploration of Samarkand. In the late afternoon transfer by train to Tashkent. Today is free for relaxing or further independent sightseeing. We will also want to spend some time in the fantastic 'souks' or covered markets of the city, with their essence of spices and oriental pastries. In the late afternoon we will return to Tashkent either by train or by road (train schedules are subject to change in Uzbekistan). The journey by train takes around 3.5 hours. Please note that if the train schedule is subject to change, and if it does not fit with our itinerary, the journey may be taken by bus. HOTEL Day 14: Departure day. A single transfer to Tashkent Airport is provided. We make an early morning transfer to Tashkent Airport, where KE Land Only package services end.

6 PAGE 6 Holiday Information What's Included A local English-speaking tour guide A single Tashkent Airport transfer at the beginning and end of the trip Domestic flights listed in the trip itinerary A total of 8 nights in hotel or guesthouse accommodation in Khiva Bukhara Samarkand and Tashkent Yurt accommodation in Yanghi-Gazgan and in Urazmat Homestay accommodation at Tekapoul Tarangay and in Zarafshan All meals are included as described in the meal plan All land transport involved in the itinerary Entrance fees for monuments and museums What's Not Included Travel insurance Uzbekistan visa fees Tips for local guides and support staff Fees for using a camera at some of the monuments Miscellaneous expenses - souvenirs and drinks etc Meal Plan All meals are included in the trip price from breakfast on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary to dinner on Day 13. Food All meals are included and Uzbek food is delicious. Meals are either taken at our overnight accommodation or in local restaurants. Breakfasts consist of yoghurt or eggs, fruit juices, bread, tea and coffee. Lunch will be mostly taken in in restaurants, although packed lunches will be provided on some occasions. Dinner is a three-course meal and will usually include a selection of salads and bread, sometimes soup, a main course that could be a "pot au feu" style stew or the local plov (rice pilau) speciality followed by cake or fresh fruit for dessert. All meals in Uzbekistan are served with copious amounts of delicious green tea. Please note that vegetarianism is a concept not widely understood in Central Asia. Whilst we can cater for vegetarians on this trip, choices will be limited and a degree of flexibility is required. You must inform us if you wish your diet to be exclusively vegetarian. Joining Arrangements & Transfers A single group transfer will be arranged from Tashkent Airport to the group's hotel in the city. This transfer will meet the arrival of the Turkish Airlines flight from the UK and will be in the early hours of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. At the end of the holiday, there will be a single group transfer from the group hotel to Tashkent Airport timed to meet the check in for the Turkish Airlines flight back to the UK. This transfer will be in the early morning of Day 14 of the Land Only itinerary. A representative of our local agent will assist with the transfers between the airport and the group hotel. If these transfers do not work with your flights, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements at Tashkent Airport. There are money changing facilities in the airport and at the Tashkent hotel. All clients MUST inform the KE office of their travel details.

7 PAGE 7 Accommodation During this holiday the group will spend 2 nights in guesthouse accommodation in Khiva and 3 nights in guesthouse accommodation in Bukhara. We will then have 2 nights at different yurt camps, followed by 3 homestay nights at different villages in the Nurata and Zarafshan mountains. Please note that the sleeping arrangements in the yurts and homestays are communal, with up to 6 people sharing a room. Toilet and shower facilities are basic, but available in both yurts and homestays. Mattresses and bedding are also provided although we suggest everyone brings a light sleeping bag. The simplicity of arrangements is more than made up for by the warmth of the welcome from the local people. We then have 2 nights at a Samarkand guesthouse and 1 night at a hotel in Tashkent. The hotel and guesthouse accommodation is allocated on a twin-sharing basis and if you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. It is not possible to pre-book single rooms at any of the guesthouses used during this trip, other than in Samarkand. Single rooms can also be pre-booked at the Tashkent hote. You may be able to arrange a single room on arrival at the guesthouses in Khiva and Bukhara, depending on availability, and pay the difference to the tour leader. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by a professional, English-speaking local guide. There will also be one or more drivers. Altitude The altitudes attained on this holiday are not extreme and the maximum altitude attained is no more than the equivalent of a pressurised cabin on an international flight. You may feel the altitude the first time you trek above 2000 metres but all that is required is a slower pace to compensate. You should pay particular attention to your hydration levels while trekking above 2000 metres. Spending Money Approximately $200 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses. This will allow you to pay tips of approximately $50 to the local staff. We recommend that you take your travel money in the form of US dollars cash. Money can be changed at a reasonable rate at the airport or at the hotel in Tashkent. Please note that whilst better rates of exchange can be obtained on the black market in the bazaars, unofficial exchange is illegal and can result in imprisonment. For this reason we advise you change money only at accredited bureaux. Credit cards are of limited use in Tashkent and Samarkand. On arrival in Uzbekistan Airport you will need to complete 2 copies of the Customs Declaration Form (ask for copies of the form in English if none are available). The forms asks for a declaration of the amount of currency you are bringing in to the country - please be careful to state correctly exactly how much money you have with you in different currencies. One form will be retained by Uzbek Customs, you will retain the other copy until departure. On departure you will need to complete another form showing how much currency you are taking out of the country. Once again, please be careful to state the exact amounts and note that it is illegal to take more money out of the country than the sum you arrived with. Guidance On Tipping In Central Asia, it is usual to tip the members of your trek crew, including your local guide, if you are happy with the services provided. As mentioned above, we estimate that $50 will cover this aspect of your trip expenditure. The guide will help the group to determine an appropriate level of tipping for drivers and other local staff. Free KE Gift

8 PAGE 8 We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance Your baggage will be carried in the support vehicle. The packed weight of your trek bag (not including the items that you carry in your daypack) should be no more than 15 kgs. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Uzbekistan All nationalities require a visa and you need to apply for this prior to departure. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF Uzbekistan. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single,

9 PAGE 9 authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate In Tashkent and Samarkand, the daytime temperature in April and May will be around 20 to 30 degrees centigrade. In the mountains it will be cooler, 15 degrees during the day and 10 degrees at night. In September and October, daytime temperatures range from 20 to 35 degrees centigrade in the cities. The temperature can drop to single figures overnight at the desert camp at Yanghi-Gazgan and it can feel chilly in the evenings whilst staying at the mountain villages so you are advised to take a warm fleece jacket. The weather is usually good throughout the summer, with clear skies and little rain or snow. Books The Golden Road to Samarkand, Odyssey Guides. Mcleod and Mayhew. (By far the best guidebook on Uzbekistan) Central Asia. Lonely Planet The Great Game. Peter Hopkirk The Lost Heart of Asia. Colin Thubron Shadow of the Silk Road. Colin Thubron Eastern Approaches. Fitzroy McLean A Carpet Ride to Khiva. Christopher Aslan Alexander Setting the East Ablaze. Peter Hopkirk Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London to Tashkent International Airport with Turkish Airlines. Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the early afternoon, arriving in the early hours of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart from Tashkent in the early morning of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK in the afternoon on the same day. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request.

10 PAGE 10 Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Tashkent International Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: ext Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.

11 PAGE 11 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of

12 PAGE 12 the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

13 PAGE 13 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your trek bag whilst trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. You Must Bring The Following Items: Walking shoes Socks Underwear Trekking trousers Waterproof jacket Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Baselayer shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve) T-shirts Casual shirt Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Sunglasses Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag) Daypack litres Headtorch with spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 litre (x2) Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small towel Sleeping bag (comfort rated +5 C) for the 'homestay' nights Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).?The Following Items Are Optional: Trainers or sandals Spare laces

14 PAGE 14 Trekking poles Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Camera Travel clothes Please note: This document was downloaded on 31 Dec 2017, and the trip is subject to change.