TOTALLY TROPICAL TREKKING IN DOMINICA

Transcription

1 Head beyond the beaches on this real Caribbean adventure holiday Caribbean paradise island walking holiday in the West Indies Option to hike through dramatic gorges to Dominica's Boiling Lake Experience laid back Caribbean culture including a cookery lesson Snorkelling with a difference at Champange Reef HOLIDAY CODE DOM Dominica, Trek & Walk, 10 Days 4 nights bungalow, 2 nights guesthouse, 3 nights hotel, 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners, max group size: 12, 6 days walking / 2 days touring and sightseeing, max. altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean', the wild and untamed island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is the perfect holiday destination for walkers and naturalists; those looking for a Caribbean walking holiday with a difference. Nestled between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica was previously a French, then British, colony. Now an independent nation, English is still the official language and strong Creole influence also remains. Largely unspoilt by tourism, it is said that Dominica is the only Caribbean island Columbus would recognise if he were to return today. On this trekking holiday we head beyond the beautiful beaches to explore, on foot, Dominica's rugged Caribbean and Atlantic coastlines, where the lush green forests teem with rare bird and animal life, the tree branches bow under the weight of countless exotic fruit and the air is heavy with the scent of wild herbs. Straying inland, we have the option to take the challenging trek deep into the island's dramatic geological heart; with with a trek over the towering green ridges of the Morne Trois Piton National Park and through the evocatively named Valley of Desolation to Dominica's incredible Boiling Lake, the second largest hot spring in the. As well as some fantastic walking, this holiday also includes multiple activities off the trail including a Caribbean cookery lesson, a visit to a traditional indigenous Kalinago Indian village, snorkelling at Champagne Reef, a chance to relax in soothing natural hot springs and a tranquil boat journey down the atmospheric Indian River in search of Sisserou parrots. This is a holiday bursting with flavour and laid back Caribbean charm. Is this holiday for you? On this hiking holiday we have 6 days of walking. You should be comfortable with walking for 4-5 hours each day, in humid conditions, and possibly up to 8hrs if intend to take the option to trek through the Valley of Desolation to the amazing Boiling Lake on Day 3. The hike to Boiling Lake is always weather dependent as heavy rain can make the trail more arduous. Your guide will help you to decide whether it will suitable for you to attempt this longer hike and a shorter alternative walk is also available on this day. During the holiday you will experience high temperatures and humidity, but there is plenty of time for rest stops and water breaks factored in to our walking times. Along some of the coastal paths we will be walking through open grassland and owing to the effect of the overhead sun, wide brimmed hats are essential. We will also be walking on exciting trails through virgin rainforest with wooden steps, log bridges, stepping stones and tree roots; there will be some small elements of scrambling and it is likely that parts of the trail will be muddy underfoot and trekking poles are recommended. The walking is fully supported with all luggage transferred between our accommodations and you will only be required to walk with a day pack each day. At Champange Reef, the snorkelling will take place just a small distance from the beach and all snorkelling equipment will be provided. Accommodation is in characterful small hotels, simple friendly guesthouses and beach side lodges. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel near Roseau. A single timed transfer from Melville Hall airport is provided. Meet at the group hotel near Roseau. KE Land Only package services begin with a single timed airport transfer from Melville Hall Airport to the group hotel, the drive takes around 1hr. On arrival we meet with our guide and enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel, which sits on the sea front; this will be our first taste of the healthy and delicious Caribbean cuisine. HOTEL MEALS D Day 2: Southern coast walk from Soufriere to Scotts Head. Snorkelling at Champagne Reef. Return to Roseau. After breakfast at the hotel we take a short 30 min drive to the village of Soufriere, the start of our walk. As we are adjusting to the temperatures and high humidity, we will have plenty of time to stop, look around and enjoy the views. Our route takes us along the road and through the village of Gallion before joining an old estate track. This

3 PAGE 3 is one of the most volcanic and fertile areas of the island, once famous for large scale sugarcane, cocoa and citrus production; it was from these estates that the fruit for Rose's famous lime cordial originated. Our way is lined with exotic fruit trees as we wind down to the southern community of Scott Head, on the south west tip of the island. Here we can stand on the narrow isthmus that separates the Caribbean from the wild Atlantic Ocean. We have some time to explore characterful Scotts Head before stopping for lunch in a local restaurant, surrounded by colourful gardens filled with fruit trees and butterflies. In the afternoon we head to Champagne Reef where we will have the opportunity to do some guided snorkelling. Snorkelling equipment will be provided. The reef is just meters from the beach, and is teeming with marine life. Bubbling gases from underwater volcanic vents give the reef its name and make this a unique underwater experience! We return to our hotel in Roseau. HOTEL DESCENT 300M ASCENT 250M TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS DISTANCE 8KM Day 3: Caribbean cookery lesson, Trafalgar Waterfalls and Freshwater Lake. Return to Roseau. After breakfast we head into Roseau, where we have some time to look around this small, but colourful, city. We will also visit the local market where we can sample some of the delicious produce. Dominica has the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world and it's not hard to see why with all the healthy, fresh and organic produce available. In the late morning we head to the kitchen for our Caribbean cookery lesson, where we will learn to prepare some of the local cuisine, delicious! Lunch will be a traditional Caribbean buffet, some of which we will have helped prepare. After lunch we head to Fresh Water Lake, stopping off en route to see the imposing twin waterfalls at Trafalgar. Fresh Water Lake is Dominica's largest. Shrouded by myths and legends it is believed to be the home of a one eyed monster! The walk around the lake takes around an hour and there are some superb views along the way. We return to our hotel near Roseau in time for dinner. HOTEL DISTANCE 13KM TIME 1-2 HRS WALKING HOUR Day 4: Optional Boiling Lake Trek and Titou Gorge or shorter option chosen by our guide. Return to Castle Bruce. Today we have the option of taking the more strenuous hike to Boiling Lake or a shorter alternative hike. Those heading to the Boiling Lake will depart the hotel early to make the most of the cooler morning. Following flood damage in 2015 this trail is now more difficult in parts and involves short sections of scrambling, which you will need to be prepared for. This is a challenging 8hr return walk from Titou Gorge, through the steaming Valley of Desolation to Boiling Lake. It is a short drive to the start of the trail, armed with a packed lunch and plenty of water we begin our trek through lush forest on a series of wooden steps, over sharp green ridges. En route we will encounter volcanic rivers, streams and boiling mud in the aptly named Valley of Desolation. The trail is steep and worn in parts and so there is a reasonable element of scrambling involved. We cross a series of streams, which vary in colour from clear water to milky blue, black, white, yellow and orange. The steam and sulphur fumes give the air a potent aroma. We will reach Boiling Lake around midday; this is the second largest hot spring in the world (after Rotorua, New Zealand), though it is not technically a lake at all but rather a flooded fumerole. The natural basin of the lake collects rainfall from the surrounding hills and from the small streams, which empty into fumerole. The water seeps through the porous bottom to the hot lava below where it is trapped and heated to boiling point. After some time to enjoy the spectacle we will retrace our steps back to Titou Gorge, where we can cool off with a swim before heading to our guesthouse accommodation near Castle Bruce. Those opting for the alternative hike can enjoy a more relaxed day! The ascent/descent figures below refer to the Boiling Lake hike.

4 PAGE 4 GUESTHOUSE ASCENT 875M DISTANCE 11KM DESCENT 875M TIME 8HRS WALKING HOURS Day 5: Discover the East Coast Villages of San Sauver, Petite Soufriere and Rosalie Bay. Today we will enjoy a day of walking and culture as we explore a rural part of Dominica as we visit the communities of San Sauver and Petite Soufriere - rich in culture and tradition and not normally exposed to receiving visitors and tourism. We will be sure to have eaten cassava, or arrowroot, and we will visit a cassava processing plant to see how the tuber makes it's way from the ground to our plates. We will also have the chance to see how the leaves of the aromatic bay trees are distilled to make oil. Arriving at Soufriere, we begin our hike to the Rosalie Estate along an old estate trail, once used by the Kalinago Indians and still used by farmers today. We can expect some fantastic Atlantic views today. We break for lunch at Rosalie at an old Catholic Church, which is today operated as a Retreat House. Returning to the vehicle we head back to our accommodation in Castle Bruce. GUESTHOUSE TIME 3-4HRS WALKING HOURS Day 6: Walk from Castle Bruce to Hatten Garden. Visit Kalinago Barana Anute. Transfer to Portsmouth. Walking along the most easterly segment of the trail we meet Dominica's indigenous people, the Kalinago, giving us insight into their culture and lifestyles, whilst providing excellent walking on the rugged Atlantic coastline. The Kalinago name for Dominica is Waitikabuli, which means "tall is her body". Today's walk is on undulating terrain, climbing and dipping gently as we past through hamlets and villages, and along the Atlantic cliffs. We will see many lizards and iguana today out basking in the Caribbean sunshine, there is little forest on this section and the sun can be strong, so our sun hats are essential. Many of the villages have small craft shops with friendly Kalinago people eager to say hello to us. We end the day at Kaliago Barana Anute, a traditional village by the sea. Here we can learn about Kalinago history and culture. Afterwards we drive 1.5hrs to the north of the island and our beach side accommodation in Picard Portsmouth, our base for the next 4 nights. BUNGALOW DESCENT 400M ASCENT 350M TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS DISTANCE 5KM Day 7: Exploring the northern estates. Walk from Colihaut Heights to Ros Castle. Return to Portsmouth. Today we will walk from Colihaut Heights to Ros Castle. After breakfast at our accommodation there will be a short transfer of 35mins on jeep track up hill to the start of the trail. We follow an old estate road that leads us through forest and fertile farmland. In the early years of the 19th century, French coffee planters owned this area. There are some fantastic views down to the valley and the coastline. Fresh exotic fruit grows all around us and we can enjoy some of the wild raspberries, which litter the edge of the path. Our route takes us past Morne Diablotin, Dominica s highest mountain. From here we have a slow and winding decent through an agricultural belt once known for citrus and coffee, the track is still surrounded by citrus orchards, alongside banana and plantain. We leave the estate track and continue on a narrow footpath that winds down through thick forest; we may see Jaco and Sisserou parrots hiding in the trees. In places the path is steep and tree roots cross the trail. We continue down to Ros Castle where today s walk will end. From here we drive to Brandy Manor, where we can enjoy some Caribbean afternoon tea and explore the gardens before returning to our accommodation in Portsmouth, where we will have dinner.

5 PAGE 5 BUNGALOW ASCENT 345M DISTANCE 12KM DESCENT 763M TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Walk along the north coast from Penville to Capuchin. Boat journey back to Portsmouth. Our last day on the trail. We start with a short transfer to the start of today's walk. We stop en route at Cold Soufriere, the world's only cold sulphur spring. Our walk begins on volcanic terrain and through the dry forest. The trees roots here are dotting with holes, home to Dominica's army of land crabs, usually only seen after dark. Grapefruit, mango, and soursop hang in the trees aside the path, we may have a chance to sample some of these delicious fruits along the way. As we walk we have spectacular views of the neighbouring French islands of Guadeloupe, Marie Galante and Les Saintes. Our path is undulating, but straight forward and there is plenty of time enjoy the views. We end at the village of Capuchin, the most northerly village in Dominica. Here we will be treated to a Caribbean home cooked buffet in the home of one of the villagers. After a leisurely lunch we board boats for the exciting journey around the coast and back to Portsmouth. The seas around Dominica are a haven for dolphin, turtles, flying fish and whale and we should be on the look out. If the seas are rough it may be necessary to continue on foot. Back on dry land we head back to our beach accommodation where we will enjoy a delicious meal. BUNGALOW DISTANCE 10KM TIME 3-4HRS WALKING HOURS Day 9: Guided tour of Indian River. Visit Fort Shirley. Afternoon on beach. Return to Portsmouth. After breakfast we have a short transfer to the pier of the Indian River, boarding our rowing boats we will have a guided tour whilst exploring the mangroves looking for wildlife. This is a real treat for bird watchers and nature lovers. As we glide through the mangroves and wetlands of this brackish river our guide will explain the history of the area and tell us all about the incredible flora and fauna lining the waterway. This atmospheric back drop was the fitting location for various scenes in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Back on dry land, we make the short drive to Fort Shirley. Located upon the twin hills of the Cabrits, which tower over Portsmouth, this large 18th century British garrison once housed 600 soldiers. From up on the hill there is an excellent panoramic view of Prince Rupert Bay and back to Portsmouth. This is the perfect location for a picnic lunch. From here a gentle walk takes us down to the beach where we can spend the rest of the afternoon swimming and relaxing. We return to our accommodation in time to freshen up for our final dinner. Watching the sun sink into the Caribbean Sea whilst enjoying some delicious Dominican dishes is just the perfect way to celebrate our last night on the island. BUNGALOW Day 10: Departure Day. A single timed transfer to Melville Hall Airport is provided. We end our holiday on this idyllic Caribbean island with a single timed transfer to the airport where KE Land Only package services end. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included

6 PAGE 6 English-speaking local guide Group airport transfers All accommodation as described Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan All land transport required by the itinerary National park entrance fees All excursions mentioned in the itinerary. What's Not Included Travel insurance Visas Airport taxes Flight from Antigua to Dominica on Day 2 of the itinerary (should be booked as part of your international flight package) Airport transfers other than group transfers Some meals as detailed in the meal plan Extra activities and excursions Tips for local staff Miscellaneous personal expenditure Meal Plan All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10. Food Dominica s cuisine is similar to many Caribbean islands. Popular local meals include rice and peas, stews of chicken or beef, freshly caught fish and many different types of hearty broths and soups, which are cooked with locally grown onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, and herbs like thyme to create a rich sauce: all served with plantain or yam. The flavours are delicious and the ingredients could not be fresher. Typical snacks are saltfish (dried and salted cod), bakes. The bakes are deep fried dough balls (a little like doughnuts) and fried plantain crisps. These can be found for sale by street vendors along with more healthy smoothies. Breakfasts can include cornmeal porridge or eggs and bacon with fried plantains, washed down with a fresh glass of coconut water. Fruit lovers are in for a treat with an abundance of fresh exotic fruit and juices readily available. Pineapple, mangoes, bananas, guava, passion fruit and the unusual soursop, the list is endless. You should drink bottled water only whilst in Dominica. On some of the walking days we will be given a a simple packed lunch, this usually consists of a sandwich, some fruit and a snack. In the evening we will be able to make a choice of a main meal from a set menu of dishes, drinks are not included. Breakfasts will be simple Caribbean fare and will normally consist of fresh juices, a range of exotic tropical fruits and a choice of cooked eggs. Joining Arrangements & Transfers A single group transfer from Melville Hall, Dominica Airport to the group's hotel near Roseau (approx 1 hr) is provided on the evening of day 1 of the itinerary. This transfer is timed to meet passengers arriving on the Virgin Atlantic/ LIAT flight from London Gatwick via Antigua. At the end of the holiday there will be a single group transfer back to the airport timed to meet the check in for the mid afternoon flight from Melville Hall to Antigua and on to London. Anyone may use these transfers. If your flight schedules mean that you are unable to take advantage of these group transfers, independent transfers can be arranged at an additional cost. Contact the KE office for more information. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be sent with your booking confirmation.

7 PAGE 7 Accommodation During this holiday, the group will spend 3 nights at the comfortable Fort Young hotel in Roseau, right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, rooms have A/C and there is a pool. We will also spend 2 nights in simple family run guesthouses in Castle Bruce and 4 nights in bungalow/lodge accommodation right on the beach at Picard, Portsmouth. As tourism is still in its infancy in Dominica you will find that the accommodation is simple, but full of charm and we will enjoy some delicious and authentic Caribbean home cooking, with ingredients often picked directly from the gardens. All accommodation is on a twin share basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired with another single traveller of the same sex. It is possible to request single rooms at the Fort Young Hotel for an additional charge, however, due to the small number of rooms available, it is not possible to provide single accommodation in Castle Bruce or in the lodges at Picard. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the holiday dates and prices page on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking local tour leader for each day, where possible we use an expert local guide for each of the walking sections, this means that you may walk with different guides throughout the week, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the trails, the island and the people who live here. Spending Money Approximately $200 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses, which will include tips. If you expect to buy considerable quantities of soft drinks or beer, you should make an allowance for this. It is not necessary to purchase local currency (East Caribbean Dollar) prior to travel and sterling, euros and US dollars are readily exchanged on the island. We suggest you carry your travel money in the form of cash as it can be difficult to change travellers Cheques. ATMs are located around the island. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods in the larger towns and shops, and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you to your local guides and driver. Tipping is entirely voluntary and should be dependent on good service. We advise you to tip as a group. Free KE Gift 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 vehicle throughout this trip. There is no weight restriction other than that imposed by your international carrier. However, we do ask you to restrict your luggage to one main bag and a small day bag. We recognise that for some of our holidays and for some of our travellers, the KE Trek Bag (see below) may not provide the best solution when packing for your trip. A bag with fitted wheels or a holdall with more than one compartment and more than one access zip can, in some circumstances, be more appropriate. We have no problem if you choose to use an alternative bag.

8 PAGE 8 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 Dominica UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. Transit Via USA You will require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), and you must get this before boarding any US-bound aircraft or ship, or entering on a land border. The fee is USD$14 and you should apply for it at With the ESTA complete, the majority of British Citizen passport holders can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Programme, VWP. As of 1st April 2016 you will be required to have a passport with an intergrated chip. Note that if you have travelled to Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan in the last 5yrs you will have to apply for a visa rather than the Visa Waiver Programme. NOTE: This is required if you are transiting through the USA Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any 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 certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transitted for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Zika virus has been confirmed as active in this country. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like dengue and malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV are unlikely to be found above 2,000m altitude. For more information, visit the website of the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) at Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

9 PAGE 9 Currency The unit of currency in Dominica is the East Caribbean Dollar. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time getting some additional exercise before coming on a walking holiday. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. Hill walking, running and swimming are good for developing cardio-vascular fitness as well as improving stamina. 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, 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 Dominica has a hot, humid subtropical climate with temperatures averaging Celsius all year. Temperatures in the mountains are noticeably cooler and the central range of mountains, which the trail passes, are often under cloud cover. The spring months (Feb-Apr) are the driest, and the heaviest rains and humidity falls from June to October. Books The Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys 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.

10 PAGE 10 Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London Gatwick to Dominica (Melville Hall) with BA and Liat via Antigua. Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the morning and arriving in the evening of the same day (day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart in the afternoon of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK the following morning. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. 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 or flights with an alternative carrier, we will contact you with an alternative quote. 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 Melville Hall, Dominica. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Melville Hall 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'. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 34 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. You Must Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Walking Sandals for river crossings (for Sari Sari waterfall hike) Socks Trekking trousers Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Underwear Baselayer shirts Shirts or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Lightweight waterproof jacket Sunhat Sunglasses Daypack litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x2 Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small towel Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag) Basic First Aid Kit, including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.?the Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Trainers for travelling in Flip flops

14 PAGE 14 Mosquito net (in most establishments they are provided or the windows have netting, however it is prudent to bring one as well) Spare laces Shorts Travel clothes Swimwear Umbrella Gaiters Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Camera Please note: This document was downloaded on 21 Feb 2018, and the trip is subject to change.