Detailed description. Indonesia: Java & Bali. Welcome. Day to Day schedule. The emerald of the equator SOJ

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1 Indonesia: Java & Bali The emerald of the equator Trip code: Group size: Number of days: SOJ Detailed description Welcome Get to know the smoking volcanoes, tropical forests, tea plantations, rice paddies and pearly white beaches of the lovely islands of Java and Bali. Experience the differences between the Asian city life and the rustic countryside during this stunning Indonesia group tour. The magnificent temples and palaces, the music and dance and especially the friendly, colourful population will all make a big impression on you. The delicious Indonesian cuisine is another plus. These emerald drops on the equator are for many the most beautiful islands in the world! Day to Day schedule Below is a summary of the day-to-day description. Transport Route Overnight stay 1 Bandung Bandung 2 Bandung Bandung 3 Bus Bandung Puncak Pass - Cipanas/Garut Cipanas/Garut 4 Bus Cipanas/Garut - Naga - Pangandaran Pangandaran 5 Pangandaran Pangandaran 6 Bus Pangandaran Cilacap Wonosobo Wonosobo 7 Bus Wonosobo Borobudur Yogyakarta Yogyakarta 8 Yogyakarta Yogyakarta 9 Bus Yogyakarta - Prambanan - Solo - Tawangmangu 10 Bus Tawangmangu - Malang Malang 11 Bus Malang - Bromo Bromo Tawangmangu 12 Bus Bromo - Kalibaru Kalibaru

2 13 Boat,Bus Bus Boat,Bus Boat,Bus 20 Kalibaru - Lovina Lovina Lovina Lovina Lovina - Bratan Lake - Bedugul - Ubud Ubud Ubud Ubud Ubud - Sanur - Lembongan Lembongan Nusa Lembongan Nusa Lembongan Nusa Lembongan - Sanur Sanur Sanur End of tour Sanur Day to Day description Day 1: Bandung Welcome to Indonesia! Your tour starts in Bandung, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Your hotel has a pool so you can relax after your long flight. Your travel companions will also arrive at the hotel today. You will meet your tour leader at 18:00 hours in the lobby of your hotel. You should book a flight to arrive into Bandung International airport (BDO). Day 2: Bandung Bandung is also called "the Paris of Java", where the temperature is more pleasant than in Jakarta. You will find many colonial buildings and around the street "Jalan Braga" you will find the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. Be sure to visit the Savoy Homann Hotel, one of the finest examples. You are free today to do as you please. You may consider a trip to Tangkuban Perahu volcano and the only crater top in Indonesia that can be reached by road. It is very special to see this active volcano with various gases emitting from its 12 different crater mouths. Day 3: Bandung ± Puncak Pass - Cipanas/Garut Today we travel through the stunning Javanese landscape visiting tea plantations and a tea factory in Gunung Mas, journey through the breathtaking Puncak Pass before arriving in Cipanas at the end of the day. Cipanas lies at the foot of the Gunung Masigit, close to Garut, an area famous for its hot springs which supply naturally heated water to all of the hotels in the region. Day 4: Cipanas/Garut - Naga - Pangandaran TIP: You can visit the still-active but infrequently visited Papandayan volcano today (optional), accompanied by a local guide. We then continue to Pangandaran a fishing village on Java s southern coast. Stopping on the way at Naga, a traditional Sundanese village. Once we arrive why not go for a dip in the sea, be careful of the apes that sometimes appear on the beach and run off with food and sunglasses!

3 Day 5: Pangandaran Kick back and relax on the beach at Pangandaran take a dip in the Indian Ocean and watch the fishermen fish in the traditional manner. A walk through the exotic Prenanjun Nature Reserve is not to be missed due to its luxuriant tropical vegetation and rich wildlife. You can see many species of bird, apes, deer and maybe even bantengs, however, the Indonesian government closes the reserve from time to time, to give the flora and fauna a rest. If that is the case during this trip, walks will be restricted to certain areas. Day 6: Pangandaran ± Cilacap ± Wonosobo Today we travel by bus to Cilacap before going on to the lively town of Wonosobo, on the edge of the Dieng Plateau, at 2000 meters in altitude. The nights can be cold here, so a warm jumper is advised. Day 7: Wonosobo ± Borobudur ± Yogyakarta In the morning take a walk through the mysterious landscape where the oldest Hindu temples in Java appear out of the mist. We also recommend seeing the three multi-coloured lakes and taking a walk along the deserted but spectacularly scenic mountain paths to the highest village in Java. In the afternoon, we will visit one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world, the Borobudur. This popular pilgrim site, dating back to the 9th century, boasts many terraces on ascending levels, adorned with 15,000 Buddhist relief panels and 400 bell-shaped stupas (Buddhist sculptures/monuments). Pilgrims walk clockwise around it to reach the top, which represents nirvana. It is possible to visit this huge stupa with a local guide who can explain its mystical history and point out the best things to see. In the late afternoon we arrive in Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java. Day 8: Yogyakarta The Kraton (Sultan of Yogya s palace), has many batik-studios, silversmiths, the Wayang puppeteers, leather-tanning shops, the famous shopping street of Jalan Malioboro, alleyways and narrow streets with markets you can explore for hours: Yogya is a city which completely enraptures visitors. All forms of artistic expression and crafts make this the perfect place for souvenir hunting. The optional city tour by becak is a great way to see the sights. Day 9: Yogyakarta - Prambanan - Solo - Tawangmangu We set out from Yogya and pay a visit en-route to the renowned Prambanan temples. This Hindu temple complex, built in 850 AD, is an imposing architectural wonder, devoted to the gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. We will also stop in Solo, also known as Surakarta where you can visit the Mangkunegara palace. Entrance fees for Prambanan and Solo are included. We drive along tobacco and sugar cane fields to the mysterious and exotic Sukuhtempel or Candi Suku. From here you can make a nice walk of about three hours through this pristine and little visited mountain to Tawangmangu.

4 Day 10: Tawangmangu - Malang A steep drive, using a local bus (chartered) will take you to the beautiful mountain village of Sarangan at an altitude of 1287 meters with views of Gunung Luwu. This is one of the most beautiful routes through the interior of Central to East Java. Then we travel on to the ex-colonial city of Malang. We ll stay the night in a charming guesthouse just outside the centre of Malang. Day 11: Malang - Bromo In the early afternoon we travel on to the Bromo volcano via Probolinggo and stay the night in Bromo, where the climb to the crater of the mountain is one of the highlights of the whole trip. Day 12: Bromo - Kalibaru At 4am we head up the Bromo volcano in jeeps to experience the amazing sunrise before we descend to a horizontal plateau which we must cross to get to the inner crater. The rocky, rugged terrain resembles a lunar landscape and on arriving at the foot of the inner crater, we will climb 246 steps to the top of the crater wall. The morning light makes it an amazing spectacle, particularly when the rising sun bathes the area in a pink-red glow. The above is an optional excursion which is included in the excursion package. We then travel on to Kalibaru, where we can join an optional guided walking trip through the coffee, clove, rubber and cacao plantations. You will also see how tempe (moulded soya bean) and tahu (bean curd) are made in the small home-factories. Day 13: Kalibaru - Lovina We drive today to Banyuwangi along the northern coast of East Java, to board the boat for Bali, the Island of Gods and Demons, where daily life is shaped by a constant struggle between the forces of good and evil. Balinese see evil as being necessary to give the forces of good the chance to flow. The contrasts are not as black and white as we may sometimes think. Bali is a crowded island, but the majority of it is unknown. In Bali, can you also visit the most beautiful rice fields in the world. The ride ends in Lovina on the rarely visited north coast of Bali. The next two nights you will stay in a hotel with a pool near the beach with a beautiful sunset that you have only to walk 200 meters to see! Lovina beach is beautifully black in colour, that is because of its volcanic origin. Today is 156 km by bus and ferry stops you with a total of six hours on the road).

5 Day 14: Lovina During your free days in Lovina, you can relax on the beach, but you can also in the early morning take a boat trip in search of dolphins. Close to shore is a coral reef that you can reach by boat and then go snorkelling with your own/rented equipment. You can also dive (if you are in possession of a diving certification) in the beautiful underwater nature reserve at the island of Menjangan, Lovina or dive the wreck that is northwest, off the coast of Tulamben. You can also rent a moped and take excursions to the (for example) former capital of Bali, Singaraja or a Buddhist monastery. Lovina has a wide choice of restaurants where, amongst other things, you can try the delicious, freshly caught fish. Day 15: Lovina - Bratan Lake - Bedugul - Ubud Today is a beautiful trip through the heart of Bali. The ride takes you to the mountain lake of Bratan at 1240 meters. You can visit the beautiful Ulan Danu temple on the shore of Lake Bratan and visit the botanical gardens near Bedugul, where you can enjoy walking around. During the afternoon we arrive in Ubud, center of the island. Ubud is the cultural center of Bali, famous for its' paintings. The traditional Balinese culture is honored here. There are also many religious ceremonies, dances and parties. Almost certainly will you find at least one of these colourful festivities and it will be a memorable experience. Day 16: Ubud Explore the artists village, in this lush tropical region and walk or cycle through the rice fields and lively villages. You can also walk down Monkey Forest Road to Monkey Forest where you can watch the makaks play and practise your photography. Another option is to stroll through the green rice fields and get a taste of village life, which is delightfully coloured by the island s religious culture. Rafting on the Ayun River is possible for the adventurous at heart and in the evening, you can see the traditional Barong or Kecak dances, and enjoy delicious Balinese food in one of the many restaurants. Day 17: Ubud - Sanur - Lembongan Leaving Ubud, you drive about 1.5 hours to Sanur. Here you'll board the boat that will take you to the island of Lembongan in about 40 minutes. The island of 1XVD /HPERQJDQ KDV DQ DUHD RI RQO\ 8 square kilometers and has about 5000 residents most of which are involved in seaweed cultivation. Saunter down the white beach, take a swim in the refreshing sea, enjoy a relaxing Balinese massage and read a book in the shade of an overhanging palm; some ingredients for a great 'lazy' day. Lembongan is often called 'The Bali of forty years ago' and you ll often see day-trippers coming over from Bali for the snorkelling and diving. You will love this pristine paradise. Walk to the rugged cliffs on the south side of the island and drink a fruit juice at a deserted seaside restaurant.

6 Day 18: Nusa Lembongan Free day. Not in the mood for a lie-in? Then go to the beach in the early morn. Not only is this the 'golden hour' for making beautifully exposed images, for the locals the beach is really 'the place to be'. Small fishing boats come ashore by the dozens and trade up their catches as soon as they do. Experience total enjoyment of sun, sea and sand. Nusa Lembongan offers excellent snorkelling, diving and surfing. You can also take a beautiful walk or bike ride along the deserted roads of the island. Keep in mind that the interior is not flat and that you will encounter significant climbs when crossing the island. Day 19: Nusa Lembongan - Sanur A short boat ride takes you to the cosy seaside town of Sanur. Off the coast is a large pier that breaks the waves of the sea. On the pleasant gently sloping beach of Sanur, you can swim with confidence in the beautiful blue water. Enjoy a balmy tropical night, go and buy last souvenirs or feast on a serving of satay. The center of the town boasts many shops and restaurants. You can kick back on the beach or try some of the various water sports on offer such as surfing, water skiing, diving, sailing and fishing. Day 20: Sanur The last day of your tour. Your hotel room will usually be available until around 12 noon at which point your tour will conclude. You should arrange your own transfer to Denpasar (Bali)airport. We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Indonesia. Your personal µmy.shoestring page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today. When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any posttour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 20) is not included. Please note: For groups of 2-7 participants it may be that the tour leader does not sleep in the same hotel as the group. With 8 participants and above, the tour leader will sleep at the same hotels as the group. More info What's included: Accommodation in hotels including breakfast (not in Cipanas/Garut); transportation in AC (mini)buses only for transfers from hotel to hotel; non air-conditioned transfers to Candi Suku, Sarangan and Bromo; boat transfers between Java and Bali; speed boat Bali-Lembongan-Bali; entrance fee for Borobudur/Prambanan/Bromo; English speaking tour leader.

7 What's excluded: International flights; breakfast in Cipanas; all other meals; tips; visas; optional excursions; all other entrance fees; airport transfers; booking fee; travel insurance. Attention Travel documents It is your own responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents for your trip. You should have a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport beyond your return travel date. For a number of nationalities, it is possible to gain a free 30-day tourism visa (depending on point of entry). For those not qualifying for the free visa, it is possible to organise the visa upon arrival at a cost of US$35 per person (11/14). If you need to organise your visa in advance of travel then you should do so either through your closest Indonesian embassy or through an agency such as CIBT. Please check visa information in good time before your trip commences as this information is always subject to change. You can check this information through a site such as this one Accommodation and transport

8 Transport During this trip we have access to a private bus. For the journey between Java and Bali we will travel by public local boat. From Bali to Lembongan (and v.v) we travel by speedboat. Please note that the airport transfers are not included. Departure tax: Please note that you must pay a departure tax at the airport in Indonesia. We do not list any amounts for this as they are often changing. Accommodation During the tour we stay in hotels in double/twin rooms with private bathroom. Some of the planned hotels have a swimming pool! This applies to accommodations in Pangandaran, Yogyakarta, Kalibaru, Lovina and Ubud. In exceptional cases it may happen that we change the planned hotels. If there is no longer a pool at the hotel(s) in question then a suitable alternative will be found. Most hotels have a restaurant, sometimes with a lovely garden or patio. Travellers booking alone will share a double/twin or sometimes triple room. We of course keep in mind that you share with others of the same sex. If you would prefer a room for yourself for the entirety of the trip, this can be arranged. You should indicate this on your booking and a supplement will be charged. Please note: For groups of 2-7 participants it may be that the tour leader does not sleep in the same hotel as the group. With 8 participants and above, the tour leader will sleep at the same hotels as the group. Ramadan: It is possible that (especially in Java) unexpected changes in the program are made due to the congested roads and/or overbooked trains/hotels during Ramadan. It seems like the whole of Indonesia is going somewhere at that time! If this is encountered then suitable alternatives will be found. During your trip, it is possible to participate in 'single' excursions offered locally by the tour leader. These excursions are optional. To allow you to plan a budget for your trip we have provided you with an idea of the cost of these excursions. The price can change due to currency fluctuations. The amounts are therefore only meant to give you an indication of the cost. Entrance fees will often change and therefore are excluded from the prices displayed (unless explicitly stated). We display the prices in Euros/GB Pounds/US Dollars. When you are in your destination, it is possible to pay for the excursions in local currency. Single excursions

9 Excursion Details Price Bandung - City tour and Angklung performance In the morning you will go on a city tour where you will see the historical part of Bandung. You will visit Gedung Sate, the Asia-Africa museum and you will also visit the place where shadow puppets are made. You arrive back at the hotel at around noon, where you can have lunch (not included), rest or take a dip in the pool. Enjoy an afternoon performance from a bamboo orchestra, 'Angklung'. A fun show where the audience is involved, making it attractive for the children. Excursion Schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 8:30 am: Departure from the hotel 9.30: Visit Gedung Sate, the Asia-Africa museum and puppet maker 12.00: Arrival back at hotel 14:45: Departure to Angklung performance 15:30 to 17:00: Angklung presentation 18.00: Back at the hotel 20 Bromo - Sunrise Bromo volcano Included: Angklung performance Not included: tips, drinks Early in the morning you'll drive in jeeps to a viewpoint, where you have a beautiful sight of the sunrise over the Bromo volcano and surrounding sea and sand. Then you drive the jeep into the crater, through sea and sand to Bromo. You can go to the craters' rim of Mount Bromo and see the yellow sulphur vapours rising from the center. The jeeps returns through the sea and sand to your hotel. 18 Excursion schedule: 04:00 am: Depart from hotel 8:00 am: Back at the hotel Note: If the Bromo is still active the excursion may differ depending on the circumstances. Your tour guide will tell you what the alternative is. Included: Transport by jeep Not included: Entrance fee, gratuity

10 Cipanas / Garut - Papandayan volcano Early morning drive to the still active but less visited Papandayan volcano (2622 m). This volcano had an eruption in You'll be led by a local guide on a walk to the volcano crater where you can see a green crater lake. What you see and hear is indescribable. Several holes in the ground are spraying hot steam up, there's bubbling mud and you see the yellow sulphur fumes. It is like being on a far away, different planet. At the end of the morning you'll return to Cipanas / Garut. 54 Lembongan - Snorkel Trip Excursion schedule: hours: Depart from hotel 12:00 hours: Arrival in Garut where the journey to Pangandaran will begin. Including the entry fee, English speaking guide, transportation Not included: gratuity Around Lembongan Island are some beautiful snorkelling spots which you can reach by boat. Snorkelling is straight from the boat into deep water, not from a sandy beach. This excursion takes you to two different snorkelling spots. Price based on participation of seven people. 21 Pangandaran - Green Canyon Included: transportation, snorkel gear Excluded: tips, drinks You drive by a few 'home-factories' where you will see the manufacture of crackers, palm sugar and shadow puppets. Then drive to the Green Canyon, a narrow high canyon carved by the river. Here you are guided by canoe. Eventually you can go swimming among the surrounding lush vegetation. 22 Excursion Schedule (subject to change and in consultation with the tour leader): 08:00 am: Depart from hotel 12:00: Back at the hotel Included: entry fee, English speaking guide, transportation, boat trip in Green Canyon Not included: tips

11 Ubud - Dinner with local family Before having dinner you get a tour of the house and the surrounds. You see that more than one family is living here, each with its own sleeping quarters. Several buildings are built according to religious guidelines. Thus, the direction is determined by the location of Gunung Agung, the Hindu Balinese 'Holy Mountain'. In the yard is a shrine from where offerings are made to the gods. Your host can tell you more about this. Balinese dinner can be combined with a visit to a small shrine carved into the rock, dating back to the 11th century. During this excursion you will learn a lot about the Balinese culture. 19 For dinner, it is useful to adopt the Balinese style, sitting on the floor. You can choose to eat with your hands, like the Balinese. Your meal is freshly prepared in the kitchen and usually consists of soup, vegetables, beans and chicken. 'Selamat makan! " The price mentioned is based on a minimum of 7 participants. Included: dinner, visiting temple Candi Tebing, transport Excluded: drinks Ubud cycling In the morning you get on your bike and you'll ride from the hotel to a Balinese family to see how people there live. We walk through the rice fields a little, and with luck we can see how the rice is planted or harvested. Then we cycle to the small village and drive through the beautiful rice fields near Ubud back to the hotel where you arrive in the afternoon. You're on the road about three hours. Please note that there are a few steep climbs in this tour. 17 Excursion schedule: 9:00 am: Depart from hotel 12:00 pm: Back at the hotel Included: bicycle, English speaking guide Not included: gratuity

12 Wonosobo - Dieng Plateau In the early morning you drive to the cool Wonosobo Dieng plateau, at over 2000 meters in altitude. The plateau has long been a holy place. Here once stood hundreds of temples (built around the eighth century), but only a few ruins are now left. During the scenic drive up, witness daily life in the villages and the fields, before landing on the famous plateau. It is a landscape with a magical atmosphere, especially when the morning fog clears, with hissing and bubbling mud pools, crater lakes and hot springs. You can walk to temples, colourful lakes and fumaroles (vents in the crust where gases and vapours escape). At the end of the morning you'll drive back to Wonosobo. 22 6:30 am: Depart from hotel - 1 hour drive 07:30 am: Sightseeing Dieng temples and plateau. 9:30 am: Return to hotel 11:00: Back at the hotel and then departure to Yogyakarta Included: transportation, entrance fees, English speaking guide Not included: gratuity Yogyakarta - City Tour Transport today is by becak, the popular bicycle/taxi in the city. You are driven to visit the Sultans' Palace or Kraton, accompanied by a guide who will give you a tour. Then visit a silver and a batik workshop. Of course you also look at the Water Palace. Then we will bring you to the shopping Malioboro, where you can freely walk around. 19 Excursion schedule: 8:00 am: Depart from hotel 14:00: Back at the hotel Included: transport by becak, entrance fees, English speaking guide Not included: gratuities, lunch, drinks Yogyakarta - Fun evening out with the locals A night out with the local youth! You start with a walk from Jalan Prawirotaman to the town square Alun Alun. Here a local guide will tell you about the history of the square and then you sit among the local people where you can try new snacks from local shops. You make a trip around the square on a colourful becak and can join in with the game Mesangin. This evening you will have lots of fun and insight into the local culture. 16 Excursion schedule (subject to change): 18:00 pm: Hike to the square Alun Alun 18:20 pm: Games, food and drink 20.00: Walk back to Jalan Prawirotaman Includes: Non-alcoholic beverage, round in a becak, games on the square Excluded: tips, other drinks Festival info

13 News 5/16/2013 Baggage allowance for internal flights Please be aware that you are allowed to check in a maximum of 15 kg of baggage for all internal flights within Indonesia. If you exceed this limit then there will be an additional (per kilo) amount to be paid on the spot. General information Tour leader Our tours are led by trained, local English speaking tour leaders. We know that our travellers appreciate being accompanied by these local tour leaders who, compared to their counterparts (living outside of the destination) have more detailed knowledge of their country. He/she knows the area well, can provide background information and ensure that the trip goes smoothly. He/she knows what to do if something were to go wrong, but is not a "walking encyclopedia". Therefore we would like to refer you to study a good travel guide (book) in advance of travel. Your tour leader understandably expects a tip at the end, if she/he has completed the job well. Shoestring pay the tour guides a wage which is higher than that of most adventurous travel companies. Our guideline for tipping is between 1, - and 2, - per passenger per day (the equivalent thereof). Sustainability We know that travelling to remote corners of this planet has its effects. At Shoestring we really try to make an effort to keep our impact to a minimum. We try to avoid the use of plastic water bottles on our treks through Nepal and we do not dump our litter during our trips through Africa. All of our staff have been trained to take special care to ensure we make as little impact on the environment as possible. Furthermore we support a lot of local projects which are mostly related to clean drinking water or making sure that children get vaccinated against illnesses such as tuberculosis. On most tours you will be able to visit some of the projects we support through our local agents. Find out more about the different projects Shoestring are involved with, how you can make a difference and our environmental policies here Further important info...

14 We recommend preparing well before you go on this trip so please read about your destination and carefully check which vaccinations and other medications you might need. Here are a few important points. Prior to the trip After making your booking, if you have not heard whether your trip is definitely going ahead then it is safe to assume that this is the case. If we unexpectedly have to cancel the trip, we will let you know no later than three weeks prior to your departure. It is not common for a trip to be cancelled, so please do not worry unduly. Incidentally, even if the minimum number of participants is not reached, Shoestring can still choose to let the trip proceed anyway. Guarantee Shoestring offers a unique guarantee, but what does a "guaranteed price" mean? It simply means that you pay the price that appears on the website at the time of booking. We guarantee that price. Any price increases made later will not be passed on to you! Personal Information Make sure when completing your booking to fill all details in correctly. This includes your passport and personal information (such as gender, date of birth and first and last name as stated in your passport). These details are necessary for confirming any domestic flights or transportation tickets and at some hotels that form part of your itinerary. Check your (digital) receipt of your booking confirmation details to make sure they are listed correctly. You are responsible for providing correct information. Incorrect information can lead to you not being admitted onto a train or into a hotel! Further information for your trip No later than one week prior to departure you will find your departure letter on your personal myshoestring site. Any tickets for local flights/other transportation will be controlled by your tour leader and provided locally. Single travellers About a third of our travellers are single travellers. This does not have to cost more as you can share with one of the other travellers in your group. We of course keep in mind to pair you with someone of the same sex. If you would prefer a room to yourself then this is usually possible. Please indicate this when booking and the applicable supplement will be added. Feedback While we put a lot of effort into the execution of your trip, it still occurs that travellers have comments about various aspects. To ensure that these observations can be addressed immediately we ask that they are notified to the tour leader in writing whilst on tour. If comments are not communicated in writing to the tour leader during the trip then this will affect how we are able to handle any potential complaint after the trip has concluded. Newsletter We regularly send out a digital newsletter, our E -zine. Here you can read stories, offers, tips and latest news about our travels. Do you receive this newsletter? Sign up easily through this link. Kuoni Specialists Ltd Shoestring is part of Kuoni Specialists Ltd, a group of adventure travel companies that interact in various ways to ensure that the traveller gets true value for his/her money. Behind the scenes, there is cooperation in the field of purchasing and handling of the trips and for the traveller, it means that we have an enormous amount of extra resources behind us, in the event they should be required. Have fun with the preparations for your trip! Insurance

15 Travel insurance, including medical repatriation insurance, is mandatory. It is not included with our packages and it is your responsibility to purchase suitable travel insurance. Make sure that it covers all the activities that you are likely to undertake, such as rafting and trekking. Many free insurances that come with banking packages, credit cards etc, are quite often inadequate to cover you on our tours, so make sure you check the policy before you travel. You should enter your travel insurance details via your my.shoestring account and you are required to give a copy of your insurance policy to your tour leader upon arrival. Without proper insurance like this, you will not be allowed to join the tour as we will not be able to respond adequately in case of an emergency if you do not have the right insurance. Address Shoestring International Entrada AA Amsterdam-Duivendrecht, The Netherlands. You can call us on number or +44 (0) and us at info@shoestring.com Opening hours Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM (Local times in Netherlands).