A feast for the senses in Karnataka and northern Kerala Get under the skin of Southern India on this fantastic adventure holiday Neeleshwar Hermitage a little corner of paradise Get up close to an elephant family at Nagarhole Overnight houseboat cruise on the Valiyaparamba backwaters HOLIDAY CODE MMD India, Discovery, 11 Days 1 night houseboat, 2 nights hotel, 7 nights hotel with swimming pool, 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners, max group size: 12, 11 days touring and sightseeing VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE
PAGE 2 Introduction This extraordinary journey offers an opportunity to experience one of the most diverse and unexpectedly beautiful corners of India. Starting out in Mysore, the cultural capital of the state of Karnataka, we visit a number of colourful Hindu temples and opulent palaces, before stopping off for a 2-night stay at the Nagarhole National Park. Wildlife abounds here, especially wild elephants, and our cruise on Kabini Lake, together with morning and evening game drives on the following day, promise to be memorable. Then, heading west to the district of Coorg in the Western Ghats, we find ourselves in a world of lush forest, rushing rivers and emerald-green tea and coffee plantations. The Bylakuppe Tibetan Buddhist settlement is a surprising highlight of this part of our holiday. Continuing our scenic journey to the idyllic Malabar Coast at the northern tip of the state of Kerala, we spend 2 nights at Neeleshwar Hermitage, an award-winning boutique hotel on the beach, the perfect place from which to explore this tranquil and traditional region. A final, unforgettable experience is the backwaters cruise and overnight stay on a comfortable houseboat. Not yet on the tourist map, this is a 'hidden' part of India where the fortunate visitor can fully connect with the local people, their vibrant cultures and the beautiful landscapes they inhabit. We can wholeheartedly recommend this one! Is this holiday for you? This is principally a touring and sightseeing discovery holiday and as such does not involve a lot of strenuous activity. However, some of the sightseeing visits will involve a reasonable amount of walking and there is the option to do a 2-3 hour guided plantation walk from the hotel on Day 6. The various elements of the holiday are linked by a number of transfers in private, air-conditioned vehicles. Accommodation throughout the tour is in very comfortable hotels with one night spent on a houseboat with private cabins. This holiday should be accessible to any active person with a sense of adventure. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Mysore. A transfer from Bangalore Airport is provided with a sightseeing stop off in Srirangapatna. Meet at the group hotel in Mysore in time for dinner. KE Land Only package services begin with dinner and overnight at the hotel. A single transfer is provided from Bangalore Airport mid morning, timed to meet the arrival of Emirates and Etihad flights from the UK. The distance is 135 kilometres and the journey time around 3 hours. During this drive, we will have a stop off to visit the spectacular Island Fortress of Srirangapatna, the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, which was famously besieged by the British in 1782. Here, within the high stone walls and moats, we will see the Wellesley Bridge, palaces with beautiful frescoes and the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple which is beautiful example of both the Vijayanagara and Hoysala styles of architecture. Mysore itself is the cultural capital of Karnataka, known for its opulent and royal ambience. The palaces and royal garden of Mysore, 'The Jewel of Karnataka', provide glimpses of its past grandeur. The Maharaja's Palace is one of the largest in the country, embellished with stained glass and domes and turrets giving it an ethereal air. Arriving in Mysore mid afternoon, we check in at our hotel and have the rest of the day to rest or to explore before dinner. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL MEALS LD Day 2: Sightseeing in Mysore, including Nandi's Bull and the City Palace.
PAGE 3 After breakfast at the hotel, our programme of sightseeing in Mysore begins at the nearby Chamundeshwari Temple, whose history dates back 1000 years. Perched on a hill which takes its name from the Goddess Kali or Chamundi, the consort of Shiva, the temple is a fine quadrangular structure with a high 'gopuram' (tower) and 'dwara' (entrance) which is a visible landmark from miles around. Part way up the hill leading to the temple is the giant statue of Nandi's Bull, reputed to have been carved out of the basalt bedrock in a single night. Almost 5 metres high, the bull is adorned with ropes, chains, bells and stone jewels. Anyone who is feeling energetic can choose to walk the 1000 steps up to the temple which were laid by the Maharaja Dodda Devaraja in 1659. We return to our hotel for lunch and have some free time at the hotel before, in the late afternoon, setting out again to visit Mysore Palace which is also known as the Amba Vilasa Palace. Situated in the centre of the city, it was the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore and also housed the durbar (royal offices). We spend a second night at our hotel on the outskirts of Mysore. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 3: Drive to the Nagarhole National Park. Evening boat ride in the park. This morning, we make a leisurely and scenic 2 to 3 hour drive westwards to our accommodation at the Nagarhole National Park. Set up as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and designated as a national park in 1988, Nagarhole extends to almost 650 square kilometres between the districts of Coorg and Mysore. Its name derives from two words in the language of Karnataka; 'naga' meaning snake and 'hole' meaning river. The snake-like Kabini River separates the Nagarahole National Park from the Bandipur National Park to the south-east. The park is green and lush with forest cover and home to such wildlife species as; tiger, leopards sloth bear, wild dog (dhole), spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, marsh crocodile and elephant. Elephants are regularly seen and can be observed in their natural habitat. The park also has a wide variety of birds, from bee-eaters to ospreys and kingfishers. After checking in at our bungalow style accommodation, set within a coffee plantation at the edge of the park, we have lunch and then free time, before taking an evening boat ride on Kabini Lake with a naturalist guide in search of wildlife. Dinner and overnight at our Nagarhole accommodation. HOTEL Day 4: A full day in the park with naturalist-guided morning and evening game drives. Today combines plenty of time to take it easy at the hotel with the charm and potential thrill of morning and evening game drives in the park. The morning drive, usually in small, open 4WD vehicles, will be before breakfast and we will snatch a cup of tea or coffee before setting off. Again, we will be accompanied by a naturalist guide who is expert at spotting wildlife, from the least obvious bird to the largest of land animals, hiding in the forest. We will return to the hotel after a couple of hours for breakfast. The middle part of the day is at leisure, lunch included, and we will go out again with the guide in the early evening to take advantage of those times when the local wildlife is at its most active. We will return to enjoy the hotel's fine dining for a second time, before turning in. HOTEL Day 5: Drive west to the region of Coorg. Afternoon visit to Bylakuppe Buddhist settlement. We continue our leisurely exploration of this Indian idyll by driving westwards again towards the coast. Our destination today is the district of Coorg (or Kodagu), a hilly and forested territory on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Our drive will take us through a rich and striking landscape dominated by forest and farmland, with coffee, tea and spices being the most important crops. The people of Coorg include the indigenous Kodava
PAGE 4 people who speak a language of the same name. Before lunch, we arrive at our resort-style hotel which sits within spacious grounds which are a part of a coffee estate, not far from the regional capital of Madikeri. After lunch at the hotel, we will visit the nearby Tibetan Buddhist community at Bylakuppe which has the second largest (after Dharamsala) population of Tibetan people outside of Tibet. Walking from the road towards the settlement gives us the feeling of entering another country, with prayer flags lining the route that leads to the monastery buildings. The Namdroling Monastery, with its 'Golden Temple' and 12 metre-high golden statues of Budda, is the most impressive and most popular of the structures. But, there are many others, such as Sera Je and Sera Mey and the Tashi Lhumpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama. Strolling amongst the various sites and chatting to the monks is a peaceful and spiritual way to spend a couple of hours, before returning to our accommodation. In the evening, before dinner, we will take a stroll on plantation paths near to the hotel and learn a little about coffee production and also meet some of the tribal people who live and work on the estate. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 6: Morning walk through forest and plantation with a local guide. Afternoon at leisure. After breakfast at the hotel, we will assemble for a guided walk into the forest and plantation land that surrounds the resort. Our local guide will tell us all about the working of the coffee estate and show us the difference between the two principal types of coffee grown in Indian plantations: arabica and rustica. He will also point out many of the other trees and plants that grown in and around the plantation, many of them also of interest to the native population, such as jackfruit (also popular with the region's elephant population), ginger, turmeric and several other spices. We will also learn a little about the wildlife that still inhabits this well-forested region and be entertained by stories of the history and folklore of Coorg. Returning to the hotel in time for lunch, the afternoon is free to take it easy, enjoy the pool, lounge in the coffee shop or to try one of the optional activities that the hotel can provide. Dinner and a second night at the same hotel. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 7: Morning visit to the Dubare Elephant Camp, then drive out to the coast and the Neeleshwar Hermitage. Before continuing our journey out to the coast, we will spend a couple of hours at the nearby Dubare Elephant Camp. Funded by the Karnakata Forest Department, Dubare is a sanctuary for elephants retired from forestry operations. We can watch the elephants been given a scrub-bath in the river and participate in feeding them with sugarcane, coconuts or bananas. While we are there, a naturalist will explain to us about elephant ecology and conservation. After this visit, we will drive out to Neeleshwar Hermitage for our 2 night stay at a beach hotel. On arrival, we will be welcomed with a fresh coconut drink and then settle in at our accommodation, which combines the best of Indian traditions with a contemporary and refined level of comfort. The evening is free to relax or to take long walk on the beach. A trail leads south from the hotel, skirting the backwater in places and passing amongst villages, temples and mosque. It provides a great way to soak up some of the colour and atmosphere of this tranquil coastal region known as Kasaragod. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 8: Morning at leisure and afternoon visit to Bekal Fort.
PAGE 5 There's no rush to do anything this morning. You can take a leisurely breakfast and then chill out. After lunch, we will take a trip out to the well-preserved Bekal Fort, which is just a few kilometres up the coast to the north. Built by Ikkeri Naikkanas in the 17th century, the fort has had a long a chequered history of war and siege. Occupying a rocky promontory, jutting out into the Arabian Sea, Bekal is the largest hilltop fort in Kerala and provides us with scenic views across picturesque coastal countryside. This part of northern Kerala (traditionally known as Malabar) is a cultural jewel awaiting discovery. While visitors have thronged to the south, Malabar's deserted, coconutfringed beaches, quiet inland waterways and luxuriant spice gardens remain completely unspoiled. We return to Neeleshwar in the late afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure. Neeleshwar is a renowned ayurvedic centre with a range of wellness treatments available. Dinner and a second night at our beach hotel accommodation. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 9: Transfer to our houseboat on the backwaters for overnight cruise to Monkey Island. In the morning, we drive out to the Tejaswini River and board the houseboat that will be our home for the next 24 hours. After a welcome drink from the staff, we can relax and settle in, as our cruise begins on the Valiyaparamba backwater, which is a large inland lake. Our 25 kilometre cruise will include a visit to a village coir factory. Here, brightly coloured houses can be seen peeping through the dense fringe of languid palms that lines the water front. The village's main source of income is producing the coir fibre from coconut husks that is used to make twine, mats and mattress stuffing. We return to the boat for lunch, then the cruise continue to Monkey Island. A short walk through a timeless village takes us to a dense stand of forest inhabited by friendly monkeys. At the heart of the forest is a clearing with an ancient shrine dedicated to the Naga snake deities. Cruising on the backwaters provides amazing opportunities for birdwatching; there are many species of vivid kingfishers, cormorants and snakebirds (with their outrageously long necks) as well as raptors such as brahminy kites. As the light begins to fade we will find a spot to moor up for the night and enjoy a traditional Keralan dinner on board. Overnight on the houseboat. HOUSEBOAT Day 10: Drive south via a stop off at Kappad Beach to Calicut. After breakfast on the boat, we will disembark and set off on a scenic 4-hour drive southwards on the coast road. En route, we will visit Kappad Beach where Vasco De Gama first set foot on the Indian Subcontinent on 27 May 1498. A small stone monument commemorates this momentous landing which brought the riches of the Malabar coast to Europe's attention and would lead to the domination of India for the next 450 years. Today, Kappad Beach is one of the most popular in Kerala with tourists. We arrive at our hotel in Calicut (now Kozhikode) in the early afternoon and have the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. HOTEL WITH SWIMMING POOL Day 11: Departure day. Calicut Airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services end with breakfast. Transfers to Calicut Airport are provided. MEALS B
PAGE 6 Holiday Information What's Included An experienced English-speaking Indian tour leader A single transfer from Bangalore Airport on Day 1 A single transfer to Calicut Airport on Day 11 All overland transport and guided sightseeing tours using air-conditioned vehicles All accommodation as detailed in the trip notes All meals Boat ride and 2 game drives with naturalist guides at Nagarhole Entrance fees to monuments and other sites detailed in the itinerary What's Not Included Travel insurance Indian Visa Tips for guides and trek staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Meal Plan All meals are included in the trip price from lunch on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary to breakfast on Day 11. Food Part of the experience of any visit to India is sampling the excellent local food. Indian cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes much more than the curries we are used to in Indian restaurants at home - and South Indian food is a whole category of its own. The cuisine of Karnakata and Kerala includes lots of vegetarian options and on the coast there is a great emphasis on fish and seafood dishes. Traditionally meals are served on a plantain leaf and consist of a number of vegetable, fish and meat dishes which are delicately flavoured with various spice mixtures. These are usually accompained by rice, dal and yogurt. In all the hotels we stay there will also be more familiar international dishes available. Joining Arrangements & Transfers There will be a single pick up from Bangalore Airport in the late morning of Day 1 of the Land Only Itinerary. You will be met by the local guide or a representative of our local agent and transferred to the group hotel in Mysore. On Day 11, there will be a single early morning transfer to Calicut Airport. If your flights don't work with these group transfers, you will need to make alternative transfer arrangements. A private transfer can be arranged through KE. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Clients should let us know if airport transfers are not required. Accommodation Throughout the trip, we stay in a good standard of hotel and lodge accommodation, with twin rooms and en-suite facilities. Most hotels have swimming pools. There is also a single night in a very comfortable houseboat or
PAGE 7 'kettuvallom' on the Kerala backwaters. The boats we use have fully furnished twin-bedded rooms, as well as a balcony, sundeck and toilet and shower facilities. All accommodation is allocated on a twin sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be led by an experienced English-speaking Indian tour leader. There will also be support vehicles and drivers appropriate to the itinerary. We will be assisted by specialist naturalist guides at Nagarhole. Spending Money Approximately 150-200 (or equivalent in Euros, US dollars etc.) changed into local currency (Indian rupees), should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses, including snacks or lunches, tips for your guides, beer and soft drinks, etc. There are several opportunities to buy souvenirs on this trip. It is not necessary to purchase local currency (Indian Rupees) before you travel. Sterling, US dollars and Euros are readily exchanged at Bangalore Airport on arrival or on the first day in Mysore. Since you will be changing the majority of your spending money into local currency on the day of arrival, we recommend taking this in cash. Guidance On Tipping Tipping is an accepted and expected part of Indian culture, although you should only tip for services which are well done. We recommend that tips to your local tour leader and driver be made from the group as a whole and that the group decides together on an appropriate amount. It is a good idea if the group asks the local guide to look after the day to day tipping of hotel staff and specialist sightseeing guides or Forest Service guides who are with the group for just a short time. This will do away with the need for you to be finding small numbers of rupees on a daily basis. Depending on how your tour leader wishes to organise this, he may ask for a 'tipping pool' from the group or he may just ask to be reimbursed at the end of the trip. As a rough guide we suggest that a contribution of around 30-50 (depending on group size) in rupee equivalent from each member of the group should provide for all tips including your tour leader and driver. 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 trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for 24.95. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance You should restrict your luggage to one main travel bag plus a small daypack to carry cameras, binoculars, water etc.. 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. Although it can be useful for our tour leaders when all members of the group have similar, identifying baggage, we have no problem if you choose to use an alternative bag. Group Size & Holiday Status
PAGE 8 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 India All nationalities require a visa. The visa fee is $60 and you need to apply for this online prior to departure at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India 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. Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. 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. 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 https://travelhealthpro.org.uk Currency The currency of India is the Indian Rupee. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ Preparing For Your Holiday Although there is no strenuous walking on this holiday, there are several opportunities for short walks and it makes a lot of sense to get some additional exercise before coming on any active holiday. Walking, jogging, squash
PAGE 9 and swimming are all good for developing fitness and stamina. Some of the days it will get quite hot and you should be prepared for this. Before departure, we suggest that you do some reading about the country, its people and the wildlife you are likely to see. 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: www.travel.state.gov 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 The most important influence on the annual climate of the South Indian states is the monsoon, which brings a great deal of rain during the period from May to September. In early October, the tail end of the monsoon can sometimes cause short-lived downpours, but generally the weather from this point on is fine and clear. Typical maximum daytime temperatures at sea level are between 25 C (November to February) and 35 C (September/ October and March/April) falling to around 20 C at night. The hottest time in Kerala is generally just before the first monsoon rains in May or June when it can become very humid also. Although it is possible to enjoy a holiday in Kerala at any time from mid September to early May, probably the ideal time is October to April. Books South India. Lonely Planet South India. Rough Guides India Guide. Footprint Guides India. Fodor's Travel Publications Maps India: TTK State Road Maps - Karnakata And Kerala These are fairly basic maps showing main towns, roads and railways. Relief is not shown but administrative boundaries are marked. Intermediate driving distances are marked on major roads. In the jacket of each map is a reference booklet giving background information about the state's geography, history, cultural aspects and main towns.
PAGE 10 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, Heathrow Airport to Bangalore (and returning from Calicut) with Etihad. Outbound flights will usually depart from the UK in the early afternoon, arriving in Bangalore in the morning of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will usually depart from Calicut Airport in the morning of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK later the same day. 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, 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 Bangalore and departing from Calicut. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Bangalore Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel in Mysore. 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 1994. 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: www.exitotravel.com or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: 800.655.4053 ext. 8507. 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, mule-
PAGE 11 herders 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 e-mail, 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. 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 www.keadventure.com, and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: www.junipertrust.co.uk. 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
PAGE 12 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 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.
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 or lightweight boots Trainers or sandals Socks Walking trousers Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Underwear Casual shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve) Fleece jacket or warm jumper Lightweight waterproof jacket Sunhat Sunglasses Daypack 20-25 litres Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottle - minimum 1 litre Washbag and toiletries The Following Items Are Optional: Travel clothes Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag) Camera Insect repellant (DEET) Antibacterial handwash Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Please note: This document was downloaded on 6 Dec 2017, and the trip is subject to change.
PAGE 14