Local Costs

	UK	China
Tea/Coffee	£1.50	£1.00
Soft Drink	£1.50	£1.30
Bottled Water	£1.50	£1.30
Bottle of Beer	£3.50	£2.20
2 Course Meal*	£15.00	£7.50
3 Course Meal**	£20.00	£14.00
Bottle of Wine	£14.50
Breakfast	£5.00

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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China: Entry visas are required by all nationalities and can be obtained through Explore’s recommended visa service, Visa Swift, or for overseas clients by their Explore agent.

A single entry visa is required for this tour and must be obtained before departure.

Please note that if your flights are via any other city in China you must not proceed through customs.  Instead you must remain in the transit area and directly proceed to your connecting flight.

Registering with the Chinese authorities: You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China: Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process, and you will be registered for the duration of your tour. Please note that if you intend to arrive more than 24 hours before your tour starts or to stay in China after your tour has finished and you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to register with the local Public Security Bureau.

Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate or consular office.

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Vaccinations & Protection

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against infectious hepatitis, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to take immunisation against Japanese Encephalitis.

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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Climate

Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.

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Guizhou has a subtropical humid climate with annual average temperatures of approximately 10 to 20 °C. Rainfall is highest spring/summer with April to June being the wettest months, although it can rain at any time of the year. Daytime February temperatures in the capital Guiyang generally range between 5 and 10 degrees. 

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.

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Clothing

Comfortable shoes or trainers.

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Pack for ‘All Tours’ plus ‘Cold Conditions’. You are best to bring in multiple layers of clothes that can be added or removed according to your level of activity. Thermal winter clothing is ideal. We also suggest a warm hat and gloves. Although it is not the wet season, some form of rain protection is recommended.

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Footwear

Comfortable lightweight walking shoes are most suitable for the walks.

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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