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FAQs

Let us put your mind at ease...

Our mission is to take the stress out of planning your upcoming adventure holiday. Put your mind at ease with answers to our most frequently asked questions. Please contact us if you can't find your question answered below.

Choosing your adventure

We recognise that many of our travellers have not been on a ‘group trip’ before. Yet what our departures provide is both structure and flexibility, allowing you plenty of freedom within the framework of the itinerary. You’ll find that with our maximum group size at 16, you’ll travel in a minimal impact style with a great group of like-minded travellers, many of whom will undoubtedly become lifelong friends.

We think small is good. Our scheduled group departures cater to no more than 16. For our Polar voyages, the number of passengers varies according to the voyage you choose, so you can expect anything from 48 to 198 on board. We strongly believe that small group travel allows you to forge lifelong friendships with your fellow travellers and even your guides and support crew while enjoying an authentic and well catered experience.

We have offices on three continents which means your travelling companions will be just that – international and wonderfully eclectic. Part of small group travel means that although travellers come from various locations and backgrounds, you will be travelling with like-minded companions who, like you, are keen to share the experience and forge lifelong friendships.

World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone on the vast majority of our trips. Our holidays are primarily on a twin share basis, so if you are joining the group as a solo traveller, we will match you with someone of your own gender. The choice is yours however; if you prefer not to share, we offer single supplements that will guarantee a single room and/or tent for you. Your trip notes will outline the options in relation to single rooms.

Fitness is an important aspect of our trips, with each itinerary carefully graded for ease of selecting the adventure that best suits you. Detailed information, including suggested pre-trip training, can be found in the trip notes and pre-departure information. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the physical requirements of your trip and speak to our staff if you have any questions. View our trip grading system for more detail as to how we grade the activity levels on our adventures and the suggested physical preparation.

Your well-being is our top priority on all trips. While our operations team frequently reviews every aspect of your adventure and the regions visited, we also receive constant updates provided by our local partners and Government Travel warnings and plan our operations accordingly. World Expeditions are 100% committed to your safety and follow specific protocols, safety analysis and risk assessment. For up-to-date information on travel warnings and advice, view our Travel Advisory page.

We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a strong relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. Our responsible travel policies have been carefully developed to ensure that we minimise the impact of our presence and help to protect the regions we visit while contributing positively to the local community.

If the specified departure dates are not suitable, or if you would like to vary the itinerary, we would be happy to develop a program to suit your travel interests. We regularly organise tailor-made holidays for families, groups of friends, schools and charities. As a general rule, for a quote to match the brochure trip price you will need a minimum of six people in your group. Learn more about planning your own private group departure.

Tips are not included in the tour cost. Tipping is a personal thing, do not worry about how much, or when, to tip. Tipping guidelines are provided for certain destinations in our pre departure information upon booking, however the best advice will be provided by your tour leader.

Detailed information on each of our trips is available for download from this website, and we are able to mail you brochures showcasing the overall portfolio of our destinations. Additionally we hold regular free information nights during which our experts provide first-hand advice and travel tips for our major destinations. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can contact your nearest World Expeditions office and speak to a travel consultant who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

There are three ways to make a booking – online, over the phone or in person. Online bookings are made via the ‘Book Now’ button available on each trip page. Alternatively you can download our booking form and return it to your nearest World Expeditions office by email, fax or post. You can also visit one of our offices to book in person. In all cases, once we confirm your booking, we’ll send you comprehensive information regarding visas, vaccinations, gear, clothing and arrival details to ensure you are fully prepared for your adventure.

World Expeditions are an Australian owned company with over 40 years of experience in the field. Booking with us means you have direct access to your reservations consultant, allowing you to call, email or even drop into your local office to ask any questions that arise during your trip planning. Choosing to book with your local office means you are booking through a company you can trust.

Before you depart

Our trips do not include international airfares, however our travel consultants are able to provide you with a detailed airfare quote to get you from point A to point B at competitive prices.

Most of our trips commence or conclude around midday, allowing you to plan to arrive or depart on those days if needed. On some trips you may find it more convenient to arrive or depart a day either side of your tour dates, giving you the opportunity to catch up on jet lag and explore the local scene in your own time. Your travel consultant will be able to assist you with extending your stay with a little bit of notice and vouchers for the joining hotel will be supplied in your final documents.

You will receive a pre-departure kit via email which includes your trip notes, pre-departure information document (PDI) and any other trip specific information. The PDI is full of useful information including cultural considerations, country specific background info such as history, language and geography, more details on our responsible travel initiatives in that region, ideas of things to do in your start/finish city, a recommended gear list, and advice for preparing physically for your adventure should it involve trekking, cycling or altitude.

Your pre-departure documents include a detailed packing list with items that you need to bring. While most of the equipment for daily activities is included in your tour cost, some items like helmets and hiking boots are best brought from home. The pre-departure documents also include information on layering and recommended brands for various items to ensure you are fully prepared for your adventure.

Visa requirements vary based on the destination and passport you are travelling on. Information about visas for the country you are visiting can be found in our pre-departure information supplied upon booking. We provide support to assist you in applying for visas on your own, or for an additional fee, we can apply on your behalf.

While our pre-departure kit provides information on vaccinations, we suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

On your adventure

We know that holiday planning requires time, money and effort. It is our aim to incorporate as many inclusions as possible during your trip to ensure your time is spent effectively and to minimise out of pocket expenses. Our trip pricing includes most meals, national park permits, transfers, entrance fees, equipment, support vehicles and accommodation. These vary by trip, and specific inclusions can be found in our detailed trip notes.

Incorporating as many inclusions as possible into the trip cost such as most meals, transport and accommodation means you are able to limit your spending once you leave home. Additionally, we do not charge a supplement if you are a single traveller.

Healthy appetites build up when travelling, and activities like trekking and cycling require energy to keep you going throughout the day. Our excellent cooks serve a sensible combination of local and European dishes, providing you with tasty and varied meals while ensuring high standards of hygiene. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements as we are able to cater for most diets provided we are notified in advance.

While the style of accommodation varies by trip, we take pride in providing you with a high level of comfort on all of our adventures. Your accompanying trip leaders and staff will take care of your day to day needs including preparing food, carrying gear and arranging transportation. Our permanent campsites in Nepal’s Everest and Annapurna regions and along Australia’s Larapinta Trail offer a unique style of camping, boasting standing height tents with beds elevated above the ground, showers and comfortable dining areas, all with a pointed focus on environmental conservation. Additionally, our Africa in Comfort options provide quality character-filled accommodation far from home, allowing you to explore by day and relax comfortably by night. Our cycling trips feature air conditioned support vehicles for those needing a break, while our private transport vehicles keep you comfortable regardless of the transfer duration.

Like accommodation, the style of transportation varies by destination; however, it is always safe, secure and comfortable. From large safari trucks and private cars to authentic train carriages and air conditioned touring buses, our transportation will easily get you to your next destination in a reliable manner that showcases the local culture – whether it entails taking the scenic route through the countryside or travelling in traditional vehicles. Of course, on many of our adventures you are your own form of transportation, travelling by foot, bike or kayak!

The accommodation will vary from trip to trip. When not enjoying our fully supported camping trips, we strive to handpick quality accommodation based on location, reliability and local charm that captures the essence of the destinations. Accommodation is typically on a twin-share basis; however single supplements are available at an additional price. With styles that include elegant semi-permanent camps in Australia’s Northern Territory, featuring hot showers and comfortable tents, private eco-camps in the Himalaya, featuring environmentally responsible practices, standing room tents and raised beds, luxurious Africa in Comfort options, and authentic homestays in all corners of the globe that provide a true glimpse into the local life, you can rest assured that you will be comfortable wherever you hang your hat at the end of the day.

Each trip has been carefully crafted to provide an element of free time, allowing you to explore at your own pace and relax after a long day. While some trips have more free time than others, we know that a balance between structured activities and free time is important and strive to provide you with time for both.

Tipping is not included, nor is it compulsory. Should you be satisfied with your guides and crew, our pre-departure information outlines recommended tipping guidelines for your destination.

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