text:
|Trip Style:
|Chennai to Kolkata
|14 days
|Overland expedition vehicle, Train
India has shared so much of its incredible culture with the rest of the world, so a visit to this diverse and eclectic country is a chance to experience where it all began. India has so much to offer, from the beautiful landscapes of the Himalayas, the amazing temples and coastlines, the rich culture, the chaotic cities and of course the amazing food!
India's highlights include its stunning historical treasures such as the ancient cities of Fatehpur Sikri and Hampi, the Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar in Delhi, the phenomenal caves of Ellora and Ajanta, the stunning Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram, and of course the world-famous Taj Mahal.
There are some incredible religious sites, such as the Hindu temples of Tirumala, Madurai and Karmi Mata, and the Buddhist sites of Sikkim. There are some wonderful natural areas such as the vast deserts of Jaisalmer, the cool tea plantations of Wayanad and Darjeeling, the mountains of Gangtok, and the incredible beaches of Varkala and Goa.
Foremost a visit to India is probably best remembered by the welcome you are likely to receive. This, combined with India's unique atmosphere and the seemingly endless variety of the culture and the sights, is what brings travellers returning time and time again.
Border Information: Welcome to Chennai. If Joining in Chennai, enter India at Chennai Airport.
Free day to explore the sights, sounds and flavours of Chennai until the group meeting at our comfortable hotel at 18.00hrs. Staying overnight in hotel.
Hotel for the night: Hotel Pandian
Hotel Pandian
15 Kenneth Lane
Chennai 600 008
Tel - +91 44 2819 1010
|Approximate Cost
Overnight stay in Chennai
|Included in Kitty
Chennai (previously known as Madras) was the site of the first major settlement of the East India Company in 1639, and is now the fourth largest city in India. The town grew up around the Fort St. George and along Mount Road, and some interesting historic buildings can be seen here. It's true that it is busy, noisy and often extremely hot, but in many ways it is a surprisingly efficient and orderly place.
The Government Museum is worth a visit if you're interested in the history of the city, and its 13km-long Marina Beach is the country's longest urban beach. You might prefer to just wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere, exploring the many temples and bustling local markets.
Today we head to the bustling town of Tirupati (Approx. 145Kms). In the afternoon we will visit the holy temple. Tonight we stay in a friendly local hotel
|Approximate Cost
Visit the Sri Venkatesvara Tirumalai Temple
|Included in Kitty
In the very south of Andhra Pradesh state is the small town of Tirupati. Thousands of pilgrims flock here every day to visit the Sri Venkateswara Temple, which sits above the city on the sacred mountain of Tirumala.
Sri Venkateswara is belived by Hindus to be an incarnation of the deity Vishnu, and is said to have appeared here to save mankind during an appearance of the devil-god Kali. The temple is visited by an astonishing 30-40 million pilgrims per year (around 50,000-100,000 people a day and more on special festivals), making it the most-visited holy site in the world and the richest in terms of visitor donations.
Leaving Tirupati, we will spend the next couple of days overlanding through Andhra Pradesh, one of the least developed states in India.
This is real off the beaten track and we will aim to cover approx 450Km today. Tonight we will find a spot to wildcamp for the night.
Today we continue driving approximately 400kms through the back roads of Andra Pradesh. Our final destination tonight is the costal town on Visakhapatnam.
Tonight we will stay in a local hotel.
Today we begin our Odisha Tribal tour; we start in a small village called Goudaguda. Beautiful earthen pottery is skillfully produced in this area and you may even get the chance to try this for yourself. On day 2 we make out way to neighboring Mali and Kondhy village returning to Goudaguda for the night. We stay in a local guesthouse for the first 2 nights which have been styled on local tribal houses.
On day 3 we drive to the lively Chatikona Market, a weekly highlight for the Dongria Kondh tribe. We then roll along the hills to Muniguda, our destination for tonight. On arrival we will be welcomed by New Hope Charitable Trust (a local NGO helping to uplift the poor and disadvantaged). We will stay in basic rooms in the grounds of the charitable trust tonight. The following morning we will spend some time with New Hope before driving to a small village called Taptapani where we stay in a local hotel for the night.
Our final 2 nights in this region include an overnight stop in the coastal town of Gopalpur where we will check out the local fish market before taking the scenic back-roads to reach our quite camping spot at Chilika Lake where we can enjoy a bamboo pole boat cruise, a local BBQ and a spectacular sunrise.
|Approximate Cost
Visit the Monday market in the indigenous melting pot of Goudaguda, soaking up the incredible atmosphere as the locals barter and trade their produce
|Included in Kitty
The hinterlands of Odisha are home to more than 60 different tribal communities, all with their own distinct indigenous culture and traditions. Perhaps one of the most fascinating tribes are the 'Bondas', fiercely-independent people of Tibeto-Burmese origin. The women of this tribe wear many silver necklaces from their shoulders up to their chin and prefer to take younger husbands, so that they will have someone to earn a livelihood for them in their old age.
The Paraja tribe are also particularly interesting because of the numerous deities that they worship, who are all said to live in the hills and forests. They also love dance and music, and their celebrations are also accommopanied by a lot of singing and dancing.
This is a remote region which is difficult to visit as a single traveller, and exactly the kind of place where overlanding comes into its own.
Today our tour of the tribal areas comes to an end and we drive on to the small town of Puri. Puri is one of the holiest pilgrimage places in India and it's other main attraction is it's long sandy beach.
We will have the opportunity to circumambulate the old pilgrim route by Cycle Rickshaw taking in ashrams, Hindu monasteries, palm leaf manuscript library and the awesome Jagannath temple.
We stay in Puri for 2 nights at a comfortable local hotel.
|Approximate Cost
3 nights to relax in the lovely coastal town of Puri
|Included in Kitty
Puri is one of the oldest cities in the eastern part of India and an important destination for Hindu pilgrims - it is considered by Hindus to be one of the holiest places in India and is the eastern point on the revered Char Dham circuit of pilgrimage sites (along with Rameswaram in the south, Dwarka in the west, and Badrinath in the north). It is considered highly sacred to complete the Char Dham circuit, and the centrepiece of this pigrimage in Puri is the huge Jagannath Temple, an enormous complex which is home to more than 5000 priests and aides. Unfortunately unless you are Hindu you will not be able to enter the temple's interior, but even from the outside it's worth a visit, and you can't help but be impressed by the sheer scale of the building.
Puri is also the gateway to the incredible 13th Century Konark Sun Temple, elaborately built by the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the shape of a gigantic chariot to honor the Hindu sun deity Surya. The town is also popular with local Indian holidaymakers because of it's long sandy beach and pleasant waterfront, which makes it a good spot to kick back and relax and recharge your batteries.
Our second full day in Puri. Today begins with a cycle ride through rice paddie fields and rural hamlets meeting local craftsmen and women and watching them demonstrate their unique crafts before moving on this afternoon to the UNESCO World Heritage Konark Sun Temple where we will have a guided tour.
|Approximate Cost
Explore the religious sites of Puri by cycle-rickshaw, including the Jagannath Temple, one of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in India
|Included in Kitty
We have a morning train to Kolkata (approximately 8 hrs), the largest city in India. We make our way to our comforable hotel where we will base ourselves for exploring this remarkable city.
|Approximate Cost
See the famous Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River, thought to be the busiest bridge in the world with 150,000 pedestrians and 100,000 vehicles crossing every day
|Included in Kitty
Experience a local train ride from Puri to Kolkata
|Included in Kitty
Kolkata was originally a British settlement, built by the East India Company in the 17th Century during their trading and colonising expansion along the boast of Bengal - it also became the capital of the British colonial government until 1911 when this was moved to Delhi. The city is now India's third largest, and is regarded by many as the country's intellectual and cultural capital.
At first you are assaulted by the noise and chaos of this bustling metropolis, but take the time to explore and you'll discover some impressive colonial architecture, some of the best restaurants in India and a thriving arts scene. Bengali theatre, dance, poetry, art, music and film are all showcased here, and there's usually plenty to choose from on at the city's many venues.
An interesting relic of the colonial era is the Victoria Memorial - a beautiful domed white marble edifice set in tranquil gardens, the monument was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. Kolkata is also home to the Sister's of Charity Motherhouse, the mission where Mother Teresa did much of her work. Finally, if all the hustle and bustle is getting too much for you, you can explore the vast green fields of the Maidan or take refuge in the beautiful botanic gardens along the banks of the Hooghly River.
Border Information: If finishing your trip in Kolkata, exit India at Kolkata Airport.
If you are continuing onto the next section today is free for you to explore Kolkata.
The routes, activities and places visited described in these trip notes are intentions and are meant as a rough guide only.
These trip notes have been compiled to help you prepare for your journey once you have booked. They include the full itinerary and dates, and information about kit lists, meeting hotels, insurance, vaccinations, visas, and other information that will help you get ready for your trip.
We update these notes regularly, so please ensure you have an up-to-date version of these trip notes.
We intend to follow the planned route but exact night stops and inclusions cannot be guaranteed. It sometimes happens that we decide to make a change to our planned itinerary. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, road or bureaucratic conditions may demand it. By their very nature, overland itineraries need to be flexible and the regions that we are travelling through are often unpredictable. We run adventure journeys in off the beaten track areas, which often have poor infrastructure. You should expect that some of these areas do not adhere to 'Western' safety standards.
In Asia you will need to be healthy enough to cope with extremes of climates from the hot deserts through to the colds of the high mountains. There are some high altitudes in places and many places where walking around for several hours is the only way to explore (e.g. The Great Wall of China, walking tours in Uzbekistan, exploring the historical sites of India, etc.).
Overland travelling can be demanding - long, rough travel days, dusty conditions can be challenging to some. You will need to be fit enough to help every day with the camp chores (cooking, washing up, general camp set up) as well as putting up and taking down your own tent. There are some long driving days and some early morning starts.
The step up into the overland vehicle, while not overly high, can become tiring and you need to judge yourself to be physically fit enough to haul yourself up and down the step at least 8-10 times a day. By and large, our Asia trips have a good range of hotel accommodation mixed up with camping so that life is not too rough.
We will be travelling to areas in remote locations where medical assistance will not be available. If you have a medical condition such as a heart condition that would put you at risk, we would suggest that this is not the trip for you. Also, please be aware that should an emergency occur, there is likely to be a considerable delay in accessing medical care, and by joining our trip you accept this risk.
Many countries that we visit on our travels will require visas to enter. Some are best obtained before you leave home, and others can be obtained en-route. Whilst the ultimate responsibility for obtaining visas is yours, we will endeavour to assist you wherever possible.
The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. The information provided is given in good faith and we do try to keep the visa information as up to date as possible. Please read the information very carefully to make sure everything is clear and you aware of what you need to do. Please also be aware that rules surrounding visas do change, often suddenly, and without prior warning. This is why it is important that you also double-check the information we provide for yourself.
For visas that are needed in advance, you may wish to submit the applications directly to the relevant embassy or consulate. If you require any supporting documentation for your visa applications, Dragoman will obtain this on your behalf as part of your trip price - we will contact you to request additional information in order to make this application for you.
However, for trips that involve multiple visas, you may find it beneficial to use a specialist visa agency to assist you with your applications. While this does sometimes increase the cost, it usually makes the process much easier for you.
As you will often need to submit your passport together with your applications, we recommend that you avoid making any travel plans in the weeks leading up to your departure.
Most countries require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your entry into the country.
For trips that are not yet guaranteed, you may find yourself in the position whereby you will need to start the visa application process prior to your trip being guaranteed - in this situation we still advise you not to purchase flights until your trip is guaranteed. However, you can start your visa application process, ensuring that when applying for your visas or letters of invitation that you allow several days before and after your entry into the country to allow for delays, availability of flights, etc.
Citizens of all countries will need a visa to enter India as a tourist for up to 180 days.
Most Dragoman passengers will need to obtain their visa in advance. It is now possible for most nationalties to apply for an E visa. Please visit the following website to see if you are eligible for this https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Please note this is only an option if you arriving into India via a major airport and you are staying in India for less than 60 days. If you are entering into India overland or if you are staying for longer than 60 days then you won't be able to apply for the e visa and you will need to apply for a visa at your nearest Indian Embassey before you travel. If you are joining the trip in Chennai and take the e-visa option, we will need a copy of your receipt as soon as you have applied for it - if we do not have this in advance, we will not be able to obtain your permits for the Odisha region (see below).
It is highly recommended if you need a visa before you travel to do this in your country of residence; You can apply directly at your closest Indian Consulate or Embassy. For UK residents, please go to the website - http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/ - to fill in the online visa form and book an appointment to complete the application.
Alternatively you can apply via a specialist visa agency who can put the application in for you.
Please be aware that the photos that you bring to the appointment must be 50mm x 50mm, or your application will be rejected (this is a unique square-shaped photo). The photos must be in colour and have a plain white background, and computer generated photos will be rejected. Please paste one photo to the front of your application and leave the other one loose. You must sign under the photo on page one and the declaration on page two.
Visas issued in the UK are valid for 6 months from the date of issue (by which time you have to have exited the country). Please note that you cannot extend any tourist visas once within India.
If you are asked to provide an address in India on your visa form, please use the joining hotel for your trip or the address below:
Hotel Supreme,
4 Panday Road,
Tel +91 22 2218 5608
If you are asked to provide a referee in India on your visa form, please use the details below:
Eugene Pram,
Pram Tours,
436 Barkat Nagar,
Tonk Phatak,
Tel: +91 14 1259 4205
Please bring 10 photocopies of your passport and Indian visa (on the same page). These may need to be used for hotel check-ins. Please also bring 2 passport photos in case these are needed.
If travelling to Sikkim, your Sikkim permits will be arranged in Kolkata with your tour leader - please bring several passport photos for this permit.
IMPORTANT NOTE - If you are travelling on the Chennai-Kolkata leg - please note that all permits for the Odisha region must be arranged before you arrive in Chennai. Dragoman will arrange the permits on your behalf but it is very important that you send us a high quality scan or photo of your passport photo page when you book and of your India visa as soon as you obtain it. We will need these scans 10 days before the trip starts in Chennai, at the very latest. If we do not receive these scans in time we will be unable to take you on the trip through the Odisha region. Please also bring an additional 2 passport photos on the trip.
If you are travelling to Bhutan - please send Dragoman a scan of your passport photo page when you book as this is important for arranging the Bhutan group visa.
If you are travelling on the Mumbai-Chennai leg or the Kolkata-Kathmandu leg - please send Dragoman a scan of your passport photo page when you book, as this is important for arranging train tickets on these legs. In some cases (late bookings) we may also require a copy of your Indian visa (or receipt of an e-visa if you plan to take this option).
A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission (including transiting through an airport in an area of risk).
Based on the range that previous travellers have spent on this trip, we recommend you allow between USD15-30 per day for Central Asia, China and Burma and between USD10-USD20 per day for India, Nepal and South East Asia.
This will cover individual expenses such as drinks, meals whilst out and also when staying in hotels, souvenirs, tips, and personal permits.
For trips in Southern India that occur over Christmas and New Year please allow approximately USD160 extra on the kitty for seasonal increases in accommodation costs.
Overland Lifestyle and Trip Suitability
Dragoman was founded in 1981, and has had many years of experience of leading overland trips across 4 continents. Overlanding is all about sharing a great travelling experience with like-minded people. On your trip you'll travel in one of Dragoman's purpose-built iconic expedition vehicles on an off the beaten track adventure along rugged roads, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the world up-close. Your journey will be overland, sometimes across vast distances, so some long days spent driving are inevitable - but these will be interspersed with breaks of a day or two at a destination or activity. On an overland journey, you are more than just a passenger and everyone gets involved setting up camp - we supply the tent but it's up to you to pitch it! As part of your trip, you will be assigned a truck job which could be collecting firewood or water, luggage loading, organising food, stores, etc.
Like all great adventures, the more you put in the more you'll get out!
We are looking forward to welcoming you on one of our overland journeys, but before we do there are a few things we would like to draw to your attention.
Our groups are made up of people from around the world, and are always an interesting mix of nationalities and ages. On average there is a pretty even split between males to females, and between solo travellers, couples and small groups of friends. We believe that overlanding should be open to as many people as possible, and so although we have a minimum age limit of 18 (or 7 on our Family Trips), as long as you are fit, healthy and passionate about travel, we are happy to take you, whatever your age is. One of the wonderful aspects of group travel is the camaraderie and friendships that are formed along the way, and the variety of people that you will meet.
The maximum group size we take on our overland journeys ranges from 19 to 22 depending on the geographical location; however the average number of passengers is more likely to be around 16.
Please note that there is an overlap of 2 trips in Cuzco and during the Inca Treks. This means a group starting a trip in Cuzco will embark on the Inca Trail at the same time as a group finishing in or travelling through Cuzco. In practical terms this means there could be more than 22 group members in Cuzco and on the Inca Trail at the same time.
Please note that there is also an overlap of 2 trips in Zanzibar. This means a group starting a trip in Nairobi, for example, will visit Zanzibar at the same time as a group starting their trip there. In practical terms this means there could be more than 22 group members in Zanzibar at the same time.
Please also note that on some departures there may be more than one truck doing the same route. This means that you will be in the same hotel or campsite as another Dragoman group on some days. To ensure that you are not always at the same place at the same time as another group, your itinerary will most likely be slightly altered from the itinerary advertised in these trip notes.
Our crew are passionate about travel and are always up for adventure. It takes someone special to become a Dragoman leader. Our crew undergo the most intensive training program of all the overland companies, spending 8 weeks learning the ropes at our base in Suffolk, UK, and then up to 6 months on the road as a trainee. Our crew are trained to manage and operate the trip safely and efficiently and their duties include: planning the trip according to the itinerary, driving and maintaining the truck, securing services of local guides, general logistics, health and safety, liaising with bureaucracy, dealing with issues where needed and offering advice and support to our customers. In addition they have a basic knowledge of the places visited and will be able to offer suggestions of things to do and see. Dragoman endeavours to provide the services of experienced crew, however, due to the seasonality of travel, situations may arise where your tour leader is new to a particular region or training other crew, new to the area.
On all Dragoman overlanding trips, we usually have 2 western crew. However on our trips in East and Southern Africa we either have 2 western crew or 1 western crew and 1 local driver. On trips south of Nairobi in East and Southern Africa we will also have an African camp master/cook who is in charge of running the camp and organising all of the meals. Their knowledge of the local produce makes shopping at the markets great fun and you will learn how to prepare and cook some unusual dishes.
In most other areas of Africa, the Americas, India and Turkey, in addition to our crew we will employ local guides in specific locations of interest (for just a few hours up to a few days).
On the majority of our trips in Ethiopia, Sudan, Central Asia, China and South East Asia, in addition to our crew we will have a local guide on board who will travel with us for the entire duration of our time within one country. In these cases, the local guide becomes a third crew member and is able to offer their local knowledge as well as an insight into their country and the lives of the local people.
Your crew have a duty of care to all members of the group and therefore they have the authority to ask you to leave the trip if you require serious medical assistance, you are behaving in an anti-social manner or refuse to comply with local laws and customs. In all matters relating to the trip, the leader's decision will be final and we appreciate your respect of this.
Dragoman's overland trips are designed for shared accommodation, whether camping or staying in hotels or hostels, and therefore do not involve a single supplement. Whilst our crew will do their best to accommodate couples travelling together in twin rooms, all our travellers should expect to stay in multi-share accommodation when staying in hostels, gers or yurts.
The type, variety and standard of accommodation will vary greatly depending on what options are available at the time; hotels can vary from very basic rooms without electricity or running water to high standard hotels with good facilities! Generally in hotels most rooms will be single sex, twin-share, but in South America many rooms are triple/quad-share. Hostels, gers and yurts are nearly always multi-share and may be mixed sex.
The campsites will range from rather basic to those with excellent facilities, including swimming pools, restaurants and bars. In some cases it may also be possible to upgrade locally to bungalows, lodges or even tree-houses. One of the highlights of overlanding is that in more remote areas we wild camp away from the tourist crowds. Occasionally on some of our trips we are able to stay in villages or local homestays allowing us to get close to the indigenous population and ensuring that our money stays within the local community.
In addition to the trip price on our overlanding trips, you will also be required to pay a kitty specified for your trip (please note that there is no kitty on our Family Trips). The kitty is payable in installments at the start of each section of the trip for combination trips, and in full at the start of the trip for individual trips. Each customer joining a trip pays their kitty into a central fund. The fund is managed by the Dragoman crew and the kitty accounts can be viewed by all throughout the trip.
The kitty covers all things that the whole group does, such as:
• Hotel accommodation and campsite fees
• Meals whilst camping (not whilst staying in hotels)
• Activities listed as included (e.g. National Park or historical site entrances, excursions, etc.).
The kitty system is unique to overlanding and allows us to have flexibility and transparency on our trips. You can see exactly how your money is being spent and ensure that you are getting the best value by buying locally. It also helps to keep the costs competitive and save on administration costs so that we can pass the saving on to you. Dragoman makes NO PROFIT on kitties, as they are the group's fund. We constantly update the kitty prices on our website and the kitty advertised in the brochure is an estimate at the time of printing. Prices can go up or down with no notice, and exchange rate fluctuations will affect costs. If there is money left in the kitty at the end of your trip, then this is divided between the group and you receive a refund.
Once you book your trip it is very important that you check our website on a regular basis and just before departure for any changes to the kitty amount.
The kitty is payable in full at the start of your trip (in installments at the start of each individual trip on combination trips). Alternatively you can pay in advance via a bank transfer 3-4 weeks before the start of your trip - please see http://www.dragoman.com/files/Kitty_doc_v8.pdf for more details - this letter will also be sent in your booking confirmation upon booking a trip. Please also note that this option is not available for our trips to West Africa or Iran.
If you are bringing the kitty out in cash, please try to pay in US Dollars. Your tour leader will be able to accept some of the kitty in local currency if needed, and they will let you know the exchange rate locally - in most destinations you can withdraw local currencies from ATM machines, using either a cash passport or a credit/debit card. Please bear in mind that most cards have a maximum withdrawal amount per day, local ATMs may run out of cash, and your bank could block the card despite you warning them of your travel plans, so it could be impractical to try to get the entire kitty out from an ATM.
We cannot accept traveller's cheques on our trips.
On an overland journey you are more than just an individual passenger - you're part of the team. You are expected to pitch in to set up camp, shop for food, cook and generally help out. As part of your trip you will be assigned a truck job which could be collecting water and firewood, sweeping out the truck, loading the back locker, etc. While camping on overland journeys, the meals are included in the kitty. This means that you will have to work together to cook for everyone in your group. You will be divided into smaller units of 3-4 people and take it in turns to cook for the whole group according to a rota system. When it is your group's turn to cook you will have to plan the meal, shop for the ingredients in local markets or supermarkets and then prepare the meal for the whole group. The secret to cooking for 20+ people using a basic camping kitchen is to keep it simple! (On trips south of Nairobi we have a cook on board the truck; however you will still be required to help them to prepare meals).
An example of a typical camp breakfast might be toast with spreads, fruit and cereal as well as tea and coffee. When time allows it will also be possible to serve something hot such as eggs or pancakes. Lunch is almost always a sandwich heaped high with healthy salad and assorted fillings, with fruit to follow. Dinner might be a BBQ, risotto or pasta dish and there is always the chance to try some local cooking. Generally our passengers find the more they put into a trip, the more they benefit from it.
If you have any dietary requirements please tell us at the time of booking and tell your crew at your welcome meeting. Our crew will try to cater for any particular dietary requirement or food intolerance whenever possible. However, it must be remembered that it may not always be possible and the variety of dishes may be severely limited in comparison to those available to others. If there is anything in particular you require in your diet, that you would miss from home, or because of an allergy would miss out on, it would be best to bring this with you. Depending on your particular requirements, you may need to allow yourself some extra spending money to allow you to purchase extra food items.
Our itineraries are developed and published with the best of intentions, however travel in more remote areas of the world is unpredictable – borders can close, there can be extreme adverse weather, strikes or maybe mechanical issues that affect the running of your trip, but equally due to the nature of our trips we can often spontaneously include a local festival or event into the itinerary. This being said, the safety of our passengers, leaders and operators is a priority for Dragoman. With this in mind we monitor world events very closely. By the very nature of the adventure travel that we take, there are risks and hazards that are inherent in our itineraries. Dragoman makes operational decisions based on informed advice from a number of sources:
• The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice
• Reports from other travel companies and local suppliers
• Leaders reports from off the road
• Local contacts we have built up over many years of experience.
British Foreign Office Travel Advice and Warnings
Dragoman follows the British Foreign Office Travel advice when deciding where and where we are unable to travel. We will base our decisions on itineraries and alterations to published routes based on their advice rather than the advice of other governments.
However, we recommend you check the latest travel advisories from your own government for the country you are travelling to before you book and prior to departure. If there are any travel warnings present for the region you will travel to, as well as considering whether you are happy to travel despite the warning you must also check to ensure that it is not invalidating your travel insurance. Here are a few useful addresses:
UK - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Australia - http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand - http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
United States - https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html
Canada - http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
We also recommend that you check out the UK Travel Aware website before you travel at https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/. This website offers straightforward travel advice, top tips, and up-to-date country information to help you plan a safe trip.
We will advise you of any significant changes in advice before travel or whilst you are overseas.
You need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in our trips. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assessed your ability to cope with our style of travel. To help you assess if this trip is suitable, please refer to the physical rating. The ratings for each trip are a good indication of how challenging they are and in some cases you should be prepared for some long driving days and possibly limited facilities. We are always happy to give extra advice if you have additional concerns. Please note that if, in the opinion of our leader, you are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to yourself and/or the rest of the group, Dragoman reserves the right to exclude you from all or part of the trip without a refund.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information prior to travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. We also advise you to declare any pre-existing medical conditions to your travel insurers upon purchase.
Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to severely worsen at high altitude and be difficult to adequately treat on the ground, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition/s with your doctor. We understand certain medications are reported to aid acclimatising to high altitude; please discuss these options with your doctor. For trips that travel to areas of high altitude, the tour leader will issue you with a self-assessment altitude questionnaire which allows you to monitor how you are coping with the altitude and informs you of danger signals so that you can reports these as soon as possible, either to the tour leader or a medical professional.
A valid international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required in many countries. You may need to present this on arrival at the airport or border crossing. Some countries will refuse entry if you are unable to present your certificate. It's also quite common for your home country to request a Yellow Fever certificate on your arrival back home.
It is your responsibility to check with your doctor well in advance of leaving home about the Yellow Fever requirements for the countries you'll be visiting.
Malaria & other mosquito-borne diseases
Some areas that we travel to have a risk of contracting malaria. If you will travel through these areas, it's always best to get expert advice before travelling about the types of malaria pills available, whether they are recommended, and take any that are prescribed as instructed. Consult your GP or travel clinic for the most up-to-date requirements.
Other mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and Zika are continuing to spread and are becoming a bigger problem around the world. Mosquito bite prevention is vital to avoid contracting any of these diseases, as there are no vaccines or specific treatments available. Health professionals have issued warnings for pregnant women travelling to areas affected by the Zika virus - please see more information here.
The mosquito usually bites between the hours of dusk and dawn, so covering up by wearing long-legged and long-sleeved clothing, preferably light-coloured and buttoned at the wrists, can help. Do not sleep without closing your windows, tent door, etc. and use a mosquito net in hotels or if sleeping outside where there are mosquitos present. Use mosquito repellent applied directly to your skin or soaked into your clothing.
Treating clothes and mosquito nets with a Permetherin solution provides significant protection. It should be available at most travel stores. Mosquito coils are useful on still nights and in hotel rooms, but cannot be used inside the tents.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protections vary according to different regions and recent bulletins issued by health authorities. It is essential to get the latest specific health advice on the regions and countries you are planning to travel in, so please check with either your doctor or travel clinic in good time before you travel. The following websites are also a helpful resource: www.nathnac.org and www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
In the UK, we have been working with Nomad Travel for many years and their website has comprehensive, up-to-date vaccination and health information. You will receive a 10% discount off all vaccinations given at Nomad Travel clinics.
At Dragoman your safety is of paramount importance and we will do our best to ensure that your travel with us is safe and trouble-free, but we do ask that you take that little bit of extra care whilst you are away and to understand about the nature of this style of travel.
Of course we want you to have an enjoyable time, but you must also remember that part of the enjoyment of travel is experiencing a different way of life and cultures. This may also mean experiencing different safety and hygiene standards than those you are normally used to.
Therefore, please take note of the following safety tips and follow any local safety advice or briefings delivered by our crew or any third-party suppliers we use during your trip.
• Our own vehicles have fully-fitted seat belts; make sure you always belt up.
• If you find a safety belt inoperable or missing on one of our vehicles, please inform the crew immediately.
• Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that other vehicles we may use or recommend in some countries will be fitted with seat belts on every seat as it is not a legal requirement in much of the world.
• Please remain seated on board vehicles at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
• Never place luggage in the aisles or foot wells.
• Ensure you know where your nearest Emergency exit is; this may be a designated emergency exit, a window, a door, or a roof hatch.
• Check the location of the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
• Follow any safety instructions provided by the crew/driver.
• Our vehicles are fitted with roof seats which can be used in certain conditions, such as when driving at low speeds, off main tarmac roads, etc. The roof hatches can only be opened and the roof seats used with the express permission of the crew and you must never sit in the roof seats without seat belts.
Road Safety
• Traffic in some countries travels on the opposite side of the road to what you may be used to, so ensure you look both ways before crossing the road.
• In many countries vehicles do not automatically stop at crossings and driving styles may be very unpredictable, so please remain very vigilant when near roads and vehicles.
• Crash helmets are often not provided with mopeds and motorbikes overseas – we do not recommend you hire these vehicles.
• Ensure you know where your nearest fire exit is and check to ensure that it is operative.
• Check the location of the nearest fire extinguisher.
• Study the fire instructions in your room if available.
• Identify how to raise the alarm if a fire occurs.
• If a fire occurs, leave immediately; do not stop to collect your effects.
• Proceed to an assembly point well away from the building.
• Electrics in hotels in many of the places that we visit will not be up to the same standards as at home. Please ensure that you check rooms, especially bathrooms and are aware of any issues that look unsafe. If in doubt inform the crew who will endeavour to sort the situation out if possible.
• Staircases and stairwells are often built to a very different design than under western building standards. There may be no guard rails, be excessively steep, have dangerous gaps between the stairs and the wall, etc. At all times be aware and take appropriate and prudent care.
• We often stay in homestays and farmstays. These may range from a traditional yurt through to a tree house or a town house. As these are traditional homes, they may well not adhere to our western standards of safety and so it is important that you make yourself aware of potential risks.
• If in doubt please inform the crew of any safety issues with the hotels/hostels or homestays.
Fire Safety – Campsites
• Ensure you know where the nearest source of water or fire extinguisher is.
• Know how to raise the alarm.
• Extinguish all camping fires fully before retiring to bed.
• Observe any regulations regarding fires and bushfires in dry conditions.
• Identify how to raise the alarm if a fire occurs.
• If a fire occurs, leave immediately; do not stop to collect your effects.
• Proceed to an assembly point away from the tented accommodation/affected campsite.
Other Campsite Safety & Security
• Familiarise yourself with the campsite and any known hazards.
• Group the tents around our vehicle wherever possible.
• No open flames, smoking or flammable liquids in or near the tents.
• Ensure the cooking area is well away from the tents.
• Ensure all water for cooking and drinking is purified first.
• Ensure any soil toilets are a minimum of 50m away from the tents and the cooking area.
• All food waste should be burned or buried a minimum of 100m away from the site.
• Ensure local advice is followed concerning any wildlife in the area.
• Keep valuables locked in the vehicle.
• Be aware of any local security issues that might be important.
• Do not set out tents close to perimeter fences which may be a security risk.
• Be aware of the security arrangements and local guards for campsite and if in doubt ask them where and where not to pitch tents.
• If in doubt please inform the crew of any safety issues with campsite.
• When wild camping, ensure that you do not wander away from the camp alone. If you do leave camp, ensure that you have notified the leader or other members of the group.
Food Safety
• Make sure your food has been thoroughly cooked.
• Hot food should be hot, cold food should be cold.
• Avoid any uncooked food, except fruit and vegetables (notably those you can peel or shell yourself).
• In many countries you should only drink bottled water or purified water and ensure any seal is intact when purchasing bottles.
• On the Dragoman vehicles we have a tank of drinking water that is kept purified by the crew.
• Avoid ice in drinks as this can cause upset stomachs in hot climates.
• Make sure you wash your hands in antibacterial product when preparing and/or eating food.
• Many of the restaurants that you will eat in, either as a group or as individuals, will NOT have the same standards of food hygiene as we have in the western world. Unfortunately this is a reality of life in these regions. Therefore please think carefully about where you eat, what food you order and be aware of the risks.
One of the real advantages of overland travel is that the vehicle provides a very real level of security when travelling. There is no doubt that a properly-equipped overland vehicle, with safes, fully lockable doors and windows is an obvious advantage when travelling in much of the world. Generally speaking, you will not be travelling on local public transport and will have the added security of travelling in a group with experienced crew on-hand to offer advice. We have come up with a few pointers that we recommend you follow:
• Follow the crew's specific safety advice in each destination.
• Always remain aware and vigilant, and stay away from situations where you do not feel comfortable.
• Avoid carrying too much money.
• Always avoid carrying your passport, driving licence, air tickets, and other valuable items around with you unless this is essential. Instead, keep valuables such as this locked away in the truck's safe, or the safety deposit box in the room or reception of the hotel/hostel.
• If you are carrying cash, cards or valuables, use a money belt or neck wallet which are more easily concealed and more difficult to pickpocket.
• Do not take any valuable jewellery, watches, etc. away with you in the first place.
• Avoid walking in poorly lit areas.
• If possible avoid walking around on your own; it is always safer to explore with others.
• Always try to walk with confidence and purpose, which will help you avoid looking like a lost tourist!
• Take special care when walking to avoid spraining or twisting your ankle on potholes, cobbles and uneven ground.
Activity Safety & Optional Activities
You will have the opportunity to take part in many exciting activities and excursions, some of which are included (e.g. hiking the Inca Trail, trekking to see Mountain Gorillas, visiting the Taj Mahal, etc.), whilst others are optional (e.g. white water rafting in Uganda, zip-lining in Costa Rica, etc.). Some of these activities require a certain level of fitness, so it's important that you read through the trip notes thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough to enjoy this trip and its activities to their fullest.
Some activities may have higher risks than you are used to and you must judge whether or not you wish, or have the physical ability, to take part.
Optional activities mentioned by Dragoman are not included in the trip price or kitty, and do not form part of your contract with Dragoman. As such you accept that any assistance given by Dragoman crew members or local representatives in arranging optional activities does not render us liable for them in any way. The Dragoman crew are assisting you in arranging these activities for your added enjoyment whilst on your trip. The operators of these services and optional extras are local suppliers who contract directly with the client 'on the road', subject to and in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Dragoman accepts no liability for any action or activity undertaken by the client which is arranged independently of Dragoman while on tour. Crew may take part in an optional activity but do so as private individuals and not as company representatives.
Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time.
Ensure that you use the appropriate equipment on optional activities, including life jackets, helmets, etc. This is especially important on activities such as horse riding, white-water rafting, etc.
Always ensure that your travel medical insurance covers you for all included and optional activities that you wish to participate in.
Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary, all other activities are optional and at your own expense. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not necessarily be refunded; this is something you will need to check with your leader.
A selection of optional activities is listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This list is designed to be a helpful guide as to what is commonly available in each location, and is neither an exhaustive list, a guarantee that the activity is available, or an endorsement or recommendation. Please note that certain activities may not be available on your particular visit if they are overbooked, underbooked, out of season, or for any other reason - the list of activities is made according to our latest information and in the best faith, but please be aware that things may change between our last visit and your arrival. Please also note that it may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, and it is recommended to give yourself extra time in your joining or ending city if you would like to participate in some optional activities there.
Prices listed are for entrance only and do not include transport costs to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated - again, these prices are displayed according to our latest information and in the best faith, but prices do fluctuate due to exchange rates, season, numbers of participants, and simple increases from the operator - any prices listed are a guide only and certainly cannot be guaranteed.
Optional activities are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by Dragoman nor included in the price of this trip. If you do any optional activities, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with Dragoman. You may be required to sign/complete a waiver form or optional activity form for some optional activities.
It is a condition of booking that you have comprehensive travel insurance. Without evidence of valid travel insurance you will not be allowed to start the trip.
We recommend that any policy has a minimum medical (including repatriation) cover of £5,000,000. We recommend that any policy also has a minimum level of cover for Personal Liability of £2,000,000 and for Cancellation and Curtailment of £5,000 (or the full cost of your trip). Cover for loss of baggage, personal effects, money and other inclusions are down to personal choice although please bear in mind that personal effects are more likely to go missing whilst travelling and you should ensure that your policy is adequate to cover the value of your personal effects e.g. cameras, tablets, phones, ipods, etc. Please note that Dragoman is not responsible for your personal effects and is not insured for their loss. Please note that you should be insured for trip postponment or cancellation purposes immediately upon paying a deposit.
Whatever policy you choose, you must ensure that it is designed for adventure/overland travel and make sure it covers any activity that you intend to undertake (whether included or optional). As such it must cover you for adventure activities such as white water rafting, trekking, horse-riding, etc., and that the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Company must be experienced in handling situations in developing countries - for example, that they have the ability to arrange repatriation from remote areas such as the Sahara or if you were trekking in the Andes. On activities or side trips that are not recommended by us, please ensure you are happy with the safety of the activity before participating.
Please double check if you have annual travel and/or credit card policies to ensure they have the cover you require, as many of these policies are not able to cope with adventure travel to remote areas. Many credit card medical insurance policies are not valid for travelling outside your country of residence or outside the EU.
Dragoman has comprehensive passenger vehicle liability protection and tour operator insurance. These policies have total indemnities of £5,000,000 and £10,000,000 per incident respectively. This is in addition to local vehicle insurance and your personal travel insurance.
We have an out of office hours number you can call which should only be used once you have left your home country to start the trip and in the event of a real emergency. Should you need to call the number, we will do what we can to help but please bear in mind that real progress or action may not be possible until normal office hours. If you can not get through please leave a message with you name, reference number, contact details and a message with the help that you need and we will get back to you.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, please let us know and then make your way to the joining hotel as instructed in these trip notes. If you cannot get through leave a message and a contact number as these will be regularly checked and the crew informed if necessary.
Although you will not have to carry your main bag for long distances, you will need to help load and unload them onto the truck. For this reason we recommend that you use a backpack or soft bag rather than a heavy suitcase. During your trip your main luggage will be kept in the truck's back locker which will be inaccessible during a drive day, so you will also need a small daypack. This can be used to carry your camera, water bottle and other personal effects for daily use. Please be aware that due to the constant dust and vibrations your luggage bag will be subject to extreme wear and tear.
The size of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the locker space on the truck. We recommend that your bag be no larger than a large rucksack with a capacity of about 80 litres (approximately 70cm high, 40cm wide, and 40cm deep). The weight limit for luggage on all trucks is a maximum of 20kg. Backpacks should not have an external frame unless it can be easily removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people's luggage.
Your clothes and equipment should be appropriate for the conditions you are travelling in, which will vary depending on which part of the world you're heading to. On overland trips, Dragoman will provide all camping equipment apart from sleeping bags and ground mats, so you'll need to bring those with you*.
Think about the climate and altitude of the areas you'll be travelling to - there's nothing worse than being cold at night so it's worth investing in a decent sleeping bag if it's likely to get cold. And remember that even when it's warm during the day, it can often get cold at night, particularly in desert regions.
For a general idea of what you need, this list provides a guide:
• Sleeping bag* - check the expected climate en route. Nights in desert, mountain and high-altitude regions and Patagonia can be very cold, especially in winter months.
• Sleeping bag liner* (or sheet folded and sewn up on 2 sides) - this will help keep your sleeping bag clean, provide extra insulation on cold nights, and can be used on its own on warm nights.
• Ground mat or compressed foam*.
• A day pack is useful for short hikes in the countryside, wandering around cities, etc., and also for keeping inside the vehicle for items used during the day.
• 2 sets of comfortable travelling clothes (light, easily washable cotton clothes are best).
• 1 set of casual but smart clothes for evenings out. Men should bring a pair of trousers that covers al their legs and women should bring a skirt that covers their knees and a scarf for visiting places of worship.
• 2 pairs of shorts.
• Sun hat or warm hat if trekking.
• 1 pair of sunglasses.
• Warm sweater/fleeces.
• 1 waterproof jacket with hood.
• 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes/boots (or ankle height canvas jungle boots).
• 1 pair of sandals or flip-flops.
• Underwear and socks - thermals are also a good idea if you are travelling to altitude, Patagonia or to the desert, as it can get very cold at night.
• Swimwear.
• 2 small towels.
• Washing kit, including a small mirror.
• Clothes washing detergent, small scrubbing brush and washing line (just a length of cord).
• Head torch/flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs - only the 3 standard sizes of round 1.5V batteries are widely available en route.
• Passport photos - at least 4, and more if you are applying for visas en route.
• Good water bottle - at least 1 litre capacity.
• A pouch or money belt to be worn inside your clothing, or an unobtrusive pocket sewn into the inside of a pair of loose fitting trousers.
• Alarm clock.
• Pocket calculator - useful when exchanging money.
• Writing materials and notebook/diary.
• Multi purpose knife.
• Mosquito net - the tents supplied by us have mosquito netting and you will only need a net if you think you will sleep out under the stars a lot of the time.
• "Wet Wipes" (moistened tissues) and hand gel.
• Toilet paper - this can be purchased almost everywhere en-route, but one roll may be worth packing.
• Assorted sized plastic bags - protects clothing and equipment from dust and damp.
• Extra batteries for your camera, etc., as there may are only limited opportunities to recharge them en route.
For a comprehensive kit list, take a look at the Dragoman kit list that Nomad Travel has created. Dragoman customers can receive a 10% discount on all equipment purchased either online or in store. Click here to see the kit list - http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/c/381/Overland
*For trips with camping nights.
All of our trucks have a standard motorist's first aid kit on board for use in emergency situations only. The first aid kit is in compliance with UK standards for first aid provision within motor vehicles, and contain supplies to treat road side injuries. We do not carry prescription medications, therefore in addition to this we recommend that you purchase your own personal medical kit.
In the UK we have teamed up with Nomad Travel Stores and Clinics to produce travel medical kits. They have been designed in conjunction with the truck kits and contain everything you would need for any minor incidents and health issues. For more details please visit their website:
Overlander kit (including painkillers) - www.nomadtravel.co.uk/p/2910/Overlander-Medical-Kit-(P)
Independent kit (including painkillers and antibiotics) - www.nomadtravel.co.uk/p/2909/Independent-Medical-Kit-(POM)
Check that your passport will still be valid for 6 months after the end of your trip - this is important as some countries WILL refuse entry to anyone whose passport is due to expire. A temporary or 'visitor's' passport is not valid on our trips. You will need to provide us with your passport details prior to departing for your trip. If you change your passport, please remember to inform us as soon as possible - however, please be aware that changing your passport can cause big problems if you need to apply for visas or permits (such as the Inca Trail or Gorilla Trekking) in advance.
Pre and Post Trip Accommodation and Connecting Flights
At Dragoman we believe you should make the most of the places you visit, so if you would like to see more of the joining or finishing point cities, why not book additional accommodation to extend your stay? Dragoman can take away the hassle of time zones and language barriers by making the booking for you. This accommodation is only available at the joining or finishing city of your trip, immediately before or after the trip you are travelling on.
While Dragoman is happy to assist with booking your pre and post trip accommodation, it is important that you understand that you may be able to book your own room at a cheaper rate directly through the hotel or on the internet. Our additional accommodation prices are based on the hotel's rate plus an administration fee. Please note our rates do not reflect last minute walk-in rates or internet specials.
We can also book arrival airport transfers for you as long as we have your flight arrival details. These are normally payable in cash upon arrival; however we do have pre-paid transfers in a few destinations.
Please contact our reservations team for details of the accommodation and transfers that we can offer, as not all hotels offer this service.
Having an amazing trip and met a great group of people? Having too much fun to go home yet? If you're on one of our trips and decide that you would like to continue with us, then why not speak to your trip leader who can advise you of the cost and availability of continuing your journey.
Sometimes, civil or political unrest, or reasons beyond Dragoman's control (e.g. a natural disaster), can mean that an itinerary is disrupted and we have to make a contingency plan. This may involve hiring alternate transport or even the whole group flying over an area. Although Dragoman will help organise travel arrangements, in circumstances outside Dragoman's control you will be required to contribute the additional costs involved and therefore we ask you to bring along a 'Contingency Fund' of USD400. In almost all cases trips run smoothly and this fund is therefore never used. We also recommend that you take along an internationally recognised credit or charge card with a decent limit in case of emergencies, such as medical treatment en route, or even the need to be repatriated; though these occurrences are rare. Remember that travel insurance policies usually only refund you for expenses after you have already paid out.
Dragoman is committed to ensuring that we have a positive impact on local communities and that we implement policies to minimise any negative impact on the local environment. We are dedicated to making sure that we adopt a responsible attitude to the areas through which we travel and believe that our trips should benefit the local people and their environment. Dragoman recognises that we are guests of local communities and strive to make these communities our partners, so that they benefit directly from our visit. You can find full details of Dragoman's Responsible Tourism policy from the link below:
The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in the bottle, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.
Please avoid the purchase of bottled water by using the chemically sterilised water stored in the purpose-built storage tank on your overland vehicle. You are free to refill your bottle as many times a day as you like. You are helping the environment and your pocket!
Your vehicle will be usually equipped with a 12-Volt socket, so to charge your iPod, MP3 player, camera, laptop and mobile phone you will need a DC 12V adapter - the type that can be used from a cigarette lighter in your car. Please be aware that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle's batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets and the majority of the campsites we stay at have electricity points, so please bring along your normal charging adapters as well. You will need to ensure that you have the correct country adapter for your specific charger.
For mobile phones, please note that most countries in the Americas operate at 850 MHz and 1900 MHz which is not the same frequencies used in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Most modern tri-band and quad-band mobile phones will be able to operate on these frequencies but please check your mobile phone specifications before travelling to ensure that you'll be able to use your phone in the Americas.
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. Possessing or using drugs is not only against the law, but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for Dragoman groups.
It is one of our core values to treat all people we encounter with respect which of course includes all the local people who make our destinations so special. The exploitation of prostitutes or children is completely contrary to this philosophy.
Equally Dragoman will not tolerate any violence or threat of violence towards local people, other group members or any member of our staff. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession, if they use prostitutes, abuse children, use violence or threaten violence, without a refund of the trip price.
We expect you to obey all the laws of the countries through which we pass. This particularly applies to the smuggling of contraband and possession of narcotic drugs (as above), firearms, antiquities and ivory. Any customer found contravening such laws or customs will be required to leave the trip immediately with no refund of the trip price.
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local partner straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction. If this is the case please contact our customer relations department on
You may also choose to provide details in your feedback questionnaire which we ask you to complete at the end of your trip, but we do ask you to be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is complete.
Tipping is entirely voluntary. The Dragoman crew may be travelling with you for many weeks and usually they become good friends with most members of the group. It is sometimes easy to forget that they do work hard to ensure that you do have a great trip. If you feel you would like to tip them, they certainly would appreciate it.
On a number of our trips, we also use a local guide as well as our own Dragoman crew. These guides live and travel with you through their home country and it is usual to tip them when they leave. We recommend USD 1 to USD 4 per person per day, but check with your crew for an appropriate amount.
At any time before or after you book, you can join our community - Dragoland. This is a great place to ask questions before you travel and to catch up with your fellow travellers once your trip has finished. You can share photos, videos and stories and you can also download a selection of free travel apps. See the home page to sign in - it's free and easy. We also have a Facebook page where travellers regularly swap info with each other, as well as other presence on other social media platforms.
After your travels, we want to hear from you! We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us to understand what we are doing well and what we could be doing better, and it allows us to make improvements for future travellers.


text:
I actually took this picture...
|[ Sizes: Orig | Med | Small | Thumb ]
I actually took this picture on my way down. The summit is just over the upper ridge. The climbers trail follows this draw. There are cairns marking the way. After the hail and rain there was a stream that took over the climbers trail in spots and I got my feet wet. I had to watch my footing because it is pretty steep in spots. 5 March 2005
[ Post a Comment ]
Rate This Image
Current Score: 73.06%
Log In To Vote
[ View 3 Votes | Post Comment ]
Signal Peak (Mountain/Rock)
Dennis Poulin's Image Gallery
Image Data
Image ID: 95469
Hits: 1639
Lat/Lon: 33.35900°N / 114.082°W
Object Title: I actually took this picture...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
No accommodation is available at the Mussel Inn but you are welcome to sleep in your car in the car park if you feel unsafe to drive. HOWEVER - THIS ONLY APPLIES TO PATRONS OF THE MUSSEL INN. If you are just looking for somewhere free to park up over night - look elsewhere! If you would like proper accommodation close to the Mussel Inn, check out the following:
Shambhala - backpackers - over the road, on the coast
Sunrise Apartment - at Shambhala
Laidback Lodge - an easy walk, just down the road
Adrift In Golden Bay - Luxury Beachfront accomodation - Tukurua
Moonbow beachfront B&B - Tukurua
Winspears - pottery - Tukurua
Golden Bay Holiday park - Tukurua
Somerset House - Collingwood
or if you fancy the sunset side of the Bay - Ratanui Lodge
For a list of other options throughout the Bay...
click here for Golden Bay's promotions association website


text:
CIOs have a key part to play as Chinese enterprises start looking to IT for business growth and global competitiveness.
June 2013 | by Driek Desmet, Kevin Wei Wang, and Chenan Xia
As Chinese organizations move from early-stage businesses to large global players, IT will need to play an increasingly important and strategic role. However, a 2012 McKinsey survey on business technology in China, undertaken in collaboration with Peking University, finds that Chinese enterprises continue to spend less than their global counterparts when it comes to IT investment. What's more, many Chinese CEOs and business leaders view their IT function as good at helping to run the business but not strong at helping to grow it.
Indeed, the results of the survey show the majority of corporate IT investment in China remains skewed toward improving operational efficiency. Comparatively little investment is directed to delivering customer-facing, top-line pursuits. Such pursuits could include digital-sales channels tapping big-data analytics to improve the customer experience (Exhibit 1) or leveraging social media for marketing of products and services.
Exhibit 1
The IT function excels at internal business-process improvement but not at supporting external customer- and market-facing initiatives.
Align IT investment with business strategy
Among Chinese companies, IT has historically been seen as a support function that helps run the day-to-day business by operating, for example, basic domestic enterprise-resource-planning (ERP) and core-banking systems. IT has generally not been viewed as an enabler of strategic growth. Indeed, two-thirds of respondents say IT strategy is developed only after the business strategy has been agreed upon. This is partly because of how fast Chinese companies have grown over the past 20 years, prompting them to focus on providing basic IT functionality just to keep the business running smoothly.
Today, however, IT can no longer take a back seat, given the growing maturity and global appetite of Chinese businesses and increasing local competition. Expanding sales overseas, for example, typically requires a company to turn its domestic ERP system into a complex multicountry system that supports both unique local-market requirements and value-chain collaborations across borders. More than three-quarters of CIOs say they want to integrate business and IT strategy better. As one insurance-industry CIO said, "The role of IT is starting to shift from supplier and execution support to shaper of business."
To get there, organizations must establish much closer collaboration among IT, other functions, and business units at all levels of the enterprise. CIOs should engage early and often with senior leaders to understand how best to direct resources and development efforts to meet their companies' business objectives. Involving IT in business planning can help organizations achieve greater operational efficiency and promote continued expansion.
Rather than simply funding isolated projects, the business side and IT must agree on a road map to direct spending toward initiatives that support overall growth. Buy-in is also important. Some organizations have found it helpful to implement a chargeback to hold business units responsible for their IT requests. A handful of survey respondents, 5 percent, say they have taken collaboration further by establishing a joint IT and business investment committee. More than half of those surveyed also believe such committees can help ensure effective and efficient IT spending. Indeed, better collaboration between IT and business leaders when setting strategy and allocating investments has helped several leading Chinese companies that are global players successfully drive their business-transformation programs forward and bring tangible business value.
Elevate the CIO's role in business transformation
TKey survey findings
Exhibit 2
Approximately 40 percent of surveyed CIOs take on business roles beyond IT, and that number is expected to grow.
Such decisions require changes in business behavior and ways of working, and they cannot be achieved without top-management backing. One successful CIO said, "The reason I can drive business change is that I'm fully supported by the CEO."
In addition, because many CIOs do not have experience in frontline business management, such as business-unit P&L responsibilities, they need to strengthen their knowledge of business strategy and better understand the key elements of their company's operating model.
Finally, they must earn their spot at the strategy table by bringing value from technology-enabled business solutions. Some leading Chinese companies have already successfully improved business performance by adopting a model where the CIO not only leads IT delivery work but also actively drives business-process transformation. This transformation may include supporting international expansion by designing and facilitating a multicountry operating model and establishing a global process template. It may also involve initiating coinnovation with business units in fields such as big-data customer analytics.
Strengthen IT capabilities for large transformation projects
Less than half of the CIOs and IT executives surveyed say they are satisfied with their IT team's capabilities, with the result that many have turned to outsourcing. According to the survey, two to three times as many Chinese companies outsource architecture design as do their global peers. Such heavy reliance on vendors reduces control over projects and may make companies too dependent on external parties, all of which can erode the business team's confidence in IT.
Instead, Chinese enterprises should consider building and retaining a core IT team with strong capabilities in architecture design, project management, and the analysis of business requirements. But given the shortage of IT talent in China, building that team must be part of a larger effort to develop scalable IT capabilities to deliver value.
To institutionalize those capabilities, companies should improve their training and vendor-management processes and put continuous-improvement opportunities high on their agenda. As one banking CIO said, "We have over 10,000 good-quality IT employees, but we lack a mechanism to make sure they can work together efficiently." For instance, many Chinese enterprises still lack mature processes for application development and maintenance (ADM) such as demand management and early identification of development defects. Only a quarter of surveyed executives rate their ADM capability as medium to high, but these processes are essential for supporting large transformation projects.
Employee training and development is also key. Chinese organizations should establish formal capability-building programs that focus on cultivating seasoned managers with strong project-management skills. The goal is a virtuous cycle that will raise the status of IT in the organization. The more IT helps solve real business problems, the more respect and support it will receive from the business, and the more inclined its top talent will be to stay and build careers.
Speed up the adoption of new technology to support business innovation
Although the majority of companies we surveyed have deployed basic emerging technologies, many are struggling to use them in creating customer-facing innovation. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed say their companies have basic IT technologies in place, such as core transaction applications and security systems, and 50 to 60 percent have deployed emerging technologies such as mobility devices like smartphones and tablets to support remote operations and collaboration. But they are not yet adopting technologies that require them to develop new business models (Exhibit 3). Less than 15 percent of survey respondents, for instance, report having selectively or meaningfully adopted big data–based analytics applications.
Exhibit 3
Adoption of emerging technologies varies widely.
Pilots are one way to bring business along. To speed up buy-in and results, Chinese organizations can adopt a faster experimental approach that identifies innovative use cases and pilots IT solutions. Taking this approach, one Chinese construction company successfully deployed a custom-made field-crew handset that significantly reduced response time and improved customer satisfaction. In another case, a leading Internet company in China realized 10 million renminbi in revenue after a 12-week, small-scale pilot using big-data analytics. To obtain such quick results, the business team worked hand in hand with the data-analytics team to identify opportunities and develop a prototype for a predictive customer-segmentation model to be used in tailored campaign promotions; the prototype was then tested and refined every one to two weeks.
Chinese organizations invest relatively little in delivering top-line pursuits such as digital-sales channels tapping big-data analytics to improve the customer experience. Chinese CIOs and their teams must act as stewards in building digital enterprises that enable business growth and allow companies to compete successfully against global rivals.
About the authors
Driek Desmet is a director in McKinsey's Singapore office, and Kevin Wei Wang is a principal in the Shanghai office, where Chenan Xia is a consultant.
The authors wish to thank Peking University and its Guanghua School of Management and the Center for Informatization and Information Management for their support. The authors also thank McKinsey's Harrison Lung, Janet Tang, Eileen Tu, Jason Wang, and Ryan Yang for their contributions to this article.


text:
Will Bradley Cooper Play Hal Jordan in Green Lantern?
by Alex Billington
May 5, 2009
Source: HitFix
We've heard time and time again rumors off and on about who will play Hal Jordan in Martin Campbell's Green Lantern movie. Back in March, it was rumored that Star Trek's Chris Pine was the frontrunner, but that was debunked. But now Drew McWeeny at HitFix is saying that it'll be Bradley Cooper. Who is he, you ask? Well, first off, Drew McWeeny is otherwise known as Moriarty from AICN, and I trust this guy. He doesn't report rumors and I know he has checked this scoop twice (or more). Secondly, if you're wondering who Bradley Cooper is, he's one of the guys in the upcoming summer comedy The Hangover, at least.
In addition to The Hangover, Cooper has appeared in Wedding Crashers, Failure to Launch, Yes Man, He's Just Not That Into You, and he was the lead in The Midnight Meat Train. Give or take that last one (and his roles on TV shows like "Alias") he has starred in primarily comedies, and I've come to think of him as the goofy, asshole, friend kind of guy, not a charismatic leading man. But maybe he's just been typecast and this is his chance to break out. I mean, look at Chris Pine, that guy kicks some ass as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, and when he was cast, nobody though he'd be able to pull it off. Could it be the same for Bradley Cooper?
We know that director Martin Campbell likes to see a lot of actors for his movies. Word is that he passed on (or they weren't otherwise interested) actors like Ryan Gosling, Emile Hirsch, Anton Yelchin, Jon Hamm, and Chris Pine, so far. So who else is out there that's left that could play Hal Jordan? Bradley Cooper? Drew says "they have not hired him yet," however, he will be screen-testing this week, and he's even willing to "bet that Cooper's going to be the guy." So there you have it, sounds on target this time. We'll of course confirm this when and if he is indeed cast as Hal Jordan, but for now, it's time to open this up. Good choice?
Follow Alex's main profile on :


text:
Thanks for helping us sort this video!
Thanks for helping us associate the correct Pornstars to this video!
Help Us: Do these Pornstars appear in this video?
Pornstar Name:
that ad suprised me at 2:33
I can't stand that @#$% music!
what a beauty! Great, expecting eyes, perky nipples, and I love the way she has her legs spread at the start of the clip ..... Lovely creature!
i wish if i could giver her
she's got a great body,, but he doesn't seem to have a big hard on
Holly ???
best use of classical music ever
Sexy girl. Beautiful breast. My penis is hard, hot and I am going to cum hard looking at this girl being fucked.
Fuck she is Hot!!!! Could not resist thinking about her! Take my hard one babe!
Thats hot!
very hot girl, lovely :)
very nice and firm tits
Beautiful pussy
Pretty girl with puffies!
Nice for Chopin music in it ;)
Wow, nice video. She's really hot!
YouPorn is better with friends; sign up for a free account and get connected.
Some errors occurred, please try again later


text: Every girl feels fantastic when she's got a bit of war paint on and here at Lipstick, Lashes and Locks we do love a play in the make up bag! We offer everything from a quick lip and flicks option - ideal when you're dashing off to a date or headed to lunch - to a full make-over including lashes. We're also very proud to offer gel manicures using both CND Shellac and Nail Harmony Gelish polishes in the salon. Have a quick scoot through our gallery and see what you might like to treat yourself to!


text:
Welcome to Louisiana
This is the official UK tourism website for the state of Louisiana and New Orleans. You will find information on Louisiana and New Orleans tourism for visitors to help plan your trip, with things to do in Louisiana, lists of Louisiana attractions, Louisiana festivals and much more!
Louisiana's unique people and its rich history, culture and landscapes have been featured in numerous books and stories over the years. Now you can experience this for yourself by visiting the state that boast fabulous cuisine, music that sets your soul free, hundreds of year round festivals, a diverse, exotic and colourful history, Tax Free Shopping and good ol' Southern hospitality!
There is an energy in the Big Easy which is as unique as the architecture and the locals. New Orleans is the city that never sleeps, open 24 hours a day with a love for life that is contagious. Walk through the 17th century cobbled streets, relax with a cocktail in a sun drenched courtyard, enjoy street theatre in the French Quarter that delights in budding artists. New Orleans really does have something for everyone with each day a new adventure!
Lafayette is located in Cajun Country, where the French Colonists settled in the 1750's and is today the centre of the Cajun culture. Visit the living museums showing all aspects of Cajun life during the 1700's. Enjoy and experience the culture through the music & food of these hardy, creative and innovative people living off of the stunningly beautiful bayous for over 300 years.
The Creole Nature Trail is one of 31 driving experiences known as an "All American Road". This area is home to the "Louisiana Outback" a habitat to many unique species of birds and wildlife, not forgetting the local alligator population! Enjoy being up close and personal with these creatures along 180 miles of bayous, marshlands and beaches.
The state capital of Louisiana has big things happening and you don't want to miss it! Baton Rouge is a charming city that has gracefully merged her past with the energy and excitement of the present. From every direction, everything Louisiana culminates with Baton Rouge as a hub for historical sites, art museums, great shopping, night club, music venues and wonderful dining options.
Shreveport is located north west of the state on the border with Texas in the Louisiana region called Sportsman's Paradise. Cajun Cowboys abide with its own unique combination of two great American heritages that sets Shreveport-Bossier apart. You'll find the combination reflected in our mouth-watering dining, where flavourful steak may be combined with spicy crawfish. Or you might find it in the music, with nightclubs and concerts for jazz, country, bluegrass, folk, zydeco and everything in between. There's no place like it in America, a world of colour and sound, taste and entertainment, elegant Southern charm and a relaxed attitude that suggest you kick off your boots and stay a while.
Whether you are exploring the bayous of Cajun Country, the gardens of North Louisiana or the nightlife in New Orleans there is no corner of Louisiana that should go unturned. See what Louisiana has to offer and "laissez les bon temps rouler", let the good times roll!


text:
Hi I'm Kevin Cleary, DipWSET, FWS. I guess you could call me a culinary junkie since I have a slight obsession with wine and food. I've been a chef for over 25 years having owned, with my wife, two critically acclaimed Italian restaurants in Massachusetts and Vermont (both named L'Amante). In 2003 I got the wine bug and began my educational odyssey with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. This culminated with my earning the Diploma in 2010. Since then I've continued my wine education with the Wine Scholar Guild earning the French Wine Scholar and Master Level Certifications in Bordeaux, Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence. I am also a WSET Certified Educator and have been teaching the WSET courses through the Vermont Wine School since 2011. I've lived and traveled extensively in Italy as well as France, Spain and the US. When I'm not tasting, drinking or learning about wine and food you'll find me on the golf course.
If you like wine and food this is the place for you. I'll be posting regularly on a wide range of wine and food topics. There will be wine reviews, recipes, travel tips and lots of educational material for both the wine novice and expert.
Feel free to contact me with any wines, topics, recipes or destinations you would like to hear about.


text:
About the Fairtrade Foundation
The Fairtrade Foundation was formed in 1992 to support producers working in developing countries by:
- helping to provide a better deal for growers and smaller scale producers in developing countries
- helping the producers tackle their poverty, ensuring sustainable environments and livelihoods
- ensuring decent wages and working conditions
To find out more about the Fairtrade Foundation, visit their website.
How we help
We do our best to inform, educate and motivate our customers to buy Fairtrade products, hoping to help make a difference to producers in the developing world.
We also have representatives on the Jersey and Guernsey Fairtrade Working Groups to help with our mission of increasing knowledge and use of Fairtrade products locally.
We're committed to supporting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and improving conditions in our supply chain. We'll continue to promote Fairtrade and develop long term, sustainable relationships and offer the widest range and availability of Fairtrade products.
We hope to help by securing progress in developing countries towards living wages, trade union recognition (where lawful), the end of child labour, reasonable working hours and overtime.
Our products
Today, we stock around 200 Fairtrade products in our larger stores, making our range the largest in the Channel Islands.
All our own-brand hot beverages are now Fairtrade, even our iconic Co-op 99 tea. Our Fairtrade wines also tell a story about struggling communities revived and renewed, about schools built, clean water supplied and hope restored.
The variety of products available is always growing, too. Look out for Fairtrade products such as:
- cereal bars
- biscuits
- puddings
- ice-cream
- honey
- sugar
- nuts
- crackers
- beverages
- cotton wool
Who says that Fairtrade is just about coffee and bananas?


text: "Assessment| Biopsychology| Comparative| Cognitive| Developmental| Language| Individual... Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy Pages in category "Publications with year of establishment missing" This category contains only the following page. J Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy Retrieved from "http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Publications_with_year_of_establishment_missing" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you've made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected.


text:
Commuter town to London with great schools
Looking for an area with great schools with no more than a 45mins commute into London.
Asked on Mar 9 2010, Schools in London | Report content
Answers (3)
Sort by: Oldest | Recent | Highest rated
Brentwood, Essex. Half and hour to Liverpool Street and some of the best performing state and private schools anywhere.
Web reference: http://www.emoov.co.uk/blogAnswered on Mar 10 2010, Report content
Fleet and Camberley have very good schooling which attracts buyers from all over try them 1st make sure you check catchment area's before offering as they can be quite small as often popular schools are over subscribed.Answered on Mar 10 2010, Report content
You could also consider Baldock, Hertfordshire which has a direct link to Kings Cross - 35-40 mins. Great schools and great town - and the property prices are not through the roof either!Answered on Mar 20 2010, Report content
Didn't find what you were looking for? Ask a question
More Schools in London questions on AskMe
Do you have any properties in D1?
Asked on Oct 13 2013, Schools in London
Be the first to answer this question
Best secondary school in N13 4RY
Asked on Oct 12 2013, Schools in London
1 answer - Answer this question
Asked on Oct 3 2013, Schools in London
Be the first to answer this question


text:
Listen: Taylor Swift releases new song '...Ready For It?'
LOS ANGELES -- Taylor Swift wants to know if we're "...Ready For It ?"
The pop star released the pulsating new song off of her upcoming album "reputation" on Sunday after previewing it during a college football game on ESPN Saturday night. The song quickly became a trending topic on Twitter.
Swift previously released the somewhat divisive single "Look What You Made Me Do" and a self-aware music video in anticipation of the new album.
"Reputation" will mark her sixth studio effort following the album "1989," which was released in 2014. It will be available on Nov. 10.
Taylor in Tampa? Swift releases new single and hints at Tampa tour date
From 2016: Taylor Swift dazzles at Raymond James Stadium


text:
Detour Cafe - Book Your Event
We'd Love to Host your Holiday Party
The holidays are just around the corner and the café is now booking parties through the months of November and December.
We are able to host groups of up to 30 people and have several packages available to suite your gathering. Whether a stand-up cocktail hour or a full 4 course sit-down dinner, we would love to work with you to create a memorable holiday evening.
Our café is a FEAST ON certified restaurant and focuses on local, seasonal foods. We have a wide selection of options to choose from and are able to accommodate a variety of diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options available)
For more information on booking and menu please contact email@example.com
We're looking forward to planning your special evening with you.