FAQs

Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

Major credit cards and cash machines are widely available throughout your tour and your tour manger will be on hand to help you find the best places to exchange your money. When travelling to New Zealand, a currency card is a simple way to buy currency and lock in a great exchange rate before you travel. Distant Journeys recommends Revolut, a digital banking app which offers a pre-paid physical or virtual currency card. It is also simple to apply for, set up and use.

For more information on the Revolut Currency Card, please click here

We also recommend advising your bank of your travel plans prior to departing from the UK so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash.

Whilst it is not compulsory to tip in New Zealand, it is now an accepted practice in many areas. It is the norm, for example to tip in a restaurant if you are happy with the service, usually around 5-7%. For your tour, tipping is discretionary, however, suggested tipping amounts for your driver and guides would be as follows:

Coach Captains, Tour Managers & Drivers: $7.00 – $15.00 NZD per person per day

We recommend regularly checking the most up to date entry requirements and local guidance through the FCDO website: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Whilst we are happy to provide our customers with advice, it is important to note that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of and comply with the entry requirements applicable to your holiday destination.

To Enter New Zealand, You Must Hold:

1) A valid passport

A valid ten-year British passport is required for all holidays, valid for a minimum of six months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document. Our recommendation is that you should apply at least three months before your holiday.

2) Hold a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority

The NZeTA costs NZD $17 if applying via the dedicated mobile app, or NZD $23 if completed online via the Immigration NZ website nzeta.immigration.govt.nz. You will also need to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100 when you apply. The New Zealand immigration authorities recommend that applicants allow up to 72 hours for processing.

3) Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration form.

ALL travellers are required to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and it aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. Complete the form via this link: travellerdeclaration.govt.nz and for further detail please see New Zealand Traveller Declaration factsheet.

New Zealand has very strict bio-security regulations. It is illegal to import most foodstuffs (meat and meat products, honey, fruit, dairy produce) and strict penalties are handed out to those breaking these rules. If in doubt, declare items to a Ministry of Agriculture official or dump them in one of the bins available at the airport. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a severe fine.

Please keep up to date with any updates by checking the FCO website here: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-zealand

You are required to apply for an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand. Applications can be made online on the government’s immigration website and cost $23NZD, or by its smartphone app for a slightly lower cost of $17NZD. In addition to the fee for the NZeTA, you will also be required to pay an International Visitor Levy (IVL), at a cost of $100NZD. This will be processed at the same time as your NZeTA

For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website: www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

It is important to note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa, other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

Health facilities, hygiene and disease risk vary worldwide. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel. For more information on health and vaccinations please visit the Foreign Office website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and NHS Travel Vaccinations website on: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

Advice may change and you should check the most up to date position with your GP or local health / travel clinic in good time before departure.

Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun-screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

Japanese people are extremely polite and welcoming (one of the best things about visiting Japan), but many visitors worry about accidentally offending them by saying or doing the wrong thing.

Bear in mind that Japanese people don’t expect you to know all of their customs and etiquette, but a few basics are useful. Here are a few helpful tips:

Chopsticks (Ohashi)
There are many rules around the use of chopsticks, but here are a few key things to keep in mind; Never point your chopsticks at another person, wave them in the air, or spear food with them and avoid putting your chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice.

Handing over money when paying
In Japan, money is rarely passed directly from hand to hand. This means that when you purchase an item or service, you won’t hand money directly to the cashier. Instead, you’ll place your payment (whether cash or credit) on the small tray provided. If change is due, your change will be placed here for you as well.

Removing your shoes
In Japan, it’s common to remove one’s shoes before entering certain buildings, such as ryokans (Japanese-style inns), temples, and at traditional restaurants. Bring shoes that slip on and off easily, and neat socks, too – they’ll be on display often!

Bowing
Japanese people bow when greeting one another. If you’re used to shaking hands when meeting people, it may be difficult to get used to bowing instead of shaking hands. But don’t worry: many Japanese people are accustomed to shaking hands when meeting non-Japanese. Bowing is also used when thanking someone. At hotels, ryokans, shops, and restaurants (particularly at higher-end establishments) it’s common for staff to bow deeply to customers.

Tipping in Japan is not common practice and in most instances such as in restaurants and bars, or taxis, should be avoided as it is more likely to cause confusion. There are some exceptions, such as your local guide, where whilst not expected, if you believe it is deserved it will be graciously accepted. Of course, with Japan there is always a little bit of etiquette, so if you do wish to tip your local guide, we suggest putting clean bills into an envelope and then, using both hands discretely hand to your guide.

Tipping is always discretionary, however if you are happy with the service provided, we would suggest the following amounts:

Tour Manager: £2 – £4 (JPY 400 – 800) per person per day
Local Guides: JPY 200 – 500 per person per day
Drivers: JPY 100 – 300 per person per day

The following information on entry requirements, passports and visas is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

No, British citizens are allowed to stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa.

For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat for protection from the sun.

Major credit cards are widely accepted in all hotels and on your cruise. ATMs are widely available in major cities, but less so in more rural areas. We do recommend that for any purchases outside of the hotel, including restaurants, especially outside of the major cities and even for small purchases, you use cash or mobile payments such as Alipay, as many establishments will not accept credit cards. For convenience, we recommend downloading the Alipay App to your smartphone before you travel. When you change money, ask for some small bills and keep these, along with coins separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible. If changing currency locally, your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you find the best places to exchange your money and to assist with using the Alipay App. Keep your exchange receipts as these will be needed if you want to exchange any remaining currency you have at the end of your trip. We also recommend advising your bank of your travel plans in advance so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash.

In China, it is customary to offer gratuities within the hospitality and tourism industries, as a way of showing your appreciation for good service. We have included a number of gratuities into your tour, however, tipping for your Tour Manager, local guides and drivers are not included.

Tips remain discretionary, however, if you are happy with the service you have received, we would suggest the following amounts:

Tour Manager: £3 – £5 per person per day
Local Guides: £2 – £3 per person per day
Drivers: £2 – £3 per person per day

Note: As our tours visit several areas across China, you will have more than one local guide and coach driver on your tour.

When eating in restaurants, a service charge of 10-15 percent will already be included in your bill. Tipping for taxi drivers is not expected, however, rounding up the final fare is common.

The following information on entry requirements, passports and Visa’s is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

To enter China you will be required to obtain a visa before you travel. You are required to obtain an L visa type and must apply for your visa via the China Visa Application Centre: http://www.visaforchina.org/

We recommend applying for your visa no more than three months and at least one month before your intended travel date. The cost of a single entry visa is £87.00, however, please note the China Visa Application Centre levies an extra administration fee of £66.00 for standard service, £78.00 for a 3 day express service, and £90.00 for a 2 day urgent service or a postal service. Standard service and express service require you to submit and collect your visa in person. As part of the application process you need to show proof of an air-ticket booking and provide accommodation details. We will provide this information for you once your booking is confirmed. Please be aware our normal cancellation fees will apply if you are refused a Chinese Visa. More information can also be found on the Chinese Embassy website: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/  Alternatively, you may prefer to use a visa agency to obtain your visa. We recommend The Travel Visa Company.

For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website: www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice It is important to note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa, other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

Booking is easy. Call us on the freephone number at the top of this web page. We will take you through the booking process in about 10 – 20 minutes. It would be useful if you have your passport and insurance details handy at the time of booking. If you don’t have these, don’t worry, we can always take those details at a later date.

If you are travelling outside of 90 days, to confirm your booking and secure your place on your chosen tour we will need to take a deposit from you. Deposits are taken over the phone and can be paid by debit or credit card. There are no additional fees incurred for using a credit card. We cannot accept payments on American Express.

Deposit Amounts All tours* (except for all India & Sri Lanka tours)

£1,000 per person if traveling Economy Class

£1,950 per person if travelling Premium Economy

£3,750 per person if travelling Business Class

* except for the Mekong River Explorer tour and all African multi-day rail tours, which requires the following deposit amounts

Mekong River Explorer tour: Deposit Amounts

£2,295 per person if traveling Economy Class

£3,145 per person if travelling Premium Economy

£4,945 per person if travelling Business Class

African Rail Adventure, Namibian Rail Safari & South African Rail Discovery: Deposit Amounts

£1,750 per person, Pullman Suite; £2,250 per person, Deluxe Suite if traveling Economy Class

£2,700 per person, Pullman Suite; £3,200 per person, Deluxe Suite if travelling Premium Economy

£4,500 per person, Pullman Suite; £5,000 per person, Deluxe Suite if travelling Business Class

Grand African Rail Journey: Deposit Amounts

£2,250 per person, Pullman Suite; £2,750 per person, Deluxe Suite if traveling Economy Class

£3,200 per person, Pullman Suite; £3,700 per person, Deluxe Suite if travelling Premium Economy

£5,000 per person, Pullman Suite; £5,500 per person, Deluxe Suite if travelling Business Class

Deposit Amounts for India and Sri Lanka*

£500 per person if traveling Economy Class

£1,000 per person if travelling Premium Economy

£1,500 per person if travelling Business Class

* except for The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling tour, which requires the following deposit amount

The Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling tour: Deposit Amounts

£1000 per person if traveling Economy Class

£1,500 per person if travelling Premium Economy

£2,000 per person if travelling Business Class

If your travel date from the UK is within 90 days, or 130 days if travelling on a African multi-day rail tours, then full payment will be required when you make your booking.

The balance of your holiday is due 90 days, or 130 days if travelling on a African multi-day rail tours before you depart from the UK. Don’t worry we’ll send you a reminder approximately 10 days before it’s due to be paid, along with the remaining amount due.

It is a condition of travel that you take out sufficient and appropriate travel insurance. We recommend you do this at the time of booking so that in the event of cancellation, providing covered by your policy, your deposit (less any applicable excess) is covered. Distant Journeys has partnered with Staysure, so for a quote on a holiday insurance policy just visit Staysure and enter the code DJ15 at the checkout for a 15% discount on your base premium.

Baggage allowance
You are entitled to carry one suitcase per person. Total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in) and weight must not exceed 20kg (44lbs). Dimensions for luggage are calculated by adding together the length, height and depth of the piece of baggage. In most instances this will be less than the airlines permitted allowance and is restricted to accommodate for coach and, or train capacity, domestic flights and where applicable local health and safety laws. We are unable to accommodate more than one suitcase per person, or any oversized pieces of luggage. Personal and valuable items such as cameras, medication, money / credit cards etc. should be carried in a travel bag or on your person.

Australia
If travelling on our Wonders of Australia or Very Best of Australia tours it is important to note that due to space restrictions on The Ghan passengers are required to carry an overnight bag for all your requirements whilst on board. The remainder of the luggage will be checked into a dedicated luggage compartment.

Canada
If travelling to Knight Inlet or Klahoose Wilderness Resort as access is by floatplane, you will be restricted to one piece of luggage weighing no more than 14kg. We suggest taking a small bag for this trip and arranging storage for your main luggage.

Kenya
When travelling on our Very Best of Kenya tour, luggage is restricted to one soft sided bag per person. Total dimensions must not exceed 136cm (53in). It must weigh less than 15kg (33lbs).

South America
When travelling on our Very Best of Peru, Very Best of South America, luggage is restricted to one carry-on bag not exceeding 8kg per person on our overnight stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu), or when travelling on one of our Amazon Holiday Extensions. Your main luggage will be stored.

Hotel porterage for one piece of luggage per person (weighing no more than 20kg) is included in the price of your holiday.

With many airlines you can pre-book your seats prior to check in to guarantee your seating and give you a wider choice of seat selection. Please note, many airlines now charge for this service.

We offer a fair system of seat rotation to allow all passengers to experience a variety of views. Exceptions cannot be made to this policy.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or walking difficulties, you should inform us at the time of booking.

It is your responsibility to ensure that any medication you are carrying is permitted to be taken into the countries you are visiting. We recommend you consult with your GP and relevant embassy before booking or travelling. Always carry medicines in their original, labelled packaging and in your hand-luggage along with a copy of your prescription. Whilst we recommend only carrying enough for the duration of your time away, a small spare supply can be useful. Check that the expiry dates of your medicines will be valid for the duration of your visit abroad.

If you wish to take your own mobility scooter or other mobility aid please be aware each airline has their own restrictions in regards to what they will carry. This can include, but is not limited to, battery wattage, size and weight. It is your responsibility to ensure you have checked that you meet the airlines requirements. We cannot accept any liability if you are refused boarding or unable to take intended equipment.

Australia Tours: If you are taking your own wheelchair when travelling on The Ghan you will be required to use one of the local supplier’s wheelchairs for the duration of the journey on the train.

Canada Tours: If you are taking your own wheelchair when travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer train it will need to fold down into pieces of 50lbs or less.

Alaska Cruise: If you are taking your own wheelchair when travelling on board the Holland America Cruise it needs to meet the following criteria Width: 23” Max unless collapsible to a width of 23. Weight: 100 lbs. max excluding battery. Batteries must be gel or dry cell or AGM (absorbed glass mat) only.

Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is not allowed at any time onboard our coaches or any flight. Within hotels, smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes may be restricted to designated areas. We’ll endeavour to ensure there are frequent stops on any coach trip, however we can’t guarantee smoking facilities will always be available. It is also worth noting some countries are beginning to ban the use of electronic cigarettes. We recommend you check for up-to-date information before you travel.

During your tour, you can book onto a range of additional excursions. These tours are at an additional cost, subject to availability and seasonal operations, and may be subject to minimum / maximum numbers. Where possible we allow for these to be booked locally with your Tour Manager, however, in some instances pre-booking will be required. You will be advised in advance of your departure from the UK if any excursions require pre-booking. All Freedom Day experiences may be found on our website alongside the itineraries of each individual tour.

Travel documents, which include electronic air tickets and a final itinerary will be sent to you via the Distant Journeys app approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Luggage labels will be sent via post at the same time.

Please Note: If you are travelling on the Alaskan Inside Passage cruise with Holland America, you will need to check in on-line and print off your own luggage labels and boarding pass. We suggest you do this before departing from the UK. For more information about how to check-in for your cruise, please see our Alaska FAQ’s.

Yes, all the flight-inclusive holidays on our website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. Our ATOL number is 10913. When you book, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

To help you put the finishing touches to your Australia & New Zealand holiday, Holiday Extras can supply a range of UK airport hotels, UK airport lounges, UK airport parking and airport transfers.

For more information click here

Many of our itineraries include sightseeing tours which may involve walking for medium to long periods of time and over uneven surfaces. Steps may also feature, either as part of a tour or within your accommodation. Different modes of transport, such as safari vehicles, houseboats, sampans and rickshaws may also be used. This is not an exhaustive list and it is therefore a condition of booking that you are fit and able to take care of yourself for the duration of the tour.

You must have a level of fitness suitable for your chosen tour and must recognise that if you do have any disabilities or walking difficulties you may find access to certain attractions and/or parts of your tour restricted.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a customer for walking, dining, pushing their wheelchair, getting on and off motor coaches or other transportation vehicles or other personal needs. Therefore, customers who need such assistance, or customers with disabilities or special needs must be accompanied by a companion capable of providing all assistance required. For any further information, or to discuss a tour’s suitability in more detail, please contact our Reservations Team.