Turkey Experience

Turkey Experience

ERSBC

Validity: 01 Jan 2027 to 31 Dec 2027

30 Sep 2028

Hit Turkey’s hotspots (and lesser-known secrets) on this epic 19-day adventure. Learn about the country’s ancient history and taste the deliciously hearty local cuisine along the way, from Istanbul to Tbilisi. Begin your journey in the only city to straddle two continents, then travel south to admire Ephesus – the largest Greco-Roman ruins in the Mediterranean world! Explore the surreal terrains of Cappadocia, then trace Turkey’s Black Sea coast from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Safranbolu to the cliffside Sumela Monastery and the highland culture on Ayder Plateau. Tantalise your tastebuds with freshly brewed Turkish tea in the Rize Province and sample local cheese with the family that makes it. Wrap it all up in the cobblestoned Old City of Tbilisi in Georgia.

Original

Private Bus, Public Bus, Overnight Train, Plane

3

It's an action packed trip with a lot of ground to cover. A lot of the destinations are best explored on foot, so at least a moderate level of fitness an being able to walk on uneven ground is required to fully enjoy the trip. You'll also need to be able to handle your luggage on and off public transport and in the stations.

Weingart Hotel

Hacımimi, Necatibey Cd. No:69

Istanbul

TURKEY

Phone: +90 212 945 60 20

Located in the vibrant Karaköy neighbourhood, Weingart Hotel is situated close to Galataport, with a wide range of restaurants, cafés and pubs nearby. The hotel is also within easy reach of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, making it a convenient base for exploring Istanbul. One of the most iconic historical landmarks nearby is the Galata Tower.

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure. There are two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approximately TRY 1500-2300. Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST) For your confirmed arrival transfer, please collect your luggage and proceed to Gate 9 in the arrival hall. Exit through Gate 9 and on the lefthand side you’ll see our representative holding an Intrepid sign. Our representative will then advise the driver to come upon meeting you. Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down). In case you have trouble locating our airport representative, please call our local emergency number listed in the Essential Trip Information document. The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour. Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) For your confirmed arrival transfer, you will need to exit from the international terminal and cross the road between Column 9 and Column 10 to “Simit Sarayı” bakery. Once there you will our representer holding an Intrepid sign Our representative will then advise the driver to come upon meeting you. Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. In case you have trouble locating our airport representative, please call our local emergency number listed in the Essential Trip Information document. The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour."

River View Hotel

3 a Noe Jordania Bank

Tbilisi

0112

GEORGIA

Phone: +995 322440414

River View Hotel is situated in the historic Chugureti district, within walking distance from famous Dry Bridge and Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue, where you can discover numerous little cafes, restaurants, and wine bars. All rooms have private bathrooms, wireless Internet access, telephone, TV and hair dryer.

If you have pre booked a departure transfer to Tbilisi International Airport (airport code TBS), you will be collected at the hotel reception 3 hours before your flight departure time. In case of flight cancellations, changes or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +995 595 200 050 Alternatively, you can take public transport or a taxi. Take a licensed taxi with a meter, avoid any drivers who approach you directly. The journey takes about 30 minutes and the fare will be approximately GEL30-50. You can take public bus #337 from National Gallery station which is 1000 m away from hotel. Bus drives directly to the Airport and it takes about 1hour and 15 min to get there.

1. This trip starts in Istanbul on Day 1 at 1 pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Istanbul. 2. There is an internal flight on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin. 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip. In Turkey, in accordance with local regulations your Leader will also be a registered Guide with the Ministry of Tourism. They will have vast general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, specialized knowledge of the sites visited and provide full guiding services.

FREE TIME & OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities; however, during your trip, you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. INTREPID SAFETY STANDARDS For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS Local laws governing tourism facilities in this region may differ from those in your home country and accommodation we use may not have a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.

SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts.

SAFETY IN TURKEY: We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before your departure and that you ensure your travel insurance covers you for all areas in your itinerary. We have links to all major travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting your trip on our safety page. The safety of our travellers and staff is our first priority. We continue to monitor the situation through official travel advisories and our local operations team, and we’re able to quickly change arrangements if for any reason we become concerned. If there should be any changes to the situation you will be advised immediately. Whilst travelling in Istanbul before, after or during your tour we would recommend avoiding crowded areas like Taksim Square, Galatasaray and Kadikoy Meydan after 6.00pm especially on a weekend. If using public transport in the city please refer to http://www.iett.gov.tr/en for the latest updates and announcements.

INTREPID APP Make your journey smoother with the Intrepid app. Access this Essential Trip Information anytime, get real-time trip updates, connect with your leader and fellow travellers, and share your experiences along the way. Learn more: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/app All our trips will be live in the Intrepid app by the end of 2026. We appreciate your patience while we work towards a seamless experience for all of our travellers.

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS You are responsible for obtaining relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip.  We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  http://www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements, Starting from 1Jan, 2026, all tourists entering Georgia are required to hold a valid health and accident insurance policy. The insurance can be issued in either English or Georgian by an international or Georgian insurance company, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL. This is to be presented in either digital form or a physical copy upon entry. The insurance policy must contain the following mandatory information: Parties to the insurance contract; Covered territory; Subject matter of the insurance; Commencement and expiration dates of the insurance coverage; Insured risks; Amount of the insurance sum (limits); Amount of the insurance premium, place and terms of payment. The insurance policy is required to cover the full period of a tourist’s stay in Georgia, including both arrival and departure dates. For more details, please go to https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/news/69

Step back through thousands of years of Turkish history, from ancient Ephesus and the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli to the cliffside Sumela Monastery and Istanbul’s Old City.

Descend into the Kaymakli Underground City of Cappadocia and take a scenic walk with your leader through the rugged landscape of fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and cave churches.

Go beyond the major sights to experience Turkey’s people and traditions. Share a family feast in a cave home, visit mountain villages, meet tea-growing communities and discover the distinctive cultures of Turkey’s Black Sea and highland regions.

Taste your way through the country with regional specialties and hands-on experiences. Watch gozleme being made, sample freshly brewed Turkish tea, and try Safranbolu’s Turkish delight and Kars gravyer cheese.

Stay at a mountain lodge on the Ayder Plateau, and take a hike on the Elevit Plateau, getting to know the highland culture as you visit local villages along the way.

This trip includes a few long travel days. This is necessary for covering large distances in a short period of time, and the journey is well worth it – there’s plenty of beautiful scenery to admire and stops along the way to stretch your legs., This trip uses a combination of public and private transport. All vehicles are modern and have air-conditioning, and most are fitted with seat belts., This trip doesn't spend a lot of time in Istanbul and Tbilisi. We highly recommend extending your stay to enjoy all these cities have to offer.

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date travel health information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements.  , DRINKING WATER: As a rule we recommend you don't drink tap water, even in hotels, as it contains much higher levels of different minerals than the water you may have at home. For local people this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for visitors drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally this isn't serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it's enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Bottled water is widely available and your leader can recommend safe alternatives when available. Water consumption should be about three litres a day. Rehydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhoea blockers are available from many pharmacies.

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat dinner together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Please let us know your diet requirements before your trip starts. We'll try to accommodate your requests where possible but please be prepared as some dietary requirements may not be well understood in some destinations, hence you may have to miss on some food-related experiences or have access to limited food options. Generally speaking, in bigger cities/towns vegetarians can expect a reasonable range of vegetarian venues and/or vegetarian options within tourist restaurant menus. However, vegetarianism is not the norm in this part of the world so options can be limited when eating at homestays, small local restaurants, street stalls, markets, etc. More restrictive diet requirements (vegans, celiac, gluten intolerance, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, etc.) can also be accommodated along this trip but you should expect a lesser variety than what you can expect at home. We recommend that, if possible, to bring your own supply of snacks with you. SIMPLE BREAKFAST Some of the included breakfasts along this trip can be quite simple: toasts, spreads, juice and coffee or tea.

SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling., TURKEY The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the official currency in Turkey. Most goods and services can be paid for using the local currency. Given the fluctuating value of TRY, we recommend reviewing the exchange rates as your trip approaches. For everyday costs, eg meals, we recommend paying in TRY. EUR and USD are accepted for larger purchases, eg hot air ballooning. You can use your credit/debit card in ATMs, which are common throughout Turkey. Smaller venues take cash only. Turkey is often misjudged when it comes to costs you might have as a tourist, eg dining out and shopping. Prices can also vary considerably between regions. Cities like Istanbul and Antalya are very European and the standard of restaurants and cafes is very high so costs are equivalent to their European counterparts. Eating in local restaurants, roadside stalls and markets is still inexpensive and lots of fun. Budgets are a personal choice but please don't expect Turkey to be a budget destination., GEORGIA The official currency of Georgia is the Lari (GEL). Credit cards are widely used in Tbilisi, but less so in regional areas. ATMs can be found in major towns. USD and EUR are easily exchanged. Foreign currencies aren’t accepted as payment., CARRYING CASH For safety reasons, we advise against carrying large amounts of cash in this region. Only bring a small amount in with you and withdraw small amounts while travelling., TIPPING Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be., YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE Tipping your group leader or local representative is highly appreciated if you feel they’ve provided outstanding services throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, the recommended amount is 4-7 USD or EUR per traveller per day (in a currency relevant to your destination). Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip., YOUR DRIVERS You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey, while others may be with you for several days. We recommend tipping your drivers USD 2 – 4 per person per day (in a currency relevant to your destination)., CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred because of changes to itineraries, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra USD 500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of all travellers; however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. Please confirm with your leader on Day 1 if you need to carry this in cash, or whether access via card or electronically is sufficient., COMMISSIONS Intrepid understands that the receipt of commissions in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. For this reason, we have established a centralised fund for contributions from recommended suppliers so these can be collected and distributed back into the business. Actively managing the receipt of commissions helps us maintain the level of quality you expect on one of our trips. Travel is always an adventure so Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of a product but we aim to provide the best value trips in the market. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting - or exceeding - this objective.

Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible. If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well. When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes. Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

WATER BOTTLE Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you.

WARM CLOTHING: Temperatures can be low even in spring and autumn seasons, especially at altitude, so bring a set of warmer clothes including thermal underclothes and a fleece jacket.

Turkey is a large country split into seven regions. As a rule of thumb the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have typical Mediterranean climates with hot summers and mild, wet winters. In the east it is more mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters. Central Turkey (Cappadocia), has low rainfall, very dry, hot summers and very cold winters. Istanbul and coastal centres can experience very high humidity. Winter (November to March) can be very cold. Not all of our hotels have heating so consider bringing thermals, a scarf, gloves and a warm jacket for travel in this period. Summer (June to August) can be very hot. Not all of our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do it's not always functioning. Please consider the seasons when planning your trip. , RAMADAN The important month of Ramadan took place from 16 February to 18 March 2026. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to fall approximately between 6 February and 8 March, with the Eid ul-Fitr festival held directly at its conclusion for 3 - 4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel, it's a period of national holidays. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected., Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the Caucasus. Summers (especially July and August) can be very hot and humid with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. This is a great time to escape to the coast or the mountains to cool off. This is a beautiful, fertile region so bring an umbrella and expect rain at any time of year!

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities. To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leaders or local representatives are not permitted while on trip. Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip. If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

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 local representative 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 or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time., For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us, In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below: , Intrepid Turkey Office: +90 850 309 68 76

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our group leaders and local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel, When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative and you should dress accordingly. To respect the local culture and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. As a guideline, shoulders and knees at the minimum (and everything in between including midriff and cleavage) should be covered at all times. Wearing shorts and singlet tops is not appropriate and may well restrict your entry into sites of a religious nature, family homes, and will limit your local interaction opportunities in general. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly warm climate.

Our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, gives travellers more opportunities to make a positive impact in the places they visit. We have over 50 Intrepid Foundation partners across the globe addressing four key focus areas: protecting the environment, taking a stand for wildlife, addressing inequality and empowering communities. Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and takes care of the admin fees – this doubles your impact and ensures every cent goes to our partners on the ground. Visit our website for more info: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: , https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure., SOLO TRAVELLERS On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports. We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis. On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip. LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Hotel (17 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)