Q: What essentials do I need to carry with me on the journey?
A: Passports with relevant visas, travel insurance policy, appropriate currencies. Long journeys are unavoidable, and we recommend you wear comfortable clothing and carry essentials such as a jacket or jumper, tissues etc., as access to the luggage hold may not be possible until a comfort stop or arrival at your destination.
Q: Do I need to carry a passport, apply for Visa and what vaccinations?
A: All passengers require a passport for travel outside your country of residence.Please ensure you have a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of completing the tour. Always advisable to have passport copy in your main luggage.
We request you to see the following websites for the latest updates on travel to your destinations.
For UK Residents: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
For USA Residents: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html
You are responsible for ensuring that you have correct visa prior to travel. Sona Tours is not responsible or liable in any way should you be denied travel due to incorrect documentation.
For further information on vaccinations please check the above websites or https://www.iamat.org or contact your medical doctor for recent updates.
Q: What happens tome if stopped at customs & Immigrations?
A: Sona Tours cannot be held responsible if passengers are stopped or held by any government departments, e.g. Police, Customs, Immigration or any other authorities. We are sorry to say that the tour will continue and no financial or any other kind of responsibility will be accepted by Sona Tours.
Q: Should I bring all my medicament with me?
A: Please note, that in airport your luggage will be checked. You should keep only minimum amount of medicament on you. In case, please bring report from your doctor, confirming the need of medics.
Q: What clothes shall I wear or pack?
A: During the lovely summer months, it is advisable to wear light garments during the day,but keep a light jacket or sweater in your hand luggage as evenings can get chilly. Also, highly recommended are a family sized umbrella, rain wear, pair of sunglasses, pair of trainers or comfortable walking shoes Smart clothes will be required if you wish to go to a Casino or Nightclub. You may also be required to be ‘covered’ up when visiting certain countries or religious places.
Q: What are the luggage requirements on the aeroplane and coach?
A: Different airlines will have different requirements on the weight allowance. It can range from 20 - 30kg for your main luggage and 5kg for hand luggage. We do advice you to travel light. This information will be on your e-ticket once the tickets been issued. Local and domestic flights in Asia will have only luggage allowances of 15- 20kg, this information will be sent on your final confirmation document.
In the coach once you arrive at you first destination, maximum weight allowed for luggage of each passenger occupying a seat is 20 kg. Please make sure that you can carry your luggage from the coach to your rooms as porter service is not provided on the holidays.
Some tours you may have to pack a small bag for overnight stay for logistics purpose.
We also recommend that children or family members not sharing a room have separate luggage as rooms cannot be guaranteed adjoining or nearby. It is advisable to put your name and address on each piece of luggage as many passengers have similar bags to avoid delays and confusion. Should there be any reasons your baggage or personal valuable is lost or stolen, you must report it to the tour guide, or in the absence of a tour guide to the local police or hotel. Sona Tours cannot accept any responsibility for your personal belongings.
Q: Will I travel with people from other countries?
A: The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
Q: How many people will be on my trip?
A: It varies from different tours, but an average of 40. This tour can be conducted on a private basis, please enquire the office.
Q: Will I have free time?
A: Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with optional experiences.
If you decide to venture on your own during your free time, preferably you go in a group, keep the guide contact and the hotel address handy. Please do inform the tour director. We recommend you download an offline map too.
Q: What type of coach will I be travelling in?
A: We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, most will have armrests& fully air-conditioned or air-cooled coaches – all with reclining seats.There are no on-board restrooms (W.C.), we will try and make sufficient stops to ensure comfort for passengers. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast-rural landscape or an urban city centre.
On a touring holiday there are some long journeys which are unavoidable especially when travelling from city to city.
Q: Can I join Asia tours from other pick up point or destination?
A: Yes, you can fly over to our first point of destination of the tour preferably a day earlier. Please do enquire the office to arrange your logistics for both your arrival and departure
Kindly note that there will be no reduction to the cost of your holiday in this case.
Q: Can I select my seats on the aeroplane?
A: Yes, you have the option to select the seat number when making a booking with an additional cost and provided there is availability. Flight bookings are on a group basis and the airlines will allocate the seats. Should you have a specific request it will be forwarded to the airline but cannot be guaranteed.
Q: Can I select my seats on the coach?
A: In Asia tours, depending on the destination, you will have the opportunity to have a different seat as the coach will vary. However, the management reserves the right to change the seat numbers and we have seat rotation policy on all our international tours.
Q: What time do I need to be at my point?
A: It is imperative that you are at the pick-up point at least 15 minutes before the coach departure time. Also, for those who are arriving at the pick-up via taxi,we recommend that you book the taxi the night prior to departure day as trying to get one on the day may be difficult. In the event that you miss the pick up at the appointed time, you would need to get to the next destination on your itinerary at your expense. We will not be able to provide any refunds in any circumstances if you do not continue with the tour.
All flight tours require that you be at the airport for your flight at least 3 hours prior to your flight time. Your final itinerary confirmation will confirm the time you need to be at the airport. Should you miss your flight Sona Tours will not be liable for any costs incurred for you to join the tour.The office will make every effort to assist you in such circumstances.
Please be on time as we cannot be held responsible or liable for any loss or expense suffered if you miss the coach or flight.
Q: When does my day start?
A: The day usually starts between 8 & 9am. Further instructions you will be given the night before. However, this may differ when having an early flight.
Q: Can I travel with my child or infant?
A: Sona Tours welcomes children and infants. The rates for children and infants for all the tours are available in the brochure and on the website. If your child requires a booster/child seat, please carry one.
Q: Do hotels have hot water for my baby?
A: Please also note that not all hotels provide a kettle so if hot water is required for warming milk etc. in the hotel then it is advisable to carry a bottle warmer /kettle (do not forget your adapter). Fold-able pushchairs can be kept in the luggage hold of the coach.
Q: Are wheelchairs provided?
A: Sona Tours does not provide special tours for the disabled. It is possible to bring along a folding type wheelchair which may be kept in the baggage hold of the coach.The driver will load and unload the wheelchair from the coach for the passenger however they will need to be physically fit enough to be able to embark and disembark the coach on their own. It is also essential that a capable person is accompanying such a passenger on the tour to push their wheelchair. Please note that not all sightseeing’s in Asia will be disable friendly. It is anticipated that we will walk longer distances at certain sightseeing / city tours therefore we request cooperation and team work when walking in a group.
Sona Tours will also request hotels for suitably equipped rooms. However, this is only on a request basis and cannot be guaranteed. Should you require the above please advise at the time of booking to avoid inconvenience.
Q: Is there a tour director on the tour?
A: Escorted tours are accompanied by professional tour director or local guides throughout your itinerary. On rare occasions, your tour director may not meet you at your dedicated pick up point but at a later stage; however, the driver will be thereto take care of your needs. Sona Tours provides services of local tour guides to make sure you will get an unforgettable experience.
A number of itineraries include flights, rail journeys or cruises; it may be that you are not accompanied during these journeys; in this case, your Tour Director will meet you on arrival at your first destination. On occasions, it may be the case that your Tour Director may change whilst on tour; this is usually due to operational reasons or utilising local guides for their wealth of experience. If minimum number of passengers has not been achieved, we will have a local guide.
Please ensure your tour director has your mobile number that you are carrying with you on tour. The tour director will provide passengers with their contact details for the duration of the tour on the first day.
Q: Where will I stay?
A: The hotels on our tours are carefully selected and of good quality. These can be located either in the city you are visiting or on the outskirt. Facilities vary from hotel to hotel and include en-suite bath or shower and generally a TV and telephone.Some of the rooms may have mini bars and 24-hour room service, use of these facilities will be charged to your account and payable by you on departure(Most hotels may require a credit card to cover your extras or cash deposits).Please remember that some hotels have small rooms unlike many other countries and also not all hotels will have air-conditioning or lift as standard. (If you have difficulty with stairs please advise us so we can try and request a room on a low floor). Rooms are also allocated as ‘run of the house’ so some guests may get larger or different type of rooms -we do not have control over this.
Sona Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels whilst passengers are on tour to a similar standard due to unforeseen circumstances. Please note that hotel’s normal check-in times are from late afternoon, e.g. 3 pm, and check out around 11 am, but it does vary from hotel to hotel.
Q: Should I bring any electric outlet adapter?
A: Electrical currents vary between Britain and Asian Countries. We suggest you carry a converter for your appliances such as electric shaver, travelling iron, hairdryer and other personal appliances. We recommend that you purchase a universal electrical travel adapter to help prevent accidents and damage to your appliances
Q: What will I eat?
A: Breakfast is normally either continental or buffet and is taken at the hotel that you will be staying in. All other pre-booked meals will be either in the hotel’s own restaurant or at an outside restaurant and is not changeable. Available meal options are vegetarian, Jain or non-vegetarian (where possible Halal). Please let us know the time of your booking what your dietary requirements are.
The meals are pre-set buffet and a choice of menu is not available. The meals will only include the food; all extras i.e. alcohol, beverages or any extra items requested by you will need to be settled by you directly with the proprietor.Any meals not taken will not be reimbursed.
Note: We endeavour to book Indian meals for dinner wherever possible,however due to local constraints if we are unable to do so, we will offer local cuisines. This will give you an opportunity to try their local cuisine. If you have any specific dietary needs or allergies you must inform us at time of booking,so we can inform the caterer. Passengers with severe food allergies are advised to make appropriate arrangements prior to commencing their tour. Sona Tours reserve the right to change meal arrangement in circumstances which are beyond our control.
Q: Can I have a special request?
A: Sona Tours works at times with intermediary agents (Airlines, Hotels, Transport Companies,Other Suppliers, etc.) to arrange your holiday. If passengers have special requirements with regards to the service provided by the intermediaries such as a rooming request, seating request or a special meal request etc., then they should advice Sona Tours at the time of booking and we will endeavour to ensure the intermediary is advised of the request. It is important to note that we cannot guarantee the request and that Sona Tours are not liable in case the request cannot be fulfilled.
Q: What do I do if I have left something in the hotel?
A: Every effort is made for your safety. Please note that you are responsible for looking after your valuables and property when on vacation. If an item has been left in a hotel you will need to call the hotel and arrange with them directly for the return of your item.
Q: What happens if something is lost or stolen?
A: In case of theft you will need to advise your Tour Director immediately and report the theft to the nearest police personnel who will provide you with a police report or crime reference number. You are advised not to carry unnecessary valuables and to be vigilant at all times as tourist spots are well known targets for pickpockets.
Q: How does tipping work?
A: Tips for all our tours for the guide & tour manager are included. However, should you wish to tip separately, you are welcome to do so at your discretion.
Q: What about porter service?
A: Since there is no porter service provided on any of our holidays, passengers will be required to carry their own luggage throughout their entire holiday. If local porter service is available and you use this service, then tips for this will need to be settled directly by yourself.
Q: Should I take a credit card with me?
A: We recommend that you take a credit or debit card on holiday with you, as it provides extra financial flexibility. Major international credit cards, such as Visa or MasterCard are accepted by many restaurants, shops and hotels. It is also possible to draw cash with your credit or debit card at some banks and cash machines, though this will incur a fee charged by your card provider.
Advise your bank which countries you are visiting prior to travel so that you don’t run the risk of your card being refused and subsequent expensive phone calls to unlock it.
Q: What about local currency?
A: Currency varies to which country you travel to, but all countries do accept all major currencies (US$, EUR€, GBP£). It is advisable to carry some small change of local currency especially when you intend to shop in the market / small shops.
If you need assistance in identifying what currencies you would need whilst travelling, please feel free to ask us. If you need more local currency when abroad, we recommend that you exchange money at a bank rather than at hotels as they will charge high commission rates. You may also need your passport for identification as you would for traveller's cheques. Even though in Asia credit and debit cards are widely accepted, keep in mind the exchange rate may be poor and commission will be charged.
Q: How can I check the local weather?
A: You can check the local weather to your destinations here: http://www.accuweather.com
Q: What if I arrive late and miss a part of the trip?
A: We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a trip, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
Q: What if I become ill on my trip and am unable to continue?
A: We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a trip, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
Q: Can I drink the water in the countries I visit?
A: In most of Asia countries it is advisable to ask the hotel reception or the local guide.Else advisable to drink bottled water.
Q: Can I smoke on the coach?
A: There is a strict policy of “no smoking, no alcohol and no smelly food” on all of our coaches. We do, however, make plenty of comfort stops.
Q: What if I need to cancel my tour?
A: Please note that if you for any reason need to cancel your tour, please let us know as soon as possible, this will help reduce the amount of cancellation charges you may have to pay. Cancellation charges will be as per the terms and conditions which you can find on our website.