Footloose General Information
Before you leave on your trip there are a number of details
that need to be arranged or checked, such as passports, visas,
vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and other
items of many kinds. This information page has been written to
help make sure that you have everything ready well in time before
you go.
Please note that by definition these notes are general and so
you should read it in conjunction with any dossier or pre-departure
information that Footloose has provided prior to travel. You may
find that some of this does not apply to you, but it will be obvious!
If you read all the information thoroughly we are confident that
you will have a smooth and enjoyable trip, but if you do have
any further questions you should not hesitate to contact Footloose.
Contents
Air Tickets
Travel Insurance
Passport & Entry Visas
Trek Permits & Park Fees
Special Requests
Airport Taxes
Delays & Itinerary Variations
Money & Exchange
Arrival
Tipping
Baggage Allowance
Meals
Load Carrying
Flights & Security
Healthy Flying
Clothing: things to consider
Food & Drink
Fitness
Health
Packing Check-list
Vaccinations & Medical Protection
Travel Advice
Books, Languages & Maps
Tour Guides
Security
Communications
Photography & Video Cameras
Environmental Policy
Wild Animals
Souvenirs
Air Tickets
It is vital to report to the airport at the correct time.
If you arrive later there may be problems. If you miss the arranged
flight, you may have to pay the full fare to board an alternative
flight to reach your destination and often no refund can be offered
on your original ticket. Also please remember that all onward
and return flights other than the first flight of your journey
must be reconfirmed not later than 72 hours prior to departure.
If Footloose is arranging your flights, your tickets will be
sent about two weeks before departure. Please check all details
carefully, particularly check that your name is the same as shown
on your passport.
If there is a change of planes mid-journey, ensure that your
baggage is checked right
through.
Travel Insurance
Falling sick abroad, and other mishaps, can be expensive and
personal insurance is absolutely essential if you need medical
treatment or run into other problems. Travel insurance is compulsory
for all bookings and must include medical expenses, personal accident
and repatriation cover. Remember that deposits are not refundable
so check that your insurance offers cancellation cover in case
you have to cancel your holiday for sickness or yourself or a
near relative. You must carry proof of your insurance over with
you on holiday. It is also advisable to leave a photocopy of your
insurance with a friend back home. The most common claim on travel
insurance is for the loss, or petty theft, of money or personal
belongings. For an insurance claim, it is essential for you in
person to obtain an official report of notification from the police,
which can in some countries prove to be a very time consuming
and frustrating practice. It can
sometimes be best to accept the loss, unless it is significant,
rather than face the ensuing disruption.
The cover provided by travel insurance for expensive camera equipment
is quite limited and you may find that your household All-Risks
policy provides better protection.
The cover provided by some credit cards is very basic and not
suitable for adventure travel to remote places. You must always
ensure that your insurer is aware of the type of travel that you
are undertaking. If you are considering adventure sports activities
such as whitewater rafting, any type of flying or bungee jumping
as optional extras you must make this plain to your insurer and
check that your policy will cover these things.
Any insurance claim should be put in writing immediately and
backed-up by the relevant documentation eg. Doctor’s certificate
and receipt of any payments, or police report in the case of accident
or theft etc. Check your policy to see how much excess
you have to pay - this is the part of the claim you have to pay.
Passport & Entry Visas
We must emphasise that passport and visa requirements are your
own responsibility. Although Footloose will give you all possible
assistance, we cannot be held responsible for disruptions to your
trip caused by incorrect visas.
Prior to travel you must check that your passport is still valid
and it should still be valid for at least 6 months after the completion
of your tour. You should apply for a new passport if your current
one is going to expire before this time. If you are applying for
a new passport, your application must be made well in advance
of your departure date, bearing in mind the extra time needed
if you have visas to apply for.
Please remember to sign a new passport – it is not valid
until you do!
If you are travelling to a country or countries where visas are
required, then some blank pages will be needed in your passport
for these and also some space for entry/exit stamps. Visas can
normally be obtained by post, by personal application or by a
visa service. A few countries have special visa requirements such
as group visas and instructions for these types are given out
by Footloose when such a booking is
made. Please note also that some countries have been known to
refuse a visa and/or entry if your passport contained stamps for
example Israel – please contact Footloose if you are in any
doubt about the stamps in your passport. Please remember that
visas for many countries are only valid for three months from
the date of issue and you should not obtain the visa too early.
Carry your passport with you when travelling. You will need it
to cash travellers cheques and for formalities in certain hotels.
Should it be lost you must report this at once to your tour leader,
the local police and the nearest consulate of your country. Getting
a new passport issued is frustrating and time consuming so it
is always a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport (showing
your personal details, passport number, date of issue etc.) and
also a few extra passport photographs – photocopiers and
photo machines are not always readily available abroad.
Trek Permits & Park Fees
On some trips, trek permits or special area permits are required.
The cost of obtaining these is often included in the trek price
but you should check on this point to avoid any surprise additional
costs.
Special Requests
All special dietary requests should be notified prior to travel
- if Footloose do not have your request then they cannot pass
it onto the airline or ground agent. All dietary and special requests
can be considered but not guaranteed – Footloose will let
you know if your request will cause you a problem on tour.
Airport Taxes
Departure taxes are usually included in your ticket, but often
taxes for local flights are not. Please ensure you have enough
currency for these when you arrive at the airport.
Delays & Itinerary
Variations
Naturally every effort is made to avoid delays but there are
occasions when they do occur, given that for the most part you
are travelling in parts of the world where western standards of
punctuality do not exist. Also travel in mountainous regions means
that weather and its results can easily affect even the best planned
itinerary. Where a delay or itinerary variation does occur we
do everything we can to minimise its effects, but we cannot be
responsible either financially or otherwise for the results of
these.
Although we use the best quality vehicles available, breakdowns
do sometimes occur. These are usually sorted out remarkably quickly,
but patience is needed.
Generally patience, good humour and a realistic perspective are
needed, and it should be understood that unexpected incidents
are part of the experience of travelling in developing countries.
Remember that travelling is an exciting experience, but it can
also be tedious, slow, dirty and unpredictable.
Money & Exchange
The safest way to take money abroad is in the form of travellers
cheques, some of fairly small denominations to avoid changing
too much at a time. Opt for a well known
company whose cheques are accepted by exchange banks, like American
Express or
Thomas Cook. Cheque numbers and values should be recorded separately
in case of loss or theft so that you will be able to give details
to the investigating authorities. Many hotels change travellers
cheques but you should use a bank or an exchange bureau for a
better local rate. In addition it is a good idea to carry some
local currency to pay for any small purchases.
There are occasions when, because of exchange problems , it is
necessary to carry a
higher proportion of cash – whether hard currency or local
currency. You should take every possible precaution to ensure
the security of any funds carried in cash.
When travelling in some countries (particularly in areas where
US$ cash is the
recommended form of carrying currency) be aware that torn, defaced
or discoloured
notes are often not accepted by local money-changers. Advise your
bank that you need clean banknotes which are in good condition!
Remember to order a variety of
denominations – high value notes can be difficult to exchange
and low value notes,
while useful for tipping, are bulky to carry and may be equally
difficult to change.
Credit cards are not always widely used in some countries –
one may be useful as a fall-back but you should not rely on being
able to use one throughout the tour. In some countries it is possible
to use cards to withdraw cash from automatic teller
machines – check with your credit card company prior to travel.
A judicious mix of currency and travellers cheques, with a major
credit card as back-up is the best combination and compromise
between security and liquidity.
At the end of your trip you may have to produce the exchange
receipts to convert local currency back into Sterling (or Dollars).
But beware, this is not possible in certain places, so do not
be left with a pocketful of useless money.
Arrival
Our local agent will meet you at the airport. There is usuually
a group of reps at the exit, so you should look for the one holding
your name, Footloose or the local comany name. There is rarely
a problema thtis point, although people can be understandably
anxious. If you can’t see the rep, look around everywhere
possible. Ask another rep - they all know each other. If all else
fails , telephone the number on your voucher. If you are travelling
flight only, or have arranged your own flights, you will not be
met unless you have specifically arranged this service.
Tipping
Whether one approves or not, tipping is a widespread practice
overseas where staff are often employed on low wages and depend
on gratuities from those they serve. There is no compulsory tipping
on any tour but in many areas there is a tradition of tipping
local staff according to their place in the hierarchy. It is customary
to give a small tip to a waiter who serves you at your table or
brings drinks to your room, the maid or room-boy who does your
laundry etc. Depending on the class of restaurant a 10% tip is
normal but do check to see if a service charge has already been
added to your bill. Taxi drivers normally expect a small tip but
always fix the price before accepting the ride. Ask your tour
guide about current rates for anything you are not sure about.
If you have a guide and/or driver for your tour, a tip is usually
expected on the last day. It is customary to give $5-10 from each
person per day.
On trek it is customary to tip the trek staff if you have been
well looked after. The money for all the staff should be given
to the guide / head porter to distribute to the porters and cook
staff. As a rule of thumb about $50 from each person for a week’s
trek should be given for the whole crew, including the guide.
With all tipping try and emphasise that the tip is connected
to the service received and not an automatic right.
Baggage Allowance
The choice of baggage depends on the tour – hard suitcases
are quite appropriate for some hotel-based tours, although in
general soft luggage is more versatile. On treks a soft grip,
trek bag or kit bag is more appropriate for porters to load and
carry.
You will probably find it most convenient to take two pieces
of luggage – a day sack (small rucksack) or something similar
for use while travelling and a soft kit bag or holdall for your
main luggage. We suggest that you ensure your bag is dustproof
and waterproof by protecting all personal clothing and vulnerable
items inside polythene bags (or bin liners). On many tours it
is advisable to have lockable baggage to avoid
petty pilfering as baggage is transferred and transported.
You will generally not have access to your main baggage during
a days travelling, therefore the day sack that you carry needs
to have in it your personal things such as sunscreen, toilet paper,
a towel for example.
The normal baggage allowance is 20kg, unless otherwise specified
in your pre-departure information (the usual allowance on a trek
is maximum 12kg). Excess luggage could mean inconvenience and
extra cost to you in storage or porterage. Remember you are often
expected to carry your own luggage and personal items when moving
about and at hotels.
Meals
While you are in the main towns, on most of our tours, we only
provide breakfast. One of the great joys of travelling is the
variety and quality of the food available - don’t be afraid
to experiment. You can buy a good meals for a few pounds in most
places. Most food is perfectly safe to eat, particularly when
you can see it being cooked, as in street stalls. The main danger
is when food is left uncovered or not fully re-heated - this can
happen in the kitchens of apparently good hotels as well.
Load Carrying
On almost all treks it is not necessary for you to carry your
own gear. Porters, pack animals or vehicle transportation are
provided for all communal equipment and personal baggage. You
will need to carry any items that you may need during the day.
Flights & Security
With theincreased threat of terrorist activity there has been
an increase in security measures at airports and on flights. Please
be ready for extra checks and some delays. Anything remotely like
a weapon - for example a cricket bat - is not allowed in your
hand luggage. Also anything sharp will be confiscated, including
nail files, cissors
and tweezers.
Healthy Flying
There has been some publicity about the risks of deep vein thrombosis
on longhaul flights. The risk seems very small but most airlines
now offer advice about this during their flight introduction.
Clothing: things to consider
The prime requirement for the clothing that you take on tour
should be that it is comfortable and appropriate for the weather
conditions that you are likely to meet. For protection against
cold weather a number of relatively thin layers is better than
a
few thick ones – this also means that you are better equipped
to deal with a ariation in temperature (ie. you can take layers
off). A typical layering system would include a t-shirt, a sweat
shirt or thermal top and a fleece. For high altitude colder treks
a warm jacket is essential and note that denim jeans are not suitable
for travelling
(synthetic or light cotton trousers are much better and thermal
leggings underneath your trousers are a blessing at night).
Women should note that in many country areas and particularly
in Muslim countries, wearing shorts, leggings or tight fitting
track suits are likely to cause offence, and a walking skirt is
preferable. Also in most areas, tops should be reasonably modest
and not too tight. Vest tops and bare shoulders are unacceptable
for both men and women in most areas.
Food and Drink
Take care over what you eat and drink. In developing countries
never drink tap water unless it has been boiled or purified. Chlorine
tablets are not sufficiently effective to eliminate problems like
Giardia from drinking water. Iodinated resins provide the most
effective means of water purification for travellers. Also remember
that ice in your drinks is only as clean as the water it is made
from. You should not eat fruit or salad until it has been washed
in clean water and milk should always be pasteurised (if in doubt
insist on the milk being boiled and let it cool). Meat and vegetables
should always be well cooked or over done. On hot days, if you
want to be safe and suffer no after effects, reserve alcohol for
the evening and drink plenty of water/soft drinks during the day.
Food on a trek is most important and naturally varies considerably
from one area to another. Advantage is taken wherever possible
of fresh foods however the quality of meat in many countries can
leave a lot to be desired. Vegetarian meals are sometimes provided
for the whole group and are based on local foodstuffs – this
particularly applies to treks in the Himalayas. Tea and coffee
are always provided and boiled water is provided every morning
for filling water bottles. A typical trek meal day could be: breakfast
– tea/coffee, bread with jam, marmalade or cheese, cereal
or porridge and/or something cooked; lunch – often a cold
meal, based on tinned meat or fish with bread, rice, beans or
possibly a salad and fruit; evening meal – usually starts
with soup followed by ‘meat and two veg’ including a
staple such as rice, potatoes or pasta followed by fruit or pudding.
Fitness
Some trips demand more than normal fitness. If your tour includes
a trek or some unusual walks, river explorations, a camel safari
or travel at high altitudes, it is a good idea to get in shape
before setting out. The fitter you are the more likely you are
to enjoy your tour. The best way to get fit is by starting gradually
and building up over a period of time prior to the tour. Regular
walking will certainly help but an aerobic activity done regularly
will be of greater help in reaching fitness.
Health
We suggest that you carry your own small medical kit as basic
medical items may be difficult to buy locally and you should certainly
bring with you ample of any drug that you use regularly at home.
Your day-to-day kit should include a few different size dressings,
something to combat pain and headaches and travellers diarrhoea,
antiseptic cleansing tissues or a plastic bottle of disinfectant
and cotton wool, antihistamine, insect repellent, something for
the relief of sunburn, electrolyte solution for heat exhaustion
and items like safety pins. On walking trips you should include
a supply of moleskin and blister pads to control sores.
We recommend taking a copy of all prescriptions you have for
any medication that you may be taking. Recreational drugs are
illegal but common in many countries and those caught face harsh
penalties including death.
On long distance flights the effects of jetlag can be minimised
by wearing comfortable shoes and clothes, drinking plenty of liquids
(not too much alcohol, tea coffee or food), and stretching your
legs regularly. Contact lenses can quickly dry out and become
irritating – moisten them more frequently than usual to prevent
damage to the cornea.
Women should note that travel can upset their regular menstrual
cycle. It is advisable to carry tampons as these can be difficult
to obtain locally.
Packing Check-list
The range of items listed below is intended as a guideline only
to packing for a trip.
Please ask if you are not sure about any of these items.
The basics
Passport
Travellers Cheques/some cash
Air Tickets (if applicable)
Vaccination Certificate (if required)
Insurance Certificate
Money belt and/or pouch
Footloose final itinerary/joining instructions
All tours
Cotton shorts/t-shirts/blouses (long sleeved recommended)
Trousers (loose fitting recommended)
Cotton skirt/wraparound skirt (practical to quickly cover shorts)
Cotton headscarf (for protection and needed at some shrines)
Jacket/light sweater
Nightwear/socks/underwear
Swimwear
Lightweight waterproof jacket/cagoule (pocket sized for showers)
Cold conditions
Wind/waterproof jacket (with hood)
Heavy woollen fleece
Warm underwear/socks/gloves
Woollen hat/balaclava (for altitude and cold evenings)
Hot conditions
Loose fitting clothing
Shorts (take care not to offend local people)
Sunhat (with wide brim)
Several thin t-shirts / extra underwear
Long sleeved shirt for sun and insect protection
Wet conditions
Fully waterproof light rain gear
Waterproof trousers
Small collapsible umbrella
Footwear
Walking boots (plus spare laces)
Comfortable shoes/desert boots (for sightseeing)
Sandals/thongs
Trainers/tennis shoes (for easy walks and relaxing)
Mountain treks
Waterproof nylon or goretex jacket and overtrousers
Waterproof hat
Fleeces (a thick warm one and 1 or 2 thinner ones)
Down or fibrepile jacket
Gloves
Socks (avoid nylon socks)
Shirts (longer, loose fitting ones)
Waterbottle
Walking boots and spare laces
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag
Lip balm
Sunblock
Suncream
Sun hat
Throat pastilles
Warm hat/balaclava
Trek kit bag
Plastic bags
Torch
Small first aid kit
Equipment
Sleeping bag
Cotton sleeping sheet
Air mattress (with puncture kit) closed cell foam mattress (Karrimat/Thermarest)
Small inflatable cushion/pillow
Waterbottle
Personal kit
Universal bath plug
Washkit/towel
Battery shaver
Torch with spare batteries
Small travel alarm/reliable watch
Earplugs
Suncream/lipsalve
Moisturising cream/cleansing pads
Tissues/toilet paper/tampons
Dark sunglasses
Spare spectacles (or lens prescription)
Detergent
Polythene bags
Sewing kit/String (clothes line/repairs etc.)
Individual medical kit
Water purification tablets
Malaria tablets
Personal medication
Vaccinations & Medical Protection
Most countries have no statutory vaccination requirements for
visitors unless they are arriving from an infected area. The only
common exception to this is yellow fever.
Medical precautions are therefore more a matter of common sense
and personal preference than a legal requirement. In countries
where there are statutory requirements, vaccinations must be entered
in the relevant booklet or on an international Certificate and
these must then be stamped by the doctor who administered them.
You should contact your GP at least two months prior to departure.
He or she will be able to advise on what vaccinations and other
health precautions are necessary for the country to which you
are travelling. It is important to start this process early as
some vaccinations cannot be given together and some need to be
given several weeks apart. Your GP will also have your health
records and be able to advise you of any personal medical needs
or of any side effects to vaccines or drugs that you may have.
We also recommend that you discuss the trip with your GP and possibly
have a medical check up, especially if you are going to a remote
area, over 3000m or are over 65 year of age. A dental check up
is also recommended as dental facilities abroad are generally
few and far between and are not up to western standards.
Typhoid
This is transmitted by infected water and so be cautious about
anything which has been washed in dirty conditions. The vaccine
provides a good level of protection.
Yellow Fever
Good protection is given from one vaccination which lasts 10
years. It is carried by mosquitoes and is endemic in parts of
Africa. You will be given an international certificate to show
you have been immunised.
Infectious Hepatitis
(Hepatitis A/Jaundice)
Perhaps more of a menace to travellers in areas with primitive
or non-existent sewage systems than all the other better known
diseases. The best plan is to take care with your personal hygiene
and wash hands frequently. There is a new vaccine, Havrix, which
provides protection for a year and can be boosted after 6-12 months
to provide protection for up to 10 years.
Tetanus, Polio, BCG(TB)
You may well be up to date with these important immunisations
as they are often given as standard in western countries.
Meningitis
Protects against certain types of meningitis and is recommended
for some areas where there is a risk. Check for recent outbreaks
inthe area to which you are travelling.
AIDS
AIDS can be contracted from contaminated needles, poorly sterilised
medical equipment or direct contact with infected blood. With
the more limited medical facilities found outside developed countries,
some people like to take their own sterile anti-AIDS kit, containing
needles, syringes and other items.
This virus can be transmitted through sexual contact with an
infected person – so avoid having casual sex with local people
or strangers whilst abroad. In case you are worried, research
shows that mosquitoes cannot transmit the HIV virus.
Malaria
Common in many parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America.
Protection is in the form of tablets usually taken for two weeks
prior to travel, on an ongoing basis whilst you are away and for
four weeks after you return, but remember that nothing gives you
full protection. Common prophylactics are Paludrine, Maloprim,
Mefloquine and Larium.
Not all mosquitoes carry malaria, but one of the most important
steps is to avoid being bitten by any mosquitoes at all. Mosquitoes
most commonly bite between dusk and dawn so always wear long sleeves
and trousers (light colours are best) in the evening and at night.
Also use a good insect repellent containing as high a percentage
of DEET as possible (at least 25-35%). Impregnating wristlets,
scarves or bandanas with DEET is very effective.
It is important to start the course of tablets at least two weeks
before departure and continue when you return. Any flu-like symptoms
in the weeks after you return should be reported to your doctor.
Further in-depth information and updated advice can be obtained
from the Malaria Reference Laboratory on 0891 600350.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is often caused by the change of diet, climate and
body clock and usually lasts around 48 hours. Be moderate with
food and drink and treat water with the utmost care. Take care
with your own personal hygiene, washing hands frequently.
If you do get caught, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
and consider taking some electrolyte solution (eg. Dioralyte or
salt/sugar) to restore the salts lost by your body. Some anti-diarrhoea
tablets, such as Immodium or Arret can simply prolong the illness
and Lomotil has side effects at altitude. If diarrhoea lasts longer
than 48-72 hours, contains blood/mucus or occurs alongside headaches
or temperatures, then it must be taken seriously and medical attention
sought.
Note that constipation is probably more common than diarrhoea.
High Altitude & Altitude Sickness
Anyone travelling to over 3500m (11500ft) should be aware of
the common and usually harmless condition known a Acute Mountain
Sickness (AMS) caused by lack of oxygen. There is a wide variation
in both speed and onset and severity of symptoms and also the
height at which they develop.
Most people feel a little unwell if they drive, fly or travel
by train from sea level to 3500m or above. Headache, fatigue,
undue breathlessness on exertion, loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness
and difficulty in sleeping are common symptoms. These usually
develop within the first 36 hours at altitude and not immediately
upon arrival. AMS is a benign condition and its unpleasant effects
usually wear off after 2-3 days, particularly if no further ascent
is made.
Travellers with heart or lung conditions, anaemia, asthma or
high blood pressure should seek specialist advice before travelling
over 3500m.
When trekking, a slow ascent is essential to avoid any problems
with altitude since this lets your body acclimatise gradually.
The drug acetazolamide (Diamox), which is used to reduce fluid
retention, is undoubtedly useful in the prevention of AMS if taken
for several days before ascent. Aspirin or paracetamol help the
headache and any drug to prevent travel sickness will alleviate
the nausea.
Anyone concerned or interested in medical problems at altitude
may like to contact The Mountain Medicine Data Centre, Department
of Neurological Sciences, St Bartholemew’s Hospital, 38 Little
Britain, London, EC1A 7BE, who publish a number of information
sheets and also stock a small selection of books on mountain medicine.
Dehydration
In deserts, the tropics and also at high altitudes your body
looses a lot of water. The best way to prevent any problems is
to drink lots of fluids (up to four litres a day).
Sore Throats
Hard breathing at altitude often causes a sore throat, so a supply
of throat pastilles is useful.
Travel Advice
In many parts of the world there are dangers arising from political
unrest, lawlessness, threats of violence, natural disasters or
epidemics. Footloose monitors any areas which will affect your
travel and so if you have any concerns, please contact us.
Security advice from the Foreign Office on around 100 countries
can be obtained by ringing 0171 270 4129/4179 or by writing to
the Travel Advice Unit, Consular Department FCO, Clive House,
Petty France, London, SW1A 9HD - Website www.fco.gov.uk
Books, Languages &
Maps
Take a travel guide with you on tour and unless your interest
is specialised, choose the lighter variety. Berlitz produce a
wide range of handy, pocket-size travel guides, packed with information
and easy to read facts – they also produce phrase books,
language cassettes and pocket dictionaries. More substantial guidebooks
are published by Rough Guides, Bradt, Nagel, Blue Guide, Insight,
Odyssey, Footprint, Lonely Planet and Fodor. These handbooks are
excellent for detailed up to date information.
Free descriptive material is often available from the Government
Tourist Office of the place that you intend to visit.
In our experience the best maps available are the Michelin series
and possibly the best place to acquire the relevant travel books
and maps is Stanfords at 12 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London,
WC2E 9LP Tel: 0171 836 1321 (mail order facilities are offered
also).
Tour Guides
A tour guides primary responsibility is to ensure that everyone
on the tour has a thoroughly enjoyable time and to supervise the
local ground staff in all matters relating to the operation of
the tour. He or she is there to help and advise you in whatever
way they can so if you have any questions or requirements whilst
on tour you must let them now so that they can try to do something
about it.
Security
In most areas security is rarely a problem if you follow simple
guidelines. It is advisable not to take expensive jewellery or
watches with you. Don’t flash your money around and keep
your large notes separate from small ones when you make a small
purchase. Keep all valuables on your person rather than in your
bag and preferably inside your clothing. Don’t leave anything
valuable lying around where it can be easily picked up –
in short, look after your belongings!
In larger cities, security is sometimes more of a problem and
pick-pocketing can be a national pastime. Here you should exercise
greater caution with your belongings, avoid wearing jewellery
and do not carry any more money than is absolutely necessary when
walking around towns. When staying in hotels use the safety deposit
boxes for your valuables and never leave them in your room.
Communications
It is not practical to receive mail on trips of less than four
weeks as the postal services abroad can be slow and unreliable.
However, if the tour is part of an extended trip you can use the
city where your tour starts or finishes as a mailing address.
It helps considerably if your mail is address clearly in the exact
manner ie. SMITH J, c/o Poste Restante, Main Post Office, Town,
Country, Expected arrival date. It is important to omit titles
such as Mr, Miss etc.
In terms of telephone calls, post offices and larger hotels in
major cities provide the best opportunity for making international
calls. Mobile phones work in most countries (including the summit
of Kilimanjaro) but do not rely on these as cover is often patchy.
E-mail facilities are becoming common abroad and these give the
easiest way of keeping in touch. If you are taking a longer trip
it is worth setting up an email account with a web-based service
such as hotmail as these can be used easily throughout the world.
In the event of an emergency, advise your friends/relatives to
contact Footloose and we can get your message passed through as
quickly as possible.
Photography & Video Cameras
We appreciate that photography may play an important part in
your holiday and most tours are well planned with this in mind.
Take all the film that you will need with you on tour as it is
often unobtainable abroad or very expensive and not of good quality.
Also take extra batteries and a flash for low light conditions.
In particular very fast film should be used for photography in
jungle areas. Take resealable plastic bags in which to store your
film and the rest of your gear when you are not using it. Try
to also store your film in a cool place in your bag.
Avoid photographing military areas and beggars and have respect
when photographing religious rituals or women in Islamic countries.
You may be asked for payment for photos; this is reasonable as
you are gaining something of value. When photographing local people
try imagining the situation reversed - would you be happy being
photographed? Many people find it offensive to be photographed
without being asked - it is much better if a photo is the result
of a natural meeting or shared experience.
Video cameras can be used to good effect and have the added advantage
that they include a soundtrack. They can however be a hassle and
often keeping them free of dust, especially on safari, can be
quite a challenge. There is often a high fee involved to use them
in certain places.
Environmental Policy
Some of the main reasons for people to take our type of holiday
are to get away from some of the pressures and adverse sides of
western civilisation, to visit areas that are more peaceful and
relatively unspoilt and to make contact with other cultures and
traditions. Hence all travellers have a duty to try to preserve
the environment in the same or better state than they find it.
Equally they should be conscious and considerate towards the local
people and their way of life. Both the local people and future
visitors will appreciate you taking care in these matters.
Footloose has a strong view on these issues and for more information
please visit our website.
Wild Animals
You should be aware that some tours take you in close proximity
with potentially dangerous animals. On game drives, at campsites
and on walking and canoeing excursions you must follow your tour
guides instructions and you should never wander away from campsites
or lodges on your own.
Birds and animals are their own master – the amount of water,
the time of year, the presence of predators, the amount of vegetation
and sheer good or bad luck can all affect the sightings that you
may get.
Souvenirs
You will find many opportunities to buy local goods. If it is
not a fixed-price shop, then you will have to haggle. Do not be
shy about rejecting the first price – it is only a ritual
try-on and you are not expected to accept. Traders in Africa and
Asia enjoy bargaining and it is fun to beat them down but be polite
and friendly and be prepared to pay a fair price as this is their
livelihood. One thing to remember in buying abroad is that you
will have to transport it around on tour and then back to the
UK at the end of the holiday.
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