General Questions
“How many other people will be on the tour?” – We limit our tours to a maximum of 12 travelers, offering guests a more personal experience.
“Who is your typical guest?” – Our group usually includes a combination of couples, singles, friends and family. They’re typically more independent travelers who prefer to experience a culture and enjoy seeing more unique places away from the crowds. And did we tell you they like to have fun? And love good food and wine?
“What type of accommodations should I expect?” – We stay in comfortable, upscale accommodations–usually of a 4 star category. However, in some off the beaten track explorations, our lodging will be more basic, such as when we sleep in the Salt Hotel on the Salar de Uyuni or atop Golden Rock in Myanmar.
“Who leads your tours?” – We love sharing this part of the world with our guests. And we want to make it a personal experience for them. So we lead every tour ourselves and use local guides in various locations, guides who are from that area and speak English as well as the local language.
“What type of transportation do you use? – Our guests travel on land in two nine-passenger air-conditioned vans with plenty of leg room and storage for all the goodies they may buy at the local markets. When we fly, we use trusted regional carriers. On water/river travel, we use comfortable and safe boats which gives us the option to go where we want to take you!
“Are prices based on double occupancy?” – All prices quoted are per person and based on double occupancy. If you are a solo traveler, there is a single supplemental fee. International air travel to reach the starting point of our tours is not included in the tour price.
“What’s included in the price?” –
Almost everything once you’re there.
• All lodging
• Transfers from and to the arrival and departure airports of the tour
• Local ground transportation
• Admission to all attractions
• Breakfast every day, most lunches and dinners indicated on the itinerary
• A personalized packet of information including market buying tips,
restaurant recommendations and information on places we’ll visit.
“What’s not included in the price?” – Airfare to and from the country of our tour, a few meals, trip insurance, guide tips, & visas.
“What type of deposit is required for the tour?” – A $500 per person deposit is required at the time of booking, payable within seven days of reservation confirmation. The balance is due 120 days before the first day of the tour. For tours booked less than 120 days in advance, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
“What if I have to cancel?” – If we receive written notice of your cancellation 121 days or more from the start of the tour week you booked, we will refund half of your deposit for each person booked. There will be no refund for cancellations made 120 days or less from the start of the tour week. Once the week of your tour has started, no refunds will be issued for any unused portion. Cancellation fees apply regardless of the reason. Once you have booked your trip, we strongly recommend immediately purchasing travel insurance (including trip delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation and baggage coverage), as well as accident, medical and emergency evacuation insurance. If a minimum number of people do not sign up for the tour, we may have to cancel the trip and return your refund in full.
“Should I buy trip insurance?” – We strongly recommend that all guests have a travel insurance policy to ensure your peace of mind before and while traveling. It’s important that you protect yourself in case of trip cancellations, an interruption for any reason, baggage delays or loss of baggage and medical expenses.
“Who should I contact for more information?” – You can contact Benjamin by completing the contact form on this website or by phoning 828-281-1825. If he is leading a tour, he will get in touch with you as soon as is possible.
“How do I make a reservation?” – Please contact us first to be sure there is space available on the tour you are considering. Then we will send you a Reservation Form to complete and send, along with your deposit, to our office for processing.
“Can I book a private tour?” – Yes, Benjamin & Myo can arrange custom tours for private groups.
“If I want to spend a few extra days in the destination country, can you help with recommendations?” – Most of our guests arrive early in order to overcome any jet lag. We’re happy to make recommendations of hotels, restaurants and sights to see. We also can suggest places to see in other parts of the region, should you want to extend your trip past the end of the tour.
Before My Trip
“How do I change my currency?” – Generally, we recommend carrying a small amount of cash in US dollars and then accessing the local currency with your ATM card, once you arrive for the tour. We assist you with this. There is no need to pre-order currency before your trip. Most Usually, ATMs give a better rate of exchange than an exchange bureau. Be aware, your local bank may charge a flat fee for every ATM withdrawal in a foreign country as well as 3 – 5% of the money withdrawn. It’s a good idea to check with your bank before traveling abroad. If you are using a credit card to make purchases, we recommend either a Capital One or Chase Sapphire credit card since they do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Please note: American Express can be difficult to use in the countries of our tours.
“What type of weather should I expect?” – We design our tours to visit during the best times of year for the weather. In Southeast Asia, that means we visit during their winter months of November through February when the weather is clear and beautiful. For South America, we often visit in the period of August and September.
“What kind of clothes should I pack” – When traveling on our journeys, we recommend limiting luggage to one small-to-medium size bag and one small carry-on per person. Having your laundry done at the hotels we stay at is easy and usually economical as well. Men may want to pack casual pants and shirts. Women may want to bring pants or a skirt for dinner. Otherwise cotton pants and shirts with a lightweight jacket or sweater will be appropriate.The sidewalks can be uneven so be sure to bring comfortable shoes for everyday wear. Sandals are highly recommended for temple visits in SE Asia. And just in case of rain, it’s a good idea to bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho and a small umbrella.
“How can my family contact me while I am traveling?” – You will receive the phone number of our hotels, our local guides, as well as Benjamin & Myo’s cell phone numbers, with your travel documentation three weeks prior to departure. If you bring your own cell phone, we recommend that you check international calling and text rates, disable data roaming and consider a prepaid service designed for international travelers before leaving home.