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Enticing New Destination - Introducing Sri Lanka

Value Experience & Experience Value

AT ASIAQUEST TOURS,

We take great pride in offering you what we think is the very best value for your hard-earned dollars. We do not cut corners or promise you one thing and deliver another. We are confident that you will be satisfied with our great attention to detail and our services, including:

AT YOUR SERVICE – WITH A SMILE!

Your first point of contact to join one of our tours is the Sydney Asiaquest Tours office. Here, our friendly and experienced staff will help you choose the tour that suits you best. Feel free to come in and discuss any of our itineraries in detail so that you will be more informed when shopping around for comparable value. The first person you will meet on your arrival in China is your National Escort. At Asiaquest Tours, we make sure that you are provided with an escort that understands Australians and their requirements when travelling. Your escort is not only knowledgeable about the history and culture of the country you are visiting, he/she has a good command of the English language. At the same time, he/she will explain daily village and city life that you observe on the road. Just as importantly, you can rely on your escort to look after you and solve any day-to-day problems you may have along the way. This is also the person that will look after the group's tipping requirements wherever you go.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

At Asiaquest Tours, we specialize in small group travel. We believe that being a member of a small group ensures that you have more personalized attention and that you can blend in more with the locals. For you, the benefits are obvious – more room in the bus, more opportunities to take in all the sights and sounds and more unobstructed snapshots! The maximum group size you could expect is 18 people, although it is more likely that you will be travelling with 10-16 people. Tours generally involve gentle walking but may also involve more strenuous walking in hilly areas. You will be made aware of any activities requiring physical exertion in advance, and you are under no obligation to participate.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

All hotels are not the same, even if they are in a similar price range. We make a special effort to make sure that we use only the best quality hotels within the price range included in your tour. These are chosen on the basis of their cleanliness, consistent high quality service, security and location. While we try to locate our hotels near the centre of town for your convenience, this is not always possible. In the bigger cities lockers are conveniently provided to store your valuables and email services are available in the lobby.

GETTING AROUND

When our groups travel by road, we use modern, air-conditioned coaches that are perfect for small group travel. If there are 12 passengers, we use an 18-seater coach. If there are more then 15 passengers, we provide a 30-35 seater coach to ensure that everyone has enough leg room and that there are plenty of window seats to choose from. Because we want you to experience all forms of transport that our destinations have to offer, we routinely offer comfortable boat, rail and plane travel on our itineraries.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD!

One of the highlights of travelling in Asia is the food. For lunch and dinner, our National Escort personally selects the dishes on your menu, making sure that you sample the specialties of the region. Restaurants are chosen for their ability to provide high quality food and service to our groups. If you have any special dietary requirements, let us know and we will arrange everything.

THE THREE Rs – BE RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE AND REALISTIC

At Asiaquest Tours, we respect the people, culture, religion and environment of the countries we tour. We advise our clients about appropriate clothes to pack before departure and continue to recommend suitable dress throughout the tour when visiting places of worship, mausoleums, etc. We ask that our clients do not litter but dispose of any rubbish in appropriate bins (even if that means carrying it around until you reach the hotel). We expect that our overseas operators, guides and associated contractors abide by our standards by not throwing rubbish from vehicles or boats, anchoring amongst delicate coral reefs or treating animals inhumanely. If you notice any activities that you find culturally or environmentally unsound, please report these directly to your escort and to Asiaquest Tours. Due to cultural and language differences, you may find it difficult to stop these practices without offending the person and/or perhaps only temporarily halting the offending activity. Your tour operator can make a lasting difference through careful selection of business associations (i.e. not hiring those who do the wrong thing) and through long-term education. Be realistic – Rome wasn't built in a day and the world cannot be changed overnight!

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?

So how much extra is all this going to cost you? The good news is that all our tours are fully inclusive and cover the following: accommodation; food and transport during your trip; Australian airport departure tax; fuel levy surcharge 1* and domestic flights, train fares, gratuities and taxes at your destination. We think that you will agree that this represents excellent value for money! All you have to pay for on tour are your personal expenses including, your drinks, laundry, telephone calls, emails and shopping. Depending on the country you are touring, you may also need to pay the foreign departure taxes. If you are not a big shopper you will find that about US$500 to US$800 is more than enough for the entire journey. Otherwise, bring your credit card along too.

HOW TO BOOK

It is important that you read all the booking conditions, fill out the booking form and forward it to us with a deposit of $300.00 per person. We will mail you confirmation of the tour. It is also recommended that you call us prior to mailing or faxing the booking form to confirm availability of seats on the tour you are interested in. Because ASIAQUEST TOURS runs excellent value small group tours, we get booked out early most of the time.

1*This refers to the fuel levy surcharge that applies at the time of printing (30 October 2010). Please note that the fuel levy charged is at the discretion of the airlines and is subject to change at any time without notice.


Frequently Asked Questions

How many people in a small group?

At ASIAQUEST TOURS, we specialize in small group travel. The maximum group size you could expect is 18 people, although it is more likely that you will be travelling with 10-16 people. All tours are fully escorted by our knowledgeable and helpful National Escorts.

What does fully inclusive mean?

When we say that our trips are fully inclusive, we mean it! You will find a full list of inclusions on Page 3. Please note that Australian airport departure taxes and tipping are INCLUDED in the tour cost. The only expenses that are NOT included are the meals on Singapore and Bangkok stopovers, travel insurance and your personal expenses. We think that you will agree that this represents excellent value for money!

What is the fuel levy surcharge?

A fuel surcharge has been levied by all airline companies since 2004 to cover rising cost of fuel on the international market. The amount charged is at the discretion of the airlines and can change at any time without notice. The fuel surcharge is ADDED to the cost of your ticket for each departure. It is important to note that the cost of the fuel levy may change between booking your tour and making a full payment (60 days prior to travel). You will be advised of the fuel levy cost at the time of booking and at the time of making a full payment.

How physically fit should I be?

Please be aware that walking, boarding and disembarking coaches and boats and climbing monument stairs are required at many places. Tours generally involve gentle walking but may also involve more strenuous walking in hilly areas. You will be made aware of any activities requiring physical exertion in advance, and you are under no obligation to participate.

Are there any vaccination requirements?

There are no compulsory vaccinations for destinations covered by our brochures. However we recommend that you take any necessary precautions to protect against Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Typhoid and Malaria. We suggest that you visit your GP or a travel vaccination centre at least 60 days prior to departure.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is a condition of travelling with ASIAQUEST TOURS that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for the duration of your trip. We would be happy to arrange insurance for you or you are welcome to shop around.

What if I am a single traveller?

Single travellers have a choice of paying a single supplement or sharing a room with someone of the same gender. While ASIAQUEST TOURS will make every effort to arrange share accommodation, we accept no responsibility for the suitability of the rooming partner. If at any time during the tour a client considers their rooming partner to be unsuitable, ASIAQUEST TOURS will endeavour to arrange a single room AT EXTRA COST, subject to availability in the same hotel. If we are unable to find a rooming partner of the same gender, ASIAQUEST TOURS will pay the single supplement charge for hotel rooms. However, please note that the single supplement option is available on rail journeys and boat cruises in China at extra cost.

Can I collect Frequent Flyer points?

Most tour groups fly with Singapore Airlines in economy class departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. When booking with Singapore Airlines, you are entitled to your Frequent Flyer points if you are a member of the Star Alliance. If you are not already a member, then you can sign up at no extra cost once you are booked on one of our tours. You will receive further information on becoming a member once you have confirmed your booking with ASIAQUEST TOURS. For tours flying with Thai Airways, Frequent Flyer points are not available.

What is the best time to travel in China?

For China, the best time to visit is between March and June, or August till November.

Can I break my journey in Singapore or Bangkok?

If you would like to break your journey at the end of your planned itinerary, you are welcome to do so and we will be more than happy to assist in making travel arrangements for you in Singapore or Bangkok. Please note however that any stopovers outside the planned itinerary are subject to breakaway fees of $150.00 per person.

How much money do I need?

As your trip is fully inclusive, you only have to pay for your personal expenses, meals on Singapore and Bangkok stopovers and foreign airport departure taxes (if required). So if you are not a big shopper, you will find that about US$500 to US$800 is more then enough for the entire journey. Bring your credit card along too just in case you find something irresistible!

How early should I book?

We recommend that you book your trip 6 months or at least 4-5 months prior to the departure date to ensure a seat. Because ASIAQUEST TOURS runs excellent value small group tours, we get booked out early most of the time.

What our Valued Clients Say

We certainly would like to comment on our China
Unveiled Tour, it was definitely a profound experience
and wonderfully organized by your company. The
details you have put into the planning of our tour
has been very much appreciated. We will definitely
recommend your ASIAQUEST TOURS to our friends
and travel with you again in future.

Chris & Noel Feruglio (QLD)
had the best time on Wonders of China tour ( I am
still talking about it). The tour leader Richard was
fantastic, he was very understanding of everyone’s
needs. I will be organising another trip later this
year or early next year and will definitely choose
to travel with ASIAQUEST TOURS. Many thanks.

Judith Shevlin (VIC)

My wife, Kaye & I have recently returned home after
completing Majestic China tour. We wish to express
our very sincere appreciation to your organisation, the
tour guides and others who may have been involved
in planning & executing the itinerary. We thought
the tour represented excellent value for money & in
general we could not have been happier.

Kaye & Paul Crew (TAS)
On behalf of my husband and myself we would
like to express our satisfaction with your company.
The cost of the tour was very reasonable and we
were entirely happy with all that was provided.
Excellent value and, should we decide to visit any
of the countries you operate your tours, we will
surely be in contact with ASIAQUEST TOURS.

Jan and David Pullar (QLD)

My wife and I have just returned from your 28 day
“China Unveiled” tour and wish to express our
sincere appreciation and thanks for a wonderful
organised tour. The very high standards set
by you were evident in all aspects of the tour.
The accommodation, transport, cuisine and of
course the itinerary itself were all exemplary. We
thoroughly recommend this tour and look forward
to sampling some of your other tours.

Henk and Fay Derks (NSW)
I’ve had two tours of China (China Unveiled and
Best of China) with ASIAQUEST TOURS so far,
and can’t wait to explore this marvellous country
further. ASIAQUEST offers hassle free travel
with friendly, knowledgeable guides. China is a
photographic paradise as well. Come and find out
for yourself.

Margaret Jollow (NSW)


In the epic Ramayana, Sri Lanka is famous throughout SE Asia as the place (Lanka) to which Rama and his faithful ally Hanuman travelled to rescue his beautiful wife Sita from the clutches of the evil king Rawana. To tourists it is perhaps better known as an island paradise fringed with palm trees and lapped by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean!

But Sri Lanka offers much more than beaches! For one thing, it has some pretty impressive archaeological treasures. Anuradhpura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka for 1000 years was the centre of one of the greatest Asian civilisations during the 4th-11th Centuries. It was here that Theravada Buddhism was born. After Anaradhpura was destroyed by South Indian invaders in 993, King Vijayabahu I moved the capital to Polonnaruwa where it thrived for two centuries. Both cities were abandoned to the jungle for 1000 years.

Another ancient wonder of Sri Lanka is both a fortress and a palace. Sigiriya rock fortress was used by King Kasyapa in the 4th Century and rediscovered during British colonial times. It consists of an impressive sheer rock wall with ground level water gardens, a mid-level terrace featuring massive lion paws and a 1.6 ha summit. Those fit enough to reach the top will be rewarded with magnificent views amidst the palace ruins!

Sri Lanka was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, all of whom left their influences. The World Heritage listed old town of Galle is surrounded by the walls of a Dutch-built fort in good repair. But it was the British who introduced hill stations like Nuwara Eliya and set up a mosaic of tea, rubber and cinnamon plantations connected by road and rail networks. It was also the British who brought in cheap Tamil plantation labourers from South India, thus setting the course for future ethnic unrest.

And finally, we come to the beaches whose golden sands stretch along the west coast for approximately 300 km from Negombo to Hambantota. Whether you prefer the graceful oruvas (fishing boats) at Negombo, the modern beach resorts of Bentota or the coral reefs of Hikkaduwa, this 'resplendent' island will not disappoint.

Asiaquest Tours operates 3 tours to Sri Lanka. To book your small group Sri Lanka tour, simply select a tour code and press the 'Book Now' button. Or call us now on 1 800 144 738.


  


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