ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Accommodation
We don’t like bland accommodation at Wandering Tribe so we try to pick characterful lodgings that are reflective of the country you are visiting. You might stay in an eco-lodge deep in the Amazon rainforest, a wooden cabin perched on an Icelandic fjord or a 200 year old stone house next to Kotor Bay. Our aim, where possible, is 4* standard.
We also know first-hand the struggle of trying to fit families into hotel rooms. This usually segregates families into more than one room, often without interconnecting doors. This is not what we are about at Wandering Tribe. We give preference to lodges & apartments that allow families to be together 100% of the time. If the children want to go to sleep early, the parents should have their own space to sit and relax - simple ideas that make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your trip.
Financial Protection
Wandering Tribe Ltd is a member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA) and also an ATOL holder. These provide 100% financial protection to our customers. If you book a flight inclusive holiday with Wandering Tribe then everything from flights to accommodation and transfers are covered under our ATOL License. In the unlikely event of our financial failure, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advanced booking.
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: atol.org/atol-certificates/.
Responsible Tourism
In the countries that Wandering Tribe Ltd operates, tourism can be a huge help to local communities, providing not only income but a financial incentive to protect the local environment for future generations. We try to use locally owned accommodation wherever possible to make sure that we are giving back to the local economy rather than a multi-national corporation. We also recommend local guides and excursion providers as these provide expert knowledge and it’s another great way to support the local economy. Where possible we will highlight social and conservation projects that you and your family could get involved in as well as suggesting any useful gifts that you could pack for local people or schools.
Here are some of our suggestions for minimising the negative impacts of your travels;
- Sleep Local - For accommodation and eating out, try to use locally owned businesses that help support the local economy and provide a more authentic experience.
- Shop Local - Shop for souvenirs at local markets rather than overpriced shops in tourist areas. Have fun bartering but make sure you pay the vendor a fair price for the goods they are selling you. A couple of dollars probably means a lot more to them than it does to you.
- Watch What You Buy – Do not buy any products made from endangered species.
- Leave No Trace - Teach your children the principles of ‘Leave No Trace’. These include disposing of waste properly, leaving behind what you find (such as shells) and being considerate of other visitors.
- Respect Local Cultures - Prior to your visit, read up on local cultures to ensure you remain respectful at all times. Tour religious sites with local community members if possible who will introduce you the rules surrounding sacred places.
- Respect Local Wildlife – Learn about responsible wildlife watching before you travel. Try and keep your distance and observe quietly to avoid stress. Don’t feed wildlife unless told specifically you can do so and stay away from any animals that appear sick or injured.
- Travel Overland - Where feasible try and travel overland rather than flying. This reduces your carbon footprint and you get to see a whole heap more from the ground.
- Social Projects – See if there are any local or conservation projects that you can visit during your trip. Please ask us for details.
- Conserve Water – If the country that you are visiting has a water shortage or drought issues then please monitor your own water usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the price cheaper the later I book? No, in fact the opposite is true. The earlier you book the cheaper the prices you will get on flights and accommodation. In fact, booking early could save you hundreds of pounds. You will also get a wider choice of accommodation.
What standard of accommodation should I expect? Accommodation is 3* or 4* standard where possible with preference given to cabins & apartments that are better suited to families. We don’t like bland accommodation at Wandering Tribe so we try to pick characterful lodgings that are reflective of the country you are visiting.
Can we book extra nights of accommodation before or after our tour? Yes, of course. Please let us know how many nights and we would be happy to arrange this for you. Please bear in mind that extra nights are not always possible due to flight schedules.
When is the best time to travel? That depends on the country you are visiting and the reason for your visit. Generally speaking our trips to Europe are best between the months of May-Oct simply due to the warmer weather. The exception to this is Iceland which offers something different year round; if you are hunting the Northern Lights then the darker, winter months between Nov-March are recommended. If you are visiting Central or South America then please check the rainy seasons as these will differ for each country. The prevalence of mosquitos are also affected by the seasonal climate so please bear this in mind.
Will we have a pool? If your kids are anything like ours then a holiday isn’t a holiday without a pool. Wherever possible we pick accommodation with a swimming pool although this isn’t always possible in more remote, mountainous regions and in countries with colder climates.
I’m ready to book. What do I do next? Please contact us on 07392 742333 or fill out the contact form on our website and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Blog
Before Wandering Tribe came along we did indeed wander a lot with our very own tribe. You can read about our trips to the Americas & Canada on our Blog page.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
Passports & Visas
British nationals require a full passport for all holidays with Wandering Tribe with some destinations requiring a 6 month period of validity beyond the return date. If you are not a British national then different regulations may apply to you. In this instance we would advise you check with the nearest embassy of the country you are due to visit.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party have the correct passport validity, travel documentation and visas in place before they travel. The cost of obtaining these should be covered by you. It is also essential for flight and transportation purposes that the names you provide when booking are identical to the names that appear on your passport.
Full details of current visa requirements for British passport holders are provided in the individual trip notes and in the confirmation documents that are sent to you after booking. You can also follow the Visa HQ link on our website.
We are unable to accept any liability if you are refused entry to any country or unable to travel because you have failed to carry the correct documents. If failure to have the correct travel documentation results in a financial penalty being imposed on Wandering Tribe Ltd then you will be responsible for reimbursing us the costs.
Travel Health
Medical History & Advice: If you or any member of your travelling party are pregnant or has any medical condition which may affect your travel plans, please provide us with full details at the time of booking. Wandering Tribe will try, to the best of our ability, to accommodate any special circumstances or requests. You must also advise us if you become pregnant or any medical condition develops after your booking has been confirmed. It is essential that you do this as we cannot be held accountable for any situation which may arise out of your failure to disclose such information.
Please also advise us of any specific dietary requirements or food allergies. We will pass this information on to the respective accommodation although Wandering Tribe cannot guarantee that all dietary needs can be accommodated.
Minimum Age & Fitness Level: Each tour that we operate has a suggested minimum age rating. This takes into account the amount of travel involved and the suggested activities for each destination. This is intended as a guide only. Younger children are more than welcome but please be advised that they may not be able to enjoy all of the suggested activities.
In terms of fitness, all of our trips can be enjoyed by anyone with moderate fitness levels. You may, however, want to consider your fitness in relation to your destination’s climate as high or low temperatures can affect peoples’ level of fatigue in different ways. We also travel to destinations affected by high altitude. In these instances we strongly recommend that you take measures to acclimatise before undertaking any strenuous activity.
You are responsible for assessing whether a tour is suitable for you. You should consult your GP to confirm your fitness for travel and ability to take part in any planned activities. Wandering Tribe does not provide medical advice. Tours with Wandering Tribe may also involve visiting remote or developing regions where medical facilities may not be accessible or meet UK standards.
Vaccinations: Your Trip Notes will specify any required immunisations for your tour, although these can vary with changing circumstances. You are advised to visit your GP around twelve weeks before you travel, to discuss the health requirements of the countries you are visiting. You can also visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk where you will find country specific information. It is your responsibility to carry your certificate of vaccination with you on holiday to prove that you have had the correct vaccinations. You should also be aware of any changes to entry requirements if you have travelled via another country rather than directly from the UK. Your GP should be able to advise you on these matters.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance. We recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. It is your responsibility to make sure you have read the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy and are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour.
If you would like to obtain cover for your holiday then please feel free to contact Holiday Extras for a quote. Wandering Tribe Ltd is a referral agent of Holiday Extras Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Travel Safety
FCO Travel Advice: The safety of our passengers is the number one priority for Wandering Tribe and as such we closely monitor and assess the threats in each of the countries that we operate. We receive continual updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and without exception follow their advice 100% of the time. If the FCO were to issue a travel warning advising against all travel to a certain destination, then we would act quickly and appropriately. This means we may cancel, terminate or make other changes to tours as appropriate. Any such decision will always be made in the interests of safety and security .Our trip notes detail the FCO advice for the country that you are visiting as well as the direct link to the advice page. For general advice please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Booking activities locally: In each destination, Wandering Tribe will provide web links to recommended local tour operators. It is the responsibility of the individual family to do their own research to make sure that they are happy with the safety aspect of the tour operator and the level of service provided. Please note that Wandering Tribe cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss that occurs through any of these activities.
Packing List
Here is a list of items that you will need to pack regardless of your destination;
- Passports & visas
- Airline tickets
- Confirmation documents from Wandering Tribe
- Information pack from Wandering Tribe (including Trip Notes)
- Full driving license
- Travel insurance
- EHIC cards (if travel is within the EU)
- Vaccination certificates (such as yellow fever)
- Currency and debit/credit cards
- First aid kit and any regular medication
- Adaptor plugs
- Cameras & phones (plus chargers)
- Toiletries including sun screen and insect repellents
- Favourite toys/books for the kids
- Plenty of snacks for the journey and a water bottle
