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FAQs
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| Need answers? In this section you will find an ever growing list of responses to important questions. Can't find your answer, then contact our service team, we are happy to help... |
Passports & Visas
You’ll need one, and most countries require that you have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you complete your travels.If you need to apply for a new passport, make sure you do this well in advance of your travel date.
China requires all nationalities to have a visa; it is your responsibility to ensure that this is order. The minimum requirements are a single entry Tourist Visa (type L) to cover the duration of your stay. If you are living in China or a regular visitor your Visa (type F or Z) will be adequate to travel with us. When filling out the visa application form, list the tour's Joining Point Hotel (details will be forwarded to you after your deposit is made) as the "company or person to visit in China". You should check your visa as soon as it has been issued – specifically check that your entry dates are correct. If you applied for a multiple entry visa, check to make sure the correct one was issued. Visa extensions are difficult and not always possible, and you can not stay longer than the terms of your permit. Note: Entering Hong Kong/Macau from China means you are leaving China, single entry visas will expire. Either apply for a new visa or obtain a multiple or double entry visa should you wish to re enter China.
Entry to Japan is your responsibility. Most nationalities are can obtain a visa on arrival at no cost.You must enter Japan on a tourist visa! Holders of other visas are unable to use JR Passes and therefore are unable to take our tours. You should check with you local embassy or consulate for details on current entry requirements.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement that all clients on our tours have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your responsibility to make sure this is in order as it is for your benefit and security. You should ensure the policy covers medical expenses including emergency repatriation. You will need to provide us, in advance your insurance details, specifically your policy number and a 24-hour world wide emergency contact number.
Payment
Thats because there isn't one! My Journey believe in making payment as simple as possible for you, how many times have you had to run around last minute to get US cash for other tour companies? The tour price shown in the tour details is the one and only payment for services as per that itinerary.
Payment can be made in various currencies to our HSBC account by direct deposit. Tour prices are shown in Chinese Yuan (RMB) and Japanese Yen (JPY) on the My Journey Website, payments made in other currencies will be calculated at the time of booking. Please refer to the booking terms and conditions on our site.
The local currency in China is the RMB or Chinese Yuan (CNY) and in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY), these are the only currency that can be used within the respective country. While the safest way to carry money is in the form of travellers cheques, many passengers have said they wished they had brought more cash with them because of the difficulty and time spent cashing travellers cheques.
It is advisable to bring most of your cash in Chinese Yuan or US dollars as this is the easiest to exchange. Exchange bureaus and banks can also exchange Euros, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong and Australian Dollars. Whatever you bring make sure you have new issue bills that are not ripped or marked, as this may affect your ability to change them. ATM's are widely available throughout China making it convenient to withdraw from Visa and MasterCard or even directly from your savings account - if you are linked with Cirrus, Maestro, Visa Electron. We advise that you do not rely solely on this form of obtaining funds, as on rare occasion cash machines and/or cards can have problems. Note that credit cards are only accepted in major cities. Currency exchange rates often fluctuate, for the latest rates check http://www.xe.com/
It is advisable to bring most of your cash in Japanese Yen or US dollars as this is the easiest to exchange. Exchange bureaus and banks can also exchange Euros, British Pounds, Hong Kong and Australian Dollars. Japan is redominantly a cash society and locals carry large amounts of cash for daily business. We recommend you arrive in Japan with as much Yen that you feel comfortable carrying. ATM's are widely available throughout Japan at Post Offices and 7-Eleven stores making it convenient to withdraw from Visa and MasterCard or even directly from your savings account - if you are linked with Cirrus, Maestro, Visa Electron. (please be aware that ATMs in Japan have opening and closing hours and so are not available all the time). A combination of cash and cards is the best way to use your funds in Japan. Note that international credit cards are only accepted in foreign tourist orientated souvenir shops and restaurants. Currency exchange rates often fluctuate, for the latest rates check http://www.xe.com/
China isn’t an expensive country; it all depends on how well you haggle and your interests. Consider your spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. While My Journey do not ask for any additional money for a tipping kitty for your trip, any tip that you wish to give your local guides or tour leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated. We recommend budgeting 150¥ per day. There will be times and places where you will spend far more than this and other times when you can’t give it away!
Japan isn’t as expensive as you may have been lead to believe; You can spend conservatively or lavishly , depending on your choices the sky is the limit. Whatever your budget, there is an option for you. Consider your spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping. While My Journey do not ask for any additional money for a tipping kitty for your trip, any tip that you wish to give your local guides or tour leader in recognition of excellent service is always appreciated.
We have all heard stories of the perils of hiring a taxi or orientating public transport in an unfamiliar city. Therefore arrival transfers or escorts are included for all our travellers. So we can meet you at the airport, we need to be informed of your flight arrival details well in advance. Please ensure that we have the following information: Airline and Flight Number, City of Departure, Date and Time of Arrival. We will not chase you for this information, so please make sure that you get it to us in good time.
At Guilin International Airport after clearing Customs & Immigration and once you have your luggage, please look for your driver who will be carrying a sign with your name on it. Upon arrival to our hotel, you will be personally met by a representative of My Journey. In Kunming, Beijing and Shanghai you will be personally met by your My Journey Tour Leader at the airport. After clearing Customs & Immigration and once you have your luggage, please look for your Tour Leader who will be carrying a sign with your name on it. Your Tour Leader will then escort you to the hotel via taxi or public transport.
At Narita and Kansai International Airports you will be personally met by your My Journey Tour Leader. After clearing Customs & Immigration and once you have your luggage, please look for your Tour Leader who will be carrying a sign with your name on it. Your Tour Leader will then escort you to the hotel via public transport.
Should your flight be rescheduled or heavily delayed try to let us know. In any case we will do everything possible to meet you. If you have not made contact with your us within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you call the My Journey Emergency Number (this will be forwarded to you after your deposit is made). We don't expect any problems (and nor should you!) but if for any reason you are unable to commence your group trip as scheduled, please contact My Journey Emergency Number.
We advise you have up to date vaccinations for the countries you are visiting; or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. You should contact your doctor (or travellers medical centre) one to two months before you depart for up to date information on recommended inoculations or preventative medication. Some inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer the full course. It is also recommended that you carry the certificate of vaccination on your trip. See specific country details below.
Most travelers only require Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B shots. Also make sure your routine immunisations are up to date, these include Tetanus-diptheria (DPT), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) and Varicella (chickenpox). On all of our China itinerarys you will not travel near any Malaria zones so we do not recommend taking Malaria medication.
There are no specific requirments for Japan. Just make sure your routine immunisations are up to date, these include Tetanus-diptheria (DPT), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) and Varicella (chickenpox).
Our Tour Leaders carry a comprehensive First Aid Kit (including a sterile needle pack) for emergencies. Be aware that My Travel itineraries often cover remote areas away from medical facilities. For legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug (this includes headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.) and are not carried in our first aid kit. Some travelers choose to bring along a personal supply of basic medicine items like aspirin, and insect repellent.
We assume you are in good health and have a sufficient level of fitness to complete your chosen itinerary. If you have an existing medical condition or disability you must make this known at the time of booking. You must also make your condition known to the Tour Leader, if accepted on the tour. If you require specific medication ensure you bring an adequate supply to last the duration of your holiday as you may not be able to obtain suitable alternative is China. You must inform your Tour Leader at the start of the tour if you are taking medication.
We consider the physical element of the activities on our trips to be moderate (with the exception of climbing Mt Fuji!). While you don’t have to be an iron man (or woman!) to participate, you will need to be in good physical health to get the most out this style of trip. We want our travellers to have a real sense of achievement after a long hike or tough bike journey – so these activities are crucial to the overall experience. As well as hiking, biking and other activities you will have to carry your own bags often - bear that in mind when deciding if you really need that other pair of shoes! Note: Still unsure? Contact us for any specific questions you may have about elements of our itineraries and/or consult with your doctor if you have any doubts about your physical ability.
China and Japan are very safe to travel through. The most common travel safety issue is pick pocketing, yet this is rare (almost unheard of in Japan!). A lock is recommended for securing your luggage and in China for peace of mind use a neck wallet or money belt for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your gold and diamonds at home - you won't need them! Many national governments regularly update their online advice service regarding safety issues involved with international travel. If you want some local advice, drop us a line enquiry@myjourney-asia.com
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| Insurance |
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All participants on My Journey trips must have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, medical repatriation, personal liability and injury insurance. We recommend that you take out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip.
You will need to provide us your insurance details in advance, specifically your policy number and a 24-hour world wide emergency contact number. Your Tour Leader will verify the information at the commencement of your trip.
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| Payment |
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The payment process is as follows:
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You fill out the booking form online and submit it or alternatively, email My Journey directly on
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My Journey will reply with a confirmation email. This email will have the information you will need to make your deposit/full payment. |
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To reserve a place you will need to pay a US$ 250 equivalent deposit. |
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The balance of the trip price must be made 21 days prior to the departure date. If you are booking within 21 days of the departure you must pay the full trip price. |
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The deposit is non-refundable. |
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You will receive email confirmation of your deposit and, once final payment is made. |
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Payment can be made in US Dollars, British Pounds, Hong Kong Dollars, Chinese RMB or Japanese Yen to our HSBC account by direct deposit. Alternatively payment can be made on arrival under specific instruction by My Journey.
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Tour prices are shown in local currency on the My Journey Website, payments made in other currencies will be calculated at the time of booking. |
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My Journey reserves the right to change tour prices at any time, for any reason, including (but not limited to) exchange rate fluctuations, operating costs, and itinerary changes. |
Methods of payment are as follows:
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Direct Bank Transfer. |
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| Cancellation by the Traveler |
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50% refund will be made should you cancel between 21 and 60 days prior to the departure date.
No refunds will be made should you:
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Choose to cancel 21 days (or fewer) prior to the departure date.
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Voluntarily leave during the course of a trip. |
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Choose not to utilize accommodation, transport, meals or any services provided. |
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Refunds will not be given for in country payment arrangements. |
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| My Journey will refund the full trip amount less the deposit if you decide to cancel more than 60 days prior to the departure date. |
| Cancellation by My Journey |
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Should we cancel a trip prior to the departure date, My Journey will return the full amount you have paid to us. We reserve the right to cancel any trip, at any time prior to its departure due to reasons including, but not limited to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability and other external events which make it unviable for us to run that trip. My Journey will make every effort to keep participants informed in these situations.
My Journey will not be responsible for any costs outside of the tour price, such as airfares and other travel expenses that may be lost due to a cancellation made by us. We recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance to cover you in these events. Should My Journey cancel a trip where passenger numbers have not met the required minimum, we will notify you at least 21 days prior to the trip and fully refund any amount already paid to us.
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| Prices |
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The prices listed on our web site are based on the costs and exchange rates current at the time of writing. My Journey reserves the right to change these prices at any time.
The price of the trip is guaranteed upon payment of the trip deposit. Should My Journey deem it advisable to change an itinerary due to reasons including, but not limited to; client safety, travel restriction or political, social or environmental danger, the changes are binding and any additional expense will be charged to you if these changes are outside My Journey's control.
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| Booking Amendments |
| Should you wish to change your booking with My Journey, i.e. change the trip or dates, there may be an additional service charge. |
| Late Booking |
| For bookings made within 21 days of departure, My Journey reserves the right to charge a late booking fee. This will only apply should My Journey incur additional costs from our booking agents for the late booking. My Journey reserves the right to decline a booking if the departure date is too close to make necessary arrangements. In the majority of cases, however, this would be unlikely. |
| Passports and Visas |
| You must carry a valid passport and have obtained the appropriate visas when travelling with My Journey. Please ensure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visas for your trip. My Journey cannot accept any responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct visa documentation. If you are unsure about the visa requirements for any of our trips, please email My Journey at:
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. If you change your passport or other details between booking and the start of the trip, it is essential that you contact My Journey with the updated details. |
| Health |
| Due to the physical nature of our trips, it is extremely important to My Journey and to you, the traveller, that you are of good physical health and therefore able to fully participate in outlined itinerary. Each traveller will be required to provide details of any pre-existing medical conditions. Disclosure of this information to My Journey and the Tour Leader is for your benefit, and it is necessary to ensure My Journey can act effectively in the case of an emergency. |
| Accommodation |
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My Travel
Where possible, My Journey organizes twin share rooms with private bathrooms that are adequate and comfortable but by no means luxurious. However, My Journey trips travel through areas where more basic accommodation is the only option, this can mean at times: shared washing facilities and/or toilets. If this sounds too overwhelming, you should seriously consider whether My Journey travels in a style that is appropriate for you.
My Escape
Accommodation is booked for the individual, shared accommodation will only be booked as per the customer’s request.
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| Personal Responsibility |
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We ask that all participants acknowledge that by coming on one of our trips, they accept the adventurous nature of the trips and the inherent difficulties of travelling in Asia which is a developing region. We also ask that all participants conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner for their own and others' well being and safety.
Standards of infrastructure, accommodation, transport and services may not be what you are accustomed to in your country. We travel through areas where there is little to no English spoken and access to modern medical facilities might be limited. For these reasons and more, travelling on a My Journey trip requires a degree of flexibility and understanding.
While travelling with My Journey, you agree to accept the authority of the Tour Leader at all times.
You are aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that My Journey reserves the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a member of the group at any time.
My Journey will not be held responsible for any traveller who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited.
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| Agreement |
| It is extremely important that every person participating on any trip, has read, understood and agreed all the above conditions. At the start of any trip, all passengers will be required to sign to confirm their acceptance of these conditions. |
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