Background Info

Background Info | Itineraries

We have taken every care to ensure that the details and background info on our website are correct at the time of writing. Please note that itineraries may need to be tweaked at the last minute due to weather conditions, Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice or other factors beyond our control. Rest assured that any alterations we make will be in the best interests of an enjoyable and safe tour.

An updated itinerary, including any changes from the published version, will be sent to you for acceptance or otherwise before departure.

Please note that All Points East is not liable for extra expenses incurred due to forced changes in itinerary for reasons beyond our control.

Background info | What to take on your tour?

Detailed ‘what to bring’ lists are available for each tour. Please ask our office for an e-mail or postal copy. Note, a simple answer to the above question is…“as little as possible”, bearing in mind that most items you may forget are available locally and for a fraction of the price.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking that all persons travelling with us take out adequate personal insurance for the full period of travel.

Health regulations

There are no compulsory immunisations for EU or US citizens for any of our destinations. The following vaccinations are recommended: hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid. Your GP can advise on the above. If you are considering anti-malaria pills we recommend consulting a specialist. A yellow fever jab is required if coming from an infected area.

Background info | Financial security

The air holidays shown are ATOL-protected by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. All Points East’s ATOL number is ATOL 5318. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. If you want to know more, please visit the ATOL website.

Background info | Passport Validity

All visitors must possess a 10-year passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of return and with at least two empty pages remaining.

Visa requirements and background info by destination

Note, there may be exceptions to the general info below for certain nationalities and regulations can change frequently, so please check at the relevant embassy prior to departure.
Below are brief outlines of visa requirements and links for background info by destination while more detailed info for specific tours can be found on the relevant tour pages.

Cambodia

30-day visas are issued on arrival at land crossings and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. You will need 1 passport photo and $30. E-visas for certain entry points can also be obtained at the Cambodia government e-visa site for $30. As of July 2024, you are also required to complete an e-arrival form within 7 days of arrival.

China, (Yunnan)

Passport holders of most European countries, as well as Australia and Canada can travel visa-free for 30 days. (Here’s the full list.) Other nationalities please check requirements.

Additionally, you must complete an e-arrival form within 72 hours of arrival and are asked to show proof of departure form China.

Indonesia

For most passport holders, a 30-day visa is issued on arrival at international airports such as Medan, Yogyakarta or Jakarta. The cost is 500,000 rupiah – which looks like a lot of zeros – but $35 (approx. depending on exchange rates) does the trick. You are also required to complete something called an ECD, (Electronic Customs Declaration), ideally online, within 3 days of arrival, to save a lot of messing around at the airport.

Laos

A 30-day visa on arrival is available at most land crossings and Luang Prabang and Wattay, (Vientiane) airports. 2 passport-sized photos are required with the visa costing between $30 and $45 depending upon your nationality. ($35 for UK and US passport holders.)

Malaysia and Borneo

A 90-day visa is issued free of charge to all US and EU citizens upon arrival in Malaysia however all visitors are required to complete an MDAC, (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card), within 3 days of arrival.

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government recently announced free visas or arrivals for some 35 nationalities, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and most Western European countries. (Note, this is a trial scheme so we’re uncertain how long it will last.)

Thailand

Thailand is now issuing 60-day free (single entry) visas on arrival to passport holders of 93 countries. That should cover most but if in doubt, please check. Note that, digital arrival cards are required to be completed online 3 days prior to arrival.

Vietnam

Visas are no longer required for citizens of most countries, including the UK and the US, for single-entry visits of up to 30 days. For longer visits, and visitors from some countries, visas must be obtained before arrival in Vietnam and are available from your nearest Vietnamese embassy at £40 (c. $60).

Note: non-EU, UK or US citizens should consult the relevant consulate for up-to-date visa regulations. All Points East is not responsible for problems occurring due to incorrectly obtained or failure to obtain relevant information prior to departure.