Faq

SRI LANKA

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

If you are an Australian, New Zealand OR a British passport holder, you can complete the online “Entry Authority Form” via the official website https://www.eta.gov.lk before you arrive in Sri Lanka. You will receive an initial email upon completion of the application. Entry authority is generally granted within 24 hours of submitting the application, however it may take longer. Once the entry authority has been granted, you will receive an email from Sri Lanka immigration.

The cost for an individual is USD35 per person. Children below 12 years (At the time of travel) do not need to pay the fee however will need to be included in the application.

You can only apply for Entry Authority within 3 months of travel.

Entry authority is valid for 30 days from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka for a double entry (You can enter the country twice under the same VISA).

Please note there are third party websites that offer the service however the cost is higher. Also please be aware there are fraudulent websites hence the best option is to apply via the government approved website we have highlighted above.

Above information was current at the time of posting. For all updated details, please refer to the official government website.

When is the best time to visit?

Sri Lanka is a tropical country blessed with great weather throughout the year.

Anytime is a good time to travel, however for more specific requirements you may use below information as a guideline.

If you plan to stay on the coast and enjoy the beach weather, South Coast/South West coast beaches are best between the months of Late November to March.

For East Coast beaches, weather is ideal between May and September.

Also speak to our friendly consultants who can guide you and offer expert advice when planning your holiday to Sri Lanka.

How long should I spend in Sri Lanka?

If you are looking to explore the key attractions of Sri Lanka, you can cover them between 10 and 12 days. It also depends on your travel style, pace of travel, your specific requirements and your interest. Based on your available time, budget and interests, we can design an itinerary to match your requirements.

Is Sri Lanka family friendly?

Sri Lanka is a family friendly destination to travel. It offers family friendly attraction and activities that will keep everyone entertained. One of the most important aspects of travelling with children is having the right chauffeur guide. We have a list of quality chauffeur guides that are ready to assure you a great time while traveling in Sri Lanka. In addition, Sri Lanka offers a great range of accommodation (Including family rooms, interconnecting rooms, Villas) to cater for the families travelling with children. People in Sri Lanka is very hospitable and family oriented, hence it is an ideal country to travel with children.

What are the common airlines that fly from Australia?

One of the best options is to fly Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines flies from major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth with a transit in Singapore. Total travel time is around 15 hours (Please note total travel time can differ based on your transit time).

Other options are as below:

Qantas (Fly with Qantas to Singapore and then code share with Sri Lankan airlines to Colombo).

Malaysian Airlines with a transit in KL

Emirates with a transit in Singapore (Fly Emirates to Singapore. From Singapore Emirates will code share with Sri Lankan airlines)

Thai Airways with a transit in Bangkok.

Cathay Pacific with a transit in Hong Kong OR in Singapore.

If you are wanting to fly direct to Sri Lanka, you can fly from Melbourne OR Sydney, with the national carrier Sri Lankan airlines. These are the only direct options to fly from Australia to Sri Lanka.

How to exchange currency?

You can take AUD and exchange a small sum upon arrival at the airport to Sri Lankan Rupees. The exchange rate outside the airport usually is slightly better hence you may decide to exchange rest whilst on tour (Your chauffeur guide can assist you).

There are ATMs in major cities to withdraw cash however transaction fees will apply. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels however it is best to use cash when purchasing from small shops and outlets.

What is the electricity voltage?

Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

For Sri Lanka there are 2 associated plug types, types D and G. Type D is the plug which has three round pins in a triangular patterned. Plug type G has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.

Below are a few options you may consider when travelling to Sri Lanka.

Please take a multi-way adopter that works with these plug types.

Another easy and a cheaper option is to buy an adopter when you are in Sri Lanka. Your guide can assist you with this.

Nowadays some hotels have built in connectors where you can plug your appliance directly. Hotels also generally hold a few adopters where you may borrow one (However this will be based on the availability).

INDIA

Is a visa required to visit India?

There are two ways to apply for the Indian visa.

Option 1 is the most convenient which is via government online website. Please only apply through below government website. You will need to apply for the visa at least 4 days (72 hours) prior to arrival. You can only apply for the visa within 30 days of your arrival date in India.

Please refer below website for up to date detail and further information.

E-Visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

When you apply online, at the end of the process, you will be issued with an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). Please ensure to take a print out of the ETA and carry with you. This will be required before you depart Australia and also when you arrive at the immigration of India. We also advise you to keep the copy with you until you have arrived in Australia.

Option 2 is to apply via local embassy/consulate in Australia.

Apply in person: http://www.vfsglobal.com/india/australia/

What is the best time to visit India?

In general, between October and early March is probably the best time to travel throughout India. However, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir States experience extreme cold weather during this time (Especially in the months of December/January). In Himachal (Shimla, Manali), you can experience snow between November and February.

Between mid March and June, weather in most parts of the country becomes extremely hot reaching above 40c. However, between the months of May and June, areas touching the Himalaya Range (Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim), have pleasant weather. Many locals travel up to Himachal and Sikkim to getaway from the heat for a cool break.

Months between July and September are the monsoon season in most parts of the country. Rainy season is also one of the good months to travel for different reasons. During these months country comes alive with lush greenery. Prices also come down hence you may grab a bargain. Please note some National Parks are closed during the monsoon months (July, August and September).

Depending on your requirements and depending on the distinct places you plan to visit, our friendly consultants can design an itinerary to match your requirements.

What are the key STATES in India?

India can be divided geographically into North, North West, North East, East, West, Central and South. Based on these areas, below are some of the key STATES and Union Territories.

North – Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi UT

North West – Rajasthan

North East – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura

East – Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands UT

West – Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa UT

Central – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh

South – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

How to exchange currency?

You can take AUD and exchange a small sum upon arrival at the airport to Indian Rupees. The exchange rate outside the airports can be slightly better hence you may decide to exchange rest whilst on tour. There are ATMs in major cities allowing you to withdraw cash however please be aware of the transaction fees. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels however it is best to use cash when purchasing from small shops etc.

What is the electricity voltage?

India electricity operates on 230 volts and 50hz. There are 3 types of plugs (C, D and M). Plug type C has 2 round pins. Plug type D and M with 3 round pins. When buying an adopter from Australia, check if it’s compatible with types C, D and M. You can also buy an adopter when you arrive in India.

What are the accommodation standards in South India?

We use quality accommodation for all our tours. At some remote locations, accommodation is limited hence we use the best available options. Star rating in India is managed by the government (Ministry of Tourism) and sometimes the star rating does not match the quality of accommodation. In these instances, we may offer a less star rating for a particular property that may not meet our standards.

What are the States of South India?

South India covers around 20% of the whole country. It is still a vast area consisting of 5 main states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala). South India also consists of union territories Goa and Pondicherry, islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Goa are the most visited states (Kerala and its backwaters is a must visit). Some clients who want to experience a unique beach getaway also visit the pristine islands of the Andamans.

What are the common airlines that fly from Australia?

One of the most common options is to fly Singapore Airlines with connections to many major airports in India with a transit in Singapore.

Qantas airways fly from the major Australian airports to either Singapore/KL and a code share transit flight to India.

Other airlines will include Malaysian Airlines with a transit in KL and Emirates with a transit in Singapore.

Air India is the only flight that flies directly from Sydney/Melbourne with a transit in Delhi to a number of domestic airports in South India.

What is the baggage allowance for domestic flights?

Please note that domestic flights only allow up to 15kg of check-in luggage per person. Therefore, be mindful of the items you pack. You can always pay extra for the excess luggage (It may cost anywhere between AUD12-AUD15 per kg). Carry on luggage limit is 7kg.

VIETNAM

Do I need a visa?

All Australian passport holders will require a visa to enter Vietnam. There are 3 ways to apply for Vietnam visa.

Option 1: Via local Vietnam embassy or consulate

Option 2: E-Visa through government website https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn

Option 3: A travel agent can apply on your behalf.

We recommend the 2^nd option as this is the most convenient (Unless you require multiple entries and wish to stay for more than 30 days). The processing time is roughly about 3 days for E-Visa. Visa is valid for 30 days from the date you enter the country (A single entry only)

When is the best time to visit?

Weather in Vietnam is somewhat complex due to the shape and geography of the country. In general, between March and April is probably the best time to visit if you would like to cover north, Central and south. Each area weather can be distinct based on the month you wish to travel. For travelling north, weather is best during March to April and September to November. For south, the dry season between November and April is the best. If you would like to enjoy the beach weather, then it will depend where you want to visit.

Let our friendly consultants put your mind at ease and guide you through to design an itinerary that matches the requirements in line with weather any many other facts.

How long should you spend in Vietnam?

This will depend what parts of the country you intend to cover. If you would like to visit north, central and south, we recommend between 17 to 20 days, so you can travel at a leisure pace. If you only intend to cover the north and central, between 10 to 12 days would be sufficient enough. All our tours are tailor made to suit your requirements hence we can build an itinerary considering your budget, places you wish to visit and length of your intended stay.

Is Vietnam a good country to travel with children?

Vietnam is without a doubt a great place to travel with children. It is a country that caters for the entire family to have a wonderful cultural experience. Ha Long Bay, Nihn Binh. Mai Chau, Hoi An are some great places where children will fall in love with. If you are wanting a relaxing time by the beach, there are plenty of places to choose from. When travelling with children, if you are limited with time, it’s best to cover a few key places of interest to avoid many domestic flights and long days of driving. Speak to our friendly consultants who can put your mind at ease and design a holiday for the entire family to enjoy.

What are the common airlines that flies to Vietnam from Australia?

Firstly, it is best to decide which key city you plan to fly into and fly out of Vietnam. Also, it will depend on which city you will fly from Australia.

Fly direct to Ho Chi Minh city

If you are wanting to catch a direct flight from Australia to Ho Chi Minh City, there are 2 options from Sydney and Melbourne. Both Jetstar and Vietnam airlines have direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City.

Fly direct to Hanoi

There are no direct flights to Hanoi from Australia. You will need to transit either in Ho Chi Minh city OR in another overseas destination (e.g. Singapore, Bangkok etc).

Below are some good options to fly to Hanoi with a transit

Jetstar with a transit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Airlines with a transit in Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore Airlines with a transit in Singapore, Thai airways with a transit in Bangkok, Malaysian airlines with a transit in KL, Cathay Pacific with a transit in Hong Kong.

As per most of our itineraries on the website, you will arrive in Hanoi and departure from Ho Chi Minh City. We suggest Singapore Airlines as one of the best options to fly into Hanoi and fly out from Ho Chi Minh city with a transit in Singapore.

Depending on your itinerary and requirements, we will advise you of the best option/s for flights.

Hire of an air conditioned vehicle including fuel and the service of an English speaking private driver guide throughout the tour.

What is the electricity voltage?

Vietnam operates on power 110v/220v (2 different voltages are being used) and 50hz . Please check what voltages your appliance operates else you may need to get a voltage converter (If the appliance has INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, this can be used without a voltage converter). There are 3 plug types.

PHILIPPINES

Do I need a visa ?

Good news is Australians passport holders do not require a visa to enter the country for holiday purposes and if you plan to stay up to 30 days.

Is Philippines safe to travel?

Philippines is a safe country to travel as long as you avoid visiting a few particular areas and practice precaution. Our tours are designed mainly in the islands of Luzon, Cebu, Palawan and Bohol which are visited by many tourists and locals.

In Philippines there are a few no go areas such as the southern region (Sulu area) and Mindanao.

Always refer to the Australian traveller websites for up to date safety/security related information. e.g. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

What is the best time to visit?

Philippines has 2 seasons (a dry season and a wet/cool season). Best time to visit is during the dry/cool season between December and February. Months of March and April is still a good time to travel but you can expect hot weather. From May onwards, the rainy season starts which last until October/November. During these months you can also expect typhoons which may affect travel plans.

What is the food like in Philippines?

Philippine cuisine is less known compared to other Asian cuisines however has been getting popular over the last few years. It is a mix of Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, American and Malay cuisines. Dishes are less spicy compared to Thai and Malaysian. Food is also generally salty, sweet, and sour. Adobo (Chicken/Pork braised in garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce cooked until dry) is a very popular dish. You will also find pork in many of their meals. Lechon is a whole pig slowly roasted and quite a popular dish descends from the Spanish colonisation.

What is the electricity voltage?

Philippine operates on 220V and frequency of 60hz. There are 3 plug type (A, B and C). Type A has two flat parallel pins, plug type B has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin and type C has two round pins.

Is Philippines a family friendly destination?

Philippines is a great destination to travel with the family as people are lovely and hospitable. Children will certainly enjoy travelling in the Philippines due to many water based activities, beautiful beaches and the easy pace of life.