Our tour begins in Kathmandu, a tourist hub steeped in history where the smell of incense hangs heavy in the air of the alleyways & squares adorned with pagodas & temples. The scenic flight over Mt Everest is also a must-do. Please note that we depart Kathmandu the day after the tour starts so if you would like more time here you should arrive a few days prior to departure.

Heading west we reach Pokhara at the foothills of the Himalayas. This mellow little town is situated around a beautiful sheltered lake and surrounded by snow capped mountains. A great place to relax and/or gear up for a short trek into the stunning Annapurna range.

At our last stop in Nepal you have the option of visiting Chitwan National Park on foot or even on elephant back allowing you to explore the jungle in search of the rhinos, sloth bears & tigers that inhabit the area.

Leaving our truck in Siliguri we now take jeeps up narrow switchback roads into the Himalayas to explore the towns of Gangtok & Kalimpong where you have the opportunity to visit Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, Royal palaces and an impressive zoo where you can see red pandas, Himalayan bears and even snow leopards roaming enclosures so large you will need patience to see them.

We continue to the town of Darjeeling set impressively on a steep ridge, surrounded by emerald-green tea plantations and towered over by the world’s 3rd highest peak Mt. Khangchendzonga.

Once out of the Indian Himalayas we collect our truck in Siliguri and continue our journey towards the peaceful land of Bhutan.

Bhutan is an exciting new destination in the world of overland travel and we pioneered a new route through here with our truck for the first time in 2023.

Our first night here is spent at Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s 2nd largest town, where we will get our first taste of a relaxed country where they measure their wealth by the ‘Gross National Happiness Index’.

After visiting the Kharbandi Gonpa Monastery we climb steeply into the Himalayas hugging the banks of the Wang Chu River and arrive at Paro where you will have the opportunity to hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic site.

In the capital Thimphu you will have the chance to visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, the impressive 169 ft Dordenma Buddha, the National Library containing the world’s biggest book and if we are lucky we will get to witness Bhutan’s national sport during an archery demonstration.

Our next stop is at the majestic Punakha Dzong, probably the country’s most beautiful structure. Nearby we also visit the temple of the Divine Madman in an area where phalluses are painted on most of the village walls and childless women come to seek blessings.

Our last night in Bhutan is spent at the border town of Gelephu before we exit back into Northeast India.

Back in India we transit across the state of Assam towards Bangladesh and break the journey up by visiting Shillong, a beautiful hill station surrounded by lakes with scenic hiking trails.

Please note that Bangladesh has in the past refused foreign vehicles entry even though they subscribe to a scheme that permits foreign vehicles entry, so if we are refused entry we will visit Bangladesh by local transport and the truck will transit around and meet the group at the border near Kolkata.

Sylhet is our first destination where you will have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, a popular pilgrimage site from the 14th century. From Sylhet you will also have the option to visit the Ratargul swamp forest which is home to a large assortment of snakes & birds.

We continue to the capital Dhaka, the beating heart of Bangladesh where we spend a few days visiting sights such as the atmospheric Lalbagh Fort, the very pink Ahsan Manzil Palace & Old Dhaka’s incense-filled Hindu Street.

Upon leaving Dhaka we head down to the city’s famous Sadarghat Buriganga river area where we board a ferry and spend a night & day travelling down the waterways enjoying the riverine beauty of Bangladesh.

We get off the river at Hularhat and visit the open-air museum of Bagerhat, a mediaeval masterpiece with the multi-domed Shait Gumbad Mosque the crowning jewel.

From the town of Khulna you now have the option to take a 2 night/3 day boat tour into the Sundarbans National Park, the world’s largest mangrove forest home to over 400 Royal Bengal tigers, spotted deer, wild boar, monkeys & reptiles. This is often the highlight of any trip to Bangladesh!

From the Sundarbans we now head back towards India.

Kolkata (Calcutta) is an attack on the senses and a place where India & England collide. With an impressive display of colonial-era architecture including the impressive Belur Math religious centre, the white marble Victoria Memorial & South Park Street Cemetery this city can feel very English but the complex smell of Bengali street food and the constant beeping of tuk-tuk’s will remind you that you are in one of India’s largest & friendliest cities!

Our next 2 days are spent in Madhuban, a small town close to the Parasnath Hills, the most important pilgrimage site for Jains. Here you can spend a full day exploring the sacred shrines that adorn this impressive hill.

Our journey now takes us to Bodhgaya, the holiest of all Buddhist sites where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree 2600 years ago and became Buddha. Here you have the chance to visit the temples, monasteries, statues and stupas dedicated to this significant event.

Varanasi is on the banks of the Ganges River where you have the option of an early morning boat trip that will definitely open your eyes. You will notice animal and human carcasses floating by as the multitudes flock down to this holy river to wash away their sins each morning. On shore the funeral pyres known as ‘Ghats’ burn day & night as holy men chant prayers. An unbelievable sight!

Lucknow is a grandiose town littered with exceptional Islamic and British Raj-era architecture, stuffed with wonderful bazaars and famed throughout India for its food. Here you will have the chance to visit the colossal Shiite tomb complex of Bara Imambara and marvel at the elaborate black & white Chota Imambara where Mohammed’s silver throne and red crown can be seen.

Our next destination is India’s most iconic site – the Taj Mahal. This monument to love is spectacular and will keep your camera clicking all day.

Delhi is the ultimate in hustle and bustle and facing the unrelenting throng of people is an experience you won’t forget in a hurry. Braving the city traffic has many rewards with great textile markets, wonderful monuments, imposing forts and amazing temples.

In Chandigarh we find one of the region’s most intriguing attractions at Nek Chand’s Rock Garden where a local resident spent 20 years creating over 2000 sculptures out of the area’s debris.

Our final stop in India is Amritsar where you have the opportunity to visit the legendary Golden Temple, the glittering centrepiece of Sikhism. 

Nearby at India’s border with Pakistan at the end of every day you can witness a bizarre show of competitive military marching & chest beating as these 2 great nations lower their flags and close the border.

Lahore is a blend of modern city chaos & historical tranquillity where you have the option to explore the Old Walled City’s impressive Lahore Fort, get the perfect sunset picture at Badshahi Mosque and wander through the galleries of the superb Lahore Museum.

After a short stop at the imposing Rohtas Fort we arrive in Rawalpindi where a highlight is a visit to the truck workshops where you can watch artists decorate local vehicles with the vibrant art that typifies Pakistani road transport. We also have an evening here to sample traditional Pakistani cuisine.

We now start our drive along the spectacular Karakoram Highway and follow the alpine Kaghan Valley route into Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park where keen hikers have the option to do an 18 km day trek to Dudipat Lake which is spectacularly encircled by snow-clad peaks.

The road winds its way past the impressive Lulusar Lake and continues over Babusar Pass (4170 m) before dropping down to Raikot Bridge where we swap our truck for jeeps small enough to take us along the narrow roads to the beautiful Fairy Meadows offering unsurpassed views of Nanga Parbat (8120 m). Here we have a free day for hikers to explore the area on foot.

Our jeeps now take us along the scenic Astore Valley to the tiny village of Tarishing on the opposite side of Nanga Parbat from where you have the option to trek to Herrligkoffer base camp.

Travelling through the high altitude Deosai National Park we have the chance of spotting brown bear, marmot, fox & ibex on the world’s 2nd highest plateau before arriving at Satpara Lake and its famous rock carved Buddha.

From our base in the town Skardu we have a day to explore the fertile Shigar valley and visit the Amborik Mosque and Shigar Fort. A hike up to Kharpocho Fort at sunset will give you an impressive view over the town.

The lively town of Gilgit is situated amongst spectacular peaks offering us an amazing view of Rakaposhi (7780 m) as well as a first taste of Hunza cuisine and it is here that we rejoin our Madventure truck and say goodbye to the jeeps.

The quaint town of Karimabad is a real gem in this area from where you can visit Altit & Baltit forts, hike up to Eagles Nest for an incredible view of the surrounding 7000 metre peaks as well as take a trip to the nearby village of Duiker for a sunset view of the stunning Hunza Valley.

We continue north along the world’s highest paved road to Sost where we will seek permission to travel to the iconic Chinese border gate at Khunjerab Pass, the highest border in the world. Please note that this is a sensitive area and permission is never guaranteed but we will do our best.

We now start our return journey back down the KKH and visit Passu where you have the opportunity to hike alongside the Passu Glacier to reach a beautiful viewpoint. Nearby the Hussaini Suspension Bridge offers a thrilling walk high above a raging river to anyone who dares cross!

Our route south now takes us to Lake Attabad which was formed by a massive landslide in 2010 and is now considered by locals to be the bluest lake in the world.

During the next couple of days of our descent down the KKH we will stop at the junction of the world’s 3 highest mountain ranges (Himalayas, Karakoram & Hindu Kush), visit over 700 petroglyphs near Chilas and stop off at Taxila (City of Cut Stone) for a wander around this 3000 year old archaeological site.

In the modern city of Islamabad you have the chance to explore attractions such as the beautiful Shah Faisal Mosque, the national Pakistan Monument & cultural Lok Virsa Museum.

Heading west towards Iran we now enter the arid tribal lands of the Balochistan desert where our journey is broken up with a visit to the frontier town of Quetta, a melting pot of cultures where we have a day to explore the markets & meet some of Pakistan’s friendliest people.

Please note that British, American & Canadian citizens are currently having difficulty obtaining visas for Iran so if you are refused a visa you will have to fly over Iran and meet us in the UAE.

Our first stop in Iran is at the oasis of Bam, once an important silk trading town where today you can visit a fine example of a mediaeval fortress made out of mud bricks.

In Rayen we have the opportunity to visit Iran’s most impressive fortress-citadel where behind its vast adobe walls we find a castle within a castle.

In Mahan we visit the handsome Persian gardens of Bagh e-Shahzde, a colourful stop in an otherwise bleak stretch of desert.

The 1200m long ancient covered bazaar in Kerman is one of Iran’s oldest where you will meet some of the friendliest people on earth. From Kerman you also have the option to visit the Kaluts where 10 storey high ‘sand-castle’ formations have been sculpted into the rocky desert landscape by millenia of wind erosion.

We continue to the small town of Yazd where wandering the atmospheric alleyways will reveal unique wind-towers, picturesque blue-tiled Mosques and lively Persian souqs.

Isfahan is the crowning jewel in Islam’s crown with an impressive city square full of intricately decorated mosaic Mosques, leisurely tea-shops and lavish carpet emporiums. Plenty of bargains can be found in the myriad of bazaars that lead off from the square and the city’s gorgeous bridges deserve all the time you can spare.

The Zagros mountains provide a stunning backdrop on our trip to the intriguing ruins of Persepolis. Once the summer capital of the Persian Empire, this is the site where Alexander the Great famously conquered the Persian army’s stronghold.

Once famed for its vineyards Shiraz is now the celebrated heartland of Persian culture where echoes of the revered poet Hafez linger amongst the splendid gardens and exquisite mosques that make this town such a pleasure.

In Darab you have the option of a thrilling day out in the Raqez Canyon which involves scrambling, jumping, mountaineering & rappelling your way down 64 waterfalls.

Our final stop in Iran is at the busy port town of Bandar Abbas where day trips to the islands of Hormuz and Qeshm offer nature-lovers walks amongst volcanic landscapes, mangrove forests & golden beaches.

We now say goodbye to our overland truck and catch a ferry from Bandar Abbas to UAE so please be prepared to be flexible during this part of the expedition as shipping schedules are often unreliable.

Please note that the Arabian section of this tour is conducted on a fully equipped air-conditioned coach.

Our first stop in the UAE is Sharjah, a cultural city with a focus on history where you will find UAE’s best museums and art galleries as well as the fabulous Mleiha Archaeological Site proving early humans passed by here on their way to Asia.

Close by we now visit Dubai, a glamorous city where you can take an elevator up Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building), visit palm-shaped islands, wander through city-sized malls and marvel at the engineering wonders within The Museum of the Future.

On our way into Abu Dhabi we first visit the idyllic Jubail Mangrove Park where a meandering boardwalk allows you to learn about the ecological importance of this beautiful sanctuary. Later in the day we visit the impressive Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a triumph of Islamic architecture. The following day is free for you to wander the corniche, marvel at the Emirates Palace and soak up some culture at the world-class Louvre Art Gallery.

We now head inland and visit the quirky Emirates National Auto Museum which houses Sheikh Hamad’s collection of over 200 vehicles including the world’s largest truck.

Our next destination is Liwa Oasis on the fringes of the Rub al Khali Desert (the Empty Quarter) where we find an endless landscape of undulating sand dunes dotted with traditional adobe forts. Here you can climb the Moreeb Dune, the tallest sand dune in the UAE, and enjoy a stunning sunset over a sea of sand. 

Our final stop in UAE is at Al Ain, a laid-back cultural hub set amid date-palm plantations with a selection of UNESCO heritage sites including forts & palaces. Here you will also have the option to visit a bustling camel market and Al-Ain’s famous oasis. We end the day at our hotel set atop Jebel Hafeet, the 2nd highest mountain in the UAE offering fantastic views over the region.

Our first destination in Oman is Ibri where we visit the enormous Sulaif Castle which has been sensitively restored to give you a flavour of life here 600 years ago.

We continue to the Al Ayn Beehive Tombs, a 4000 year old burial site dramatically silhouetted against the backdrop of the towering Jebel Misht mountains.

At Jabreen Castle we have the opportunity to visit one of Oman’s most well preserved castles featuring elaborately painted ceilings and latticed-window courtyards.

The nearby UNESCO listed Bahla Fort is a highlight of this region looming high above the village below and offering a sweeping vista from the battlements.

A steep track now leads us into the dramatic Hajar Mountains where we get a view of Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak, but the real highlight here is Wadi Ghul where we have a few hours to hike the Balcony Walk trail with unsurpassed views over the ‘Grand Canyon of Arabia’.

Back down the mountain we visit Al Hootah Cave, a natural gem in the area featuring stalactites & stalagmites as well as providing a perfect habitat for blind cave fish and bats.

The historic town of Nizwa is best explored at night where the high-walled souq comes alive and the 40m tall fort tower affords us fantastic views over the old town.

A desolate road now leads us south through a gravel desert into the Dhofar province where we visit a grove of ancient Frankincense trees prized for their fragrant sap.

In Salalah you have the chance to relax for a couple of days and enjoy the coconut-fringed beaches of the area where it is not uncommon to see camels on the beach feeding off the lush vegetation.

Rated as one of the best days on the tour we now start our journey north via the dramatic coastal route with highlights including the cascading waters of Wadi Darbat, the enormous sink-hole known as Taiq Cave and the 1000m sheer drop from the Jebel Samhan viewpoint.

Further north we pass by roadside stalactites, historic castles and other-worldly rock gardens before arriving at Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve where you have the option to take a tour of the beach that turtles frequent nightly to lay their eggs.

In the town of Sur we discover its rich heritage in boat building and have the option to take a tour of one of the boatyards where traditional wooden dhows are still built by hand. 

Wadi Shab is considered to be one of Oman’s most scenic destinations and rewards walkers with views of turquoise pools, waterfalls and terraced plantations. The nearby Bimmah sinkhole is also worth a stop giving us the chance to take a dip in an unusual natural feature.

Wedged between mountains and ocean, the delightful city of Muscat is filled with treasures such as the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Mutrah Souq, National Museum and Sultan’s Palace, all well worth exploring.

In the heart of the mountains of the north we now visit Nakhal Fort, an impressive sight with round towers and spiked doors all designed to keep enemies at bay.

Our last drive in Oman takes us into the Rub al Khali, the largest contiguous sand desert in the world known as the Empty Quarter, where we will cross the newly opened (2021) Ramlet Khelah border into Saudi Arabia.

We will spend our first night in Saudi Arabia wild camping in the Rub al Khali Desert amongst the sand dunes that have made this region so naturally dramatic.

After a brief first visit to Saudi we now cross into Qatar where we have 3 days to explore an ancient land steeped in tradition. Fill one of your day’s by exploring the atmospheric Souq Waqif and learn about falconry. Fill another day by visiting Doha’s peerless Museum of Islamic Art and take a trip through time at the National Museum of Qatar housed in a magnificent structure inspired by the desert-rose.

After crossing back into Saudi we now visit the spectacular mushroom-like rock formations, narrow canyons and cool caves of Al-Qarah Hill, the summit of which also offers stupendous views over Al-Ahsa oasis, the world’s largest oasis home to over 3 million palm trees.

Crossing into Bahrain we now have 3 days to explore the famous Manama Souq, learn the history of Bahrain at the National Museum and discover a collection of Qurans dating back to the 7th century at Beit Al Quran.

We return to Saudi for a night of desert camping before continuing along the gulf coast to Kuwait where we have 3 days in Kuwait City to explore highlights such as the Souk Mubarakiya, Grand Mosque, Kuwait Towers, Tareq Rajab Museum and one of the Middle East’s best aquariums at the Scientific Centre.

We now start our journey through Saudi Arabia by first visiting Buraidah, home to the world’s largest camel market where thousands of camels, goats and sheep are traded each morning. This lively market is an attack on the senses and a true Saudi experience!

We continue to the cultural heritage village of Ushaiger, a living museum where we can wander through the maze of twisting alleyways that lead to hundreds of yellow mud houses displaying traditional Najdi architecture.

On our way into Riyadh we stop at the mud-brick ruins of the ancient town of Diriyah, a UNESCO heritage site where the At-Turaif open-air museum showcases quintessential Najdi architecture.

In Riyadh you now have time to explore the highlights of the Saudi capital including the National Museum, Masmak Fortress and Murabba Palace. Those seeking a more adrenaline fuelled activity can take a 180 kph lift up the 99th floor of the Kingdom Tower and brave a walk across the Sky Bridge for unsurpassed views over the city. From Riyadh you also have the option to take a sunset tour of Jebel Fihrayn, otherwise known as The Edge of the World, a dramatic escarpment that rises steeply out of the rocky desert floor offering uninterrupted views of the horizon.

We now travel along the fringes of the Rub al Khali desert to the Asir province in the southeastern part of the country, so named after the local Asir tribe. This is an entirely different face of the Kingdom with the area boasting big mountains and lush vegetation, a huge contrast to the desert landscapes further north.

Our first visit in Asir is to the hanging village of Al Habala which is dramatically perched on the ledge of a sheer cliff. Built nearly 400 years ago by the Qahtan tribe and only accessible by rope ladders, this village is the only one of its kind in the Kingdom.

We continue on to Al Yanfa, a village that sits atop a warren of underground tunnels which resembles something out of a fairytale. Wandering through the labyrinth of low ceilinged tunnels is an experience not to be missed.

In the town of Abha you will have the opportunity to visit the mud-walled Shada Palace, a showpiece of traditional Asir architecture, as well as stroll through the brightly muralled Al Muftaha village to discover the artistic side of town.

In Asir National Park we explore this area of outstanding natural beauty which is home to troops of Hamadryas baboons and incredible views of Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, Mt. Soudah (3000m).

After descending into the valleys we now visit Rijal Almaa, a village displaying dark block-like fortresses elegantly studded with white quartz. The men of the village wear colourful wrap-around skirts and adorn themselves with floral wreaths which give them the nickname ‘Flower Men’.

From our base in Jazan you now have the option to take a ferry to the Farasan Islands, an archipelago made up of more than 80 islands with pristine coral reefs & white sand beaches. Here a day can be enjoyed swimming in the azure waters, wandering through the Al Qassar sandstone village and exploring the historic Pearl Merchants Neighbourhood. 

Continuing north along the coast we now reach the ancient port of Jeddah, the cosmopolitan hub of the country displaying a vibrant mix of new & old. Highlights include a walk along the lively corniche, Al Rahma floating mosque, King Fahd’s fountain, Tayebat City Museum and of course Al Balad, the UNESCO listed historic centre of Jeddah where narrow alleyways lead you to spice-scented souqs, art galleries, quirky cafes & traditional bakeries. Some of the old coral merchants’ houses and mosques have been carefully restored and turned into living museums of which Naseef House and Al Shafee Mosque are two of the finest examples.

We now visit one of Saudi’s most dramatic natural wonders, Al Wahaba crater. At 4km wide & 250m deep this volcanic crater offers you the chance to walk along the rim for outstanding views over the vast hollow with an opaque lake at its centre.

The holy city of Mecca is still off-limits to non-muslims so we continue to the holy city of Medina which seems to be opening up to tourism. The city centre and Prophet’s Mosque have traditionally been off-limits to tourists but this is slowly changing and we use our time here wisely to visit as many of the historic sites as possible.

We continue to AlUla, an area not only famous for its ancient tombs but also for its natural beauty where you have the options to visit the iconic Elephant Rock, the Lion Tombs of Dedan, the Old Town and of course Madain Saleh (Hegra) where we find well-preserved tombs with magnificent facades carved into the sandstone rocks by the Nabataean civilization nearly two thousand years ago. The best part about these sites is that we usually have them all to ourselves!

Our last stop in Saudi is the ancient rock art site of Jubbah. This area was once an oasis where thousands of years ago the Arab ancestors left traces of their passages in numerous petroglyphs in the rock face including representations of humans, lions, ibex, horses, camels and ostrich.

From Jubbah we now continue towards Jordan wild camping in the desert along the way.

Our first destination is Amman, Jordan’s lively capital where it is definitely worth spending a day to explore the Citadel, souqs, mosques & coffee houses that make this city so memorable. The nearby Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash are also worth a few hours of your time.

We now wind our way downhill to the lowest point on earth for a buoyant swim in the very salty Dead Sea.

Our journey now takes us to Petra, one of the new 7 wonders of the world. This ancient rock-hewn city is a magical place with narrow canyons and cavernous tombs where a day is easily spent marvelling at facades with names such as The Treasury, High Place of Sacrifice & Royal Tombs. 

In Wadi Rum we find a desert landscape of melting mountains, deep canyons and rock bridges, all steeped in the history of Lawrence of Arabia. Here you can take an optional jeep excursion to visit Jordan’s quintessential desert.

From the port town of Aqaba we now say goodbye to our coach and take a ferry to Egypt.

Please note that this last section of the tour is conducted on local buses.

Arriving into the Sinai Peninsula our first stop is at the laid-back beach town of Dahab, a hippy hangout and one of the world’s premier dive sites. From here you also have the option to visit St. Katherine’s Monastery and/or climb Mt. Sinai to enjoy sunrise over one of Egypt’s finest landscapes. The summit of this mountain is where it is believed God delivered his ten commandments to Moses.

Our final destination is Cairo where we end our tour close to Egypt’s 2 most iconic sites, the Sphinx & Pyramids of Giza. A trip to the Cairo Museum is also a must-do and houses over 100 000 ancient artefacts including the golden treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamen, a majestic ending to an incredible overland journey across Asia & Arabia!

On the final evening of the tour in Cairo you will have the option to attend a farewell dinner to say goodbye to your crew and fellow travellers.

The tour ends in Cairo after breakfast on the last day of the tour so you can make your onward travel arrangements from here.

Before the start of this tour our truck travels through Tibet, China, the 5 Stans, the Caucasus & Turkey so you are able to add on any of those places to this tour should you wish to. 

We are happy to create a bespoke itinerary and price for you so please feel free to contact us to discuss all options.

If you can’t do the whole tour you are welcome to do a shorter section of your choice so please get in touch and we will be happy to work out a bespoke itinerary & reduced price for you.

HOW TO BOOK

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by Bank Transfer, Paypal, Wise or Credit/Debit Card. 

Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your expedition preparations.

EXPEDITION PAYMENT

The Expedition Payment of £6732 is the main bulk payment for your expedition and is payable in the UK in GBP (£ Sterling). In order to reserve a place on this expedition you must pay a £300 deposit. Eight months prior to departure a further payment of £3000 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Expedition Payment £3432 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the expedition start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the departure date a deposit of £3300 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the departure date the full Expedition Payment of £6732 should be paid upon booking.

The Expedition Payment can be paid by Bank Transfer, Paypal, Wise or Credit/Debit Card.

Bank Details for Direct Transfers

Please use your full name as a reference when paying by direct transfer.

Bank: HSBC

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Paypal

Please use your full name as a reference when paying by Paypal.

Paypal account name: info@madventure.co.uk

Don’t have a Paypal account? Create one now – www.paypal.com 

Wise

Please use your full name as a reference when paying by Wise.

Wise offers a cheap & fast international money transfer service where you can choose to make a payment using either your bank account or credit/debit card.

Don’t have a Wise account? Create one now – www.wise.com

Credit/Debit Card Payments

Call us on +44 7712 225 438 in order to make a Credit/Debit Card payment over the phone.

LOCAL PAYMENT

This is a cash payment of USD $4500 that must be paid to your expedition leader at the beginning of your trip and will be used to pay for all expenses while you are on the road.

Please bear in mind that this is not a kitty and is not refundable. The local payment is simply a way for us to get cash to the expedition leaders so they can run the trip.

Please bring your local payment in new unmarked $100 bills if possible.

Although all local payment amounts are advertised in USD you can bring the equivalent amount in either EUROS or GBP.

INCLUDED

• Services of your expedition leader & driver
• Transportation in custom-built Madventure overland truck, private air-conditioned coach, jeeps, local buses & boats, plus use of all equipment
• Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle
• Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group)
• 160 breakfasts, 22 evening meals
• All accommodation costs (85% hotels, guest houses & hostels, 15% wild camping)
• National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

 NOT INCLUDED

• Personal travel insurance
• Personal spending money (£120 – £150 per week recommended)
• Visas (approximately £750 depending on nationality)
• Lunches & evening meals when in hotels
• Lunches when camping
• Accommodation upgrades
• Entrance fees to optional sites & national parks
• Any optional activities & excursions
• International & domestic flights (no domestic flights expected during tour)
• Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag & pillow
• Tips (USD $200 per crew member recommended)

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only.

NEPAL

Mt Everest flight £110

2 day Annapurna Mountains trek £150

Paragliding, Pokhara £100

1 day rafting trip, Pokhara £30

Elephant safari, Chitwan NP £30

Walking safari, Chitwan NP £10

BHUTAN

Tiger’s Nest Monastery £6

Dordenma Buddha Free

Punakha Dzong Free

BANGLADESH

Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal Free

Ratargul swamp forest tour £20

Lalbagh Fort £2

Ahsan Manzil Palace £5

2 night/3 day Sundarbans NP boat tour £150

INDIA

Gangtok Zoo £3

Victoria Memorial £3

Belur Math Free

South Park Street Cemetery Free

Bodhgaya sites Free

Varanasi sunrise boat tour £5

Bara & Chota Imambara combined ticket £6

Taj Mahal £15

India Gate Free

Humayun’s Tomb £5

River Lotus Temple Free

Outb’minar (Stone Tower) £5

Nek Chand’s Rock Garden £1

Golden Temple Free

PAKISTAN

Lahore Fort £1

Lahore museum £2

Badshahi Mosque £1

Rohtas Fort £3

Truck workshop Free

Dudipat day hike guide fee £10

Nanga Parbat base camp hike guide fee £25

Herrligkoffer base camp hike guide fee £15

Shigar Fort £1

Kharpocho Fort £1

Altit Fort £3

Baltit Fort £3

Duiker Hunza Valley sunset trip £10

Taxila £1

IRAN

Bam mud brick city £3

Kaluts half day tour £30

Yazd city tour £7

Isfahan city tour £7

Persepolis ruins £4

Persepolis museum £4

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Mleiha Archaeological Site £6

Sharjah museum £3

Burj Khalifa entry & elevator to viewing platform £50

Jubail Mangrove Park £4

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Free

Louvre Art Gallery Abu Dhabi £13

Emirates National Auto Museum £12

Al Ain fort Free

Al Ain Palace museum Free

Al Ain camel market £8

OMAN

Sulaif Castle Free

Al Ayn Beehive Tombs Free

Jabreen Castle £7

Bahla Fort £1

Wadi Ghul Balcony Walk Free

Al Hootah Cave £16

Nizwa Fort £11

Frankincense grove Free

Wadi Darbat Free

Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve £17

Sur dhow boat building yard £2

Wadi Shab ferry £2

Sultan Qaboos Mosque Free

National museum £10

Nakhal Fort £3

QATAR

Souq Waqif Free

Museum of Islamic Art Free

National Museum of Qatar £11

BAHRAIN

National museum £2

Beit Al Quran Free

KUWAIT

Grand Mosque Free

Kuwait Towers £1

Tareq Rajab Museum £1

Scientific Centre & Aquarium £20

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Qarah Hill £11

Buraidah camel market Free

Ushaiger Heritage Village Free

Edge of the World £70

At-Turaif open-air museum £12

Riyadh National Museum £2

Masmak Fortress Free

Murabba Palace £2

Kingdom Tower elevator to viewing platform £15

Al Habala village Free

Al Yanfa village Free

Mt Soudah Free

Rijal Almaa £5

Farasan Islands return ferry Free

Al Balad old town Free

Wahaba Crater Free

Medina hop-on hop-off bus £18

Elephant Rock, AlUla Free

Lion Tombs of Dedan, AlUla £14

Old Town, AlUla £16

Madain Saleh, AlUla £22

Jubbah Rock Art Free

JORDAN

Amman Citadel £3

Roman Theatre £2

Jerash £10

Petra £60

Wadi Rum £6

Wadi Rum jeep tour £15

EGYPT

Scuba in Dahab (per dive) £25

Mt Sinai day trip £30

Cairo Museum £10

Pyramids & Sphinx £12

From Nepal to the UAE we will mostly be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle. The section through Arabia is mostly conducted in a private air-conditioned coach. Some of the time we will be travelling in local jeeps, buses & boats.

The overland vehicle we use from Nepal to the UAE is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people.

The private air-conditioned coach that we use through Arabia can accommodate up to 52 passengers although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board our overland truck.

We usually carry at least 200 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots, pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. for when we prepare meals on the vehicle.

Our overland truck for the Asia section of the tour is equipped with a small fridge which is used for lunch or dinner food only when we have to prepare a meal on the truck. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Our coach for the Arabia section of the tour is equipped with cooler boxes which are primarily used for the cook group’s breakfast & dinner food. Personal fresh food & cold drinks can be bought regularly at service station stops throughout the day so we do not provide cooler boxes for personal items.

Fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet & head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels we stay at.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we recommend you bring your own for general use.

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being. When staying in hotels, guest-houses & hostels we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. In the evenings after you are checked into the hotel you are free to choose where you want to eat. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive.

When we are camping we usually eat breakfast and the evening meal from the truck. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the truck when we are in remote areas.

Please note that there is no camping until we reach the UAE so there will not be many times we eat on the truck until then.

When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will shop for and prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on group size).

Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do also cater for vegetarians but we cannot cater for fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater for individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Our overland truck for the Asia section of the tour is equipped with a small fridge which is used for lunch or dinner food only when we have to prepare a meal on the truck. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Our coach for the Arabia section of the tour is equipped with cooler boxes which are primarily used for the cook group’s breakfast & dinner food. Personal fresh food & cold drinks can be bought regularly at service station stops throughout the day so we do not provide cooler boxes for personal items.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

You will spend 85% of your time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses, hostels & boats. The other 15% of the time you will be in your tent wild camping.

Please note that on this tour there is no camping until we reach the UAE.

We always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses & hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get – good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses & hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes.

There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

On this tour when we camp we will be wild camping by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert as campgrounds generally don’t exist in Arabia. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

1. Your contract is with Madventure Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 6809461) whose office is at 10 Ablett Close, Oxford, OX4 1XH, United Kingdom.

2. A deposit of £300 is payable at the time of booking. The deposit is non-refundable unless Madventure is unable to offer you a place or you cancel within 14 days of the initial booking date. Madventure guarantees not to increase the tour price once the deposit has been received.

3. A booking is made in the name of the client and is not transferable to another person. You are only permitted to transfer your deposit once to a future tour, after that a further £300 non-refundable deposit will be required to book another tour. Please note that you will be affected if you have transferred and there is a price increase as you will have to pay the current tour price at the time that the tour balance payment is due.

4. Eight months prior to departure a further payment must be received to cover 50% of the total tour price in order to secure your booking. This payment is non-refundable unless we can not provide the tour. The final 50% balance of your tour payment must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date at which time the tour will be confirmed to run. Once the tour is confirmed to run you will not receive any refunds of any monies paid. If the full payment is not received 4 months prior to departure Madventure may deem the booking cancelled and all monies paid will be forfeited. If you book within the 4 to 8 month period prior to departure a non-refundable 50% deposit of the total tour price should be paid upon booking. If you book within the 4 month period prior to departure the full non-refundable 100% tour payment must be paid upon booking.

5.  Cancellation of a booking must be notified in writing and when received by Madventure any monies paid will be forfeited. You acknowledge that payment for the tour is an intrinsic part of the tour’s income and contributes towards the overall costs of equipment, vehicle running costs, staff administration, travel permits, etc. and Madventure will have incurred a large part of its costs before the actual departure date. You will not receive a refund of any amount after the tour has been confirmed to run (which will usually happen no later than 4 months prior to the tour departing). We therefore recommend you take out your travel insurance from the date you make your final tour balance payment, 4 months prior to departure, so you are insured if you have to withdraw off the tour. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

6. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your tour, but we do plan all tours many months in advance. Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. We also reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your tour. For example, if the minimum number of clients required for a particular tour is not reached, we may have to cancel it. However, we will not cancel your tour less than 4 months before your departure date (except for reasons of Force Majeure). If we are unable to provide the tour for any reason you can either have a full refund of all monies paid within 14 working days of the tour being cancelled or accept an offer of an alternative tour of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value).  In the event of the tour being cancelled prior to departure, all monies paid by you towards the tour cost only will be refunded. In the event of a cancellation Madventure is not responsible for reimbursing equipment, flights, visa costs, vaccinations, medication, etc. purchased by yourself so we therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance to ensure these types of expenses are covered under the terms of your insurance policy as you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

7. In the unlikely event of a Force Majeure situation that forces us to cancel the tour within 4 months of the planned departure date because of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, you can either have a full refund of all monies paid within 14 working days of the tour being cancelled or accept an offer of an alternative tour of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). In the unlikely event of a Force Majeure situation that forces us to cancel or change the tour while it is underway because of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control we will not refund you or pay you compensation, so we therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for the tour cancellation while underway is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company. Force Majeure situations can include, for example, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics, pandemics, health risks, closed or congested airports, ports or stations, poor local infrastructure, changes imposed by rescheduling or cancellation of transport by the transport supplier such as flights by airlines or main charterer, the alteration of transport or transport types, adverse weather conditions (actual or threatened), avalanche and technical failure with transport, Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice changing and advising against travel to the tour destination.

8. If you choose to leave the tour for any reason on your own accord once the tour is underway you will not receive any compensation from Madventure including any refunds of the tour payment and/or the local payment. We therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for your departure is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

9. We reserve the right at any time prior to the departure date, without prior consultation with yourself, to merge your tour with one or more other tours travelling at the same time. This will not constitute a major change and would usually just mean swapping vehicles.

10. The tour payment and local payment cover transport, accommodation, some related ferry and train tickets, meals and national park entry fees as specified on the website, repair of our expedition vehicle as well as repair and replacement of camping equipment including stools, cooking equipment & utensils.

11. The tour leader has sole responsibility for the local payment. Any local payment monies or stock remaining at the tour end are non-refundable.

12. You undertake to comply with the laws and regulations, whether in respect of health, immigration, currency exchange control, dress or any other matter of all the countries visited during the tour.

13. You undertake to obtain a valid passport and have enough blank pages in the passport for the tour and your specific passport and visa requirements. Immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. We do not accept any responsibility and shall not be liable if you cannot travel or cannot participate in any part of the tour because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. You are responsible for obtaining and having available the necessary documents (including but not limited to full, current passport with enough blank pages to complete the trip and valid for at least 9 months from the last day of the tour and visas for all periods, countries and territories within the tour) enabling you to participate in the tour and shall comply with all local legislation and regulations of the countries in which the tour takes place (including immigration requirements, customs regulations and currency exchange). You shall indemnify us against any loss or expense that we may incur or suffer as a result of breach of this condition by you.  We cannot guarantee visa prices and availability of visas. Ultimately visas are your own responsibility to obtain.

14. Madventure reserves the right to deviate from the advertised tour route if in their reasonable opinion such deviation is necessary for the safety or well-being of any or any one of the members of the tour or for the satisfactory progress of the tour. In the event of it becoming necessary to fly over a country or countries in order to satisfactorily and safely continue the tour, all costs of your flights will be borne by yourself.

15. Madventure accepts no responsibility for matters arising out of political disputes, border closures, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, climate, armed robbery, terrorism, etc. Should it become necessary to abandon a tour because of such an event Madventure will be entitled to retain all monies paid. We therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

16. You accept that owing to the nature of countries visited, all tours involve an element of personal risk and are of a potentially hazardous and unpredictable nature. In many countries we visit, the basic infrastructure, such as roads, is very poor and therefore less safe than that familiar to people from many western countries. In particular, lack of road markings or warning signs, unmarked speed bumps, seasonal flooding of roads and bridges, local vehicles which are poorly maintained and driven and which are hazardous to other road users etc. are factors beyond the control of Madventure. You accept that in some areas we drive off-road and that this involves personal risk when the expedition vehicle can be negotiating rough terrain. Madventure owns and operates many of its own expedition vehicles and employs its own crew. Where stated, locally arranged transport and crew, including trains, ferries, buses or coaches are used. Where Madventure’s own vehicles and/or crew are not used for the above services, you agree that the obligation of Madventure to yourself is to select normally competent, independent subcontractors to provide the necessary services related to the tour and to exercise reasonable care in selecting such suppliers to provide these. You also accept that you undertake this tour at your own risk and your participation is your own decision and does not form any part of your contract with Madventure. Madventure does not take responsibility for cancellations, unreliability of services or safety of operators, agents or contractors.

17. You accept that local emergency facilities are usually of a very limited nature. Hospitals outside of large cities often have no accident and emergency facilities and emergency transport facilities can be non-existent.

18. If you have a problem during your trip please inform the tour leader immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If your complaint is not resolved locally please follow this up by emailing or writing to our office giving all other relevant information and, where possible, evidence. We must receive any such complaint no later than 28 days from the date of completion of your tour in order to take appropriate action. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. This will assist us to quickly identify your concerns and speed up our response to you.

19. We do not accept any liability or responsibility for any personal possessions (including but not limited to cameras, jewellery, valuables and money) which is carried on or in our vehicles, carried on public transport or transport supplied by independent subcontractors, left in accommodation provided by us or our suppliers during a trip or left in our care during a tour. Such items are carried and/or left at your own risk.

20. Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on our tour are not part of your tour arrangements provided by us. For any excursion or other tour that you book your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator. You accept that the prices quoted for optional activities are approximate as local prices can and do change. Any of the optional activities listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by Madventure. You also accept that you undertake any activity at your own risk and your participation is your own decision and does not form any part of your contract with Madventure. Madventure does not take responsibility for cancellations, unreliability of services or safety of operators, agents or contractors.

21. Whilst a tour is in progress you will at all times be expected to act in accordance with all reasonable instructions from us and/or the tour leader. We may exclude you from the tour or any part thereof at any time (including during the tour itself) if we are of the opinion that you are likely to prejudice the good order, discipline or safety of the tour, including as a result of failing to comply with the tour leader’s instructions, breaking any law or regulation of any country where the tour takes place or failing to adhere to the tour code of conduct, provided that we exercise our discretion reasonably in this regard. In such an event you shall reimburse to us any reasonable costs, losses or expenses which we incur or suffer as a result of our decision to exclude you from the tour, and Madventure shall cease to have any responsibility to/for you. No refund will be given for any unused services.

22. By completing the booking form you confirm that you appreciate the risks involved in the tour and that you do not suffer (or have ever suffered) from any pre-existing medical condition that may prevent you from actively participating in the tour other than those that have been declared to us. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically fit enough to undertake the tour and to ensure that you have received the necessary vaccinations and medications (and taken them as prescribed by your doctor) relevant to the destination country. Unless informed otherwise in writing we will assume that you are in good health and are not aware of any reason why you may be unsuitable to take part in the tour. We recommend that you consult your doctor before making a booking to ensure that you are medically fit and are fully aware regarding the immunizations and medical issues related to your destination countries. If you have any pre-existing medical condition, illness or disability, are undergoing medical treatment or, since entering into the contract, develop any medical condition, illness or disability or undergo any medical treatment; you will give us full particulars at the earliest opportunity and at the latest sixty (60) days before the departure date. If it is later discovered that a pre-existing condition was not declared within the specified time, and such condition would, if we had knowledge of it, have led to our refusal to accept or to cancel your booking, we reserve the right to withdraw you from the trip without any refund or recompense. In such an event, you shall reimburse to us any reasonable costs, losses or expenses which we incur or suffer as a result. In the event of you being withdrawn from a tour, no refunds will be given and we will not be responsible for (and you agree to indemnify us against) any costs, claims, losses and expenses arising including costs of repatriation, eg. flights and legal expenses. By agreeing to these conditions, you provide your consent to us and our insurers obtaining your medical records should we consider it necessary. You will be responsible for any charges for the provision of the information. We reserve the right to inspect your vaccination book at any time and to withdraw you from the tour in the event that you have not received and/or taken all the requisite inoculations and/or medication. If the information provided by you is incorrect and we discover that the correct information affects your suitability to take part in the tour, we may terminate the contract and withdraw you from the tour without refund or recompense, including during the trip. You agree and acknowledge that certain activities undertaken whilst you are on the tour may be inherently hazardous and have risks associated with them. You agree to abide by all instructions given to you whilst you are on the tour and you acknowledge that we cannot be held responsible for any injuries that may arise as a result of you failing to comply with such instructions.

23. You must be covered by personal travel insurance to undertake any Madventure tour. We recommend you take out a travel insurance policy that covers you fully against the cost of tour cancellation by you or by Force Majeure, medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue and above all covers you against the cost of air evacuation should sickness or injury necessitate such a course of action. You should also note that passenger liability insurance covering vehicles, particularly in third world countries, may be inadequate. It is therefore important that your travel insurance cover makes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. Please note however that we have no control over the availability or standard of medical and repatriation services and facilities in the areas we visit and these do not form any part of our contract with you. Please remember that many of the areas we visit are not as developed as the UK and the availability and standard of such services may well be lower. Please read your travel insurance policy details carefully and take them with you when you travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We do not check individual insurance policies for suitability.

24. It is understood that on the Madventure tours where we use our own expedition vehicles the sections of the tour that travel through Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico are provided to you free of charge. You will not have to pay any additional fee to travel through Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico with us but it is understood that we do not operate for hire and reward in these areas. We do this purely as a legality in order to operate our specialised overland vehicle in these areas legally.

25. Privacy & Data Protection – we shall ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect your personal data (as defined in the European GDPR act 2018 and the UK Data Protection Act 2018) and we do not store our customers financial details. When you make a booking, you do however consent to all the information you provide being passed on to our suppliers, agents, subcontractors, employees or volunteers whether based inside or outside of Europe for the purposes of us providing you with the tour.

26. By agreeing to these terms and conditions you consent (unless otherwise stated on your application form) to our staff taking photographs and or video footage of you during the tour and that these images may be used by us for publicity and training purposes including, but not limited to, brochures, websites, marketing material and in the media.

27. We shall be entitled to novate or assign the contract or any part of it to any third party. You shall not be entitled to assign the contract or any part of it. This contract is made on the terms of these conditions, which are governed by English law, and subject to the provisions of condition you agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. If any of these conditions is found by any court or other competent authority to be wholly or partly unfair or unenforceable the validity of the rest of the booking conditions and the rest of the condition in question shall not be affected and shall remain valid and enforceable to the extent permitted by law. A reference in these conditions to a statute, convention or regulation shall be as a reference to that statute convention or regulation as amended, re-enacted or extended at the relevant time. The headings in these conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation. Where the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular meaning shall include the plural meaning and vice versa and words denoting the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders. Where the context so admits, words denoting persons shall include natural persons, companies, corporations, firms, partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint trips, trusts, voluntary associations and other incorporated and/or unincorporated bodies or other entities (in each case, whether or not having separate legal personality) and all such words shall be construed interchangeably in that manner.

28. The information given on the website, on social media, in newsletters, in the brochure and other literature supplied is given in good faith but no warranty is given that it is correct.

29. No servant, agent or authorised representative of Madventure has authority to commit Madventure to any liability whatsoever and Madventure will not be bound by any statement or representation unless it is in writing and signed by one of the directors.

30. ABTA – We are members of ABTA, membership no. Y6801. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com

31. Financial Protection – In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018, Directive (EU) 2015/2302 or the local applicable law in the country of residence of the passenger(s) booking with Madventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Madventure Ltd.

The respective laws according to the country of residence of the passenger(s) usually only requires us to provide cover for Package & Linked Travel Arrangements, there is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided unless the local law requires such. If you have questions on this then please contact Madventure Ltd.

Madventure Ltd has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE’s registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Madventure Ltd.

In the event of our insolvency please make contact as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting the name of your Travel Operator:

For UK & Worldwide excluding EU Passengers

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +44 (0) 345 266 1872

Email: Insolvency-claims@ipplondon.co.uk

or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

For EU Passengers

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +31 103120666

Email: ippclaims@nl.sedgwick.com

or online at https://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

PERSONAL BUDGET

We recommend a budget of £120 – £150 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunches, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £750 for your visas, security clearances and letters of invitation.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying things like silk carpets you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend you bring 1/3 of your money in cash US Dollars and the rest of your money on your credit/debit card. 

They generally accept all major currencies for exchange but US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATM’s are widely available for you to draw local currency using your credit/debit card.

To keep your money/credit cards/ipad/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to the vehicle when travelling and also attached to the toilet/bed/closet in your hotel room when off the vehicle.

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only. Madventure is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

We recommend you obtain the following visas in your passport before departure – India & Bangladesh.

Nepal, Bhutan, Jordan & Egypt visas can be obtained on arrival. 

Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain & Kuwait visas can be obtained online.

Iran has a system whereby you need to apply for an Authorisation Code prior to applying for the actual visa. Our agent in Iran can apply for the code for you for a fee but please be aware that currently American, Canadian & British citizens are rarely being issued Authorisation Codes so it is unlikely that they will get a visa. Other nationalities should not have a problem getting the code so those people will apply for the Iran visa once we are in Lahore or Islamabad.

You can either obtain visas yourself or use the services of a visa agency.

Approximately 3 months prior to departure you will be sent the information required in order to apply for your visas and complete your application forms(there are often time restrictions on visas so you can not apply earlier). We recommend that you make your passport available 2 months before departure in order to obtain your visas comfortably.

Budget approximately £750 for all your visas and letters of invitation.

Please ensure you have 14 free pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and ensure your passport is valid for at least 13 months after your departure date.

You will need approximately 8 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

You will need a digital colour copy of your passport, a digital colour passport photograph and a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate with QR code (all 5 – 100 Kb in size) downloaded onto your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for your visas.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations, malaria and other general medical advice for all the countries we will be visiting and they also administer vaccinations at their Travel Clinics in various locations in the UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local health professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting with the approximate dates when you will be there.

An up to date Covid 19 vaccination certificate displaying a valid QR code must be brought with you as it will be required to enter all countries on this trip. Please also have a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for your visas and to show health officials at borders.

An up to date Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate should be brought with you as it is sometimes required to enter certain countries on this tour.

MEDICALLY FIT & ABLE

You need to be in good general health for this expedition and be reasonably fit & able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the vehicle, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travellers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travellers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

FIRST AID KIT

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Tent: A good quality lightweight and compact waterproof free standing tent is recommended for this expedition. A removable fly-sheet will help you stay cool on warm dry nights. If you are travelling on your own you are restricted to a 1-2 man sized tent. If you are sharing a tent, you are restricted to a 2-3 man sized tent.

Sleeping bag: It can get cold on this tour so we recommend a good quality 4 season sleeping bag with a ‘Mummy Hood’. Please make sure that your sleeping bag has a ‘crush bag’ so it can be compacted down.

Sleeping bag liner: A Thermal Fleece or Silk Liner will bring your sleeping bag up a season when it’s cold and they are good to use on their own when it’s too hot for your sleeping bag.

Roll Mat: A compact inflatable Thermarest roll mat is recommended. A non-compact mat will not be permitted as they take up too much room.

Pillow: If you do wish to take a pillow (although most just bring a pillow case and stuff their fleece in it at night) then Thermarest makes a good stuff pillow that compacts down small.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase: We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 litre volume. 

Day bag: You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 litre volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack or under your seat on the vehicle with you.

Pacsafe: In order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to a fixed part on the back of the vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed item in your hotel room. 

Headtorch: An invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps. 

Water purifier: Quite a handy thing to have to purify contaminated water and avoid stomach bugs. Check out the range of Lifestraw products.

Kindle: Optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in one place.

Ipad/Tablet: Not a necessity but many places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will save you hanging around internet cafes.

Smartphone: This is a necessity on this tour as you need covid apps on your phone to be able to enter most sites, restaurants, supermarkets, etc. A smartphone is also very convenient for emailing, taking photos, mapping and calling home using local sim cards.

Camera: Completely up to you but most people bring one.

Toiletries: Available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Sunblock: Minimum SPF 15 recommended.

Towel: A microfibre travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

Sunglasses: Polarised lenses offer great protection.

First aid kit: Only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport photos: You will need approximately 8 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

Digital passport photo: You will need a digital colour passport photograph (5 – 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for your visas.

Digital passport copy: You will need a digital colour copy of your passport (5 – 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for your visas.

Digital Covid 19 vaccination certificate: You will need a digital colour copy of your Covid 19 vaccination certificate with QR code (5 – 100 Kb in size) downloaded to your phone/tablet/laptop in order to apply for your visas.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: An up to date Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is sometimes required to enter certain countries.

Passport: Please ensure you have 14 blank pages in your passport to accommodate all the visas & stamps required on this tour. and ensure your passport is valid for at least 8 months after your departure date.

Clothes & shoes: 

1 x flip flops

1 x walking shoes, trainers or boots

4 x socks

4 x underwear

1 x thermal underwear

1 x thermal gloves

4 x t-shirts

1 x lightweight long sleeve top

1 x fleece top or fleece jacket

2 x zip-off  trousers which can be worn long or short

1 x ‘abaya’ for the ladies

1 x thermal beanie or woolly hat

1 x headscarf for the ladies

1 x baseball cap

1 x swimming trunks/bikini

In general all the countries we visit on this expedition are very friendly and hassle-free destinations. If we all respect local traditions, culture & religion we will have an unforgettable experience in some of the most welcoming regions of the world. Below is some information about dress code and cultural awareness that will help you stay safe and feel comfortable during this tour.

As a female tourist in Iran you are expected to wear a headscarf, wear long trousers and wear a long loose shirt that covers your arms and hangs down to mid-thigh level. 

As a male tourist in Iran you are expected to wear long trousers and a shirt.

Arabia was once a conservative Islamic area but over the last few decades change has swept through the gulf countries and people are now much more free to wear western style clothing.

Females no longer need to wear headscarves (hijab) and the traditional ‘abaya’ if they don’t want to. These days it is not uncommon to see women wearing jeans and t-shirts however we still recommend that our female travellers err on the side of caution and have a headscarf handy along with a long loose shirt that covers their arms and hangs down to mid-thigh level. Women will need that to get into many of the religious sites too.

Males no longer need to wear long trousers or the traditional Arabian attire if they don’t want to either and many younger men are seen wearing shorts & t-shirts during the day. We still recommend men err on the side of caution and wear long trousers as that will also ensure you get access to all the sites we visit.

Alcohol is illegal in Iran & Saudi Arabia and they enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession so don’t be fooled into thinking you can sneak a couple of bottles of wine into these countries because you could get yourself into serious trouble. If you are offered alcohol in Iran or Saudi Arabia please do not accept as you not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group.

Public displays of affection in Pakistan, Iran & Arabia are uncommon and it would also be deemed unusual to shake a woman’s hand when meeting her.

Please note that the section of the trip from Kathmandu to Dubai in 2023 is exploratory so although we have done certain parts of that route before we have not done all of that route before, so be aware that there may be minor changes to the tour whilst en-route.

As our expeditions are not your average run of the mill overland tours we would like to go through every aspect of the trip with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. At Madventure we believe in giving you the nitty-gritty details as well as the obvious highlights, as in our opinion these are just as important. If after reading this, you decide that this expedition is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel your booking and receive a full refund of your deposit. 

The following may sound a little negative at times but it’s just so we are secure in the knowledge that we have provided you with as much information as possible for the benefit of you, us and your fellow expedition members. There is nothing worse than booking on the trip when it is not what you wanted or expected, our expeditions are too long and too full on. You need to know what you are in for and be able to handle it!

Weather: At the time of year we run our Kathmandu to Cairo Overland tour it can get quite hot during the day and it can get very cold at night so be prepared for all the elements and you will be comfortable.

Altitude:  We travel up to 5500 metres high on this tour so if you suffer from altitude sickness be prepared for it and have altitude-sickness tablets with you.

Hygiene: As wonderful as Asia & Arabia are some places do not have a western infrastructure and their acceptable level of hygiene standards may be very different to ours, so be prepared to use squat toilets and accept that things may not be as clean as they are back home.

You must also maintain your own personal hygiene and ensure that you and your clothes are washed regularly. If anyone stinks or is noticeably unclean the tour leader will have a word with that person to ensure a decent level of personal hygiene is maintained by everyone aboard the vehicle.

Group diversity: We have no restrictions when it comes to age, gender or nationality and if there is one thing we have come to realise it is that the more that is in the mix the better.

Mucking in: This is a full participation expedition so you need to be able to participate fully in all aspects of the trip including cooking, cleaning, carrying water, collecting firewood, digging your vehicle out of sand & bogs, pitching your own tent, etc.

We get everyone to agree that you are medically fit and able and can physically participate fully in all aspects required. Don’t worry, you don’t need any prior experience and you don’t need to be super fit, just be happy to do your share and have a willingness to get stuck in when necessary.

When things go wrong: The only thing we can guarantee is that at some point things will not go according to plan! We have to follow the legislation of each individual country and they all have different regulations which can sometimes slow us down. It is however usually obstacles such as bad roads, border closures, breakdowns and natural disasters that have a bearing on the expedition. Expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time.

These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not!

Attitude & group living: A good, easy-going attitude will help you get through this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travellers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to an expedition such as this is your common ‘moaner’. It has nothing to do with age, gender or nationality, the reality is they signed up for this expedition ‘in theory’ they can not cope ‘in practice’ and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. It sounds a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them and ensure your expedition is as good as it can be. It’s hard enough at the best of times without in-house problems so by ensuring everyone is on the same page from the start will put us in good stead.

Laziness and selfishness will also be spotted early on so we advise everyone to pull their weight. We can guarantee that at some stage during the expedition you will have to just fit in and go with the flow when it’s not what you personally wanted to do. When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the majority of the group, not the individual.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the group or the crew grief due to their behaviour they will be warned and then asked to leave the expedition if nothing improves. No refund will be given if this happens. This is obviously the most extreme situation but we will not let one or two selfish lazy individuals spoil the tour for everyone else. 

Usually everybody who joins our expeditions has a relaxed approach to life and gets on well with other people. Aggressive antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated. This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

Drive times, routes & proposed itineraries: This trip is designed to allow plenty of free time in all the places of interest but we are driving a fair distance across Asia & Arabia in 161 days so yes, there are going to be a lot of drive days and some of them will be long. This is where you have to be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

Generally on a drive day we leave in the morning around 7 – 8 AM (after breakfast) and arrive at our destination before dusk in daylight, but this really depends on the distance between destinations and the road conditions.

Sometimes it will be a full day’s drive between destinations and you’ll have the following day or two free. On rare occasions it may be 2 or 3 drive days in a row where you’ll leave early, stop overnight at a wild camp or hotel and then continue early again the next morning. Areas like the Rub al Khali Desert can be remote and the pleasure is in the scenery. Sometimes however it’s only a few hours drive between destinations.

Our proposed itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. If a border closes unexpectedly then we have to try and find a safe alternative route which may not be to everyone’s liking. In the worst case scenario we may get stuck with no way forward and at that point we would have to decide whether to fly over the obstacle and continue on local transport or abandon the trip. We have never had to abandon any trip before but we want you to be aware of the worst case scenario.

Please note that we may be placed under military or police escort when travelling through troubled areas. This sometimes happens in Pakistan on this tour. If this does occur then we follow their directions and they make the decisions with regard to driving hours and routes. We do not argue with those who are trusted to ensure our safety, so please be aware that if this happens the pace may be faster or slower than we would personally choose and the route they pick will be the one we follow, regardless of our proposed itinerary.

Delays: We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but if we experience any delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly. If we experience any major delays our end date can 

The proposed itinerary is just that, ‘proposed’, and can and will change at the crew’s discretion if need be.

Drugs & alcohol: Please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries we visit on this trip and they enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession.

If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs on this tour, regardless of the amount, you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to, so please respect your fellow tour members and remember, Saudi Arabia enforces the death penalty if you are caught in possession of hard drugs!

Please also note that alcohol is banned in Iran & Saudi Arabia so please never buy or carry alcohol on the vehicle while we are in Iran or Saudi. If you are caught buying or carrying alcohol on the vehicle in Iran or Saudi you will be asked to leave the tour and no refund will be given.

Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.

Your Crew: On this tour you will have 1 driver and 1 tour leader. On some expeditions we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media accounts.

Your driver will be responsible for driving & maintaining the expedition vehicle.

Your tour leader will be responsible for setting the itinerary, booking accommodation, arranging group travel permits, organising border crossings, ensuring the food & hygiene is to a high standard and generally ensuring the smooth running of the expedition. 

Your crew members are not tour guides and will not be giving you the history and facts of every country you travel through. Apart from the odd optional extra that needs to be organised in advance, we leave most of that stuff to you guys, this way ensuring you get to do what you want, at the price you are happy to pay.

You do the reading up on the places we are going to in advance and decide how you want to spend your time and what activities you want to do. Apart from some basic rules this is not a trip where we hold your hand, it’s an expedition and we expect that you will want to be as independent as possible when it comes to your free time.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Madventure and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this expedition before. They will however have detailed notes from previous expeditions and backup from our office in the UK.

Tipping: Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated. As this is a fairly long expedition we recommend you tip your driver and tour leader a minimum of $200 each if you are happy with their service. Thank you.