EPIC TRIPS FOR 18 TO 30 SOMETHINGS
EXPLORE JAPAN, THAILAND, BALI, CHINA, VIETNAM, LAOS, CAMBODIA AND MORE
WE ARE TOPDECK.
A COLLECTIVE OF EXPLORERS WHO ARE DEVOTED TO TRAVEL, WE STRIVE TO OPEN MINDS, SHIFT PERSPECTIVES, LEARN NEW THINGS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OUR PASSION IS TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE-CHANGING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES. OUR BUSINESS IS TO MAKE TRAVEL DREAMS A REALITY.
We know what works. And we’re not afraid to shout about it.
We refuse to sacrifice quality, independence and freedom, and believe solo adventures should go hand in hand with unforgettable moments with like-minded travellers.
We offer variety, comfort and value for money, and promise a hassle-free holiday, loaded with authentic local experiences.
We are lively, curious, knowledgeable and dedicated; driven by the desire to laugh and have fun. We build the trips. You build the memories.
ARE YOU READY TO DISCOVER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A #TOPDECKER? LET’S GO.
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13 AWESOME TRIPS IN Asia
27 DAY ASIAN FUSION
With 27 days to check out bucket list musts across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, this is the ultimate Asian adventure. Expect colourful food, ancient temples, breathtaking sunrises, local encounters and more on this journey through Southeast Asia. P. 36
LAOS
CHIANG RAI
THAILAND
CHINA
7 DAY THAI ISLANDS SAMUI SUNSETS
With endless beaches, muay thai and coconuts for days, Thailand is where it’s at. Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao will bring the sunrise/sunset action. Plus: the best pad thai, an optional full day Angthong Island tour and 1,000 chances to work on that tan. Winning! P. 22
VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER
HALONG BAY
SIEM REAP
CAMBODIA
VIETNAM
HANOI
VANG VIENG
BANGKOK
HO CHI MINH CITY
PHNOM PENH
HOI AN
SHANGHAI
CHENGDU
YANGSHUO
LONGSHENG
CHIANG MAI
HUE
HONG KONG
JAPAN
12 DAY CHINA LIVE
Prepare yourself for adventure: China is calling! Sample the very best this country has to offer, from checking out the Terracotta Warriors and Tiananmen Square to taking a walk along that jumbo wall you may have heard about. Plus, two words: dim sum. Dig in and work that chopstick magic. P. 28
7 DAY BALI ISLAND HOPPER
Island hop your way around paradise on this 7 day trip.
Think: delicious Indonesian food and more pristine beaches than you can shake a snorkel at. Plus, there’s always tanning and #views to keep you busy. Talk about ultimate island vibes! P. 24
12 DAY JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS
Make like a bullet train and travel across the Land of the Rising Sun in style on this trip of a lifetime. From Tokyo to Osaka via Kyoto, we’re talking must-do experiences: city tours, hot springs and more than a few visits to some seriously pictureperfect temples and shrines. Kawaii poses at the ready! P. 26
INDONESIA
ISLAND
GILI TRAWANGAN
Unique EXPERIENCES
Our one-of-a-kind included and optional activities in both iconic hotspots and off-the-beaten-track places mean there’s never a dull moment on your trip of a lifetime.
why
Passion & EXPERTISE
With over 40 years in the travel industry, a team of passionate crew and a collection of award-winning trips under our belt, you can be sure we know our stuff.
Freedom TO EXPLORE
We realise that everyone’s different – which is why our trips offer loads of free time to play, discover and channel your inner explorer.
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao
+ Welcome dinner in Koh Samui
+ Farewell dinner in Koh Tao
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
+ 6 nights in hotel accommodation
+ All ferries to Koh Tao, Koh Phangan & Koh Samui
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Angthong Marine Park day trip
+ Scuba diving in Koh Tao
+ Snorkelling in Koh Tao
TRIP CODE: AHIEII
CLOCKWISE: KOH TAO, KOH SAMUI, KOH SAMUI
7 DAY | BALI ISLAND HOPPER
your return. Just make sure it’s on the beach with that ocean air singing you to sleep. (B)
DAY 4 GILI TRAWANGAN. Free day for the win! Yay! Want to meet the locals? Join the optional diving and snorkelling tour to casually bump into turtles, rays and reef sharks. It really is another world under water, so you’re in for a real treat whether you decide to dive or scuba. Tonight: stroll through the markets and feast your way through satay treats and fresh seafood for prices cheap as chips. (B)
DAY 5 GILI TRAWANGAN TO UBUD. Today we press on to Ubud after speedboating it to Padangbai port. Culture/yoga/nature buff? You’ve come to the right place. The rest of the day is all yours. Visit Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), wander around Seniwati Gallery or get up close with the cheeky rascals at the Ubud Monkey Forest. (B)
DAY 6 UBUD. First up today, we’ve got a treat for your eyes: a performance of the famous Barong and Kris Dance. Then it’s on to the Tirta Empul hot springs before we hit Kintamani – where you’ll lunch with views over Bali’s largest lake. Next it’s down to the Kopi Luwak plantation, and on past Tegalalang’s rice fields and coconut trees. In the afternoon, venture through the Ubud market and meet for dinner in a local restaurant. It’s our last dinner together tonight, so make the most of the time with your travel pals before saying goodbye tomorrow. (B,L,D)
DAY 1 SEMINYAK TO LEMBONGAN ISLAND, INDONESIA. Meet the crew in Seminyak then get pumped to island hop your way around paradise. Bond over local cuisine with an included welcome lunch. What a welcome! Later, the afternoon is yours for the taking. Explore the beach clubs and spend the afternoon entertaining yourself with water activities and beach volleyball. Banana boat ride anyone? (L)
DAY 2 LEMBONGAN ISLAND TO GILI TRAWANGAN. We’re heading north to the biggest of the Gili archipelago trio: Gili Trawangan. Chill out or get
excited: three days in the snorkelling, diving and cultural mecca of the Gilis awaits us. Roam free, explore and enjoy! Talk about ultimate #islandvibes. Get your Instagram ready, it’s gonna get filled up with sweet new snaps. And fast. (B)
DAY 3 GILI TRAWANGAN. Start your day by taking the optional hike to see Lombok from above with some incred panoramic views. Keep your cameras charged as we also check out the majestic Senaru waterfall. This one is sure to take your breath away! We won’t blame you if you want a nap for the rest of the day on
DAY 7 UBUD TO SEMINYAK. Pack yo’ bags, and prepare to say goodbye. Before we go, you could always hop on an optional downhill mountain biking tour or do some whitewater rafting. An adrenalinefuelled day awaits (you know, standard last day type stuff). Time to start planning your next adventure? We reckon you’ll be back. Bali does that to people. (B)
CLOCKWISE: BALINESE DANCER, UBUD, GILI TRAWANGAN
Gili Trawangan
CLOCKWISE: LAKE BATUR, UBUD, UBUD, GILI TRAWANGAN
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Choice of water sports on Lembongan Island including Marine Walk, banana boat, snorkelling and water slide
+ Island stays on Bali, Lembongan & Gili Trawangan
+ Kintamani tour
+ Visit Lake Batur
+ Barong and Kris dance show
+ All entrance fees to included sights
+ Farewell dinner
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), 1 dinner (D)
+ 6 nights in hotel accommodation
+ Awesome Trip Leader
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Modern air-conditioned vehicle & local speedboats between islands
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Snorkelling in Gili Trawangan
+ Whitewater rafting
+ Kintamani mountain biking
TRIP PRICE OF £599
TRIP PRICE OF £719
G= Guaranteed departure price based on per person twin-share/double sinGle supplement from an extra £339
7 DAYS FROM
GBP PER PERSON
TRIP
12 DAY | JAPAN HIGHLIGHTS
CLOCKWISE: TOKYO, JAPANESE MARKET, KYOTO, TOKYO
orientation tour upon arrival. Tonight stay in a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn. All the authentic feels. Finish off the day with an optional Hida beef foodie experience. (B)
DAY 5 TAKAYAMA. Start off the day at the morning riverside markets. Then, make sure you get your walking shoes on as we embark on a half day city tour of Takayama. There’s also a sake brewery visit and an excursion to Hida No Sato folk village this afternoon. (B)
DAY 6 TAKAYAMA TO HIROSHIMA VIA MIYAJIMA. Jump on a ferry to Miyajima with its wild deer (aww!) and shrines galore. End your island jaunt watching the sunset behind the floating torii gate. (B)
DAY 7 HIROSHIMA TO KOYASAN. First up, Hiroshima, where we explore the Peace Museum to pay respects to the victims of the atomic bombing. Later, make your way to Mount Kōya, one of the world’s most sacred mountains (with 117 temples atop it) and the headquarters of the Koyasan sect of Japanese Buddhism. Tonight, feast on a traditional Buddhist meal. (B,D)
DAY 1 TOKYO, JAPAN. Sushi trains, karaoke, gadgets, temples and cat cafés. Get excited, get very excited. You’re in Tokyo. On our city tour, spot the Sensoji Temple, dance under its giant red lantern and wander along nearby 500-year-old Nakamise Street selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). Also, Shinjuku and Harajuku = amazing! Later, bond over a welcome dinner. Work that chopstick magic and feast on authentic goodies. It's gonna be an awesome 12 days! (D)
DAY 2 TOKYO. Free day to hit the ground running in Tokyo. Head over to Odaiba, the man-made island
in Tokyo Bay or check out Akihabara, where stores scream for the attention of anime fans and gamers. (B)
DAY 3 TOKYO. Today, why not take a visit to the happiest place on earth: Tokyo Disneyland (optional). If you want something else, take the option to visit the Robot Restaurant – it’s legit. You’ll never look at restaurants back home the same again. (B)
DAY 4 TOKYO TO TAKAYAMA. This morning we pack our bags and travel at 320km/h on the bullet train before heading up to the Japanese Alps. Cue a short
DAY 8 KOYASAN TO KYOTO. Start with a Buddhist prayer service, then explore the cobblestone walkway lined with Shinto torii gates to the Okunoin mausoleum and its 10,000 lantern Torodo Hall. Later, it’s time for Kyoto. Japan’s traditional capital is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines. It’s also the prime manufacturing hub for kimonos – a good place to pick up some new threads. Later, we check out Fushimi Inari, the head shrine of Inari. Trust us, it’s beautiful. (B)
DAY 9 KYOTO. Find your zen place at the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Ryōan-ji Temple all before lunch. Have you had your udon noodle fix yet? Note to self: essential. This afternoon you’re off to Nijo Castle to channel your inner samurai and visit the Heian Shrine – built to honour the anniversary of the capital’s foundation in Kyoto. (B)
TOKYO OSAKA 14 MEALS 1 COUNTRY
CLOCKWISE: TONKATSU, MIYAJIMA, TOKYO
DAY 10 KYOTO. A free day to frolic. Get out of town and visit the lush Arashiyama bamboo forest, or go on a day trip to Nara. Cue deer roaming the streets. Do the optional and dress up like a maiko or samurai later. (B)
DAY 11 KYOTO TO OSAKA. Today, we set a course for Osaka. Mingle with locals and other travellers on the train over, then drop your bags and get exploring. Tonight, get emotional over a farewell dinner. (B,D)
DAY 12 OSAKA. After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Visit Hiroshima Peace Museum
+ Traditional Buddhist prayer service
+ Visit Harajuku
+ Visit sake brewery
+ Welcome & farewell dinner
+ Stay in a ryokan
+ Visit Itsukushima Shrine
+ Visit Ryōan-ji Temple
+ Explore Kyoto's Gion district
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 11 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D)
+ 8 nights in hotel accommodation, 2 nights in a ryokan, 1 night in a guesthouse
+ Small group
+ Awesome Trip Leader
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Japan Rail Pass
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Visit Tokyo Disneyland
+ Visit the Robot Restaurant
TRIP CODE: AHJJTR
12 DAY | CHINA LIVE
DAY 4 XIAN. Jump off in Xian. You’re in the land of the Terracotta Warriors, and guess what – you’ll see them today! Get those legs moving with a bike ride around the city wall to roll in style. Duck off to lunch at the Terracotta Warriors. Later, visit the Muslim Quarter. What. A. Day! (B,L)
DAY 5 XIAN TO CHENGDU. Today we’re heading south to Chengdu. Flash your boarding pass and check in together – we’re flyin’! Later, feast on a hot pot dinner. Just what you want post-flight. (B,D)
DAY 6 CHENGDU. Wake up and get ready, it’s exploring time. Pinch yourself, because today we roll with a visit to the Panda Conservation Centre. Cue cuteness overload: these guys are adorable. Show your love for the balls of fluff. Next up, a visit to Jinli Street. Part of the Temple of Marquis, you’ll get a taste of ancient Qing culture. Finish off with a teahouse visit in People’s Park. Another awesome day: check! (B,L)
DAY 7 CHENGDU TO YANGSHUO. Say zài jiàn to Chengdu, today we’re flying to Yangshuo. Try and score a window seat if you can – you’ll wanna see the mountains. Cue hot new Instagram post. (B)
DAY 8 YANGSHUO. On the activity menu today: an optional cooking class, rafting on the Yulong River or the Liu San Jie show with the river as the stage. (B)
DAY 9 YANGSHUO TO LONGSHENG. After brekkie, pack your bags, we’re travelling to Longsheng – land of the rice terraces. Snap your heart out on the included day tour. Check out the Dragon’s Backbone and spot rice paddies for days. (B,L,D)
DAY 1 BEIJING, CHINA. Ni Hao! Welcome to China. After checking in, tonight you’ll get acquainted with your trip peeps at the welcome dinner. Dig in and work that chopstick magic – be quick or miss out. Soak up those incredible city vibes, it’s going to be a great trip. (D)
DAY 2 BEIJING. After brekkie, start checking off your Beijing bucket list with a trip to the Great Wall of China – mega tick! Best part? The toboggan down –Google it and say ‘wow’. Next we’re off to the Sacred
Way and the biggest stone archway in China. How to make this day more epic? Hit up the optional Peking duck dinner on Ghost Street. Umm, yum! You had us at Peking. (B,L)
DAY 3 BEIJING TO XIAN VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Today is gonna rock: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Seriously, unreal. Oh, and let us take care of all your meals too. Tonight we’re travelling to Xian by sleeper train. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 LONGSHENG TO HONG KONG. Today, it’s Hong Kong time. Get those walking shoes on ready for a city tour as we hit up the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Clock Tower as well as Victoria Peak and lookout. Tonight, why not try some street food at the Temple Street night market? (B)
DAY 11 HONG KONG. Today is all yours to explore before we reconvene in the evening for our final
DAY 1 HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Ho Chi Minh City is home to ten million people and four million motorbikes. Pretty cool huh? Tonight, prepare yourself for foodie heaven with the included street eats tour. Try the wonderful and the weird (if you’re feeling brave). There’s so much to get your teeth stuck into. Ready? Let’s go! (D)
DAY 2 HO CHI MINH CITY. Make sure you’re wearing your explorer shoes today! Rise early for your Cu Chi Tunnels half day tour. These interesting tunnels were a strategic operation base during the Vietnam War, and there’s over 120km worth of them! Amazing. Later this afternoon in HCMC, stroll to the Municipal Theatre, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum on an included city tour. (B,L)
DAY 3 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER. Hop on a boat to peruse Cai Be's floating markets that teem with fruit, vegetables and goodies. Stop for lunch, then it’s on to an guesthouse where we rest up for the evening. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 VINH LONG TO NHA TRANG VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Wake up to another morning in the land of pho and snake wine. Later, we arrive in Nha Trang. Rest up at the white powdery beaches of Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town, or search for markets. Either way you’re winning. (B)
DAY 5 NHA TRANG. A day for either feeling the wind in your hair or chilling at the spa with our optional activities. Try out a full day boat trip. Or if you’d prefer some chilled vibes, take a tour at the Thap Ba Hot Spring Bathing and Mud Spa. Looks like you’ll be spoilt for choice. (B)
DAY 6 NHA TRANG. Spend your free day lazing in Nha Trang, a kite-running, windsurfing and scuba diving mecca. Woo! (B)
DAY 7 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. Fly upwards to Hoi An – known for its spectrum of exciting architecture. Expect French colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, Vietnamese tube houses and the Japanese Covered Bridge. (B)
CLOCKWISE: HANOI, HALONG BAY, HANOI, HO CHI MINH CITY
CLOCKWISE: HALONG BAY, HALONG BAY, HOI AN
DAY 8 HOI AN. Day two in this cultural melting-pot. Hop on an optional tour to a vegetable village just outside of Hoi An. Providing veggies for Hoi An and its nearby areas, this place is pretty special. If you wanna channel your inner masterchef, enrol on an optional cooking class conducted by a local chef. (B)
DAY 9 HOI AN TO HUE. Drive along the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes. We end up in the former imperial capital, Hue. Take a guided tour of the Citadel, the Forbidden City and the Royal Tomb. What an introduction! (B)
DAY 10 HUE TO HANOI. Fly up the coast as you take on the big capital city of Hanoi. (B)
DAY 11 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time. A day of paddling, swimming and lazing on the sundeck? Yes please. Return back just in time to watch the sunset from the top deck before tucking in to the bay’s freshest seafood for dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. Back in the capital today. But not before an optional scenic flight over Halong Bay in a seaplane. Um, how cool is that? (B,D)
DAY 13 HANOI. Today, it’s breakfast then we’re outta here. Okay, maybe one last bowl of pho first. (B)
This is a section of the 27 Day Asian Fusion trip. See p.36 or visit our website.
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Ho Chi Minh City street eats tour
+ Cu Chi Tunnels tour
+ Visit Cai Be floating markets
+ Visit Hai Van Pass
+ Party cruise in Halong Bay
+ Visit to KOTO restaurant in Hanoi
+ Farewell dinner
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 12 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D)
+ 9 nights in hotel accommodation, 1 night in a guesthouse, 1 night on a party junk boat, 1 night on an overnight train
+ Internal flights
+ Overnight train ticket
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Local Guides
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Scenic flight over Halong Bay
+ Hoi An cooking class
TRIP CODE: AHAFOH
TRIP PRICE OF £1379
GBP PER PERSON
13 DAY | MY THAI
DAY 1 BANGKOK TO PHUKET, THAILAND. Oh my Thai! It’s Bangkok time. Meet the group, but don’t get too comfortable, we’re soarin’ and flyin’ to Phuket today. Settle in, then dive head first into a welcome dinner with the group. Yum! (D)
DAY 2 PHUKET. Beach-a-holics and snorkel enthusiasts can head on an optional trip to Coral Island and Racha Island. Later, why not hit the streets and find a saucy pad thai or other local foodie treat to round off the day? (B)
DAY 3 PHUKET TO KRABI. The Ao Thalane canyons and coves are calling for a kayaking sesh (optional). Grab your paddle (and coconut) then make waves. (B)
DAY 4 KRABI. It’s all about Krabi today. Enjoy an optional full day tour by speedboat and feel that ocean breeze in your hair. (B)
DAY 5 KRABI TO KOH PHI PHI. Check into insanely pretty Koh Phi Phi today. Cameras at the ready! (B)
DAY 6 KOH PHI PHI. Today, take an optional speedboat excursion to Koh Yao Noi Island before returning for some chill out time. Make the most of your last day here, you’ll miss it when it’s gone. (B,D)
DAY 7 KOH PHI PHI TO BANGKOK VIA PHUKET. Wave buh-bye to Koh Phi Phi and touch down into the bustle of Bangkok. Watch the city sparkle as you roam the streets. (B)
DAY 8 BANGKOK. Explore like a Bangkokian (it’s a word) and get your culture fix today at your own pace. Later, watch the city sparkle as you zip through the streets on an included street eats tour. Mode of transport? Tuk tuk, duh! (B,D)
DAY 9 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. More love for the capital today as we tick off the Bangkok bucket list. A half day city tour is on the cards. Tonight, it’s all about the overnight train. Get comfy and catch some zzz’s. (B)
DAY 10 CHIANG MAI. Another mode of transport to tick off. Jump in a trishaw for the included city tour and cruise through the awe-inspiring old town in style. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Welcome dinner
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk
+ Guided tour of Chiang Mai via trishaw
+ Guided tour of Bangkok
+ Visit Wat Rong Khun & the Golden Triangle
+ Visit Koh Phi Phi
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D)
+ 11 nights in hotel accommodation, 1 night on an overnight train
+ Internal flights
+ Overnight train ticket
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Modern air-conditioned vehicle
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Local Guides
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure
+ Kayaking at Ao Thalane START MEET AT 8AM IN BANGKOK
12PM IN BANGKOK
DAY 11 CHIANG MAI. Free day alert! How about an optional cooking class? Learn from local legends then brag about your new-found skills later. For the adrenaline seekers, unleash your inner monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. (B)
DAY 12 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Be inspired by the best handful of temples on offer today. It’s all about the Wat Rong Khun ‘White Temple’ and the Golden Triangle. Wow. (B,L)
DAY 13 CHIANG RAI TO BANGKOK. Head south back into Bangkok and sadly we’re outta here today. Too soon for the next adventure? (B)
TRIP CODE: AHMTBB
14 DAY | CLASSIC THAILAND
CLOCKWISE: KOH TAO, BANGKOK
DAY 1 BANGKOK TO KOH SAMUI, THAILAND VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Alright Bangkok, let’s do this. See Bangkok sparkle for your first ‘wow’ moment. Tonight: jump on an overnight sleeper train to Koh Samui. Settle in and catch some zzz’s.
DAY 2 KOH SAMUI. Rise and shine, we’re almost there. Jump off in Surat Thani then ferry to Koh Samui. Check in, relax and get swimming, before a welcome dinner with your travel mates. (D)
DAY 3 KOH SAMUI. Oh Koh Samui, you beautiful thing! Today is free to make the most of those beach vibes. For the snorkel fiends, jump on an optional half day trip to Coral Island or check out Angthong Marine Park by speedboat and kayak. Sweet. (B)
DAY 4 KOH SAMUI TO KOH PHANGAN. You know that notorious island Koh Phangan, right? Today, we check in and see what it’s all about. (B)
DAY 5 KOH PHANGAN. It’s all free time and fun-loving in paradise today. Soak it up and dip your toes in Hat Rin Nok Beach (Sunrise Beach) where coconut trees meet sandy white beach. Ah-maze! (B)
DAY 6 KOH PHANGAN TO KOH TAO. Roll into snorkeland-scuba-diving-paradise, aka Koh Tao. (B)
DAY 7 KOH TAO. Take your pick from today's optional activities. Flex your freedom and go scuba diving or take a snorkelling trip. FYI: we’re talking diving mecca right here, so don’t miss your chance. (B,D)
DAY 8 KOH TAO TO BANGKOK. High five Bangkok and shake hands with the buzzing capital. (B)
DAY 9 BANGKOK. Tonight: sink your teeth into the best street food that this city has to offer. We’ve got a tuk tuk street eats tour lined up. (B,D)
DAY 10 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. How about those Bangkok sights? It’s a half day city tour – so get the cameras ready and start Instasnapping. Tonight: overnight train take two. (B)
DAY 11 CHIANG MAI. Open your eyes – you’ve arrived in Chiang Mai. Today you’re rollin’ in style by trishaw around the city. On the menu for tonight? An optional Khantoke Village cultural show and dinner. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Guided tour of Bangkok
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk
+ Guided tour of Chiang Mai via trishaw
+ Visit the Thai Islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao
+ Visit Wat Rong Khun & the Golden Triangle
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D)
+ 11 nights in hotel accommodation, 2 nights on an overnight train
+ Internal flights
+ Overnight train ticket
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Modern air-conditioned vehicle
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Local Guides
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure
+ Coral Island tour at Koh Taen
DAY 12 CHIANG MAI. Today, it’s all you. Hot foot it around the city at your own pace. More of an adrenaline junkie type? Daredevils can make like a monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. And for the foodies? An optional cooking class awaits. (B)
DAY 13 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. It’s temple time. Today it’s all about Wat Rong Khun (the 'White Temple') and the Golden Triangle. Get the camera ready for THAT shot. (B,L)
DAY 14 CHIANG RAI TO BANGKOK. Tap out of Chiang Rai and fly into Bangkok. Swap numbers, because we’re outta here today. Aww! (B)
TRIP CODE: AHCTBB
TRIP PRICE OF £1349
TRIP PRICE OF £1389
£379 14 DAYS FROM £1349
GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.
This trip is a combination of the 7 Day Samui Sunsets and 27 Day Asian Fusion. There may be a crew change during the trip. Passengers may also join or leave along the way.
15/16 DAY | ROAD TO PHNOM PENH
CLOCKWISE: BANGKOK, SIEM REAP, BANGKOK STREET FOOD
Temple’) and the Golden Triangle. Get the camera ready for THAT shot. Then, we’re off to Chiang Rai to rest our heads. (B,L)
Chiang Mai Chiang Rai
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. Arrive in Bangkok for a street eats tour tonight. We’re gonna be travelling in style: by tuk tuk of course! Talk about a welcome dinner for the books. (D)
DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. More love for the capital today as we tick off the Bangkok bucket list. A half day city tour is on the cards. Tonight, it’s all about the overnight train. Get comfy and catch some zzz’s. (B)
DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. Open your eyes – you’ve arrived in Chiang Mai. Get your explorer shoes on, because
there’s time to wander around today. On the menu for tonight? An optional Khantoke Village cultural show and dinner. (B)
DAY 4 CHIANG MAI. Today, it’s all you. Hot foot it around the city at your own pace. More of an adrenaline junkie type? Daredevils can make like a monkey with an optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure. And for the foodies? An optional cooking class awaits. (B)
DAY 5 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. It’s temple time. Today it’s all about Wat Rong Khun (‘the White
DAY 6 CHIANG RAI TO PAKBENG, LAOS. Cross the Friendship Bridge then climb on board and get cruise-y along the Mekong River. We visit a riverside village along the way to get a feel for the local life. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 PAKBENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning we’re back on the Mekong cruisin’ with a quick stop at the local markets. Stop for a tipple at the whiskey village, because, well, why not. Then pass the Pak Ou Caves and arrive in Luang Prabang later in the day. (B,L)
DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG. Rise and shine! Today, travel in style on two wheels and check out the city by bike on an optional tour. See the Kuang Si Waterfall for an optional dose of wow. This multi-tiered waterfall is pretty beautiful if we do say so ourselves. (B)
DAY 9 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Wake up to the sound of the temple gong, partake in the daily almsgiving of the monks, and descend southwards to Vang Vieng. (B)
DAY 10 VANG VIENG. A free day for optional kayaking on the Nam Song River. If you’re here in wet season: rapids. Rock climbing and cave exploring could also be options. (B)
DAY 11 VANG VIENG TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA VIA LUANG PRABANG. Farewell Vang Vieng, we fly to Siem Reap today. Passports at the ready! (B)
DAY 12 SIEM REAP. Cue a stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat, followed by a guided tour of the Bayon temple and Ta Prohm. (B)
DAY 13 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Today we kick it to Phnom Penh. See ya Siem Reap, it’s been real. (B)
DAY 14 PHNOM PENH. A free day today. Take an optional visit to the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields to
BANGKOK PHNOM PENH 20 MEALS 3 COUNTRIES
CLOCKWISE: SIEM REAP, PHNOM PENH, SIEM REAP, CHIANG MAI
reflect and pay your respects. Spend your final evening together with the crew with a farewell street eats dinner. (B,D)
DAY 15 PHNOM PENH. We’re outta here after brekkie. Time for the next adventure? (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk
+ Visit Wat Rong Khun & the Golden Triangle
+ Mekong River boat cruise
+ Visit Pak Ou Caves
This is a section of the 27 Day Asian Fusion trip. See p.36 or visit our website. PLEASE
+ Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise
+ Guided tour of Bangkok
+ Almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 14 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D)
+ 13 nights in hotel accommodation, 1 night on an overnight train
+ Internal flights
+ Overnight train ticket
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Local Guides
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Modern air-conditioned vehicle
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Kayaking in Vang Vieng
+ Cooking class in Chiang Mai
TRIP CODE: AHAFBP
PRICE OF £1989
GBP PER PERSON
27 DAY | ASIAN FUSION
CLOCKWISE: HANOI, CHIANG RAI, CHIANG MAI, SIEM REAP
DAY 7 PAKBENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning we’re back on the Mekong cruisin’ with a quick stop at the local market. Stop by the whiskey village and pass the Pak Ou Caves to arrive in Luang Prabang. (B,L)
DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG. Rise and shine! Check out the city by bike (optional) or see the Kuang Si Waterfall for an optional dose of wow. (B)
DAY 9 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Rise to the sound of the temple gong and partake in the daily almsgiving of the monks. Next, descend southwards to Vang Vieng. (B)
DAY 10 VANG VIENG. A free day for optional kayaking on the Nam Song River. Depending on the time of year, you could hit the rapids or do a spot of rock climbing and cave exploring. (B)
DAY 11 VANG VIENG TO SIEM REAP VIA LUANG PRABANG, CAMBODIA. Farewell Vang Vieng, we fly to Siem Reap today. Passports at the ready! (B)
DAY 12 SIEM REAP. Cue a stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat, followed by a guided tour of the Bayon temple and Ta Prohm. (B)
DAY 13 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Today we kick it to Phnom Penh. See ya Siem Reap, it’s been real. (B)
DAY 14 PHNOM PENH. An optional visit to the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields. Later, enjoy a street eats dinner. (B,D)
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. Arrive in Bangkok for a street eats tour tonight. We’re gonna be travelling in style: by tuk tuk of course! (D)
DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI VIA OVERNIGHT TRAIN. Free time to explore Bangkok this morning before we head to Chiang Mai. (B)
DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. Get your explorer shoes on, because there’s time to wander around today. An optional Khantoke Village cultural show and dinner awaits tonight. (B)
DAY 4 CHIANG MAI. Today is all yours to take on Chiang Mai. Make like a monkey and join the optional Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure or flex your cooking skills with an optional class. (B)
DAY 5 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Visit Wat Rong Khun (the ‘White Temple’) and view the Golden Triangle from above, then onwards to Chiang Rai. (B,L)
DAY 6 CHIANG RAI TO PAKBENG, LAOS. Cross the Friendship Bridge then board a Mekong River cruise. (B,L,D)
DAY 15 PHNOM PENH TO HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Arrive in HCMC, home to ten million people and four million motorbikes. Kick off the night with an included street eats tour. (B,D)
DAY 16 HO CHI MINH CITY. Today, get your bearings on a Ho Chi Minh City tour. Check off the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Saigon River and the Reunification Palace. (B,L)
DAY 17 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG, MEKONG RIVER. Hop on a boat to peruse Cai Be's floating markets that teem with fruit, vegetables and goodies.
CLOCKWISE: CAMBODIA, HALONG BAY
Stop for lunch, then it’s on to an guesthouse where we rest up for the evening. (B,L,D)
DAY 18 VINH LONG TO NHA TRANG VIA HO CHI MINH CITY. Wake up to another morning in the land of pho and snake wine. Later, we arrive in Nha Trang. Touch down and rest up at the white powdery beaches, or search for markets. (B)
DAY 19 NHA TRANG. A day for either feeling the wind in your hair or chilling at the spa with our optional activities. You’ll be spoilt for choice. (B)
DAY 20 NHA TRANG. Spend your free day lazing in Nha Trang, a kite-running, windsurfing and scuba diving mecca. Woo! (B)
DAY 21 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. Fly to Hoi An’s wellpreserved ancient town and start Snapchatting ASAP. (B)
DAY 22 HOI AN. Hop on an optional tour to a vegetable village just outside of Hoi An, or if you wanna channel your inner masterchef, enrol on an optional cooking class. (B)
DAY 23 HOI AN TO HUE. Drive along Hai Van Pass to Hue. Take a guided tour of the Citadel, the Forbidden City and the Royal Tomb. What an introduction! (B)
DAY 24 HUE TO HANOI. Fly up the coast as you take on the big capital city of Hanoi. (B)
DAY 25 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time. A day of paddling, swimming, lazing on the sundeck and the bay’s seafood for dinner? Yes please. (B,L,D)
DAY 26 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. Back in the capital today. But not before an optional scenic flight over Halong Bay in a seaplane. Um, how cool is that? (B,D)
DAY 27 HANOI. Today, it’s breakfast then we’re outta here. Okay, maybe one last bowl of pho first. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk
+ Visit Wat Rong Khun & the Golden Triangle
+ Mekong River boat cruise
+ Visit Pak Ou Caves
+ Cu Chi Tunnels tour
+ Visit Hai Van pass
+ Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise
+ Visit to KOTO restaurant in Hanoi
+ Guided tour of Bangkok
+ Almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 26 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
+ 23 nights in hotel accommodation, 1 night on an overnight train, 1 night in a guesthouse, 1 night on a party junk boat
+ Internal flights
+ Overnight train ticket
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Local Guides
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Modern air-conditioned vehicle
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Scenic flight in Halong Bay
+ Flight of the Gibbon treetop adventure
+ Khantoke Village cultural show & traditional dinner
START MEET AT 2PM IN BANGKOK
TRIP CODE: AHAFBH
GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.
HOSTEL PLUS
Get the most out of your Topdeck trip without breaking the bank. Enjoy modern, multi-share accommodation with like-minded explorers, plus plenty of hotel upgrades to boot. Our most social trip style, Hostel Plus is perfect for fun-seeking travellers who are looking for a taste of adventure.
7 DAY | JAPAN EXPRESS
TOKYO OSAKA 8 MEALS 1 COUNTRY
patchwork of districts that makes up Tokyo’s eccentric cityscape. Check out Akihabara, where stores scream for the attention of anime fans and gamers or alternatively, for a taste of tradition, visit the Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens. Or, you could always check out the Tsukiji fish market and fill up on ramen. Yum! Take the option to visit the Robot Restaurant – it’s legit. (B)
DAY 4 TOKYO TO KYOTO. This morning we pack our bags and travel at 320km/h on the bullet train before arriving in the futuristic station of Kyoto. Japan’s traditional capital, Kyoto is home to over 2,000 temples and shrines. It’s also the prime manufacturing hub for kimonos – a good place to pick up some new threads. Later, do the optional and dress up like a maiko, or catch up on your Japanese beer education in an izakaya (B)
DAY 5 KYOTO. Wake up and get ready, it’s time to explore on a guided tour of the city. We’ll also get the chance to spot a geisha or two in the Gion district. After lunch, you’re free to frolic. Get out of town and visit the sprawling Arashiyama bamboo forest or find your zen place at the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion and Ryōan-ji Temple. Need a break in between the sightseeing? Be sure to sip on matcha in one of the many time-worn tearooms, or try the famed kaiseki cuisine. (B)
DAY 1 TOKYO, JAPAN. Sushi trains, karaoke, gadgets, temples and cat cafés. Get excited, get very excited. You’re in Tokyo. Meet the group and dive head first into a full day city tour. Spot the Sensoji Temple, dance under its giant red lantern and wander along the nearby 500-year-old Nakamise Street selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). Also, Shinjuku and Harajuku = amazing! Tonight we bond over a welcome dinner. Work that chopstick magic and feast on authentic goodies! (D)
DAY 2 TOKYO INCLUDING HAKONE VISIT. Konichiwa Hakone! Today we swap the hustle and
bustle of Tokyo for the serene and natural beauty of Hakone. This place boasts breathtaking views across Lake Ashinoko and spectacular backdrops of the sacred Mount Fuji. It’s not hard to see why Fuji is worshipped by the Japanese and all who visit it, inspiring countless poets and artists since the 13th century. Before the day is up, visit the Hakone Shrine and the famous red torii (gate) overlooking Lake Ashi. (B)
DAY 3 TOKYO. Rise and shine, fuel up and get ready to explore. Today is a free day in Tokyo. Wander the futuristic neon-lit streets and hop across the unique
DAY 6 KYOTO TO OSAKA. Today we arrive in Osaka. Famed for its food, Osaka has rightfully earned the reputation of the 'Nation's Kitchen' so make sure to eat your way across the super cool Dotonbori area. If you're not too full, visit Hozenji Yokocho for more restaurants and bars. When the sun goes down, the city comes alive. Prepare yourself to spend our last night together over a farewell dinner. (B,D)
DAY 7 OSAKA. After breakfast it’s sayonara to the Land of the Rising Sun. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together – it’s never too soon. (B)
CLOCKWISE: KYOTO, GEISHA, HAKONE
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Trip to Hakone
+ Visit Shibuya Crossing
+ Kyoto city tour
+ Visit Harajuku
+ Visit Akihabara
+ Visit the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
+ Welcome & farewell dinner
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 6 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners (D)
+ 6 nights in hostel or hotel accommodation
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Local Trip Leader
+ Japan Rail Pass
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Visit the Robot Restaurant
+ Dress as a maiko or samurai
TRIP CODE: AEJETR
CLOCKWISE: MOUNT FUJI, KYOTO, TOYKO, SUSHI
| VIETNAMESE VOYAGE
DAY 1 HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. You’re in Vietnam – get excited! Enter chaos and culture as you meet the group in Ho Chi Minh City. Dive head first with an included half day sightseeing tour. Up next, a welcome dinner street food tour. Talk about an awesome start to the trip! (D)
DAY 2 HO CHI MINH CITY. Free day today! Rise and shine for an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. These interesting tunnels were a strategic operation base during the Vietnam War, and there’s over 120km worth of them! Amazing. Have you slurped some pho, aka steaming broth and slinky rice noodles? By the end of the trip, cravings will be pho-real so make sure you get your fix whilst you’re here. Tonight: the city is all yours as you wander free. Let loose and find a rooftop bar to sit high with the tangled power lines (you'll soon see!). (B)
DAY 3 HO CHI MINH CITY TO HOI AN. Pack yo’ bags as we fly upwards to the food capital of Vietnam. Give it ten minutes, and we promise you’ll be hooked on Hoi An. Make tracks through the city with a guided tour. On the menu tonight: an optional street eats tour. If you think you’ve eaten it all, nah-ah not even close. Chopsticks at the ready for some serious foodie heaven. (B)
DAY 4 HOI AN. Free day = awesome-ness!
FYI: UNESCO World Heritage site alert. Stroll over the Japanese Covered Bridge or visit the Cam Nam Village – just a short boat, skip and a jump away. If you need to squeeze in some tanning time, go for it. This is a coastal town, remember? Later, flex your culinary skills and learn the A to Z of Vietnamese cooking with an optional class. (B)
DAY 5 HOI AN TO HANOI. Enter Hanoi. Take it all in –the pagodas, the traces of French-Chinese occupation and scooters x1000. Pay tribute to the resting place of Ho Chi Minh (the Vietnamese Communist revolutionary leader) with an included cyclo ride. Spot the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature as you weave through the Old Quarter. Tonight’s dinner
CLOCKWISE: VIETNAM, HALONG BAY, HO CHI MINH CITY, HO CHI MINH CITY
HO
CLOCKWISE: HOI AN, HALONG BAY, VIETNAMESE DISH
is at KOTO, a restaurant providing training and skills to teens. (B,D)
DAY 6 HANOI. Rumble through the capital today. Free day to tick off the Dong Xuan market and wander the streets for some hidden gems. Tonight: another optional walking nom-fest aka street eats tour. We may or may not be slightly obsessed. But seriously, how could you resist when the food is so good? (B)
DAY 7 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Leave the mainland for dust and kick over to Halong Bay. Admire the masses of limestone pillars poking from the emerald water as you float past on a traditional junk boat. Ah-maz-ing! Your mission today? Chill. And swim. And more chill time. Maybe a quick kayak sesh if you’re feeling up to it. Work up an appetite for our farewell dinner on board the boat this evening. Nothing like a gorgeous dinner and sunset to end the trip hey? (B,L,D)
DAY 8 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. Jump in the water for one last post-brekkie swim before we head back to Hanoi. (B)
BUCKET
LIST (INCLUDED)
TRIP CODE: AHVVOH ON THE
+ Cyclo tour of Hanoi
+ Guided tour of Hoi An
+ Guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City
+ Overnight party cruise
+ Welcome street food tour
+ Visit to KOTO restaurant in Hanoi
+ Farewell dinner in Halong Bay
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 7 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinners (D)
+ 6 nights hostel & hotel accommodation, 1 night on a party junk boat
+ Internal flights
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Traditional cooking class
+ Cu Chi Tunnels tour
TRIP PRICE OF £839
8 DAYS FROM £839
GBP PER PERSON
SHORT BREAKS
Sometimes you just need a bit of space to breathe and reboot. We totally get it. Which is why these nifty little breaks offer the independent traveller the perfect amount of time to experience some of the world’s most iconic destinations. Be warned! The included excursions are not exclusive to Topdeck and you could be sitting next to an #oldie! #omg.
TRIP CODE: 3 DAY ABBSBB
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sundays only)
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 2 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D)
+ 2 nights in hotel accommodation
+ Return airport transfers
FROM SINGLE FROM
TRIP CODE: 4 DAY ABBLBB
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Full day city highlights tour of Bangkok
+ Bangkok street eats tour via tuk tuk (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sundays only)
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 3 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 1 dinner (D)
+ 3 nights in hotel accommodation
+ Return airport transfers
TRIP CODE: 3 DAY ABSSSS
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Taste of Chinatown street eats tour
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 2 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D)
+ 2 nights in hotel accommodation
+ Return airport transfers
FROM SINGLE FROM
TRIP CODE: 4 DAY ABSLSS
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Half day city highlights tour of Singapore
+ Taste of Chinatown street eats tour
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 3 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D)
+ 3 nights in hotel accommodation
+ Return airport transfers
Your contract will be with the operator specified above and will be subject to that operator's terms and conditions, in addition to the booking conditions set out below. For any Locally Operated Trip, the operator will be identified on your itinerary or travel documents and their respective terms and conditions will be available directly on their websites or by contacting them. Should we book a flight on your behalf it will be subject to the conditions of the respective airline, including but not limited to deposit/full payment and cancellation terms.
Please read these booking conditions carefully. You must not make any booking unless you understand and agree with these booking conditions. Our trips are designed strictly for young people between the ages of 18 to 39 years.
Bookings can be made through your local travel agent or directly with Topdeck and must be secured with a deposit of the amount shown above. A contract between you and us (or between you and the relevant operator of a Locally Operated Trip) will exist as soon as (i); we issue an invoice in response to your request for a booking and (ii); your deposit is paid to us or your travel agent. If your booking is made through a travel agent, we will address all correspondence to that agent.
PRICE & PAYMENT
The deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel your trip. The balance of your trip must be paid no later than 42 days prior to your trip departure date. If you do not pay within this period we may cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited. Full payment is required if you make a booking within 42 days of the departure date. If your booking is a special offer we may require full payment (including any pre and post accommodation and sundry service charges) by such earlier time as specified in the offer.
Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates as at the Brochure Validity Date. These prices may increase or decrease. We may alter prices and other particulars contained in our brochures and on our website at any time. Before you make a booking we will provide you with details of the current price of your chosen trip. Offered discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Please ensure you carefully read your invoice, tickets and all other documents we send to you as soon as you receive them and contact us or your travel agent immediately if any information appears to be incorrect. We will not accept any liability if you fail to notify us of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of us sending them to you or the travel agent. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the correct and valid travel documents including passports, visas and vaccination certificates. We strongly recommend that you verify current documentation requirements with your travel agent or us. Please note requirements change and you must check with your consulate for the most up to date information, including but not limited to visa requirements for the countries visited on your trip. Passports must have an expiry date of at least six months after completion of the trip.
IF YOU CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
If you want to change or cancel any aspect of your booking including but not limited to a change to a trip of shorter duration or different departure date you must notify us in writing. We will do our best to accommodate your requested change but it may not always be possible. We will not charge a fee for changes requested more than 42 days before departure except where we incur a cost from a supplier, in which case we will advise you of the relevant fee. All change/ cancellation fees must be paid within seven days of the invoice date or on the date of departure, whichever is the sooner.
If you are prevented from traveling as a result of illness, death of an immediate family member, jury service, or other reason beyond your control which we consider significant, we may agree to your booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip, subject to you and the other person accepting liability for full payment of the trip cost and any additional costs arising from the transfer and provided that you give us not less than 21 days' written notice of the proposed transfer.
CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US
Every effort will be made to operate all trips as advertised but it must be remembered that our trips are planned up to eighteen months in advance. We may therefore, at our discretion, modify or cancel any trip, accommodation or arrangement at any time. We will notify you as soon as possible of any changes and they will form part of our contract with you. In the case of any material modification or cancellation, we will, if possible, provide you with three alternatives: (1) a trip of an equivalent or closely similar standard and price, if available; or (2) a trip of a lower standard together with a refund of the difference in price; or (3) cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid.
A material modification is one that has a serious impact on your trip and includes a change of departure date, departure point or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours, which would cause substantial inconvenience to you.
A change of accommodation, or transport method/style is not a material modification. We may alter or substitute the type or size of vehicle, or method/style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from trip to trip. Normally the maximum group size is between 36 and 48 passengers. In certain countries there are strict laws governing drivers' hours and this may necessitate utilising public transport in some cities.
Topdeck may require a minimum number of participants for certain trips. In the event that insufficient bookings have been made as at 42 days prior to departure, we may cancel the scheduled trip, whereupon all money paid by you for your Topdeck trip will be refunded and no further compensation will be paid. In such circumstances, you agree to release Topdeck from any further obligations which
would have been enforceable had the trip not been cancelled.
OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR TOPDECK OPERATED TRIPS
Save where the provisions of Force Majeure apply, if the trip does not materially comply with the description in the brochure, Topdeck may compensate you to a maximum value equal to twice the price of the trip. Topdeck will only be liable to pay the maximum amount of compensation where there has been a total failure of consideration for your payment.
Topdeck will not be liable where any failure in the performance or provision of your trip is due to: (a) your acts or omissions or the acts or omissions of another member in your group (b) any third party not connected with the provision of your travel arrangements and where that failure is unavoidable (c) unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised or (d) an event which we or a travel service provider, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall (including but not limited to Force Majeure and unavoidable technical problems with transport and similar events).
Our liability will in all cases be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to any applicable international conventions, including but not limited to the Geneva Convention in respect of carriage by road, the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation which set time limits for notifications/claims and limit the amount of compensation that can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers/guests and loss, damage and delay to luggage.
We will not be responsible for any loss or damage sustained by you as a result of a contravention of any law or regulation of any of the countries visited while on the trip.
OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR LOCALLY OPERATED TRIPS
If your trip is a Locally Operated Trip as listed above our obligation to you is to (and you expressly authorise us to) make trip bookings on your behalf with reasonable skill and care and to arrange a contract between you and the relevant operator. We exercise care in the selection of reputable local operators but we have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties. All bookings are made on your behalf subject to the terms and conditions, including conditions of carriage and limitations of liability, imposed by the local operator (available on request). Your legal rights in connection with such trips are against the local operator and are not against us, except to the extent a problem is caused by fault on our part.
SEATBELTS
You must wear a seatbelt at all times whilst you are in any vehicle. Neither Topdeck nor any local operator will be liable for any injury, death or claim howsoever arising from any accident if you have failed to comply with this requirement.
FLEXIBILITY DURING TRIP
Your booking is accepted on the condition that you understand, and take responsibility for, the risks inherent in adventure travel. Every effort will be made to operate all trips featured in this brochure but there may be a necessity to vary the itinerary from that stated in the brochure, and delays may occur for a variety of reasons beyond our control. The need for a flexible attitude to this type of travel is important. All decisions relating to a trip itinerary will be taken by the Trip Leader, as appointed by us in the interest of the group as a whole. Please note that due to public holidays some sights or activities may not be available on a particular trip. No refund will be made for services made available by Topdeck but which for whatever reason are not used by you once the trip has departed.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
Topdeck and its employees, agents and contractors make no representation or warranty in relation to implied or explicit suggestions or recommendations of services, activities and events not highlighted as included in a trip. You are responsible for all risks associated with the transportation to/from, and your participation in, or visitation to, any place, activity or excursion not listed as an inclusion.
During your trip you will be offered the chance to purchase various optional excursions and activities. Topdeck does not own, operate or control any of the companies or individuals which provide the optional activities or excursions. Some of the optional activities and excursions, such as canyoning, are inherently dangerous and risky. If you want to take part in such optional activities or excursions you must be fit enough to do so and must follow all reasonable instructions. The standards of health and safety which will be adopted by the company or the individual providing the optional activity or excursion will be those of the country where the optional activity or excursion takes place. Please note that these standards may not be the same as you would find in your home country. If you wish to book any optional excursion or activity, you may do so subject to the operator’s terms and conditions. Your contract will be with the operator of the activity or excursion and will be governed by local law. Topdeck acts only as their agent. Topdeck’s Trip Leader will have further details and additional information can be found on our website. Topdeck accepts no liability for any act or omission of any operator or operator’s employees, agents or sub-contractors.
EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY – FORCE MAJEURE
We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or expense resulting from war or terrorist activities threatened or actual, civil unrest, industrial action threatened or actual, weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, closures, unforeseen alterations to public transport schedules, rescheduling of aircraft or boats, epidemic or outbreaks of illness or any other event outside our control which either delays or extends or reduces the trip, or compels a change in the trip arrangements after departure (“Force Majeure”).
DIETARY, HEALTH AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
You must clearly state all your dietary requirements at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee that special dietary requirements can be met and we cannot
take responsibility for any such requirements not being fulfilled. If you have a medical condition or require special arrangements that may affect your trip, we ask that you inform us in writing at the time of booking. If we cannot reasonably accommodate your particular needs we may decline the booking or ask for you to be accompanied by a person who is able to provide full assistance to you throughout your trip.
YOUR LIABILITY TO US
You will not be permitted to embark or continue on the trip if your mental or physical condition is, in the reasonable opinion of any representative of Topdeck, such as to render you incapable of caring for yourself, or where you become objectionable to other passengers, or you become a hazard to yourself or other passengers. We will not be responsible for expenses resulting in you being precluded from completing the trip for any reason, nor will we refund you any part of your trip cost. In all cases we will notify you of the reasons why we have taken this action. We will have no obligation to arrange for your return to the point of the trip departure if your condition manifests itself after the trip departure. Further, if the trip involves travel by air, the captain of your aircraft can refuse to allow you to fly on the aircraft if he believes that you could be dangerous or disruptive to other passengers on the flight.
You indemnify us against all third-party actions taken against us for loss or damage caused by you or arising from your participation on the trip.
INSURANCE & CLAIMS
You must take out comprehensive travel insurance before you travel on your trip. Your insurance protection must include cover for cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death, and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability insurance. Evidence of such insurances must be produced to Topdeck on request and normally on day one of your trip. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive.
If you make a claim against Topdeck you agree to assign to us or our insurers any rights to take action against any third party supplier/tour operator or any other person or party that may have been wholly or partly responsible for the claim or who Topdeck reasonably considers should be a party to the action. You must co-operate fully with Topdeck should Topdeck or its insurers wish to enforce those rights which have been assigned to Topdeck. If you make a claim against us which is covered by your insurance policy, you agree to pursue the claim through your insurer either in addition to, or in substitution for, your claim against us (if any). We agree to indemnify you in respect of reasonable expenses incurred in successfully pursuing such a claim and acknowledge that any settlement made by the insurer shall not prejudice your rights against us.
COMPLAINTS
In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by Topdeck, you must report it immediately to the Trip Leader so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Failure to immediately notify the Trip Leader of any problem may result in your claim for compensation from us being denied or reduced. Any complaint made to Topdeck following the conclusion of the trip should be made in writing within 28 days of completion of the trip. In the event that you do not notify us in writing within 28 days, Topdeck’s ability to investigate the complaint may be prejudiced. In the UK, 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.
DATA PROTECTION
We are committed to protecting your personal information and agree to process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Notice, which is available online at www.topdeck.travel/privacy. In order to make your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly, we need to use the information you provide and pass it on to other relevant suppliers who are responsible for parts of your travel arrangements. In many cases this will include transferring your data to overseas recipients (including to recipients outside of the European Union). In making this booking, your consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons is deemed to be given unless you object and advise Topdeck of your objection at the time of booking. The information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This consent applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/ religious requirements.
SMOKING
Topdeck enforces a non-smoking policy on our coaches (although we make frequent stops for breaks) and in most of our accommodation.
LUGGAGE
There are strict weight limits for coaches when fully loaded. You are only entitled to have one piece of main luggage of standard size (see the pre-departure information or our website for size limits) and not weighing more than 20kg (or 15kg for Outback trips). In addition you may bring a sleeping bag, as required on specific trips, and a daypack.
PUBLISHING CONSENT
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