FAQs
Relax with us...
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We want to make planning your pilgrimage easy. Our FAQs can help you relax. If your question isn't answered, email us.
Is small-group travel for me?
Many of our guests have never gone on a "group excursion." Our trips offer structure and flexibility within the itinerary's framework. With a maximum group size of 16, you'll travel with a terrific group of like-minded people, many of whom will become lifelong friends.
What is the tour capacity?
We prefer little. Our group fixed departures don't exceed 16. We think small group travel helps you to form lifelong friendships with fellow travellers, guides, and support personnel while enjoying an authentic, well-catered experience
Who's coming with me?
Your travelling companions will be multinational and eclectic. Small group travel means you'll be among like-minded people who want to share the experience and form lifelong friendships.
Will a single supplement apply?
Holy Tours Australia (HTA) does not charge a single extra on most tours. If you're travelling solo, we'll match you with someone of the same gender. We provide single supplements if you want a single room and/or tent. Your trip notes list single room possibilities.
Is fitness required?
Each itinerary is assessed for fitness to help you choose the right experience. Trip notes and pre-departure material include pre-trip training suggestions. If you have questions about your trip's physical requirements, please ask our staff.
What about the effect on the environment?
We think that the most important part of pilgrimage is building strong relationships with the people and places where we work. Our policies on responsible & sustainable travel have been carefully made to make sure that we leave as little of an impact as possible on the places we visit, help protect them, and do good things for the local community.
Can I get my own private group together?
If the specified departure dates don't work for you or you'd like to change the schedule, we'd be happy to make a programme that fits your travel interests. We plan custom trips for families, groups of friends, schools, and charities all the time. As a general rule, you need at least 6 people in your group for a quote to match the brochure trip price. Find out more about how to plan your own private group trip.
Are tips built into the price of my trip?
Tips are not part of the price of the tour. Tipping is a personal choice, so don't worry about when or how much to give. For some destinations, we give you tips on how much to tip when you book, but your tour leader will be your best source of information.
Where can I find out more about this?
You can download more information about each of our trips from this website, and we can send you brochures with information about individual yatra. We also hold free information nights where our experts give first-hand advice and travel tips for our most popular places. If you don't know where to start, you can email Holy Tours Australia (HTA) and request for a call back to talk to a travel consultant. They will be happy to point you in the right direction.
How do I book something?
You can make a reservation online or over the phone. On each trip page, there is a "Book Now" button that you can use to make a reservation. Once we confirm your booking, we'll call/email to provide you full information about visas, vaccinations, gear, clothing, and arrival details to make sure you're ready for your trip.
Why should I use Holy Tours Australia (HTA) to book my trip?
Holy Tours Australia (HTA) is an Australian business, you're doing business with an entity you can trust.
What are the terms of condition that I need to be aware of?
Please review individual tour TCs and the blanket TCs to join pilgrimage with Holy Tours Australia (HTA).
What mandatory travel insurance do I need?
Proof of full travel medical insurance including rescue insurance is required to join the tours. Holy Tours Australia (HTA) reserves the right to decline to allow a pilgrim without insurance to join the group.
Before you depart
Do your tours include international airfares?
Our trips do not include international airfares; however, our travel consultants are able to provide you with a detailed airfare quote to get you from point A to point B at competitive prices.
Do I need to book a place to stay before or after my trip?
Most of our trips start or end around noon, so you can plan to come or go on those days if you need to. On some trips, you may find it easier to arrive or leave a day before or after your tour. This gives you time to get over jet lag and see what's going on in the area at your own pace. With a little bit of notice, we might be able to help you extend your stay.
When I book, what do I get?
You will get an email with a pre-departure kit that has your trip notes, pre-departure information email, and any other trip-specific information.
What do I need to bring?
Your documents before you leave include a detailed list of what you need to bring. However, you should bring things like helmets and hiking boots from home. The documents you get before you leave also tell you how to wear layers and suggest other things to make sure you have everything you need for your trip.
Can you help arrange my travel visas?
Arrangement of visa is your responsibility. We do not help with this element.
Can you tell me what vaccinations I should get?
We recommend that you talk to your doctor, a local government, host country’s travel advise, inoculation centre, or a travel medical specialist to get the most up-to-date information about what you need to do.
On your journey
What comes with my trip?
We all know that planning for the holidays takes time, money, and work. Our goal is to include as many things as possible in your trip so that you can make the most of your time and spend as little of your own money as possible. The price of our trip includes most meals, transfers, entrance fees, equipment, support vehicles, and lodging. These depend on the trip, and you can find out what is included in our detailed trip notes.
Are there any extra costs or fees I didn't know about?
By including as many things as possible in the cost of the trip, like most meals, transportation, and lodging.
How is the food?
When you travel, you get hungry, and require energy to keep you going all day. Our great cooks make meals that are a good mix of local. This gives you tasty, different meals and keeps hygiene standards high. Please let us know if you have any special food needs. If you tell us ahead of time, we can accommodate most diets.
How comfortable can I expect to be on my trip?
Even though the style of lodging changes from trip to trip, we are proud to offer you a high level of comfort on all of our trips. Your trip leaders and staff will take care of your day-to-day needs, like cooking, carrying your gear, and getting you where you need to go.
How do you get around on the ground during your tours?
The style of transportation varies by destination, just like the style of lodging. However, it is always safe, secure, and comfortable. From big safari trucks and private cars to real train carriages and air-conditioned tour buses, our transportation will easily get you to your next destination in a reliable way that shows off the local culture, whether that means taking the scenic route through the countryside or travelling in traditional vehicles.
Where will we sleep?
Different trips will have different places to stay. When we aren't on our fully-supported camping trips, we try to find good places to stay based on location, reliability, and local charm that captures the spirit of the places we visit. Most accommodations are for two people sharing a room, but single supplements are available for an extra fee.
How much free time will I have?
Each trip has been carefully planned to give you some free time so you can go at your own pace and take it easy at the end of a long day. Some trips have more free time than others, but we know it's important to have both free time and planned activities, so we try to give you time for both.
Is tipping taken care of?
Tipping is not included, and it is not required either. If you're happy with your guides and crew, feel free to give as per your wish.