Wendy Wu Tour Experience
Great Tours 
Our many years of experience mean that we have a great selection of well researched and thoroughly tested tours for you. China, Indochina and India are our specialties and we visit everywhere from the spectacular and well-known tourist attractions to the hidden gems of the more remote rural areas. Together they make for an unforgettable holiday experience.
Your First Contact
Our friendly, professional and knowledgeable team is more than happy to provide you with detailed information relating to our tour products, advice on which itinerary in our extensive product range is ideal for you, or alternatively design a personalised itinerary based on your specific needs.
Before Your Tour
We supply you with a travel guide which has information on currency exchange, recommended reading, credit card usage, cultural differences, transportation and accommodation in the region. You will also receive a suggested packing list and a phrase book to practice your language skills!
Our Partners Overseas
Our tours would not be as successful as they are without our solid working relationship with our local partners in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and India. With years of experience behind them in operating tours throughout their respective countries, you can be assured that their local knowledge in operations, touring, guides and transportation means that our tours operate efficiently and smoothly. They give Wendy Wu Tours a reliable presence on which you can always depend.
National Escorts & Local Guides
One of the very special features about Wendy Wu Tours is the constant presence of our National Escorts and/or Local Guides. They will meet you at the airport on arrival and be with you throughout your tour right up to your departure. In China, Vietnam and Laos, you will be escorted by one guide throughout the country. On multi-country tours, different guides will be used in each country. In Cambodia, different guides are used in each destination due to local regulations. All of our National Escorts and Local Guides are knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and proud to show off their English Language skills. Practically every letter we receive from clients sings their praises. They are completely dedicated to making every minute of your stay in their country an enjoyable experience.
Fully Inclusive
We pride ourselves on ‘no hidden extras’ and therefore all our group escorted tours are inclusive of international flights, departure taxes, current fuel surcharges, domestic transportation, accommodation, all meals, daily tours including entrance fees, local guides, national escort (10+ passengers) and visa fees for UK passport holders. All you have to pay for locally is the compulsory tipping, departure taxes from Cambodia and Nepal, visa fees for Laos and personal expenditure including optional excursions and shows.
Airlines
The flight forms an integral part of your tour experience, which is why Wendy Wu Tours is careful in selecting the right carrier to undertake this element of your travel. Our main partners are British Airways, Emirates flying via Dubai, KLM flying via Amsterdam, Cathay Pacific flying via Hong Kong and Virgin Atlantic. We also use reputable domestic airlines for internal routes. We also fly from many UK airports. Selected regional departures may be at no extra cost and is subject to availability. We also offer extensions in cosmopolitan Hong Kong, bustling Tokyo and vibrat Dubai, depending on your choice of international airline.
Hotels
All of the hotels used by Wendy Wu Tours in China are of international four-star or three-star superior standard. All of the hotels used in Indochina and India are of local three-star standard. In remote areas, accomodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities. The hotels are selected for their comfort, convenience of location and character.
Meals
All meals (excluding beverages) are included in our fully inclusive group tours. Breakfast is a combination of local and western food, usually served in a buffet style. Lunches and dinners consist of traditional local cuisine, with a wide range of dishes to choose from so that you can experience the local dishes, their individual flavours as well as the different ways they are prepared and cooked. Please note that on some of our connoisseur and adventurous tours, some meals may be basic in remote areas. Meals on our group tours start with lunch on the normal day of arrival and finish with lunch on the normal day of departure. As we offer a range of flight options, passengers may arrive and depart at different times during the day. Any additional meals will be at your own expense and no refund will be made for any meals missed.
Single Supplements
The single supplement payment is stated on each tour page which provides for a single room in each hotel and a single cabin on the Yangtze cruise. You will be required to share on overnight rail journeys; however, a single compartment price is available on request. If you are a single passenger and happy to share then no single supplement is payable. Just let us know at the time of booking and we will find another passenger of the same gender for you to share with. (On overnight train journeys and cruises, this may not be with a Wendy Wu Tours passenger.) You will be introduced to your share partner on arrival.
Tipping
For our passengers’ convenience we ask for a compulsory amount to be paid at the beginning of our group tours to cover tipping for guides, drivers, restaurant staff etc. This needs to be paid in cash in US dollars to the National Escort who then disburses it throughout the trip. If your tour features a Yangtze River Cruise, then please note tipping is not included for this element of the tour. Tipping is discretionary; however your guide will suggest appropriate amounts. Additional tipping will also be required on the side trips and shore excursions. On multi-country trips this amount will be paid in stages on arrival in each country. For tours with fewer than 10 passengers, tipping will be slightly higher than stated on the group tour pages. Tipping on private tours and extensions are discretionary; however we will suggest suitable amounts to be paid to your local guides and drivers.
Transportation
We have specially planned the modes of transport to enrich your 'authentic' experience with variety, comfort and enjoyment in mind so you are not always 'removed' from the locals.
Coaches - are used for city sightseeing and short excursions to the countryside and feature air-conditioning.
Internal flights - are with reputable airlines based on economy class and used to save time.
Boats - we use various types of water craft ranging from large boats to smaller boats. To undertake these excursions you will need to be capable of boarding and disembarking from these boats sometimes without assistance and/or handrails.
Overnight train journeys we use the best available 'soft sleeper' compartments of four berths (sharing); however the price for private use of a compartment is available on request. There is a western style toilet at one end of the carriage and a 'squat' toilet at the other end. The beds and cabins are basic with clean linen provided and there are no showers or dining cart. The trains are generally clean; however you cannot expect perfect western standards.
Tour Grading
Unless stated otherwise, our tours are accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. Our itineraries do include walking tours, often with steps involved; however the pace is designed to allow people of a wide range of ages and abilities to complete our tours comfortably. A higher level of fitness and stamina is often required on our connoisseur and adventurous tours as they can be physically more demanding. Please contact us for advice if you have a disability, any special needs or if you are unsure of the suitability of any tour. Our range of private tours are more flexible than group tours and can better cater for individual needs.
Tour Dossier
This provides a straight-forward description of the physical activities involved on each day of your itinerary. If there are any particular challenges from the length of time spent on your feet, the length of drives and flights, to the standard of remote accommodation for our more adventurous tours; they will be explained there. If you are unsure of your ability to participate fully in your selected tour, it is essential that you read the relevant tour dossier before booking. To obtain a tour dossier, speak with one of our experienced consultants, see your preferred travel agent or download it from the relevant group tour on our Wendy Wu website.
Group Sizes 
All group tours are guaranteed to run subject to a minimum of 8 passengers. A National Escort will accompany the group subject with a minimum of 10 passengers. The maximum group size varies depending on the tour, but is never more than 28 passengers.
Private Tours
We can also offer private group itineraries for groups of friends, social societies or clubs wishing to travel on an exclusive tour. Please call or e-mail our experienced team for additional information.
Passport & Visa Application Form
After you have booked your holiday, we need you to send us your passport and completed visa application form with passport size photo(s) 8 weeks before departure by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Please avoid sending them earlier than 8 weeks as this will lengthen the time we need to hold them. We would normally expect to have them for a maximum of 4 weeks. If you require your passport back earlier, then please let us know so that we can arrange an ‘express’ visa service at an additional charge. If you wish to arrange your own visa, then please let us know at the time of booking. Any passports and visa application forms received 6 weeks or less before departure will automatically incur the visa express fee, which is currently £50 per passport. Passports are returned by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Wendy Wu Tours does not accept any responsibility for lost or undelivered items. Personal collection or courier services are available on request.
Travel Health
We recommend you see your doctor six weeks prior to travel to allow time for any necessary vaccinations and remember to take your itinerary with you. Please refer to your tour dossier as some of our tours feature areas of high altitude. For the very latest travel advice, check www.fco.gov.uk before you depart the UK.
Luggage
All passengers are limited to take two items of luggage each. Your main suitcase or backpack must not exceed a maximum weight of 20kg and your hand luggage must not exceed a maximum weight of 5kg.
Standards Abroad
We are continually working with our local suppliers to maintain and improve safety standards by seeking good practice in health and safety and we will do our best to ensure that your holiday is safe and trouble free. Part of travelling abroad is enjoying different experiences; however, it may also mean different safety and hygiene standards than those we are used to in the UK. We therefore ask that you take care, pay attention at all times, use your common sense as well as refer to notices and follow advice from your National Escort/Local Guide.
Special Days in China
Chinese New Year is on 3rd Feb 2011. Their ‘Golden Week’ public holidays fall annually between 1-7 May and 1-7 October and during this time some businesses will be closed. Tour attractions will be open, but may be crowded.
Special Days in Vietnam
Vietnam’s Tet New Year is on 3rd Feb 2011. Celebrations will last for several days and during this time some businesses as well as some tour attractions may be closed.
Special Days in India
Holi is on 20th Mar 2011. During this time some businesses as well as some tour attractions may be closed.
Your Next Tour With Us
Once you have completed your tour, we hope that you will return to travel with us again, like many of our previous passengers. As a repeat customer of Wendy Wu Tours, you will enjoy a special VIP discount of £50 per person, for any future fully inclusive group tours.
Recommend a Friend
If you recommend a friend to book with us after you have travelled with us, then you will receive a hamper as a special ‘thank you’ gift and your friend will receive a £50 discount on their booking.
Customer Comments
When you have completed your Wendy Wu Tours Experience we would love to hear from you so we can maintain and even improve our high standards. Please see our group tour pages for a selection of comments from UK and Australian passengers who have recently travelled with us.
