FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I choose Explorient Travel Services?

Confidence. Quality. Experience. Since our inception in 1994, the very cornerstone of our success has been providing superior quality service with the sole mission of achieving “total customer satisfaction” for each and everyone of our valued guests.  We treat your long-awaited trip as our very own. It’s that simple. Unlike typical OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), we are a full service tour operator of Asia, meaning we’re responsible for your entire trip from beginning to end. In other words, our guests enjoy the peace of mind that they are looked after throughout their entire holiday experience — from the moment of their very first inquiry, all the way to the final return of their trip. 

And while we strive to offer the most expansive array of high-quality programs to Asia in the marketplace, we also recognize there is no “one size fits all” for everyone. This is where experience counts. Each one of our travel professionals possesses profound knowledge of the destinations we offer. This uncommon expertise enables us to swiftly tailor your trip to the Far East with absolutely boundless possibilities. We welcome and encourage our customers to contact us by telephone. No “e-mail only” correspondences. No automated telephone options. Just friendly and expert service when you need it.  With Explorient, you can rely on us to bring you the best value for your money with a level of service that goes beyond your expectations.

Equally as important as service and quality is our rock-solid financial stability, now more so than ever. As a testament to this accomplishment, Explorient has been entirely debt-free with strong cash positions throughout our existence, that includes the industry’s darkest hours in 2001, 2009, and now in world of COVID-19. In other words, we’ve just about seen it all. In the cases of trip interruption/cancellation resulted from these unexpected events, all monies paid by our esteemed travelers were either fully refunded or transferrable to a future trip – with no expiration. We owe nothing to our overseas suppliers and have had ZERO monetary disputes with any of our dozens of partners throughout our 25+ years of operation. Not even a single late payment. Why is this important? Having these strong, steadfast bonds with our partners translate to better care for our travelers, even under the most unexpected situations. This is an achievement very few in the industry can proclaim.

How do I book one of your tours?

You may book our tours on any of our products by contacting us via email at reservations@explorient.com, or simply call us at 800-785-1233. If the requested tour is available, a deposit or full payment will be required to secure the reservation, depending on the reservation date relative to the departure date. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions section for payment and cancellation information.

Are your tours customizable?

Absolutely! All of our tours are completely customizable to suit your specific interests and needs. Our extensive knowledge and contacts in each country enable us to tailor your trips with boundless possibilities. Our travel experts will be more than happy to assist you with putting together that perfect vacation!

Do you provide tours and land arrangements in other languages besides English?

Absolutely! By default, all of our land arrangements (i.e. transfers, tours, etc.) feature English-speaking guides. However, guides in other languages such as Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, etc. are also available and can be provided at an additional cost. The supplement for arranging such guides varies by country, language and services required. Once you have determined your desired itinerary, our team can provide pricing based on your specific needs.

Can you arrange tours for group travel?

Yes. Our special groups department would be happy to assist you for groups of any size to any destination.  Please refer to our Special Groups page for the types of services we offer, or simply contact us at 800-785-1233 to speak with one of our travel specialists. 

Do you accept children on your programs? Are there any discounts for children?

Most of our programs are very suitable for children. In fact, we welcome children on our tours. We have an extensive array of Family Holiday packages designed specifically for children of all ages. We do offer discounts to children traveling under 12 years of age. The discount will vary depending on the tour package and lodging arrangements.

Do you only sell tour packages? Can I purchase just an airline ticket or just a hotel room?

Our business model is focused on packaged tours and we do not accept single element bookings (i.e. just airfare or just hotel). However, we can arrange hotels or airfares if they are accompanied by one or more travel service (i.e. transfers, sightseeing, hotel + air, etc.).

Do I need to guarantee my reservation with a credit card or some form of deposit?

To confirm the reservation, a deposit and/or full payment is required depending on the time of booking relative to your departure date. Please visit our Terms & Conditions section for more information.

How do I make payment?

Payment can be by fax, telephone or electronic funds transfers services such as PayPal or Stripe. We accept personal checks and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). All payments made using credit cards will be charged in US Dollars.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions section for payment and cancellation information. 

Do you offer Travel Protection/Insurance?

Although all of the packages offered by Explorient have public liability and accident insurance coverage through our ground operators in accordance with local laws for each country. However,  anyone joining one of our programs should have adequate personal insurance against medical and accident risks, evacuation, and repatriation. Explorient will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal possessions, and we recommend supplemental travel insurance to cover Trip Cancellation, Baggage Delay/Loss, Accidental Benefits, Travel Delays and Emergency Assistance. Travel insurance by Allianz can be arranged through Explorient. Please visit our Travel Protection page for coverage and pricing information.

Once confirmed, are all departures Guaranteed?

Upon receiving your trip deposit, our operations team will work on securing your hotels, land arrangements and/or flights as necessary. You will receive confirmation of your arrangements typically within 2-3 business days. Once confirmed, the trip is a go. Should any unexpected changes come up (i.e. flight changes/cancellations, suspension of certain activities, governmental travel restrictions, etc.), our team will work with you to make any adjustments to your program in the least disruptive manner possible. 

When do I receive my final trip documentation?

Your final trip documents will be sent to you shortly upon receipt of your final payment (usually due 45 days prior to departure). The documentation includes a confirmed itinerary with flight details, airline tickets, hotel and ground services vouchers, a complete list of local contact persons and numbers, hotel addresses with telephone/fax numbers, airport transfers information, etc.

What visas are required for my trip?

Visas may be required to enter a given country depending on the traveler’s nationality. For U.S. Citizens, Visas are required to enter Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam, many of which can be applied for online.  Please refer our the travel guide on the respective Destination pages for details. 

How do we get the visa for our trip?

We can assist you with obtaining Visas for China if you are a resident of states of the Northeast (CT, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI and VT). For residents outside the NYC Chinese Consulate’s jurisdiction, you may either apply for your visa at the Chinese Consulate to which your state is assigned or work with an authorized visa agency in your area. For all other countries requiring entry visas, you will need to obtain them yourself. Our travel specialists would be happy to provide instructions for doing so.

Are there any immunizations requirements for my trip?

Travel restrictions across many countries remain in place due to COVID-19. Once countries re-open for tourists, there will likely be travel/vaccination/testing requirements for entry. Please refer to our COVID-19 Update page for the most up to date information.

Outside of COVID-19, most countries do not require immunizations for entry unless the traveler is coming from a yellow fever infected area. For traveling into the countryside, immune globulin is also recommended to combat hepatitis A, as is typhoid immunization. You may visit our Destination Guides for additional health information specific to each country. For the most updated information, please contact CDC in Atlanta or visit their web site at https://www.cdc.gov

What is the baggage allowance on the flights?

Baggage allowance on transpacific flights is two pieces of checked baggage totaling 106 inches (sum of the three dimensions) on our preferred carrier – Cathay Pacific Airways.  For other carriers, please check with the airline directly for their baggage policies as these often change without notice. For domestic flights within China, there is a one piece check-in allowance at 20kgs/44lbs. Carry-on is limited to one piece and can not exceed 20x40x55cm or weigh more than 5kgs/11lbs.

Can I upgrade my flight or hotel reservations, or make other special requests for my package?

Yes. All of our tours are completely customizable. We can arrange upgrades for flights and hotels at additional costs. Unfortunately, upgrades using frequent flyer miles/points are not permitted since our Air & Land packages are based on special contracted rates.

Will we receive frequent flyer/traveler credit for flights and hotel stays?

Frequent flyer/travel credit for hotels is not available on our tours. However, some airlines do offer frequent flyer credit. Please contact us to find out if the flights you’re booked on offer these credits.

How do I meet with my guide upon arrival?

Arrival transfers are provided on all of our tours, even if you arranged your own international flight. After you have cleared customs and claimed your baggage, please proceed to the exit. Unless otherwise stated (such as certain Japan and Hong Kong programs), your guide will be waiting for you there and holding a sign with your name.

How do I tip on the trip?

Tipping to the guide /driver is a common practice. Outside of Japan where tipping is NOT customary, the average is about $10-$12 per person/day to the guide and $3-$5 per person/day to the driver. Tipping for bell service is also expected at all hotels. Generally speaking, tipping in restaurants and other services are not compulsory but small tips are appreciated.  Your final trip documents will include country-specific information on tipping and other important travel related items. 

What kind of lodging can I expect from the package?

Our programs furnish Western-style first-class and deluxe accommodations, ranging from 3 to 5 stars. You may visit the Hotels section under each tour for specific information about the hotel(s) included in the package.

What is a Single Supplement?

All of our programs are priced per person, based on double occupancy (i.e. two people sharing one room). If you wish to occupy a room by yourself, a single supplement will be applied to cover the additional hotel room costs.

Can I make changes to my itinerary once the trip is confirmed?

You may change your itinerary prior to departure. However, a change fee may apply depending on the type and timing of the change. Changes during your trip are not permitted. If these changes must be made due to personal reasons, you will be responsible for making these arrangements with the airlines and/or ground operator(s). Additional fees may apply.