Japan: Path of Enlightenment

Internal Flights / Delays / Insurance: Almost all the internal flights in this brochure use jet airliners, with some internal airlines in Southeast Asia using turboprop aircraft.

Because of increased air traffic, government restrictions and changing weather conditions, flight delays have become more commonplace. These delays can cause problems with your travel arrangements, and additional costs may well be involved. This may be in the form of added accommodation costs, transfers and/or onward tickets. If this should occur, everything possible will be done to minimize the inconvenience. Cox & Kings will endeavor to ensure that arrangements go as smoothly as possible. As services are paid for in advance, any services missed due to delays and/or schedule changes are non-refundable. Please also bear in mind that many international flight tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable. The insurance policy offered by Cox & Kings is designed to mitigate the costs and effects of such delays in certain circumstances, and we strongly advise that you purchase insurance against such eventualities.

Airport Departure Taxes: The cost of our tours does not always include airport departure taxes or overland departure taxes; it is necessary for you to pay these locally and in local currency. Please ensure that you retain enough local currency to cover these taxes. Departure taxes vary in each country and you will be advised when possible of the rates before your departure from the U.S.A. These taxes are always subject to change, and if they do so when you are traveling, your guide or our ground handler will advise you.

The majority of the roads to and from major tourist destinations are paved and in reasonable condition. Although many of the city roads are now 4 to 6-lane highways and have had a large amount of investment in recent years, many of the narrower ones and smaller highways are bumpy and pot-holed. In Vietnam and Cambodia, many of the roads are in poor condition, but most of the main highways are paved. For longer journeys, we will nearly always advise you to fly. Types of vehicles vary according to the country visited and the numbers on a tour. Generally, the following can be used as a guideline for the size of transportation provided: 1-3 passengers, sedan car; 4-6 passengers, minivan; 6-19 passengers, small bus; 20-28 passengers, medium bus.

A number of flights within Asia & the Pacific arrive/depart early in the morning and, while we will endeavor to schedule your tour with a flight which arrives/departs at a reasonable time, sometimes there is little or no alternative and early check-in/check-out times may be required.

Accommodation standards vary dramatically throughout Asia & the Pacific; however, in most of the major cities the hotels are of a good standard. Standards will vary much more in some of the smaller cities and rural areas.

For our tours in Asia & the Pacific, we have chosen hotels primarily for their location and the facilities available. We will endeavor to supply any extra information that you may require about these hotels. The hotels listed in the tour itineraries may occasionally be unavailable for the required dates. In this event, we will advise you of the alternative hotels, which will, where possible, be of the same or of a higher standard than those featured in the itineraries. There are many new hotels being built in Asia & the Pacific, and we may upgrade those featured in the brochure if better options in the same category become available. In Mongolia we use traditional tents or “gers”.

Please note all rooms reserved on your tour are standard, unless noted otherwise; however, if you wish to upgrade your room (e.g., to a lake view or suite, etc.), please speak to your tour consultant who will be able to advise you about options and applicable supplements.

Check-in & Check-out Times: For all group and individual tours, hotel check-in time is normally 14:00 and check-out time is normally 12:00, but this does vary between hotels. Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be pre-booked without extra payment.

In some cases, prices for individual arrangements and tour extensions are quoted excluding a guide. In this case, the supplement for a guide is available on request. For logistical reasons, some extensions are on a shared basis based upon a minimum of two passengers and not on a private basis.

Visiting many of the sites in Asia require a reasonable amount of walking, either to the site or around it. While the walking is normally easy going, a full-day’s sightseeing can be quite tiring and sometimes strenuous. In addition, at ancient monuments there are many steep sections and uneven surfaces. A reasonable amount of fitness is required.

Cruise boats may vary their itineraries with little or no notice if water levels become unusually low, or to avoid areas of dense traffic. Such changes are generally very rare, but you should check the final itinerary at reception when you embark. Cruise itineraries include full board, but all drinks will be charged as extras.

Capital: Tokyo
Population: 127.9 million
Currency: Yen
Official Language(s): Japanese

Japan is a country like no other, at once futuristic and high tech, but where traditional Japanese culture lives on strongly in places like Kyoto. What surprises most visitors is the natural beauty, particularly around Mount Fuji and the Japanese Alps.

What To See
Tokyo is an exciting city of bustling squares such as Shinjuku, flashing neon, high-rise department stores, noodle bars and first-class hotels including the Park Hyatt, whose bar was famously featured heavily in Lost in Translation. Also worth visiting are the Imperial Palace gardens and Tsukiji Fish Market. Southwest of Tokyo lies Mount Fuji, and the most famous spot to appreciate the volcano is Hakone National Park, a region of lakes, peaks and volcanic hot springs. There is a fantastic cable car ride from Mount Soun-zan, which in good weather conditions offers superb views of Mount Fuji. Once at the bottom you can take a cruise on the beautiful Lake Ashino-ko. It is worth spending an evening or two at a traditional onsen (hot spring) hotel here and enjoying the clean air and natural beauty of Hakone National Park.

When To Go
Japan is best visited in spring or autumn, when the weather is at its most pleasant. Another advantage of visiting at this time is to enjoy either the cherry blossoms in spring or the vibrant red and golden brown colors of Japan’s autumn.