Sense Earth FAQs

Choosing a holiday – Sense Earth FAQs

What type of holiday is for me?
Choosing a holiday can feel overwhelming, but the Sense Earth FAQs are designed to make your decision easier. We are here to help you select the perfect getaway for yourself and your travel companions. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with a group of friends, we will find or custom-design your ideal trip. To get started and find some inspiration, take a look through our varied Holiday Types.
Bespoke or Small Group Holiday?
Whether you dream of a completely bespoke journey tailored exclusively to your rhythm or the shared camaraderie of an expertly curated small group tour, here at Sense Earth we design travel experiences that stay with you forever. From the quiet awe of remote wilderness to vibrant cultural encounters, we handle every logistical detail from start to finish. Let us take you beyond the ordinary guidebook and turn your travel aspirations into an effortless, unforgettable reality.
Can I join a group trip if I am a solo traveller?
Absolutely. We offer small group holidays specifically designed for like-minded travellers. By limiting our groups to a maximum of 12 guests, we provide a genuinely intimate experience that balances personalised service with complete safety and security. These tours are highly popular with solo travellers, who frequently join our small groups to share unforgettable journeys.
Why do solo travellers have to pay a single supplement?

We charge a single supplement because accommodation providers and transport companies price their rooms and vehicles based on two people sharing the costs. Since lodges charge by the room rather than per person, solo travellers must cover the full cost of the space themselves. We keep these fees as low as possible and always strive to negotiate the best available rates for our solo guests. However, if you are happy to share a twin room with a like-minded traveller of the same gender, we will always try to match you up to help you avoid this extra cost.

Before you go on holiday – Sense Earth FAQs

How can I stay safe on my holiday?
With Sense Earth’s vast knowledge and experience you can be assured that you will be given good advice. Your safety is paramount.
When do I get all the information about my holiday?
Six weeks before your holiday, we will send you a personalised travel folder containing your complete itinerary, comprehensive details about your trip, and specific country information. This package also includes your airline booking reference numbers for check-in alongside extra materials designed to make your journey completely seamless and enjoyable. We are always happy to schedule a call to talk through your travel plans in detail before you depart.
What should I do before I go?

Please make paper copies of your passports and other travel documents in case they got lost. Always carry physical copies of your passport, visa (if applicable), travel insurance and flight details in case your phone battery dies. Make sure you have had all the correct vaccinations and enough of any prescription medication that you may need when you are away.

What essential items should I bring with me?
We provide a comprehensive, recommended packing list inside your Personalised Travel Folder to help you prepare.
Are flights included in the price of my holiday?

Flights are included in the majority of our holidays and are fully ATOL protected for your financial peace of mind when starting your journey from the UK.

Can I book my own flights?

You are more than welcome to book your own flights using your preferred airlines or frequent flyer miles. We will deduct the flight costs from the holiday price quoted (if flights already included). Just send over your flight details once they are confirmed so we can seamlessly align your airport transfers and holiday itinerary with your arrival and departure times. 

Do I need travel Insurance?
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for your journey and from the moment you book your holiday with us. If you do not have appropriate coverage before departing with Sense Earth, you could be held personally liable for all emergency costs, including expensive medical treatment and evacuation. Please double-check with your insurance provider to ensure your specific policy fully covers the destination and all planned activities for your holiday. We recommend Campbell Irvine for the best comprehensive insurance.
https://www.campbellirvine.com/senseearth or call them on 0207 938 1734.
Will I need a visa or entry permit?

Some destinations require a tourist visa for entry. Please check your passport validity and contact us if you have any doubts. We will also notify you if a visa or any other essential documentation is required prior to your departure.

Which vaccinations should I have?

We are not medically trained so cannot give advice on which vaccinations you should have. Please consult your GP or a travel clinic to get up to date and professional advice. Do look at the Travel Health Pro website www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries for more information.

Is my holiday financially protected?

We are ATOL protected (6323), so can book with us with total peace of mind.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay your deposit you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

When you book a holiday package with Sense Earth, we are responsible for all aspects of your holiday under the European Package Regulations, meaning your holiday and the monies paid for that holiday are fully protected.

Why should I follow the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office?

This is where you can get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. It is always good to keep up to date with current information. The foreign travel advice for guests from the UK is: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Will Sense Earth Book my Seats on the Plane?

It is the guest responsibility to book seats on the plane. We recommend checking seat availability directly on the airline’s website or app as soon as your flights are ticketed, as some airlines charge a fee or require you to wait until online check-in opens 24-48 hours before departure. Alternatively seats will be allocated on check-in without charge. Please note that for smaller internal charter flights, seats cannot be pre-booked and are allocated on the day based on aircraft weight distribution.

when on holiday – Sense Earth FAQs

Is there emergency support when I am away?
We are contactable every step of the way. In your travel folder there will be in-country numbers for you to call in an emergency as well as the UK office which is manned 24hrs.
What happens if I get sick whilst on holiday?

If you get sick while travelling, notify your lodge manager or Sense Earth tour leader immediately so they can arrange local medical care, call emergency services, or coordinate a doctor’s visit to your room if required. It is critical to contact your travel insurance provider right away to activate your coverage and open a claim file. If serious treatment is required, emergency medical evacuation will be arranged to safely transport you to the nearest major hospital. Please note that you may need to pay for local treatments or medications upfront, which you can later claim back through your comprehensive travel insurance policy.

I have certain dietary requirements, can these be catered for?
Please let us know on booking and we will organise this for you. All the lodges we work with are very amenable and understanding and can take into account most dietary requirements.
Tipping Etiquette and Guidelines
Every country is different, so we will provide specific tipping advice in your Personal Travel Information folder six weeks prior to your departure. If you are travelling on a Sense Earth group trip, Jenny can easily organise and manage the tips on behalf of everyone in the group if you prefer that convenience.
What luggage size and style do you recommend?

For maximum convenience, pack well under the 20kg limit using a soft-sided, frame-less duffel bag without rigid wheels, rather than wheeled suitcases if possible. Lodge staff will hand-carry all luggage to your room or tent to keep outdoor dirt from tracking inside. Keep in mind that if your itinerary includes internal flights, your weight allowance drops strictly to a 15kg maximum.

Gift Ideas for the Community?

Excellent lightweight gift options include solar lights, stickers for local children, band-aids, feminine hygiene products and toothbrushes, as well as highly valued items like deflated soccer balls. Packing clothing such as t-shirts, socks, and sun hats also makes for excellent community gifts.

Guest Transfer Safety

We only use reputable, pre-booked transport companies which we know ourselves to ensure your complete safety and comfort. A full breakdown of your travel details will be provided in your Personal Travel Folder given six weeks prior to your departure.

“Once a year, go someplace you have never been before. We hope these Sense Earth FAQs can help to rectify your queries”

Dalai lama

 

“To witness that calm rhythm of life revives our worn souls and recaptures a feeling of belonging to the natural world.”

GEORGE SCHALLER