While we are always happy to provide information useful for your planning,

regardless of whether or not you elect to use our services, we would like to briefly

outline how we work as a tour outfitter, and the costs associated with travel in this region.

Although Asia Desk is very different from the traditional "travel agent,” we are fully accredited within the United States by ARC/IATA, and completely insured in line with industry standards.

Over the years, the reputation of Asia Desk has primarily been built upon the strength of our network of great people. Specifically, our services feature a “Local Host” at each stop along the itinerary, individuals who have been personally selected due to their regional knowledge, English-language skills, and congenial personalities. Some of these hosts have worked with us for over 20 years, and ALL are officially licensed professional tour guides. They will meet you upon arrival, coordinate your local transportation and touring, and generally deal with all the aspects of your activities while you are with them. They will also coordinate any extra arrangements or special requests, such as restaurant reservations or private gallery visits. We always allow for spontaneity during travel, something that our hosts are well-aware of. After all, this is your trip, rather than ours or theirs. They are totally flexible in changing, rearranging, or adding anything that you see fit throughout your entire experience. Each host has total autonomy to make your time with them what you want it to be. They never have to call or ask for an approval to do anything you want. They just do it and we back them 100%. Many times the relationships founded on our trips between travelers and our hosts continue for years, something we encourage and are, in fact, very proud of!

Our services are provided as a complete "package" of arrangements, separating out only the cost of international and regional airfare from the "packaged cost.” Most of this cost, up to 70% in some cases, is directly related to accommodations, so the selection of hotels and room-types within those hotels is a very important consideration. However, never do we use sub-standard rooms, even in luxury hotels. And we will always specify both the hotels and the room-types in all prior correspondence regarding your trip.

Generally, our package includes the aforementioned daily accommodations, along with breakfast, host services, high-quality local vehicles and transport, all admission and site fees, and, in remote areas, most other meals. This is presented as a full-package price based on a per person (or per party) basis, inclusive of all such services, our administrative fees, and all local taxes, etc., with no hidden charges or "extras.” We do not provide an itemized cost breakdown, only this packaged cost. Likewise, we do not make “only hotel reservations” or “only sightseeing reservations” outside of this full-service package.