Boasting rivers, forests, lakes and mountain ranges, this holiday offers exceptional scenery as well as an insight into the quirkytown of Salem, famed for its witch trials.

Massachusetts, Vermont

12 nights

20th Sep 2020 – 2nd Oct 2020

See website for other dates

Tour code: 44650

Last Modi�ed: 27th September 2019

Through The Heart Of New England

Moderate

01707 331133www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

 

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Spectacular autumnal colours and scenic New England charm.

Walk in the stunning White Mountains National Forest.

Discover quaint Stowe and trails surrounding the town.

Uncover Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.

See what's planned

TRIP INFORMATION

Canada and New England are best explored on foot, and with a network of national park trails and eclectic cities, you arespoilt for choice. On this tour, expect to experience a wonderful diversity of natural landscapes, narrow lanes in Montréal andthe walled city of Québec. But let’s not forget about the famous autumnal colours.

We spend the night in Montréal (Canada) before heading to Québec City, both guided by a local. We then cross into the US todiscover two contrasting parks; Baxter State Park which offers scenic trails in rugged wilderness, and Acadia National Park onMount Desert Island, where land, sea and mountains meet. Our journey continues to New Hampshire, home of the WhiteMountains National Forest, we walk a section of the world-renowned Appalachian Trail. In Stowe our walks take us up toMount Hanger, traversing through leafy woodland and hopefully Fall colours.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Return �ights from Heathrow to Montréal (British Airways)

Airport transfers

En suite accommodation with breakfast

Five dinners and eight lunches

Transfers between centres

All local transport costs.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

Entrance fees to some museums and historic buildings (unless otherwise speci�ed)

Personal expenses (such as your bar bill)

Discretionary tips

Optional excursions

Insurance

Guided Walking Holidays Through the Heart ofNew England

 

 

Meals

DinnerAccommodation

Le St-Martin Hotel

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Hotel Pur Quebec

HOLIDAY GRADE

This Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include anelement of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around5-6 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m, with one or two options above this, but there are lessdemanding alternatives to these . Remember we are here to see the stunning colours of a New England Fall. It is the trees thatprovide the colour which makes the holiday so spectacular. We often walk on forest paths which can be rough underfoot socare may be required on occasions.

Our bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below as a basis for providingyou with a great holiday. We expect our leaders to make adjustments to the itinerary if the weather, group ability or other localconditions make that necessary. There are normally more options available to our leaders than those listed below and one ormore of these options may well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are approximate.

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Day 1

Montréal, Canada

We �y to Montréal, Canada where our adventure begins. It is only a short transfer to our hotel located in the heart ofdowntown Montréal where we have dinner.

Transfer Time = 45m

Day 2

Quebec, Canada

Time1 hours

Distance1.5 miles

Ascent/Descent77m

Les Cascades trail

Time1.5 hours

Distance2 miles

Ascent/Descent230m

Les Falaises trail

 

 

Meals

Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation

Hotel Pur Quebec

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Baxter Park Inn

This morning we will depart Montreal (for now) and continue our journey through Quebec province to the wonderful, Frenchin�uenced, riverside city of Quebec, (journey time around 3 hours). Fear not, we will have time to explore Montreal upon ourreturn.  As we approach Quebec we will head directly to Mauricie National Park, its landscape encompasses forest, rivers andlakes enclosed by the beautiful Laurentian Mountains. Here we will follow the Les Cascades trail and then continue to walk asection of the Les Falaises trail. Both pleasant and scenic walks as we trace the �ow of the waterfall, cascading down therocks, ending at a “natural cold tub”

Tonight, dinner is at your own expense and there are plenty of dining options throughout the city to suit all tastes andbudgets. 

Day 3

Quebec, Canada

With a local certi�ed guide we enjoy a 2-3 hours tour exploring including both the Upper (Haute-Ville) and Lower (Basse-Ville)parts of the old city on foot. On our travels we will discover not only the city highlights, but also the interesting fusion betweenFrench European culture with North American hospitality, soaking up the atmosphere while strolling along cobblestone streetslined with bistros and boutiques. In Upper Town we will see the Basilique-Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Québec, the Citadel ofQuebec (La Citadelle de Québec), Chateau Frontenac hotel, plus the Dufferin Terrace (Terrasse Dufferin) boardwalk whichoffers sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains. And in Lower Town we visit the forti�edcolonial core; Vieux-Quebec, Vieux-Port (the old port district) and the Royal Palace.

After we can escape the city to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Montmorency Falls with your driver-guide.  Tonight, we enjoydinner in a local restaurant.

Day 4

Millinocket, USA

Leaving Canada today, we cross over the border into the United States, with the �rst stop being the state of Maine where weexplore Baxter State Park. This is a long drive day of around 5 ½ hours (stops not included), however we will stop frequently atvarious points of interest. Tomorrow we have a full day to walk along trails inside Baxter State Park, keeping a close eye forwildlife.

 

 

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Baxter Park Inn

Meals

BreakfastAccommodation

Harborside Hotel & Marina

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Harborside Hotel & Marina

Day 5

Millinocket, USA

Time1.5 hours

Distance1.5 miles

Ascent/Descent20m

Daicey Pond Loop

Time3 hours

Distance3.2 miles

Ascent/Descent30m

Kidney Pond Loop

On today’s exploration of Baxter State Park, we will walk two loop trails circling both Daicey and Kidney Ponds where we aretreated to picturesque views of Mount Katahdin looming in the background.

Day 6

Bar Harbor, USA

Time1.5 hours

Distance2.2 miles

Ascent/Descent50m

We travel to our next location in Maine and the second largest island on the eastern seaboard of the US, Mount Desert Island.We spend our time walking in Acadia National Park, where land, sea and mountains all meet. This afternoon we walk alongthe Ocean Path trail, which traces the ocean’s shoreline and ends on a sandy beach.

Day 7

Bar Harbor, USA

Time4 hours

Distance4.4 miles

Ascent/Descent350m

 

 

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln

Today we walk the Cadillac South and North Ridge Trail, this walk leads us through a pleasant forest track which ascendsslowly, revealing pink granite formations. The higher we climb the more picturesque the views become and before long we arerewarded with wonderful views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. The �nal push to the top of Cadillac is incomplete wilderness before reaching the summit at 465m. There are various options here, but we are likely to walk up theSouth Ridge trail, which has a longer but less steep ascent and back down the North Ridge. There are options for those whodon’t wish to continue to the North Ridge and who want to cut this walk short.

Day 8

Lincoln, USA

Time3.5 hours

Distance4 miles

Ascent/Descent305m

Next up is the state of New Hampshire as we head towards Lincoln (5-6-hour drive), our base for the next couple of days toexplore Franconia Notch State Park. The �rst of our walks is the Lonesome Lake Loop Trail, located on the famousAppalachian Trail. This scenic trail takes us partly up Cannon Mountain (1.6-mile climb) to Lonesome Lake. On the way we arerewarded with superb views of the Franconia Ridge. If you are brave enough, then you can consider an invigorating bathe inLonesome Lake or maybe just a dip of the toe!

Day 9

Lincoln, USA

Time6-7 hours

Distance8.4 miles

Ascent/Descent1087m

Franconia Ridge Trail Loop (Mt Lafayette)

Time3 hours

Distance3.4 miles

Ascent/Descent371m

Mount Pemigewasset Trail

Today we have the opportunity to walk the Franconia Ridge Loop. This is one of our more challenging walks and is above theadvertised grade, with steep rocky terrain and an exposed ridgeline for a mile to contend with. The panoramic views andwaterfalls along the way are worth the effort. This walk takes us to the summit of Mt Lafayette, stopping at a rustic mountainhut en route to refuel before the �nal climb to the summit. Our local guide will take those that feel they are capable of walkingthis particular route.

 

 

Meals

Breakfast & LunchAccommodation

Stowe�ake Mountain Resort & Spa

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation

Stowe�ake Mountain Resort & Spa

Another option is the Mount Pemigewasset trail. Mount Pemigewasset stands at 777m, we will be walking to the summit andback down again. The ascent can be steep, but perfectly manageable. You will be rewarded with incredible views from the �at,wide, open summit.

Another option is to visit and walk the Flume Gorge. A 2-mile self-guided nature walk through a spectacular natural chasm.Along the walk you will discover covered bridges, amazing waterfalls, a scenic pool, and incredible mountain views. There willbe an additional cost of $16 to do this walk.

Day 10

Stowe, USA

Time2-3 hours

Distance2.8 miles

Ascent/Descent420m

To Stowe Pinnacle Overlook

Time2 hours

Distance3 miles

Ascent/Descent100m

Pinnacle Meadow trail

Next stop is the quaint alpine village of Stowe in northern Vermont (2-hour drive). On arrival we will walk part of the MountHunger Trail; a scenic walk with some steep sections. We are most likely to walk as far as Stowe Pinnacle Overlook, althoughwe could go further if the group are feeling strong. If we do continue to the summit the �nal section involves some  scramblingon rocks. Whichever we choose we will be rewarded with views over Mans�eld Mt, Camel's Hump, Waterbury reservoir, andthe Presidential range!  

Day 11

Stowe, USA

Time2 hours

Distance2.8 miles

Ascent/Descent275m

Wiessner Woods

Time2.5 hours

Distance2.3 miles

Ascent/Descent275m

Sterling Pond trail

 

 

Meals

Breakfast

Time3 hours

Distance2.8 miles

Ascent/Descent365m

Extension to Spruce Peak via Sterling Pond

For our �nal day in Stowe we have various trails to consider. 

We may explore some of the trails in Wiessner Woods, a charming fairy-tale forest. 

Or another option is to walk the Sterling Pond trail with the option to reach Spruce Peak. This trail is a short 1.1 miles eachway, with a 300m gain in elevation. It's steep in sections and encounters some interesting characteristics along the way suchas large boulders and heavy tree roots sprawling across the trail. Sterling Pond trail is a tranquil place nestled amongmountains and surrounded by pine trees and dramatic rock formations. 

Day 12

Explore Montreal / In �ight

We travel back to Montreal city in Canada (2.5 hours’ drive). As we are back in the city we began in, it makes sense that weexplore with a local guide. Points of interest include Old Montreal, taking in the 18th -century old buildings, cobblestone streetsof Vieux-Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica, Vieux-Port (Old Port), and one of the many open-air markets. In the evening wetransfer to the airport for our overnight �ight home.

Day 13

Arrival UK

Arrive UK.

WALKS & EXCURSIONS

This holiday is graded 4 (a couple of walks are at the top end of grade 4 due to the terrain – some paths can be slippery withleaves and there may be uneven tree roots).

Our programme explores the resorts and countryside at an unrushed pace, with the walking of generally less than 5 hourseach day. We climb as much as 600 metres on a few days (though many involve considerably less and one will involve more),over moderate terrain which is not too steep or rough underfoot. On several days, walking and sightseeing programmes arecombined to give a varied day out. We use many local trails, tracks leading us to lakes and waterfalls, through woods and tosome magni�cent viewpoints. Please note that this region of the United States is largely tree-covered (which is why it is sobeautiful in the fall), and on our walks, we explore the varied nature of this particular landscape.

 

 

Local Transport CostsAll local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may beoccasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if youchoose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on theitinerary.

Optional ExcursionsA range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have noinvolvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will bewith the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.

SPENDING MONEY

Holiday BudgetingWhen budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-includedentrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such aslaundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.

Currency in United States of AmericaUnited States of America use US Dollar. 

Currency in CanadaThe currency in Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Banks and ATM machines are widely available and most hotels accept creditcards in Canada.

Holiday CurrencyThe currency in America is the US Dollar. You spend a short time in Montreal on your departure day so you may want to bringa few Canadian Dollars to buy food or souvenirs.

TippingTipping is a part of life and expectations are fairly high. The drivers accompanying the tour on transfers and excursions tend tobe mines of information relating to all aspects of local life and the country, and are also excellent travelling companions.Should you wish to tip our American colleagues, you may wish to consider an allowance of $3 per day for each of our drivers.In restaurants it is customary to add a 15% tip to the bill throughout North America. 

It must be stressed however that such tips are at your own discretion.

TippingTipping is widespread, and expectations are fairly high. The drivers accompanying the tour on transfers and excursions tend tobe mines of information relating to all aspects of local life and the country, and are also excellent travelling companions. Should you wish to tip our Canadian colleagues, you may wish to consider an allowance of C$3 per day for each of ourdrivers.  In restaurants it is customary to add a 15% tip to the bill throughout North America. 

It must be stressed however that such tips are at your own discretion.

 

 

TOUR LEADERS & LOCAL GUIDES

Tour LeadersYour tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on footas you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needsthat might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Althoughleading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individualstyle, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, quali�ed, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday asenjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.

Leaders Evening Brie�ngEach evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity todiscuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment,this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.

YOUR TRAVEL DETAILS

Return �ights are from London Heathrow to Montreal with British Airways. Arrival transfer by road is approximately 20-30minutes. 

 Transport within the United States will mainly be by 12 seater minibus.  Smaller vehicles may be used in conjunction with thewalking programme.

Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?If you wish to organise your own �ights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination,'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.

Before �nalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us �rst - especially if doing so 12 weeks or morebefore your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.

If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leavethe holiday at your hotel.

Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join thegroup at the overseas airport, depending on your �ight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer.Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details. 

Please note that your �ight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group �ight to be able to join the group transfer. We alsoneed your �ight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.

Luggage Allowance & Travel DocumentsFor all those booking a �ight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will becon�rmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.

Personal Details CheckWhen con�rming your booking, we provide you with a Personal Details Check form. This is to ensure that we have an accuraterecord of the information you have provided us such as your passport details (if relevant), date of birth and any otherimportant detail necessary for us to properly manage your holiday arrangements. When you receive this, please check thedetails, complete any missing or pertinent information and return it to us as soon as possible.

 

 

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

General Passport AdviceIt is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this mayassist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.

Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from aprofessionally quali�ed source on, and comply with, such requirements.

General travel and destination advice for UK nationals is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Of�ce atwww.fco.gov.uk/travel and at www.gov.uk/travelaware.

Passport Information for United States of AmericaYour passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don’t need any additional period of validity on yourpassport beyond this.

The VWP (Visa Waiver Programme) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types ofjourney allowed under the VWP include tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country. 

All travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP now need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). Yourpassport is an ePassport if it carries the internationally recognised e-passport symbol on the front cover.

You won’t qualify for entry to the USA under the VWP, and will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy orConsulate, if:

- you have a British passport that describes your nationality as something other than ‘British Citizen’

- you’ve been arrested for certain crimes, even if it didn’t result in a criminal conviction

- you’re a dual national of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria

 

 

- you’ve travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 2011 

Certain exemptions apply on a case-by-case basis to those who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia orYemen since March 2011. For more information about these exemptions, see the website of the US Embassy.

If you are in any doubt about whether you qualify for the VWP, or if you’re concerned that an existing ESTA may have beencancelled, you should contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. 

Those travelling under the VWP arriving by air or sea should provide details online at least 72 hours before travel. This isknown as an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation or ESTA. For more information, and to apply online, visit the of�cialESTA website (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta).

If you’re arriving by land, you don’t need to complete an ESTA before you arrive at the border. Getting an ESTA is a separateprocess to providing your airline with advance passenger information (details of your passport, country of residence, addressof your �rst night’s accommodation in the US etc). 

The VWP is intended to be used for occasional, short visits to the US. If a US immigration of�cer thinks you’re trying to ‘reset’the clock by making a short trip out of the US and re-entering for another 90-day period, you can be denied entry. If you travelfrom the US to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean you can usually re-enter using the ESTA and admission stamp you wereissued when you �rst arrived in the US, although the time you spend outside of the country is included in the 90 days allottedfor your visit. Make sure you’re clear about the length of time the immigration of�cer has authorised you to remain in the US ifyou re-enter under the same ESTA.

When you arrive in the USA you will need to be able to show that you have enough funds available to support yourself duringyour stay, even if you’re staying with family and friends. Further details on the VWP and other aspects of US immigration rulesare available from the Customs and Border Protection website. 

The US Customs and Border Protection programme Global Entry gets pre-approved travellers through border control faster atsome US airports. If you’re a British citizen you can now register to get a UK background check on GOV.UK. If you pass thebackground checks, you’ll be invited to apply for Global Entry.

Passport Information for CanadaBritish Citizens don’t usually need a visa to visit Canada for short periods. If you have a different type of British nationality orintend to travel for a longer period, check entry requirements with the Canadian High Commission. When you arrive you willneed to be able to show that you have enough funds available to support yourself during your stay. 

Under Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, citizens from countries other than the United States (U.S.) whodo not need a visa to enter Canada, will need to obtain an online authorization before �ying to Canada, unless otherwiseexempted. |THE ETA IS ONLY CURRENTLY REQUIRED IF YOU ARE FLYING INTO CANADA| - IF YOU ARE ARRIVINGOVERLAND THEN IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. The application process is quick and easy at a low cost of only $7 Canadian dollars and will be valid for up to �ve years. Theearlier travellers get their eTA, the sooner they will bene�t from knowing whether they have been pre-screened to enterCanada. eTA is a convenient authorisation that is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport, which means travellers willneed to travel with the same passport they used when they applied for and obtained their eTA. To �nd out |more information and to apply|, visit Canada.ca/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/etaPlease ensure that you have completed the eTA form online if you are arriving by air. 

 

 

ACCOMMODATION

Le St-Martin Hotel980 Boul, De Maisonneuve Montreal QC H3A 1M5 Canada

(001) 5148433000www.marriott.com

Located right in the heart of the city and rising 16 storeys high, the Le St-Martin Hotel provides a combination of warmth,sophistication and modern urban style. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool, an elegant restaurant, and an extensive bararea. Rooms are equipped with either a king sized bed or two queen sized beds, a walk in shower, TV, hair dryer, iron andironing board, telephone, bathrobe and slippers, coffee maker, tea and a kettle are available on request.  

Hotel Pur Quebec395 Rue de la Couronne Quebec QC G1K 7X4 Canada

(001) 4186472611www.hotelpur.com

Situated in the heart of the Saint Roch District which celebrates the eclectic and colourful side of Quebec City, and only a 15minute walk from Old Quebec. The Hotel Pur Quebec has an urban, modern design and facilities include an indoor heated pool,a dry sauna, �tness centre, restaurant and bar. Rooms are equipped with either a king sized bed or two queen sized beds, TV,telephone, hairdryer, radio, kettle and coffee machine.

Baxter Park Inn935 Central St Millinocket ME 04462 USA

(001) 866633777www.baxterparkinn.com

Independently owned and run, the Baxter Park Inn is located in the centre of Millinocket, and gives easy access to Baxter StatePark. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, a relaxation / exercise room, sauna, and guest laundry facilities. Rooms areequipped with either a king sized bed or two queen sized beds, coffee making facilities, hair dryer, TV, an iron, mini-fridge, amicrowave and complimentary WI-FI internet.

Harborside Hotel & Marina55 West St Bar Harbor ME 04609 USA

(001) 2072885033www.theharborsidehotel.com

Where are we going to stay?

 

 

Nestled on picturesque Frenchman's Bay, the stunning Harborside Hotel & Marina enjoys the prime location in Bar Harbour.The hotel has a beautiful outdoor heated pool with 180 degrees harbour views, a spa, tennis courts, �tness centre and SplashPool Bar, complimentary guest laundry services, and complimentary WIFI internet. Rooms are beautifully furnished andequipped with a hair dryer, coffee maker, TV and work desk.  

Holiday Inn Express, Lincoln21 Railroad St. Lincoln NH 03251 USA

(001) 6037456700www.ihg.com

This hotel is comfortable, clean and functional, and rooms have recently been renovated. The Holiday Inn Express hotel has anindoor heated pool, whirlpool spa, �tness centre, coin operated laundry and  a 24hr coffee service. Rooms are equipped with asafe, ironing and ironing board, hair dryer, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and a TV.  

Stowe�ake Mountain Resort & Spa1746 Mountain Road Stowe VT 05672 USA

(001) 8022537355www.stowe�ake.com

Located both in the centre of the village and surrounded by a natural wilderness, the Stowe�ake Mountain Resort & Spa spansover 50 acres and is home to a world-renowned spa and Wine Spectator award-winning restaurant. Surrounded by over 30shops, restaurants and attractions, there are endless amenities to keep you busy. Rooms are equipped with either a king sizedbed or two queen sized beds, fridge, TV, coffee making facilities, and a bathrobe.

MEALS

All breakfasts, eight lunches and �ve dinners are  included during the holiday; please see the itinerary schedule for details.Remaining dinners and lunches are not included, but there are always plenty of dinning options to suit all budgets. On nightswhere dinner is not included the leader will make a reservation at a local restaurant for those that still prefer to eat together.Nobody is under obligation to join the group if they prefer not to.

FOOTWEAR & KIT LIST

FootwearLightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and whichprovide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. 

Footwear As Hand LuggageWe recommend that you either wear your walking boots or shoes or pack them and some waterproofs in your hand luggageas in the unlikely event that your hold luggage is delayed, you will still be able to participate in the holiday programme.

 

 

General Kit ListOutdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.

If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:

Waterproof jacket (Goretex or similar) and trousersLightweight quick-drying trousersWalking T-shirt/shirtsWalking socksFleece or jumperSun hat, sunglasses, lip salve and sun blockWarm hat and gloves (if appropriate)Swimwear (if appropriate)Day sack (this should be able to carry all you would need for the day's activity)Day sack linerWater bottle - at least 1 litre capacity (more than 1 bottle may be required)Basic �rst aid kitLunchboxWalking poles (should you �nd them useful)Sit mat

This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.

Traveling LightYou should be able to lift and carry and handle your own luggage. At some hotels, the coach may have to stop some distanceshort of the hotel entrance. Also, within some of the hotels themselves, there may be some long walks between the rooms andentrance area which could include some steps.

Travel Documents ChecklistDocuments and Information to take with you:

Passport (make sure it's yours and valid)Your travel tickets or e-ticket itineraryAny visa or electronic travel authorisation (if required)Holiday moneyCredit or debit cards (and separate details of who to call if lost)Car parking ticket and car park directions (if prebooked)Coach or rail travel tickets (if prebooked)Your holiday Booking Con�rmation documentYour travel insurance detailsAlternative form of identi�cation (such as a driving licence)Photocopy of the personal details pages of your passportA valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if relevantDetails of any medical condition or allergy your holiday leader should know about

Electricity in United States of AmericaElectricity is supplied at 110 Volts at 60Hz. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a two pin North America styleadaptor with �at pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

 

 

Electricity in CanadaElectricity in Canada is supplied at 110 Volts at 60Hz. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a two pin NorthAmerica style adaptor with �at pins. More information can be found at  https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/

Water To GoAn alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is �ltered water from a re�llable bottle containing its ownwater �lter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just �ll up from any water source and save theenvironment from disposable plastic bottles.

We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping theenvironment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a differencein the countries you visit on our holidays.

MAPS, GUIDEBOOKS & OTHER INFORMATION

The Map ShopMaps and guidebooks relating to your the areas you will be walking in may be brought before your holiday from The Map Shopat www.themapshop.co.uk

WeatherVisit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:

Weather2 - www.myweather2.comBBC Weather - www.bbc.co.uk/weather

STAYING HEALTHY ON HOLIDAY

Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from aprofessionally quali�ed source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice onvaccinations is available from your GP.

Health Advice for United States of AmericaNo compulsory immunisations are required for visits to the US.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.

You may wish to consider immunisations against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.

Zika virus also exists in the US; please take normal precautions against mosquito bites. Seek pre-travel Zika virus advice fromyour health care provider 6-8 weeks in advance of travel, particularly important if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Youshould also take precautions against Tick bites, particularly in Eastern USA.

Health Advice for CanadaNo compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Canada.

You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.

You might like to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Diphtheria.

 

 

Further Travel AdviceFor further advice please visit:

The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) travel health website at www.travelhealthpro.org.ukThe NHS 'Fit for travel' website at www.�tfortravel.nhs.ukThe Foreign Of�ce Of�ce Travel Advice Website at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.Or a local travel health clinic.

You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

You must be adequately insured to join our holidays. We do not insist that you insure with us but we require that you areadequately insured for the nature of your holiday. You will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activityprogrammes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance.

Please ensure that as a minimum your travel insurance policy covers you for travel to your holiday destinations (country andgeographical region) and for medical expenses, mountain rescue (including helicopter rescue) and emergency repatriation toyour home country in the event of illness or injury. Your policy should also provide adequate cover for the activities, includedand optional, you are likely to participate in during your holiday.

See our brochure or website for further advice regarding holiday insurance.

Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provideour tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.

Please note that it is very dif�cult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.

PERSONAL SAFETY

The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Of�ce provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together withcurrent passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice onyour planned destination.

Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoiddisplays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for eachday, and we recommend that a money belt is used.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

Responsible TravelWe're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of thecountry you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination,but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect theenvironment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.

 

 

The Ramblers Holidays Charitable TrustUnlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s pro�ts are channelled back into a variety ofoutdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s �nancial support is Britain’sleading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the bene�ts and importance of walking to the British public.In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges andrenovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford todo it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.

Heart and SoleWe appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our pro�ts to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart& Sole is a venture managed by our of�ce staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit.Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developedcountries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of theprojects we support.

STAYING IN TOUCH

Mobile PhonesPlease do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important informationrelating to your holiday arrangements. 

Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that wecan contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.  

As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try tominimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.

FEEDBACK

We welcome all comments about our holidays and value ideas for the future. If you have provided us with an email address wewill invite you to complete an online questionnaire or to add feedback to our page on the independent review site 'Feefo'.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued.

In most cases the revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will remain unchanged. Should we make a majorchange to your holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you tospeci�cally draw your attention to any signi�cant change.

You may wish to review the latest version of this Holiday Information Sheet online prior to travel.

Please note that any advertised offers, bene�ts or initiatives may be discontinued at any time.

CONTACT US

Ramblers Walking Holidays

Tel: UK +44 (0)1707 331133Email: info@ramblersholidays.co.ukWeb: www.ramblersholidays.co.uk

 

 

Our of�ce is open and our Sales & Reservations team are available to speak to you from:

9am to 6pm Monday to Friday9.15am to Midday on Saturdays9.15am to 3pm on Saturdays in January & February only

Please quote your Booking Reference number and Tour Code whenever contacting us.

We wish you an enjoyable holiday!