WHY CHOOSE BAKTRAX

BAKTRAX was created as a new and unique ground breaking travel idea.
We were tired of the concept of dinosaur travel operators that when you visit another country you must see everything in two weeks and that you must pay a little amount up front and then find three or four times that amount again once you start your trip because very little is included.

Those bad old days of travel are gone as far as Baktrax is concerned

We know it is far better to see less places in detail than many in brief. Seeing a dozen places in two weeks means you will arrive back home feeling like you still need a holiday and the memories will fade as soon as your regular routine resumes.

Travel with Baktrax will see you arrive home refreshed with life long memories of a fabulous holiday experience.

All tours focus on local culture, history, scenery, cuisine and most importantly cultural relations.
At the same time you will still see the important tourist attractions and for those wanting it, a relaxing beach break also.

BAKTRAX IS CULTURAL TRAVEL MADE EASY.
So Baktrax has a range of itineraries that include some off the beaten track places as well as some of the more famous destinations. But never the tourist only places.
Baktrax travel at a relaxed pace. When we find a great place we hang around for a while and become friends with the locals.

Unless it's an overnight stop to break a long journey you will never arrive at a place late afternoon and leave the next morning like so many other do just to say " WE WENT THERE". "Can't remember a thing about it but we went there".

Baktrax is definitely not go go go. Baktrax is stop, relax, see, eat, smell and converse with the locals.
This can't be done in a few hours.

Better to see a few places in detail and remember them than to pass through a dozen or more that will be forgotten about as soon as you leave.

Most tours are available all year round. All tours are guaranteed to depart once your booking and payment is confirmed with a minimum of one and a maximum of eight clients.

VALUE FOR MONEY:
Our prices up front will never be the lowest but once you pay up front that will be all you have to worry about. No one else includes as much as Baktrax. From the time you book until the time you check out of your final night accommodation we guarantee it will have cost you less than with anybody else for the essentials. (Click on the homepage link about all inclusive for more details).

TOUR COORDINATORS/ LOCAL OPERATORS/ GUIDES:
All group tours will be accompanied by a Baktrax tour coordinator. These people are English speaking ex pats who have lived in the region for a long time and have also travelled extensively in the region as back packers. These people are neither guides, tour leaders or nurse maids. Their job is to make sure you get exactly what you paid for. They arrange everything for you in regard to accommodation, transport, meals and sight seeing. They make sure you get on the right bus or train. They coordinate with the locals who take care of you. When dinner is included they pay the bill after you have eaten. They are definitely not guides as such but their advice on where to go, what to do and a myriad of other information will be invaluable to you. Other tour leaders burn out after a few months of endless travel days and then return home. Baktrax tour coordinators are home all the time for a start and will never burn out because they are also doing what you do. When you are relaxing on a beach so are they. It's like being paid to be on holidays.

And lastly, our tour coordinators are not employees but part owners in Baktrax who get a share of the profits on top of their pay. This means they also have a further vested interest in making sure you have a great time.

On day trips we use licensed local operators who will pick you up and take you to see the sights. Your tour coordinators job is to make sure of this.

When trekking we use licensed local guides who grew up in the mountains and villages. These are local people who speak the local languages as well as English. These guides show you particular areas of cultural significance and will answer all your questions about the beliefs, history and politics of these fascinating cultures.

BAKTRAX HAVE A MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE OF EIGHT.
The smallest in the industry. This means your tour coordinator can give everybody personnel service and answer everybody's questions.

Apart from logistical reasons or a great overnight train trip all our travel is done in daylight hours.
We don't save on accommodation bills by packing you off on overnight trains or buses when you could be seeing the sites during the day and sleeping in a comfortable bed at night.

Baktrax have included many day tours where necessary with local operators to show you the sights in your up front price. We give you free days to lie on a beach or stroll around local markets and shops. All these things can be done free of cost to you (unless of course you choose to take advantage of some of the great shopping bargains of the region). If you decide you want to get more active on you free time we will offer suggestions also.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT :
A single supplement guarentees a tour will never be cancelled, and you will always get your own private room.

FOOD:
Food in this region is undoubtedly a major highlight and as the locals know the best places to go we join them.

Although most meals are included you will still get the choice of where and when to eat. (Within reasonable limits of course). You will most certainly not be herded into our preferred restaurants. But as your tour coordinators will also be eating with you they will only point you in the direction of sensational food that very few tourists get to try. Sometimes the local places are the best and sometimes the tourist places. Our knowledge will see that food is a highlight everyday.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT:
See the link for detailed information.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Your tour coordinator can arrange any optional extras for you on request. From elephant riding, cooking, meditation, massage courses, to diving in south Thailand. Any of these can be paid for by you directly to the local operator. Please inquire further with any queries in this regard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is compulsory for all customers. Best bought in conjunction with your airfare. Make sure it covers your particular needs (expensive cameras, cancellation charges etc). Read the fine print first.

CLIMATE:
The region is always warm to very hot during the day. Nights are chilly all year round in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia and cool to cold in the cold season in North Thailand. You'll also need a warm set of clothing for Yunnan in China all year round.
Hot season is March to June
Rainy season is July to October
Cool season is November to February.
But as in most places we can make no promises on these matters. Plan to come when you want to as the region is suitable all year round.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
All accommodation, meals, drinks, transport and transfers, apart from arrival transfer, day tours, treks, sightseeing, guides and a tour coordinator as per itineraries.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
Once you have paid for your trip the only money you will need is for meals not included, mainly on travel and free days. No drinks are included except where shown.
Any optional extras you may partake in on your free days are at your own expense.
Arrival transfer.

PRE DEPARTURE NOTES:
Once you have paid for your trip in full we will send you comprehensive pre-trip notes, packing list etc, as well as plenty of other helpful hints on how to enjoy your time to the fullest.
Your trip starting point will be your hotel in either Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok. We provide you with detailed instructions on how to get to your hotel.
If you follow our pre-departure advice we guarantee a further substantial saving on the cost of your trip.

At Baktrax we go out of our way not to disturb the environment and we don't break the law.
We are a small team with small overheads, travelling in the smallest groups at a smaller cost to you.
We hope to share these amazing experiences with you soon.

Regards,
Alan C. Foster
Founder/owner