Equipment Guide 

The following takes the cities in the southwest of China as examples. Your personal travel consultant will offer you specific suggestions based on your time and itinerary when making the reservation. 

In the southwestern cities of China, especially when departing in early March/April or November, you need to wear a jacket or thick fleece as there may be snow in high-altitude areas. Spring and autumn are often rainy, especially in southern China. Waterproof rain gear is essential for ·this adventure. Make sure to pack it in your carry-on luggage. 

Clothing

·Light neck gaiters (included in the pre-departure package)

· Provide protection from the sun, wind and/or dust. Extra cloth masks

· We recommend that you bring a few masks yourself. Silk, wool or polypropylene long underwear for layering (top and bottom) 

·Lightweight, breathable, and fully waterproof raincoat

 —— Your jacket should have a hood and be completely waterproof, not just water-resistant. 

·Waterproof rain pants

·Similarly

——your pants should be completely waterproof. 

·W Fleece-lined jacket with sleeves, 

·Hiking boots

——Take waterproof or water-resistant boots with good traction and sturdy ankle support. Put them on before departure to prevent blisters. 

·Socks

——Wear socks made of wool or other moisture-wicking materials. Cotton socks are not recommended for long walks. 

·Hats and gloves 

——It gets cold at high altitudes. 

·Sun hat (with a brim for protection)

· 3–4 short-sleeved shirts 

·2–3 long-sleeved shirts

· 2-3 pairs of comfortable long pants

——Zippers pants are also practical, suitable for cool mornings and warm afternoons. 

·1-2 pairs of shorts

——Shorts are usually not necessary for early spring and late autumn departures. If you bring zipped pants, these are also not necessary. 

·An extra pair of comfortable shoes (for wearing after outdoor activities) 

·Long underpants

——It can be quite cold in the mountains. Note: These items may not be suitable for departure in late April or early May. 

Swimsuit (optional)

—— Some of our hotels have swimming pools or hot springs. 

Additional items

·Cash

——For personal expenses (souvenirs, internet usage or meals not included in the travel expenses) 

·Small waterproof daily backpack (for carrying equipment when going out) 

·Reusable water bottle (included in your pre-trip package)

—— As part of our ongoing efforts to minimize our environmental impact, you will receive a reusable water bottle to carry with you. Throughout the adventure, we will provide you with drinking water to refill your bottle. This helps to avoid the use of multiple single-use plastic bottles. 

·Telescopes 

——We recommend that you bring a pair of binoculars for your adventure. For the best viewing experience, we suggest using equipment with specifications ranging from 10x42 to 8x42. Of course, if you don't have any, we will also provide you with binoculars for use during the event. 

·Socket adapters and/or power converters 

·Sunglasses (Choose glasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection) 

·Prescription glasses / contact lenses 

·Earplugs 

·Toiletries

— If you have your own preferences or cannot accept the hotel's disposable items, we suggest bringing your own. 

·Insect repellent and anti-itch ointment (optional)

——There are hardly any biting insects on our itinerary. However, if you are highly sensitive to insect bites or the insect repellent provided by the tour leader, you may bring along the ones you are accustomed to using. 

·Sunscreen and lip balm (at least SPF 15) 

·Battery-powered alarm clocks or wristwatches 

·Dry bags or reusable waterproof bags - perfect for storing wet or dirty clothes and protecting camera equipment from harsh environments. 

·Facial cleansing wipes

——If you prefer to use facial cleansing wipes, the tour leader can provide them. However, if you have a specific brand preference, it is recommended that you bring your own. 

·All accommodation areas will be equipped with hair dryers.

Visa Requirements 

Most foreign tourists visiting China need a tourist visa, also known as an "L visa". We suggest applying for a tourist visa about 60 days before departure. Although we cannot handle your Chinese visa application on your behalf, we will guide you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have. We will also provide you with the invitation letter required for your visa application. 

Although a visa is usually required, it is worth noting that China offers visa-free entry for a certain period (typically 15 to 30 days) to citizens of some countries. However, we always recommend that you consult the Chinese embassy in your country to confirm whether a visa is needed. 

Insurance

We will provide each tourist with a domestic travel insurance policy in China. A good travel insurance policy should cover emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation or delay, as well as lost, damaged or stolen luggage. Although we hope you will never need to use it, unexpected situations beyond our control may occur. Chinese travel insurance provides peace of mind for you and your family during your trip in China and helps you avoid losing assistance or facing high hospital bills. 

The insurance we offer you includes comprehensive travel insurance as well as rescue and evacuation services within China. This coverage provides protection during your trip in case of injury, illness or security threats. 

Baggage restrictions 

Some of our itineraries have strict restrictions on the weight, size or type of luggage (such as hard-shell luggage). Many vehicles have limited space, so we strictly limit the weight, size and type of luggage. All carry-on luggage restrictions include photographic equipment. Guests should travel light and follow the guidelines in our pre-departure information. Luggage that exceeds the weight, size or type restrictions may be left behind or forwarded at your expense. 

Special dietary requirements 

Given the nature of our trips, Bestecotours cannot guarantee that items on your allergen or restriction list will not be present in our camps/lodges or elsewhere. Guests are required to provide accurate, up-to-date and complete information about their dietary restrictions and allergies on the booking form. We recommend that, especially on some trips, if your dietary restrictions are very strict, you bring your own favorite snacks, as options to meet special dietary needs may be quite limited in remote areas. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own health and safety and understand that we cannot guarantee complete protection from contamination or airborne transmission. 

Drone

Drones are not allowed to be used during the trip in China. 

Language Policy

All Bestecotours trips are conducted in English. We are unable to provide pre-trip materials or translations in other languages during the tour. 

Wildlife Viewing

As most of the itineraries in the countries we visit focus on wildlife viewing, we will do our best to arrange trips to known locations where wildlife is present. However, the animals we encounter are wild and free, and we cannot fully predict or control their movements (nor do we want to). To search for wildlife that may deviate from their normal activity patterns, or for the comfort, safety, or other circumstances of the travelers, we may need to make adjustments to accommodation, transportation methods, activities, or other itinerary elements, sometimes with little or no advance notice.

Due to various factors such as wildlife activity and behavior, weather conditions, human intervention, climate change, and variations in species biodiversity and density at different locations, the number of wildlife we can view may vary significantly. Although we strive to provide an outstanding wildlife viewing experience, we cannot guarantee its availability, diversity, and/or quantity, including the wildlife described in our catalogues, websites, and related images.