Amazing Australia With Chef

• Best Time to Visit Australia's climate varies by region. But Australia is an all year round destination. If you want to avoid cold Winter months, then the best time to travel is from October to May.  

• Australian visas are obtained by applying online. We do Visa process applications for our guests.We ensure a seamless application process to avail of an Australia Tourist Visa for Indians. The processing time is around 25 to 40 days. 
• Firstly please note, to get Australia visa you need to have good IT returns, liquid assets and good travel history. 
  

• Australian tourist visas are typically issued under the subclass 600 category. There are different streams within this category, such as Tourist stream, Sponsored Family stream, and Approved Destination Status stream. You should choose the one that best suits your purpose of visiting Australia.

• Before applying, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category. Eligibility criteria can include financial requirements, health and character checks, and the genuine temporary entrant requirement.
• Gather Required Documents

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months validity beyond your intended stay.
• Visa application form, which you can complete online on the official website.
• Passport-sized photographs meeting specific requirements.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Australia, such as bank statements.
• Travel itinerary, including flight and hotel bookings.
• Proof of ties to India, like employment letters, property documents, or family connections.
• Are any additional documents required for your specific visa stream?

• Once you have all documents ready, then you can share the same with us to process further. 

• Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to undergo biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and/or a medical examination. Follow the instructions provided in your application.

• Visa processing times can vary, so be patient

• If your visa is approved, you will receive a visa grant notification. Make sure to read and understand the conditions of your visa.

• Once you have your visa, you can travel to Australia for the specified period.
• Comply with Visa Conditions
• While in Australia, make sure to adhere to all the conditions of your visa, including the duration of your stay.Always verify the latest requirements and procedures on the official Australian government website or consult with the Australian embassy or consulate nearest to you. Visa rules and requirements can change, so it's crucial to have the most current information.

• The flight duration is approximately 12 to 13 hours. 

• Australia is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India

• The flying time to Australia from India is approx. around 14 hours.
• Main cities of Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, Perth. Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Air India, VietJet, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Thai, Srilankan Airlines flies from all major cities of India via their Hubs.
• Please refer to our ticketing portal https://portal.flamingotravels.co.in/flight

• Yes, it’s mandatory to carry an International Credit Card / Forex Card / Debit card. You need to provide the details of the booked accommodation. A refundable deposit will be blocked for 30 working days and released after you check out. Any damage to the room/property will be charged to this credit card.

• On the tour luggage allowance in the coach will be one Handbag and one 23/20 kgs check in bag per person. 
• Even when flying within Australia, in domestic flights, one 23/20 kgs check in bag and one 7 kgs hand carry will be allowed depending on the airline policy.  

• Yes, Please carry minimum luggage as coach luggage space is limited. We will allow only one Luggage bag with one Hand Luggage.

• The official currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). You need to change the currency to Australian dollars. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Australia, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. ATMs are also readily available.
• While it's a good idea to have some local currency on hand, you can exchange money at banks, currency exchange offices, or use ATMs upon arrival in Australia for competitive rates.
• Also, if you hire a self-drive car, you must bring the same credit card used to make the reservation.

• The distances between the major cities are large, so we prefer travel by Air. The major cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Gold Coast.
• The approximate flying times are;

• Mainly for Group tours to Australia, we have,
• Australia – Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and Gold coast, the major 4 cities tour. 
• The itineraries can be anywhere between 8 nights to 12 nights depending on the time of the year and season.

• Yes. One can combine Australia with New Zealand, Fiji, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia

• Australia has a lot of Indian restaurants in all  major cities. across the country. You can get very good Guajarati style, Maharashtrian style, south Indian meals, Punjabi and Rajasthani style, Mumbai style fast food in Australia with flamingo tour. 

• A: Yes, most restaurants and cafes offer vegetarian and vegan menu items. Australia is accommodating of various dietary preferences. Veg thai, veg Mexican, veg pizza, veg burgers are easily possible. 

• Normal hotel breakfast spread with items like Milk, Cereal, Fruits, breads along with 1 hot Indian Item. 

• Lunches may be a combination of restaurant & casserole lunches / Packed Lunches.
• Afternoon lunch will be minimum of two or three Items such as Pav Bhaji, Puri Bhaji, Bhel, Chole Puri, Biryani Curd, Handva etc. will be served in outside Picnic areas & Parks. (Subject to weather conditions &  permissions, the time of this meal can vary)

• Indian Dinner will be served in the hotel or in Indian restaurant with full set menu of that city.
• Despite having a chef on board, some meals will be prepared by the restaurant due to logistic reasons. (Specifically on days with intercity flight or long distance road travel)
• In Cairns & Gold Coast Meals Will Be In Indian Restaurant cooked by our chef.
• Due to unavoidable circumstances any meal on tour can be packed meal due to operational issues.

• When you book the tour, the sales staff will provide you with the itinerary which specifies all details and is day wise. You last and final updates itinerary with all hotel names and address as well as internal flights (If any) will be shared with you by your sales representative before 7 days of your departure. 

• Tap Water throughout Australia is Safe to Consume and therefore request you to carry an empty bottle with you which you can refill whenever you wish to.

• English is the main language of Australia. You'll have no trouble communicating in English. English is widely spoken throughout Australia.

• Wi-Fi is available at most International airports, Public access areas of Hotels, and trains in Australia. Buses do not necessarily have Wi-Fi. The speed quality and speed may vary.
• Some places may have access to Wi-Fi at a fee.

• Capital City :        Canberra.
• Major Cities :        Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth
• Population :        20 million.
• Languages :        English.
• Best time to Visit:        Any time is good time to Visit Australia.
• Flying Time :        13 Hrs
• Time Difference :       4:30 Hrs Ahead India

• Sydney: Sydney – Australia’s Olympic City. 
• Sydney is the capital city of the, and the most populous city in Australia. 
• Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about 70 km (43.5 mi) towards the Blue Mountains to the west, Hawkesbury to the north, and the Royal National Park and Macarthur to the south and south-west. 
• Aboriginal Australians have inhabited the Greater Sydney region for at least 30,000 years, and Aboriginal engravings and cultural sites are common. 

• Bondi Beach  
• Opera House
• Sydney Tower eye
• Harbour Cruise
• Sydney Zoo
• Blue mountain and Featherdale Wildlife Park

Melbourne: Melbourne- known as most livable city.

• Melbourne is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in Australia (although the most populous by contiguous urban area). 
• Its name generally refers to a 9,993 km2 (3,858 sq mi) metropolitan area known as Greater Melbourne. 
• The metropolis occupies much of the northern and eastern coastlines of Port Phillip Bay and spreads into the Mornington Peninsula, part of West Gippsland, as well as the hinterlands towards the Yarra Valley, the Dandenong and Macedon Ranges. 
• The area of Melbourne has been home to Aboriginal Victorians for over 40,000 years and serves as an important meeting place for local Kulin nation clans.

• MCG cricket stadium  
• Great Ocean Road 
• Twelve Apostles
• Yarra Valley Wineries
• Go Hot Air ballooning across the picturesque Yarra Valley|
• Adventure Snow Tours – Mount Buller Day Trip (in winters)

• The city was founded in 1876 and named after Sir William Wellington Cairns, following the discovery of gold in the Hodgkinson River.
• Throughout the late 19th century, Cairns prospered from the settlement of Chinese immigrants who helped develop the region's agriculture.
• Cairns also served as a port for black birding ships, which crews transported slaves and indentured labourers to the sugar plantations of Innis fail. 
• Cairns is a popular tourist destination because of its tropical climate and access to tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

• KurandaVillage  
• Big Cat Green Island
• Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience 
• Hot air Ballooning
• Skydive
  
  

Gold Coast: A Surfers Paradise.

• The Gold Coast is a coastal city and region in the state of Queensland, Australia, approximately 66 kilometers (41 mi) south-southeast of the center of the state capital Brisbane. 
• The Gold Coast is a major tourist destination with a sunny, subtropical climate and has become widely known for its surfing beaches (such as Surfers Paradise), high-rise dominated skyline, theme parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland. 
• The city is part of the nation's entertainment industry with television productions and a major film industry. The city hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

• Dream world
• Movie world 
• Hinterland
• Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour
• Sky point observation deck
• Jet Boating Gold Coast
• Hotair Ballooning 

• Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia and the fourth most  populous city in Australia. 
• It contains a number of important public buildings as well as cultural and heritage sites. 
• Notable government buildings include Parliament House, Government House, the Supreme Court Buildings and the Perth Mint. 
• The city is served by Fremantle Harbour and Perth Airport. It was a naval base for the Allies during World War II 

• Rottnest Island 
• Margaret River
• Optus Stadium

• Named in honour of Queen Adelaide, the city was founded in 1836 as the planned capital for the only freely-settled British province in Australia. 
• It has been noted for its leading examples of religious freedom and progressive political reforms, and became known as the "City of Churches" due to its diversity of faiths. 
• Today, Adelaide is known by its many festivals and sporting events, its food and wine, its coastline and hills, its large defence and manufacturing sectors and its emerging space sector, including the Australian Space Agency being headquartered here.

• National Wine Centre of Australia
• St Peter's Cathedral
• Adelaide Botanic Garden
• River Cruise
• Grand Barossa

• The distances between the major cities are large, so we prefer travel by Air. The major cities are Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and Gold Coast.

• Yes, as Australia uses Type I electrical outlets and plugs. If your devices have a different plug type, you may need a universal adapter.

• most  public Toilets are free of charge for use. 

• There is a shortage of manpower in Australia which makes porter service either very expensive or not available for most hotels.
• Porterage in Any of Tours is not included. It will be passenger’s responsibility to carry their bags to and from the Coach and their room. 
• We recommend you to carry light so you can pull your bags in and out of the rooms on own easily. 

• Yes, Tipping is compulsory in Australia. 
• You will have to pay AUD 5.00 per person per day for the Duration of your tour. Kindly pay the same on arrival to the Tour Manager (Applicable on both adult and child) 

• Flamingo strongly advises that you should carry a travel insurance with you, with a minimum of USD250,000 coverage. We will not release any tour documents, unless the insurance copy is submitted to us. 
• Please note the insurance cost is not included in the tour cost. It is going to be additional. 

• Standard check in time is 3 pm and check out time is 11 am. 

• Always carry layers, as it might get cold during evenings and mornings. Pack lightweight clothing for summer and warm layers for winter. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and swimwear if you plan to hit the beaches. Check the weather for your specific destinations. It is suggested to carry umbrella or ponchos too. 

• All information given in the Brochure / Itinerary / Sightseeing Tours are based on the information available at the time of publication. We reserve the right to change any brochure / itinerary before or after booking your tour due to any event beyond our control. In case if we will know about any changes before your departure we will update or communicate with you otherwise our Tour Manager or Local Representative will inform you of the changes on the tour.

• Tipping is compulsory. 
• You will have to pay AUD 5.00 per person per day for the Duration of your tour. Kindly pay the same on arrival to the Tour Manager (Applicable on both adult and child) 

• On the tour luggage allowance in the coach will be one handbag and one suitcase per person. 
• Porterage in Any of Tours is not included. It will be passenger’s responsibility to carry their bags to and from the Coach and their room. 

• Double room is for 2 people sharing 
• Triple room is for 3 persons sharing one standard room
• Child sharing room with parents will be 2 queen beds in 1 room
• Most hotels have more Twin rooms (2 queen beds). 
• Please note that in case child sharing parent’s bed and booked as CNB many times bed size in the room is either Queen size or Twin beds may come. Therefore, we recommend booking child with bed for children above 5 years. 
• Please note that size of the Double and Triple rooms is usually the same. In Triple room, third bed is typically a roll- away bed or an extra bed.

• Flamingo strongly advises that you should carry a travel insurance with you, with a minimum of USD 250,000 coverage. We will not release any tour documents, unless the insurance copy is submitted to us. 
• Please note the insurance cost is not included in the tour cost. It is going to be additional. 

• It is mandatory to follow the Vaccination pre-requirement of each country being visited before &during the tour.

• If you wish to deviate your tour from the group on return to India the same is permitted. You will have to pay Rs. 10,000/- per person per deviation plus difference of airfare as per availability of the date you wish to travel on. Pre tour deviations are not possible on Group airfare. If you wish to go earlier than Group departure date than you are required to pay the difference of individual airfare and Group airfare.

• International Flight Airfare & Internal Flight Airfare not included. 
• Passengers need to reach to the hotel of first destination on their own. Airport transfers are not included for Direct Joining passengers. 
• Passengers’ tour will end at the hotel in the last city. They need to transfer to airport on their own expense.
• The JD cost does not include the cost of Australia and New Zealand visa.

• Your tour manager will not be travelling with you in the flights. He / She will meet you directly in the first hotel of your tour / airport (if there is a transfer) 
• It is not necessary that the tour manager travels with you in the internal flights as well. 
• Your tour manager may change the flow of sightseeing for the betterment if need may be. 

• It is strictly not allowed to eat, drink or smoke inside the Coach. 
• Coach Captains are bound by American laws and restrictions about driving hours per day and per week. All itineraries are planned as per them. Therefore it is absolutely essential for passengers to follow the time very strictly and punctually. 
• In some Coaches an emergency washroom is available. Keeping in mind hygiene standards it can be used only in case of severe emergency. We try to make sufficient stops to ensure the comfort of our passengers. 
• For our tours we do have all sizes of coaches such as 30 seater, 49 seater and 55 seater. We choose coach as per number of participants in the tour and we tend to use full capacity of our coach with no seat or hardly a seat or two empty in the coach. 
• Our coaches will not have any WIFI facilities on board the coach. 

• initial deposit - Rs. 50,000/ + USA visa fees to confirm you’re booking with us. 
• 2nd Payment –Rs. 1, 00,000 while applying for Visa.    
• 3rd Payment - Rs.  1, 00,000/- 75 Days Prior to your Departure. 
• 4th Payment – Rs.  1, 00,000/- 45 Days Prior to your Departure.
• 100% payment to be made at least 30 Days Prior to your Departure.
• The initial deposit money will be towards the INR portion. 
• The USD component will never be freezed. ROE will be considered on the date of payments given, towards USD portion.

• 60 Days or more prior to Departure                Rs.50000/-
• 59 Days to 35 Days prior to Departure                      Rs.85000/-
• 34 Days to 07 Days prior to Departure                      75% of the Tour Cost
• With 7 Days of Departure                                        100% of the Tour Cost

• There will be no refund on utilized services. 
• Due to reasons beyond our control such as strikes, heavy traffic, rain etc or you did not use services such as Meals, Entrance Fees, Sightseeing Tour, Hotels, cruises, Optional Tours it is clearly understood that there will be no refund due to any reason whatsoever. 
• Any refund (if due) process will take minimum 30 days or the time taken as per the supplier policy on whose services needs to be refunded. 
• Refunds will be given in Indian Rupees and thru Cheque or Bank Transfers only even though payment by cash. 
• If refund is due in foreign currency the rate of exchange will be considered on the day when refund is made and not the day when the payment was made.

• operations of Groups Tour to USA is subject to Minimum Participation of 35 paying adult passengers 
• Tours specified in the brochure / itinerary is subject to minimum participation of paying participants. If the participants are below the minimum prescribed or any unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or without assigning any reason the company reserves right to amend, amalgamate, alter, vary or cancel a tour without incurring the liability to pay any compensation.  
• Under such circumstances amount paid by you will be refunded forthwith after deducting the actual expenses incurred by us like visa, travel insurance and the like but no compensation is payable. All refunds shall be given in Indian Rupees and thru cheque or bank transfers only. 
• If company decides to operate the tour with participation below minimum stipulated or if the participants are required to travel as “individual traveller” the company reserves right to collect additional amount in case any. Persons travelling as individual travellers such cases will not be provided certain services including that of tour manager and the client may travel in the same itinerary with some amendments such as in coach, airport transfers, which re at fixed times etc. 

• Above rates are subject to change without our prior notice. Above rates are subject to availability & confirmation by the airline & hotel. 
• ROE will be considered on the day when you make the payment. 
• Price is valid for minimum 40 Passengers traveling together. Flamingo reserves right to cancel or Change date of departure in case of inadequate members in the Group. 
• Room Rates based on Standard Rooms. Supplement cost will be applicable for Sea Facing /Lake Facing / Deluxe / Suite Rooms. 
• International Hotel Standard Check in time 1500 hrs Check out Time 1100hrs 
• There is No Refund for unutilized Services. 
• All services of the tour including changes in Schedule of mode of travel may have an impact on tour Itineraries and the company reserves a right to change / modify / vary/ alter in the tour Itinerary and/or tour tariff accordingly. 
• Porterage is not included. The passengers have to carry their own luggage from coach to room and rooms to coach on their own. 
• Passengers need to pay baggage handling fees of USD 25-35 per check in bag, per flight for internal sectors, levied by airlines at airport if more than 1 bag per person by themselves. 
• It is advisable to book 60 days prior to the date of departure as the internal ticket rate might increase closer to the departure date, resulting in an increase in the tour cost. 
• Overseas Medical Insurance is strongly suggestible for your travel.