DETAILS
Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group.
TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit. Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience
FELLOW TRAVELLERS
You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 16 travellers in our group. This is a Solos Mix tour. We have a group onboard The Ghan but there are other travellers, not part of our group they will be couples or otherwise. The group is unescorted and suits an independent style traveller.
SOLOS MIX
We’ve hand picked a line up of tours with that are popular choices for solo travellers. There’s a mix of travellers, single travellers and couples travelling together – this is our SOLOS MIX offer. From our ‘know-how’ these are trips popular with solo travellers.
We only select small group tours for our Solos Mix selection. There’s a good likelihood of more than a few solo travellers joining the tour.
THE PACE [2 out of 5]
We require you to complete our Booking Form including a self-completed Fit to Travel declaration.
Travellers of 75 years or over or with a pre existing medical condition or disability, may be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor.
See MORE ABOUT FITNESS in More Information section below.
TIPPING
All meals, drinks, and service are included in the rail fare and this includes the off-train excursions. You may like to provide a tip for excellent service and this is at each passenger’s discretion.
ABOUT THE MEALS
There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.
We request all group members dine together, at the same time onboard however this is not always possible and is an unguaranteed request; group members may be split across different dining times. However there are still opportunities to mingle and enjoy drinks together in the lounge on board before and after dining.
Sensational destinations are just the beginning – this is also a culinary journey starring regionally-inspired food, fine wines, and local specialities, on board the unique dining carriages.
You’ll find yourself indulging in sumptuous cuisine, fine wines, and camaraderie in the dining carriages. The Ghan’s expert culinary team works closely with local suppliers, farmers and providores to source the best ingredients, creating an innovative, regionally-inspired menu accompanied by all-inclusive fine wines and beverages.
Are you a flexitarian?
If you have dietary requirements, please advise if it is due to allergies or for medical reasons or if it is a personal preference and if you are flexible. Dietary requirements will limit choices. If a dietary requirement is not essential due to medical reasons and you are a flexitarian, then we recommend that you exclude your personal preferences if not necessary to provide more options with the meal choices.
THE GROUP EXPERIENCE
This journey aboard The Ghan Expedition is designed for the independent traveller who appreciates the freedom of solo travel, but also enjoys the opportunity to connect with a like-minded group.
While this is not a hosted group tour and there is no Encounter Travel tour escort accompanying the trip, we’ve ensured the experience is still social and easy to navigate. All solo travellers booked through Encounter Travel are located together in the same carriage, which means your sleeping berth, dining carriage, and lounge area are shared with fellow travellers from our group. It’s a seamless setup that makes it easy to mix and mingle throughout the rail journey.
On board, The Ghan’s professional crew are on hand to take care of everything; from the comfort of your cabin and all-inclusive dining and drinks, to the immersive off-train experiences included as part of the rail expedition. These services are provided by The Ghan team, not Encounter Travel staff.
This style of travel is ideal if you’re happy to be self-sufficient day to day, while still enjoying the camaraderie of travelling with other solo travellers as part of a relaxed, unstructured group experience.
LUGGAGE INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS
About Checked Luggage
Due to space constraints, guests are advised to take onboard only hand luggage containing the requirements for their rail journey. Checked in luggage cannot be accessed during the journey.
Guests should bring an overnight bag to their cabin containing everything needed for the journey.
Certain items are prohibited from being carried in your luggage at all. Valuables including your passport, medicine, fragile or perishable items must be carried onboard as cabin baggage. An additional fee may apply to excess luggage. Refer to the rail company’s Terms and Conditions for full conditions. Occupational Health and Safety legislation provides guidelines outlining the safe weight that staff can lift.
About Carry On
GOLD SERVICE SINGLE CABIN
One piece of hand luggage plus a garment bag, cabin bag or briefcase per person.
The operator, Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions reserves the right to refuse any luggage item for travel. For full details visit their website, click here.
For airline luggage restrictions refer to your ticket details. Please note that the maximum luggage weight for touring may be less than the airline maximum limit.
