1. Experts to our Destinations
Established in 1965, we have many years of experience in offering quality holidays. Originally specializing in the Middle East, we were the first tour operator to organise tours to the Caucasus and Central Asia after the break up of the Soviet Union and have since then added many new and exciting countries to our worldwide brochure. All the members of our team have an intimate knowledge of our destinations, their cultures and languages and can share their first hand knowledge and experience with you.

2. Personal Service
As a specialist tour operator we take a personal interest in all our clients and take great pride in the loyalty our customers have shown us year after year. Our itineraries are innovative and each trip has been thoroughly researched by experienced staff and put together to meet high standards. We personally check all the details, which will make your holiday special.

3. Look What’s Included
Silk Road and Beyond holidays have no extra hidden costs. Our holidays include international flights, internal flights, private vehicles, local transport and quality accommodation as per trip dossier. It also covers the services of a professional local guide and other local staff, all sightseeing tours including entrance fees to places of interest.

4. Guaranteed Price.
Our tours offer great value for money and if you take one of our personal tours shown on our website or in our brochure, the price is guaranteed. Whatever the time of year and whichever the season, our prices remain the same and there are no hidden supplements.

5. Guaranteed Departures.
We will not cancel your tour at short notice. If you are booked on one of our personal tours, it is guaranteed to depart.

6. Peace of Mind.
We are fully bonded members of ABTA, IATA and ATOL, so you can be sure that your holiday arrangements are in secure hands. Our ATOL bonding protects all your holiday arrangements.

7. New Destinations for our clients.
We are continually expanding our range of holidays, to offer our clients a wider of choice of travel experiences. We have added three fascinating new countries: Russia, Ethiopia and Turkmenistan and vastly expanded our China tours. We feature many more multi-country tours and the ultimate adventure trip “The Great Silk Road” in four parts from Istanbul to Beijing.

8. No credit Card Surcharges.
Unlike most other tour operators, Silk Road and Beyond does not raise any surcharges where clients choose to pay by credit or charge card.

Tour Operators Regulations: Bonding, Licensing and Associations.

As well as being protected by the two UK organisation that control the Licensing and Bonding of travel companies, Silk Road Tours is endorsed by one Association which encourage the highest of standards for you, the customer.

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA)
ABTA is the organisation which represents UK tour operators responsible for the sale of over 90% of package holidays. It is ABTA’s role to ensure that you, the customer, benefit from consistently high standards of trading practice in the travel industry; that the standards of service and business throughout the membership are of the highest calibre.

Holiday Protection. ABTA members operate under strict codes of conduct, to promote your best interests. So when you see the ABTA symbol n your tour operator’s brochure, you can be confident that the descriptions of your travel arrangements have been compiled under comprehensive guidelines set by ABTA to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Financial Protection. As an ABTA tour operator you are covered by financial protection. This
means you can book your holiday knowing that if an ABTA member fails financially while you’re on holiday, you’ll be able to continue as originally planned, and in any event be certain ABTA will make sure you get back to the United Kingdom.

For more information on ABTA please click on the ABTA Logo for connection to their Website.

AIR TOUR OPERATORS LICENCE (ATOL):
The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 4109. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom.
Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more or contact the CAA at the address below:

The Civil Aviation Authority
Consumer Protection Group
CAA House
45-49 Kingsway
London WC2B 6TE

For more information on ATOL please click on the ATOL Logo for connection to their Website.

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (IATA):
IATA is the Trade Association of the world’s international airline industry. Originally founded in 1919 it now groups together nearly 270 airlines. These airlines fly over 95% of all international scheduled air traffic. One of the many functions of IATA is their Agency programme. On behalf of their airline members, IATA approves and controls the more than 90,000 accredited passenger Agents worldwide.

The vast majority of all Silk Road Tours air tickets are issued for flights on scheduled airlines. The Company therefore needs to be an Accredited IATA Agent, and to become one Silk Road Tours needs to demonstrate financial soundness, proficiency of staff and the suitability and security of our premises. To remain members, all Accredited Agents are required to undergo annual checks by IATA.

For more information on IATA please click on the IATA Logo for connection to their Website.

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT TOUR OPERATORS (AITO):
AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators, is an organisation representing over 150 of Britain's best specialist tour operators.

Companies admitted to AITO are not only vetted and fully bonded for clients' protection, in compliance with UK and European regulations. They are also bound by AITO's own code of business practice which includes provisions for the clear and accurate descriptions of holidays and the use of customer questionnaires for monitoring standards. AITO members are also encouraged to participate in raising awareness among staff, customers and suppliers of the importance of responsible tourism.