Ask for every item to be marked included, extra, optional or unconfirmed. A visit appearing in an itinerary does not establish that its costs are included. This checklist helps you request a quote; it is not an inclusion list for every tour.
1. Accommodation: specify each night's rooms
Check the city, hotel or stated substitution rules, bed setup, room count, occupants, breakfast and extra beds. Labels such as “premium” cannot replace those details. Clarify single occupancy and how children share rooms.
2. Transport: list every connection
Separate flights, intercity rail, airport or station transfers and sightseeing vehicles. A train journey may require transfers at both ends. Provide passenger, suitcase and stroller counts, then confirm capacity, service hours, waiting and changes outside the agreed plan.
3. Admissions and activities: name the ticket
Check entrance tickets, cableways, scenic shuttles, boats, shows and experiences separately. For Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, ask which cableway and visiting areas are intended. Agree how unavailable reservations, weather or closures would affect the itinerary and cost.
4. Meals: count the actual meals
List included breakfasts, lunches and dinners, meal arrangements and meals paid independently. Explain allergies, children's needs or dietary preferences and ask what can be arranged. An unconfirmed special meal is not an included service.
5. Staff: a driver is not automatically a guide
Confirm the dates, hours and language for drivers, accompanying guides, local explanations and remote support. English-language guiding requires explicit confirmation. Ask whether any shopping stops or optional activities are planned and what participation costs.
6. Your party: children, single rooms and extras
Check adult and child prices, single occupancy, extra beds, child restraints, extra luggage and separate transfers. Ask about insurance, visas or other document services and personal spending if the quote does not state their treatment.
7. Payment and changes: keep the final version
Record quote validity, payment stages, contracting and payment recipients, cancellation, rescheduling and what happens if a group does not operate or a service changes. Keep the agreed itinerary and cost list together. This checklist does not replace your actual booking terms.
How do you compare two quotes fairly?
First distinguish small-group and private travel, then compare the same dates, travellers, rooms and services. A starting price alone does not establish value, and unconfirmed items should not be treated as free.
For families, see the Yunnan guide to fewer hotel moves. Browse the Yunnan destination page, then send your dates, party and quotation requirements for a written proposal.