Safety in the Field Guidelines

Mansago Destination specializes in organizing adventurous travel experiences across various destinations around the world. By nature, this line of business carries certain inherent risks that may affect both the tour guides and the travelers.

Several contributing factors to these risks include:

Limited enforcement of laws and regulations in some destination countries, particularly those relating to transportation, infrastructure, and the travel industry, which may not meet the standards typically found in Western countries;
Potential political instability in certain regions where our tours operate;
The nature of our itineraries, which often involve physically demanding activities conducted in remote areas with limited access to medical facilities and basic infrastructure.
Therefore, all parties involved are expected to be aware of and adequately prepared for the potential risks associated with such travel experiences.

Given these factors, MansaGO Destination acknowledges its responsibility to take all reasonable precautions to ensure that both work and travel conditions are as safe as possible.

The purpose of this document is to provide our travelers with an overview of the safety standards they can expect during a Bounty Timor Tours trip. It represents a summarized version of our Operational Safety Policy, which all of our guides are expected to follow while leading tours.

If you have any feedback or concerns regarding this policy or its implementation in the field, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@mansago.com

We also recognize that no set of guidelines can foresee every possible situation.

We encourage our guides to rely on sound judgment over rigid rules, and to evaluate each situation as it occurs. Our guides are selected for their strong operational decision-making skills, and this includes the ability to apply safe travel practices in a thoughtful and flexible way. If a guide is ever unsure about the safety of an activity—whether or not it is covered in this policy—we ask that they always choose the safest course of action.

Safety Guidelines

MansaGO Destination does not recommend riding on the roof of any form of transport
Smoking in the car is strictly prohibited at all times.

Accommodation

Government regulations on safety standards in hotels and guesthouses we use in Asia are less stringent than those in the West.
In basic accommodation such as hill tribe huts or home stays our guide will inform the group about the dangers of elevated platforms, particularly in places where the group sleeps at night and are likely to be wandering around in the dark. You should use a torch/flashlight when making a night-time toilet visit.

Activities in General

Exposure to sun is a real risk for travelers when doing any outside activity. We recommend that you slip, slop, Slap at all times – that’s slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.
Exposure to sun is a real risk for travelers when doing any outside activity. We recommend that you slip, slop, Slap at all times – that’s slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.
Trekking
Some of our trips include a trekking component, be it on an overnight jaunt or a strenuous hours walk. Trekking should be the highlight of the trip, but as it necessarily involves travel in remote areas it also attracts a greater degree of risk. The following guidelines apply to all treks that we run.

All travelers should have the correct footwear and equipment for the trek. Organize this before leaving home.

At the end of each day of the trek our guide will outline the following day’s walk and plans, as well as debriefing on the walk you have done that day.

If local conditions such as weather, landslides, etc. become an issue, your guide will seek the opinion from the local guides on the safety of the conditions and risks involved in continuing. The ultimate decision on whether to continue rests with our guide.

First Aid Kits

Our guide will carry a medical kit with him/her at all times during your trip, including any trek, 4WD ride. This medical kit contains basic first aid supplies. Our legal responsibilities dictate that we cannot distribute drugs to any traveler.

Ultimate Packing List

Our ultimate packing list should be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion; however, you should attempt to follow our suggested luggage weight limit of under 30kg/22lb. Some items on this list may not be necessary for your particular trip. What you bring will vary according to the trip style you’ve chosen, the countries you’re visiting and when you’re travelling. We recommend you check the details of your trip when deciding what to pack.

Travel Documents

Passport
Visas required for this trip (obtained on arrival in Dili
Travel insurance including insurer details
24 hrs emergency contact telephone number and policy number (even if you are travelling with credit card insurance)
Flight tickets
Trip confirmation voucher
Photocopies of important documents
Spare passport photos
International driving license if you plan to hire a car
Diving license
Travel vaccination certificates

Luggage

On the vast majority of our trips, you are expected to carry your own luggage, although you will not be required to walk long distances with it as we use a 4WD for most of the trip. Most travelers carry their luggage in a backpack, though an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would be fine if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient but we recommend your bag has carry straps

Personal Health and Hygiene

Personal medication
Prescription glasses /contact lenses and solution /sunglasses
High protection sunscreen (50+) and Lip balm/lip salve
Hat/wide brim hat
Insect Repellent, Antihistamine/Insect bite cream
Antibacterial gel/wipes
Travel sickness tablets
After-sun moisturizer
Anti-malaria pills (if recommended by doctor)
Aspirin and/or paracetamol
Rehydration powder (salts & glucose)
Anti-diarrhea pills (consult your doctor for more detailed advice)
Toiletries

Clothing

For longer trips we recommend you choose clothing that is easy to wash and fast drying. Women should bring a clothing/skirt that covers their knees and a scarf for visiting mosques, churches and other places of worship. Ex-military or military- style clothing and equipment is not recommended in many areas. If jungle trekking, or on a safari, it is recommended you wear beige, light green or light brown clothing.

Warm anorak/sweater/micro fleece (for high country Mt Ramelau etc.)
Long-sleeved top (for evenings when mosquitoes are out)
Long trousers (zip-off trousers are very versatile)
Jeans/trousers/shorts
T-Shirts/cotton shirts
Socks/underwear
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Sandals/flip-flops
Waterproof bags for rain protection while walking
Waterproof & windproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Raincoat /poncho
Alarm clock/ Electrical adapter /phone charger
Bath towel

Equipment

Personal medication
Prescription glasses /contact lenses and solution /sunglasses
High protection sunscreen (50+) and Lip balm/lip salve
Hat/wide brim hat
Insect Repellent, Antihistamine/Insect bite cream
Antibacterial gel/wipes
Travel sickness tablets
After-sun moisturizer
Anti-malaria pills (if recommended by doctor)
Aspirin and/or paracetamol
Rehydration powder (salts & glucose)
Anti-diarrhea pills (consult your doctor for more detailed advice)
Toiletries

Timor Leste Top 12 Responsible Travel Tips

Before leaving home learn as much as possible about the countries you are visiting – the religion and culture, the local rules and values.
Learn some language and don’t be afraid to use it – simple pleasantries will help break the ice. Keep practicing.
Learn what’s appropriate behavior and body Like the concept of
Support locally owned businesses, hotels, restaurants and other services. Eat local food and drink local brands and brews. Use public transport, hire a Bike or walk where convenient – you’ll meet local people and get to know the
Avoid eating in restaurants, shopping in stores or visiting local shows, Markets or zoos that promote cruelty or exploitation of endangered
Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products, helping keep Traditional crafts alive and favor local products over imported items. Bargain if that is a local practice, but bear in mind that a small amount to you could be extremely important to the seller.
Dress respectfully with an awareness of local standards. Dress modestly at religious sites and check what swim wear is suitable for pools, rural Waterways and the beach.
Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Send them back Copies of photos to help make it a two1way exchange.
Be wary of giving gifts or money to beggars, children and people you have just met. Supporting the community through a local school, clinic or Development project may be more constructive.
Leave only footprints, take care of the environment as you would your own Home. Take out all you take in, to areas away from the cities. Use Alternatives to plastic and say ‘No’ to plastic bags. For cigarette butts, an Empty film or similar container makes a perfect portable container.
After returning home think how you can support programs and organizations that are working to protect the welfare, culture and environment of where You’ve been lucky to visit.
Smile and have fun! 😊

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