NORTHERN SUMMER A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD BY P R I VAT E J ET
JUNE 18 – JULY 10, 2018
Dear Smithsonian Journeys Traveler, If you’ve longed to follow in the footsteps of great explorers who charted our planet’s vast expanses, Northern Summer is a unique opportunity to fulfill that dream. Follow the midnight sun to the world’s northernmost reaches on one all-inclusive journey, including four nights aboard a privately chartered train on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Experience the magic of an endless summer in 12 intriguing destinations, from Russia’s untamed Kamchatka Peninsula and Mongolia’s stark Gobi Desert to Iceland’s vibrant capital, Reykjavik. Take in sweeping views of the verdant Siberian forests, fly over Greenland’s iceberg-dotted landscape, and explore Northern Europe’s historic cities—including Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga. This 23-day journey combines the ease of private jet travel, which allows us to fly direct to remote destinations, with a four-night journey aboard the well-appointed Golden Eagle TransSiberian Express. Our private Boeing 757 jet is specially configured to accommodate 80 VIP-style seats. A professional staff—including an executive tour manager, chef, physician and dedicated cabin crew—will be handling all the details, allowing you to travel worry-free. Traveling with you will be Smithsonian Journeys Expert Hugh Shapiro, who earned his B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University, along with geographer David Keeling from Western Kentucky University. They will offer real-time insights into what you will experience at each destination and lead thoughtprovoking discussions throughout the journey. You will stay in some of the world’s most luxurious and unique properties, from the classic Grand Palace Hotel, set along the charming cobblestoned streets of Old Town Riga, to the exotic Three Camels Lodge, featuring a mix of modern conveniences and delightful appointments amidst the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert. I hope you will join us on what is sure to be an incredible adventure to these hard-to-reach, fascinating destinations. We look forward to welcoming you! Sincerely,
Karen A. Ledwin General Manager, Smithsonian Journeys Visit SmithsonianJourneys.org/PrivateJet or call 866.903.7650 for more information.
“The staff and crew made the trip a complete success, and the hotels were excellent choices.” - WILLIAM H. 201 6 SMITHSO N I AN PRI VATE J ET J OURNEYS GUEST
SEATTLE, U.S.A. | Begin
ILULISSAT, Greenland
REYKJAVIK, Iceland
HELSINKI, Finland RIGA, Latvia
TALLINN, Estonia
LAKE BAIKAL, Russia ULAN-UDE, Russia KAMCHATKA PENINSULA, Russia
KHABAROVSK, Russia BOSTON, U.S.A. | End
ULAANBAATAR and GOBI DESERT or GORKHI-TERELJ NATIONAL PARK, Mongolia
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia
NORTHERN SUMMER A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD BY P R I VAT E J E T
2 3 D AY S | 8 0 G U E S T S | A L L - I N C L U S I V E June 18 – July 10, 2018 $81,950 p e r pe rs o n , do uble occ upancy $8 ,950 s i ngle s upple me n t
Cover: Ger at sunrise, Mongolia This page: Lake Baikal, Russia
MAP KEY PRIVATE JET PRIVATE TRAIN
THE WORLD OF P R I VA T E J E T J O U R N E Y S Follow in the footsteps of great explorers, crossing miles and spanning centuries on the adventure of a lifetime by private jet. This journey is offered on a custom-configured Boeing 757-200ER with seating just for 80 travelers and a veteran flight crew to ensure the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
COLLECT A LIFETIME OF MOMENTS IN A SINGLE JOURNEY
For more than 20 years, TCS World Travel, our tour operator, has turned travel dreams into breathtaking reality. Their all-inclusive, globe-circling journeys are meticulously orchestrated, linking unique cultures, historic sites and natural wonders rarely experienced together. A customized Boeing 757 delivers a seamless in-flight experience, flying direct without airport layovers to most destinations, including remote places hard to reach by commercial air. TCS World Travel’s wealth of expertise and unparalleled global network of travel experts open doors to immersive experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Join us on this custom-curated trip. This page (clockwise from top left): Cathedral detail, Helsinki, Finland; Nomadic man adjusting ger, Mongolia; Camels, Gobi Desert
L E A R N A S YO U E X P L O R E Knowledge is a gift of travel. This expedition enriches your understanding of the world by pairing immersive experiences with knowledgeable experts and local guides who add a new perspective to your journey. Hugh Shapiro and David Keeling will accompany you throughout the trip and bring each destination to life with real-time insights into culture, history and daily life. Go beyond the destination with enriching experiences you can’t find anywhere else—experiences that challenge, move and inspire you.
H U G H S H A P I RO Hugh Shapiro is a professor of East Asian history at the University of Nevada. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University. He has enjoyed visiting appointments at Princeton University, Nichibunken in Kyoto, NTNU in Taipei, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Hugh is published widely and has led many journeys over the years through Asia, Russia and Europe.
DAV I D K E E L I N G David Keeling is a professor and head of Western Kentucky University’s Department of Geography and Geology. His research interests include the geography of exploration and discovery, regional development, environmental change and geopolitics. Professor Keeling has published widely on these issues and has visited more than 175 countries. He has joined more than 15 private jet trips, elucidating each location with engaging anecdotes and knowledge.
P R E PA R E T O B E S P O I L E D Redefine your expectations of air travel. Customized for just 80 guests—versus 239 on a commercial aircraft—the Boeing 757 private jet flies direct even to remote locations. TCS World Travel eliminates hassles such as airport layovers and lengthy security lines by accessing smaller, private airports where possible. When you step aboard the private jet, you’ll instantly recognize the difference. Plush leather seats and plenty of legroom are just the beginning of your seamless in-flight experience aboard the private jet. An executive chef prepares fresh gourmet meals and a dedicated physician travels with you for peace of mind, while an attentive staff sees to your every need. Recline your seat at a touch of a button, and recharge your personal electronics with in-seat power outlets and USB ports.
D E D I C AT E D T O E X C E L L E N C E Enjoy concierge-style service at every level, from the moment you call with inquiries to long after you’ve returned home and unpacked your bags. Throughout your journey, a dedicated staff takes care of all the details, from handling your luggage to helping fill out your customs forms. Expect the same attention to detail at every stop, where you stay in some of the world’s best-available properties—each selected for its service, amenities and proximity to sights. Your luggage is delivered directly to your hotel room and charming local gifts welcome you to each new destination. Opposite Page: Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland This page (clockwise from left): Experienced staff at your service; Custom business-class seats; Gourmet food
“The TCS staff and the jet staff were all outstanding. Everything was anticipated and planned for. The tour delivered much more than what was promised!” - JA M E S DA H M A N N AROUND THE WORLD GUEST
E X P E R I E NC E T H E WON DE RS O F A N O RT H E R N S U M M E R O N T H E JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
PETROPAVLOVSK, RUSSIA: 7H 40M
KAMCHAT KA PENINSULA, RUSS IA Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula is an untamed wilderness punctuated by snowcapped volcanoes, steamy hot springs and endemic wildlife.
JUNE 18 | SEATTLE
Arrive in Seattle on your independent flight. Meet fellow travelers and expedition staff for a welcome dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. We depart for the Kamchatka Peninsula the following day.
Alternatively take a boat cruise along the coast where you can fish for local catch, view seabird colonies and observe indigenous marine animals. Divers bring in delicacies straight from the sea for an onboard tasting.
JUNE 19 – 21 Cross the international date line, losing a day before landing in the Kamchatka Peninsula. No roads or railway lines connect the peninsula to the rest of the continent, making it one of the most remote places on Earth. Learn about the peninsula’s 29 active volcanoes, including one of the largest in the world, from Russian volcanologists accompanying our group. Opt for a crosscountry jaunt to the foot of two spectacular ice-capped volcanoes— Avachinsky and Koryaksky. Hike along Camel Mountain or simply enjoy lunch in the open air.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Located near hot springs on the Paratunka River, Bel-Kam-Tour Hotel is a popular choice for guests to this remote region. Rest in comfortable guest rooms, relax in one of the hotel’s four outdoor thermal pools and enjoy easy access to the Kamchatka Peninsula’s many attractions.
Opposite Page: St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn, Estonia Clockwise from top: Koryaksky volcano; Boat tour of Avacha Bay; Steller sea lions
PETROPAVLOVSK, RUSSIA
VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA: 3H 10M
V L A DI VOST O K, K H A BA ROVS K, U L A N-U DE and L A K E BA IKA L , RUSS IA Embark on a four-night Trans-Siberian Railway adventure across the expansive landscapes of the Siberian taiga to Lake Baikal, the world’s oldest and deepest lake. JUNE 22 – 25 In Vladivostok, explore a preserved Soviet submarine and the complex fortifications at Vladivostok Fortress before boarding the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, chartered exclusively for our group. In Khabarovsk, our first stop, visit a thoughtful World War II memorial and delve into the region’s history at the Khabarovsk Regional Museum.
On the train, take in views of the verdant Siberian boreal forest, sample Russia’s famed vodkas, enjoy Russian delicacies and learn a few Russian phrases. The next day we reach Ulan-Ude. Step back in time at the Old Believer’s village, where a small Russian Orthodox community has maintained their traditional way of life, and enjoy a concert featuring local singers.
As the train approaches Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake and a UNESCO World Heritage site, stop for panoramic views before a barbecue lunch on the shores. In Listvyanka, visit the Lake Baikal Museum to learn about the area’s flora and fauna, or opt to take a chair lift up Chersky Mountain for a spectacular vista of the lake and its surroundings. Travel to Irkutsk and board the private jet for Mongolia. Hearken back to the golden age of train travel aboard the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Chartered exclusively for our group, the train features well-appointed cabins, fine dining, full bar lounge cars and high-touch service.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Clockwise from left: Golden Eagle train; House detail, Ulan-Ude; Orthodox church, Vladivostok
IRKUTSK, RUSSIA
ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA: 45M
U L A A NBA ATA R and G O B I DE S E RT o r GO RKH I- T E REL J NAT IONA L PA R K, M ONG OL I A Mongolia is one of the few remaining nomadic societies in the world and its ancient traditions thrive amid the country’s vast landscapes. JUNE 26 – 28 In Ulaanbaatar, explore the Gandan Monastery, one of the few Buddhist monasteries to survive religious purges in the 1930s. Fly by local air to the Gobi Desert, which is filled with a variety of dramatic landscapes. Examine dinosaur fossils at the Flaming Cliffs and meet a nomadic family at Moltsog Els, a 10-mile stretch of sand dunes. Alternatively, opt to hike in Yolyn Am, a gorge with steep walls that echo the sounds of the stream below. Stay in a private ger, the traditional portable home of the nomads.
Alternate: Experience a different side of Mongolia in GorkhiTerelj National Park, an easy respite from the urban capital. Travel overland to this protected area with its alpine-like terrain, fascinating rock formations and local wildlife. Explore the spectacular valleys and stunning forests on a hike or on horseback.
Each well-appointed guest room at the ShangriLa Hotel, Ulaanbaatar boasts a stunning fusion of contemporary and local design styles. Built according to sustainable guidelines in the Gobi Desert, the Three Camel Lodge features handmade gers, or traditional Mongolian tents that feature hand-painted, woodframed furnishings.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Alternate: Enjoy picturesque views from the Terelj Hotel and Spa’s beautiful rooms and easy access to Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Clockwise from top: Flaming Cliffs; Mongolian horse wrangler; Gers at sunrise
ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA
RIGA, LATVIA: 7H 35M
RIGA, LAT VIA Gothic spires, stunning Art Deco buildings and Soviet-style blocks harmoniously coexist in Riga. Since Latvia’s independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Riga has emerged as the cultural heart of the Baltics. Take a walking tour of Old Riga and browse the bustling centuries-old Central Market. Opt to visit Swedish Gate, part of a fortification wall built in 1698 and the only one of its kind to survive in its original form. Go behind the scenes at the stately neoclassical National Opera House, where Latvia’s national ballet and opera companies perform year-round.
JUNE 29 – 30
Riga is famed for its wealth of Art Nouveau architecture. Walk through neighborhoods filled with incredible Art Nouveau façades, including many designed by legendary architect Mikhail Eisenstein. Continue your exploration at the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, once the apartment of famed Latvian architect Konstantins Peksens, who designed the museum’s grandiose spiral staircase.
Drive to the edge of the Rumbula Forest to view the Salaspils Memorial, a moving tribute to those who lost their lives as concentration camp prisoners during World War II. Delve into Latvia’s somber history at the ruins of a Jewish synagogue—one of many burnt to the ground during the Nazi occupation. ACCOMMODATIONS Built in 1877 as the Central Bank of Latvia, the Grand Palace Hotel boasts elegantly furnished guest rooms with modern conveniences. This five-star hotel includes a fitness center, steam room, a restaurant with Asian and European fusion cuisine, lounge and summer terrace. Clockwise from top left: Latvian Riflemen monument; House of the Blackheads; National Opera House interior
RIGA, LATVIA
HELSINKI, FINLAND: 30M
HELSINKI, FINLAND Finland’s vibrant capital comes to life during long summer days—the ideal time to soak up Helsinki’s lively café culture, historic buildings and urban parks. Stroll down Helsinki’s Esplanade, a lush greenway flanked by luxury boutiques and cafés. During the summer, this boulevard-like park brings all of Helsinki together, and serves as a gateway to fashion showrooms, antique stores and art galleries. Discover an imaginative collection of contemporary art at the Kiasma Museum and explore the unique Temppeliaukio Church, carved directly into the bedrock with a ceiling made entirely out of copper wire.
JULY 1 – 2
Stop by Market Square, Helsinki’s largest open-air market, where vendors sell freshly caught fish, souvenirs and local delicacies along the waterfront. See the grand Presidential Palace, the Finnish president’s official residence, which was once an imperial
palace for Russian tsars. Take a short boat ride to Suomenlinna, an imposing 18th-century maritime fortress built on six islands to defend the Kingdom of Sweden from Russia, and explore the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site, including one of the oldest operational dry docks in the world. ACCOMMODATIONS Timeless elegance and European glamour come together at the Hotel Kämp. Each beautiful room complements the hotel’s stunning 19th-century architecture and contemporary artwork adorns the hallways. Relax in the spa’s traditional Finnish sauna and savor the best in European and Asian cuisine.
Clockwise from left: Helsinki Port; Local delicacies; Suomenlinna
HELSINKI, FINLAND
TALLINN, ESTONIA: 10M
HELSINKI, FINLAND: 10M
TALLINN, ESTONIA Once a thriving member of the Hanseatic League, Tallinn preserves Estonia’s storied past even as this Baltic nation focuses on the future. Constructed between the 13th and the 19th centuries, Tallinn’s medieval Old Town offers visitors a window into the past. Wander through the UNESCO World Heritage site’s winding cobblestone streets, lined with beautifully preserved red-tiled houses, hidden courtyards and spired churches—many of which date back to the Middle Ages. Admire the impressive medieval fortifications that kept residents safe from invading forces, including massive defensive towers and the original city wall. Tallinn’s Old Town contains more than 20 churches, representing Catholic, Lutheran and Russian Orthodox traditions, as well as the ruins of a 770-year-old Dominican Monastery.
JULY 3
Walk through Town Hall Square, the bustling center of the Old Town, and see the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe. Gaze up at one of Tallinn’s best-known symbols—the weather vane on the town hall’s tower, which depicts a popular figure named Old Thomas, who is widely regarded as the city’s guardian. Look for handicrafts, jewelry and confections in the charming lanes between historic buildings. Explore the contrasts of Tallinn’s modern city center, where medieval churches and skyscrapers compete for real estate, before returning to the Hotel Kämp in Helsinki by private jet for the night. Clockwise from top: Aerial view of Old Town Tallinn; Ornate door detail; Traditional dancers
HELSINKI, FINLAND
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND: 3H 30M
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Reykjavik may be one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but its residents have a big-city mentality that spills into café-lined streets late into the summer evenings. JULY 4 – 6 Start with a visit to the Old City and the Arbaer Open Air Museum, where historically-typical wooden houses and museum exhibits highlight the traditional side of Iceland and its unique history. Relax in the geothermic hot springs of the Blue Lagoon, whose warm, mineral-rich waters offer the perfect setting to ease any travel discomforts, or visit Heidmörk Nature Reserve for an afternoon jaunt through spruce trees and lava fields. At Thingvellir National Park, stand on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This expansive rift valley, surrounded by high cliffs, is where Iceland’s open-air parliament met annually for more than 800 years.
From black-sand beaches to rugged fjords, Iceland’s stunning landscapes have been largely shaped by volcanic activity over
millions of years. See the geothermal fields of Geysir, still bubbling with hot springs and mud pots, and refresh in the mists of the majestic Gullfoss, Iceland’s iconic cascading waterfall. Weather permitting, set off on a snowmobiling safari across the eastern part of Langjökull Glacier. Visit a geothermal plant to learn how Iceland harnesses its natural resources or try your hand at preparing local specialties in a Nordic cooking class. As Reykjavik’s first luxury property, the Hotel Borg encapsulates timeless elegance. Polished and elegant, rooms feature Art Deco design throughout as well as custom-made furniture and original photographs of the hotel from the 1930s.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Clockwise from left: Skógafoss Waterfall; Puffin; Blue Lagoon
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND: 2H 10M
ILULISSAT, GREENLAND There are few places more remote than Greenland, sitting near the top of the world, with its unparalleled, wild natural beauty. JULY 7 – 8 Land in Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland and take a charter flight to Ilulissat. Located more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, this remote town on Disko Bay sits next to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a flightseeing tour and appreciate the grand scale of where the massive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier meets the ocean. Embark on an easy hike to the world’s fastest moving glacier and the source of many of Greenland’s icebergs.
Cruise past the expansive Eqi Glacier for a rare opportunity to see icebergs in formation as they dramatically break off the glacier’s edge and crash into the ocean. Meet a dogsledding team, still the most practical mode of transport over Greenland’s largely icy terrain. Take a longer guided walk to the Inuit settlement of Sermermiut and learn about the indigenous people who have lived in Greenland for thousands of years.
The Hotel Arctic is one of the world’s northernmost accommodations. Enjoy the spectacular views of the nearby town and the iceberg-dotted harbor from comfortable guest rooms and the hotel’s restaurants, where you can try traditional Greenlandic foods.
ACCOMMODATIONS
From Greenland, we fly to Boston. Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner and spend a night at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. You will return home on your independent flight the following day, July 10.
JULY 9 – 10 | BOSTON
Flight time to Boston, Massachusetts from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland: 4h 25m
Clockwise from top: Disko Bay, Ilulissat; Glacier; Fish drying Opposite page: Koryaksky volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
COME WITH US ON THIS UNIQUE, GLOBE-CIRCLING JOURNEY TO THE WORLD’S NORTHERNMOST REACHES.
RESERVATION FORM:
NORTHERN SUMMER: A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD |
JUNE 18 – JULY 10, 2018
✂
GUEST INFORMATION Please reserve
place(s) on Northern Summer: A Journey Around the World at $81,950 per person, double occupancy.
Guest 1 Name:
Date of Birth:
Email: Guest 2 Name:
Date of Birth:
Email: Street Address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip/Postal Code:
Phone Number:
Alternate Phone Number:
F I plan to share accommodations with Guest 2 (above). F I prefer single accommodations where available for an additional $8,950. F I plan to share accommodations with someone other than Guest 2:
PAYMENT F Enclosed is my deposit check for $
($10,000 per guest). Please make checks payable to TCSATWN-18 ESCROW.
F Please charge my deposit of $
($10,000 per guest) to my credit card.
Credit card Number:
Expiration Date:
(Charges can be made to most major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express.)
My credit card billing address (if different from above):
TERMS AND CONDITIONS I/We have read the itinerary and accept the Operator-Participant Contract and Terms & Conditions for the trip (each guest must sign). Guest 1 Signature:
Date:
Guest 2 Signature:
Date:
Information about all suite upgrades and optional programs will be sent to you in the months before departure.
Please fax or mail the completed Reservation Form to:
SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, Washington, 98121 SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/PRIVATEJET Phone: 866.903.7650 Fax: 206.447.7717
NORTHERN SUMMER: A JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD | OPERATOR-PARTICIPANT CONTRACT AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read the following information carefully. After reading the OperatorParticipant Contract and Terms and Conditions herein (the “Agreement”), in order for your reservation to be completed, you must indicate your acceptance of the terms of the Agreement by signing and submitting the Reservation Form, along with the deposit to TCS. OPERATOR-PARTICIPANT CONTRACT TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. (“TCS” or the Operator), 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98121, a qualified tour operator, is partnering with sponsoring organization Smithsonian Institution (“Sponsor”) to organize and administer the Northern Summer: A Journey Around the World by Private Jet expedition (the “Tour”). TCS, as the principal, is responsible to you for arranging and providing all of the services and accommodations offered in connection with the Tour, provided, however, that in the absence of gross negligence on TCS’s part, TCS is not responsible for personal injury or property damage caused by the air carrier, hotel, or other suppliers of any services being offered in connection with the Tour. The acceptance of your Reservation Form and deposit by TCS creates a contractual relationship between you, the passenger/participant (Participant), in the Tour provided by TCS. Reservations and Payments: To reserve your place on the Tour, complete and sign the Reservation Form and return it with your deposit of $10,000 per person. The deposit can be made by check; wire transfer; or by a major credit card such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Make checks payable to “TCSATWN-18 Escrow.” If you pay your initial deposit by credit card, it is fully refundable until you sign the Reservation Form. Please fax or mail the completed form to Smithsonian Journeys, 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98121; fax to 206-447-7717; or call 866-903-7650. The second payment of $25,000 per person is due Aug. 17, 2017. Final payment is due Dec. 18, 2017. The second and final payments are payable by check or wire transfer only, made out to the secure escrow account as set forth below. If the Tour is fully booked when your Reservation Form is received, your payment will be returned within 7 days, or with your authorization, TCS may retain the deposit and place your name on a waiting list in the event other Participants cancel their reservations. Even if you authorize TCS to put your name on a waiting list and retain your deposit, TCS will notify you within 7 days that the Tour is fully booked. Security Agreement: Your payments are held in an escrow account at The Commerce Bank of Washington (“TCBW”), 601 Union Street, Suite 3600, Seattle, WA 98101-1342. Participants are protected by a Letter of Credit #592 issued by TCBW (the “Security Agreement”). Any claims against this Security Agreement must be filed with TCS or TCBW within 60 days of the termination of the Tour. After that time, TCS and TCBW will be released from liability under the Security Agreement. Expedition Price: The Tour price of $81,950 per person (double occupancy) with a $8,950 single supplement includes a privately chartered Boeing 757 that departs from Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., and returns to Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Included in the price are deluxe or best available accommodations and all applicable taxes in the destinations, and options as indicated in the itinerary, from arrival at the first hotel through departure from the last hotel. All meals beginning with dinner on the first night of the Tour and ending with breakfast on the last day of the Tour, as indicated in the itinerary are included. All taxes; group transportation; airport transfers at the beginning and the end of the itinerary; excursions; complete program of special events and activities, including extensive options at most destinations; enrichment program including lectures by a team of experts; services of professional staff, including an expedition physician, to assist you throughout the trip; cost of philanthropic efforts; bottled water throughout the program (during sightseeing, at scheduled meals, and in your room); all beverages, including liquor, aboard the private jet; liquor during special events and cocktail parties on land; house wine and/or beer at lunch and dinner, and nonalcoholic beverages at all scheduled meals on land; baggage handling during the Tour; internet access in hotels, where available; tips or gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters, and wait staff; amenities package; $100,000 medical evacuation insurance (U.S. residents only, excluding Puerto Rico) for covered reasons. The exact Tour itinerary, name and location of hotels, length of stay at each hotel, and other ground accommodations and services, are set forth in the itinerary, which is a part of this Agreement. Not included in the price is commercial airfare between your home city and Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. and from Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. to your home city; optional and additional accident/baggage/cancellation insurance; passport and visa fees; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, and fax fees; all beverages not mentioned above as included; hotel minibar charges; meals not scheduled by TCS; and inoculation and medication costs of any kind. Any tips or gratuities not specifically mentioned as included in the total Tour price will be at your discretion. Except for “major changes” as described below, no refund will be made for any accommodations or services included in the expedition price that you voluntarily do not use. Insurance: TCS strongly recommends this important protection, which can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. Insurance premium payments are nonrefundable. Baggage: On the private jet, each Participant is limited to 90 pounds of checked baggage in 2 bags (one bag of your choice limited to 50 pounds and one wheeled bag that TCS will send ahead of time to you for use on the Tour limited to 40 pounds), plus a few smaller carry-on items such as a backpack, purse, camera, and/or laptop. In certain countries you will fly on light aircraft. Due to weight restrictions on these flights, you will only be allowed to use your TCS wheeled bag plus your hand-carry luggage (including camera equipment). For international flights, the air carrier’s liability is limited to the actual value of the baggage but not more than 1,000 Special Drawing Rights, approximately $1,250 per passenger, unless a higher value is declared at the time of checkin and an appropriate excess valuation charge is paid. Baggage, when not handled by TCS, and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the Participant. Aircraft: The private jet flights will be performed using a Boeing 757 jet with 80 VIP-style seats. The air carrier for the Tour is TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd, Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, GU14 6XA, United Kingdom. TCS and the air carrier reserve the right to substitute equivalent aircraft if necessary. Your itinerary may include flights on smaller aircraft operated by local approved airline carriers. Seating on these aircraft will be economy or economy with limited business seats, based upon the configuration of the aircraft.
International Flights: The operation of these flights is subject to the foreign governments involved granting landing rights for the flight. If the air carrier cannot obtain these rights for any particular flight leg of the Tour, that flight leg will be canceled and alternative arrangements may be made, at the discretion of TCS.
for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the Participant. If you would like to forego some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time.
Photography and Video: TCS and Smithsonian Journeys reserve the right to take photographs or videos (the “Photography”) during the Tour and to use the Cancellations and Refunds: If you cancel your reservation or change your Photography for promotional purposes. Participants who prefer their images plans, your right to receive a refund is limited, as set forth in the following not be used must notify us in writing before the commencement of the Tour. schedule. All cancellations will become effective as of the date of the postmark or email receipt. All requests for refunds must be sent to TCS in writing via Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two persons sharing a room. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs mail, fax or email. and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While TCS will If your notice is received... You will receive a refund of all deposits less a... make reasonable efforts to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, TCS reserves the right to do so and will notify you at the time of On or before June 15, 2017 $5,000 per-person cancellation fee. final invoicing. TCS reserves the right to cancel the Tour because of inadequate From June 16 to Aug. 17, 2017 $10,000 per-person cancellation fee. enrollment that makes the Tour economically infeasible to operate. In such a From Aug. 18 to Oct. 18, 2017 $15,000 per-person cancellation fee. case, a full refund of the Tour cost will be made. From Oct. 19 to Dec. 18, 2017 $25,000 per-person cancellation fee. After Dec. 18, 2017 No refund. Release of Liability: The Tour is organized and administered by TCS as an independent contractor of the Smithsonian Institution. The passenger tickets in Refunds will be made within 14 days of receipt of your notice of cancellation. use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and Leaving the Tour in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of the Tour. If during the time of the expedition Participants are not aboard their conveyance. you cancel and are able to provide a substitute Participant for the Tour, you Neither TCS, nor Sponsor, nor any of its respective owners, directors, will receive a full refund of money paid toward the price less, an administrative employees, contractors, officers or agents nor the Smithsonian Institution, its charge of $25 for effecting the substitution once the substitute Participant Regents, officers, employees, representatives, or agents, or the United States has paid in full. If TCS makes major changes prior to departure, you have (collectively, the “Released Parties”) shall be held liable for (A) any damage the right to cancel and receive a full refund. Please note that the costs for to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or visas, commercial air tickets, insurance, suite upgrades, and pre- or post- indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited expedition independent arrangements may not be refundable. The following to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such are major changes: (1) a change in the departure or return date, unless the other provider, (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption change results from a flight delay experienced by the air carrier (If, however, in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, the delay is longer than 48 hours, it will be considered a major change.); (2) orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, a change in the origin or destination city for any flight leg, unless the change or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, affects only the order in which cities named in a tour package are visited; (3) sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their a substitute of any hotel of lower standard; (4) a price increase of more than control, and (C) any and all claims, actions, or losses for bodily injury, property 10 percent occurring 10 or more days before departure. In no event can TCS damage, wrongful death, loss of services, lost profits, consequential, exemplary, increase your price less than 10 days before departure. If a major change must indirect or punitive damages or otherwise that may arise out of or occur during be made in the Tour, TCS will notify you within 7 days after first learning of your travel in connection with the Tour. The Participant, on behalf of himself, the change, but in any event at least 10 days prior to the scheduled departure. his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, waives any claim If, less than 10 days before scheduled departure, TCS becomes aware that a against any of the Released Parties for any such loss, damage, injury, or death, major change must be made, TCS will notify you as soon as possible. Within 7 including any right to seek consequential, punitive or exemplary damages days after receiving notification of a major change, but in no event later than against any of the Released Parties for any reason whatsoever. None of the departure, you may cancel your reservation and you will receive a full refund Released Parties shall be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred within 14 days after canceling. If a major change occurs after the departure of by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket. the flight, which you are unwilling to accept, TCS will refund, within 14 days Acknowledgment of Risk: You understand and acknowledge that your travel in after your scheduled return date, that portion of your payment which applies connection with and participation in the Tour or any activities which may take to the services not accepted. If TCS must cancel the Tour in its entirety, TCS will place during the Tour may involve travel to a country where a U.S. Department notify you in writing within 7 days of the cancellation, but in no event later than of State travel warning is in place, and may involve risk and potential exposure 10 days before the scheduled departure date. TCS has no right to cancel the to injury or fatal injury and that risk and dangers may arise or be caused by Tour less than 10 days before departure, except for circumstances that make the negligence or participation of other Participants, contractors, and/or it physically impossible to perform the Tour. If that occurs, TCS will notify you subcontractors for the Tour or from other foreseeable and unforeseeable as soon as possible, but not later than the scheduled departure date. If the Tour causes including weather and other acts of nature. is canceled, TCS will make a full refund to you within 14 days after cancellation. The rights and remedies made available under this contract are in addition Express Assumption of Risk and Responsibility: In recognition of the inherent to any other rights or remedies available under applicable law. However, TCS risk of the travels and related activities in which you are intending to engage, offers refunds under this Agreement with the express understanding that the you confirm that you are physically and mentally capable of participating in receipt of that refund by a Participant waives the additional remedies. the Tour and that you willingly and voluntarily assume full responsibility for any injury, loss or damage suffered by you or caused by you. By registering for the TERMS AND CONDITIONS Tour, you certify that you do not have any mental, physical or other condition or Itinerary Changes: The itinerary and staff are subject to modification and disability that would create a hazard for yourself or other Participants. TCS and change by TCS. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the Tour as the Smithsonian reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline or planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our remove any Participant on the Tour and reserves the right, subject to the terms itinerary to be altered, TCS reserves the right to do so for the safety and best and conditions contained herein, to withdraw any part or all of the Tour and to make such changes as may be necessary. interest of the group. Arbitration: Any controversy or claim against TCS (excluding Smithsonian) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the performance there under, including without limitation any claim related to bodily injury, property damage or death, shall be settled by binding arbitration in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then existing, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy. Such proceedings will Airfare: We are happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights be governed by substantive Washington law. This agreement to arbitrate does between your home city and Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. and from Boston, not waive or modify the liability release contained in this document. Massachusetts, U.S.A. to your home city, in the class of service that you prefer. Exclusive Governing Law and Jurisdiction: This Agreement shall be governed Please ask for details. by applicable federal law and the laws Washington D.C., without regard to Visa Documents/Entry Permits: To participate in the Tour, visas and/or entry conflicts of laws principles. With respect to TCS: If the right to seek arbitration permits may be required for some countries. Acquiring visas and/or entry is for any reason waived by both TCS and the Participant, or if judicial review permits is the responsibility of the Participant. Failure to obtain visas and/ of any arbitration is sought, any action or legal proceeding between TCS and or entry permits does not negate the terms and conditions. Any extra costs Participant (excluding the Smithsonian) arising out of this Agreement shall be for rerouting Participants without visas and/or entry permits will be the brought exclusively in the courts of the State of Washington, or if it has or can responsibility of the Participant. We will provide information on the necessary acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the Western District visas and/or entry permits in the Tour documents. of Washington or the appropriate appellate courts, and TCS and the Participant Health Requirements: This is an active program, which requires you to make hereby waive any objection to venue or jurisdiction in connection therewith. In a realistic assessment of your health. All Participants are expected to be in connection with any action or legal proceeding arising out of this Agreement active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to between TCS and the Participant (excluding the Smithsonian), TCS and the experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are Participant hereby specifically and knowingly waive any rights that either party required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and as part of many might have to demand a jury trial. With respect to the Smithsonian: Any action excursions. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend visiting your personal or legal proceeding arising out of this Agreement shall be brought only in a physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate United States Federal Court of competent jurisdiction. in this type of journey. To go to certain destinations or participate in certain activities, you may need to obtain your physician’s approval. In this case, a By registering for the Tour, the Participant agrees to the Operator-Participant form will be sent to you for your physician to sign. We are prepared to arrange Contract and Terms and Conditions set forth in this Agreement. for an alternative destination or activity, in case a physician recommends it. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., is a Registered Seller of Travel in Washington you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Any (#602-320-265), a California Seller of Travel (#2071584-30), an accredited physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be member of the Better Business Bureau, and is endorsed by IATAN, the reported in writing when the reservation is made. We will make reasonable International Airlines Travel Agent Network (#50-755585). TCS & Starquest efforts to accommodate Participants with special needs; however, we cannot Expeditions’ Dunn & Bradstreet D-U-N-S number is 17-084-7961. accommodate wheelchairs. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the © TCS & Starquest Expeditions use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our Tour staff. Any extra cost
Single/Shared Accommodations and Suite Upgrades: A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. TCS will make reasonable efforts to assist persons requesting a roommate. If a roommate is not confirmed, the single rate will be charged. Suite rooms are available in some destinations; more information about them, including their additional costs, will be sent to you in the months before departure.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO 2018
3131 Elliott Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98121
Taking reservations now at SmithsonianJourneys.org/PrivateJet or 866.903.7650.
DISCOVER OUR OTHER JOURNEYS BY PRIVATE JET Each of our meticulously orchestrated itineraries is a journey of a lifetime. From natural wonders to iconic landmarks, we combine must-see destinations that have captured the imaginations of travelers for centuries into a single epic experience.
SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 20, 2018
A ROU N D T H E WO R L D A PRI VATE JET EXPED ITI O N Fort Lauderdale | Cusco and Machu Picchu or the North Coast | Easter Island | Samoa | Great Barrier Reef or Daintree Rainforest | Angkor Wat | Taj Mahal | Serengeti Plain or Ngorongoro Crater Petra and Wadi Rum | Marrakech | Orlando