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North Korea pp O e r a AR
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NOW IN ITS
7TH YEAR!
13 Days - Departs 9th August 2019
Explore Mysterious North Korea
NORTH KOREA
is by no means an ordinary tourist destination! Unless there is a major change in the country’s circumstances under the new leadership of the youthful Kim Jong-un, visiting North Korea will remain something rarely available, and only for the fortunate few. Probably the most mysterious country in the world, sometimes known as ‘the Hermit Kingdom’, it has historically been controversial and has shut out the rest of the world. Only periodic ally opening and closing its doors to foreigners, it remains one of the world’s most inaccessible countries with few international friends. It is surrounded by three of the world’s great powers, China, Russia and Japan, but it is possible that North Korea hosts fewer foreign tourists than any other country on earth. The government has traditionally been wary of the outside world, and notoriously long-lasting tension on the Korean Peninsula has certainly deterred potential visitors. This may not sound like a Travellers Paradise, but it’s an education you aren’t likely to forget. It is one of the final frontiers in the search for the remarkable. Tourists are drawn to this country out of pure curiosity. It is predictably austere. But simply put, North Korea’s sometimes dubious charms are absolutely fascinating.
Do Something You’ll Never Forget... And Another Thing......
Most travellers come away quite impressed by the cleanliness and orderliness of the society. They marvel at things like the absence of everyday traffic, and relatively empty streets devoid of commercial advertising. Some, of course, come away horrified at the limitations on personal freedoms, and the hero worship of their leaders. On the other hand, visually North Korea has stunningly beautiful mountains surrounded by rich green agricultural regions untouched by tourism. The sea is beautifully clear and unpolluted. The country also has much to offer apart from scenic countryside. With a population the same as Australia (23 million), it would fit into our country approximately 65 times. The people have little or no English, but are warm, proud, of good humor, and remind us again of the common bond of humanity a cross the world. Whatever views you may have of the political system, the incredible monuments and vistas of Pyongyang are like no other in the world. Many discerning travellers rank a visit to North Korea as their most interesting and memorable travel experience. While most other formerly hardline communist countries have opened up to market based economic systems and a degree of political pluralism, North Korea remains closed and tightly controlled. The Kim dynasty began as a Soviet sponsored communist government in the 1950’s, but evolved into a hereditary dictatorship (now in its third generation). It is the world’s only communist dynasty, where sometimes it seems the only thing predictable is its unpredictability. Those given the opportunity to visit are not always able to see everything they may wish to see, and must be accompanied by a government tour guide (usually both pleasant and genuinely helpful) at all times. There are significant limitations for foreign visitors. Those who can accept these terms will have a fascinating visit experiencing a truly mysterious country and its unique culture, where total obedience to the state is mandatory. North Korea may give sleepless nights to governments in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington, but for the holidaying foreign visitor it is quite surprisingly comfortable and certainly an intrepid adventure to an extraordinary world.
The beautiful Juche Tower in Pyongyang City on the banks of the Taedong River. This stone clad tower is 150m high, with a 20m, 45-tonne metal flame flickering atop it.
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Tour Highlights Panmunjom and the DMZ
The village of Panmunjom sits right in the middle of the Demilitarised Zone that separates North and South Korea along the 38th parallel. It is the most heavily militarised border in the world, and only 68 kms from Seoul. This is the site where the bloody Korean War ended in an unhappy truce. Copies of the final armistice agreement are on display at the Armistice Talks Hall. America, China and North Korea signed an armistice at Panmunjom ending the fighting but not the war in 1953. Approximately 3 million Korean civilians and 700,000 soldiers, 1 million Chinese and over 50,000 American soldiers died. More bombs were dropped on North Korean cities by American planes in this war, than either Germany or Japan in WW2. Being at the demarcation line in the Joint Security Area of the DMZ, the centre of the biggest military face-off on earth, is like being in the eye of a storm – tension is in the air! Inside one of the negotiating halls that straddle the official line of control, you can even take a few heavily guarded steps into South Korean territory. It is a bizarre but fascinating experience, despite its current status as one of the world’s most dangerous flash points.
Dandong
Strategically located on the Yalu River (the border between China and North Korea) and close to the Yellow Sea, pleasant Dandong is Chinese and a hub for trade between the two communist allies. There is a strong Korean influence in Dandong, China’s only city right on the border. Curious Chinese and South Koreans visit to gaze across the border into the North Korean town of Sinuiju. The difference between the two cities is painfully obvious. You can see across the border from Dandong’s lively waterfront promenade, and travel by boat that takes you into North Korean waters under the noses of armed control posts where teenage soldiers shoulder automatic rifles. There are one and a half bridges across the river at Dandong. The North Korean half of the original unique horizontal-rotation steel bridge (built by Japanese in 1911) was bombed by the Americans in 1950 as a response to the Chinese entering the Korean War. You can wander out to the still mangled end of the Chinese section. The adjacent new Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge is now the official border crossing by road and rail. A museum designed to commemorate the resistance against America provides the predictable Chinese and North Korean perspective on the war, but is particularly interesting with great dioramas, aircraft, artillery etc on display.
The Great Wall & One Step Across
The most easterly point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China is just 25kms from Dandong. It is a short, steep, quite spectacular section of the Wall which starts in the Gobi Desert and finishes at this North Korean border. Unlike other sections of the Great Wall further west, very few visitors get the opportunity to see this renovated section. Nearby is a small creek forming part of the border, a section of which is known as ‘One Step Across’. Local Chinese occasionally sneak onto stones placed in the stream just behind the Wall to trade goods and information with North Korean soldiers and farmers. Gun toting guards quickly appear if anyone else tries to cross this highly sensitive part of the border.
Kim Il-sung Square
Like Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Ho Chi Minh Square in Hanoi, or Red Square in Moscow, the huge open granite plaza of Kim Il-sung Square is at the heart of Pyongyang city. The great military parades you see occasionally on TV pass through here as do evening torch parades and other mass rallies, like the one associated with the death of Kim Jong-Il. The square is backed by the Korean style Grand Peoples Study House with excellent views from its balcony across the Square and the river to the famous Juche Tower. On either side stands the classical grandeur of the Korean Central History Museum Art Gallery. Decorative classical fountains shoot water up to 80m in the air, and huge flags add vibrant colour to the otherwise austere Square. The elegant Study House can accommodate 12,000 users a day in a ‘study while working’ education system. Its library holds over 30,000,000 volumes, deliverable on a remote controlled conveyor.
International Friendship Exhibition
Some 150km north of Pyongyang in the attractive Mount Myohyang area lie two amazing traditional style buildings, mostly dug into the side of the mountain and set in beautiful surroundings. They house the 183,000 gifts given to three dynamic leaders. The exhibition comprises over 140 rooms, categorised by continent and arranged chronologically. This enormous collection charts the foreign relations of North Korea during the Kim dynasties. It includes gifts as big as railway carriages from Mao and Stalin, unusual gifts like Kalashnikov–shaped vodka bottles, etc. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world. You will be required to bow and pay respects before the statue of Kim Il-sung – not doing so would simply cause gratuitous offence.
Pyongyang Metro
One of the deepest metros in the world, it is also one of the most elaborately decorated with marble platforms, vast chandeliers and impressive murals – much in the vein of the famous Moscow Metro. Many visitors find it incredible that a country as supposedly poor as North Korea has something as decadent as a perfectly functioning subway system. The two lines are security reinforced and deep enough to act as a nuclear bunker in the event of a military attack. There are sometimes air-raid drills in Pyongyang where locals go to the stations, and protective triple blast doors shut behind them.
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The Childrens Palace
This centre showcases the impressive talents of some of the most gifted young people in the country. Extra-curricula activity takes in everything from volleyball to martial arts and gymnastics, embroidery and song. At the end of the visit there could be a performance for us of songs and dance in the auditorium.
USS Pueblo
The small US surveillance vessel ‘Pueblo’ was boarded and seized by the North Koreans off the east coast of Korea in 1968. Whether it was in international or North Korean waters at the time depends on who you ask. North Koreans made accusations of espionage. The 83 captured crew were held for 11 months while North Korea demanded an apology from America. The crews captivity was harsh and only improved after the signing of confessions. They eventually were released over the ‘Bridge of No Return’ at Panmunjom after intensive global interest and North Korean propaganda use of the event. The ship and equipment remained, and today the ‘Pueblo’ is a piece of history floating on the Taedong River at Pyongyang. We take a look over the small vessel and see a North Korean video version of the historic event.
Kumsusan Memorial Palace
Kim Il-sung (founding President of North Korea) lived and worked here. Its interiors are lavish and his embalmed corpse lies in state on the top floor, accessible by invite only. It is also the mausoleum of his late son, Kim Jong-Il. It is the largest mausoleum in the world dedicated to a Communist leader. Very tight security and protocols apply. Following the death of Kim Jong-Il in December 2011, his body lay in state in the palace. His body has been embalmed and put on display here with his father in the same way as Lenin, Mao, Stalin, and his father have been in their respective countries.
Co-Operative Farms
Co-operatives are units of up to 300 households that jointly own and run the land. Each coop sets output targets to be met. Produce is traded and sold for external goods like tractors and fertilizer. In the co-op the farmers own their own houses but work in specialised work teams. At the end of the crop cycle, those more than fulfilling their targets are rewarded in cash and kind. Farmers have small private plots for bees, pigs, chickens and rabbits, which can be sold. This element of private ownership differentiated the DPRK’s collectivization program from China’s that happened almost concurrently in the 1950s, for China had much greater emphasis on communal living and state ownership.
Our Itinerary OUR ITINERARY (In North Korea, always subject to change!)
Overnight: Grand Central Hotel Included Meals: B/D
Day 1: Fri 9 Aug Brisbane to Guangzhou
Day 4: Mon 12 Aug Shanghai to Dandong
Depart from Brisbane International Airport on our flight to Guangzhou (China Southern). Overnight: Pullman Baiyuan Airport Hotel Included Meals: In-flight meals
After breakfast we take our domestic flight to Shanghai. A special experience this morning as we use the world’s fastest train (the famous Maglev) to transit in comfort from the Shanghai airport to the city. Our comfortable hotel is located in the heart of the city beside the famous Nanjing Road Shopping Precinct and within walking distance of The Bund. Overnight: Grand Central Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
This morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Dandong. Dandong is Chinese but sits right on the border with North Korea, which runs down the centre of the Yalu River and separates Dandong from the Korean town of Sinuiju on the opposite bank. Our hotel is 5-star and reasonably close to the centre of activity, the border crossing bridge and the waterfront esplanade. With our guide we’ll visit the famous Broken Bridge, hear about its amazing history, and see the evidence of WW2 damage. There’ll be time for photos of the famous Broken Bridge, and to wander the Chinese waterfront side of the border-crossing precinct to soak up the sensitivities and atmosphere of the only Chinese town located right on a border. Overnight: Friends Plaza Hotel Included Meals: B/D
Day 3: Sun 11 Aug Shanghai
Day 5: Tue 13 Aug Dandong
Day 2: Sat 10 Aug Guangzhou to Shanghai
For those who would like to, we’ll tour to the Fengjing water village, with lunch (included in the tour cost). Or if you choose, today can be a full day at leisure in amazing and dynamic Shanghai with a choice of quite exciting options to experience the best of China’s most vibrant urban community. Our Guide and the hotel concierge will be available to assist with your arrangements if you’d like to visit the old Chinese Quarter, trendy Taikang Lu, or the amazing Shanghai Museum and adjacent People’s Square. You may like to cruise the Huangpu River through the centre of the city. It’s a free day to enjoy your choice of optional activity.
A whole day today in Dandong where we’ll cruise on the Yalu river, visit the Tiger Mountain section of the Great Wall (its easternmost end), Yibukua (the ‘one step across’ site, narrowest point between North Korea and China) and visit the Korean War Memorial Museum. Our first Korean lunch will today be served by North visit the Korean War Memorial Museum. Our first Korean lunch will today be served by North Koreans (but in China!). Overnight: Friends Plaza Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
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Day 6: Wed 14 Aug Dandong to Pyongyang
We cross into North Korea! A big day today as we experience crossing the border via the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge. We board a train in Dandong to cross the Sino-Korean Bridge to the station at Sinuiju on the North Korean side. It will be perhaps our first experience of the rigidity and idiosyncrasies of North Korean bureaucracy. We may swap trains there for the long journey to Pyongyang. Clearing customs, security and immigration in Sinuiju can be a long and tedious process (up to 3 hours). But the train journey is a pleasant and rewarding experience through attractive rural areas. Small railway stations, rural villages, and farmers at work provide a window into the agricultural base of the country and lifestyle of its rural population. Our hotel in Pyongyang for 5 nights, the Yanggakdo, sits on Yanggakdo Island in the Taedong River, and is shaped like a giant glass prism surrounded by attractive gardens. Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel Included Meals: B/D
Day 7: Thu 15 Aug Pyongyang
Our first chance today to experience and explore Pyongyang City, commencing with a visit to the Grand Monument, followed by Kim Il-sung Square, the Grand Peoples Study House, the Party Foundation Monument, and the new Korean Folklore Museum. We’ll also see a quite spectacular performance of the Pyongyang Acrobatics Circus. Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
Day 8: Fri 16 Aug Pyongyang and Panmunjom
Another particularly memorable day today as we journey by coach to the DMZ (De-Militarised Zone) at Panmunjom via the ancient city of Kaesong. Parts of Kaesong have an ‘old world’ charm, quite at odds with the nearby Hyundai Industrial Park, a joint venture where South Korean industrial know-how and North Korean employees make a very unusual and controversial combination. As we depart Pyongyang we pass under the huge ‘Three Principles Monument’ where two women in traditional dress symbolise the two Koreas. Along the way we travel for several hours through pleasant farming country. A large bronze statue of Kim Il-sung welcomes you to Kaesong which today remains a centre for the medicinal cash crop, ginseng. Just 8kms on is the DMZ, a 4km wide buffer between North and South Korea. It is anything but ‘demilitarised’, one of the most heavily guarded frontiers in the world. The DMZ bristles with artillery and troops ready to respond to any provocation. It is an interesting exercise to try to spot as many disguised sentry points, pill boxes, tank traps, machine gun and artillery posts as you can. At the entrance to the DMZ we are briefed and meet our army officer guide. We pass anti-tank traps before visiting the Armistice Talks Halls. From here we pass into the highly sensitive Joint Security Area, in which armistice talks still continue today. The austere Panmungak Hall on the North Korean side is balanced on the South Korean side by their high tech traditional style building. Between these buildings a row of huts straddle a thin concrete line, the demarcation between the countries. If possible, we will enter the Military Armistice Commission Conference Hall today used by this Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
Day 10: Sun 18 Aug Pyongyang and Mount Myohyang Area
We’ll tour today north of Pyongyang into the scenic Mount Myohyang area, a pocket of peaks and forested valleys towards the centre of the country. At its heart is a 1000 year old Pohyon Temple (1042). Many of its buildings were destroyed in the Korean War. The main temple stands behind a small 13 storey pagoda, 9m tall, but it’s paintings and carved detailing are outstanding. Nearby, a traditionally styled archive contains 80,000 historic blocks of Buddhist scripture and literature from ancient dynasties, considered a world treasure. In the Bell House is Korea’s largest bell at seven tonnes. But the major reason for our visit to this area are the huge Korean style buildings burrowing into the mountainside, housing the International Friendship Exhibition, which showcases the gifts given to the dynastic Leaders Kim II-sung, Kim Jong-II, and Kim Jong-un by international leaders around the world.
In the distance are two huge flag poles flying flags in the divided DMZ propaganda farming villages, and we pass by the famous ‘Bridge of No Return’. On our return journey, we’ll visit the restful and impressive Koryo dynasty Museum at Kaesong. It has thousand year old pagodas overlooked by 500 year old ginko trees, as well as prints and relics from the Koryo dynasty. Just out of town is the attractive setting for the Twin Tombs of King Kongmin (31st King of Koryo) and his wife. Today also we’ll visit the Children’s Cultural Centre with a special Children’s Performance. We’ll be able to see the talented young North Koreans becoming outstanding musicians. Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
Day 9: Sat 17 Aug Pyongyang
A special experience today to visit a model collective farm to learn a little about how the socialist system is designed to operate. We’ll travel to the top of the Martyr’s Cemetery for outstanding views over the city, and visit the famous Arch of Triumph (larger than the one in Paris!). We’ll also cruise on the Taedong River with great views of the Juche Tower, Grand People’s Study House and riverside esplanades. Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
Back in Pyongyang, we’ll ride on the quite outstanding City Metro visiting several of the stations. They are elaborately decorated and accessed by deep escalators. A special opportunity this afternoon to visit the inside of the famous Juche Tower, an iconic landmark of Pyongyang – and we’ll take a small lift to the top for splendid views across the river and the city. We visit the outstanding displays of the impressive Pyongyang War Museum, the brilliant new military museum, and go on-board the notorious ‘Pueblo’, an American Spy Ship controversially at the centre of massive international attention when seized by the North Koreans in 1968. Overnight: Yanggakdo Hotel Included Meals: B/L/D
Day 11: Mon 19 Aug Pyongyang to Beijing
This afternoon we transfer to the Pyongyang International airport for our Koryo Air flight to Beijing the amazing capital of dynamic new China. For a period of almost 500 years, this city was home to 24 Emperors. Its attractions are among the worlds most outstanding. During the Cultural Revolution, Chairman Mao reviewed parades of up to a million people in Tiananmen Square in the heart of the city. In 1976 another million people jammed the famous Square to pay their last respects to him, and in 1989 Army tanks and soldiers used force to dismiss pro-democracy demonstrators. The adjacent Forbidden City/Imperial Palace, is the largest and best preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. Since the Beijing Olympics, the city has become one of the great modern cities of the world. Our accommodation is in the heart of the city and shopping precinct. Overnight: Traders Shangri-La Included Meals: B/D
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Day 12: Tue 20 Aug Beijing
A day at leisure in dynamic Beijing. For those who wish, we’ll organise a visit to Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Olympic Village with lunch provided (Cost $125pp). For those not doing the optional tour, Beijing has many smaller less well known attractions to explore – Bei Hai Park, traditional theatre in the Lao She Teahouse, visit Mao’s Mausoleum, stroll around the historic specialty shops of Old Chinatown, visit the beautiful Lama Buddhist Temple, the lakeside Imperial Summer Palace, Mao’s Underground City, the historic Astrological Observatory, visit the Red Gate Art Gallery and old Ming City Wall Watchtower, the national Art Museum, do a walking tour of Beijing’s best hutongs – or perhaps go shopping for bargains at the up-market department stores of Waugfujing Dajie (very close to our hotel), or the famous Silk Market. Our Guide and the hotel concierge will provide advice and directions to the places of interest. Overnight: Traders Shangri-La Included Meals: B Day 13: Wed 21 Aug Beijing to Brisbane We transfer this morning to the International airport for our return journey via Guangzhou. In Guangzhou we transfer to our flight for Brisbane. Included Meals: B Day 14: Thu 22 Aug Arrive Brisbane Arrive in Brisbane at approximately 8am.
Departure Flights Friday 9th August
Brisbane to Guangzhou China Southern, CZ 382 Departs 9.55am Arrives 4.55pm
Internal Flights Saturday 10th August
Guangzhou to Shanghai China Southern, CZ 3611 Departs 8.45am Arrives 11.10am 2hrs 20min
Monday 12th August
Shanghai to Dandong China Southern, CZ 6755 Departs 1.25pm Arrives 3.45pm
Train Travel Wednesday 14th August
Dandong to Siniuju Departs 10am
Wednesday 14th August
Siniuju to Pyongyang Departs 12.10pm
Return Flights Monday 19th August
Pyongyang to Beijing Air Koryo, JS 151 Departs 9.00am Arrives 10.00am
Wednesday 21st August
Beijing to Guangzhou China Southern, CZ 3104 Departs 3.30pm Arrives 9.00pm
Wednesday 21st August
Guangzhou to Brisbane China Southern, CZ 381 Departs 9.20pm Arrives Brisbane 22nd Aug 8.25am
Subject to change
Accommodation
GUANGZHOU - Pullman Hotel Address: Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l Airport, Renhe Town, Guangdong, 510470 GUANGZHOU Tel: +86 20 36068866
SHANGHAI - Grand Central Hotel Address: No.505 Jiujiang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai Tel: 0086-21-53538888
PYONGYANG - Yanggakdo International Hotel Address: Yanggakdo Island, Pyongyang, North Korea Tel: 0011 850 2 381 2134
BEIJING - Park Plaza Hotel Address: 97 Jinbao Street, DongDan, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing, China Tel: +86 10 8522 1999
Shanghai – Grand Central Hotel (2 nights)
Adjacent to the world famous pedestrian walkway of Nanjing Road. Centred at the ever vibrant leisure centre of Shanghai, the hotel is just steps from the city’s top attractions.
Dandong – Friends Plaza Hotel (2 nights)
This waterfront hotel is ideally located in the heart of the most interesting part of Dandong, looking out across the bombed-out bridge towards North Korea.
Pyongyang – Yanggakdo Hotel (5 nights)
This 46 storey glass prism sits on Yanggak Island in the Taedong River, set in gardens 4km southeast of the city centre. It is a hotel designed to accommodate foreigners in a totally secure environment.
DANDONG Friends Plaza Hotel
Address: Zhenxing District, Dandong, Liaoning, China Tel: +86 415 318 9999
Beijing – Park Plaza Hotel (2 nights)
Centrally located in the heart of Beijing’s bustling and developing cultural, commercial, business and entertainment district, the hotel is within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
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Cost and Inclusions All-inclusive quality touring, ex Australia 13 DAY NORTH KOREA ESCORTED SMALL GROUP Departing: 9th August 2019
Returning: 22nd August 2019
COST: $8,749 per person (ex Brisbane) Single Supplement: $1,425 FLIGHT UPGRADE: International Business Class Supplement: $3,995pp (China Southern Airlines flights only) Air fare costs and upgrades are subject to availability. TOUR INCLUSIONS: • All sightseeing and entrance fees in Shanghai (Fengjing Water Village), Dandong and North Korea • All transport as per itinerary, including private transfers between airports, hotels, train stations • Porterage of one average sized suitcase per person where porterage is available • Gratuities for all included activities as per itinerary • Meals as per itinerary • Services of an English speaking National Guide, local guides and Tour Escort.
TRANSPORT • Flights – China Southern Airlines (Brisbane, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Dandong Beijing, Guangzhou, Brisbane) Koryo Air (Pyongyang to Beijing) • Train – To Pyongyang via Sinuiju (5hrs) • Coach – Private Coach with Guide and Driver
MEET YOUR TOUR ESCORT The tour will be escorted by Neil Kirby, Managing Director of Travel Masters. Neil will travel with you on this outstanding itinerary, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and previous travel experience in North Korea, along with a passion for people, places and different cultures. You will find that Neil will take every opportunity to make this tour one of life’s most outstanding memories. We hope you can join this exciting tour in 2019.
NORTH KOREA
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EMERGENCY CONTACT (Person to contact should there be an emergency while you are overseas) Complete Name:------------------------------------------- Relationship:--------------------------------------------------------------------------Street Address:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Suburb:------------------------------------------------------------ State:--------------------------------Postcode:-----------------------------------Home Tel:--------------------------------------------------------- Work Tel:---------------------------Mobile No:----------------------------------Payment Options 1. Mail – Enclosed is a cheque / money order as a deposit (Please make payable to Mistvale Pty Ltd) 2. Credit Card – Please debit my: Visa/Masterscard Debit (0.5% Fee) Visa/Mastercard Credit (1.5% Fee) American Express (2.5% Fee) Card No: ______________________________________________________ Expiry: ______/______/______ Cardholder’s Name: __________________________________________________ Cardholder’s Signature: _______________________________________________ 3. Direct Deposit into Travel Masters bank account. Please call for bank details. DEPOSIT AND FINAL PAYMENT The non-refundable deposit is accepted as a first instalment of the tour cost. A detailed invoice is sent out to all passengers booked on the tour, approximately two weeks prior to due date of the final payment. Final payment for the tour must be received by 30 April 2019. CANCELLATION FEES If it is necessary for you to cancel your holiday, notification of cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellation charges will apply: up to 30 April 2019, loss of deposit. 30 April 2019, no refund is applicable. No refund is available for cancellation of the tour or any service not used after commencement of the tour. Deposits are non-transferable. PASSPORT AND VISAS It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that they posses the necessary travel documentation for the tour, such as a valid passport and any required visas. In general, a passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond the end of your journey and have two clear pages to allow for entry and exit stamps en-route or for any visas applicable for countries in your journey. At the time of final payment you will be given information about the Chinese Visa. Our agency will assist you with the Visa process. Visa fees will apply. PRICES Tour prices stated on the tour brochure has been calculated on the basis of exchange rates and tariffs valid at time of print (April 2018) and are subject to change up until final payment for the tour has been received. Once final payment is received, no surcharges will apply. Should you decide to cancel your tour on the basis of a change of price, then normal cancellation charges will apply. TRAVEL MASTERS Group (Travel Masters, The Travel Studio) Neil Kirby & Julie Marshall, Managing Directors PO Box 563, Nerang QLD 4211 Phone: (07) 5596 0511 / 1800 672 988 Fax: (07) 5596 5663 Email: sales@travelmasters.com.au
RESPONSIBILITY Mistvale Pty Ltd trading as Travel Masters and/or its associated Companies or Agents, act only in the capacity of agents for the passenger in all matters of transportation, tour operation and other services. All receipts, tickets, vouchers, coupons or exchange orders are issued subject to the terms and conditions under which transportation and other services are provided. Travel Masters and/or its associated companies or Agents assume no responsibility for loss, injury, accident, delay or damage or irregularity that may be caused to person or property, however caused arising before commencement and/or during any tour under its management, sponsorship, procurement or otherwise. It is the responsibility of the passenger to make sure he/ she is in possession of the proper visas and other travel documents and that they are in compliance with current government and transportation companies’ regulations. The right is reserved to modify the itinerary in any way considered necessary or desirable, or to change any reservation, hotel feature and/or means of conveyance, without allowance or refund but the extra cost (if any) resulting there from must be paid by the passenger. The right is also reserved to cancel or withdraw any tour, to replace any tour leader with another, to cancel or withdraw any booking made for a passenger, or to decline to accept any person as a member of a tour. The transportation companies or firms shall be exempt from all liabilities in respect of any detention, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury however and by whomsoever caused and of whatever kind occurring of or to the passenger at any time when the passenger is not on board a carrier or conveyance used or operated by the transportation companies or firms. The contract of passage in use by the transportation companies or firms concerned shall constitute the sole contract between transportation companies or firms, and the purchase of these tours and/or passenger. All tickets, deposit tickets, coupons or orders are furnished and issued subject in all respects to those terms and conditions under which the means of transportation or other services provided there by are offered or supplied by owners, public carriers, or managing agents. The issuance and acceptance of receipts, tickets, vouchers, coupons, or exchange orders shall be deemed consent to the above conditions. The tour is based on flights as detailed in the itinerary, however any other IATA or non-IATA carrier may be used for tour co-ordination.
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION CLOTHING AND LUGGAGE Comfortable good casual clothes are the general rule. Clothes should be light and reasonably loose fitting. Good walking shoes are a must. Although weather will generally be warm, sometimes quite hot, you may need a rain coat for any wet weather. The international luggage allowance is 23 kilograms. Please restrict your luggage to one average size suitcase and one carry bag. No responsibility is accepted by Travel Masters for overweight or oversize luggage.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT The single supplement for this tour is $1,425. In the event that you are a sole traveller and would prefer to share, we will do our best to arrange a twin-share companion.
PASSPORT AND VISAS You must be in possession of a passport with 6 months validity beyond August 2019. If you are not using an Australian Passport please let us know so that we can advise you of your visa requirements. Visa requirements may vary according to the passport you are travelling on. You need a DOUBLE ENTRY Visa for China. The Visa cost is additional.
ADVERTISED PRICE EXCLUDES Meals other than specified, insurance, fuel surcharges if applicable, Visa costs items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, phone calls etc and any additional optional excursions. All costs are subject to surcharges which may occur in connection with governmental action, currency exchange fluctuations or increase in supplier's costs i.e. scheduled air fares, entrance fees etc. Cost based on minimum of 10 adults travelling together. Should this number of persons not be attained, we reserve the right to cancel, amend or re cost the tour program.
ELECTRICITY The voltage is 220 - 2 round or flat pin plugs. TIPPING To avoid any embarrassment or problems, and help make your holiday "hassle free", we have included tipping for all included activities and meals in the itinerary. The amount is in line with international tipping standards. The Tipping Pool will be administered by the Tour Escort on behalf of the group. ITINERARY CHANGES From time to time, changes will almost certainly be required to the advertised itinerary. If this is required, it will be communicated to you by the Tour Escort who will make the decision on the changes in conjunction with the tour operators. TRAVEL INSURANCE You must have comprehensive insurance which covers cancellation charges in the event of illness preventing you from travelling, overseas medical and hospital expenses, personal baggage, accidental death, personal liability and much more. We will be happy to organise insurance for you. DEPARTURE TAXES As International and local airport taxes are constantly changing, these may need to be adjusted at time of payment. Any change will be advised to you, at time of final payment. MEDICAL INFORMATION It is a good idea to travel with a small personal medical kit containing…. Headache pills, antiseptic cream, remedy for upset stomachs, laxatives, mosquito repellent, flu/cold and throat medication. You should carry whatever is necessary on a daily basis with you. CANCELLATION FEES If it is necessary to cancel your holiday, notification of cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellation Charges will apply: up to 30 April 2019, loss of deposit. After 30 April 2019, no refund is applicable. No refund is available for cancellation of the tour or any service not used, after commencement of tour. DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENT A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your place. We will send an account early April setting out full account details. Final payment is then required by 30/04/19. We have striven to keep the tour costs as low as possible and the tour price quoted is a cash/ cheque price. No allowance has been made for credit card charges. If payment by credit card is preferred, a card service fee will apply. Due to the extreme volatility of the currency exchange rates, we reserve the right to adjust final tour price to reflect either upward or downward movement in overseas currency rates against the Australian dollar.
AIRFARE UPGRADES, BNE-GUANGZHOU-BNE Business Class upgrades are also available $3,995 per person. (Subject to availability)
PLEASE NOTE – DEGREE OF FITNESS All Travel Masters itineraries are carefully planned and well paced to maximise the passenger experience, while at the same time ensuring a level of comfort is maintained at all times. Given the nature of the journeys and cultural experiences etc, any person/s of a reasonable general fitness level should not have a problem in gaining total satisfaction from the trip. Should any person however not be able to carry your own luggage, easily walk up flights of stairs, walk a kilometer over uneven surfaces, or be likely to find it necessary to require wheelchair assistance, it is unfortunately considered that participation on this tour would not be appropriate. NORTH KOREA – SPECIAL CONDITIONS North Korea is a Communist country, governed by a ruling Dynasty (current leader Kim Jong Un). It has been largely closed to the western world since the Korean War, and very few westerners have the opportunity to enter still today. Visitors into North Korea must respect and adhere to very strict regulations, traditional customs and political beliefs. Visitors must abide by what is acceptable behaviour and formalities in their country. Non compliance is not an option, and is a serious offence. 1. Due to North Korean immigration restrictions, we are unable to accept reservations from travellers with passports from South Korea (Republic of Korea) and the United States of America on this tour. We are also unable to accept reservations from guests that are employed in, or represent the Media industry. 2. Computers, mobile phones, iPads, camera lens over 150mm, MP3 players, video cameras, binoculars, magazines and newspapers, and some electric goods may be inspected and/or confiscated (but of late, the rules have been relaxing). 3. Immigration and customs officers hand-check every single bag on entry into the country. 4. You are only supposed to take photos from the sightseeing spots (these are quite frequent). Officers can take your camera on departure from the country and check all your photos. 5. Generally, impromptu stops along the way are not allowed. Impromptu walks away from your hotel or your group at any time, are not allowed. 6. Our program can be altered at any time. Generally this is a good thing, and the changes are made to provide better timing and opportunities to see things at their best. FINALLY…. We hope this information will assist you plan for your holiday. We would be delighted to have you join our Travel Masters escorted holiday tour. Do not hesitate to telephone or call in so that we can be of further asistance. We want to make this a very memorable holiday for you.
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