TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All prices quoted are for land arrangements only and are valid for a year from the beginning of April to the end of March of the following year unless otherwise noted.  Inclusions, exclusions, registration, and cancellation policies vary depending on the program.  You will be made aware of any exceptions prior to acceptance of your booking.  Receipt of tour cost payment constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated herein.  In general, they are as follows:

INCLUSIONS: Accommodations based on double occupancy (single supplement applied for single occupancy); intra-China airfare including airport/port taxes, airport management and construction fees, airport departure taxes; ground transportation, meals, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking local guides, entrance fees, shore excursions; local beer, soft drinks, and bottled water with included Chinese meals; hotel taxes and service charges; baggage handling (one piece not over 44 pounds  within China); and gratuities to local guides, drivers, baggage handlers, porters, hutong guides and drivers, cruise staff and river guides, shore excursion drivers, guides and boatmen.

EXCLUSIONS: Cost of passports and/or visas; personal expenses such as laundry, wines, in-room movies and beverages, room service, meals not specified, optional tours, excess baggage fees, communication charges; any international and intra-China airfare except those specifically noted in the itinerary; private non-group transfers; the customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to the Tour Director/Tour Manager; and personal travel insurance coverage.  Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour. 

Insurance coverage for trip cancellation, injury, illness, or loss of personal effects while on tour is strongly recommended.

TOUR DIRECTORS: Groups of 15 -25 persons will be fully escorted from a designated U.S. gateway by a bilingual Tour Director throughout the tour.  Selected programs of 10-14 persons in a group will either be fully escorted from a designated U.S. gateway or from point of arrival to point of departure in China by a bilingual Tour Manager.  Pre-tour and optional tours with less than 10 persons will be locally hosted.  China Discoveries reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure.

REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION: All reservations need to use the name of passenger exactly as it appears in the passport.  Deposit requirements for passenger bookings differ with each land program offered by China Discoveries.  The same holds true for cancellation fees.  In general, a deposit of $1,000 per person is required at the time of reservation.  The balance including pre-tour extensions and optional tours is due 90 days prior to departure.  If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire tour price must be paid within 24 hours of confirmation.  Full refund, minus a $200 per person operational charge will be made if a written cancellation is received 90 days before departure; 89-6o days, 20% of tour price; 59-30 days, 50% of tour price; 29 days or less, 100% of tour price.  Any bookings received within 30 days of departure will be subject to $100 per reservation rush fee.  Any exceptions to the above will be given before accepting your reservations.  Upon receipt of deposit, a confirmation letter and invoice will be sent.

CHILDREN: China Discoveries does not permit children less than 12 years of age on its group tours, unless a tour is designated as a family departure.

TOUR PRICES: Quoted prices include planning, handling, and operational charges and are quoted based on the current rate of exchange, and tariff.  In the event of a significant increase in foreign exchange rates or other unexpected increases, tour costs are subject to revision.

ARRANGEMENTS: All arrangements in China are handled by Government Tourist Offices.  Accommodations, sightseeing, entertainment, services, or any circumstances including weather and water levels beyond the control of the ground operator and those in command of the Yangtze River vessels are subject to change without notice.  Cultural and acrobatic shows as well as Children’s Palace performance are subject to availability during holidays and seasonal recesses.  On these occasions, alternatives will be provided whenever possible.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: International air prices are a separate cost in addition to the land only price of China Discoveries tours.  Should you cancel or change your air reservation before or after your departure, cancellation penalties may apply.

HEALTH: Most of our travel programs tend to be moderately strenuous requiring a good deal of walking and climbing stairs.  All group members are expected to be in active good health and recommended to discuss any health concerns with their personal physician, especially for tours including Tibet.  Persons requiring any assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion over 21 years of age.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS: International travelers are required to have a passport valid for six months after their scheduled return.  A visa is required for U.S. citizens.  Citizens of other nationalities must consult with appropriate Chinese consulates or travel agent for their specific visa and health requirements.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Final tour documents, travel tips, document wallet, hotel mailing lists, luggage tags, and more, will be mailed to your booking travel agent for delivery approximately 21 days prior to departure provided that full payment is received.

RESPONSIBILITIES: China Discoveries purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant services, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control.  China Discoveries cannot be liable for any personal injury or property damage that may occur due to (1) a wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary act by others not under the direct control of China Discoveries, or (2) defects in or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle, or other means of transportation not under its control. China Discoveries reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it, to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or retain as a member of the tour, any person at any time, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by airline schedule changes, delays, or events beyond its control.  If a participant leaves a tour while it is in progress for any reason or is asked to leave, all expenses for departure will be borne by that person.

REFUNDS ON UNUSED TOUR SERVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS: After commencement of tour, no refunds or exchanges will be made for any missed or unused services or arrangements.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN: To protect yourself and your travel investment, China Discoveries strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical evacuation, 24-hour worldwide assistance, baggage, accident and sickness insurances to participants.  To insure that your voyage provides you with a lifetime of pleasant memories, we automatically add coverage to each reservation and this charge will appear on your invoice.  To accept our insurance you must pay the premium by the date final payment is due.  For reservation within the final payment period, the premium must be paid in full with your total trip payment.  Complete details on travel insurance (including terms, condition limits, costs, and enrollment procedures) are sent upon confirmation of your tour reservation.

REGISTRATION & CANCELLATION

Registration:  All reservations for the land only packages stated herein may be made through travel agents.  The tour code, departure date, and the person’s name exactly as it appears in the passport need to be used for all reservations to ensure all travel documents are accurate.  A deposit of $1,000 per person is required at the time of reservation.  China Discoveries accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.  Agency or cardholder signature on the reservation form will be required for credit card payments.  In the event that China Discoveries is unable to confirm your request, your deposit amount will be returned. Details will be provided at time of booking.

Final Payment: The balance including pre-tour extensions and optional tours is due 90 days prior to departure. A copy of signed passport page with photo and number is required at the same time.  If tour participants purchase airport transfers for private non-group arrivals and departures, their flight number is needed 40 days prior to departure.

Late Bookings: Reservations made within 90 days prior to departure require full payment within 24 hours of confirmation. Any bookings received within 30 days of departure will be subject to $100 per reservation rush fee. 

Cancellations and Refund:  All cancellations must be made in writing and the date of receipt of said cancellation will determine what penalties are to be assessed.  Full refund, minus a $200 per person operational charge will be made if a written cancellation is received 90 days before departure; 89-60 days, 20% of tour price; 59-30 days, 50% of tour price; 29 days or less, 100% of tour price.  China Discoveries reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure.

Tour Directors:  Groups of 15-25 persons will be fully escorted from Seattle, WA by a bilingual Tour Director throughout the tour.  Selected programs of 10-14 persons in a group will either be fully escorted from Seattle, WA or from point of arrival in Beijing to point of departure in Shanghai, China by a bilingual Tour Manager.  Pre-tour and optional tours with less than 10 persons will be locally hosted.

Air Transportation:  Tour participants are responsible for their own international air arrangements which are a separate cost in addition to the land only price.  Should you cancel or change your air reservation before or after your departure, cancellation penalties may apply.

Tour Prices:  Tour prices are quoted in US dollars per person on a double occupancy basis (single supplement applied for single occupancy), and are based on the current rate of exchange and tariff.  Any fluctuation of land prices or currency exchange rates could result in a higher tour cost.

Refunds on Unused Tour Services and Arrangements: After commencement of tour, no refunds or exchanges will be made for any missed or unused services or arrangements.

Baggage: Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour. Within China the free baggage allowance on board aircraft is one piece not over 44 pounds plus a carry-on. Excess baggage charges are strictly enforced and it is the responsibility of the person to pay for these charges upon demand at the airport.

Passports and Visas: American passport holders require a visa to China.  All other nationalities need to check with their travel agent.

Travel Protection Plan:   To protect yourself and your travel investment, China Discoveries strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical evacuation, 24-hour worldwide assistance, baggage, accident and sickness insurances to participants.  To insure that your voyage provides you with a lifetime of pleasant memories, we automatically add coverage to each reservation and this charge will appear on your invoice.  To accept our insurance you must pay the premium by the date final payment is due.  For reservation within the final payment period, the premium must be paid in full with your total trip payment.  Complete details on travel insurance (including terms, condition limits, costs, and enrollment procedures) are sent upon confirmation of your tour reservation.

Travel Documents: Final tour documents, travel tips, document wallet, hotel mailing lists, luggage tags, and more, will be mailed to your booking travel agent for delivery approximately 21 days prior to departure provided that full payment is received.

PRICES AND CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Valid from March 2004 – March 2005

China Discoveries Information and Reservations: 

China Discoveries

7601 SE 27th Street, Suite 120

Mercer Island, WA 98040

www.ChinaDiscoveries.com

Nationwide: 1-866-OUR TOUR (1-866-687-8687)

Fax: 1-866-888-0110