HOTELS
Twin and/or double bedded, run-of-house rooms (unless specific room category is indicated) with private facilities. Tour Operator reserves the right to substitute hotels of similar category. Standard check-out time from hotels is 12:00 Noon. Guests checking out later are charged a full night’s rate.
Meals
Meals are provided, as indicated on each itinerary. When at hotels, meals are table d’hote and limited to specific dining rooms. All meals are included on Yangtze River Cruise.
Yangtze River Cruises
All accommodations are standard cabins aboard the Victoria Cruises. In the event that the cruise boat is not available due to reasons beyond our control, the right is reserved to substitute with another vessel.
Tours & Transfers
Sightseeing
By comfortable car, minibus or motorcoach including the services of English- speaking guides. Groups of minimum 15 air and land paying passengers, traveling on the same itinerary, will be escorted by an OFPT U.S. Tour Manager throughout their tour. On tours that are “guaranteed,” if the group size falls below 15 participants, tour will be locally hosted in each city.
Please Note: Tours that are “guaranteed” may, during certain seasons, operate with fewer passengers than what would normally constitute a “group.” While many passengers consider this a definite advantage, there are others who do prefer to travel in larger groups. We will be happy to advise you of the approximate number of passengers booked on your tour, if you contact us 30 days in advance of your departure. However, please bear in mind that often the passenger count may fluctuate up until arrival date in each destination.
Note: Late evening departures are counted as a night in the publication of our tours when hotel check-out is after 12:00 Noon.
Sequence of Tour Programs
During periods of conventions, congresses, holidays, special events and any unforeseen circumstances, the Tour Operator may have to make last minute changes (subsequent to issuance of “final itinerary”) in the sequence of the tour.
Transfers and Porterage
Transfers to/from airports, hotels, trains/ports and border crossings are included as specified in the published itinerary, provided passengers’ days of arrival and departure coincide with their published tours. Alterations to the itineraries are subject to supplements for private taxi services, or airport shuttle bus transportation. Due to government and international regulations, porters may not be allowed inside the customs and security areas of the airport.
Deviations
Any deviations (when possible) from the scheduled tours are subject to additional surcharges.
General Air Information
Air Transportation
Orient Flexi-Pax Tours will provide air transportation in conjunction with all land tours, based on the lowest applicable airfares on all IATA and participating carriers, subject to the rules and regulations of the class, fare and service of the individual airline. Tours that are published inclusive of air utilize contracted net fares in effect at time of printing (Dec 2007) and are subject to change. Any additional fuel surcharge by airlines must be borne by the passengers. Due to these special contracted net agreements, supplements or credits for air deviations may not be equal to published airfare differentials. “Land Only” is available. Should airline schedule changes result in a necessity to alter the land arrangements, any additional expenses must be borne by the passenger.
Domestic Transportation
Some arrangements for domestic air, railroad or steamship transportation are made by the ground operator and may necessitate last minute changes for reasons beyond our control. Airline tickets for domestic flights along with final flight schedules will be given to passengers locally by our ground operator.
Air Ticket Re-issuance
Any changes to an air reservation resulting in the re-issue of airline tickets will be subject to a $75–$200 re-issuance fee, plus special delivery charges.
Airport Taxes
Most foreign airports impose an embarkation or departure tax which cannot be prepaid and is not included in our rates. This tax, when applicable, is payable in U.S. Dollars or local currency upon checking in for the departure flight.
Baggage
erson with neither to exceed 62 inches. Total dimensions of both bags not to exceed 102 inches, plus one carry-on bag not to exceed 39 inches. In addition, baggage is limited to 50 pounds per bag. Any excess is at the passenger’s own expense. When traveling between countries and on domestic flights within each country, baggage is weighed, allowing 44 pounds. Infants: No baggage permitted.
Baggage insurance is highly recommended, as we cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged luggage or personal items. Only 1 suitcase per person plus a carry-on bag is permitted on all tours.
Booking ProceduresDeposits: All Tours & Cruise/Train Programs
A deposit of $350 per person together with optional insurance (see page 91) must be received within 10 days of booking date. The balance is due not later than 60 days prior to departure. Late payments may result in higher airfares and additional charges. Photocopies of valid passport must be sent with deposit. Important: Reservations are not considered firm until deposit is received or they will be automatically cancelled.
Travel documents will be sent 2 weeks prior to departure. Late payments may necessitate overnight delivery of documents, an expense that must be borne by the passenger.
Credit Card Payments
Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express) are accepted for all tours. Credit card charges will not be processed without a signed universal credit form and credit card imprint.
Change Fee
Subsequent to initial reservation, a $25 change fee will be imposed, per booking for each revision.
Cancellation Penalties
Per Person, Prior to Departure
Note: Kosher Tour to China carries special cancellation fees as well as separate deposit and final payment policies. Conditions will be advised at the time of booking.
Additional penalties may be imposed by hotels during Christmas & New Year period. Additional penalties for airline tickets/train tickets and cruises may be incurred.
We recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation Insurance to cover Cancellation Fees.
Unused Services
Once travel has commenced, no refunds will be made for any unused services on any tour. Should a medical emergency interrupt your tour, any refund secured on your behalf will be subject to a $45 processing fee in addition to any applicable charges imposed by the suppliers. Refund requests in such cases must be approved, documented and submitted not later than 30 days after trip returns.
Visa/Passports
Every participant on our tours
must be in possession of a passport valid for
at least six months AFTER date of return.
All passengers must be in possession of visas for China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Bhutan, and Australia. Nationals of countries other than the U.S.A. must check with the respective consulates of the countries they are planning to visit for the necessary visa requirements. In order to simplify the issuance of visas, OFPT will provide a visa information kit, utilizing a visa service company that your travel agent may contact directly. All fees for visas are not included in the cost of your tour and must be paid directly to the visa service company.
The Tour Operator is not responsible for the refusal of visas by Consular offices and normal cancellation charges will apply.
Currently, none of the countries included in our itineraries require a certification of vaccination if originating from North America. However, as this is subject to change, please check with the booking agent to ascertain which, if any, countries in the tour require proof of inoculation and/or vaccination certificate. For updated information, we suggest you contact the Center for Disease Control at (404) 639-3534, or their website at www.cdc.gov/travel.
For tours including Tibet and Bhutan (due to the high elevation) please confirm with your physician that you are in good health and able to tolerate the extremely high altitude before reserving this tour. Passengers with history of high blood pressure or heart conditions cannot participate.
Our Prices Do Not Include:
Tips
Tipping information will be outlined in our final documents.
Airport Taxes, Customs & Immigration Fees
These are not included.
Passports
Passports, visas, travel insurance, beverages, after-dinner coffees and teas and all other items of a personal nature are not included. Insurance
We recommend that you purchase adequate and comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Neither Orient Flexi-Pax Tours nor your travel agent is responsible for loss or damage to luggage, accidents en route or ill health that may require you to miss part of your trip or your return to the U.S.A. with the group. Please see insurance section below.
Note: The Travel Protection Plan may not be purchased after final payment is made. Insurance premiums are non-refundable.
Responsibility
The Travel Agent and/or Tour Operators, Orient Flexi-Pax Tours and its representatives abroad, act only as agents for the various companies, owners or contractors providing the means of transportation, accommodation and other services. Orient Flexi-Pax Tours, does not own, manage, control, promote, run or operate any transportation or recreational vehicle, motel, hotel, restaurant, or any supplier of services. All exchange orders, coupons and tickets are offered subject to the General Information under which such services are offered or provided. Orient Flexi Pax Tours and its representatives assume no liability with respect to any negligence or malfeasances by thirdparty service providers, whether during the course of the provision of transportation, hotel, and other accommodation services, or otherwise, and are not responsible for any personal injury, illness, or property damage or any other loss or expense whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from the actions of thirdparty service providers or their individual agents in connection with a tour. Further, by participating in an Orient Flexi-Pax Tours tour, you are bound by our rules and you participate in the activities of the tour at your own risk. Orient Flexi-Pax Tours assumes no responsibility at all and no liability at all for any death, injury, illness, quarantine, sickness, diseases, natural disaster, damage, loss, delay, accident, expense, defect or any other abnormality which may result from your participation in any activity during the tour. The aforesaid Orient Flexi-Pax Tours and/or their agents can accept no responsibility for losses or accidental expenses due, as well, to delays or changes in schedules or departures, hotel overbookings, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantines, riots or insurrections or criminal acts committed by third parties, defaults, political disorders of any type, or other such similar causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger. Each exchange coupon, order and ticket is to be regarded as one contracted on or in behalf of the particular company or person named in it. The passenger contract in use by the airline or steamship company concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract of air or steamship passage with the purchases of these tours and/or the Passenger. The airline companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour announced in this Program and to make such alterations to the itineraries as may be found desirable for the proper carrying out of the tours. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable in the Tour Operator’s discretion to alter the arrangements or itineraries for the passenger’s comfort or welfare for any reason whatsoever, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Operator. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the Passengers. The right is reserved to decline, to accept, or retain any person as a member of any group at any time. This program is issued on the sole responsibility of the Tour Operator. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any Airline whose services are used in the course of the tours.
It is agreed by and between the passenger(s) and Orient Flexi-Pax Tours that all disputes and matters whatever arising under, in connection with or incident to this agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in and before a court located in The City of New York, New York State, U.S.A., to the exclusion of the courts of any other city, state or country. The issuance and acceptance of tickets and/or other documents in connection with a tour is considered acceptance of the above terms.
Special Notice: Delays, cancellations and overbookings may occur on air flights, cruises, and land reservations by the participating carriers and hotels. While Orient Flexi-Pax Tours will do everything possible to avoid these inconveniences, it cannot and will not assume responsibility for the respective carriers and hotels.
Fares and surface arrangements are based on tariffs and currency exchange rates in effect at time of printing, Dec 2007. We reserve the right to adjust pricing upward should the value of the dollar decline by more than five (5%) from its value on Dec 2007. Increases in the value of the dollar will not result in a reduction in pricing.
ISRAMWORLD® 2008 All Rights Reserved. The Itineraries and Programs described herein are unique and proprietary to ISRAMWORLD and any misappropriation of same is strictly forbidden.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ONLY $165 PER PERSON
TRIP CANCELLATION / INTERRUPTION (Up To Trip Cost)
If you have to cancel or interrupt your Trip due to a covered Injury, Sickness or death - your own or that of a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member - or for Other Covered Events, as defined, you will be reimbursed up to the Trip cost for: cancellation charges imposed on travel arrangements provided by IsramWorld Travel if you cancel before departure; or if you must interrupt your Trip after departure, you will be reimbursed for the unused, nonrefundable land or water arrangements and the additional transport charges paid to return home or to rejoin your Trip (limited to economy one-way airfare or first class, if your original tickets were first class). This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this policy is not in effect for you.
TRAVEL DELAY ($500)
Provides up to $100 per day (maximum of $500) for reasonable accommodation and traveling expenses until travel becomes possible if you are delayed for more than 12 hours due to a covered reason such as air carrier delay;Injury, Sickness or death of you or your Traveling Companion; quarantine; loss of passport, travel documents or money; or natural disaster.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT ($25,000)
These benefits are paid if loss occurs within 365 days of a covered Injury which occurs while on your IsramWorld Trip.
MEDICAL EXPENSE/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ($25,000/$50,000)
Provides reimbursement up to $25,000 for reasonable and customary medical expenses incurred within 365 days of a covered Sickness or Injury which occurs while on your Trip; emergency dental treatment received during your Trip; up to $50,000 for emergency transport to home or an appropriate hospital, including escort expense (both, if deemed necessary by the attending physician), for a covered Injury or Sickness which occurs while on your Trip; or the cost of homeward carriage if deceased.
BAGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ($1,500)
Coverage for direct physical loss or damage to your Baggage, passports or visas while on your Trip. A $500 maximum limit applies to jewelry, gems, watches, cameras and camera equipment, and furs - a $250 per article limit applies to all other items. If, while on your Trip, your Baggage is delayed for 24 hours or more, we will reimburse you up to $200 for the purchase of necessary additional clothing and personal articles.
COVERAGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Certain exclusions and limitations apply and are detailed in the Travel Insurance Certificate. For example, coverage does not apply to: any Sickness or condition of you, a Traveling Companion or an Immediate Family Member traveling with you that existed during the 60 days prior to the effective date of the coverages; (this exclusion is waived if your premium is received within 7 days of your initial deposit/payment for your Trip and you are not disabled from travel at the time your premium is received) suicide; normal pregnancy; war or any act of war; mental or nervous disorders. Other Covered Events, as defined, includes the following events or their consequences: 1) Post-Departure Trip Interruption due to cancellation of arrangements by an airline, cruise line, or tour operator due to strike, mechanical breakdown or bad weather (maximum of $100 per day/$500 total) or 2) cancellation or interruption of your Trip due to: a documented traffic accident while en route to departure; jury duty; destruction of your residence by a natural disaster; a documented theft of passports or visas; or a Terrorist Act which occurs in your departure city or in a city which is a scheduled destination for your Trip provided the Terrorist Act occurs within 30 days of the Scheduled Departure Date and your premium is received within 7 days of the initial deposit/payment for your Trip. A Traveling Companion is defined as a person booked to share accommodations in the same room with you during your Trip. Sickness or Injury must commence while the Travel Protection Plan is in effect for you. This plan does not cover a loss that results from an illness, disease, or other condition (of you, an Immediate Family Member, Traveling Companion or Business Partner), event or circumstance which occurs at a time when this policy is not in effect for you.
This plan is underwritten by: Stonebridge Casualty Insurance Company, Columbus, OH. This policy is administered by: Trip Mate*, 9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114, 800-888-7292 (*In CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency). 464-03
How to Book: Orient Flexi-Pax Tours believes that your travel needs can best be served by booking your arrangements through a professional travel agent. Have your travel agent call weekdays between 9am–7pm (Eastern Time) for reservations and/or information: (800) 545-5540.
Validity Dates: Apr 1, 2008–Mar 31, 2009