WEST BENGAL & NORTHEAST INDIA - Lost Treasures of - Exclusive Journeys
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travel with LESLEY ROBIN
Lost Treasures of
WEST BENGAL &
NORTHEAST INDIA
18 DAYS 2-19 NOVEMBER, 2020
_____ A journey of exploration to discover _____
textiles, temples & palaces of West Bengal
tribal traditions of Assam & the high, misty lands of Meghalaya
1
TRIP DOSSIER
13 pages: A Brief Outline Itinerary, Your Detailed Itinerary, Important Notes,
Booking Form and Booking Conditions.
18 DAYS 2-19 NOVEMBER, 2020
$8175 LAND ONLY, per person twin sharing
$1720 Single Supplement
Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations
Day 1 Meeting on arrival at Kolkata International Kolkata – The Oberoi Grand
Monday 2 Airport by independent flight arrangements. Hotel
November Transfer to hotel. Check-in from 2pm today.
Day 2 A full day sightseeing Kolkata, capital of West Kolkata – The Oberoi Grand
Tuesday 3 Bengal includes a Heritage Walk and the Hotel
November fabulous Weavers Studio.
Day 3 Drive to the weaving villages of Phulia and Krishnanagar – Hotel Haveli
Wednesday 4 Santipur, situated on the Hoogly River and
November meet Master weavers of Jamdani muslin.
Day 4 Visit an inspiring project that provides Azimganj – Bari Koti Heritage
Thursday 5 employment and education for women and Hotel
November see the making of traditional ‘kanthas’.
Day 5 & 6 Over the next 2 days explore palaces, Azimganj – Bari Koti Heritage
Fri 6 & Sat 7 temples and mosques; meet skilled weavers Hotel
November living in villages along the River Ganges.
Day 7 Morning departure by train for our return Kolkata Airport – Hotel
Sunday 8 journey to Kolkata. Afternoon free time for Swisshotel
November independent activities.
Day 8 Morning flight to Jorhat in the state of Assam Majuli Island – Bamboo
Monday 9 and the start of our exploration of Northeast Cottages
November India. Ferry to Majuli Island.
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Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations
Day 9 Explore unique Majuli island in the middle of Majuli Island – Bamboo
Tuesday 10 the Brahmaputra River, known for its Cottages
November Vaishnavaite monasteries and handcrafts.
Day 10 Return to the mainland and drive to Kaziranga – Iora The Retreat
Wednesday 11 Kaziranga National Park, home to the rare
November Indian one-horned Rhino and Bengal Tiger.
Day 11 Jeep and elephant safaris into the Park, a Kaziranga – Iora The Retreat
Thursday 12 UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit a
November weaving center and home of a weaver.
Day 12 Visit the Orchid & Biodiversity Park and Balipara – Wild Mahseer
Friday 13 continue by road to Balipara where we stay (Heritage Home Stay)
November on a tea estate dating back to British times.
Day 13 Visit the weekly Saturday market, Mishing Balipara – Wild Mahseer
Saturday 14 and Garo tribal villages to glimpse their (Heritage Home Stay)
November culture, weaving and farming traditions.
Day 14 Drive to Sualkuchi village, an important Guwahati – Hotel Taj
Sunday 15 weaving center for wild silk unique to Guwahati
November Assam. See all the weaving processes.
Day 15 Drive into the state of Meghalaya. Visit a Umiam Lake – Hotel Rikynjai
Monday 16 Khasi tribal community. See their weaving, Serenity by the Lake
November culture and traditions.
Day 16 Full day excursion to Shillong, a hill station Umiam Lake – Hotel Rikynjai
Tuesday 17 and the capital of Meghalaya situated at over Serenity by the Lake
November 5,000 feet.
Day 17 Morning drive to Guwahati airport for our Kolkata Airport – Hotel
Wednesday 18 afternoon flight to Kolkata. Swisshotel
November
Day 18 End of Tour. Rooms are reserved until
Thursday 19 midday today. Transfer to international
November airport for your onward journey.
3
Our travels begin in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) known for its grand colonial architecture,
art galleries, textile shops and bazaars. We explore undiscovered parts of West Bengal,
vibrant with an extraordinary legacy of textiles, palaces and temples.
We see the finest Jamdani muslin made by weavers practicing age-old ancestral skills,
creating cloth as light as air, patronized through the centuries by the great Moghul
Emperors. Meet the skilled makers of Baluchari saris, woven in silk with elaborate
mythological designs, working from their villages along the banks of the River Ganges.
‘Mother Ganga’ is the holiest river in India and a rich lifeline to millions of Indians. Spend
several nights in a centuries-old heritage setting at the palatial Bari Kothi that overlooks
the flowing waters of this major waterway and from where we’ll explore this lesser-visited
area.
Continue to Assam and mountainous Meghalaya in the remote Northeast, a diverse
landscape that shares borders with Tibet, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh and where
tribal communities still maintain their traditional way of life. We discover first-hand the
culture of the Mishing, Garo and Khasi tribals to learn about their weaving, natural silk
reeling and dyeing as well as farming traditions.
Visit the extraordinary Majuli Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra River, known for its
Vaishnavaite philosophy and monasteries, art, music, literature and treasures of
handcrafts from pottery to mask making. Reaching Kaziranga National Park, renowned for
its rare one-horned Rhinoceros we enjoy jeep safaris and ride on elephant back.
Every step of the way there’ll be fantastic photographic opportunities and ample time to
meet with people in a very personal way, right across the full spectrum of tradition and
culture in these most fascinating regions of India. Join us on an adventure of a lifetime!
DETAILED ITINERARY:
WEST BENGAL & NORTHEAST INDIA 2020
Day 1 Arrival in Kolkata capital of West Bengal (formerly known as
2 November Calcutta) by your own independent air arrangements. Land
MONDAY Arrangements begin with a transfer from the airport to our
centrally located hotel. Rooms available for check-in from 2pm
today. We come together this evening to meet our traveling
companions.
KOLKATA – HOTEL THE OBEROI GRAND (Welcome Dinner)
The iconic and luxurious Oberoi Grand is a heritage hotel that dates
back to the late 1880s redolent of colonial times.
4
Day 2 Our day begins at eastern India’s largest wholesale flower
3 November market situated on the banks of the Hooghly River, a buzz of
TUESDAY activity amidst a myriad of exotic flowers and garlands and
especially busy during the wedding and festival seasons. We’ll
take a Heritage Walk around Dalhousie Square, associated with
the British Raj, seeing the infamous Black Hole, Writers
Building and Government House.
Later we are hosted at the Weavers Studio with its handcrafted
collection of specialized fabrics, shawls, garments and art
textiles, innovative creations inspired by historical textiles and
ethnic tribes; an introduction to some of the fabulous fabrics
and weaves we will encounter on our travels.
KOLKATA – HOTEL THE OBEROI GRAND (B,L,D)
Day 3 An early start by road for our exploration into the handloom
4 November traditions of West Bengal. Located in eastern India it is
WEDNESDAY bounded by three countries; Bhutan to the north, the frontier of
Bangladesh to the east and Nepal in the northwest.
We head for the weaving villages of Phulia and Santipur to see
the production of intricate Bengali Jamdhani (a fine muslin
textile using cotton and gold thread) as well as other famous
weaves that originate from present day Bangladesh. We’ll come
to understand something of the lives of these communities and
the expertise required to create such exquisite textiles. The
traditional Jamdhani has UNESCO recognition due to its
cultural heritage.
KRISHNANAGAR - HOTEL HAVELI (B,L,D)
Day 4 Morning drive to Katna where we are welcomed at a project
5 November founded by Shabnam Ramaswamy, whose personal challenges
THURSDAY made her realize how important it is for women to be educated,
have equal opportunity and employment. And so began the
path toward the revival of ‘kantha’ bringing with it economic
empowerment for local village women. Kantha embroidery is
an indigenous household craft considered a form of artistic
expression due to its one-off creations and its ability to tell a
story.
We continue to Murshidabad, a hidden gem of an area known
for its rich culture and architecture dating back to Mughal and
British times. We arrive late afternoon in Azimganj at the
palatial Bari Kothi, our home for the next 3 nights. With a
centuries-old heritage of architectural splendor, it has
wonderful views of the Bhagirathi River that forms the western
boundary of the Ganga and Brahmaputra delta.
AZIMGANJ - BARI KOTHI HERITAGE HOTEL (B,L,D daily)
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Days 5 & 6 Over the next couple of days we explore this lesser-visited area.
6, 7 November Discover small rural villages in the countryside by car, horse-
FRIDAY & SATURDAY drawn tonga and electric auto-rickshaws! Our sightseeing will
include the Hazarduari Palace Museum (the palace of a
thousand doors) and the 18th century Katra mosque built of
local brick. One afternoon a boat excursion along the river to
visit the remarkable Char Bangla terracotta temples, richly
decorated with scenes from the Hindu epics.
We take a heritage walk around Azimganj with its ‘rajbaris’
(palaces) and Hindu and Jain temples. Visit weaving
communities at Tantipara village to see Baluchari saris woven
in silk with elaborate mythological designs as well as Islampore
for sericulture and silk weaving.
We’ll spend our evenings at Bari Kothi enjoying Sheharwali
cuisine traditional to the area and regional music and dance. A
total immersion of this captivating corner of West Bengal.
AZIMGANJ - BARI KOTI HERITAGE HOTEL (B,L,D daily)
Day 7 This morning we board the early morning Express train back to
8 November Kolkata, a journey of just over 4 hours. Remainder of the
SUNDAY afternoon at leisure for independent activities.
KOLKATA - AIRPORT SWISSHOTEL (B,L,D)
Days 8 & 9 Monday we set off on our journey of discovery into the
9, 10 November Northeast. We take the morning flight to Jorhat in Assam and a
MONDAY & TUESDAY short road trip to Neemati Ghat. Here we board our private
ferry for the hour and half crossing to Majuli island situated in
the Brahmaputra River, one of the major rivers of Asia.
The island preserves its Hindu Neo-Vaishnavaite heritage in
monastic centers known as satras. These monasteries are
religious as well as places of artistic expression through art,
literature, dance, theatre and crafts. We visit several satras as
well as a workshop for extraordinary masks made by Master
Craftsmen; explore small Mishing villages to see their tribal
weaving and pottery.
Majuli is an extraordinary place, untouched by the modern
world, staying true to its tribal traditions and values, an island
that is eroding year by year due to the monsoon flooding of the
river… a fast disappearing world.
MAJULI ISLAND – BAMBOO COTTAGES (B,L,D daily)
Accommodation on the island is limited and basic with attached
bathroom facilities.
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Days 10 & 11 Wednesday morning ferry back to the mainland and a 3-hour
11, 12 November drive to Kaziranga, one of the more remote national parks in
WED & THURSDAY India. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the
protection of the rare Indian one-horned Rhinoceros and the
Royal Bengal tiger. It is also home to the Asian elephant and a
huge array of native and migratory birds.
Every year, the water of the Brahmaputra River floods the park
during the monsoon. If due to heavy rains in any exceptional
year only certain areas will be accessible to visitors during our
visit. Thursday we rise at dawn to enjoy a safari into the park
and again in the late afternoon, one occasion by jeep as well as
on elephant back. We’ll visit a weaver’s house and a center to
see the various processes of Assamese weaving and dyeing.
KAZIRANGA – IORA THE RETREAT (B,L,D daily)
Days 12 & 13 Friday begin our day at the Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity
13,14 November Park with over 600 species of exotic orchids from all parts of
FRIDAY, SATURDAY Northeast India, as well as gardens for bamboo and medicinal
herbs and a handcraft museum displaying the tribal life and
culture of Assam.
Continue by road to Balipara and Wild Mahseer (our heritage
home stay) located in lush, tropical gardens on a 22-acre tea
estate with over two hundred years of history. Our
accommodation in colonial style bungalows is reminiscent of a
tea planter’s life in Assam during British times. In the late
afternoon we’ll take a nature walk.
Saturday morning is market day, a hive of activity attracting a
mix of peoples from so many ethnic backgrounds; stalls heaped
with shawls and saris, bangles and beads, sacks of spices and
fresh produce… altogether a very lively occasion. Later we’ll be
visiting Mishing and Garo tribal villages to glimpse something
of their life, culture, weaving and farming traditions.
BALIPARA – WILD MAHSEER (B,L,D daily)
Day 14 Assam produces three unique varieties of wild silk… the golden
15 November Muga, the white Pat and the warm-colored Eri. A full morning’s
SUNDAY drive brings us to the village of Sualkuchi, an important
weaving center situated on the northern bank of the
Brahmaputra River. Here, weaving is not just a tradition
handed down by generations, but a way of life. Every house has
a loom and we’ll hear the fly shuttles clacking back and forth as
we walk the narrow lanes. See the various processes of silk
production, the spinning and dyeing, to create beautiful saris
and shawls from wild silk. We continue to Guwahati.
GUWAHATI – HOTEL TAJ GUWAHATI (B,L,D)
7
Day 15 Morning we drive into the state of Meghalaya, known for its
16 November mountainous scenery and high and misty landscapes, home to
MONDAY the Khasi tribals.
We will be hosted at a Ri Bhoi village where women artisans
produce Eri silk (known locally as Ryndia) within an organic
and sustainable ethos, using natural dyes, traditional tools and
equipment to spin and weave. Here we learn about the Khasi
way of life and their farming traditions. We continue to
picturesque Umiam Lake.
UMIAM LAKE (near Shillong) – HOTEL RIKYNJAI SERENITY
BY THE LAKE (B, L,D)
Day 16 A full day excursion to Shillong, the state capital Meghalaya,
17 November known as "The Abode of Clouds”, one of the smallest states in
TUESDAY India with a backdrop of the East Khasi Hills and situated at an
altitude of around 5000 ft (1,500 m). Our sightseeing includes
Shillong Peak and Police Bazaar with traditional handcrafts and
local produce. We’ll visit the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous
Culture that focuses on the tribal peoples of the northeast.
We visit a socially responsible fashion house producing
sustainable and environmentally friendly clothing in organic
fabrics, an organization that works closely with village weavers
from many local communities. This helps preserve an age-old
weaving and natural dye heritage in villages that hold much
value for ‘Ryndia’ (Eri) wild silk.
UMIAM LAKE (near Shillong) – HOTEL RIKYNJAI SERENITY
BY THE LAKE (B,L,D)
Day 17 Morning drive to Guwahati airport for our afternoon flight to
18 November Kolkata. This evening is our farewell dinner.
WEDNESDAY
KOLKATA AIRPORT – HOTEL SWISSHOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 18 Rooms are reserved at the hotel until 12noon today. Breakfast
19 November is served during normal hotel breakfast hours. Transfer to
THURSDAY Kolkata International Airport for your return flight home.
TOUR DIRECTOR, LESLEY ROBIN: Lesley’s experience of India spans more than 30 years,
bringing to our journey a personal and in depth knowledge of this vast country. Her
interest in textiles began in the late 70s when she settled in Dharamsala (Western
Himalayas) exiled home of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. Here she helped set up projects with
local weavers. Her knowledge of eastern culture, Hinduism and Buddhism and her interest
in the textile & craft heritage of the Indian sub-continent is a result of her extensive travels
throughout the region. This new trip to West Bengal & the far Northeast has been on
Lesley’s wish list to share for many years.
For further information please email Lesley: lesley@exclusivejourneys.com
8
IMPORTANT NOTES
PASSPORTS: Passports need to be valid for 6 months beyond trip dates. A visa is
required for India.
Indian Visas: Holders of British and American passports, as well as citizens from many
other countries, are now able to apply online for the Indian e-Tourist Visa (eTV). An easy
process, this visa currently allows the holder to enter India at sixteen designated airports
for two visits per year of two-month duration each.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Two months prior to the start of the tour you will be sent
comprehensive pre-departure details pertaining to health, clothing, climate, hotels,
obtaining your Indian visa etc. In the meantime if you have any questions or require
assistance with any arrangements additional to the itinerary please let us know.
FINAL PAYMENT: Is due 12 weeks before departure (10 August 2020) in order to
guarantee hotels and flights within India.
TOUR PRICE:
$8175 LAND ONLY per person, twin sharing
$1720 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
Supplement for single rooms pays for privacy and not better accommodation.
INCLUDED IN YOUR LAND ARRANGEMENTS:
International Airport Transfers: Hotel transfers are included on arrival and departure.
Sightseeing & Transport: Sightseeing as per itinerary and transport by private coach in
Kolkata, comfortable 3-person Toyota Innova cars for our travels in the rural countryside
as well as 2 domestic flights (Kolkata-Jorhat and Guwahati/Kolkata).
Accommodation: Based on twin bedded rooms, double occupancy with shower/bath.
We stay in a variety hotels from 5* and 4* hotels to Heritage hotels, chosen for their charm
and location as well as the best that is available in the rural areas.
Meals: All meals are included with tea/coffee. Bottled water is provided with
lunch/dinner. B- breakfast, L – lunch, D – Dinner.
Guides: The services of Tour Director Lesley Robin, national guides for West Bengal & the
Northeast who accompany us throughout our travels as well as local specialist guides
where appropriate.
Baggage: Baggage handling for maximum 2 bags not to exceed 50lbs.
Gratuities: All group tips are included for all guides (as mentioned above), bus drivers
in Kolkata, all vehicle drivers for our overland road journeys, 3-wheelers & horse-drawn
tongas, hotel housekeeping and restaurant personnel, porters, craft visits and donations
where appropriate in connection with the services provided. There are no hidden extras.
Entrance Fees & Camera Fees: To all monuments and museums are included.
9
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Round-trip international flights to India
• Indian visa fee and Travel Insurance
• Excess baggage charges on internal flights within India
• Meals not specified as included
• Personal expenses including alcoholic beverages, room service, laundry charges,
phone calls etc.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: International airfare is NOT included in the price of Land
Arrangements. This tour begins and ends in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta). Please
let us know if you would like assistance booking your flights.
Jenni Lipa is the CEO of Spa Trek Travel, New York that is fully IATA/CAA protected and
can arrange your international flights to join this trip. Jenni has many years of experience
in the world of travel and she personally takes care of all bookings in the USA for Lesley’s
tours. Should you require assistance with any arrangements additional to the itinerary
please let us know.
In the meantime do not delay in reserving your place on this fabulous trip!
SEE BOOKING FORM & BOOKING CONDITIONS ON THE PAGES BELOW.
To contact Jenni please email jenni@spatrek.com or Tel: (+1) 917–721 8558
10BOOKING FORM
WEST BENGAL & NORTHEAST INDIA: 2-19 November 2020
Surname ……………………………………………… Full Name (as on passport) ..……………………………
Nationality ……………………………………………… Date of Birth ………………………………………………...........
Place of Birth (City & Country)………………………………………………………………………..………………………………..
Passport No. ……………………………………………… Place of Issue ………………………………………………………
Date of Issue ……………………………………………… Date of Expiry ………………………………………………………
Address for Correspondence: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............................
Telephone (day): ……………………………………… Telephone (home): …………………………….
Telephone (cell): ………………………………………
Email: ………………………………………..@.......................................................................
I shall be accompanied by: (optional) …………………………………………………………
Please reserve me a place in a SINGLE YES/NO (delete as appropriate)
NOTE: For hotels and airline bookings we require a copy of your passport details (photograph page) – please
scan and email with your Booking Form.
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
Indicate if you would like SPA TREK TRAVEL to book your international flight YES/NO (delete as appropriate)
Indicate if you are arranging your international flights independently YES/NO (delete as appropriate)
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS DURING THE TOUR – Please supply minimum 1 person’s contact details:
NAME & ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
NAME & ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
I have read the Conditions of Booking and I agree on behalf of all persons listed above by whom I am authorized to
make this agreement
Signed: ………………………………………………. Date: ……………………………………………
Deposit(s) @ $500 per person $…………………………………………………………………………………………
Check (payable to SteveJen Inc) enclosed for total: $…………………………………………………………
Please Note: We accept payment only by check or wire-transfer.
Kindly send checks to Jenni Lipa at the address below:
JENNI LIPA c/o VALERIE WILSON TRAVEL 605 THIRD AVENUE - 19TH FLR NEW YORK NY 10158
Email: jenni@spatrek.com Tel: (+1) 917-721 8558
11Booking Terms & Conditions of SPA TREK TRAVEL
Your contract is with SPA TREK TRAVEL (Company number EIN 13-3708581). We are also an agent for IATA (The
International Air Transport Association) for which our membership number is 33-566153
Making your booking
Please complete the provided booking form and send it to us together with the deposit, or full payment if your booking is within
14 weeks of departure. Provided the tour is available we will make all arrangements and send you a confirmation of your
booking and all relevant details. If the tour is not available, we will return your deposit or full payment. Once we have confirmed
your booking, your deposit is non-refundable except in the special circumstances mentioned below. We will send you a final
invoice approximately 16 weeks prior to departure and this will show any surcharges due. You must pay the full balance of your
holiday 14 weeks before departure. We may otherwise treat the booking as cancelled and apply our cancellation charges. We
will send you your e-tickets and documents approximately 21 days before travel.
What your money buys
The tour price includes: Twin or double-bedded room with private bath or shower at the named hotels or substitutes of the
same standard. Meals are as specified on your confirmation. Meetings, transfers, surface transportation by car, bus or train.
Tour prices cover only the services and duration shown on each itinerary. Check-out time from rooms is generally 12 noon.
Economy class air travel inclusive of all ticketable airport taxes, fuel surcharges which will be secured at the lowest available
fare at the time of booking (with any supplements payable due to lack of flight availability advised to you for your approval
before confirmation). Once booked your airline ticket(s) will be 100 % non-refundable.
Where, for reasons of force majeure, altered services are taken or the duration of the tour is extended, we reserve the right to
pass on additional costs in full. Excluded are all expenses of a personal nature such as drinks or laundry. Group tours are
based on a minimum number of persons travelling. We must regretfully reserve the right not to operate any tour on which there
are insufficient bookings 8 weeks before departure. Full payment, including your deposit, will be refunded.
Your luggage and belongings
Our ground arrangements allow for you to take one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage. If you have booked your flights
through us we will advise you of your weight restrictions. Please check with your airline if you have arranged your own flights.
Airlines and Seating
We are able to quote for airline ticketing on the lowest and best routing. If we obtain tickets by using your mileage, there is a
service fee. Specified seating is something not available until 30 days prior to departure.
Delays at Point of Departure
The scheduled airlines we use will generally provide meals and accommodation to passengers already checked-in in the event
of extended delays. Spa Trek Travel and Exclusive Journeys cannot be held responsible for any alterations that are necessary
as a result of any delays caused directly or indirectly to the international flights for reasons within or outside of theirs or the
carrier’s control.
Passports, Visas and Health
You must have a American Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond your return date and at least two blank pages
available in your passport. All names on the booking must be exactly as per your passport. If you do not hold an American
passport or do not meet these requirements or have any doubt as to your eligibility to enter INDIA then please contact us for
further advice before confirming your booking.
Age and Health
We do not operate any age limit on our holidays. However if you are over 80 years of age, we strongly recommend that you are
fit and healthy to travel and take your own responsibility. In many of the countries in which we operate, medical facilities are
poor and if you do fall ill appropriate treatment may be difficult to access. There are no formal health requirements except for
those who have recently visited a Yellow Fever area. Recommended precautions will be advised with the confirmation of
booking. All clients are themselves responsible for ensuring that they conform to the health regulations regarding vaccinations.
Surcharges – Our Policy
All costs quoted are the most up-to-date prices available for August 2019. All prices quoted are subject to unforeseen
increases such as currency fluctuation and are in the main based on negotiated group rates and therefore subject to minimum
numbers. The price of your tour is subject to surcharges on the following items for increases in transportation costs, e.g.
scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharge which is part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour
operator, government action such as increases in VAT or any other government imposed increases, currency in relation to
adverse exchange rate variations, fuel for road vehicles. Even in these cases we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the
tour price, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be
surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% on the tour price, you will be entitled to cancel your tour with a full refund of all
monies paid except for any deposits paid to the airline which in some circumstances may be non-refundable, and any premium
paid to us for tour insurance and amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your
right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on the invoice.
12Cancellations
If you find you cannot take your tour and have to cancel for whatever reason, you will forfeit your deposit. If you cancel, we
must receive your cancellation in writing.
The penalties are as follows:
Between time of booking and 98 Days before departure - Loss of Deposit
Between 97 - 63 days before departure - 30%
Between 62 - 43 days before departure - 50%
Between 42 - Departure - 100%
For International air travel booked with Spa Trek Travel, rules apply pertaining to ticket issued.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to travel on one of our tours. Please note you must make sure your insurance includes cancellation
& repatriation. Your travel insurance must cover the destinations you will be visiting along with any activities you are taking part
in. (Please ask if you need any assistance with an insurance quote).
Alterations by ourselves
We will do our utmost to provide the tour arrangements that have been confirmed. We reserve the right to modify or cancel any
tour, flight schedule, accommodation or arrangement if unforeseen circumstances arise or if our minimum number of 10
travelers per tour is not met. In such rare circumstances, we will inform you as soon as possible and, should the change be
such that it alters the nature of your tour, we shall offer you the choice of an alternative tour or a full refund of all monies paid to
ourselves.
Our liabilities to you
We do not exclude or limit any liability to our clients which may arise from proven negligence by any person employed directly
by us or by our suppliers and subcontractors, servants or agents of the same whilst acting in the course of their employment in
respect of death, bodily injury or illness. If our suppliers are able to exclude or limit liability by virtue of any international
convention we will claim the benefit of that exclusion or limitation. Such liabilities shall be subject to US law and all proceedings
shall be within the exclusive domain of the US courts. We accept responsibility for ensuring that all parts of the tour are
supplied as described and that all services shall reach a reasonable standard. These obligations and responsibilities shall be
limited where international conventions in respect of air or sea carriers apply. Naturally we cannot assume responsibility for loss
or expense due to war, riots, strikes, terrorist activities or natural disasters.
Complaints
If you have cause for complaint, it makes sense to sort out the problem on the spot, so you can continue to enjoy your tour. If
the matter cannot be rectified whilst you are on tour, please write and tell us as soon as possible after you get back and we will
do our best to sort it out promptly. In the unlikely event that you are still unhappy, IATAN’s arbitration scheme may be called
upon (details on request) by either side to bring matters to a speedy and amicable solution. You may alternatively refer the
matter to any court of law.
Debit, Credit and Charge Cards
We do NOT accept payment by credit or debit cards. Payment by Check only or Bank Wire.
Consumer Protection
For Bookings that originate and paid for in the US, your tour is protected and licensed by VWT, Inc. with IATAN number 33-
566153. When you buy an IATAN protected air inclusive package from us, you will an invoice confirming your arrangements
and your protection under our IATAN number. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, IATAN will ensure that you are not left
stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information visit
the IATAN website http://www.iatan.org
TH
Spa Trek Travel c/o Valerie Wilson Travel 605 Third Avenue - 19 Floor New York NY 10158
Tel: 917 721 8558
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