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Desert Crossroads and the Himalaya by Private Jet

Terms and Conditions and Operator-Participant Contract

Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet Program:
Desert Crossroads and the Himalaya (DC-10) March 21–April 3, 2010
Sacred Places of Asia (SP-10) April 5–19, 2010
The Ancient Silk Road (SR-10) April 20–May 4, 2010

The National Geographic Society will provide educational enrichment for National Geographic Expeditions as a sponsoring organization and has selected Starquest Expeditions Corp., 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98104, a qualified professional expedition operator, to organize and administer the Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet program. Starquest Expeditions, as the principal, is responsible to you for arranging and providing all the services and accommodations offered in connection with the expeditions, provided, however, that in the absence of gross negligence on our part, we are not responsible for personal injury or property damage caused by the air carrier, hotel, or other suppliers of any of the services being offered in connection with these expeditions. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time expedition participants are not aboard their conveyance. Neither the National Geographic Society nor Starquest Expeditions shall be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against the National Geographic Society and/or Starquest Expeditions for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. By registering for any of these National Geographic Expeditions, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. The National Geographic Society and Starquest Expeditions reserve the right at their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on these expeditions and reserve the right, subject to the terms of this Contract, to withdraw any part or all of the trips and to make such changes as may be necessary. Neither the National Geographic Society nor Starquest Expeditions shall be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant’s National Geographic Expedition departure city.

EXPEDITION PRICES

DC-10: $34,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($4,950 single supplement)
SP-10: $29,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($3,990 single supplement)
SR-10: $29,950 per person, based on double occupancy ($3,990 single supplement)

Travelers who join more than one Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet expedition will save 5% off the total expedition price per person.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Reservations and Payments: To reserve your place on any one of the Hidden Corners Around the World by Private Jet expeditions, complete the Reservation Form and return it with your deposit of $2,500 per person, per itinerary. The second payment of $15,000 per person and final payment are payable by check or wire transfer only, made out to a secure escrow account according to the following schedule:

DC-10: Make checks payable to "DC-10 Escrow." The second payment is due August 20, 2009. Final payment is due December 21, 2009.

SP-10: Make checks payable to "SP-10 Escrow." The second payment is due September 4, 2009. Final payment is due January 4, 2010.

SR-10: Make checks payable to "SR-10 Escrow." The second payment is due September 18, 2009. Final payment is due January 19, 2010.

Or charge your deposit to Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. If you pay your initial deposit by credit card, it is fully refundable until you sign the attached Reservation Form. Mail to National Geographic Expeditions, 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 1400, Seattle, WA 98104. Or call 800-224-1894 or fax the Reservation Form to 206-447-7717. If the expedition is fully booked when your reservation is received, your payment will be returned within 7 days, or with your authorization, Starquest Expeditions can retain the deposit and place your name on a waiting list in the event other passengers cancel their reservations. Even if you authorize Starquest Expeditions to put your name on a waiting list and retain your deposit, Starquest Expeditions will notify you within 7 days that the expedition is fully booked.

What Is Included in the Price: A privately chartered Boeing 757 that departs from the first city of each expedition and returns to last city of each expedition, as indicated in the brochure. Deluxe or best available accommodations and all applicable taxes in the destinations and options as indicated in the brochure. All meals, beginning with dinner on the first evening of the expedition, and ending with lunch on the jet or breakfast in the final destination of the expedition, as indicated in the brochure. All taxes; group transportation; excursions; special events and activities; extensive program of customized options at most destinations; enrichment program, including lectures by a team of experts; services of professional staff, including an expedition physician; amenities package; $100,000 medical evacuation insurance for covered reasons; bottled water throughout the program (during sightseeing, at scheduled meals, and in your room); all beverages, including liquor aboard the private jet, liquor during special events and cocktail parties on land, house wine and/or beer at lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea, milk, and soft drinks at all scheduled meals on land; baggage handling during the expedition; minimal accident/sickness/baggage insurance (details about optional and additional insurance for purchase, including trip-cancellation insurance, will be mailed to you after registration); and tips or gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters, and waitstaff are included. Also included is an option to overnight at The Peninsula Bangkok or an airport hotel at the end of DC-10, and airport transfers in London, England and Bangkok, Thailand for DC-10; in Bangkok, Thailand and Osaka, Japan for SP-10; and Xi’an, China and London, England for SR-10. No refund will be made for any accommodations or services included in the expedition price that you voluntarily do not use.

What Is Not Included in the Price: Commercial airfare to the first city of an expedition from your home city, and from the last city of an expedition to your home city; optional and additional accident/baggage/cancellation insurance; passport and visa fees; the extra cost of shipping final documents to international households; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax, and Internet charges; all beverages not mentioned above as included; hotel minibar charges; meals not scheduled by Starquest; and inoculation and medication costs of any kind. Any tips or gratuities not specifically mentioned as included in the total expedition price will be at your discretion.

Security Agreement: Your payments are held in an escrow account at the Commerce Bank of Washington, 601 Union Street, Suite 3600, Seattle, WA 98101-1342. Participants are protected by a Letter of Credit #592 issued by the Commerce Bank of Washington. Any claims against this letter of credit must be filed with Starquest Expeditions or the Commerce Bank within 60 days of the termination of the expedition. After that time, Starquest Expeditions and Commerce Bank will be released from liability under the security agreement.

Insurance: Trip-cancellation, health, and accident insurance are available for purchase; we will send you more information upon registration. National Geographic Society and Starquest Expeditions strongly recommend these important protections, which can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. Insurance premium payments are subject to the policies of the insurance carrier and are generally not refundable.

Baggage: On the private jet, each passenger is limited to 100 pounds of baggage in two bags each weighing 50 pounds or less. For international flights, the air carrier’s liability is limited to the actual value of the baggage but not more than 1,000 Special Drawing Rights, approximately $1,250 per passenger, unless a higher value is declared at the time of check-in and an appropriate excess valuation charge is paid. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

Aircraft: The private jet flights will be performed using a Boeing 757 jet with 76 VIP class seats operated by Thomson Airways, formerly First Choice Airways, First Choice House, London Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9GX England. The operator and air carrier reserve the right to substitute an equivalent aircraft if necessary.

Airfare: We are happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights from your home city to the start of an expedition and from the end of an expedition to your home city, in the class of service that you prefer. Please ask for details.

Cancellations and Refunds: All cancellations must be made in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark or e-mail receipt. If you cancel your reservation, your right to receive a refund is limited as described in the following schedules.

For the DC-10 expedition:

For the SP-10 expedition:

For the SR-10 expedition:

Refunds will be made within 14 days of receipt of your notice of cancellation.

Leaving an expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an expedition. If you cancel and provide a substitute participant for these trips, you will receive from Starquest Expeditions a full refund of money paid toward the price less an administrative charge of $25 for effecting the substitution once the substitute participant has paid in full. Please note that the costs for visas, commercial air tickets, insurance, and pre- or post-trip independent arrangements may not be refundable.

Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff presented in this brochure are subject to modification and change by the National Geographic Society or Starquest Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered, we reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. National Geographic Expeditions and Starquest Expeditions reserve the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically infeasible to operate. In such a case, Starquest Expeditions will provide you with a full refund of the expedition price. If we must cancel the expedition, we will notify you in writing within 7 days of the cancellation, but in no event later than 10 days before the scheduled departure date. We have no right to cancel the trip less than 10 days before departure, except for circumstances that make it physically impossible to perform the trip or if a United States State Department Travel Warning is issued for one of the destinations on the itinerary. If that occurs, we will notify you as soon as possible, but not later than the scheduled departure date. If the expedition is canceled, Starquest Expeditions will make a full refund to you within 14 days after cancellation.

International Flights: The operation of these flights is subject to the foreign governments involved granting landing rights for the flight. If the air carrier cannot obtain these rights for any particular flight leg of an expedition, that flight leg will be canceled and alternative arrangements may be made at the discretion of National Geographic Expeditions or Starquest Expeditions.

Health Requirements: This is an active program, which requires you to make a realistic assessment of your health. Prior to traveling, we recommend that you visit your personal physician for a checkup so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of program. All participants are expected to be in active, good health; to enjoy traveling as part of a group; and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports and to board the aircraft and are part of many excursions. Please note: To go to certain destinations or participate in certain activities, such as visiting a high-altitude area (7,500 feet above sea level and higher), you will need to obtain your physician’s approval. A form will be sent to you for your physician to sign. An alternate destination or activity can be arranged if your physician recommends it. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the traveler. If you would like to forego some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time. Malaria and other diseases are present in some of the countries featured on these itineraries; proof of yellow fever inoculation is required for DC-10 travelers. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control.

Eligibility: Participation in a National Geographic Expedition is a benefit of membership in the National Geographic Society. Membership dues for 2009 are $34. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the expedition.

Photography: National Geographic Society and Starquest Expeditions reserve the right to take photographs or videos during any expedition and to use the photography for promotional purposes. By booking with National Geographic Expeditions, participants agree that their images can be used in such photography; travelers who prefer their image not be used should advise the expedition leader at the commencement of the trip.

Single/Shared Accommodations and Suite Upgrades: A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do everything possible to assist persons requesting a roommate. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available. In this case, the single rate will be charged. Suite rooms are available in some destinations; more information about them, including their extra costs, will be sent to you approximately four months before departure.

Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two persons sharing a room. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so and will notify you at the time of final invoicing.

Please Note: State Department travel warnings for Nepal, Mali, and Uzbekistan are currently in effect (http://travel.state.gov). We have taken the warnings into account in developing these expeditions and will continue to monitor events in the countries. As of the print date of the brochure, we expect to run these trips as planned.

By registering for a National Geographic Expedition, the participant agrees to the Operator–Participant Contract, Responsibility Statement, and Terms and Conditions herein.