UZBEKISTAN 17DAYS 13-29OCTOBER,2019 - _ A journey along the Silk Road _ Central Asian bazars, Islamic architecture & traditional textiles ...
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travel with LESLEY ROBIN
UZBEKISTAN
17 DAYS 13-29 OCTOBER, 2019
___ A journey along the Silk Road ___
Central Asian bazars, Islamic architecture & traditional textiles
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TRIP DOSSIER
13 pages: A Brief Outline Itinerary, Your Detailed Itinerary, Important Notes,
Booking Form and Booking Conditions.
17 DAYS 13-29 OCTOBER, 2019
$7150 LAND ONLY, per person twin sharing
$865 Single Supplement
Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations
Day 1 Meeting on arrival at Tashkent International Tashkent – Lotte Tashkent
Sunday 13 Airport by independent flight arrangements. Palace Hotel
October Transfer to hotel. Check-in from 2pm today.
Day 2 A full day sightseeing Tashkent, capital of Tashkent – Lotte Tashkent
Monday 14 Uzbekistan includes visiting Khast-Imam Palace Hotel
October Square and the Museum of Applied Arts.
Day 3 Drive through mountainous scenery to Margilan – Ikat House Hotel
Tuesday 15 Margilan in the Fergana Valley. On route visit
October the workshop of ceramist Rustam Usmanov.
Day 4 A full day exploring the area. See the age-old Margilan – Ikat House Hotel
Wednesday 16 process of silk production; meet Master
October dyers and weavers.
Day 5 Morning visit the Central Asian Kum-Tepa Margilan – Ikat House Hotel
Thursday 17 bazar. Excursion to Kokand and the Khan’s
October Palace.
Day 6 Visits include a village for felt-made carpets Tashkent – Lotte Tashkent
Friday 18 and a silk spinning and weaving workshop. Palace Hotel
October Late afternoon train to Tashkent.
Day 7 Morning flight to Nukus. Visit the fabulous Nukus – Jipek-Joly Hotel
Saturday 19 Igor Savitsky Art Museum. Late afternoon
October visit Mizdakhan necropolis.
Day 8 Morning drive to the historic walled town of Khiva – Malika-Khiva or
Sunday 20 Khiva dating back a thousand years. Malika-Kheyvak
October Afternoon orientation walking tour.
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Date Brief Outline Itinerary Destinations
Day 9 Explore the Ichan-Kala (Inner City) of this Khiva – Malika-Khiva or
Monday 21 perfectly preserved medieval town. Visit a Malika-Kheyvak
October carpet weaving cooperative.
Day 10 Full day’s drive to Bukhara across the Kyzyl Bukhara – Salom Inn
Tuesday 22 Kum desert that shares borders with
October Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Day 11 Sightsee Bukhara, an important stop on the Bukhara – Salom Inn
Wednesday 23 Silk Road trade route, with its trading domes
October and Islamic architecture.
Day 12 Visit the Summer Palace with its collection of Bukhara – Salom Inn
Thursday 24 costumes, silver and textiles. Afternoon visit
October a suzani embroidery workshop.
Day 13 Excursion to Shakrikan and visit a village Bukhara – Salom Inn
Friday 25 embroiderers who use vegetable dyes. Visit a
October family of potters in Gizduvan.
Day 14 Drive along the Silk Route to legendary Samarkand – Grand
Saturday 26 Samarkand arriving early afternoon. Visit Samarkand or similar
October the home-studio of a fashion designer.
Day 15 Sightseeing includes the Gur Emir where Samarkand – Grand
Sunday 27 Tamerlane is buried and Siyob bazar, the Samarkhand or similar
October largest marketplace in Samarkand.
Day 16 Visit the remains of the medieval world’s Tashkent – Lotte Tashkent
Monday 28 most remarkable observatory and Afrosaib Palace Hotel
October Museum. Return drive to Tashkent.
Day 17 End of Tour. Rooms are reserved until
Tuesday 29 midday today. Transfer to international
October airport for your onward journey.
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Uzbekistan lies between the Caspian Sea and Western China in the very heartland of
Central Asia: a melting pot for the many distinctive cultural and ethnic groups in this most
extraordinary of regions.
We’ll journey along the legendary Silk Road to the ancient cities of Khiva, Bukhara and
Samarkand associated with Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane and rich in
the history of great travelers and bygone caravanserais, where gold and gems, spices and
livestock were traded in noisy, bustling souks. We’ll discover some of the Islamic world’s
most inspiring architecture, madrasahs and mosques, visit the fabulous Igor Savitsky art
collection in Karakalpakstan and explore important sites along the way.
A myriad of unforgettable experiences await us. We’ll wander through lively Central Asian
bazars with smiling women attired in traditional clothing. A celebration of craft traditions
as we meet innovative and gifted master artisans, enjoying traditional home-cooked
village meals and inviting us inside to share something of their lives and work. There’ll be
suzani and papermaking workshops, opportunities to see natural dyeing and the weaving
of that magical silk fabric ‘ikat” as well as the exceptional skills of ceramicists and carpet
weavers.
The warmth and hospitality of the Uzbeks we will encounter on our travels is memorable
and the photographic opportunities endless. Join us on this very special trip of a lifetime!
DETAILED ITINERARY: UZBEKISTAN 2019
Day 1 Arrival in Tashkent (capital of Uzbekistan) by your own
13 October independent air arrangements. Rooms available for check-in
SUNDAY from 2pm today. Land arrangements begin with a transfer from
Tashkent International Airport to our centrally located hotel.
Mid-afternoon visit Chor-Su market situated in the old part of
Tashkent, with its fruit and vegetables, spices and local crafts.
TASHKENT – LOTTE TASHKENT PALACE HOTEL (Superior
Rooms) (Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2 Full day sightseeing Tashkent includes Independence Square
14 October and the Khast-Imam Square (the official religious center) with
MONDAY its mosques, Islamic Institute and library housing a 7th century
Quran, thought to be the world’s oldest. Visit the Museum of
Applied Arts with embroideries and folk art and a craft center.
Special evening dinner at the beautiful home and workshop of
renowned ceramicist, Akbar Rakhimov.
TASHKENT – LOTTE TASHKENT PALACE HOTEL (Superior
Rooms) (B,L,D)
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Day 3 Morning drive through mountainous scenery to Rishtan in the
15 October Fergana Valley. Here we’ll visit the home and workspace of
TUESDAY highly respected potter, Rustam Usmanov and learn about the
traditional blue-and-green floral designs native to the region.
Continue to Margilan, which was an important stop on the Silk
Road, arriving early evening, our base for the next few days.
Our small private hotel is charming and built in the local style
with inner courtyard.
MARGILAN – IKAT HOUSE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 4 Echoes of the Silk Route abound in Fergana Valley through its
16 October lively bazars and most especially in its crafts and silk
WEDNESDAY production. It has a long history of cultivation and during the
time we are traveling, the orchards, vineyards and mulberry
trees will be ripe and abundant.
Today is a wonderful journey into the history and production
of silk from spinning and dyeing to the various processes used
to create ‘ikat’ fabrics (tie dyed thread), traditionally in bold
colors and dramatic designs. Visit Jodgorlick silk weaving
factory, a craft center of local artists run by celebrated weaver,
Rasuljon Mirzaakhmedov and the workshop of Fazlitdin
Dadajanov, known for his exquisite velvet ikats.
MARGILAN – IKAT HOUSE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 5 We begin our day with a visit to the twice-weekly Kum-Tepa
17 October bazar. It is the biggest and most crowded marketplace in the
THURSDAY Fergana Valley, a thoroughly Central Asian experience
thronging with people, the men in traditional skullcaps and the
women in colorful scarves, eating, drinking and chatting,
buying and selling textiles and crafts, fruit and vegetables,
spices and large loaves of bread freshly baked in clay ovens.
Continue to Kokand, the capital of the Kokand Khanate in the
18th and 19th centuries where we visit the Khan’s Palace.
MARGILAN – IKAT HOUSE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Days 6 Morning visit a village home to see the making of traditional
18 October felt carpets and a bread-making workshop. See the machine
FRIDAY production of ikat fabrics and visit a silk spinning workshop.
Around 4pm we board the train to Tashkent, a journey of about
5 hours. Packed dinner on the train.
TASHKENT – LOTTE TASHKENT PALACE HOTEL (B,L,D)
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Day 7 A short early morning flight to Nukus, capital of
19 October Karakalpakstan and home to the Igor Savitsky Art Museum,
SATURDAY housing one of the finest collections of Soviet Avant-Garde art
of Central Asian artists from the 1920s and 1930s.
On arrival we’ll check into our hotel before departing for the
museum founded by Savitsky, a Russian painter, archeologist
and collector. As a bonus, the museum’s ethnographic section
has collections of national clothing and jewelry of the
Karakalpak people and life on the Silk Road.
A half-hour drive in the late afternoon brings us to the
Mizdakhan necropolis, located on three hills and one of the
oldest and most visited pilgrimage sites in the region,
interweaving Zoroastrianism and Arab burial traditions.
NUKUS – JIPEK-JOLY HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 8 & Day 9 Sunday morning drive to Khiva, hidden in the deserts of
20, 21 October northwest Uzbekistan and originally a remote oasis for camels
SUNDAY, MONDAY of caravans heading towards Merv in Turkmenistan. Today it’s
the most architecturally intact of Central Asia’s Silk Road
towns. Khiva is small enough to discover on foot and this
afternoon we orientate ourselves in the Ichan Kala (Inner City)
surrounded by 17th century walls.
Monday we explore important sites and wander at leisure
through this historic walled town. We’ll be visiting a family of
woodcarvers, a carpet weaving cooperative and the UNESCO
silk weaving workshop. This evening we come together for a
program of traditional folk music and dance.
KHIVA – HOTEL MALIKA or HOTEL KHEYVAK (B,L,D daily)
Day 10 & Day 11 Tuesday a full day’s drive to Bukhara across the Kyzyl-Kum
22, 23 October Desert that shares its borders with Kazakhstan and
TUE, WEDNESDAY Turkmenistan. Our delightful guesthouse for the next 4 nights
is centrally located in the old historical part of Bukhara (the
16th century Jewish quarter) making it easy to walk, shop and
explore independently when we have free time.
Wednesday sightsee remarkable Bukhara, its history dating
back 2,500 years. Our walking tour takes us through the old
trading domes with small craft workshops and carpet sellers.
Visits include the Ismail Samani Mausoleum, a masterpiece of
10th century Islamic architecture, the notorious Fortress Ark,
the Kalon mosque and stunning turquoise-blue dome of the
Kok Gumbaz… sip tea in a traditional Uzbek chaikhana!
BUKHARA – SALOM INN (B, L,D daily)
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Day 12 & Day 13 Thursday excursion into the countryside to visit the memorial
24,25 October complex of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, a great theologian and
THURSDAY, FRIDAY founder of the Naqshbandia Sufi Order. Continue to Sitorai
Mohi Hosa, the former summer palace of the last Emir of
Bukhara with its collection of costumes, silver and textiles.
We’ll return to Bukhara and lunch at the home of Akhmad
Arabov, a well-known suzani embroiderer and learn about this
technique. Suzanis were traditionally made by Central Asian
brides as part of their dowry and presented to their husbands
on their wedding day. The name is derived from Persian
meaning ‘needle’.
Friday excursion into the countryside to Shakrikan village
where suzani embroiderers create very beautiful wall
hangings, pillow covers and table runners, using silk with
mineral and vegetable dyes. Continue to Gizduvan, an
important ceramic center and visit a family of potters who
grind their own glazes using a mule-driven grinding wheel.
BUKHARA – SALOM INN (B,L,D daily)
Day 14 & Day 15 Saturday morning departure by road for Samarkand, resonant
26, 27 October with legend, conquered by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan
SAT & SUNDAY and Tamerlane. Alexander is believed to have said: "Everything
I have heard about Samarkand is the truth except that it is much
more beautiful than I could imagine". This evening enjoy dinner
and a fashion show at the home and studio of Valentina
Romanenko, a fashion designer of Russian background.
Scholars, astronomers and mathematicians were drawn to
Samarkand and the finest of craftsmen constructed magnificent
palaces and mosques. Sunday’s sightseeing includes Registan
Square and 17th century madrassahs, Gur Emir where
Tamerlane is buried, the Bibi-Khanum Mosque and the Shah-i-
Zinda necropolis with its turquoise-blue tile work, art and
architecture of the Timurid dynasty.
Spend time in Siyob Bazar, the largest marketplace in
Samarkand with mountains of fresh produce, dried fruits and
nuts, traditional sweets, honey and dairy products and the
characteristic Samarkand bread.
See the processes of papermaking in a nearby village. We’ll
culminate our day with a visit to a carpet weaving enterprise,
set up by Afghan doctor Abdullah Badghisi and his family of
Turkmen and Afghan heritage. Everything is handmade from
natural fibers (silk, wool and cotton) in both natural and
chemical dyes and hand-woven in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
SAMARKAND – GRAND SAMARKAND or similar
(B, L,D daily)
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Day 16 Morning visit the remains and museum of the medieval world’s
28 October best and most remarkable observatory developed by
MONDAY Tamerlane’s brilliant and learned grandson, Ulugbek.
Continue to Afrosiab Museum, located just outside Samarkand,
in the ancient city of Marakanda and one of the largest
archaeological sites in the world. When Marakanda was
occupied by Alexander the Great in 329 BC it was already one
of the great trading centers on the Silk Roads. Among the
museum’s greatest treasures are the 7th century wall paintings
of pre-Islamic Zoroastrian court life.
Late morning drive to Tashkent stopping off for lunch in the
mountains and arriving late afternoon at our hotel.
TASHKENT – LOTTE TASHKENT PALACE HOTEL (B,L,D)
Day 17 Rooms are reserved at the hotel until 12noon today. Breakfast
29 October is served during normal hotel breakfast hours. Transfer to
TUESDAY Tashkent International Airport for your return flight home.
TOUR DIRECTOR, LESLEY ROBIN: Lesley’s interest in textiles began in the late 70s when
she settled in Dharamsala (Indian Himalayas) exiled home of the Tibetan Dalai Lama. Over
20 years she helped set up projects with local weavers. Her knowledge of eastern culture,
Hinduism and Buddhism, and the textile and craft heritage of the Indian sub-continent is a
result of her extensive travels throughout the region and beyond. With a deep interest in
Central Asian culture and most especially the people of Uzbekistan, she is delighted to
once again offer this tour.
UZBEKISTAN NATIONAL TOUR ESCORT, AZAT FAZILOV: Azat was born in Bukhara and
originally studied Civil Engineering. For the past 20 years he has worked in a travel
company that specializes in textile and craft tours. Those who know him will attest to his
remarkable and vast knowledge about every aspect of his country, from its history and
traditions to the cultural and creative life of its talented artisans. With his close
relationship to the people we meet on our travels, Azat provides an opportunity to explore
Uzbekistan from a very personal perspective, bringing something special to our journey.
RAISA GAREEVA: Raisa was born in Bukhara and for many years worked with Intourist,
the state-run travel company of the former USSR. After the USSR collapsed she began her
own travel company focused on introducing travelers to the artisans of her country. Raisa
is well known to many textile enthusiasts abroad as she facilitates the best of Uzbek craft
makers attending the world’s largest folk art festival, Santa Fe International Folk Art
Market. For 4 nights in Bukhara we’ll be staying at her charming guesthouse, during which
time Raisa will be our personal guide to her remarkable city.
For further information please email Lesley: lesley@exclusivejourneys.com
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IMPORTANT NOTES
PASSPORTS & VISA: Passports need to be valid for 6 months beyond trip dates. A visa is
required for Uzbekistan.
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, and
how to obtain your Uzbek 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 (21 July 2019) in order to guarantee
hotels and flights within Uzbekistan.
TOUR PRICE:
$7150 LAND ONLY per person, twin sharing
$865 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT
Supplement for single rooms pays for privacy and not better accommodation.
INCLUDED IN YOUR LAND ARRANGEMENTS:
International Airport Transfers: Transfers are included on arrival and departure.
Sightseeing & Transport: Sightseeing as per itinerary and transport by private air-
conditioned coach as well as domestic flight (Tashkent-Nukus) and train journey
(Margilan-Tashkent).
Accommodation: Based on twin bedded rooms, double occupancy with shower/bath.
We stay in a 4* standard hotel in Tashkent and elsewhere mainly smaller, privately owned
hotels or guesthouses chosen for their charm or location. The right is reserved to
substitute hotels of similar category should it be necessary.
Meals: All meals are included - tea/coffee with breakfast only, bottled water and green tea
is provided with lunch/dinner. See B-breakfast, L–lunch, D–dinner on itinerary. While we
do our best to accommodate dietary requirements, Uzbek cuisine is essentially non-
vegetarian.
Guides: The services of Tour Director Lesley Robin throughout along with National Tour
Escort Azat Fazilov and local city guides where appropriate.
Baggage: Baggage handling for maximum 2 bags not to exceed 50lbs.
Gratuities: All group tips are included for local city guides/specialist site guides and
bus drivers, hotel housekeeping and restaurant personnel, porters, craft visits, etc. in
connection with the services provided. There are no hidden extras.
Entrance Fees & Camera Fees: To all monuments and museums are included.
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THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Your round-trip international flight to Uzbekistan
• Uzbek visa fee & Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses like alcoholic beverages, room service, laundry charges, phone
calls etc.
• Gratuity for National Tour Escort, Azat who accompanies us throughout the tour is
at your discretion
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS: International airfare is NOT included in the price of Land
Arrangements. This tour begins and ends in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
AIRLINES FOR TASHKENT… for those coming from the USA, Aeroflot (via Moscow) and
Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) fly daily into Tashkent arriving early morning. Check-in at
our Tashkent hotel is 2pm. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may wish to book
an additional night so as to have immediate access to your room on arrival.
… for those coming from the UK, Uzbekistan Airways flies directly between London &
Tashkent twice a week. To coincide with their schedule, you would need to arrive a day
before the start of the tour and plan an extra overnight at our hotel in Tashkent. At the
end of the tour Uzbekistan Airways flight Tashkent/London departs on the last day of the
tour. The better option is to fly London-Tashkent (via Istanbul) on Turkish Airlines, which
is a daily flight.
Please note if you require additional overnight accommodation on arrival: We are
staying Lotte Tashkent Palace in their SUPERIOR ROOMS, which is a higher category than
Standard rooms. Lesley has chosen SUPERIOR ROOMS because they are so very much nicer
than Standard Rooms! Please ask for details… you can of course request and book a
standard room for this overnight and then change to the Superior Room for the tour.
Lunch is included on Day 1: Arrival day and a mid-afternoon visit to Chor Su market is the
only outing planned… a relaxed start to our travels in Uzbekistan.
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 16 PERSONS ONLY
RESERVE EARLY
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
UZBEKISTAN: 13-29 October 2019
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 UZBEKISTAN 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 June 2018. 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 - 56 days before departure - 30%
Between 55 - 36 days before departure - 50%
Between 35 - 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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