Magnificent Taj Mahal & Red Fort; Varanasi: 2000 temples and shrines; Amber Palace (Jaipur); Former Portuguese enclave of Goa; Overnight houseboat cruise on canals of Kerala
On our Essential India tour we make our way along the Ganges by boat, bearing witness to hundreds of glowing lamps in dusk reflecting off the water, each held by a local inhabitant standing waist-deep in the river to pray.
Many believe the Ganges brings purity to the living and salvation to the dead. This practice is only one of the impressive sights of Hinduism.
Places of worship have such immaculate detail and such architecture merit they are considered the real gems of the country.
The Taj Mahal is one of the most recognized Islamic structures and the efforts of the 20,000 workforce that was responsible for its construction is better appreciated when up-close.
The Qutub Minar was the first monument of Muslim rule in India and it was the threshold of the distinct Indo-Islamic architectural style.
Deer Park in the buried city of Sarnath contains monuments whose foundations lie in the very origins of Buddhism; this is where the fundamental lessons of Buddhism were first taught by Buddha on the sacred promenade.
Goa was once a Portuguese enclave and the Jungles of the Western Ghats once separated the Christian population from the rest of India.
With colonial rule a thing of the past, the Basilica of Bom Jesus built by the Jesuits still stands as the most important church in Goa.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
The above prices are subject to an additional $243 for taxes/fees levied on flights that occur as part of the tour. The internal airfares ARE included (any exceptions are listed in red below), but we list the taxes separately on your invoice as they are beyond our control and can change at any time.
$1000 DEPOSIT REQUIRED due to the nature of the internal flights that need to be booked/paid for far in advance. Because these tickets are non-refundable once issued, contrary to our usual terms and conditions governing deposits, once the tour is 'guaranteed' all monies become 100% non-refundable, non-transferrable.
Optional Single Supplement: $1250 USD (number of singles limited).
Day 1 Arrival in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Delhi: City Tour
Today we have a full-day tour of Delhi. We start with a drive north into Old Delhi, passing along the Rajpath (King's Way) and stopping for photos at the India Gate. The 42m high India Gate, an "Arc de Triomphe"- like archway in the middle of a crossroad, commemorates the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during WWI. This landmark also bears the names of British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern frontier in the Afghan War of 1919.
Next we will make a visit to the Jamma Mosque. Located in the heart of Old Delhi, the largest mosque in India can accommodate as many as twenty-thousand worshippers. This imposing architectural monument, with it's three gateways and two minarets, took fourteen years to complete (1644-58). Time permitting we will enter to have a brief look inside.
From here we board our cycle rickshaws for a tour of Chandni Chowk (Silver Street). Here we are given a glimpse into an old world lifestyle slowly fading from Delhi. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can be felt in the Chandi Chowk's narrow lanes. Our rickshaw ride takes us past the Red Fort (photo stop), and we disembark at the Raj Ghat, set within a beautiful park. This national monument is where the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was cremated.
After a stop for lunch we will continue with our sightseeing this afternoon. We will visit Humayan's Tomb, an excellent example of Mughal architecture, predating the Taj Mahal by almost 100 years. Persian in style, this is a beautiful red sandstone building inlaid with black and white marble.
We will finish our day with a visit to the Qutub Minar. Few other monuments are as closely identified with Delhi as the Qutub Minar, this first monument of Muslim rule in India. It heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture which came to be know as the Indo-Islamic.
Overnight in Delhi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 Delhi - Varanasi & Sarnath
This morning we fly to Varanasi. After a break at our hotel we embark on our afternoon sightseeing programme.
With more than 2,000 temples and shrines Varanasi has been the religious capital of the Hindu faith since its beginning. No one knows how old it really is -- when Buddha came here in 550 BC it was already a flourishing ancient settlement. The town is a maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding no fewer than 2,000 temples and shrines. Domes, pinnacles, towers and derelict 18th century palaces dominate the left bank of the Ganges River.
The antiquity of Varanasi can be traced back to at least the middle of first millennium BC. Since time immemorial, it has served not merely as holy center of pilgrimage, but also as a great seat of traditional Hindu learning and culture.
This afternoon we take a short journey to the buried city of Sarnath. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as it was from here that the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. The Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmararjika Stupa (the Main shrine where the Buddha sat in meditation), the sacred promenade from where he preached, and the Ashoka Pillar are monuments that still stand today.
Overnight in Varanasi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Varanasi - Khajuraho
Early this morning we take a boat ride on the sacred Ganges. Hindus regard the Ganges as the elixir of life bringing purity to the living and salvation to the dead. At dawn, thousands stand waist-deep in water praying to the rising sun. At dusk, hymns and prayers are uttered by the faithful in the light of hundreds of lighted lamps. The bathing ghats, over three miles in length, lead down from a steep bank to the river. Manikarnika burning ghat is the chief cremation
centre of Varanasi.
We will have a walk through the narrow streets of Varanasi before returning to our hotel.
Later this morning, we fly to Khajuraho, renowned the world over for its fine temples. Built between AD 950 and 1050, these temples are among the most creative examples of Indian architecture, of which only 22 of the original 85
temples survive.
We visit the western group of temples, contained within a fenced enclosure and maintained as a park. The Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is one of the earliest, dating from AD 930-950. It is also one of the best preserved, with a full five-part floor plan and four subsidiary shrines. We also visit the eastern group of temples. These can be subdivided into two groups: a complex of Jain temples in the walled enclosure, and a group of four temples scattered through the small village of Khajuraho. Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples and also the finest in Khajuraho, noted for the exceptional skill and precision of its construction and for the beauty of its sculptures. The Adinath Temple has fine carvings on its three bands of sculptures. The Shanti Nath Temple is a relatively modern one, built about a century ago, but it contains many components from older temples around Khajuraho.
Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of the erotic sculptures, but these form only a small part of the wealth of the site. Taken in totality, the sculptures of Khajuraho depict the everyday life of the people and the court in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Overnight in Khajuraho.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra
We continue by road to Jhansi, visiting the palace at Orchha, the former capital of the Bundela Dynasty. From Jhansi we catch the 18:00 train to Agra, arriving at approximately 20:00.
Agra continues to be medieval in structure: narrow, crowded streets and lanes, full of colourful shops sell that all kind of goods, especially local handicrafts, including gold and silver embroidery, imitation Mughal inlay on marble, and fine leather goods. Agra Fort lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1565 to 1573 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. The fort was successively occupied by three great Mughals--Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jehan, each of whom made significant structural contributions to this complex.
Overnight in Agra.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Agra: the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
Today we tour the city and visit its main attraction: The Taj Mahal, one of the world's most beautiful buildings. Called "A dream in marble," the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jehan built the Taj to enshrine the body of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal (elect of the palace), who died shortly after giving birth to their 14th child in 1631.
Construction by a work force of 20,000 men from all over Asia commenced in1632 and the tomb was completed in 1653. Marble was brought from Makrana, near Jodhpur, and precious stones of onyx, amethyst, malachite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, crystal and mother of pearl were carried to Agra from Persia, Russia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China and the Indian Ocean.
The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportions and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill. The building marks the most developed stage of Mughal architecture. The designer of this grand sepulchre is believed to be Ustad Ahmad Lahori, a master architect of the age. The calligraphic ornamentation on the Taj was authored by Amanat Khan Shirazi, a great writer of the 17th century.
The balance of our day will be spent visiting some of Agra's other remarkable monuments such as the Agra Fort, as rugged as the Taj Mahal is ethereal where we will have a chance to view the perfectly-proportioned Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and have a visit to the Itimad-ud-daulah Mausoleum on the other side of the Yamuna River.
Overnight in Agra.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Before leaving Agra we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, an ancient capital of the Moghul Empire built by Emperor Akbar the Great between 1569 and 1585. It was later abandoned due to the lack of a dependable water supply, but remains one of the most perfectly preserved examples of a Moghul city. Now deserted, it is almost perfectly preserved, a masterpiece in sandstone glowing in subtly changing shades of pink and red as the day progresses and the light fades. The very embodiment of Akbar's unorthodox court, the city fuses Hindu and Muslim artistic traditions.
Jaipur has been dubbed the "Pink City" because of the many buildings inside the old city walls that are painted pink. Scattered throughout the northeast section of the town are palaces and temples designed in a variety of styles; the city lies snugly on a bed of a long-dry lake.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Jaipur - Amer Fort - Jaipur
Today our tour takes us to the Amer Fort (aka Amber Palace), once the ancient state capital but now deserted. Located on the crest of a rocky hill behind Maota Lake, 11 km (7 miles) north of Jaipur, the Rajput stronghold was the capital of the Kuchhawa Rajputs from 1037 until 1728. Rising on the slopes of a steep hill is the Amer Fortress with its imposing facade. The interior presents a galaxy of art including the world's best Chamber of Mirrors.
In the afternoon we have a tour of Jaipur, one of the best-planned cities in India, built of rose-pink sandstone by the great astronomer-king Jai Singh II in 1727. Wer stop at the City Palace in the centre of the city, part of which is still the Maharaja's residence. The complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel, and an armoury. We pass by the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the landmark of Jaipur, a curious building, elaborate and fanciful, built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design. Rising five storeys high, it is composed of semi-octagonal overhanging windows, each with its perforated screen, which allowed the ladies of the court to look onto the main street without being seen.
While in Japur, we'll have a guided walk through the local market -- a busy, noisy, colourful place with a lot going on, and an intriguing look into local life.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Jaipur - Udaipur: City Tour
Today we travel to Udaipur. On arrival we have a city tour of Udaipur.
We see the lakeside City Palace, made up of eleven constituent mahals (palaces) constructed by successive Maharajahs over 300 years. Together they comprise the largest royal complex in Rajasthan. The palace, iridescent with tile and mirror inlays, includes the impressively carved Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Udaipur - Ranakpur - Udaipur
Today's day trip takes us to the Jain temples at Ranakpur, tucked away in a remote and quiet valley of the Aravalli Range, 90 km / 56 mi from Udaipur.
This is one of the most important pilgrim sites among the five of Jainism. It is perhaps the most massive of Jain temples in India, about 40,000 square feet. The most dazzling highlight of this temple is the countless, forty feet high pillars, every one of which is individually carved with its own design. The complex also contains several smaller temples, also fantastically carved. All of these temples are in daily operation as religious buildings, so you'll need to leave shoes and leather objects outside.
Return to Udaipur.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 Udaipur - Kochi (Cochin)
Today we fly to Kochi (probably via Mumbai).
The history of European involvement in Kochi, from the early sixteenth century onwards, is dominated by the aggression of, successively, the Portuguese, Dutch and British, competing in their desire to control the port and its lucrative spice trade. From 1800, the state of Cochin was part of the British Madras Presidency; from 1812 until Independence in 1947, its administration was made the responsibility of a series of diwans, or financial ministers. In the 1920s, the British expanded the port to make it suitable for modern ocean-going ships; extensive dredging created Willingdon Island, between Ernakulam and Fort Cochin.
On arrival we have a tour of Kochi,* including: Chinese fishing Nets -- a legacy of one of the earliest visitor to the Malabar coast, these nets are unmistakable as one enters the harbour. Records show that they were first erected between AD 1350 and 1450. Constructed out of teak wood and bamboo poles, they work on the principle of balance. The best place to watch is from Vasco Da Gama square, a narrow promenade that parallels the beach with little stalls that serve fresh seafood, tender coconuts and so on.
Santa Cruz Basilica: Built by the Portuguese, the church was elevated to a Cathedral by the Pope Paul IV in 1558. Spared by the Dutch conqueror of Cochin who destroyed many Catholic buildings in 1663, it later fell into the hands of the British who demolished it when they took over Cochin in 1795. For almost a 100 years there was no church on the site, until the Bishop Dom Gomez Vereira commissioned a new building in 1887.
* Depending on the timing of today's flight, we may achieve Kochi sightseeing upon return from our houseboating excursion.
Overnight in Kochi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 Kochi - Allaphuza: Houseboat
We continue by road to Alappuzha (Alleppey), known as the "Venice of the East", situated on Vembanad Lake, the longest in India. A maze of canals and a network of bridges give this busy commercial town its descriptive sobriquet. Alleppey is known for its coir, the retted fibre of the coconut husk and for black pepper.
Today we board our houseboat for a very special Kerala delight -- a slow boat through its forests and palm-shaded canals. We take a leisurely cruise on the beautiful backwaters, enjoying the magnificent scenery along the waterways and stopping to admire what history and religion have left along the way.
THE HOUSEBOAT will be approx 60 feet long and 13 feet wide in the middle. There are comfortable beds, and traditional lanterns, and air-conditioning. There will be a sundeck for daytime relaxation. The boats are made of local natural fibres that truly echo the villagers harmony with the natural surroundings. As your oarsman slowly and silently propels us along the backwaters, we will enjoy the magnificent scenery along the waterways. We will stop to view working villages and witness locals fishing, swimming, crafting, and bathing (most boats will have oarsman though some will be motorized with a silencer on the motor).
NOTE: Single cabins are NOT available on the houseboat. Single supplements reflect sharing for this one night.
Overnight houseboat cruise.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 Allaphuza - Kochi
We return to Kochi and have the balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Kochi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14 Kochi - Goa
Today we fly to the former Portuguese enclave of Goa.
Goa achieved fame when Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama sailed down the Malabar Coast in 1498 in search of "Christians and spices." Although he found neither, Goa became a Portuguese colony separated from the rest of India by the jungle covered hills of the Western Ghats. Goa's heartland and population is located in the alluvial strip inland from the beaches, a lush patchwork of paddy fields, coconut plantations, whitewashed churches and gently meandering rivers.
On arrival we have a tour of old Goa, where we visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, built in 1605 by the Jesuit fathers and still the most important church in Goa. Enshrined in a silver casket in one of its chapels, is the body of Saint Francis Xavier. Across the street is the Se Cathedral with an imposing vaulted roof, massive pillars and fourteen magnificent altars. Later we visit the Convent of St. Francis D'Assisi and the Chapel of St. Catherine.
Our hotel is not located on the beach in Goa. We prefer to stay inland in order to concentrate on the cultural heritage of the area. We will, however, have free time on the beach during our time here.
Overnight in Goa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 Goa: At Leisure
Today is free to enjoy the charms of this laid-back place.
Overnight in Goa.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16 Goa - Mumbai
Today we fly to Mumbai (Bombay) and transfer to our hotel.
From humble obscure beginnings as a set of seven small islands, Mumbai has today risen to the eminence of India's most important commercial and industrial centre. Haji Ali's Tomb and mosque are devoted to a Muslim saint who drowned here. They are reached by a long causeway, usable only at low tide. The Mahalaxmi Temple is the oldest in Mumbai and dedicated to the three goddesses whose images are found in the sea.
Overnight in Mumbai.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17 Mumbai: City Tour - Depart
This morning we tour Mumbai, the business capital of India.
Marine Drive is a long gracefully curving road along the buttressed seacoast. We visit the Bombay City Museum, one of the city's landmarks of cultural heritage. Visitors are struck by the life-like clay models on display, the artifact galleries with pottery, brass work, ivory, textiles and art miniatures. There is an exhaustive section on the city's historic growth and, the people who contributed to its development, including representations of the different communities who shaped the city.
The city has several fine examples of colonial architecture including the Afghan Memorial Church, established in 1847 which has Gothic arches and stained glass windows; the Clock Tower, the School of Art, built in the late 1800s, where Rudyard Kipling was born; Crawford Market which has bas-reliefs designed by Kipling's father; and the massive Victoria Terminus, built of yellow sandstone and granite. Also of interest are the Hanging Gardens on Malabar Hill, from where we get a magnificent panoramic view of the metropolis and the Arabian Sea.
Later we transfer to the airport for our flights homeward.
PLEASE NOTE: Many flights from Indian cities depart after midnight, ie just into TOMORROW. If this is the case re your departure, you may consider booking an extra hotel night so that you will have a place to rest and freshen up prior to your flight tonight.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner are included daily, one lunch. Evening meals on tour will be taken mostly at hotels. In India, most restaurants of an international standard are associated with hotels. In some locales we endeavour to break up the buffet dinners with a meal at a local restaurant but, overall, the imperatives of hygiene and quality dictate hotel meals.
All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees are included for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Gratuities for drivers, restaurant staff, porters, local guides. Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving / late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour. Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), domestic and international (if applicable) air taxes, visa fees, and any excursions referenced as 'optional'. Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping, not included meals, visas.
Seasonality and Weather
For most of the country, October-March is (by far) the best time to visit. During those months, temperatures range from 40-70 F / 5-20 C in the north to 65-95 F/19-37 C in the south. While conditions can vary widely, you must be prepared for some heat.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Ground transport via private air-conditioned motor coach. Internal flights via scheduled carriers. The tour is not physically strenuous though it is busy; you must be prepared for some early starts, be steady on your feet, and be able to endure some heat and long days. We have numerous walking tours and visit several sites that are LARGE with steps and uneven surfaces. Porters are available at hotels but you must be able to manage with your baggage at airports.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Accommodation
Accommodation in air-conditioned 3-4 star hotels. Hotel properties are mostly modern and Western style. Some are older, character properties with simpler rooms and perhaps no elevators. Our accommodation in Delhi and Mumbai cannot be considered "central" in a conventional sense. Delhi is a huge sprawling city with many districts and centres of interest / business; our hotel is well-located for what we want to accomplish on our city coach tour. Some properties have swimming pools. Laundry services at most hotels for a modest cost. Single rooms are limited and possibly smaller than twins. Porters are generally available (see 'Inclusions'). THE HOUSEBOAT will be approx 60 feet long and 13 feet wide in the middle. There are comfortable beds, and traditional lanterns, a sundeck for daytime relaxation. Some of the houseboats have the provision for air-conditioning, but most travellers do not care for the all-night gasoline engine noise required to run the units. Most people find that the peace and quiet, and comfort provided by a fan, are preferred. NOTE: Single cabins are NOT available on the houseboat. Single supplements reflect sharing for this night.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader throughout, local drivers, local guides at various locations.
Group Size
10-18 plus Tour Leader
Regions visited: South Asia
Countries visited: India
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
We encourage you to get trip cancellation and interruption insurance to protect against unforeseen events.
Transfers for Marco Polo Airport if arriving and departing with the group; accommodation at 3 and 4 star hotels with ensuite facilities; breakfast daily, welcome dinner and farewell dinner with wine; admissions to sites in the itinerary; comfortable coach travel with professional driver; all other transport necessary to fulfill the itinerary; professional English-speaking guides at guided sites in the itinerary; services of a professional Tour Director from arrival in Venice through departure; gratuities for drivers, local guides and the Tour Director; additional insight from Lucinda Edinberg, Hammond-Harwood House curator, who will be with us for the whole tour.
Airfare; transfers that do not coordinate with the group arrivals and departures; single supplement; mandatory travel insurance; lunches, dinners other than the two stated in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls; gratuities for hotel service and porters; optional audio service.
Our aim is for every participant to fully enjoy the sites and towns we visit. Please bear in mind that you will have to negotiate getting on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, walking around sites, managing stairs in the hotels and showers over the bath. The nature of exploring the sites and historic towns we visit means there is a reasonable amount of walking involved in our daily itineraries. Should participants wish to take a day off from the tour, they are perfectly entitled to do so, if they are returning to the same hotel in the evening.
The deposit secures your place on the tour if space is available at the time of booking. Final payment is required 60 days before the tour departs. Payments are non-transferable.
The deposit is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled by Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel. Your trip insurance may cover your cancellation under certain conditions. It is a condition of booking that you, and all members of your party, take out comprehensive travel insurance before you join the tour and that it is adequate for your needs. Your insurance must include coverage for medical expenses, personal injury, and personal liability. We strongly recommend you also obtain coverage for loss of baggage, money and valuables, delay, curtailment, missed departure, cancellation expenses and legal expenses. You may be asked to provide your travel insurer name, contact number and policy number before you join our tour, or required coverage under the credit card used to book the tour.
A minimum of 14 paid passengers is required to run a tour. If the minimum number of bookings has not been received by 60 days prior to departure, Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel reserves the right not to run the tour and refund all moneys paid. In no case except for reasons of war, natural disasters, fire, civil disturbances, riots, terrorist action, closure of port or airport, industrial disputes, force majeure, or similar events beyond their control will cancellation take place within 60 days of the departure date. In the event of a cancellation within 60 days under these conditions, Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel retains the right to make a partial refund at their own discretion.
Hammond-Harwood House Association and Adventures Abroad Worldwide Tours have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements have been made for the tour and that the suppliers of the services are efficient and reputable. Every booking is subject to the conditions imposed by shipping, airline, rail, coach, hotel, restaurant, visitor attraction and insurance. We cannot be held liable for any loss or expenses suffered by you because of your late arrival at the start of the tour, or at any time during the tour for other than reasons within our control. Any willful damage to property is your sole responsibility, including any costs incurred due to such action or measures taken up by the various authorities or principals. Damage will be charged to you and must be paid for at that time. Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel reserves the right to withdraw tour participation from any person at any time if their behavior is likely to affect the smooth operation of the tour or adversely affect the enjoyment or safety of other participants and shall not be under any liability to such person whatsoever. This is without any liability whatsoever on the company’s behalf for homeward travel arrangements or refund of tour costs. The decision of the Tour Director will be final. Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel will not be held responsible for closure of sites or attractions named in the tour itinerary. Under such circumstances every endeavor will be made to find an alternative. Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel reserves the right to substitute hotels. If a passport is lost or one of the group members is taken ill or has an accident, the Tour Director will assist to the best of their ability but must reserve the right to carry on with the tour. It may be necessary to leave the tour member to rejoin later at his/her own expense.
This is a release of legal rights – please read carefully and understand before booking.
By sending the booking form, I acknowledge that I have voluntarily agreed to participate in a travel experience (the “Tour”) offered by Hammond-Harwood House Association (“HHH”). I am aware that HHH has contracted with Adventures Abroad Worldwide Travel Ltd. (“AAWT”) to conduct, operate, provide services during, and/or manage portions of the Tour. AAWT has been selected based on experience in the travel industry and history of providing safe and gratifying tours. Even though HHH will use its best efforts to provide opportunities for educational enrichment during the Tour in a safe environment, I acknowledge that I am responsible for making my own safety decisions relating to the Tour and otherwise, and I agree to be bound by each of the following terms and conditions below:
I am aware that it is my personal decision to travel, and I am doing so voluntarily, with full knowledge of the applicable travel recommendations, restrictions, regulations, and risks with regard to travel generally, and as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. I understand that by electing to participate in this Tour, I do so at my own risk, and I agree to accept personal responsibility for any liability, injury, loss, or damage in any way connected with my participation in the Tour.
I understand that there are certain dangers, hazards, and risks inherent with travel and in the activities included in the Tour, including but not limited to, weather, strikes, acts of God, war, quarantine, disease, civil unrest, or terrorism. I understand that my participation in the Tour may involve risk of injury and loss, both to person and to property, and, I may be subjected to potential risks, including illnesses, injuries, permanent disability, and even death. In addition, I understand that medical treatments, such as vaccines, may be required before traveling to some destinations, partaking in the Tour, and/or participating in certain Tour activities, and it is my responsibility to consult a physician and the Center for Disease Control regarding immunizations or other precautions to protect against travel related illness. I recognize that while an AAWT or HHH staff representative may assist me with obtaining medical care in event of an illness or emergency, neither AAWT nor HHH is responsible or liable for my care.
I recognize that HHH is not in the position to evaluate, and therefore cannot evaluate, whether the Tour will take place in a safe and secure environment. These are judgments that I recognize I must independently make, and I have made my own investigation of these risks, understand these risks, and assume them knowingly and willingly. I have been warned of possible travel industry bankruptcies and medical and climatic disruptions, as well as the possibility that I may be unable to travel as scheduled because of personal emergency. I understand that specific AAWT, national, state, local and/or municipal health and safety protocols will apply to my Tour. I have reviewed all applicable protocols and Tour terms and conditions provided, including terms and conditions regarding cancellations, refunds, health and safety, vaccination, and insurance, prior to finalizing my reservation. I understand and acknowledge that HHH and/or AAWT are not responsible for changes to my Tour or for losses, expenses, damages, or injuries resulting from my Tour or travel incidents related thereto.
I understand that, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local and state governments may be enacting border, travel, and stay-at-home restrictions; and that the trajectory of the COVID-19 virus at the local, national, and international levels is unpredictable. Moreover, local health care systems in many areas of the United States either are overwhelmed or are at risk of becoming overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases. I further understand that travel can increase my chances of getting and spreading COVID-19, and that my participation in this Tour means I may be subjected to potential risks, illnesses, injuries, and even death as a result either of contracting COVID-19 or of any actions or omissions of governments, private entities, or other parties with respect to COVID-19. I responded accurately to any Assumption of Risk questions posed to me regarding health and safety guidelines (including those relating to the COVID-19 vaccine), and that it is my responsibility to follow and abide by these guidelines at all times during my Tour. I have reviewed and understand the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel advisories (https://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list/) for my destination(s), if any, and any additional pertinent information available from the World Health Organization website (https://www.who.int/) and local health authorities. With full knowledge of this information, I have made my own investigation of the risks associated with this Tour, understand these risks, and assume them knowingly and willingly.
I have been advised and understand that HHH does not provides insurance coverage or indemnification for any accident, injury, illness, damage, loss, expense or mishap suffered by any travel participant in connection with my Tour or travel arrangements. I have been required to obtain appropriate insurance coverage against these risks on my own, at a level with which I am comfortable.
I understand that HHH does not represent or act as an agent for, and cannot control the acts or omissions of AAWT, a transportation carrier, hotel, or other providers of food, goods, or services involved in the Tour. I understand that HHH is not responsible for matters that are beyond its control, and that it cannot warrant the safety or convenience of the circumstances under which I will be traveling. I understand that I am subject to the cancellation and refund policies set by AAWT and provided for the Tour in which I am enrolled, and I have carefully read such policies prior to making my reservation. I further understand that I will not receive any refunds beyond what is stated in these Terms and Conditions.
I agree that my deposit is my unconditional confirmation that I (i) have considered all risks (foreseen and unforeseen for this trip), (ii) have or will obtain adequate and proper insurance covering risks (and will provide evidence of the receipt of such insurance immediately upon request by Hammond-Harwood House Association or Adventures Abroad World Travel, Ltd., as the case may be), and (iii) will defend, indemnify and hold Hammond-Harwood House Association and Adventures Abroad World Travel, Ltd. harmless from any claim, action, suit, loss or any damages or costs and expenses of any kind or nature incurred by Hammond-Harwood House Association or Adventures Abroad World Travel, Ltd.
I agree that this agreement is to be construed under the laws of the State of Maryland (without regard to its conflicts of laws principles), which shall be the forum for any lawsuits filed against Hammond-Harwood House Association under or incident to this agreement. I agree that this agreement is to be construed under the laws of British Columbia (without regard to its conflicts of laws principles), which shall be the forum for any lawsuits filed against Adventures Abroad World Travel, Ltd. under or incident to this agreement. If any portion of the agreement is held invalid, the balance of the agreement shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.