Friendly locals; Gompas & Palaces; Himalayan scenery; Colourful Hemis Festival; Khardung La Pass - highest vehicular pass in the world; McLeod Ganj: home of the Dalai Lama; Golden Temple at Amritsar
Our Ladakh Gem of Indian Himalaya tour explores this wonderfully remote and culturally distinct region in Northern India features breathtakingly situated ancient capitals, temples and monasteries, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world.
It is often thought of as a smaller version of Tibet. Our 13-day trip includes the many highlights of Leh and the colours and sounds of the annual Hemis Festival, where monks and laymen wearing spectacular costumes and masks perform elaborate traditional dances.
A jeep excursion takes us to the dizzying heights of the Khardung La Pass, at 5470m/18,400 feet, the highest driveable pass in the world.
The tour continues McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dalai Lama in exile, and stops at Amritsar.
This is a very special travel experience offered only once a year; booking early is essential as extremely limited local flights and hotel space sells out well in advance.
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 $127 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.
2023 DATES TENTATIVE
Optional Single Supplement: $930 USD (number of singles limited).
Day 1 Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, India. Transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Delhi - Leh: Area Tour
Early this morning we transfer to the domestic terminal of the airport for the flight up to Leh. This surely is one of the most sensational scheduled flights in the world, taking you right over the top of the Greater Himalaya before dropping down to land at the small airport at Leh. We will be met on arrival and transfer to our hotel. Due to the effects of high altitude, the balance of the day is at leisure. A leisurely afternoon orientation walking tour will be arranged by your Tour Leader.
The Royal Palace which dominates the town is very reminiscent of the Potala in Lhasa and Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, large chortens, prayer flags and mud brick houses with flat roofs are a dramatic culture change from the hot, teeming frenetic rush of Delhi.
Overnight in Leh (3500 m / 11,500 feet).
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 Leh Area: Gompas & Palaces
Today we will have a guided tour, visiting many of the important sites around town.
Leh is the ancient capital of Ladakh and its kings once commanded a huge civilisation stretching from Baltistan in the west, almost as far as Lhasa in Tibet. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, temples and bazaars and is a great place to explore.
We start our day with a visit to the Sankar Gompa (monastery), the one nearest to Leh town. This gompa belongs to the Gelukpa order and houses a beautiful impression of the Buddhist deity, Avolokiteshwara Padmahari with a thousand arms and heads. The hill offers excellent views of Leh, parts of the Indus River Valley and the imposing 6100m (20,100 ft) high peak of Stok Kangri that overlooks Leh.
We also visit the Leh Palace. This captivating building rises from the edge of a hill overlooking the town. Built in the 17th C, Leh Palace was occupied by the Ladakhi royal family until the 1830's. Today the palace is deserted and is being restored by UNESCO.
After a break for lunch, our sightseeing will begin with a stop at Shey Palace, the old 'summer palace' of the kings of Ladakh, built about 550 years ago by the first king of Ladakh. It stands next to the remains of a larger construction on the east side of a hill, which runs southeast towards the Indus. From the palace you can see over the fertile Indus plain northeast to Tikse Gompa and over the Indus to the Zanskar mountain range.
From Shey we continue to Thikse Gompa. This 500-year-old monastery, perched on a hill high above the Indus, has the largest contingent of monks in Ladakh. On the right of the entrance to the main courtyard a new chapel houses an enormous 15m (50 foot) high-seated Buddha figure. About 100 yellow-cap monks belong to the gompa.
Overnight in Leh.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 Leh & Alchi
A drive west on the arid and high plateau will take us to Alchi, one of the largest ancient monastic complexes and important Buddhist centre in all of Ladakh. Founded in the 11th century by Rinchen Zhangpo, one of the early Tibetan preachers who spread Lamaistic Buddhism to this part of the world, Alchi has recently undergone major restoration work under UN sponsorship. The 1000-year-old paintings inside the main temple are some of the oldest of their kind and quite distinct from the murals present in the later built gompas.
On our return to Leh we will stop to see the location where the grey waters of the Indus meet the blue waters of the Zanskar River flowing from the remote Zanskar region of the Greater Himalaya. We will also visit Likir Gompa set on an isolated ridge. This magnificent gompa, overlooing the village of Likir, was founded in the 14th century and belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect. The head lama here is the younger brother of the Dalai Lama.
Overnight in Leh.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 Khardung La Pass
Today we feature a half-day jeep tour up the hairpins of the Nubra Valley road to the Khardung La Pass (5470 m/18,400 feet) -- the highest vehicular accessible pass in the world. The views of the Zanskar Range and the Indus Valley on the way up are amazing as are occasional sightings of yaks on the high pastures below the pass. For most tour participants, this will perhaps be the highest point that they would have travelled to in their lifetime.
The road to the pass that crosses the Ladakh Range and provides access to the Nubra Valley and the Karakoram region was built at great human and financial cost by the Indian Army following frequent incursions into the area by the Chinese Army following the occupation of Tibet in the late 1950's.
We will return to our hotel for lunch and free time to explore Leh on your own. This evening we will attend a cultural performance at the Leh Palace.
Overnight in Leh.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 Leh - Hemis Festival
Early this morning we head east along the Indus Valley toward Hemis.
Hemis Gompa is dramatically hidden in a cleft the mountains. Here we find a gigantic thangka, one of the largest in the world, and the largest and one of the most important in Ladakh. It was founded about 350 years ago by Stagtshang Rinchen, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singe Namgyal, founded it about 350 years ago.
Our departure coincides with the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month, celebrated as the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The Hemis Monastery celebrates this event in the form of a festival during which the resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances. The festival in Ladakh showcases the best of cultural heritage of the region. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colourful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.
Return to Leh late afternoon.
Overnight in Leh.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Leh - Jammu - Dharamsala - McLeod Ganj
Early this morning we fly from Leh to Jammu and continue by road to McLeod Ganj. En route we'll visit Dharamsala (1500 m/4,800 ft).
Dharamsala lies on the spur of the Dhauladhar range and commands majestic views of the main range and the Kanga Valley below. After a late lunch upon arrival at the hotel we will have a tour of the Norbulinka Institute, a registered trust functioning under the Chairmanship of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan People. It is dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture in both its literary and artistic forms. Landmarks include the Seat of Happiness Temple and the Losel Doll Museum. During our visit we will witness statue making, applique needlework, woodcarving and carpentry.
Overnight in McLeod Ganj.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 McLeod Ganj Area
We have a morning visit to Kangra Fort and Temple Complex, built by Bhuma Chand the founder of the Katoch Dynasty. The fort is situated on a precipitous cliff overhanging the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers and still dominates the Kangra Valley. A saying goes, "He who holds the fort, holds the Kangra" that is why many invaders sacked it. It once used to be the seat of power of Katoch Rajas. Inaccessible cliffs surround the fort on three sides. In its highest part were the residences and temples of the old Katoch Kings.
This afternoon we take a trip to a tea estate outside of McLeod Ganj. We also visit the nearby Tibetan Children's Village. At this boarding school orphans are provided with a Tibetan education, clothes, food, and healthcare. Classes are conducted for students from kindergarten to grade 10. In India there are over 10,000 children under the care of the TCV (Tibetan Children's Village), and many of the students are those who have escaped from Tibet.
We also visit the Kangra Art Museum, a treasure trove of the Kangra Valley's arts and crafts.
Overnight in McLeod Ganj.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 McLeod Ganj Area
Today we visit the Dalai Lama's Palace and Tsuglakhang Buddhist Temple.
With the backdrop of the snow-draped Dhauladhar mountains, a sub-system of the Himalaya, the town is surrounded by woods of pine and deodar. Originally home of the seminomadic Gaddi tribe, McLeod Ganj is today the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This mid 19th century place was developed as a British Garrison. The place was an important administrative point for the whole Kangra Valley. Today McLeod Ganj has developed as headquarters of the exiled Tibetan Government.
The large Tibetan population of the region and the presence of traditional architectural designs have enhanced the area. But the most important example of the Tibetan architecture is the Tsuglagkhang or the Dalai Lama's temple. The magnificent images -- a gilt statue of Shakyamuni; then facing Tibet is the Tibetan deity of compassion, Avalokitesvara and that of Padmasambhava who introduced Buddhism and tantric teachings to Tibet in 8th century. The house also has a collection of scared text called the Khagyur based on the teachings of Buddha. Also included in the temple is a collection of works on art, philosophy, literature, astrology and medicine.
We will also visit the Tibetan Medical Institute and Museum and Tibetan Library.
Overnight in McLeod Ganj.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 McLeod Ganj Area
Today we will start with a visit to the Tibetan Museum, established with the aim of presenting Tibet's history and visions for the future through texts, photographs and videos. Afterwards we will visit St John's Church in the Wilderness. This charming stone church is home to the memorial for the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin, who died at Dharamsala in 1863.
In the afternoon we can drive along the ridge above McLeod Ganj for views of the Naddi Valley and surrounding environment. Nearby is another Tibetan Children's Village where we may be able to make a short visit. Time permitting, we finish with Bhagsu Nag waterfall and Shiva Temple.
Return to McLeod Ganj.
Overnight in McLeod Ganj.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 McLeod Ganj - Amritsar
We have an early departure for our drive to Amritsar (234m/770 ft), located in the northwest part of India in the state of Punjab. The city is dominated by the history of the Sikhs and many of their sacred shrines are found in and around the city. Amritsar is one of the most ancient and legendary sites in the Punjab, and is known for its Golden Temple, the most sacred shrine of the Sikhs.
In British India, before Independence, Amritsar was home to a large Muslim population of Kashmiri origin. Most of them migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Amritsar derives its name from Amrit-sarovar, literally meaning "Pool of Nectar", referring to the pool constructed at the sacred site of the Golden Temple in the 16th century.
Overnight in Amritsar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 Amritsar: The Golden Temple
The highlight of today's sightseeing will be our visit to the Golden Temple. This is the most sacred temple of the Sikhs, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sikh devotees, for whom the temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual independence, come to the temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers.
A 15-minute walk from the Golden Temple, through the narrow alleys of the old city, brings us to the Hindu temple known as Durgiani. This small temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga, dates back to the 16th century. A larger temple, built like the Golden Temple in the centre of a lake, is dedicated to the Hindu deities Laxmi and Narayan. There are a number of mosques in the old city, including the mosque of Muhammad Jan with three white domes and slender minarets.
We will also visit Ram Bag, a beautiful garden consisting of the amazing summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. There is a beautiful museum exhibiting unique oil paintings, miniatures, coins, weapons, and objects relating to the Sikh period.
Overnight in Amritsar.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 Amritsar - Delhi - Depart
This morning we fly to Delhi.
On arrival we will embark on some sightseeing of Delhi. The exact content of today's program depends on our morning flight time, but we hope to 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.
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. From here we will drive on to visit a recent architectural marvel, the Delhi Bahai Temple. Shaped like a half-opened lotus flower, this temple is mostly made of marble, and represents the youngest of the world's independent religions.
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 heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture which came to be know as the Indo-Islamic style.
Later we transfer to the airport for our international departures from Delhi.
NOTE: Most international flights tend to depart Delhi late in the evening. If you are booking your own flights, please pay attention to your departure time as you must take into account your arrival from Amritsar and Delhi City Tour.
BON VOYAGE!!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Breakfast and dinner are included daily. 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
Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 2750m/9,000 ft at Kargil to 7672m/25,170 ft at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Thus summer (July/August) temperatures rarely exceed 27C (84 F) in the shade, while in winter they may plummet to -20C, even in Leh. The thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes; it is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!
YOU WILL EXPERIENCE TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ON THIS TOUR. BE PREPARED FOR INTENSE SUN AND SOME VERY CHILLY CONDITIONS.
SEASONAL FESTIVALS: Our date is set to coincide with the annual Hemis Festival which showcases the best of cultural heritage of the region. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colourful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Land transportation is via private bus or Land Cruiser type vehicle depending on group size and/or conditions. Air conditioning/heat in vehicles are generally not available in this part of the world. Road conditions are generally quite poor and can be bumpy, and as with all mountain roads the occasional delay can occur due to landslides or adverse weather conditions. The roads are also quite twisty on the mountain sections; if you suffer from travel sickness you should bring your usual remedy.
You must be in good health to undertake this tour; we visit remote, high altitude areas (up to 5470m/18,400 ft on day trips - not overnight) with little to no medical facilities.
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 of travel and/or sightseeing. 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
We will be staying in hotels with private bathrooms, and there will be hot water, though this is usually only available in the morning and evening. None of the hotels are centrally heated, although coal fires can sometimes be provided in the bedrooms at a small extra cost.
Generally hotels are comfortable and often spectacularly located, though simple with quirks that can range from charming to frustrating.
Our accommodation in Delhi cannot be considered "central" in a conventional sense. Delhi is a huge sprawling city with many districts and centres of interest/business.
Single rooms are limited and possibly smaller than twins. Porters are generally available (see 'Inclusions').
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.