Sichuan: Land of the Four Rivers

Fly into Beijing and transfer to your luxury hotel.

Fly to Chengdu, where you kick off your adventure by visiting the serene and atmospheric Baoguang and Wuhou temples. The next day, get up-close and personal to young pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of the Giant Panda, a research center supported by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. Visit Sanxingdui Museum and enjoy an evening performance.

Catch your flight to Jiuzhaigou, a scenic region in Sichuan known for aquamarine waters and multilevel waterfalls. Visit Huanglong, with its unique landscape of colorful calcific pools, travertine caves and soaring, snow-capped peaks. Gain a glimpse into local life when you stop for a chat with a Tibetan family in Amdo.

Your journey takes you next to the base of Mount Emei by way of Chengdu. Explore and hike around this breathtaking mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, take a cruise to where the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers meet to see the Leshan Giant Buddha, a 233-foot-tall monolith carved out of the side of a mountain.

Drive through the bucolic Sichuan countryside to Chongqing, one of China’s most urban metropolises. Here, visit its most significant sites, including the Huguang Guild Hall, Stilwell Museum and the Old City quarter. The following day, set off for Dazu to discover the Buddhist grottoes at Baoding Shan, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with hundreds of Buddhist statues, including a 100-foot-long reclining Buddha.

End your adventure in Shanghai for a taste of contemporary China. Explore the edgy M-50 Art District and shop along fashionable Taikang Road. The next day, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

A&K GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: All escorted group programs* departing between January 1 and December 31, 2012, are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of two (2) persons. Guaranteed departures will operate except only in cases of force majeure, which could include any major world event adversely affecting international travel patterns or other circumstances beyond A&K’s control.

*Please Note: Extreme Adventures, Marco Polo Club Invitational, Canal & River Cruising, Escorted Mobile Camping and programs containing a cruise component may require a varying number of passengers to operate.

A&K PRICE ASSURANCE: The A&K Price Assurance applies to 2012 escorted tour programs including Connoisseurs Series, Discovery Series, Family Series, Signature Series, Marco Polo Club Invitational Programs and Extreme Adventures itineraries available from Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. Royal Scotsman, Canal & River Cruising, North America, Galápagos ‘Eclipse’ and Antarctica cruise departures, short-term one-day promotions and international air and extra services are excluded. The A&K Price Assurance applies only to 2012 advertised rates on abercrombiekent. com for the same program, travel date and accommodation classification. Abercrombie & Kent reserves the right to modify or cancel the A&K Price Assurance for future bookings without prior notice.

INCLUDED IN ESCORTED GROUP PROGRAMS:
Prices are valid from January 1 to December 31, 2012, and will include all accommodations as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (regardless of days of arrival and departure); fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary (including park and entrance fees); local bottled water during sightseeing; selected beverages with group meals; services of an A&K Tour Director; handling of two pieces of baggage per person for international flights (other conditions/restrictions may apply for internal routes; please refer to Baggage section); hotel taxes; and gratuities throughout, except to the Tour Director (please see separate section on Gratuities for more details).

Special Notes:
ON ESCORTED GROUP PROGRAMS: Services on escorted group programs may be modified to accommodate a small group.

On Extensions: All extensions are locally guided.

Gratuities:
Escorted Group Programs: Gratuities are included for hotel and restaurant staff, porterage and local guides and drivers. Gratuities are not included for the A&K Tour Director, which are at the traveller’s discretion and should be based on the level of satisfaction with the service received. Where applicable, gratuities to ship crews and camp staff are also not included in the escorted group program price and are at the discretion of the traveller.

Independent Programs (Signature and Tailor Made): Gratuities are not included in the program price and are at the discretion of the traveller. Recommended guidelines will be provided in A&K’s pre-tour documentation.

Not Included in Escorted Group Program Prices: Passenger Travel Protection Plan; international and internal airfares, unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities to the A&K Tour Director on Escorted Group Programs or ship’s crew/camp staff as outlined in the Gratuities on Escorted Group Programs section; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your pre-tour documentation; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

Itineraries: Accommodations including vessels and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Abercrombie & Kent’s control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. A&K also reserves the right to withdraw a program or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

Special Requests: Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure a special request, however, it cannot be guaranteed in advance of travel.

Prices and Arrangements: Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of May 2011. A&K reserves the right to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs, taxes and V.A.T. received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. A&K is under no obligation to give a breakdown in costs involving any Escorted Group, Signature or Tailor Made program. Modification of program content to accommodate a smaller group size will not affect the published program price.

Immediate Check-in: On programs where immediate check-in has not been included in the program price, A&K has requested that all hotels provide the service when possible; however, it cannot be guaranteed. Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the midafternoon. Should you wish to have a guaranteed room ready for your immediate check-in upon arrival; it can be arranged for an additional charge. Please ask A&K for details and prices.

Early Arrival: A&K recommends that you arrive a day or two before the start of your planned program to allow time to relax and refresh after your journey. To prepare for the start of your tour A&K has negotiated favorable overnight rates at many hotels; please ask for details at time of booking. Departing early from the U.S. and Canada during the winter months is strongly recommended, due to possible flight disruptions and cancellations caused by inclement weather.

Active Elements: Some active elements have been incorporated into select itineraries. To enjoy the trip as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. A&K will require notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to him or herself or to other members of the group. A&K reserves the right to decline acceptance of anyone whom it considers unsuitable due to fitness level. A&K also reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the participant’s own expense, anyone whose condition is such that it could create a hazard to him or herself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers. SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ANY CLARIFICATION ABOUT A SPECIFIC PROGRAM PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS AT TIME OF BOOKING.

A&K’s Passenger Travel Protection Plan:
Our specially designed travel protection plan, which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or damaged luggage, is not included in the program price and is strongly recommended. Please see page 131 for more details.

Child Policy: On non-family A&K escorted group programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour, a minimum age of 10 years is required. On family escorted group programs, unless indicated on the individual program page in the A&K Family Holidays brochure or at abercrombiekent.com, no minimum age is required. However, some activities contained within an itinerary may have a different age restriction than the overall minimum age requirement. Details will be provided at the time of booking. PLEASE NOTE: A&K RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MARGINALLY EXCEED THE PUBLISHED MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE ON FAMILY PROGRAMS TO ACCOMMODATE A FAMILY.

Passports and Visas: Valid passports are required for all international destinations. It is recommended that you check with A&K and the U.S. Department of State web site for the latest passport and visa requirements. Please note that non-U.S. passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry. Passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigrations stamps. A&K cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to a country due to non-compliance with these requirements. A copy of your valid passport must be submitted to A&K in order to confirm air reservations.

Registration and Payment Schedule: A deposit of $1,250 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation. For all India programs operating between October 25 and December 31, 2012, final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. A special deposit applies. Ask A&K for details.

Cancellation Charges: Cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to a $500 per person/per tour cancellation fee; 89-60 days prior to departure will be subject to 20% of the program price; 59-30 days prior to departure will be subject to 50% of program price; and 29 days or less prior to departure will be subject to 100% of program price. For all India programs operating between October 25 and December 31, 2012, a special cancellation schedule applies. Ask A&K for details.

Cancellation Charges for Extra Services:
Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with A&K programs are subject to the following: Cancellations received 31 or more days prior to the service will be refunded in full; cancellations received 30-15 days in advance will be charged 50% of the price; and cancellations received less than 15 days in advance will be charged 100% of the price. Exceptions: Payment and cancellation terms and conditions for all Signature and Tailor Made programs, Extensions, Internal Air and Tailor Made Portfolio Hotels may vary from those noted above. Please ask A&K for details.

Air Transportation: International airfares are not included in program pricing. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, has special agreements with many carriers and can offer quotations from any gateway. Please ask your tour consultant about our special fares. All international and internal air quotes are subject to change and can carry penalties and surcharges until final payment has been received by A&K. Flight confirmation is based on availability. Air reservations cannot be confirmed until a passport copy is received by A&K. PLEASE NOTE THAT CERTAIN AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO A SERVICE FEE.

Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. These programs may use the services of any IATA carrier. International air carriers are subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. The limitations of liability are contained on the reverse side of the airline ticket or e-ticket receipt, or on the carrier’s web site, and form part of the terms and conditions of this package. The passage contract in use by these companies, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the companies and the purchaser of these travel programs and/or passage.

AIR WITHIN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Internal airfares are subject to change. In order to guarantee the fare quoted, passport numbers and international ticket numbers must be received 45 days prior to departure.

BAGGAGE: Abercrombie & Kent provides handling of two pieces of baggage per person. Weight restrictions on some routes on internal/ domestic flights may apply; details will be provided with pre-tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at the owner’s risk throughout the travel program, and A&K assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.

CLAIMS AND REFUNDS: Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT’S RESPONSIBILITY clause below. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the local destination company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. A&K will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your travel program. All claims for days missed while travelling should be made in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program.

PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL: Abercrombie & Kent reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with A&K, program members agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Program members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Tour Director at the beginning of their program.

LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT’S RESPONSIBILITY:
Abercrombie & Kent, USA, LLC, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively A&K), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Abercrombie & Kent companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result A&K is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person. In addition and without limitation, A&K is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these trips take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this trip.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS: It is the responsibility of the traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department’s travel website at travel.state.gov or by phone at 888 407 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should the traveller still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the traveller assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these TERMS AND CONDITIONS, to the LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT’S RESPONSIBILITY clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the trip, to the trip itself, or to any products or services related to the trip, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that (a) in lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration, the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means, (b) arbitration is the exclusive forum for dispute resolution (no court actions), and (c) except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees. TRAVELLER’S REPRESENTATIONS: The traveller represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or other members of the tour. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a trip, and to remove from the trip, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.

ANY PAYMENT To ABERCROMBIE & KENT CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC PRE-DEPARTURE PASSENGER DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM.

Abercrombie & Kent accepts all major credit cards.

© 2011 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. ABERCROMBIE & KENT, A&K, ADVENTURE CREW, DESIGN YOUR DAY, GUARDIAN ANGEL, INSPIRING EXPERIENCES, MARCO POLO CLUB, PRIVATE JOURNEYS, SIGNATURE SERIES, SIMPLY THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL, TRAVELLING BELL BOY and the ampersand design are service marks owned by Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies, S.A. The service marks and trademarks of airlines appearing in this brochure and on abercrombiekent. com are owned by the respective companies mentioned.

CST#2007274-20

DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC / Downers Grove, IL / abercrombiekent.com pRINTINg: Lithographix Inc. / Hawthorne, CA / lithographix.com pHoTogRApHy: Age Fotostock, Air France, Alamy, Timothy Allen, Dave Bartruff, Nick Baylis, Tim Beddow, Helge Bendl, Walter Bibikow, Thomas Boehm, William Blacke, Blanket Bay Luxury Lodge, Michele Burgess, Brand X Pictures, British Airways, David Bromham, Cape Kidnappers, Capella Lodge, Philip Coblentz, Comstock, Ian Cumming, CW Images, Rory Daniel, Bob Davis, DBimages, John Doornkamp, Joan Dubanoski, Jeremy Edwards, Emirates Hotels & Resorts, ephotocorp, eStock Photo, Fairmont Hotels, Mollie Fitzgerald, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Mats Forsberg, Saffire Freycinet, Geoff Lung Photography, Getty Images, Great Southern Rail, Stephen Green, Julien Grondin, R. Tyler Gross, Daniel Halfmann, Hayman Resort, Gavin Hellier, John Henshall, Hemera, Hemis, Hemera Technologies, Hong Kong – Live it, Love it, Hyatt, Incredible India – India Tourism Board, iStockphoto, Roy Johnson, Wolfgang Kaehler, Kauri Cliffs Lodge, Dorling Kindersley, Sergei Kozak, Lake Okareka Lodge, Lebua at State Tower Hotel, Lizard Island Resort, Paula Lowenstein-Boano, Longitude 131, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Matakauri Lodge, Neil McAllister, Scott McKinney, Minden Pictures, Skip Nall, Donald Nausbaum, North Star Cruises, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Online Creative Media, Orient-Express, Orion Expedition Cruises, Stuart Pearce, Peter Adams Photography Ltd., PhotoDisc, Photolibrary, photosindia, Sanja Popovic, Qualia Resort, Radius Images, Rainbow Cruises, Nicholas Reuss, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Robert Harding Productions, Dmitry Rukhlenko, Gora Kadan Ryokan, Saigon Tourist, Rob Sakowitz, Sanctuary Cruising, Sanctuary Retreats, Sami Sarkis, SCPhotos, Risa Sekiguchi, Eitan Simanor, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Southern Ocean Lodge, Riccardo Spila, Steve Bloom Images, Stock Connection, Gerald Sullivan, SuperStock, David Sutherland, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Maria Teijeiro, Marc Telio, Ed Tillman, Tips Italia/Franco Taddio, The George Hotel, The Louise Hotel, The Nam Hai, The Oriental, The Peninsula Hotels, The Sukhothai Hotel, Elisabeth Thimke, Thinkstock, Tourism Australia, vincent369, David Wall, Terry Whittaker/FLPA, Scott Wiseman, Jeremy Woodhouse

One Name: One Unparalleled Standard Worldwide
Throughout this brochure and on abercrombiekent.com, you’ll see references to “Abercrombie & Kent” (or simply “A&K”). This is our shorthand for the many independent A&K companies that work with Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC of Downers Grove, Illinois, to provide its travellers with a consistent worldwide standard of expertise and excellence in travel. Their independence allows our guests to benefit from the unique local knowledge and specialized services available only from destination-based operating companies around the globe.

United States Tour Operators Association
Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 Million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Travellers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC customers in the unlikely event of Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC’s bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 Million posted by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. Complete details of the USTOA Travellers Assistance Program may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, New York, NY 10016, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting its web site at USTOA.com.

ASTA Top Tour Operator Program
Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC is also a member of the American Society of Travel Agents TOP Program, open only to select tour operators.

Travel Agents
A travel agent can enhance your trip by providing information and advice not contained in this brochure. A&K has long-standing relationships with the industry’s best travel agents and would be pleased to work with yours.

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance

Complimentary Passenger Travel Protection Insurance on Select Egypt Journeys

Reserve select 2011 and 2012 Egypt journeys and receive complimentary Passenger Travel Protection insurance, a value of up to $500. Call for details. Egypt journeys include:

• Egypt Unveiled
  November 3, 17, December 1, 2011 and all January - May 2012 departures
• Jordan and Egypt: Sands of Time
  October 7, 2011 and all January - April 2012 departures
• Images of Egypt & Kenya
  February 28, 2012
• Pharaohs and Pyramids
  All January - March 2012 departures
• Splendors of the Nile
  March 19, 2012

Save 15 - 50% on Abercombie and Kent Egypt Journeys!

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