About
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Itinerary
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$AUD 355 per day

Departure: Beijing, China

Adventure

This extraordinary journey follows the ancient silk route from its source in Xian, China, through an ever changing landscape to the fabled city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. We begin with a tour of Beijing visiting all the sights before transferring to Xian by train to view the remarkable Terracotta Warriors. Along the China Silk Road we will also visit Xiahe and the enormous Tibetan monastery at Labrang, the Buddhist frescos in the Mogao Caves and the serene 'Heaven's Lake' deep in the Tian Shan mountains, before flying to Kashgar in time for the famous Sunday markets. We depart China over the Torugart Pass and cross into Central Asia, visiting the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, the tree lined streets of Tashkent and the walled city of Khiva. Continuing to Bukhara, we savour its rich history as we stroll through the bazaars, mosques and magnificent Summer Palace before travelling to Samarkand to view the impressive domes and minarets of The Registan - a collection of madrasahs, and one of the most impressive sights in Central Asia.

About

What's included

26 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 15 dinners

Comfortable well located hotels and guesthouses on a twinshare basis

Local sightseeing, including entrance fees to monuments as listed in itinerary

All internal transport by A/C 2nd Class train or private air conditioned vehicles

Internal flights Urumqi/Kashgar, Bishkek/Tashkent/Khiva valued at approx. USD$481

National tour leader in China and Central Asia plus local specialist guides throughout

Emergency medical kit

Group airport transfers on first & last days

Assistance in arranging visas

Hightlights

Marvel at The Great Wall at Mutianyu

Explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace in Beijing

Visit Xian and the famous Terracotta Warriors

Cross the Torugart pass in the Tian Shan mountains on one of the world's most remote high altitude roads

Take in the magnificent Labrang Monastery and Jiayuguan frontier fortress

Venture to the Mogau Caves & Dunhuang

Immerse yourself in the Sunday Markets in Kashgar

Drive spectacular mountain scenery & visit Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan's capital.

Journey to the fabled Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Beijing

If you are arriving into Beijing today you will be collected from the airport and transferred to the group hotel. This evening you will meet with the rest of the group in the hotel lobby for a trip briefing (your guide will advise you of the meeting time) before you head out for a group welcome dinner.
Overnight: Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Day 2 - The Great Wall

We will make an early start this morning and head north out of the city to explore the Great Wall at the Mutianyu. Whilst this section is a slightly longer drive, at around 1½hrs, than the Badaling Gate section, it is significantly less busy and therefore worth the drive. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China was built as a defence line to keep out marauding invaders, nomadic groups of the steppe from the north. The first sections were completed as far back as the 7th century BC. Since then, many successive dynasties built and maintained multiple stretches of border walls. The most currently well-known of the walls were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is a masterpiece of restoration, with 23 original-style Ming Dynasty watchtowers. This is the longest fully-restored Great Wall section open to visitors. On arrival, you have the option for either a gentle walk with optional cable car assistance or for those feeling more active, we can complete a 2 -3hr walk along this beautiful section of the wall.
In the evening we will be treated to a traditional Peking Duck dinner.
Overnight: Dong Fang Hotel or similar
Please note Days 2 & 3 may be swapped around depending on availability of tickets to visit the Forbidden City.

Day 3 - Visit to The Forbidden City & Summer Palace

This morning we visit the beautiful Forbidden City, which is a masterpiece of 5000 years of Chinese civilisation and still vividly displays the power and prestige of the former dynasties. Sprawling over acres, the City is a magnificent group of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and deep terracotta walls. Ornately furnished palace rooms, priceless artworks and treasures are all now open to the public after 500 years of seclusion. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Summer Palace. First built in 1750, largely destroyed in the war of 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886, the Summer Palace in Beijing is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value. In the evening there is an option to see an acrobatic show.
Overnight: Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Day 4 - In Beijing, night train to Xi'an

This morning has been set aside for leisure time to rest or catch up on shopping. Our local guides will be happy to make suggestions and organise arrangements as required. In the afternoon, we transfer to the train station for our overnight journey to Xi’an.
Overnight: Sleeper train - 4 berth cabin

Day 5 - Arrive Xi'an - city tour

Xi'an is the traditional starting point of the Silk Road, the point from where traders departed on their long cross continental voyages. The walled city of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a vivid example of old meets new China. The modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where retired men spend their days smoking pipes playing mahjong and chess while butchers pull their carcass-laden carts and hawkers sell all manner of wares.
Today, we will take in a city tour, starting on the old city wall which is the most complete ancient city wall in China. At 12m high and 15m wide, the 14km long wall is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world and safeguarded the capital city of13 Chinese dynasties. A walk along the wall provides us with a glimpse into the ancient and modern life of the city and its inhabitants. In the evening, there is an option to dine at a special dumpling restaurant, which is highly recommended and very unique (additional cost).
Overnight: Man Xin Hotel Xi'an or similar
Due to recently imposed limitations on the number of visitors allowed at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum in Xi'an it is not possible to guarantee tickets will be available when we visit. If this is a must visit site for you please let us know and we will do our best to secure a ticket (at an additional charge of US38 per person) on one of our days in Xi'an.

Day 6 - Terracotta Warriors & Big Goose Pagoda

The thousands of Terracotta Warriors who stand outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang, were uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. Each warrior stands over six feet tall and has individual features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers, others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Big Goose Pagoda which is a classic example of Chinese temple architecture. Originally built in 652AD during the Tang dynasty, it was rebuilt in 704 during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, and its exterior brick facade was renovated during the Ming dynasty. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler Xuanzang. Today, the interior walls of the pagoda feature engraved statues of Buddha by the renowned artist Yan Liben. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is truly an extraordinary one. This evening we have the option to attend a Tang Dynasty Dance Show.
Overnight: Man Xin Hotel Xi'an or similar

Day 7 - Train to Lanzhou, transfer to Linxia

This morning we transfer to the station to catch the high speed train to Lanzhou. Camel caravans traversed the rugged and barren Province of Gansu, as they threaded their way along the Silk Road. The capital Lanzhou is one of the oasis towns the caravans stopped in along the way. It has since become an industrialised city and remains a hub for travellers to this day. On arrival we enjoy a simple noodle lunch before a visit to the Gansu Provincial Museum. Home to the "Cultural Relics of the Silk Road" exhibition, it has some beautiful artifacts and a skeleton of a giant mammoth. From Lanzhou we ascend out of the city smog and into the clean mountain air, passing through beautiful, mountainous scenery and fascinating microcosms of minority life in China as we head towards Linxia, one of the main religious, cultural and commercial centers of China's Muslim community.
Overnight: Linxia Hotel or similar

Day 8 - Boat trip to Bing Ling Temple, transfer to Xiahe

This morning we transfer by bus and boat to Bingling Temple which are a series of grotts filled with Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves and caverns in a canyon along the Yellow River. After visiting these fascinating grotts we transfer on to the remote town of Xiahe (pronounced Shar-her), which takes approximately 1.5 hours. As we ascend further into the mountains we pass stupas identifying the beginning of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. On arrival in Xiahe you will likely notice the increase of altitude as the town is located at 2,900m.
Overnight: Baoma Hotel or similar

Day 9 - Labrang Monastery, return to Lanzhou & night train to Jiayuguan.

Within Xiahe is the enormous Tibetan Monastery of Labrang, an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhist monks and is second only in size to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Tibetan nomads dressed in their finest traditional clothing mingle with monks in bright pink robes and lamas in deep burnished saffron robes. Monks can be seen debating and deep in preparations for religious ceremonies, practicing ritual music and meditation. The Lamasery, built in 1709, has more than 10,000 rooms, where over 3,000 lamas were once accommodated. It has a collection of books exceeding 65,000 volumes. Watch out for the huge pot in the Lamasery yard in which four oxen can be cooked together.
This afternoon we transfer back to Lanzhou before we catch the overnight train to Jiayuguan. Our return journey is just as impressive as mountains give way to fields of wheat and orchards bursting with fruit. Depending on the season, we may stop at one of the many roadside stalls selling local fruit and nuts.
Overnight: Sleeper train - 4 berth cabin

Day 22 - In Khiva

We continue our exploration of the maze of mosques, tombs, alley ways, palaces, fortresses and medressas (Muslim centers of learning). This afternoon there is time to relax, shop or simply wander the streets and observe the local way of life.
Overnight: Malika Khiva Hotel or similar

Day 23 - Train to Bukhara

This morning, following breakfast, we depart Khiva. We'll board the train bound for Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara. This journey across the desert will take around 5hrs, but we will be in the comfort of the air conditioned train. Upon arrival in Bukhara, we transfer to our hotel to relax and refresh. In the afternoon we'll venture out for our first exploration of the city centre, an architectural preserve, full of medressas and minarets, an expansive royal fortress and the remnants of a once-vast market complex.
Overnight: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 24 - In Bukhara

Bukhara is an ancient city boasting 2500 years of vibrant history. It has been a centre of world learning, succumbed to Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane, and after the Silk Road waned, was a capital for despot Bukhara emirs. Today we have a full day tour of the mosques, medressas and fortress of the old city. We will visit The Ark, the former Royal City and City Fortress that was the focus of the city for 2000 years, as well as Samanid's Mausoleum.
Overnight: Kavsar Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 25 - Train to Samarkand

This morning we visit the Sitora-i Mokhi Khosa: the Summer Palace of Bukharan Emirs. The summer palace consists of 3 buildings, set in rose gardens and surrounded by courtyards, a Persian-influenced style that harks back to Timurid days. Located in the outskirts of the city, the Summer Palace of the last emirs of Bukhara is a fascinating place to dive into the lifestyle of the court in a time of great upheaval. After lunch, we'll board the train for the short, 1½hr journey to the most famous of Central Asia's Silk Road Cities, Samarkand.
Overnight: Hotel City Samarkand or similar

Day 10 - In Jiayuguan

Jiayuguan is the western most point of the Great Wall. Built during the Ming dynasty, the wall is guarded by the famous Jaiyu Fort, known as “the most Impregnable Pass Under Heaven”. It was the last major stronghold of the empire to the west and remains an impressive and formidable sight. Then we're on to the Black Mountain to climb a restored section of the wall.
Overnight: Runze Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 12 - Mogao Caves & train to Turpan

Dunhuang is home to China’s most magnificent Buddhist grottos. The grottos are set amidst mountainous towering sand dunes. The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddhist Grottos, are 1,000 metres long, and are filled with superb Buddhist art, dating from 366AD. Over 45,000 square metres of frescos in the nearly 500 caves record the life of the Buddha. They are one of the great sights of China. In the afternoon, transfer to Liuyan to board the bullet train to Turpan (4hrs). We will be met at the station and transferred to our hotel.
Please note: At Dunhuang Station all passengers and luggage are required to pass through a security check at the station entrance. Blades including pocket knives (Swiss Army style) and all products in pressurised containers (hairspray, deodorants etc) are banned and will be confiscated.
Overnight: Jinjiang Ducheng Hotel or similar

Day 11 - To Dunhuang

We leave the Great Wall and follow the snaking Silk Road into the desert through the Hexi (pronounced “Hersh”) Corridor. The drive from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang, another of the Silk Road’s oasis towns takes around five hours with the geographic boundaries of the Gobi Desert to the north and the Qilin Mountains to the south defining the Hexi Corridor. On the drive we will pass many beacon towers which were used to send messages along the Silk Road. Oasis meets desert at the Crescent Moon Spring, a lake miraculously lying in the midst of the Singing Sand Mountains. Despite the constantly shifting sands, the 100 meter lake has never been filled. The view from the top of the dunes is magnificent. We might be lucky enough to view a sunset from the Mingsha dunes, the tallest of which, Mingsha Mountain, is 250m high. The dunes make a beautiful backdrop to the city of Dunhuang.
Overnight: Dunhuang Hantang Grang Hotel or similar

Day 21 - Morning flight to Urgench, transfer to Khiva

This morning we board a morning flight to Urgench, so we can enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Khiva. The ancient walled city of Khiva is a stunning monument to the rich history of the region. Slave caravans, wild tribesmen and a harsh and unrelenting desert are all part of its tumultuous history. We spend the afternoon exploring the World Heritage Itchan - Kala (the walled inner town of the city) and the Pakhlavan Makhmud complex.
Overnight: Malika Khiva Hotel or similar

Day 13 - In Turpan (or Tulufun)

The province of Xinjiang lies at the heart of the Eurasian continent. Skirting the hostile Gobi Desert it is a region of endless grassland, the Taklamakan Desert, snow peaked mountains, lakes, and primitive forests. We enter the Turpan basin, home of the Uighur (pronounced “Wee Ger”) people. The town of Turpan is broad and flat with low slung mud brick houses and open channels from which the Uighur draw their water. The slow pace and vast expanses of the surrounding desert and sky make Turpan a wonderful place for relaxation. Grape Valley is a small oasis of vineyards in the desert that we visit with its mazes of grapevines and mud brick buildings used for drying, before heading to Atsana Tombs and the ruins of Jiaohe. The tombs contain portraits of the dead of Gaochang painted on the walls with two well-preserved corpses housed in another. A visit to the Karez Underground Irrigation Channels are also a must. Constructed over 2000 years ago, the Karez are one of ancient China’s most remarkable public works. The 1000 wells that make up the system have been sunk to collect ground water from the melting snow of the Bogdashan Mountains. The water passes from the wells through underground channels to irrigate farms in the valley below, and is fed entirely by gravity.
Overnight: Jinxiu Jinhua Hotel Turpanl or similar

Day 20 - Visit Ala Archa National Park, flight to Tashkent

Weather permitting, this morning we drive to the Ala-Archa National Park, where we can see magnificent scenery as we walk through the national park and enjoy a picnic-lunch. Later today we fly to Tashkent.
Overnight: City Palace Hotel or similar

Day 14 - Drive to Ürümqi

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are picturesquely located on a cliff face overlooking a river valley. We visit them before driving on to Urumqi (approx. 3hrs). Situated at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains, Ürümqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With the opening of the Silk Route, Urumqi became a junction for cultural exchange between the east and west. We’ll venture pout for our first exploration of Urumqi and its strong Communist architecture. Furthermore, a visit to Xinjiang’s capital of Urumqi would be incomplete without a visit to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum or the “Xinjiang Museum” for short. It is by far the best museum you’ll find along the Silk Road and is home to some of the area’s most famous and controversial artefacts: the Xinjiang mummies.
Overnight: Hong Kong Lihua Hotel or similar

Day 18 - Drive to Lake Issyk-Kul

Today we drive to Lake Issyk-Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. Measuring 182 km long by 58 km wide, the lake appeared as a result of volcanic activity. It is heated from below by thermal springs and never freezes even in the depths of winter. In the summer the water temperature reaches 25-28 degrees centigrade (warmer than the air) and you can swim in the lake enclosed on all sides by the snowy peaks of the Tien Shan Mountains. Extremely deep and pleasantly warm, over the centuries the lake has been something of an oasis in this inhospitable mountain environment. With diverse flora and fauna Issyk-Kul Lake and the surrounding environments are rightly considered to be one of Central Asia's most remarkable locations.
Overnight: Traditional yurt camp

Day 17 - Drive to Naryn via Torugart Pass

We may have to say goodbye to some of the people in our group today as they will remain in China. This morning we will make an early start for the long day of travel ahead. Our bus will make the 63km journey to the new border post in about 2 hours. On arrival we must change to another bus for the 104kms to the old border post, which should take approx. 2.5 hours. Actual timings are dependent on weather conditions and the border staffs’ ability to process our departure from China and arrival into Kyrgyzstan. From the old border post we change vehicles again, and are met by our Kyrgyz guide for the crossing of the pass and the border formalities. The eight hour drive from here to Naryn is spectacular as we are in the Tian Shan mountains and on one of the world's most remote high altitude roads. We will spend the night in a guesthouse which is basic but clean and comfortable. Please note that accommodation is very limited in Naryn and that the guesthouse is located within the town and not in a rural setting.
Note: from our experience this day will be long and at times uncomfortable. We may arrive in Naryn anywhere between 8-12pm. Having your sense of humour and a flexible attitude is the order of the day, as is your spirit of adventure. Taking snacks in your daypack and perhaps a set of cards is recommended.
Overnight: Khan Tengri or similar

Day 16 - Kashgar

Kashgar is a bustling market town which is prominent on the Silk Route, and is at the junction between the two main north/south arteries. Traders come from all over to sell their livestock, amongst thousands of different types of produce. Being populated by an overwhelming majority of Uygur people (93%), it seems on arrival that you have left China. This impression is quickly reversed on viewing the massive monument of Mao near the Idkah Square. Our time in Kashgar is spent predominantly at the markets wandering through the different sections of the market, where hats, spices, kitchenware, carpets, musical instruments richly decorated, clothing and tailors, and almost any other products are sold. The Fragrant Concubines tomb will be visited in the afternoon together with the Idkah Mosque. Kashgar was the centre of the Great Game staged between Britain and Russia in their attempts to secure the Central Asian states. We'll also make time today to visit a local family at their traditional home, to learn about the lifestyles of those living in this remote corner of China.
Overnight: Kashi Tianyuan International Hotel or similar

Day 15 - Heaven's Lake, flight to Kashgar

From Urumqi we drive to one of the most impressive sights in China - Tianchi, or Heaven’s Lake. Set amid the Tian Shan Mountains below the imposing Bogda Peak (5445m). The deep blue lake is framed by fir trees and mountain peaks, and it is sprinkled with yurts and Kazak nomad summer camps. We return to Urumqi in the late afternoon and take an evening flight to Kashgar.
Overnight: Kashi Tianyuan International Hotel or similar

Day 26 - In Samarkand

Today we'll commence our sightseeing with the tomb of Tamerlane who made Samarkand his capital. He set about making it the richest city on earth by pillaging and destroying all other cities and removing their wealth and skilled traders to Samarkand. We will also visit Ulugbek observatory. We also take in the sights of the Registan complex, the remarkable market place of ancient Samarkand. It is enclosed by spectacular medressas on three sides. These huge buildings with domes and minarets covered in a mosaic of azure tiles were built from the 1400s. The Registan is one of the wonders of the ancient world. We visit another highlight of Samarkand - the huge Bibi-Khonum mosque. Tonight is the final night of our trip and therefore the perfect opportunity for one final dinner together to relive our epic journey.
Overnight: Hotel City Samarkand or similar

Day 19 - Drive to Bishkek

Today we drive further through spectacular mountain scenery where the peaks are like knife edges, to the quaint capital of Bishkek.
Overnight: Plaza Hotel Bishkek or similar

Day 27 - Train to Tashkent, city tour, trip concludes

We have a very early start today, to catch the morning train from Samarkand to Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. The journey north will take around 2½hrs. Upon arrival, we'll begin our sightseeing tour of Tashkent. Tashkent is a modern city of three million people but has a relaxed pace, and charming street side cafes. We start with a visit to the Old Town, including Osman's Koran - an essential part of Muslim historical and cultural heritage. Time permitting we will also visit the Courage Monument, Amir Temur Square - the city’s oldest square, and the Museum of Applied Art. In the evening, depending on your onward journey plans, you will be taken either to the airport or to the group hotel, and the trip concludes.
Note: there is no accommodation included tonight. If you would like to extend your stay in Tashkent, please ask your World Expedition's Adventure Travel Consultant for accommodation options.

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Force Majeure

46. We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations in booking the Travel Product that is due to events beyond our control.
47. If a force majeure event occurs that affects your booking, your entitlement to a refund, a credit or re-scheduled travel booking will depend on the Provider's terms and conditions.
48. If your booking is impacted by a force majeure event and you are entitled to a refund or credit from the Provider, we will facilitate this refund or credit.
49. The Booking & Service Advisory fee, credit card fees or any commissions received are non-refundable in the circumstance that a force majeure event occurs.

Low Cost Flights

50. If you book a low cost flight with us, we will make the booking on your behalf and your contract for your low cost flight will also be subject to the airline's booking terms and conditions.
51. It is your responsibility to ensure that all details of the booking are correct before proceeding. For any changes or cancellations, please contact the airline directly, quoting your reference.

Additional Airline Charges

52. Some Providers may also charge additional fees. Please check with the Provider for their full terms and conditions.

Hotel/Accommodation Bookings

53. Some Providers will require an additional charge to be paid locally (e.g. a resort fee) at the time of check in or check out. This amount is in addition to the amount shown during the booking process under the 'total booking cost' amount.
54. There may be taxes levied abroad but not paid at the point of purchase that are payable in relation to your hotel booking (e.g. local taxes, sales tax etc.). Any local taxes will be payable by you directly to the Provider at the time of check in/check out.

Changes in Price and Itineraries

55. We reserve the right to cancel your booking in the event we have reasonable grounds to believe it is fraudulent.
56. If a Provider changes any part of your booking for reasons beyond its control, we will use our reasonable endeavours to notify you. If any such changes result in your Travel Product costing more or otherwise being materially different, then you may cancel the Travel Product. Any refund would be subject to the Travel Provider terms and conditions.
57. These terms and conditions are subject to variation at any time. Any variation will be displayed here, and you will be deemed to have accepted a variation if you have made a booking after it has been displayed.

Your Obligations and Warranties

58. You warrant to us that:
a. you are at least 18 years old and have the power, capacity and authority to enter into a binding contract with us and with the Providers of the Travel Products that you acquire;
b. you have read and understood these terms and conditions and if booking on behalf of third parties, you have conveyed these terms and conditions to them;
c. the information you provide us about yourself is true, accurate, current and complete (apart from any optional items) as required by any registration process;
d. you have considered acquiring comprehensive travel insurance and we are not responsible for any failure by you to acquire adequate insurance cover; and
e. you will use the Booking & Advisory Services in accordance with these terms and conditions and you will not use the Booking & Advisory Services in any way to breach any laws or defame anyone.

Jurisdiction and Law

59. All matters arising out of or in connection with the Booking & Advisory Services and these terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. By acquiring the Booking & Advisory Services, you consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the laws of Victoria, Australia.

Definitions

" We" and "us" means Darebin Travel.

" You" or "your" means any user of our Website or any person who acquires the Booking & Advisory Services, including any person who acquires a Travel Product (whether or not the Booking & Advisory Services were acquired by another person).

" Booking & Advisory Services" means services provided by us to you in assisting you to acquire a Travel Product from a Provider and includes advisory and consulting services.

"Force Majeure” means, but not limited to: acts of God, accident, riot, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, outbreaks of infectious disease or any other public health crisis, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, natural catastrophes, adverse weather conditions, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion and generalised lack of availability of raw materials or energy.

“ Travel Provider” or "Provider" or "Providers" means the company or person who provides you with the Travel Product on terms and conditions agreed with you.

" Travel Product" means the service or product provided by a Provider, for example, an airline or a hotel.

" Website" means our website https://deluxelife.com.au/

Schedule of Professional Service Fees

Planning Fee	$125 per itinerary. Creating unique travel itineraries is our specialty. For detailed quotations providing tailored recommendations for custom designed tours, a non-refundable planning fee applies. Should you proceed with booking, this fee is credited towards your trip.
Service Fees	$40 Domestic/Trans-Tasman airfare per person or as discounted
	$150.00 International airfare per person or as discounted
	$50.00 Domestic/Trans-Tasman business class airfare per person or as discounted
	$200.00 International business class airfare per person or as discounted
	NIL Domestic/Trans-Tasman package, tour, or cruise per booking
	NIL International package, tour, or cruise per booking
	$ Other Services dependent on service explained to you
	$200 to $500 Itinerary planning per booking (credited towards reservation once booked)
Deposit & Balance	For all bookings, the initial deposit is 20% and the balance of payment is due 60 days before departure. If Travel Provider terms and conditions vary, we may request an additional deposit from you, after the initial deposit is paid, plus the balance payment date may also vary. After you have paid your initial deposit, you will have five days cooling off period to accept these Booking & Advisory Terms and Conditions, during which time your deposit is refundable. After 5 days has passed, or you have accepted the Terms and Conditions, the deposit will automatically become non-refundable. Note, some Travel Products must be paid in full at time of booking. Service Fees must also be paid at time of booking and are non-refundable. After you pay the balance of payment this will become fully non-refundable 60 days before travel, or earlier, if specified by the supplier.
Amendment Fees	Changes to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Amendment Fees	Changes to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Cancellation Fees	Cancellations to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $75 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Cancellation Fees	Cancellations to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $150 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
Credit Card Fees	Visa - an additional 2.0% applies
	Mastercard - an additional 2.0% applies
	American Express - an additional 2.0% applies

(All fees exclude GST, where applicable).

Privacy Notice

Darebin Travel collects your personal information to enable us to respond to your queries and provide you with the Booking & Advisory Services, including assisting in arrangements with Providers (such as hotels and flights).

We will also use your personal information to personalise the service we provide you, including your experience on our, and other, websites, and to provide you with information about our, and our partners’, business, products and services. Your personal information may be shared between entities within Darebin Travel and with DeluxeLife Pty Ltd (ACN: 647 484 115), disclosed to suppliers, Providers, our cloud infrastructure, our contractors and to others where authorised or required by law. Some of these entities may be located overseas.

ANNEXURE – TRAVEL TIPS FOR TRAVEL PRODUCTS

These tips set out below are NOT legally binding terms and conditions.

Passports, Visas and Health Requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required documents, including visas and passports, before travelling to a destination. For more information please log on to www.dfat.gov.au and www.smarttraveller.gov.au. Please check with the respective Embassy or Consulate of each country that you are travelling to, as many destinations require visas for both Australians and non-Australian passport holders. For more information, log on to www.visalink.com.au. You need to ensure that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date of your departure return.

For International travellers booked on flights to the USA, including Hawaii, it is now mandatory, under the Visa Waiver Program to receive an electronic authorisation known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) no less than 72 hours before travel to the USA. This can be obtained from the following website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ .

For international travellers booked on flights to Canada, you either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. An eTA can be obtained from the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel destinations. Vaccinations are strongly recommended for certain destinations. You need to contact your local doctor who will advise you of these requirements. Please note that vaccinations may be recommended before your travel departure date.

Travel Advice

We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit their website at www.dfat.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit.

Ticketing

For international and domestic departure, e-tickets will be issued upon payment and completion of the booking process. All other travel documentation, such as hotel booking confirmations, will be emailed to the email address you provided as an e-document. Should the Provider issue paper vouchers, these will be posted to the address you provided.

Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and in many cases the airfare you have paid may not include the cost to cover checked baggage. Please check with your Travel Advisor and/or the airline providing your flights for the allowances.

Frequent Flyers & Special Requests

For more information on whether your airfare is eligible for Frequent Flyer rewards, please contact the airline directly. When booking online, please ensure that you have entered your correct number. For bookings made by telephone via our Customer Service Team, please advise of your Frequent Flyer details and these will be added to your reservation. We do not take any responsibility should an airline not register your trip. You should retain copies of your air ticket and boarding pass.

Special requests will be passed on to the Providers but cannot be guaranteed.

Where do you want to travel next?

Silk Road to Samarkand via Kashgar