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Eligibility
Participation in AMNH Expeditions is a benefit of membership in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey. For family expeditions, children must be the minimum age indicated in the trip itinerary. Otherwise, there are no age restrictions, but all participants must be in good health.
Basis of Rates
All prices are based on two persons sharing a room or cabin. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen
circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a
surcharge we reserve the right to do so and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.
What Is Included
Comprehensive educational program by AMNH study leaders, professional on-site guides, and local experts
Complete day-by-day itinerary and pre-departure materials (reading list, maps, and destination-specific travel tips)
Accommodations, excursions, and meals as outlined in detailed itinerary
All land transportation and flights within designated itinerary unless otherwise indicated
Group transfers, entrance fees, baggage handling, airport and hotel taxes, port charges, and gratuities to porters, escorts, drivers, and guides
Gratuities for ship staff unless otherwise specified
Medical insurance up to $2,500 and emergency evacuation insurance from $30,000-$50,000, depending on the destination, for the duration of the program
What Is Not Included
International airfare unless specified, and domestic airfare to and from gateway city
Passport and visa fees
Transfers and baggage handling for those not participating in group ßights, and excess baggage charges
Cancellation and baggage insurance
Meals not specified in itinerary
Optional excursions
Personal items such as telephone and fax calls, laundry, alcoholic and other beverages not specified as included
Gratuities for non-group services
Air Tickets Purchased Independent of the Tour
We urge you to check airline cancellation penalties before purchasing airline tickets since international departure times and flights can change. Tours also can be cancelled due to low enrollments. Neither AMNH nor the Tour Operator (TO) accepts liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with a tour.
Single Travelers
Although prices in this catalog are based on double occupancy, single rates for each tour are available upon request. We make every effort to match single travelers who request a roommate. However, shared accommodations cannot be guaranteed and a single supplement rate will apply.
Photography
Participants on AMNH Expeditions may be photographed or, in some cases, videotaped for the educational and promotional purposes of the American Museum of Natural History and AMNH Expeditions.
Smoking Policy
For the comfort of all participants, we ask that there be no smoking during all group activities, including excursions and meals.
Deposits, Cancellations & Refunds
A deposit of $600-$2,500 per person per trip is required to reserve space on an AMNH Expedition. Final payment is due 90-120 days prior to departure. AMNH reserves the right to cancel a reservation if full payment has not been received by the designated final payment due date, 90-120 days prior to departure. For reservations made after final payment is due, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel 90 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of $500 per person will be made. Per person charges for cancellations that occur less than 90 days prior to departure are subject to full forfeiture of the tour price unless the tour is full and your space is resold (in which case the $500 handling fee will apply). This policy also applies to pre- and post-trip extensions. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier's refund policy.
Leaving an AMNH Expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an expedition. AMNH reserves the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. If AMNH or its designated TO cancels an expedition prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of monies paid to AMNH or its designated TO. If we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days not completed on the expedition. We will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or travel agent. For your protection, trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Detailed information on the cancellation insurance available through AMNH Expeditions will be mailed with your reservation confirmation. The insurance premiums will be added to your final trip invoice unless you decline coverage.
Health Requirements
You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. AMNH and its designated TO reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of an expedition or to require any traveler to withdraw from an expedition anytime when such action is determined to be in the best interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the expedition group or individual expedition members.
Responsibility
To ensure ethical behavior toward local ecosystems and peoples, the American Museum of Natural History selects tour operators who have a demonstrated history of responsible tourism. AMNH will provide educational enrichment for AMNH Expeditions as outlined in this catalog as a sponsoring organization and has selected qualified professional tour operators to organize and administer AMNH Expeditions. The designated TO(s), in turn, acts only as agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with these tours (other providers), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard their conveyances.
AMNH and its designated TO shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent, thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives and releases any claim against the AMNH and/or its designated TO for any such loss, damage, injury, or death, and each participant is required to sign a confirmation of such waiver and release as a condition to participating in the tour.
By registering for an AMNH Expedition, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/her or other participants. The AMNH and its designated TO reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a AMNH Expedition. AMNH and the TO reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants.
Neither AMNH, nor its designated TO shall be liable for any air carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant's departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.
Itinerary Changes
The itineraries and staff presented in this catalog are subject to modification and change by the AMNH or its designated TO. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.
Note
The American Museum of Natural History, a world leader in scientific exploration, established AMNH Expeditions, the first museum educational travel program in the country, in 1953. The goal of AMNH Expeditions is to present educational travel programs that reflect past and current areas of interest and exploration by the American Museum of Natural History. The tours provide a combination of study, adventure, and leisure activities. AMNH Expeditions, the educational travel department of the American Museum of Natural History, is a registered service mark of this institution.
By registering for an AMNH Expedition, the participant agrees to the Responsibility statement and the Terms and Conditions herein.
For more information call
800-462-8687 or 212-769-5700, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (EST).
E-mail us at expeditions@amnh.org
Catalog Production
Produced & Edited by Amy Harrigan
Design
Croteau Design
www.croteaudesign.com
AMNH Expeditions would like to thank the following photographers for the use of their images in the catalog and on this website: J. Black,
J. Dudas, P. Guttman, T. Holton, J. Jozwiak, W. Kaehler, and P. Ward.
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