Around the World by Private JetAn Exploration of the World’s Greatest Treasures & Legendary Places

Smithsonian Journeys are designed to engage members in the broad vision and wide-ranging interests of the Smithsonian. Like the Institution, they are intended to expand the intellectual horizons of visitors and satisfy their curiosity about the world around them. Your participation in Smithsonian Journeys benefits the work of the Smithsonian's 19 museums and nine research centers, helping to preserve our national treasures and shape the future through science, research, and exhibitions.

Smithsonian Journeys are a benefit of Smithsonian membership. All tours, except for family programs, are designed for adults. Some may be appropriate for older children. Regardless of age, children must pay full price unless otherwise noted, and a parent or guardian must accompany those under 18.

Tour price is $67,950 per person (based on double occupancy). Single price is $76,450 (October 29, 2013).

Tour price is $69,950 per person (based on double occupancy). Single price is $78,600 (February 01, 2014).

Tour price is $70,950 per person (based on double occupancy). Single price is $79,600 (September 30, 2014).

Space is reserved in the order of receipt of reservation. Call 1-866-903-7650 (M-F, 9 am - 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time) or visit our website at www.smithsonianjourneys.org to register. To reserve your place on an Around the World by Private Jet expedition, complete the Reservation Form and return it with your deposit of $2,500 per person. The deposit may be made by check; wire transfer; or by a major credit card such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Mail to the tour operator, TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA, 98121, fax number 206-447-7717. If the expedition is fully booked when your reservation is received, your payment will be returned within 7 days, or with your authorization, we can retain the deposit and place your name on a waiting list in the event other passengers cancel their reservations. Even if you authorize the Tour Operator to put your name on a waiting list and retain your deposit, we will notify you within 7 days if the expedition is still fully booked.

Additional Deposits & Final Payment: If you pay your initial deposit by credit card, it is fully refundable until you sign the Reservation Form. The second payment of $15,000 per person and final payment are payable by check or wire transfer only, made out to a secure escrow account corresponding with your departure:

October 29, 2013 departure: Make checks payable to “ATW4-13 Escrow.” The second payment is due March 1, 2013. Final payment is due June 28, 2013.

February 1, 2014 departure: Make checks payable to “ATW2-14 Escrow.” The second payment is due May 31, 2013. Final
payment is due October 1, 2013.

September 30, 2014 departure: Make checks payable to “ATW4-14 Escrow.” The second payment is due February 7, 2014. Final
payment is due June 9, 2014.

Your payments are held in an escrow account at The Commerce Bank of Washington, 601 Union Street, Suite 3600, Seattle, WA, 98101-1342. Participants are protected by a Letter of Credit #592 issued by The Commerce Bank of Washington. Any claims against this letter of credit must be filed with TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. or The Commerce Bank of Washington within 60 days of the termination of the expedition. After that time, TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. and The Commerce Bank of Washington will be released from liability under the security agreement.

Per person cancellation fees are based on date of notice to Smithsonian Journeys (subsequent written notice is required). If you cancel your reservation, your right to receive a refund is limited, as set forth in the following schedules. All cancellations must be in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark or email receipt. All requests for refunds must be sent to us in writing via mail, fax, or e-mail.

For the October 29, 2013 departure:
If your notice is received...
On or before March 1, 2013 - $1,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From March 2 to April 29, 2013 - $5,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From April 30 to June 28, 2013 - $15,000 per-person cancellation fee.
After June 28, 2013 - No refund.

For the February 1, 2014 departure:
If your notice is received...
On or before May 31, 2013 - $1,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From June 1 to August 1, 2013 - $5,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From August 2 to October 1, 2013 - $15,000 per-person cancellation fee.
After October 1, 2013 - No refund.

For the September 30, 2014 departure:
If your notice is received...
On or before January 30, 2014 - $1,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From January 31 to March 31, 2014 - $5,000 per-person cancellation fee.
From April 1 to May 30, 2014 - $15,000 per-person cancellation fee.
After May 30, 2013 - No refund.

Refunds will be made within 14 days of receipt of your notice of cancellation.

If you cancel and provide a substitute participant for this trip, you will receive a full refund of money paid toward the charter price less an administrative charge of $25 for the substitution once the substitute participant has paid in full. Please note that the costs for visas, commercial air tickets, insurance, suite upgrades, and pre- or post-tour independent arrangements may not be refundable.

If we make major changes prior to departure, you have the right to cancel and receive a full refund. The following are major changes: (1) a change in the departure or return date, unless the change results from a flight delay experienced by the air carrier. (If however, the delay is longer than 48 hours, it will be considered a major change.) (2) a change in the origin or destination city for any flight leg, unless the change affects only the order in which cities named in a tour package are visited; (3) a substitute of any hotel of lower standard; (4) a price increase of more than 10 percent occurring 10 or more days before departure. In no event can we increase your price less than 10 days before departure. If a major change must be made in the program, we will notify you within 7 days after first learning of the change, but in any event at least 10 days prior to the scheduled departure. If, less than 10 days before scheduled departure, we become aware that a major change must be made, we will notify you as soon as possible. Within 7 days after receiving notification of a major change, but in no event later than departure, you may cancel your reservation and you will receive a full refund within 14 days after canceling. If a major change occurs after the departure of the flight, which you are unwilling to accept, we will refund, within 14 days after your scheduled return date, that portion of your payment, which applies to the services not accepted. If we must cancel the charter tour, we will notify you in writing within 7 days of the cancellation, but in no event later than 10 days before the scheduled departure date. We have no right to cancel the charter tour less than 10 days before departure, except for circumstances that make it physically impossible to perform the charter tour. If that occurs, we will notify you as soon as possible, but not later than the scheduled departure date. If the charter tour is canceled, we will make a full refund to you within 14 days after cancellation. The rights and remedies made available under this contract are in addition to any other rights or remedies available under applicable law. However, we offer refunds under this contract with the express understanding that the receipt of that refund by a passenger waives the additional remedies. Please understand that there will be no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

We are happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights from your home city to Orlando, Florida, and from Orlando, Florida to your home city, in the class of service that you prefer. Please ask for details. We urge you to check cancellation penalties before purchasing domestic airline tickets from your home city to Orlando, Florida, and from Orlando, Florida to your home city, since tours can be canceled due to low enrollments. Neither Smithsonian Institution nor the tour operator accepts liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic airline tickets purchased independently in conjunction with a tour.

In addition to the $50,000 coverage for emergency evacuation and worldwide emergency assistance service included in the price of your tour, Smithsonian Journeys has made arrangements with an insurance provider to offer a comprehensive Traveler’s Protection Plan. Smithsonian strongly urges all tour participants to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, which provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption and/or delay, baggage loss, theft, damage or delay, and other travel-related contingencies. Information on travel insurance is sent with your tour confirmation.

On the private jet, each passenger is limited to 90 pounds of checked baggage in 2 bags (one limited to 50 pounds and the other limited to 40), plus a few smaller carry-on items such as a backpack, purse, camera, and/or laptop. For international flights, the air carrier’s liability is limited to the actual value of the baggage but not more than 1,000 Special Drawing Rights, approximately $1,250 per passenger, unless a higher value is declared at the time of check-in and an appropriate excess valuation charge is paid. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

The private jet flights will be performed using a Boeing 757 jet with 80 VIP-style seats. The air carrier for the February 2013 departure will be Thomson Airways, Wigmore House/Wigmore Place, Wigmore Lane, Bedfordshire, Luton LU2 9TN England. The private jet flights for the October 2013 departure will be Loftleidir Icelandic, 101 Reykjavik Airport, Iceland. TCS and the air carrier reserve the right to substitute equivalent aircraft if necessary.

The itineraries and staff are subject to modification and change by Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered, we reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group.

The operation of these flights is subject to the foreign governments involved granting landing rights for the flight. If the air carrier cannot obtain these rights for any particular flight leg of the expedition, that flight leg will be canceled and alternative arrangements may be made, at the discretion of Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc.

A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do everything possible to assist persons requesting a roommate. If one is not confirmed, the single rate will be charged. Suite rooms are available in some destinations; more information about them, including their extra costs, will be sent to you in the months before departure.

Participants on Smithsonian Journeys may be photographed for the educational and promotional purposes of the Smithsonian Institution.

For the comfort of all participants, we ask that there be no smoking during all group activities, including excursions and meals. Smoking is not allowed onboard the jet.

All prices are based on two persons sharing a room. 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. Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. reserve the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate. In such a case, a full refund of the expedition cost will be made.

This is an active program, which requires you to make a realistic assessment of your health. All participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and are part of many excursions. Prior to traveling, we highly recommend visiting your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey. To go to certain destinations or participate in certain activities, such as visiting a high-altitude area (10,000 feet above sea level and higher), you will need to obtain your physician’s approval. A form will be sent to you for your physician to sign. An alternate destination or activity can be arranged, if your physician recommends it. Malaria and other diseases are present in some of the countries featured in this itinerary; proof of yellow fever inoculation is required. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the traveler. If you would like to forego some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time.

Smithsonian Journeys offers special tours and cruises for families. In general, children should be at least 8 years old to enroll in a family program. All other tours are designed for adults, although some may be suitable for older children. Regardless of age, children must pay full price unless otherwise noted, and a parent or guardian must accompany those under 18.

RESPONSIBILITY: Smithsonian Journeys is a sponsoring organization for this expedition and has selected TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98121, a qualified tour operator, to organize and administer the Around the World by Private Jet expedition. TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., as the principal, is responsible to you for arranging and providing all of the services and accommodations offered in connection with the tour, provided, however, that in the absence of gross negligence on our part, we are not responsible for personal injury or property damage caused by the air carrier, hotel, or other suppliers of any of the services being offered in connection with this expedition. 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 expedition participants are not aboard their conveyance. Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., 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 any claim against Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. By registering for this 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/herself or other participants. Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc. reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on this expedition and reserve the right, subject to the terms of this Contract, to withdraw any part or all of the trip and to make such changes as may be necessary. Smithsonian Journeys and TCS & Starquest Expeditions, Inc., shall not 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 of the Around the World by Private Jet expedition.

The undersigned has read carefully the Responsibility Statement and Liability Disclaimer set forth above, the schedule of activities for this tour, as well as the terms and conditions of application and participation as set forth in the tour brochure(s), and recognizes and accepts any risk associated with the tour and the conditions, including the refund policy, set forth in the tour brochure(s). The undersigned further acknowledges that there are many risks and uncertainties inherent in any travel tour, including but not limited to the hazards of various modes of transportation, forces of nature, acts or omissions of foreign governments, terrorism, war or insurrection, theft, illness, and damage to person or property due to the negligent acts or omissions of tour staff or others. In consideration of, and as part payment for, the right to participate in the tour, the undersigned, on behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, agrees to release the Smithsonian Institution, its Regents, officers, employees, representatives or agents, the United States, and the tour operator and its officers, employees and agents, from liability for personal injury, death, property damage or loss suffered by any person in connection with this tour, even if caused by the negligence (but not the reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) of tour staff or other related persons or entities. In addition, by registering for this tour, the applicant certifies that he or she is mentally and physically capable of full participation in this tour.

TCS & Starquest Expeditions is a Registered Seller of Travel in Washington (#602-320-265), a California Seller of Travel (#2071584-30), an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, and is endorsed by IATAN, the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (#50-755585). TCS & Starquest Expeditions’ Dunn & Bradstreet D-U-N-S number is 17-084-7961.

Images that appear on this website or in PDFs downloaded from this website are for promotions of TCS & Starquest Expeditions exclusively. PDFs may not be altered or archived. No images may be copied, duplicated, or separated from the site or a PDF.