General
Information and Terms of Cycling Tours in China
Important Information- Please Read Carefully |
|
| Reservations Top |
| You
may reserve a space on a tour by completing the Reservation form and submitting
a deposit payable by International money order. You will receive an email
confirming your reservation. If the tour you have chosen is full, we will
contact you to determine if you would like to be placed on a waiting list,
chose another tour, or receive a complete refund. Reservations made less
than 60 days prior to trip start date require an immediate deposit. The
balance is due at the start of the tour. |
| Group
Trip Discounts |
| Discounts
are available to those groups or organizations of 10 or more that register
jointly for the same trip. Please contact us for details. |
| Register
Early |
| We
recommend that you register at least sixty days prior to the start of the
trip, because travel arrangements, passport issues, obtaining visas, physical
checkups, all take time. However, if a tour has space available, we accept
reservations up to the beginning of the tour. |
| Tour
Price InformationTop |
| Tour
prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy rooms (unless noted
in the description), includes land costs starting on the start date at the
start location and the listed support services. Prices do not include airfare
to the start location, alcoholic beverages, lunches on rest days and personal
expenses. Prices quoted within this document are based on the current rates
of exchange and are subject to change. The tour price is guaranteed once
you have submitted your reservation and deposit. |
| Payments |
| A
deposit of $300 per person is due with the completed reservation form. The
final balance is due at the start of the tour. If you are registering within
60 days of the start of the tour, the deposit must be submitted with the
reservation form. Payments may be made by check or money order in US dollars. |
| Cancellations
and Refunds |
A
cancellation of your reservation will result in a fee based on the following
schedule:
Days prior to Tour Start30+ days15-29 days0-14 days Cancellation Fee/Person100%
Refund50% of the depositNo refund
No exceptions can be made including weather or personal emergencies. There
is no refund for arriving at a tour late or leaving early. |
| Eligibility |
| All
tour participants must be 18 years of age or older unless accompanied by
a parent or guardian. Physical disabilities or conditions, medical conditions
or allergies, and dietary restrictions must be disclosed when the reservation
is made. Muztagh Travel reserves the right to refuse anyone whose
condition may be a danger to themselves or anyone else. |
| Visa and Passport Information Top |
| A
valid passport and visa for China is required. Tourist visas for individuals
are routinely issued at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad. Expedited
processing is often available for an increased fee or by working through
a travel agent. Apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy in Your Country. |
| Getting from Here to There and Back Again |
| Muztagh Travel will begin and end its tours in major cities that offer air
connections to Hong Kong, or other major gateways within China such as Beijing,
Shanghai or Guangzhou. Typically you will need to arrive the day before
the tour is scheduled to begin, since the first day is generally a ride
day. On those tours that fly somewhere the first day it is possible to arrive
at the gateway city and then transfer to the local flight. Lodging for the
night before is included in your tour price, provided you stay in the designated
hotel. You will be provided information, both in English and Chinese, on
the where to stay and how to get there from the airport, along with typical
taxi fares. As with almost everything in China, negotiate the price BEFORE
you get in the vehicle. At the end of the tour, the last night's lodging
is also included in the tour price. |
| Accommodations Including Single Room and Attached Baths |
| Prices
are based on double occupancy rooms (unless noted in the tour details).
Guests travelling solo are not assigned a permanent roommate, but rather
rotate with other solo guests of the same gender. Single rooms are available
with the payment of the private room supplement fee. Every effort will be
made to honor single room requests. Some locations in remote areas it is
not possible to guarantee a single room or an attached bath every night
for every guest. On those occasions when a single room was requested, but
it was not possible to provide,Muztagh Travel will provide a pro-rated
refund for the nights accommodations were shared. Attached baths will be
provided whenever possible. |
| Meals |
| The
tours include three meals a day, except on rest days where we spend two
nights in one place. Vegetarians are welcome. If you have special dietary
requirements, please let us know with your reservation. |
| Bicycling
in China and Physical Condition Top |
| The
tours offered by Muztagh Travel are for both experienced cyclists
who have previous touring experience and novices on their first tour. Some
trips are more challenging than others are. See specific tour descriptions
for details. You should be doing some regular aerobic training prior to
going on the tour. |
| Bicycle |
| We
recommend a hybrid or mountain bike with 26" wheels for most rides.
A standard touring bike can be used, but there may be sections of road where
narrow tires are not well suited. If you choose to bring a bike with 700c
sized wheels, please to bring spare tires and tubes as this size is not
available in China. |
| Clothing
and Gear |
| Check
the weather information provided for the ride you are interested in and
bring appropriate clothing and gear. |
| Optional Support Vehicle |
| An
optional support vehicle can be supplied to assist as needed with mechanical
support, supplying water and fresh fruit at scheduled stops and transportation
to sagging cyclists. Contact us for details. Some tours are designed to
include the support vehicle at no extra cost. Check tour details, or ask
us. |
| Luggage
Transport |
| Muztagh Travel offers optional luggage transportation service to those cyclists
who would prefer to ride unencumbered. This is limited to one suitcase weighing
no more than 45 lbs. (20 kg.). The costs are listed in the ride descriptions.
The luggage must be ready to be placed in the van by 9 a.m. on each cycling
day. Some tours are designed to include luggage transport at no extra cost.
Check tour details, or ask us |
| Bike
Box or After-Tour Luggage Transport Top |
| Muztagh Travel offers optional bike box or after-tour luggage transfer to
the destination city for those who wish to use a bike box for air transport
or have a suitcase meet them after the tour. The cost listed in the tour
descriptions is per piece, up to 45 lbs. (20 kg) |
| Medical
and Health |
| There
are no required shots or immunizations for visiting China. However, we recommend
that you visit a doctor six weeks before the trip for an opinion on your
physical condition, and to get any recommended shots or immunizations. The
water from the tap is not potable in China. We will provide drinking water
on the tour. |
| Personal
Safety |
| The
Government reports that China has a low crime rate; however crime has increased
in the past few years, principally in the major cities. Still, citizens
and other foreigners have seldom been victims of violent crime. |
| Tour
Support Services Top |
| Muztagh Travel provides the following pre-trip and tour services: |
| Pre-trip
Services |
Muztagh Travel provides you with an information packet with detailed information
concerning your preparations for coming to China containing:
1. Trip itinerary with a description of the route with distances for each
day.
2. Typical daily schedule
3. Clothing and equipment checklist
4. Suggested training guide and schedule
5. Rider Orientation Information will include basic riding information as
to how riding in China differs from Western countries.
6. General tour Information |
| Tour
Services |
| Muztagh Travel provides you with the following tour support services: |
1.
Hotel accommodations will be provided for each night in double occupancy
rooms, unless a single room supplement is specified on the reservation form.
The hotels will be simple but clean.
2. Meals are provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, except
for lunches on rest days where we spend two days in one place.
3. There will be scheduled stops in the morning and afternoon on ride days
where you can refill water bottles, and have snacks of fresh fruit.
4. There will be bicycle mechanical assistance available from the cycling
staff.
5. Optional luggage transport service is available for a modest additional
fee (unless explicitly included). See tour descriptions for costs.
6. Optional after-tour luggage or bike box transport to destination city
is available for a modest additional fee. See tour descriptions for costs. |
| Itinerary
Changes |
| Occasional
changes in the itinerary may be necessary due to changes in government policy
or whenever such changes are advisable for any reason. If, in the unlikely
event a tour is cancelled, you will receive a full refund of all money paid
to Muztagh Travel which constitutes full settlement. Muztagh Travel is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any
cancelled trips such as airfare. |
| Liability
Release, Risks, and ResponsibilitiesTop |
You
will be required to sign copy of this document prior to starting the tour.
Release of Liability
In consideration forMuztagh Travel allowing my participation in
the bicycle tour event for which I am registering, I freely agree to and
make the following contractual statements and agreements:
Risks of Bicycling
I understand that participating in the bicycling tours offered by Muztagh Travel for which I am registering is a potentially hazardous activity.
I fully realize and appreciate the dangers of riding a bicycle on open public
roads and fully assume the risks associated with this activity. I fully
accept and assume all risks including, by way of example but without limitation,
physical injury, mental injury, the dangers of collision with pedestrians,
vehicles, other bicyclists, and fixed or moving objects; the dangers arising
from surface hazards, equipment failure, inadequate safety equipment, the
effect of weather, including extreme temperature or conditions, traffic,
the condition of the road and participating in event along the route. I
understand that potentially dangerous situations may arise during the bicycle
tour, which are beyond the control of Muztagh Travel , I assume
the risks of all dangerous conditions during the Muztagh Travel
event and waive any and all specific notice of the existence of such conditions.
Knowing the risks involved, I agree to assume those risks, and to release
Muztagh Travel and its employees, agents, and officers for any property
damages, illness, injury or death that may occur in travel to and from these
tours. I agree to have adequate medical insurance coverage for the duration
of the Muztagh Travel event. I will assume and pay all medical and
emergency expenses incurred by me in the event of illness, accident, or
other incapacity regardless of whether I have authorized such expenses.
Participant's Responsibility
I understand that I will be bicycling at my own risk and I will not participate
unless I have been properly trained, physically and mentally able to do
so. I assume responsibility for the adequacy, safety and condition of my
bicycle, bicycle riding gear and any other equipment I choose to bring.
I affirm that I will be bicycling at my own risk and release Muztagh Travel and all its employees from liabilities for any damages, injury,
or death which may occur to me or anyone else. I agree to abide by all rules
established by Muztagh Travel , to conduct myself in a safe and
respectful manner at all times and respect the rights and privacy of other
trip members. I understand that if I leave prior to the daily starting time
or ride on a different route than described, that I will not be able to
receive all the services described in advertisements or other literature.
I further agree to obey the laws and customs of China.Muztagh Travel
reserves the right to refuse service to anyone at any time prior to or during
the trip, if in Muztagh Travel sole opinion, an individual's physical
condition or behavior are incompatible with the enjoyment of the group as
a whole.
Muztagh Travel is not responsible for refunding airline fees due
to change in itinerary or tour cancellation or theft of any personal gear
including the bicycle. I also give my permission for use of my name, photograph,
motion picture, recordings and evaluations by Muztagh Travel for
promotional materials. All information provided by Muztagh Travel
including but not limited to route maps, instructions, directions is privileged
information and all contents are copyrighted ?2000. Reproduction by permission
only.
Release
I have read and accepted the terms contained in this document entitled "Fine
Print". I hereby waive release and discharge, for myself, my heirs,
my executor, successors, assigns, and administrators any rights or claims
which I have or may hereafter accrue to me against the officers, employees,
owners, volunteers and staff of Muztagh Travel .
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read the information contained
within "General Information and Fine Print" and agree to the terms. |
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