JINGPENG CHINA ORIENT EXPRESS
WEDNESDAY 15th October
Fly from London's Heathrow Airport on a British Airways flight to Beijing, departing at 16:50 and arriving the next day at 10:40 local time.THURSDAY 16th October
After leaving the airport we will go to the nearby Sino-Swiss hotel for a shower and lunch. During the afternoon we will have a short city tour. Early evening we will join the Jingpeng China Orient Express, get settled into our compartments and enjoy a welcome dinner as we depart.
FRIDAY 17th October
Before dawn an SY 2-8-2 will back onto our train and take us to Tiefa, headquarters of the Tiefa Coal Railway, which operates four 20-40 km branch lines with SYs (they have one JS which should also be working). We will spend the day on these industrial branch lines photographing the SY-hauled freights to and from the mines. Photobuses will be available, or you can ride our train, which will also make round trips over all the branches. After dark our final SY will haul us out of Tiefa and then north towards Harbin.
SATURDAY 18th October
We pass through Harbin in the early hours and arrive at Weihe. A 76 km narrow-gauge logging railway runs from nearby Keyunzhan to Liushan. It will be possible to ride the train or take the photobus.SUNDAY 19th October
Early morning we will be in Tongliao, northern end of the new JiTong line (opened 1995). The 600-mile line southwest to Jining is worked by a large fleet of QJ 2-10-2s based at Daban and Baiqi. Before dawn we will depart behind one of the QJs onto the JiTong Line. After changing locomotives at Chabuga mid-afternoon, we will arrive in Daban where we will have a depot and works visit. We then continue for our first run over the Jingpeng pass. After passing the summit at Shangdian we will drop down to Jingpeng and Haoluku, arriving late evening.MONDAY 20th October
During the night we will have returned over the Jingpeng pass, passed Daban and arrived in Lindong, a "mini" Jingpeng. At sunrise (around 0620) we will stop to drop off photographers at Lindong, with the train continuing to Chabuga, where it will stage for the rest of the day (you can also stay with the train). At sundown the train will return to pick up photographers before continuing to Jingpeng. It is also possible to ride the regular passenger trains today after visiting Chabuga depot, rejoining the group in Lindong.TUESDAY 21st October
Photographers can leave the train this morning at 0530 or 0900 in Jingpeng or at 1030 in Shangdian at the summit of the Jingpeng pass for a full day photographing the double-headed QJs pounding up the steep grades. Four photobuses will be available to take photographers to different locations. After sun-down rejoin the China Orient Express in Shangdian before dropping down to Daban during the evening.
WEDNESDAY 22nd October
A repeat of yesterday's itinerary. (Photographers may choose to stay on the train one day and photograph it from the buses the other.)THURSDAY 23rd October
A repeat of yesterday's arrangements in the morning as far as Shangdian but then the train will continue to Daban before making a run up the pass in the late afternoon. Photographers rejoin the train in Shangdian after sunset. We continue through Jingpeng and Haoluku during the evening.
FRIDAY 24th October
During the night we will have taken the new branch line to Xilinhot, where we arrive at breakfast time. We will spend all day on the branch and photobuses will be available. During the afternoon the train will return down the branch picking up photographers along the way. This evening we will complete our journey over the JiTong line, in the early hours changing to modern traction and running through Jining.SATURDAY 25th October
We will go forward from Jining to Datong and Kangzhuang where we will stop to first visit the depot that houses some of China's preserved steam engines and then visit the Great Wall of China before continuing to Beijing, where we will arrive late afternoon. We will transfer to the Paragon Hotel near the station and in the evening there will be a "Peking Duck" farewell dinner.SUNDAY 26th October
After breakfast there will be a transfer to Beijing Capital Airport for the British Airways flight to London at 12:30, arriving London Heathrow at 15:45 the same day. For those passengers taking the Beijing extension, a visit will be arranged today to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. Overnight at the Paragon Hotel.MONDAY 27th October
Free morning followed by a visit in the afternoon to the Dahuichang narrow-gauge limestone railway on the outskirts of Beijing. Overnight at the Paragon Hotel and farewell dinner.
TUESDAY 28th October
After breakfast transfer to Beijing Capital Airport for the 12:30 British Airways flight back to London Heathrow, arriving 15:45.
FARES
Regular Rate Rate IRT Members-only London-London (Including flights) $4,495 $4,450 Beijing-Beijing land-only (Excluding flights) $3,995 $3,895 Single Supplement $995
Beijing Extension $460
Single Supplement (Beijing Extension) $75
GENERAL INFORMATION
- A full passport with at least six months validity from the start of the tour is required.
- GW Travel holds Air Travel Organizers License (ATOL) number 3408 and are bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
THE TOUR INCLUDES
- All meals including drinks, except where stated
- Steam program as outlined
- The services of GW Travel representatives on the train
- Chinese Interpreter
- A Doctor who will travel with the train throughout the tourTHE TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Insurance (it is a booking condition that passengers have adequate insurance)
- Charges in the Bar Car
- Charges of a personal nature at the hotels or on the train (laundry, telephone etc.)
- Visa or Excess Baggage Charges, Airport Departure Taxes
- Vaccination or Medical CostsIMPORTANT NOTICE
The shower facilities on the China Orient Express are somewhat temperamental and are likely to be more so in cold weather. As a precaution we will also arrange for hotel stops to be made during the tour where shower facilities will be made available.Booking Conditions
1. CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING. A booking is not accepted by IRT and no contract exists until the earlier of a) the date we accept your payment or b) the date we issue our confirmation invoice which will be sent to you. Your confirmation invoice will specify exactly what is requested by you. It is your responsibility to check the invoice and advise us immediately in the event of any error. A provisional booking can be made by telephone to (800) IRT-4881 and, if space is available, we will hold your reservation for seven days with no obligation on your part. After seven days the reservation will lapse. A deposit of 15% of the total tour cost is required in order to confirm your booking. This payment should be made by check. Credit cards will be accepted (Visa, Mastercard or Discover), but a 3% surcharge will apply.
2. TRAVEL INSURANCE. It is a condition of your booking that you take out adequate Travel Insurance coverage. This may be done through IRT's recommended insurer TravelPlus. You will receive a brochure about this upon confirmation of your booking or earlier by request. The policy covers: Accident medical expense: $5,000; Sickness medical expense: $5,000; Medical evacuation/repatriation: $50,000; Accidental death and dismemberment: $25,000; Trip Cancellation/Interruption : full cost of trip; Lost Baggage : $1,000. Coverage limits are subject to change. If you take out an alternative policy this must provide at least the same amount of coverage as shown above and you must supply us with a copy of your policy and name address and telephone number of your insurers.
3. FINAL PAYMENT. We must receive the balance due at least 90 days prior to departure or in full upon receipt of our confirmation invoice if the booking is made less than 90 days from the departure date. If full payment is not received 90 days prior to the departure date then we reserve the right to treat the booking as canceled and you will lose your deposit(s).
4. CANCELLATIONS. If you, or a member of your party, is forced to cancel your booking you must confirm this to IRT in writing immediately. The letter should be signed by the person who signed the original booking form. The date of cancellation is the date on which your letter is received by us. There will be a cancellation charge to compensate us for making your booking and the risk that we will be unable to resell your place(s). Insurance charges are non refundable. Cancellation charges are:
Notice given before: Cancellation fee as a percentage of: total, excluding insurance premium:
90+ days prior to departure $250 per person administrative fee
89 days departure date 100% of tour cost5. TICKET CONDITIONS. You are required to accept the Terms and Conditions of Carriage of Air, Sea and Rail carriers used in your tour, some of which limit or exclude liability. These conditions are the subject of international agreements between countries. Copies of conditions that will apply to your tour are available on request.
6. COMPLAINTS. The stated mission of The Society of International Railway Travelers is to offer the very best in rail travel around the globe for its members. However, if you have any problem or complaint during your journey please bring it to the attention of the tour guide immediately so that he may have the opportunity to put it right. Should a problem remain unsolved, please write to the Society at its main office at 1810 Sils Ave., Louisville KY. Our desire is to set things right. We cannot accept liability for any claims received more than two months after the completion of your journey. We also cannot render any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth in these booking conditions. All claims will be settled by arbitration in Louisville, Kentucky.
7. YOUR CONTRACT. Upon signing the booking form, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions herein. Your contract with us, made under the terms of these booking conditions, is subject to U.S. Law and jurisdiction and is held to be made in Louisville, Kentucky.
8. SURCHARGES. IRT does not expect to make surcharges. IRT does however reserve the right at any time to receipt of the final balance to impose a surcharge of such an amount as will, in the reasonable opinion of IRT, compensate the company for any adverse movement in currency exchange rates.
9. RESPONSIBILITY: The Society of International Railway Travelers, Inc. (IRT) and Hardy Publishing Co., Inc. (HPC), parent company of The Society of International Railway Travelers, act only as agents for the passenger with respect to travel services. IRT and HPC do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, IRT and HPC are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom IRT and HPC has no control.
We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour due to these causes or voluntary cancellations. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
No revisions of the printed itinerary or its included features are anticipated; however, IRT and HPC reserve the right to make changes at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and IRT and HPC shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of such cancellation, substitution or changes. All fares as well as ship and train schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, special programs, and guest lecture series (if applicable), are subject to change without prior notice. IRT and HPC shall not be required to refund any portion of the fare or make any other compensation under these circumstances. IRT and HPC cannot be responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers that may result due to operational and/or itinerary changes, regardless if the passenger and/or IRT and HPC make the flight arrangements. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger. IRT and HPC reserve the right to substitute a similar category for those listed in this brochure. IRT and HPC reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in air fares, currency fluctuations or fuel surcharges and such increases are to be paid to IRT and HPC by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases.
When issued, the air tickets shall constitute the sole contract between the air company concerned and the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. Please note that advertised air rates can change before ticketing. The airlines and other transportation companies concerned are not held responsible for any act, omission, or events during the time passengers are not on board their conveyances.
11. MEDICAL. Any physical or mental condition which may require special medical attention must be reported in writing. All Society trips require some walking. In China, few facilities exist for disabled persons. By forwarding of deposit by either check or credit card, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers and accepts the terms of this contract. IRT and HPC reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person's health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.
12. HEALTH. Passengers should refer to the Department of Health leaflet 'Travelers guide to Health' (number T1) which is available from Travel Agents or from the Dept. of Health. Clients should check with their doctor before departure as to which inoculations are considered necessary or recommended for the area in which you will be traveling. Such precautions do not take the place of Insurance. In some foreign countries the standard of hygiene and safety may differ from those in the U.S. For your own protection you should take particular care with hygiene and to what you eat and drink while abroad.
13. BAGGAGE. Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner's risk throughout the trip and baggage insurance is strongly recommended.
14. VISAS & PASSPORTS. A full passport with at least 6 months validity from the end of the tour is required for all our tours. Passengers should ensure that they obtain all the necessary documentation and visas prior to departure as IRT and GW Travel assume no responsibility for passengers refused entry into a country for incorrect documentation and any repatriation charges will be the responsibility of the passenger. Please advise your nationality at the time of booking in case additional visas may be required.
15. BEHAVIOR. Passengers are expected to behave in a reasonable manner toward other passengers, IRT tour guides and other persons with whom we have contact during our tour. If a passenger behaves, in the opinion of the tour guide, in a way likely to disrupt the enjoyment or endanger to safety of other passengers the tour manager will issue him or her with a verbal warning. Should this not resolve the matter a second, written, warning will be issued. If the disruptive behavior continues after the second warning then the passenger will be removed from the tour and will have to make his or her own arrangements to return home. No refunds for the untravelled portion of the tour will be entertained. The right is retained to refuse any application for reservation(s), cancel any reservation(s) or decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour group at any time.
17. OTHER CONDITIONS. All bookings are accepted and all arrangements are made by us subject to (a) any and all conditions imposed from time to time by IRT, HPC, GW Travel Limited, airlines and sea, road and rail carriers, providers of accommodations and catering and other services and facilities connected with your holiday (and such conditions will apply to you just as if they were incorporated in these conditions) and (b) any law direction or order imposed from time to time by any competent authority. Some of the third party conditions seek to exclude or limit liability of the third party concerned: for instance the responsibility of IATA airlines in connection with the holiday(s) in this brochure is limited to the carriage of passengers and their luggage in accordance with the Conditions of Carriage of the participating airlines. All charter flights are offered subject to Government approval.
18. SAFETY ON RAIL TOURS. Railways are busy and potentially dangerous places. If you alight at any photostop, other than scheduled stops at recognized stations, or visit any railway installation, whether included or not in the tour, you do so at your own risk and are advised that your travel insurance MAY NOT cover you in case of mishap. Permission to travel on the locomotives may be given during the tour however you do this entirely at your own risk; IRT, GW Travel and the Railways concerned will not and do not accept any liability in case of mishap.
By signing the booking form you are accepting these conditions.
SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY TRAVELERS
1810 SILS AVE. SUITE 306B
LOUISVILLE, KY 40205
Telephone: 800-IRT-4881 or (502) 454-0277
Fax: (502) 458-2250
www.irtsociety.com
GW TRAVEL LIMITED
6 OLD MARKET PLACE
ALTRINCHAM
CHESHIRE WA14 4NP
ENGLAND
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-478-4881 or 502-454-0277
www.irtsociety.com
