Upcoming Trip to Bhutan with Tibetan Museum

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

The Glories of Bhutan

September 22, 2018 (Sat) through October 4, 2018 (Thurs)

(12 nites/13 days in Bhutan- plus DRUK air to & from Bangkok & international home

Arriving in Thailand in time for 8 am flight to Paro, Bhutan on Sat, Sept 21

Leaving Paro, Bhutan on Oct 4/connecting to home air.

 

Where are We Going? Bangkok – Paro – Bumthang -Tongsa – Phobjikha- Punakha – Thimphu- Paro – Bangkok
COSTS

A. $ 6800 Land Price is per person double occupancy for BHUTAN with all hotels, transport, English speaking guides, domestic flights, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners, Bottled water will be provided daily on all excursions, Single supplement is $750.

DEPOSIT TO BILL JONES August 2017 $775 pp

B. Airfare:   DRUK AIR from Bangkok to Paro & return $950 economy,

C. Approx $800-1000 Economy (Thailand to & from home).

Only entrance into Bhutan is via Kathmandu or Bangkok through 1of2 air companies controlled by Bhutan government. Bill will arrange for all of us to fly together on the morning of SEPT 22 8am into Paro- That means that we leave home airport on Thurs Sept 20,cross dateline, ,arrive in Bangkok late on Sept 21,which requires a hotel in Bangkok near airport for that nite to leave D.early on Sept 22.(requires a hotel one nite, extra cost (TBD). Returning home 10/4 we can connect from Druk to a variety of carriers to leave for home the same day. Obviously this changes for those who wish a pre or post trip.

E.-$500.00 non – refundable donation – this will hold your spot on the trip (tax deductible) from the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibet Art (by email or phone, credit card or check) . Due by July 31, 2017 so Bill Jones can reserve appropriately for our tour.

Luggage is 50 lbs on international flights but 33 lbs on internal flights so pack light.

Luggage on the DRUK flight is 15 kg and 7 kg in cabin. Your carryon should be a back pack for comfort and convenience on the daily excursions. Any additional costs for baggage are your individual responsibility.

Items not included: JMMTA donation, Transport to/from NY Airport, BHUTAN Visa (required) , Drinks – hard or soft, immunizations (if required), Med-Evac and/or trip cancellation insurance (Highly recommended), any individual purchases. Current US passports are required with at least 6 months before expiration.

Please Note: Due to the possibility of weather/strike/acts of God and reliability of transport in a foreign setting, it is expected that the itinerary will be followed as printed. However, due to circumstances beyond the control of all parties, modifications may be deemed necessary to the dates, times and locations listed in the attachment. These circumstances are not anticipated but traveler(s) should be aware that they may encounter such disruptions. It is the intent of all parties involved to provide a pleasant, safe and complete experience as the itinerary above suggests, with no disruptions or deviations from the travel plan laid out above.

 

INSURANCE INFORMATION

Travelers may purchase their own Travel Insurance through the Allen Bentson Agency and their affiliate CSA Travel Pro: Here is the website: http://www.csatravelpro.com/;jsessionid=DB6EAC558F1B7EE72EA081DAD14BE96A

There are two different levels of insurance. Some people may have coverage with their American Express Cards so you can pick what plan suits you best. If you need to call the company the # is 800-348-9505. If you are traveling with a family member, you may purchase a plan together.

TRAVEL Guard is another site for such insurance.

MEDICAL – This website explains what is necessary

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/travele/none/Bhutan

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/Thailand

 

Visa Application for Bhutan & Thailand:

There is no visa needed in Thailand for 30 day or less visits.

Bhutan visas must be gotten in advance. Bill will get them in Bhutan before he can buy DRUK air tickets, More from Bill on that.

Meg Ventrudo, Executive Director will register the entire group at STEP program: US Govt site for traveling Americans:         For safety and security.

https://step.state.gov/step/

 

Signup Application

This application will insure your place on this once in a lifetime trip. This trip is limited to the first 14 persons who sign up via this application & $500 donation to the museum..

Necessary travel Document: A valid Passport with at least a March 2019 expiry date.

WE highly recommend that you book international airfare and pay by credit card directly with Air Consolidator: Peet Thaivalappil PLEASE .He is Senior Sales Executive Worldwide Travel Inc. 4810 Beauregard Street, suite 100 Alexandria, VA.22312. 202 355 9842 or 800 343 0038 ext 124 We try to fly on the same plane so transit from airport is simpler, as is transit to the first hotel & return to airport at tour end. Peet can apply any frequent flyer numbers to your airfare purchases.

By filling out the below application it is the intent of the traveler(s) to participate in the Museum’s “Glories of Bhutan Trip”. Please sign and return this form with your Deposit.

Via mail, email, fax or scan to :

Meg Ventrudo

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art; ATTN: India Trip

338 Lighthouse Avenue

Staten island, New York 10306

mventrudo@tibetanmuseum.org

Email /scan to MVentrudo@tibetanmuseum.org or call Meg Ventrudo at 718 987 3500 with credit card information. Page 4 from this package with your passport page as page 5. You will only give Meg your credit card for Museum donation, all other charges will be processed directly by the travel company.

                                           Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

“The Glories of BHUTAN ”

September 22,2018 through October 4, 201* .Due to booking limits and restrictions for the airfare portion as well as Museum insurance coverage & fees for processing payments etc,: a $500.00 non-refundable donation per person will be collected. This will hold your place as one of the dedicated travelers. Space will be reserved on a first come first served basis.

Please print below:

NAME : ________________________ as it appears on your passport

Additional traveler__________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________

Email Address:_____________________________________

2^nd traveler email address:

Credit card Authorization for non refundable (tax donation) deposit:

Number_________________________Exp Date___________ Security code _________

Name on card: _________________________________________

 

Passport Name/ passport number/ expiration date/ date of birth

You must scan all traveler passport pages to Meg so she has all information dealing with travel agent & flight consolidator. Please make all checks payable to: The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. The Museum will also accept visa/mc/American express

There will be a pre-trip orientation seminar and question and answer emails prior to departure during the summer of 2018.

By Signing below you agree to the terms of travel as outlined above.

________________________/________________ Traveler(s)/ date        

                                                           

THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE:.

 

1. Send application & copy of your passport to JMMTA and send or call in credit card for $500 donation.

 

2. If you do not wish to participate, please email Peg at harrington@gmail.com.

 

3. If you are definitely participating, please send the materials above to Meg Ventrudo at the museum:

JMMTA-338 Lighthouse Ave Staten Island, NY 10306 or email her your application & passport at mventrudo@tibetanmuseum.org and call her with credit card at 718 987 3500 or 917 349 1843 BY July 31, 2017.

 

4. Then Peg Harrington will create a spreadsheet of attendees and send to Bill Jones for his use on invoicing you individually & making reservations. Bill will make the DRUK air arrangements for all. It is only when we have DRUK reserved that I can send info to Peet on international air needs and send participants instructions on next steps.

 

5. After you send in application & passport page, and donation to Meg, Peg will create spreadsheet & email to Bill. Bill will invoice you each via email the down payment of $ 775 pp to secure the land arrangements . He will have to get us visas before He will also reserve DRUK air seats. When they are confirmed he will send you an invoice for the cost of the in &out Druk air flights, approximately $1000 pp. Bill will also work with you separately if you prefer to do a pre or post trip.

 

6. After Druk & decisions re pre & post are made, Peet can be asked to make international flight arrangements and that cost has to be paid immediately when he books them to hold the seats. If you wish to use frequent flyer miles, you must book yourself directly. BUT after DRUK Flights are confirmed.
7. Check for insurance & immunizations.