AROUND THE WORLD WITH GEOFFREY KENT AN INSPIRING EXPEDITION BY PRIVATE JET OCTOBER 18 NOVEMBER 11, 2018 DESTINATION INFORMATION PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION In order to enter the countries visited on this tour, U.S. citizens need a signed passport valid for six months beyond the return date, as well as a visa to enter Australia and India. Please ensure your passport is valid beyond May 12, 2019. You need at least ten completely blank visa pages in your passport available for entry and exit stamps for this journey. It s always a good idea to have a few extra blank visa pages. If you need additional visa pages you will need to apply for passport renewal. You will need to obtain a visa prior to departure for the following countries: Bolivia Visa U.S. citizens require a visa to enter Bolivia. Please obtain your Bolivia visa prior to departure to expedite the arrivals process. Australia Visa U.S. passport holders may apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) visa online via the Australia Department of Immigration website at eta.immi.gov.au/etas3/etas. You need a valid passport, email address and credit card to complete the application. In most cases, you will receive approval notice before leaving the online ETA site. India Visa There are two kinds of tourist visas for India: e-visa or a regular visa. For this journey, please apply for a regular stamped visa for India which will expedite immigration clearance upon arrival in Cochin. Please contact our travel partner, Pinnacle TDS for assistance you with passport renewal and visa processing. Call 888 838 4867, or visit them online at pinnacletds.com/aandk. CONSULAR INFORMATION Most countries provide information and foreign travel advice to their citizens. Before going abroad, check the U.S. Department of State online at travel.state.gov for the most current travel and safety information for the particular country you will be visiting. CURRENCY We suggest travelling with some U.S. dollars to be exchanged for local currency and at least two major credit cards. Bring U.S. dollars printed within the last three years and in good condition with no wrinkles or tears. Notify your credit card company of your travel plans prior to your departure to avoid any fraud concerns. Exchange money only at authorized outlets such as currency exchange kiosks, banks and hotels and exchange only what you feel you will need while visiting. Keep your exchange receipts until you get home, in case you re asked to show them while travelling. Throughout your journey, major credit cards are widely accepted and ATM access is readily available unless specifically noted below. Bolivia Bolivia s unit of currency is the boliviano.
The U.S. dollar is as readily accepted form of payment throughout Bolivia. Major credit cards are generally accepted in larger shops, hotels, and restaurants. Make use of ATMs during the day and preferably inside large commercial establishments. Chile Chile s unit of currency is the Chilean peso. Although the U.S. dollar is accepted as payment at most hotels and tourist shops, most restaurants and taxi drivers require payment in pesos. On Easter Island, some vendors accept credit cards, although cash is the preferred form of payment. When buying souvenirs it is best to use cash. There is one ATM at the Chilean bank in Hanga Roa; however, access cannot be guaranteed. New Zealand New Zealand s unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar. Australia Australia s unit of currency is the Australian dollar. India India's unit of currency is the Indian rupee. Visa or MasterCard are the preferred cards where accepted. ATM access is available in larger cities; however, banks and ATMs in India occasionally experience periods where there is a lack of cash available for withdrawal. The import and export of Indian rupees is strictly prohibited unless you are a resident of India. Oman Oman s unit of currency is the Omani real. Georgia Georgia s unit of currency is the lari. While the Georgian lari is the only legal tender, U.S. dollars can be exchanged freely for lari. Cash is the preferred method of payment; credit cards are accepted in upscale hotels, restaurants and shops. HEALTH Check the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for recommendations on staying healthy while travelling. Visit them online at cdc.gov/travel or call 800 232 4636. Consult your physician and stock up on necessary prescription drugs. Remember to take your prescriptions with you. Elevations in La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Uyuni range from 11,942 feet/3,640 meters to12,507 feet/3,812 meters. When travelling to high-altitude destinations in western Bolivia you may experience altitude sickness. You will have access to oxygen while in Bolivia, if needed. Altitude also impacts the digestive system, so we recommend eating lightly, watching your alcohol intake and drinking lots of water. Alka Seltzer has also been known to help ease the effects. We recommend that you consult your healthcare provider for personal recommendations on prevention and treatment. WEATHER Miami, Florida Miami is generally hot and humid and October is only a bit cooler than the summer months. Miami Oct 82º 72º 16
Bolivia In Bolivia, the seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere and you arrive in Bolivia during spring. Bolivia s climate is as varied as the country s topography. In the Altiplano (highlands) region which includes La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre and Potosi, days are usually dry and sunny while nights can be quite chilly. Due to significant elevation differences in La Paz, the northern part of the city is always cooler than the south side. La Paz Oct 66º 40º 9 Chile The climate of Chile varies by region and altitude. The eastern side of the country in the Andes Mountains experiences cooler temperatures throughout the year. The mountainous regions feature an arid climate and Patagonia can be cold and windy. Puerto Natales Oct 50º 38º 7 On Easter Island, winds and ocean currents have a strong influence on its sub-tropical climate, resulting in weather that is generally warm and pleasant year-round. Easter Island Oct 71º 62º 10 New Zealand October is mid-spring in New Zealand. Snow may still fall in the mountains and it rains in the valleys, but October weather in Queenstown is generally mild not too hot or too cold. Springtime brings rain but also longer days, beautiful green valleys and spring blooms. Queenstown Oct 62º 42º 13 Australia Because of its vast size, a wide variation of climates are found across Australia. Perth guarantees sunshine year round and October temperatures average in the 60s. There is little rainfall at this time of year. Perth Oct 72º 50º 9 India India is a huge country and its weather conditions are affected by diverse regions which include mountains, deserts, highlands and coastal plains. In general, India s climate is hot and tropical. Kerala is pleasant for the most of the year. November in Kerala receives relatively moderate temperatures and winter temperatures average around 70ºF. Kerala Nov 70º 60º 6
Oman The climate of Oman is tropical desert. Weather in November is warm but not sweltering. Zighy Bay Nov 85º 68º 0 Georgia Georgia has a moderate climate affected by the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range which shields the country from cold air masses from the north and the hot, dry air masses from the south, while the Black Sea sends a constant stream of moist warm air. The weather resembles the Mid-Atlantic coastal areas of the United States in November. Tbilisi Nov 55º 39º 6 ELECTRICITY Electricity for the countries visited on this journey is supplied at 220-240 volts/50 hertz. We recommend that you bring a global travel adapter set with you. COMMUNICATIONS Be sure to activate your mobile phone s international roaming services before travelling. Contact your service provider for information on their coverage and your options while travelling abroad. Internet access may be limited in some destinations; where available, complimentary Internet access is included. WHAT TO PACK A Clothing and Packing checklist to help you pack for your journey is included on last page of this document. Packing for an Around the World journey that spans several climates requires including interchangeable clothing that you can wear in cold and hot weather. Choose outerwear that is moisture wicking and clothing that mixes and matches in light quality fabrics that you can layer. For your welcome dinner in Miami, we recommend jackets for gentlemen and smart dress for ladies. There will be several other occasions where resort chic is suggested for both men and women. When exploring Patagonia, come well prepared so that the weather does not affect your daily activities. The key is to layer for cold weather (i.e. on glaciers and in the mountains), or take off layers if the day gets warmer or your body temperature rises when hiking. A baseball cap and rain poncho will be provided. Traveller s Valet complimentary laundry service will be included at several stops during the course of your journey. Dry cleaning is not included. ABOUT YOUR AIRCRAFT The private jet flights will be performed using a Boeing 757-200ER aircraft with 50 first-class, VIPstyle seats from Miami, FL USA, routing via Santa Cruz Bolivia, Punta Arenas, Chile; Easter Island, Chile; Papeete, French Polynesia (technical stop); Christchurch, New Zealand; Adelaide, Australia (technical stop); Perth, Australia; Jakarta, Indonesia (technical stop); Cochin, India; Ras al-khaimah, UAE; Tbilisi, Georgia; Reykjavik, Iceland (technical stop); New York, New York,
USA. The air carrier for the private jet flights will be Icelandair. Additionally, local charter flights will be used for transportation and excursions in Bolivia, Chile and New Zealand. Any domestic connecting flights to Miami at the beginning or from New York at the end of the tour are not included in the program price. A&K is happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights from/to your home city to these locations. Please contact A&K for assistance. BAGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS Private Jet: Onboard the private jet, each passenger is limited to two pieces of checked baggage with a maximum combined weight of 80 lbs. Total dimensions of any single piece of checked baggage are not to exceed 62 inches. Dimensions are calculated by adding together the length, height and width of the piece of baggage. Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece with a maximum weight of 22 lbs. Dimensions of the carry-on bag are not to exceed 22 inches x 16 inches x 8 inches. Normal airport security requirements apply to your Private Jet Journey. For carry-on luggage, please make sure to carry travel-size toiletries (three ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag. Larger bottles must be packed in your checked luggage. Local charter flights: Soft-sided luggage is strongly recommended. On local charter flights during the course of this journey, various weight restrictions apply: In Bolivia, baggage is strictly limited to 50 lbs. per person; in Chile, checked luggage is strictly limited to 44 lbs. per person. The bulk of your luggage will be stored by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, during local charter flight segments. Should you purchase larger items along your journey, you may request that your A&K Luggage Manager store your items in the cargo hold of the private jet until your return to the U.S. TIME ZONES Miami, Florida and Bolivia operate on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 4 hours. At 9:00 a.m. in Miami and in Bolivia, it is: EST CST MST PST 9:00 a.m. the same day 8:00 a.m. the same day 7:00 a.m. the same day 6:00 a.m. the same day Chile operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -3 hours. Chile subscribes to Daylight Saving Time. At 9:00 a.m. in Chile (mainland), it is: 8:00 a.m. the same day 7:00 a.m. the same day 6:00 a.m. the same day 5:00 a.m. the same day
Easter Island, Chile operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) -5 hours. Chile subscribes to Daylight Saving Time. At 9:00 a.m. in Easter Island, Chile, it is: 10:00 a.m. the same day 9:00 a.m. the same day 8:00 a.m. the same day 7:00 a.m. the same day New Zealand operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +13 hours. New Zealand subscribes to Daylight Saving Time. At 9:00 a.m. in New Zealand, it is: 4:00 p.m. the previous day 3:00 p.m. the previous day 2:00 p.m. the previous day 1:00 p.m. the previous day Australia has three time zones. Western portions of the country operate on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +8 hours. At 9:00 a.m. in Perth, it is: 9:00 p.m. the previous day 8:00 p.m. the previous day 7:00 p.m. the previous day 6:00 p.m. the previous day India operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +5 hours and 30 minutes. At 9:00 a.m. in India, it is: 11:30 p.m. the previous day 10:30 p.m. the previous day 9:30 p.m. the previous day 8:30 p.m. the previous day Oman and Georgia operate on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) + 4 hours. Please note: The United States begins observing Standard Time. At 9:00 a.m. in these countries, it is: EST CST MST PST 12:00 a.m.(midnight) the same day 11:00 p.m. the previous day 10:00 p.m. the previous day 9 :00 p.m. the previous day
LANGUAGE In Bolivia, Spanish is the official language. Indigenous languages are all spoken and for many local people, Spanish is a second language. In Chile, the official language is Spanish. On Easter Island, many islanders speak the native Rapanui language, which is a Polynesian language heavily influenced by Tahitian. English is spoken in both New Zealand and Australia. Indigenous languages, although spoken, are in danger of becoming lost as the elder population diminishes. In India, the official language is Hindi. Besides Hindi and English, there are 22 other major languages and hundreds more are spoken by regional groups throughout the country. Arabic is the official language of Oman; however, English is widely spoken. Swahili and other languages commonly heard include Baluchi, Urdu and some Indian dialects. In Georgia, the official language is Georgian. It is the only language in the Ibera Caucasian family written in ancient script with its own unique alphabet. Russian, Armenian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhazian are also spoken. Your local guides will assist with translations, if needed. PROTECTION AND PRECAUTIONS Use the safes where available in your accommodations to secure your valuables. Don t pack expensive items (such as jewelry) that you are going to worry about losing. Photocopy the personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy with a family member or friend and pack another separately from the passport itself. Take a picture of these items for your records. If you lose the documents or your medications, obtaining a replacement will be considerably easier if you have a copy. ETIQUETTE AND PHOTOGRAPHY Ask permission before taking pictures of local people, especially small children. Photography, especially flash photography, may not be permitted at some locations, and these areas are usually clearly marked. If in doubt, please ask your Tour Director. Be sure to pack ample amounts of batteries and memory cards or film for your camera and video equipment, along with the appropriate charging cables. A dustproof case or sealable plastic bags and lens brush are also recommended. FOOD AND DRINK Do not use tap water for drinking or brushing teeth. Bottled water is recommended for consumption. Regardless of precautions, changes in water and diet can result in mild abdominal upsets and nausea. To prevent serious illness, avoid suspect foods such as uncooked vegetables, peeled fruit, un-pasteurized milk and milk products. SHOPPING Many guests enjoy the chance to purchase items that reflect their destination, and so as a courtesy, your guide may recommend a particular shop or arrange a shopping visit. When prices are not marked, bargaining is the accepted practice. Consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more details cbp.gov on bringing goods home.
TIPPING GUIDELINES As a convenience, all gratuities are included. Any additional gratuities that you may choose to present to specific members of your tour staff are left to your personal discretion. CLOTHING AND PACKING CHECKLIST Everyday wardrobe 3-4 Pairs of casual slacks 2-3 Pairs of walking shorts/capris pants 1 Windproof/waterproof pants 5-6 Polo shirts or casual short sleeve tops 2-3 Long-sleeved shirts/tops 2-3 Evening outfits for special occasions (smart casual) 1-2 Pairs of comfortable walking shoes with low or no heels 1 Pair of lightweight, mountain/trekking boots with sturdy soles/ankle support (well-broken in) 1 Lightweight and waterproof jacket and/or sweater 1 Medium-weight thermal or fleece jacket 1 Pair of gloves (medium thickness) For women: light pashmina, scarf or bolero to cover shoulders Sunhat and sunglasses Personal garments including sleepwear Socks (moisture wicking and breathable) and at least two pairs of midweight warm socks for Patagonia Swimwear and cover-up Ear muffs or warm hat (beanie), scarf or buff Miscellaneous Items Sunscreen (high SPF of 30 or higher) Small backpack (optional) Photography equipment: Batteries (lithium batteries recommended for longer life), memory cards, charging cables. A waterproof case or sealable plastic bags and lens brush are also recommended. Aspirin/pain relievers Antacids/laxatives/anti-diarrhea medicine/motion sickness tablets First aid kit including Band-Aids and moleskin; anti-bacterial wipes Moisturizing cream and lip balm; hand sanitizer
Personal toiletries; hair dryers are provided at all accommodations If you wear glasses or contact lenses consider bringing an extra pair; contact lens solution Prescription medications and copy of prescriptions Insect repellent with DEET; anti-itch cream Slippers (for comfort after a long day of activities) Ziplock bags for camera equipment, wet or dirty clothes Personal electronics and chargers; global travel adapter Lightweight binoculars (optional) Low-suds detergent for washing small or personal items