| TRAINS & TRAVEL P.O. BOX 10625 RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625 Chris@traintrips.biz Rail Tours Manager. For question regarding tour itineraries and details. Deborah@traintrips.biz Office Manager: Accounting |
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1-800 359-4870 USA 1-800 752-1836 CANADA 1-800 266-8751 FAX (530) 836-1944 |
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DAY 1 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 12: Individual arrivals into Panama City. Our hotel is not far from the railway and Miraflores Locks, and convenient to stores downtown.
DAY 2 THURSDAY JANUARY 13: (B, L) Visit to Panama Canal Railway offices, shop, dispatch center, and container yard. Visit to Miraflores Locks. Lunch in French Quarter of old Panama and, time allowing, viewing of ruins from the old city, destroyed by Henry Morgans "terrorists" in the 1500s. DAY 3 FRIDAY JANUARY 14: (B, L, D) At 7:15 this morning, our train heads out toward the Atlantic terminus of Colon. Grab a seat in the former SP three-quarter dome car for a great view, or watch and photograph from the open decks on any of the five regular coaches. Enter a drawing for a chance to ride the F40 locomotive; a second tour member will be accommodated on the return run. While in Colon, we will visit the Gatun Locks for a "ground level" perspective compared with that at Miraflores. We may also be allowed to visit the Atlantic Container Terminal, then we will see the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo, overlooking the confluence of the Chargres River with the Atlantic. We may also see construction of the new locks, set to open on August 14 2014, which date will mark the 100th anniversary of the Canal. Our return train departs at 5:15PM for the non-stop, one hour run back to Panama City as the sun sets over the water. Our van will meet us at the station, where we will have a few minutes to shop for souvenirs at the station gift shop (T-shirts, coffee, etc.) before heading off to dinner which is included this evening. DAY 4 SATURDAY JANUARY 15: (B, L) Only a few times each year is it possible to ride "Pacific Queen" as she makes a full transit, including all six locks. Otherwise, one must book on a major full cruise. "Pacific Queen" is a 300 passenger vessel with open deck on top. We arrive dockside about 7 AM to ensure enough time for all to find a good topside vantage point for our 7-8 hour trip. Continental breakfast and buffet style lunch are served in an air conditioned room; snacks and drinks are "on the house" during the cruise. Be sure to bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen; it may be quite windy at times. Our bi-lingual guide informs you of the passing scenes and associated history. Culebra Cut, Pan American Bridge, a possible passing container train, and, of course, the six locks are some highlights. In late afternoon, a bus will return us back to the hotel. DAY 5 SUNDAY JANUARY 16: (B, L) Flight from Panama to Costa Rica (less than one hour; time change from Eastern to Central). Free day to relax in San Jose, visit the Central Market, and perhaps take in a show at the National Theatre or other venue. DAY 6 MONDAY JANUARY 17: (B, L) The adventurous may wish to rise early to ride and / or photograph San Joses' unique commuter trains on two different lines. Details on the (ever changing) schedules will be in your complete notes. One line just commenced operation during 2009, and uses recycled Spanish DMUs. The other line runs across the city on a track originally built to connect the Pacific and Atlantic rail systems. Others may wish to sleep in. Later in the morning - after trains have stopped running - we will tour the city, including stops at Pacific and Atlantic stations. Some may wish to make an optional visit to Paos Volcano, just two hours away (own expense; take a sweater or jacket). DAY 7 TUESDAY JANUARY 18: (B, L) Today we head toward Limon on the Atlantic coast, pausing at points of interest along the way including a banana plantation. Our hotel is by the water in this small city, in sight of an island where Christopher Columbus made his first landing in the new world. There could be some afternoon train action at the nearby port of Moin ("Moy-een") as steel and banana containers are handled along still active portions of the Atlantic (or Northern) Railway. DAY 8 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19: (B, L) Charter train out of Limon. Details are still being worked out; last year we went as far as Siquerres. There are two possible routes available. A few coaches have recently been rebuilt for the "Jungle Train" used by cruise ship passengers. In the afternoon, we will be allowed to explore the shops which contain several derelict railbuses as well as and locomotives and rolling stock. DAY 9 THURSDAY JANUARY 20: (B, L) Return to San Jose, via the historic town of Cartago, once the capital and still religious center. Lunch will be at a coffee plantation, then we stop by Irazu Volcano weather permitting (note that it can be quite chilly at 11,000 feet!). DAY 10 FRIDAY JANUARY 21: (B, L) - Free day in San Jose to again enjoy the AM and PM commuter trains, shop the markets, and visit the many points of interest, such as the Gold Museum. In case the 17th was not clear, today may be a better day to visit Paos Volcano or take in one of the nature parks - or, for a thrill, go zip lining! DAY 11 SATURDAY JANUARY 22: (B, L, D) - The TICO TRAIN departs from Pacific Station early for its run to the Pacific. A short bus connection takes us on to Puntaranes, where you may relax for a few hours by the seaside, and even take in a swim if you wish. It is typically hot and humid here, in contrast to half mile high San Jose, where we return after sunset. DAY 12 SUNDAY JANUARY 23: (B) Flights for home Some, returning to freezing environments, will be loath to abandon this warm place!
DAY 13 SUNDAY JANUARY 23: (B, D)Afternoon drive (four hours) to Arenal Lake region, passing the volcano en route to our hotel at Los Heroes. Near the volcano we will take an early supper at a wonderful steak house. If it is clear, we will take a side road at twilight to watch the lava flows before checking into our hotel at Los Heroes. DAY 14 MONDAY JANUARY 24: (B, L) In the morning, we ride a twisting, 600mm train climbing up some 800 feet toward a revolving restaurant which overlooks the volcano. Our hotel manager, who built the railway over period of several years, is from Switzerland, and is married to a Tico wife. This afternoon we will board a boat to cross Lake Arenal, then a van will take us on to our hotel in nearby Monteverde (bring jut an overnight case, leaving our main luggage at Los Heroes). DAY 15 TUESDAY JANUARY 25: (B-L) Another, more modern, 26 inch gauge train eases us down a few miles through the rain forest toward an overlook platform. There is time for a short nature hike before the whistle summons us back to the station for our return ride. Hummingbirds, frogs, reptiles, butterflies and more vie for our attention. This afternoon we retrace our route back to Los Heroes. DAY 16 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 26: (B, L, D) Today you may wish to walk the cloud forest path over several suspension bridges - a two mile up and down route (medium strenuous), allowing a leisurely two hours, plus a rest stop at the volcano overlook snack bar at walk's end. Then we continue back toward San Jose. Farewell dinner in the Central Market area. DAY 17 THURSDAY JANUARY 27: (B) Flights for home. |
PRICES PRICES ARE PER PERSON DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY................$2498 SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT...............$ 548 EXTENSION OPTION DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY................$ 548 SINGLE ROO SUPPLEMENT................$ 298 |
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TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are corrected to November 1, 2010 and are subject to change without notice, at any time. All prices based on double room
occupancy. We reserve the right to change tour prices if necessary.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE: Personal items, meals not listed in the itinerary, laundry, phone calls, excess baggage charges, rental cars, side tours, insurance, passport fees including visas, vaccinations, gratuities, medical costs, tips to train or motor coach staff, extra tour costs due to unanticipated changes in the itinerary for reasons beyond our control, including weather, travel conditions, or cancellations, government intervention, sickness, political disputes, and failure of transportation or other causes beyond our control.
TRAVEL AND HEALTH DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for our international tours. In some cases a visa is also needed. Consult your
health professional for the recommended immunizations and documents. Trains and Travel International , here on referred to as TTI, assumes no other responsibility if a client is refused entry into a country. Cost and cancellation fees will be paid by the client in the event they do not have valid documents.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control
preventing the completion of such. Conditions can include weather, train schedules, equipment, motive power, revision of train consist, train delays, labor strikes, political disputes, derailments, closure of a rail line, break down of railroad or motive power equipment, railroads not honoring contracts and bus equipment problems. We will always endeavor, in each case, to provide substitutes, if any changes take place. TTI is not responsible for canceled trains,
delays, hotel rooms, route changes or missed connections, for any reason whatsoever. We will not give refunds if such conditions or cancellations take place.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance is mandatory and is required, but you can opt out. The Decision to Opt-Out or Decline is Mandatory. Insurance will cover and give tour members many benefits and protection. Benefits include baggage loss, accident, life, trip cancellation, sickness, bankruptcy, strike, weather conditions, employer termination or layoff effecting you or a person sharing the room with you, terrorist incident in your departure city or city of destination, jury duty, you are subpoenaed, hijacked, or quarantined, your residence or traveling companion residence is rendered uninhabitable, emergency military duty, traffic accident, single supplement upgrade when your traveling companion cancels their trip, trip interruption, trip delay, missed connections, itinerary change,emergency medical benefits, medical evacuation, pre-existing medical conditions if enrollment is within 21days of your invoice date, assault of you or your traveling companion before departure, burglary of you or your companion before departure 24 hour hotline emergency assistance, emergency cash transfer and more. We will supply you with a travel insurance brochure with rates and application when we mail you the invoice after your bookings. Travel insurance protects your vacation investments. US law allows us to offer this insurance to all persons worldwide. We will accept a "refusal of travel insurance wavier" if you do not wish to purchase any travel insurance.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Accepting your payment represents an agreement that you understand all the conditions, to
be a member of our tours. TTI gives notice that they are acting agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers, providing the transportation and all related travel services and assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engage in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disasters, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. TTI reserves
the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, onboard accommodations, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. The right is also reserved to cancel any trip or train prior to departure for any reason . TTI is not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour, including non-refundable airline tickets, visa fees, planning, phone calls, or any other expenses. TTI reserves the right to decline to accept, or ask to leave a tour, any person whose actions impede the daily operations of a tour, welfare or enjoyment of other tour members. TTI cannot give any refunds for any unused services. The terms contained herein shall serve as a waiver of liability to TTI. Assumption of risk on behalf of the client, their heirs, executor, administrators, successors, and assigns for any and all known persons injuries
RESERVATIONS: A deposit is due in our office within 14 days after you make your bookings. Full payment is due 90 days before departure. You will
receive an invoice, reservation form and current tour bulletins with your confirmation and travel insurance forms. No notice for final payment will be sent
to you. It is your responsible to make the final payment on-time.
CANCELLATIONS: TTI does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, email or fax before any refunds will be considered. Allow enough time if sending your written notice by US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel
office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to to process some refunds. Cancellation refund rules:
100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $100 per person administration fee. 99 to 61 days before the departure of any tour
there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Cancellations received 60 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive
any refund. GW Travel Ltd has their own cancellation rules and these will apply. If booking on GW Travel Ltd ask for cancellation rules.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on tours operated by TTI. Bulletins include travel info related to the tour. Final documents will be sent out about two to three weeks before a tour begins. We offer tours operated by other companies and they may
or may not send out tour bulletins and updates and most send out final documents only one to two weeks prior to the start of their tours.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card.
We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 per week will apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate if one is available. If not, you may
be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held
responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TTI needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a
full refund. Please take note that in some cases refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and
we will try and work up a custom option for you.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note that TTI does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all folks that enjoy trains and
Rail journeys. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that
you would want to book a tour is to collect the rare mileage, you need to understand that possible route changes do happen.
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