Astronomical Tours by MWT Associates

Information for Your Journey

Preparing for your Journey

Prior to departure, you will receive Tour Notes & Final Documents containing both tour specific and general tour information to help prepare for your travel experience.

Tour Updates include such information as:

Passport and visa instructions
Flight information
Weather, clothing, and packing suggestions
A suggested reading list
General information about the countries you will visit, e.g. the food, customs, medical precautions and currency.
Electronic Updates regarding current affairs and information with cruise or tour

Tour Document includes such information as:

Information about your tour
Air ticket or E-ticket information
Baggage tags and name badges
Final Itinerary
Participant List

Registration

Space is reserved in the order of receipt of reservation request.

To submit a request for a reservation, please order using our secure online process starting at the bottom of each tour page, or call 1-877-707-7827 to speak with a Reservations Coordinator. Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (PT) or E-mail: tours@melitatrips.com .

Submitting an online request does not guarantee space on a tour. You will be notified of your status when your request has been received and processed.

If there is no space available on the tour you request, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list, notified of your status, and no deposit will be taken. Deposits are applied to payment of the program price.

To complete your request, the following is necessary unless otherwise noted on individual tour pages:

Deposit per person, per tour, payable by check to MWT Associates, Inc. or credit card (AX or Discover) is required to reserve a space on a tour program.

Please note: Balance due by the date upon the invoice or your place on the tour cannot be guaranteed.

Liability and Passenger Information Forms are required at final payment.

Late registration:

Due to the nature of tour operators and supplier payment schedules, any registration received within 90 days of a departure is considered a "late registration" and must be subject to special confirmation by a Reservation Coordinator.

Payment of the deposit must be made immediately by credit card, or by check and sent by overnight mail to:

MWT Associates, Inc.

1243 Park Avenue

San Jose, CA 95126

Payment of the balance must also be made immediately to the tour operator. A reminder of final payment is sent to you one month prior to the due date.

For additional information, please call a Reservations Coordinator at 1-877-707-7827 weekdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. P.S.T. or e-mail tours@melitatrips.com

Air Service

Most international tours include roundtrip air transportation by regularly scheduled jet service. Space is reserved in advance for the group, based on the stated itinerary.

Please note that the "Package tour cost with roundtrip air" required that all international air arrangements be made through the tour operator on the airline selected for that tour. International airfares are based upon Advanced Purchase Excursion fares and are subject to change by the airlines without notice. Should you wish to travel from another city serviced by the group airline, we would be glad to arrange this for you. You can take advantage of the "Package tour cost" and need only pay any additional airfare.

You may wish to purchase only the "Tour cost without roundtrip air" as specified for each tour, in order to 1) take advantage of frequent flyer mileage, 2) use an air carrier other than that used for the group flights, 3) purchase air travel through an agent other than the tour operator, or 4) take advantage of special promotional fares that are unavailable for group bookings. In these cases, you will be invoiced the "Tour cost without roundtrip air."

Accommodations

MWT Associates chooses hotels based on a combination of their location, service, atmosphere and price. On adventure tours and programs in out-of-the-way places, best-available hotels are used. In most cases, hotels have elevators. Program prices are based on two persons sharing a room with a bath.

For those wishing single rooms, a limited number are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, at extra cost. On rare occasions the actual availability of single rooms may change.

Waiting List

If the program(s) of your choice are fully subscribed when we receive your application, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list and you will be notified of your status by mail. If you choose to withdraw from the waiting list, please notify us by mail and your deposit will be returned as quickly as possible.

Please note that we are unable to keep you apprised of your status on the waiting list. We will call you only if a space becomes available, but you are welcome to call us at your convenience to inquire about your status—1-877-707-7827.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is offered with every tour. It is optional but highly recommended. If the Premium is paid within (15) days of the initial confirmation, pre-existing medical condition exclusion is waived for the traveler, companion and immediate family members. It also covers terrorist acts which occur in your departure city or in a city which is a scheduled destination for your trip and supplier default.

Additional Information

Children

MWT Associates are designed for those interested in the cultural, educational, and scientific aspects of the program and are suitable for older children with the necessary curiosity and interest. Children, regardless of age, must pay the full price, and those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Special Arrangements

Participants may join the group en route and/or stay on after the end of the program. In such cases, however , no refund can be made for unused portions of the tour.

Medical Considerations

Some tours require medical certification from your doctor. This requirement is noted on the individual itineraries. On these tours, a medical form will be sent to you. If you have any questions about whether your health and physical abilities are suitable to a tour 's activities, please call MWT Associates at 1-877-707-7827.

Responsibilities of Tour Members

Trip members have certain responsibilities to MWT Associates, Inc. and other members of the tour. Trip members are responsible for understanding the conditions implied in the tour and their ability and appropriate behavior for the tour. It is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trip if he or she feels the trip member is physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable or if the trip member’s continued participation will jeopardize the individual involved or the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances.

Itinerary or Program Modifications

If improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary, we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. Every effort will be made to carry out the programs as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itineraries are sent.

Photography

Participants on MWT Associates participants may be photographed for the web page Gallery and promotional purposes of future tours.