The Ultimate Gem and Mineral Tour of Burma (Myanmar)

November 5th to November 19th, 2014

A journey through Burma, featuring Mogok – The Valley of Rubies Guided by geologist Kyaw Thu, and Museum staff

• 5 nights in Mogok, 3 nights each in Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan • Visit sapphire, ruby, spinel and peridot mines in Mogok • Visit the famous gem markets in Mogok • In Yangon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, as well as museums and markets • In Mandalay, visit the famous Jade market and Royal Palace, plus additional activities • In Bagan, stay at a beautiful resort on the Irrawaddy River and enjoy free time to sightsee

amongst the 2,000 ancient temples and pagodas • Most meals included

Top: Women’s Gem Market in Mogok.

Bottom, from left to right: A sapphire mine in Mogok; temple on a boulder near Mogok; temple in Mandalay. All Photos by Jamie Newman/AMNH from November 2013

Proposed Burma Tour Itinerary (Subject to change)

Day 1 (Wed., Nov. 5): Arrive in Yangon

Day 2 (Thurs., Nov. 6): Visits to Shwedagon Pagoda, MGE’s Gem Museum, Bogyoke Aung San Market (Gems, jewelry, minerals & souvenirs); overnight in Yangon

Day 3 (Fri., Nov. 7): Fly to Bagan, sightseeing in Bagan; overnight in Bagan

Day 4 (Sat., Nov. 8): Sightseeing in Bagan; overnight in Bagan

Day 5 (Sun., Nov. 9): Trip to Popa; overnight in Bagan

Day 6 (Mon., Nov. 10): Fly to Mandalay and drive to Mogok; overnight in Mogok

Day 7 (Tues., Nov. 11): Lady’s Gem Market, visits to viewpoint of Mogok Valley, Shunt-pan (secondary ruby and spinel mine), Lin-yaung-chi (primary and secondary ruby mine)

Day 8 (Wed., Nov. 12): Visits to Kadoke-tat, Baw-pa-dan (primary ruby mines), Baw -mar (primary and secondary sapphire mine)

Day 9 (Thurs., Nov. 13): Visits to Inn-gaung (secondary ruby and sapphire mine), Baw-lone-gyi (primary ruby mine), Kyauk-pyat-that Pagoda, Panma gem market

Day 10 (Fri., Nov. 14): Visits to Bernard-Pyaung-gaung area (Peridot mine), British Soldiers’ Cemetery, Bernard traditional market (Market time is 6:00 am to 8:30 am), Gem market

Day 11 (Sat., Nov. 15): Drive to Mandalay-Pyin Oo Lwin; overnight in Mandalay

Day 12 (Sun., Nov. 16): Visits to jade market (rough, faceted, bangle, carving, cutting of jade, polishing of jade), sightseeing in Mandalay; overnight in Mandalay

Day 13 (Mon., Nov. 17): Visits to Royal Palace of Mandalay, Gold plating factory, Mandalay Hill, Rock books Pagoda; overnight in Mandalay

Day 14 (Tues., Nov. 18): Fly from Mandalay to Yangon

Day 15 (Wed., Nov. 19): Depart from Myanmar

Tour Cost: $6,000 per person

Including most meals, accommodations, & transportation during the tour (excluding airfare and other expenses before and after

the tour)

For more information contact the Gem and Mineral Council: 213-763-3326, gmc@nhm.org

• $1,000 per person deposit required to reserve a spot on the tour. • Full payment due by August 1st, 2014. • Registration limited to $1,000 and above Gem & Mineral Council members. • Non-Council members wishing to register for the tour may submit

membership dues ($1,000 per couple) with their reservation request. If space is not available, their deposit and Council dues will be refunded.

Act NOW, space is very limited.

Gem & Mineral Council Natural History Museum

900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007

gmc@nhm.org 213-763-3326

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

The Ultimate Gem and Mineral Tour of Burma

Travel Information Sheet

Dates: November 5th to 19th, 2014

COST: $6,000 per person (excluding airfare) Price based on double occupancy. Single supplement: TBD.

Payments: A $1,000 deposit is required to secure your reservation. Full payment is due by August 1, 2014. Make your check payable to the NHMLAC Foundation and send it with a reservation form to The Gem & Mineral Council, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Note: Payments by credit card are subject to a 3% surcharge.

Transportation: You will need to arrange and pay for your own air transportation. In order to connect with the tour, you will need to arrive in Yangon, Myanmar on or before November 5th.

It is crucial that you consult with us prior to finalizing flight reservations to assure that you will be able to connect with the tour group.

For further information contact the museum’s Gem & Mineral Council Coordinator, Kathy Kampf at gmc@nhm.org or 213-763-3326.

THE TOUR COST INCLUDES:

In-country Transportation: In-country transport includes three airline flights: Yangon to Bagan, Bagan to Mandalay and Mandalay to Yangon. Vans or SUVs will be used between Manadalay and Mogok.

Hotels: Accommodations are based on two persons sharing a double room with private bath and/or shower.

Single Accommodations: Although we will endeavor to arrange for congenial travel companions, this cannot be guaranteed and a single supplement will be charged when required or requested.

Meals: Most meals are included in the cost of the tour, but usually not drinks other than water. Lunches and dinners in Bagan may not be included. Missed meals are not reimbursed.

Taxes and Fees: All local government taxes on hotels, meals and services listed in the itinerary are included. All entrance fees to places visited in the itinerary are included unless the activity is specified as optional.

Arrangements: The tour price includes planning, handling, and operating charges. The final cost of the trip may vary somewhat depending on the final number of participants and variations in airfares, foreign currencies or tariff rates. The cost is subject to revision.

Donation: The tour cost includes a $1,000 tax-deductible donation to The Gem & Mineral Council, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. A letter of acknowledgement will be provided at the conclusion of the tour.

THE TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Round-trip travel costs between the U.S. (or other countries) and the starting and ending points of the tour are not included. Also specifically excluded are passport fees, cost of personal travel insurance, transportation of excess baggage, all items of a personal nature such as laundry, beverages, telephone calls, gratuities for extra services, optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour, individual transfers to join or leave the group once the tour has commenced, special order items at meals and any item not specifically mentioned as included.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

Travel documents: You are responsible for obtaining your own passport. Passports must be valid 60 days past return date. Citizens of the U.S. must also have a visa for Myanmar.

Rates: All rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and are based on tariffs and rate of exchange in effect as of March, 2014. These rates are subject to change prior to the operation of the tour.

Unused: There can be no refund for services or portions of the tour not taken. It is also understood and agreed that refunds cannot be made to tour members who do not complete the tour for any reason.

Baggage: Be aware that, for economy class travel between the U.S. and Asia, fees for checked bags and weight limits vary from airline to airline and change frequently. Also note that planes within Myamar and the vans will have limited luggage capacity, so we request that you limit yourself to one reasonable-sized piece of luggage and one handbag.

Clothing, etc.: Bring casual wear. Bring clothing suitable for visiting mines. Temperatures should be quite warm, expect days in the 80s to 90s. Bring sturdy, comfortable footwear with good traction that you don't mind getting dirty. It's good to have a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.

Equipment: Don't forget your camera, memory cards and extra batteries. A pocket calculator comes in handy for currency conversion and dickering with the dealers. A hand lens and small flashlight (penlight) are useful for examining mineral specimens. Collecting gear is not necessary, but a few small hand tools might be useful. If you decide to bring a pick, pocket knife or any other sharp implement, pack them in your checked luggage; otherwise they will be confiscated by airport security.

Currency: Cash is the only currency accepted. You must bring your cash with you, do not expect to be able to use credit cards or ATMs. You should bring crisp, new U.S. bills. Note that if you are carrying monetary increments in excess of US$10,000, you are required to file a report with U.S. Customs.

Medication: Don't forget to bring any needed prescription medication. Medical facilities are limited! In Mandalay and Yangon there are pharmacies and modern hospitals, but you may not find exactly what you are used to. Pack prescription drugs in your carry-on luggage. There are almost no medical facilities in Mogok! If you are sick or injured in Mogok you must make the 5-6 hour drive back to Mandalay to receive help!

Electrical appliances: There are a number of different types of electric outlets in Myanmar. We recommend checking each hotel’s websites for information.

Gratuities: Recommended gratuities for drivers: $5-$10 per day per person and for local guides: $10-$20 per day per person. Tipping is sometimes acceptable in other situations; our local guide can provide advice on tipping servers, etc.

U.S. Customs: There is U.S. import ban on rubies and jade from Myanmar; however, other gems and minerals may be brought into the U.S. For more information on customs tariffs see here: http://usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1000C71.pdf

NOTICE: Although we will make every effort to adhere to the printed itinerary, on occasion it may be necessary to adjust arrangements because of circumstances beyond our control. Private functions are subject to the availability of the respective sponsors at the time of travel and, occasionally, similar activities may have to be substituted. Should any activities not be available, substitution will be made to the best of our ability and no refund will be made. Any additional costs necessitated by such changes are the responsibility of the tour member. The Gem & Mineral Council and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure, to decline to accept or retain any person's membership in its entirety or for any part of the tour by refunding all payments before departure of the tour, or a proportionate balance of the unused portion of the tour, should such person's health, mental or physical condition, or general deportment impede the normal operation of the tour or impose on the rights and comfort of the other tour members

RESPONSIBILITY: The Gem & Mineral Council and the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation (“Museum”) and their assignees and cooperative agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation, hotels and tour contractors. They exercise every care possible, but cannot be held responsible for personal injury in connection with the service of any hotel, camping facilities, airplane, train, automobile, carriage or other conveyance which is used in carrying out these tours, nor are they responsible for delay, accident, sickness, loss of personal property, strikes, armed conflict, additional expenses due to weather, disruption of advertised schedules, refusal of visas, or any other causes beyond their control. Further, the operation of the vehicles used in their tours is the full responsibility of the companies and individuals engaged in the conveying of passengers; said companies or individuals are governed by laws of the country of operations and recourse for any mishap must be filed locally. Unforeseen conditions may necessitate tour changes and the right is reserved to make such changes or withdraw the tour as deemed advisable. The right is also reserved to refuse to accept or retain any passenger on any tour at any time for any reason. Neither cooperating airlines companies nor the Museum or its assignees are to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are on board; the limit of the liability is that of a common carrier and the passage contract in use by such carriers, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between companies and the purchaser of this tour and/or passenger. Acceptance of the services of The Gem & Mineral Council and the Museum by all agents and/or travelers constitutes acceptance by them of all the above noted terms and conditions and release of liability of the Gem and Mineral Council and Museum from claims concerning these matters or otherwise related to the travel, including for loss or damage to property, personal injury or loss of life.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND:

Individual cancellations must be made in writing, but please notify us as soon as possible by telephone.

• Cancellation prior to August 1, 2014: full refund. • Cancellation after August 1, 2014: full refund of any recoverable costs. Cancellations

during this period could involve a loss of as much as 100% of tour costs, dependent on any recoverable sums from independent providers.

• Cancellation on or after September 5, 2014: no refund. Visa applications require 30 days advance.

• If trip is cancelled by the Gem and Mineral Council, 100% refund of deposit. • Economy airfare is often non-refundable. You can generally only recover the cost of

airfare if you have trip cancellation insurance and can show good cause for canceling your trip. (See below under TRAVEL AND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE.) Refunds of airfare must be recovered from the air carrier, not from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

• Should a cancellation by a share person result in the need to accommodate a roommate in single accommodations, the cost of the single supplement will also be deducted from refunds due, if any, to the person canceling.

Please note: Schedules, airfares, taxes and tour fares are based on rates at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.

TRAVEL AND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE:

The Gem & Mineral Council and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County cannot be responsible or liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal baggage and belongings, nor can they be liable for personal injury, accident, or illness. Travel insurance (not available through the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County) provides protection from these eventualities and trip cancellation insurance will cover the non-refundable costs mentioned above under CANCELLATION AND REFUND, if you are forced to cancel your trip for a qualifying reason.