Total Solar Eclipse Expedition March 2006 Eight Night Mediterranean Cruise

Programme includes Heraklion, Benghazi, Apollonia, Cyrene, the Sahara Desert, Tripoli, Leptis Magna, Santorini and Athens

Eclipse observation from south of Jalu Oasis in the Sahara Desert Price from £995 NASA 2006 Eclipse Bulletin (F. Espenak & J. Anderson) TOTALTOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2006

In June 2001 the continent of Africa was the best location from which to observe a total solar eclipse. With a duration of over four minutes and after a gap of almost five years, Africa will again be the best place from which to observe the next such event in March 2006. None of the total solar eclipses over the next decade offer the same prospects of a duration of over four minutes from a land based observation site and very favourable weather conditions.

prospects are best at the mid-point of the dissipate leaving a clear blue sky. The ideal Eclipse weather prospects track, near the Libya/Niger border and they location from the weather standpoint will Successful observation of an eclipse requires are progressively less good as you move therefore be as deep into the Sahara as a clear sky! Almost all other considerations away from that point. The least good possible. The limitation therefore becomes must take second place to this requirement. prospects will be the northern part of the one of logistics and our chosen observation Whilst we now have a mass of weather data track from the Mediterranean and over site south of the Jalu Oasis offers the best available for every part of the world, pred- Turkey and Asia Minor. The weather in this option, with good road connections together icting the exact weather at a specific spot part of the Mediterranean is also likely to with enough desert around us to dry out during a four minute period over a year in be doubtful at this time of year, with any clouds. Guarantees of weather are advance remains far beyond our capabilities. depressions generating weather fronts not available, but we think this comes It may be suggested that even predicting over Morocco which then track eastwards. quite close! tomorrow’s weather is still an inexact art, Although data for the Sahara Desert is however we can get a good view of the limited, the statistics strongly indicate that likely prospects by looking at the weather as you move southwards from the coast Eclipse programme...... 3 statistics for a particular location at a into Libya, the weather prospects improve specific time of year during previous years. Boat information...... 4 dramatically. Actual observation of the Destination information..... 6 The track of the moon’s shadow for this weather pattern in this region confirms this event first touches down in South America, analysis. Low level cumulus clouds roll in Observing the eclipse...... 10 crosses the Atlantic reaching land in West from the Gulf of Sirte giving overcast, rainy General information...... 12 Africa, then leaves the continent at the conditions along the coast of Libya in the Booking Conditions...... 13 Libya/Egypt border and continues across Benghazi/Darnah region. As the southern Booking Form...... 15 the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey and Asia edge of these weather fronts meets the dry Minor. In rather simplistic terms the weather warm air of the Sahara, the clouds rapidly

2 Total solar eclipse expedition • march 2006 • price from £995 “For those who have never experienced a total solar eclipse the memory of your first minutes within the moon shadow will last a lifetime... and you will return as an eclipse chaser!” Eclipse cruise PRICES FROM £995 for 9 days

We have selected the option of a cruise ship for the main programme The labyrinthine souk (local market) is just a few minutes on this project in order to provide a comfortable standard of walk from the port and worth a accommodation and safe food. It enables us to observe the event visit. The ship sails from Tripoli early this evening. from a land base with very good weather prospects and also to visit se programme 1 April Return cruise across the the extraordinary ancient sites of the country. Mediterranean.

2 April Arrive at the Greek island of eclip 26 March Join our charter flights from 27 March Cruising the Mediterranean. Santorini (Thira) early this either London or Manchester for A briefing on the eclipse will be afternoon. The ship cruises the flight to Heraklion on the presented during the voyage, also directly through the spectacular Greek island of Crete. A short a short lecture on the historic caldera, a remnant of one of the sightseeing trip will be included sites to be visited. world’s great volcanic explosions. on arrival before joining the MV An optional shore excursion will 28 March Early morning arrival in Benghazi. Sapphire. Sail from Crete late be available before we set sail for An optional trip to the sites of evening. our final night on the ship. Apollonia and Cyrene will be available today, return to the 3 April Arrive in the port of Piraeus this ship mid-afternoon. morning, a short orientation tour of Athens will be included before 29 March Depart from the port very early joining your return charter flight (app. 4am) for the five hour road to London or Manchester. journey into the Sahara. Stops along the way will include Prices from £995 – for full details of prices Ajdabiya and Awjilah. There will be and cabin upgrades see the next basic toilet facilities on the site page ‘Boat information’. and lunch boxes will be provided Extended Programmes and Variations by the ship. After the eclipse we If you wish to extend your visit to will return direct to the ship and Greece, this can be arranged prior sail for Tripoli late evening. to joining the MV Sapphire at 30 March At sea – a good chance to relax additional cost. Please contact us and compare observation results. with your requirements. 31 March Arrive in Tripoli early morning. One of the highlights of the trip will be a visit to the extraordinary city of Leptis Magna, available as an optional tour today.

Land-based alternative For the more adventurous there is an entirely land based alternative. This includes a two night camp in the desert, with a wonderful opportunity to observe the sky from a desert location close to the Chad border. The observation site - Jula Oasis, in the Sahara On this option, you will be able more easily to meet the people and learn about their way of life. The eclipse is bound to attract large numbers of visitors to the country and this will stress all the tourist facilities and cause some disruption. You must be willing to take things as they come and accept any disorganisation and discomforts this will cause.

Further details of this option will be available mid-2005.

Part of the ruins at Cyrene, near Benghazi

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 3 4 boat INFORMATION Total expedition •march 2006 • pricefrom £995 solar eclipse MV Sapphire the open deck areaisalsoavailablethe opendeck andagym for theenergetic. Aswimmingpoolisfeatured on adiscoandcinema. two lounge areas, bars, and sixdec Her140metre length she hasbeencontinuously maintainedandupgraded. Following afullrefit in1995, degree ofspaceandcomfortfor herpassengers. theSapphire offers asurprising Although asmallvessel by today’s standards, Prices from £995 eso etssoe C£1,095 WC shower £1,895 £1,195 WC WC £1,295 WC L 2bedsor3berths shower K shower £1,645 3/4berths J 2bedsormatrimonial, WC £1,695 shower I WC 3/4berths 2 bedsormatrimonial, H G shower 3/4berths shower 2bedsormatrimonial, F 3/4berths 2bedsormatrimonial, E £1,995 D 2beds WC C bathorshower B 2bedsormatrimonial and1sofa A 2 ber 2 bedsormatr 2 bedsor3/4ber 2 bedsormatr 2 beds ths ks pr mna,34brh hwrW £1,145 WC shower 3/4berths imonial, imonial, ths o vide afullr 3/4 ber Outside Cabins Inside Cabins h hwrW £1,745 WC shower ths hwrW £995 WC shower sho £1,945 WC shower w ang er e off C£1,695 WC clte,icuigtorsarns three includingtwo restaurants, acilities, your preference. (3 or4per Categ cabin share willbeallocatedeither R • • 3rd and4thPersonReductions: • • • Single S site • • • • at asupplementof£25) • Price isperperson andincludes– available asfollows: pr to thepr The supplementispayable inaddition equest Shar aeoyJCbn £995 Category JCabin £1,295 Category ECabin £645 Category LCabin £745 Category KCabin £1,195 Category FCabin ices f coach transport totheobservationcoach charges tipsandport all taxes, all mealsonboar accommodation onMVSapphire flights from London(orManchester ory EorCateg or 34person cabinshare are upplements: ice sho son shar es: wn. P asseng e). ory Jcabinasabove d theMVSapphir Please specify er s r equesting a • Reduced all transfers e H A G B F Lido Deck

Riviera Deck

Promenade Deck

Pacific Deck

Belvedere Deck

Capri Deck

Cinema Deck

For the technically minded, the ship has a gross tonnage of 12,263 tonnes and a beam of 21.50 metres. She accommodates around 600 passengers and has a crew of 250 experienced staff. Cabin electric current is provided at both 230 and 110 volts.

In accordance with the Maritime Law (SOLAS) following embarkation a safety briefing/drill is carried out which is attended by all passengers. During this exercise, the passengers are provided with all the necessary information. In all Cabins the position of the life jacket is well marked with fluorescent signs. Behind the door in each cabin, there are both written and pictorial instructions of the escape routes/assembly stations and instructions on how to use the life jacket.

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 5 6 DESTINATION INFORMAtiON Total expedition •march 2006 • pricefrom £995 solar eclipse of vast emptydeserts larly alongtheMediterranean coast. particu- a scatterofoldvillages andnomadiccommunities canbe found throughout thecountry, and, cut off for aperiod stillshows andthe r thishasbecomea the Libyan regime, intheguidingmindof Since the “change” w walk theoldstreets withareal feeling of itispossibleto Leptis Magnafor instance, millennia ag r most ofthehistoric sites destination, T Libya is A vast countrywithasmallpopulationofaround four andahalfmillion, Libya lxdadsf onr.The effect ofbeing elaxed andsafe country. emain muchasthey were leftalmosttwo hat itwas like tolive here inRoman times. as ithasne effectively closedfor thepastdecade his isacountrythathasbeen .Inthemagnificentcityof o. v er beenapr CYRENE LEPTIS MAGNA BENGHAZI CYRENE LEPTISMAGNA TRIPOLI ime tourist oto h ouainlv ntemi iiso rpl n egai but Mostofthepopulationlive inthemaincitiesof Tripoli andBenghazi, . ar thechances lisingly only excavated: partly Mediterr tte,udrtesn.The feeling of underthesand. statues, come uponpr etn,atthebeginning ofthebeautiful setting, Notonly doesithave afantastic Cyrene. to fi butitproves difficult all over North Africa, Old Roman citiesare fairly well represented Jabalu l-Akhdar,Jabalu Cyrene e mor do hotels are either closed orseriously run The few tourist facilities are very limited. nd abettersiteofGr wn andther e thantheor na e,butthe site istanta- anean Sea, 28 March cls tm,like mosaicsand iceless items, e ar looking towards the etical thaty e v ery few restaurants. eek ruins than ou could Temple of Apollo, agr mer butmuchofithas 1.7 square kilometres, T never lost. sotheGreekwas touch continued tocome, peoples. tions ofintermarriage unitedthetwo Gr followed saw close relations between the The years that as Santorini inGreece. colonists camefrom theislandtoday known andonebelieves thatthe was acolony, ButCyrene actually true we cannotknow. the placepr of C y set out, Onceagain Battus not yet arrived inLibya. only tobetoldthathehad to theoracle, Battusreturned Dissatisfied withthisisland, expedition landed onasmallisland. butheandhis Battusdidso, settle inLibya. that heshouldbr The oracle toldhim Delphi toseekadvice. Battuswent totheoracle of place isagem. and theleg Muc persists throughout your visittoCyrene. with dustbinsandm when walking around ancientsitescomplete soeasily lost actually discovering something, ears laterthecolonistsmoved tothesite he entir eeks andtheLib icultural fieldswhichsurround it. g yr h ofthehistoryCyrene hassurvived, ed withthevillag ene, Rome dominatedthisregion. the timeswhen Greece and to settlements datingback ar surprise therefore thatthere Greece andItaly anditisno Lib and hefi Ho e extensive remains of e siteatCyrene covers about ya liesdirectly opposite and inthecentur end abouttheformation ofthe w osper e v mostly aplace er nall n epewt i,and ing peoplewithhim, ed. , one ofthemainpoints ne y ans, y arr ultilingual guides, Ho w groups ofGreeks e ofShahat, w muchofthisis and someg iv di iy.Six ed inLibya. ies thatf T he and the enera- ollo w ed of interest, stands out. It was built as early as retains a great deal of history. Much of the 7th century BC, but rebuilt 3 centuries Apollonia has disappeared, mainly due to later. About 50 metres from the temple, the landslides. Apollonia served as the port of Fountain of Apollo can be found whose Cyrene. Apollonia is a Greek settlement that water was considered to contain curative is very much formed according to the properties. Inside it one can still see the seats topography of the land, with a beach cut by where people sat while being treated. Near the rugged rocks, and hills which all contribute to temple and the fountain, inside what was the Apollonia’s idyllic setting.

31 March Leptis Magna Magna is a World Heritage site on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa in the Tripolitania region of Libya. It was a prominent city of the republic of Carthage, and later, of the Roman Empire. Its ruins are located 62 miles southeast of Carthage, near Tripoli in the modern country of Libya. Originally founded by the Phoenicians in the 10th Century BC, it sanctuary of Apollo, are the Great Baths. survived the attention of Spartan colonists, Parts of these are in exceptionally good became a Punic city and eventually part of the condition and inside the Grand Hall, the new Roman province of Africa around 23 BC. pipes carrying water from the Fountain of The city remained independent until the reign Apollo, are still very much in evidence. The of the Roman emperor Tiberius, when Leptis theatre is at the extreme north-west. The Magna and the surrounding area was formally theatre is Roman, though it is believed that incorporated into the empire as part of the the foundations are Greek and it retains a province of Africa. Leptis achieved its greatest Greek style. The setting is stunning, with hills prominence beginning in 193, when a native falling away behind the theatre offering a son, the “Grim African”, Lucius Septimus dramatic view over the landscape that Severus, became emperor. He favoured his stretches to the sea. In the centre of Cyrene, on the Agora (the town square), is the Tomb of Batt, giving some substance to the stories of the origin of Cyrene. There is slightly less to see here, though the Forum of Proculus is in good condition. Around Cyrene, the Necropolis covers an unbelievable area, an estimated 10 square kilometres. There are still hundreds of tombs cut into the hills, and many take the shape of mausoleums or temples. The old Greek port of Apollonia is the site of both the ruins and the village of Susa. Whilst the modernisation of Libya has reduced the number of traditional settlements, Susa still

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 7 Leptis Magna is a World Heritage site and the site of some of the most impressive ruins of the Roman period. Its ruins are located 62 miles southeast of Carthage, near Tripoli.

hometown above all other provincial cities, from rebelling against Vandal rule. But the Green Square, next to the castle. These and the buildings and wealth he lavished on it people of Leptis and the Vandals both paid a excellent facilities were built in consultation made Leptis Magna the third most-important heavy price for this in 523, when a group of with UNESCO at enormous cost, and the city in Africa, rivalling Carthage and Alexandria. Berber raiders sacked the city. exhibits within are laid out chronologically, In 205, he visited the city with the imperial starting with prehistory and concluding with Belisarius recaptured Leptis Magna in the family and received great honors. the revolution. The most impressive parts are name of Rome 10 years later, and in 534 he the mosaics, statues and artefacts from During the Crisis of the Third Century, when destroyed the kingdom of the Vandals. Leptis classical antiquity, which make up one of the trade declined precipitously, Leptis Magna’s became a provincial capital of the Eastern finest collections in the Mediterranean. importance also fell into a decline, and by the Roman Empire, but never recovered from the middle of the fourth century, large parts of the destruction wreacked upon it by the Berbers. The medina is the heart of Tripoli, providing city had been abandoned. It enjoyed a minor By the time the Saracens overran Tripolitania the most visually exciting and certainly the renaissance beginning in the reign of the in the 650s, the city was abandoned, except best shopping in the city, if not the whole emperor Theodosius I. In 439, Leptis Magna for a Byzantine garrison force. country. As only a handful of tourists visit and other cities of Tripolitania fell under the Libya, the souq has an authentic air and the control of the Vandals when their king, 31 March goods on display cater to local taste. Even Gaiseric, captured Carthage from the Romans better news is that you’ll find absolutely none KnownTripoli as Tarabulus in Arabic and Oea in and made it his capital. Unfortunately for the of the hassle usually associated with a trip to antiquity, Tripoli is the de facto capital of future of Leptis Magna, Gaiseric ordered the a souq. When you’ve had your fill of the Libya, although there have been attempts in city’s walls demolished to dissuade its people market scene, the old walled city also contains recent years to move some government virtually all of Tripoli’s historic mosques, khans departments to other parts of the country. (inns), hammams (Turkish baths) and houses. Once known as the ‘White Bride of the Medit- erranean’ Tripoli has lost much of its pristine allure, though its many historic mosques and 28 March lively medina retain a good deal of character. BenghaziSituated on the eastern edge of the Gulf of The Turkish and Italian colonial periods have Sirt, Benghazi ranks as the second largest city also left a distinctive mark on the city’s archi- in Libya and a major commercial centre. The tecture, and best of all, Gaddafi’s revolution city today displays little of its ancient heritage, has ensured the absence of billboards and other hallmarks of a modern commercial city. Easily the most dominant feature of Tripoli is the Red Castle, Assai al-Hamra, which sits on the northern promontory overlooking what used to be the sea - a motorway and 500m of reclaimed land now separate the two. The massive structure comprises a labyrinth of courtyards, alleyways and houses built up over as it was pretty much pummelled to pieces the centuries with a total area of around during WWII and rebuilt only after oil money 13,000 square metres. Once inside, look for began pouring in following the revolution. evidence of all the city’s (and thus the What it lacks in historical charms, however, it citadel’s) former rulers: the Turks, Karamanlis, makes up for in location. Benghazi makes a Spaniards, Knights of Malta, Italians and great base for exploring the lush Jebel Akhdar several others, who all left a piece of their area and the numerous Roman ruins along the culture in its arts and architecture. The coast, and there are good bathing beaches entrance to the Jamahiriya Museum is on within short driving distance.

8 Total solar eclipse expedition • march 2006 • price from £995 tiON Santorini is one of the

RMA most spectacular and unique islands in Greece. Located in the South

ON INFO Aegean Sea, it is part of

TI the Cyclades Islands. ESTINA D Greece

26 March 2 April Heraklion is the capital of Crete and is the SantoriniThe official name Island of the island is Thira but it is widely known largest city on the island with a population by it’s name of Santorini which was given in honour of the of 120,000. In ancient times Heraklion island’s patron saint, St.Irene of Thessaloniki, who died here served as a port of Knossos and then in the while in exile in 304 A.D. The centre of the island sank into 9th century AD it appeared as a town which the sea during the volcanic explosion of 3,500 years ago, was founded by the occupiers of Crete, the what remains today is a large crescent shaped island Saracens. Later on during four centuries of enclosing a vast bay, and as you sail into the caldera rim and gaze up at the steep cliffs you Venetian occupation many buildings were are faced with a beauty beyond description. Santorini has 13 villages with Fira being the erected and still stand today showing fine island’s capital. It lies 27.5m above the sea and is reached from the port of Skala by climbing examples of Venetian architecture of that the steep 566 broad steps either on foot or by donkey. For those wanting a quicker ascent you can take advantage of the cable car which takes only 2 minutes. Santorini has an important wine trade and the rich volcanic soil also produces popular small sweet tomatoes.

city. The entrance to the Acropolis is the 3 April Piraeus Propylea which extends 150 feet. The high- In terms of population Piraeus is Greece’s est part of the Acropolis is known as The third largest city and also boasts the biggest Parthenon and was built between 447 and port of great commercial importance in the 437 BC and it was here that modern demo- Mediterranean. The capital Athens is built cracy began its early foothold. Athens city is time, such as The Basilica di San Marco around the famous Acropolis and the pinn- packed with history and culture as well as and the Morozini fountain with its four acled crag of Mt. Lycabettus which the many lively taverns and bustling shops. lions standing proudly in the centre of town. goddess Athena was said to have dropped Within the suburbs of Heraklion lies from heaven to defend the city. The Knossos the site of the most important Acropolis dominates the landscape and is and better known palace of Minoan civilisa- full of historic importance and architectural tion. According to tradition it was the seat splendour, it stands on The Acropolis hill of the legendary King Minos. The palace is which is known as the “Sacred Rock” and is linked with the myths of The Labyrinth with one of the most important sights of the the Minotaur and the stories of Daidalos and Icaros. The palace was continuously inhabited from the Neolithic period (7000 - 3000 B.C.) until Roman times.

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 9 10 observing the eclipse Total expedition •march 2006 • pricefrom £995 solar eclipse seconds andisv f The the narrow bandoftheearth’s surface beneaththeshadow. piece ofnatural theatre dr The greatest ten minutes before totality. seems toaccelerate inthelast particularly f The happening tothequalityoflight. becomes noticeablethatsomethingis eclipse canbequiteadv It sometimessurprises peoplethatthe The PartialPhases apparent size ofthemoonandsunresults in The extraordinary coincidenceofthealmostequal natural world. A totalsolareclipseisoneofthemostbeautifulevents ofthe theeclipse Observing all inlightle ollowing notesoffer somedetailsto watch for… op inlightintensityisthelastf vel isvery gradual atfirst but ery dramatic. anced before it our for thoselucky enoughtobewithin eclipse expeditions Pr e vious total oad o.Exceptinspecialcircumstances towards you. lik may seetheshadow oftotalityadvancing Just before theeclipsebecomestotalyou noticeable asthecrescent sunnarrows. This becomesmore sun ontheground. many overlapping images ofthecrescent lea thelittlegaps between the trees around, colour c note how thecolourofsky seemsto As theeclipsepr hange andtheintensityofbrightly e aw v es actaspin-holecamer ed objectsseemtosoften. all acr only betravelling at1,500mph. on theequatorshado observing theeclipsenearnoon e or whereas ifyou are per hour, speed ofperhaps12,000miles shadow may betravelling ata morning orlateevening the the shado li t.Alsothespeedof a plainetc. are onamountainoverlooking and y the clarity oftheatmosphere of theshadow willdepend on rmws oes.The visibility from west toeast. the shadow oftotalitymoves oss thelandscaperapidly a spectacular ogresses itisinteresting to our location, w v ar e.Intheearly ies. as tothr w hether you If there are o w ma w y inter Itisalso when thesunisvery active. being lar perhaps location round theeclipsedsun, chromosphere whichmay beseenatany ences are flamelike appendages tothe eclipse ar Among themostdramatic features ofan them. occur becomelarger asthemoonuncovers vicinity ofwhere third contactisaboutto tobecoveredstart upwhereas others inthe in thear acr w Itconsistsofpearly- during atotaleclipse. the sunthatisonl theouteratmosphere of is thesolarcorona, The mostnoticeablefeature during totality the photosphere. corona withoccasionalflamered surrounded by thepearly-white ofthe disc ofthemooniscompletel has star When thelastonedisappears totality out. ofbeadswhichgraduallyinto achain wink therazor thinsolarcrescent breaks up sun, Asthemooncompletely covers the eclipses. Baily’s Beadsare afamiliar feature oftotal Second Contact disappear point where thelastBaily’s Beadhas J Totality It isquitebr atmosphere called thechromosphere. Moon. a bright red streak alongthelimbof ust astheeclipsebecomestotal, hite str s h u uigttlt,prominences oss thesunduring totality, esting tonotethatasthemoonmo This isanupperlayer inthesolar ted. eclipses are addictive! totalsolar But bewarned, phenomena presented toyou. several toenjoy themany really have toobserve other f duetoweather and eclipse, T features associatedwith There are somany special ea w g eamer e thecolour ed f otal SolarEclipses andeach er andmore spectacularattimes ight thoughnotasbr her or asecondtw s r e secondcontacttookplace cos suiu,you isunique, actors, adiating outw y visibletothenak s dur ing totality y blac o y rs Promin- ards. ight as at the ou willsee k, . ed e T he v y es e EYE SAFETY The sun radiates visible light but its photosphere also emits intense infrared and ultra violet radiation. Just as this radiation causes sunburn it will also cause damage to your eyes which need only be prominences. The sky is a deep purple-blue and The Diamond Ring exposed to direct sunlight for a few around the horizon the sky is usually an This is one of the most dramatic features of seconds to sustain permanent damage. orange colour reminiscent of sunset. This the whole eclipse. As the first point of the strange mixture of colours can make everyday photosphere reappears we see something that objects look positively surreal. A glow around resembles a giant diamond ring in the sky with the horizon is due to sunlight outside the the small portion of the photosphere being the shadow of totality being reflected inwards. diamond and the rapidly fading corona being The actual colour can vary from reddish- the rest of the ring. It is in fact the same orange to yellow. During totality the sky is not configuration as the last Baily’s bead at second particularly dark so only the brightest stars contact but the difference lies in the may be seen however It is worth having just a adaptation of our eye. At second contact our quick glance around the sky to see which stars eyes are used to the bright light and can and planets are visible. There is always the perceive the last bead as a small point. possibility that totality will reveal a comet However our eyes become dark adapted The only way to view the uneclipsed or close to the sun which had not been observed during totality and so the reappearance of the partially eclipsed sun is through a special before due to its proximity to the sun. sun can be dazzling. filter. Explorers Tours will provide a solar filter for each person for safely viewing the partial phases of the eclipse. TheThird chromosphere Contact starts to emerge from During totality the moon completely behind the rim of the moon at the location masks the photosphere making it compl- where the photosphere will reappear at third etely safe to look at the sun with the contact. This occurs just a second or two naked eye, through your telescope or before third contact and gives a good warning with binoculars. that the sun is about to reappear. If you are using optical equipment to observe totality this warns you to now look away before the light of the photosphere reappears. DEFINITIONS First contact: the moment when the first small bite appears in the edge of the sun. Second contact: the moment when the SIMPLE EXPERIMENTS sun is completely covered. As you might expect there are many phase increases and what actually happens Totality: the period of time (usually a few experiments that scientists can perform under at the moment of totality. Eclipses are so minutes) following second contact when the the unique circumstances of a total solar unusual that they give wild life observers the sun can be observed with the naked eye. eclipse. However here are three experiments opportunity to study the adaptability of Third contact: the moment when the sun reappears from behind the Moon. which can be performed with little or no species to these very special circumstances. specialised equipment if you feel you wish to 3. One experiment that is very simple to Fourth contact: the moment when the sun is completely restored. do more than just simply look. perform using the stopwatch facility available Photosphere: the bright solar surface that 1. For a beginner, even just taking a on many watches is to simply time the we normally see and which is completely photograph with a simple camera will record duration of totality, i.e. from the moment covered during the total eclipse. something and will be a personal souvenir of the last Baily’s Bead has disappeared to the the event. Diamond ring effect. Timings are useful and 2. If there are animals or birds around it might should be passed on to professional be worth noting their behaviour as the partial astronomers.

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 11

12 general INFORMAtiON Total expedition •march 2006 • pricefrom £995 solar eclipse aet etraoal euss they cannotbeguaranteed. made tomeetreasonable requests, Explor Pleasenote Explorers willnotifytheairlineandCruise Shipof seatingandmealrequests. Special requests reservations for childrenundertheage of 7years atthedateoftravel. We willnotbeabletoaccept We regret thisprogramme isnotsuitablefor young children. Children cabin withsomeoneofthesamese clients toavoid unnecessarypayment ofasinglesupplementfor thosewillingto share a the timeofbooking A limitednumber cabinswillbeoffered ofsoleoccupancy andare subjecttoavailability at Single travellersandcabinshareaccommodation your departure. air tickets andfullitinerary willbepostedtoyou two tothree weeks prior to documentation, depar An invoice requesting finalpayment willbesenttoyou nineteenweeks prior toyour tour documents Travel information,paymentandfinal General information time thatthein put to uefrfia amn u norofieegte ek ro oyu eatr.Final ture for finalpayment dueinouroffice eighteenweeks prior toyour departure. ers must beadvisedinwriting ofany specialrequests andwhilst every effort willbe g ether onafi voice issentout. s oe etmthd first served basisandwillbeconfirmedatthe bestmatched, rst come, . W e alsoof f er theoptionoftwinortr x andsmokingstatus. T iple shar win ortr e accommodationto iple shar e requests willbe ularl partic- to datedetailsfrom your own doctor, person sowe suggest thatyou seektheup Hepatitis up todatepr allcountries are advisedtohave to Travellers Health requirements AA20 cis ultn(.Espenak&J.Anderson) NASA 2006Eclipse Bulletin(F. March 292006 Path oftheeclipsethrough Africa, Satur Monda Our office hours are or emailonastr or fax 01276406854 406877 01276 pr regarding any aspectofthis tour If you have any queries further Further queries will beaddedtoyour Final Invoice. The costofthesecharges (ifany) this event. may beimposedby thelocalauthorities for taxes orspecialcharges which any of cost itincludethe does nor the costofavisa, passeng that aGroup Visa willbeissuedfor all Itisexpected follow toobtainyour Visa. place toadviseyou oftheprocedure to contact you once thefinaldetailsare in pr the Visa requirements for Libya are inthe At present are required for entryintoLibya. Visas validity from your dateofdeparture. withaminimum of6months passport All clientswillber Visas andpassports ocess ofchanging therefore we will ogramme pleasefeel free tocalluson y da if y y-F “Other tourmembers were er y were doneright.” right andthelittlethings The bigthingswere done sh Explorers andthey were not r uhv nexisting healthproblem. have an ou A. s. epeat customers of r dy9am-6.00pm iday The tourprice doesnotinclude y abouttellingmewhy. Advice varies from person to otection against Tetanus and o@e 9am-4pm equir xplorers.co.uk ed toha v e av alid

8. Changes after Departure Booking conditions After departure, our Tour Director or local ground agent has the right to make any changes to arrangements which This contract is for the provision of travel arrangements only, it does not guarantee a they/we consider to be necessary or appropriate in the interests of the safety of any of our clients, employees or successful viewing of the solar eclipse. Please read these booking conditions carefully suppliers or to be beneficial to the operation of the together with the General Information section contained in this brochure as they form the arrangements or desirable to overcome weather, trans- portation or other problems beyond our immediate control basis of your contract with Explorers Travel Club Ltd. or that of our suppliers, or if changes are required at any time by government agencies or organisations or other 1. Booking Your Cruise and Payment concerned may transfer their booking to another qualified official bodies. This may include a change or deletion of Once you have chosen your cruise arrangements, you may person, providing we are notified of the need to transfer ports visited by the vessel or the routing. We do not make a provisional reservation. We will usually hold a provi- not less than 28 days prior to departure. An amendment control the day to day management of your accommoda- sional reservation for seven days. To make a confirmed fee of £25 will be payable together with any costs or tion. It is possible that we may be advised that your booking, our booking form must be completed and signed charges incurred by us or incurred or levied by our suppliers reserved accommodation is not available after you have by the first named person (who must be at least 18 years to effect the transfer. departed on holiday. If this occurs, we will endeavour to of age) on behalf of all party members. The signed booking 6. Cancellation by You provide accommodation of at least the same standard. form should then be sent to us accompanied by the deposit shown on the booking form or full payment if You have an option to cancel your holiday arrangements 9. Cancellation by Us booking eight weeks or less before departure. Bookings which must be exercised in writing. The fees for the exer- Occasionally, it may be necessary to cancel previously made by telephone, over the Internet, by e mail or any cise of this option are shown below. Notice of exercise of confirmed arrangements which we reserve the right to do. other electronic medium shall have the same effect as if your option to cancel should be sent to us by Recorded Where your arrangements are cancelled other than due to they had been made as above. In addition, all applicable Delivery. No refunds can be made for any part or parts of your default in payment, we will offer you the choice of insurance premiums should be paid at the time of booking any holiday, tour, excursions or other arrangements either purchasing alternative arrangements from us, of at if you wish to purchase the insurance we offer (see clause cancelled on or after your scheduled departure date or not least the same standard if available (with you paying or 18 and insurance details). Passengers resident outside the utilised by you. receiving a refund in respect of any price difference) or UK should make their insurance arrangements in their own Period before departure within which written notification receiving a full and immediate refund of all monies paid to countries, or you may choose to use the policy we offer of cancellation is received by us and the applicable fees: us. Except where you fail to make payment in full and on but in this case any repatriation services will only return More than 90 days a sum equal to deposit paid time, we will not cancel less than eight weeks before you to the UK. 89 to 30 days 80% of total cost departure unless we are forced to do so as a result of “force majeure” as defined in clause 10 below. We regret We will confirm your chosen arrangements and acknowl- 29 days to 7 days 90% of total cost no compensation will be payable if we cancel eight weeks edge your payment by sending you a confirmation of your 6 days or less 100% of total cost or more before departure for any reason or less than booking. Please check this confirmation together with all Total cost means the total cost of the cancelled arrange- eight weeks before departure as a result of unusual and other documents sent to you carefully to ensure they fully ments excluding insurance premiums and any amendment unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the accord with your instructions. If you have any queries, you charges which are non refundable in the event of your consequences of which could not have been avoided even must advise us immediately. Four months prior to your cancellation. Depending on the reason for your cancella- with all due care. Very rarely, we may be forced to curtail departure we will send you a final invoice showing the tion, you may be able to claim a refund of the above fees your arrangements after the date of departure where outstanding balance due to us (unless full payment has from your insurance company if you have taken out an circumstances amounting to “force majeure” as defined in already been made), this balance must be received by us no appropriate travel insurance policy. clause 10 below occur. In this very unusual situation, we later than three months prior to departure. If for any regret we cannot make any refunds (except where these reason the balance is not received by us in full by the due 7. Changes by Us are obtained from the relevant supplier(s)), pay any date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as We reserve the right to make changes to your booked compensation or be responsible for any costs or expenses cancelled by you so that the fees set out in clause 5 will be arrangements and our brochure at any time both before you may incur as a result. payable. Any monies paid to an ABTA travel agent for your and after bookings have been confirmed. Most changes will holiday with us will be held by him on our behalf until they be minor ones. Occasionally, it is necessary to make a 10. Force Majeure significant change. A significant change is one made before are paid to us or refunded to you. Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking departure involving a change of outward or return interna- conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any 2. Your Contract tional flight time by 12 hours or more, a change of UK compensation where the performance or prompt perform- A binding contract between us will come into existence departure airport to one which is more inconvenient for ance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected when we issue our Confirmation of your booking. These you (except as between Heathrow and Gatwick and vice by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as more booking conditions form the basis of that contract. They versa), a change of accommodation where specific identi- fully described in clause 11 (1) below) as a result of “force may only be varied by a director of Explorers Travel Club fied accommodation has been booked (except in the case majeure” Force majuere includes any event which we or Limited in writing. Your contract is governed by English law of one or two night stays), a change of accommodation for the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the whole or a significant part of the holiday to that of a with all due care, foresee or avoid such as war or threat of England and Wales. lower standard or which is lacking important advertised war, civil strife, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disas- features, or a significant change or deletion of a major part ter, adverse weather conditions, fire, terrorist activity, 3. Prices of the itinerary. All other changes are treated as minor governmental action and all similar circumstances beyond We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors changes. Where known, minor changes will be shown on our control. in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is your Final Itinerary which will be sent to you with your confirmed. We will advise you of any error of which we are travel documents about two weeks before departure. In the 11. Liability aware and of the then applicable price at the time of event of a significant change, we will advise you as soon as We promise to make sure that all parts of the holiday booking. (1) possible and give you the choice of:- (a) accepting the we have agreed to arrange, perform or provide as part of 4. Prices and Brochure Accuracy changed arrangements as notified to you; or (b) purchasing our contract with you are arranged, performed or provided Please note, the information and prices shown in this different arrangements from us, of at least the same stan- with reasonable skill and care. We will accept responsibility brochure may have changed by the time you come to book dard if available (with you paying or receiving a refund in if any death, personal injury, failure or deficiency of your your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the respect of a price difference); or (c) cancelling your arrange- holiday arrangements is caused by any failure by ourselves accuracy of the brochure and prices at the time of printing, ments and receiving a full refund of all monies paid to us. If or our employees (providing they were at the time acting regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore we have to make a significant change within 56 days of within the course of their employment) or our agents or ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (includ- departure, we will in addition pay you compensation in suppliers (as applicable) to use reasonable skill and care in ing the price) with us at the time of booking. This brochure accordance with the scale set out below (providing we performing or providing the service in question. Please note is our sole responsibility. It is not issued on behalf of and have received full payment from you) except where the it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and does not commit any independent organisation/carriers change is made as a result of unusual and unforeseeable care has not been used if you wish to make a claim. We whose services are featured in it. circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for which we could not have avoided even with all due care. example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or 5. Amendment by You Such circumstances may include those amounting to “force other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which Should you wish to make any changes to your booking majeure” as set out in clause 10 below. Compensation is results from any of the following: - (a) the fault of the after it has been confirmed, please advise us as soon as not payable in the case of minor changes. Minor changes person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party of (b) possible in writing. We will endeavour to assist although we further do not entitle you to cancel or change to another the fault of a third party not connected with the provision cannot guarantee that requests for amendment can always holiday without paying our normal charges. In all cases, our of your holiday which we could not have predicted or be met. Where an amendment can be made, a fee of £25 liability is limited to the payments set out in the scale avoided or (c) an event or circumstance which we or the per booking per amendment will be charged together with below and we cannot be responsible for any costs or supplier of the service(s) in question could not have any costs or charges incurred by us or incurred or levied by expenses you may incur as a result of any change. Period predicted or avoided even after taking all reasonable care our suppliers. An amendment constitutes a change to the before scheduled departure date within which a significant (see clause 10) (d) the fault of anyone who is not carrying existing booking. A request to transfer to another holiday change is notified to you, and compensation per person out work for us (generally or in particular) at the time. In or to other arrangements will be treated as a cancellation More than 56 days Nil addition, we will not be responsible where you do not incurring the cancellation fees set out in clause 6. 56 to 43 days £35.00 enjoy your holiday or suffer any problems because of a Where you or a member of your party is prevented from 42 to 29 days £40.00 reason you did not tell us about when you booked your travelling (e.g. as a result of personal illness/injury, the 28 to 15 days £45.00 holiday or where any problems you suffer did not result serious illness or injury of a close family relative, jury 14 days or less £50.00 from any breach of our contract or other fault of ourselves service or unavoidable work commitments) the person or, where we were responsible for them, our suppliers or agents or where any losses, expenses, costs or other sum

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 13 you have suffered relate to any business. Please note, we carry a greater risk of personal injury and death. Such risks are 15. Delays cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not compounded by the fact you may be participating in these Unfortunately, delays in transportation (e.g. flights) can some- form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any addi- activities in remote areas where even limited medical assis- times occur. We regret we cannot accept any liability in tional services or facilities which your hotel or any other tance may be some considerable distance and time away. It is relation to any delays which are beyond our control or any supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facili- your responsibility to ensure you and all members of your expenses or losses you incur as a result. Depending upon ties are not advertised in our brochure and we have not party are medically fit to engage in any particular activity. terms of any insurance policy you have taken out, you may be agreed to arrange them and any excursion you purchase in Certain activities (e.g. diving) have particular medical, training able to seek reimbursement of any such expenses or losses resort. or other requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure you together with compensation for the delay from the insurance (2) The promises we make to you about the services we have are familiar and comply with those requirements. In signing company. We do not accept liability for loss of earnings or agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the our Booking Form, you acknowledge and accept the risks consequential business losses resulting from any delay and laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or inevitably associated, both directly and indirectly, with higher you should take out an appropriate insurance policy to cover complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding risk activities and that we cannot accept responsibility if any such losses. In the event of your outward or return interna- whether the services in question had been properly provided. such risks materialise and you suffer death, personal injury, tional flight being delayed, we will endeavour to arrange for If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or loss or damage as a result. If you are in any doubt as to possi- the airline to provide appropriate refreshments if possible. complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable ble risks, you should consult our staff before booking. You to those services at the time, the services will be treated as must ensure that any insurance policy you take out covers 16. Conditions of Suppliers having been properly provided. This will be the case even if the you in relation to higher risk activities. In respect of all services, the conditions of the supplier services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the (8) Special events, visits, exhibition, excursions and facilities - concerned (e.g. airline, coach operator, hotelier or other UK which would have applied had those services been All special events, visits, exhibitions, excursions and facilities provider) will apply. Such conditions will often limit the provided in the UK. The exception to this is where the claim or referred to in our literature are shown in good faith and will, supplier’s liability to you usually in accordance with applicable complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature which to the best of our belief be available. However, we do not international conventions. Copies of these conditions are might lead a reasonable holidaymaker to refuse to take the control or arrange such matters. Where any special event, visit, available from the suppliers concerned direct. holiday in question. exhibition or facility which forms a significant part of your 17. Pre-Departure Contact (3) We limit the maximum amount we may have to pay you confirmed holiday arrangements become unavailable, cannot be provided or is not to take place for any reason, we will It is essential to ensure you provide us with a telephone for any and all claims or parts of claims which do not involve number or address where you can be reached up to 24 hours personal injury, illness or death. Except where loss of and/or advise you before departure if possible. The provisions of clause 6 will then apply. Unfortunately, we may be unaware of prior to your departure in the event of late changes or other damage to luggage or personal possessions is concerned or a problems. lower limitation of liability applies to your claim, the such non availability prior to departure or may be unable to maximum amount we will have to pay you for such non inform you of this prior to departure. In this event, the rest of 18. Special Requests personal injury claims if we are found liable to you on any the holiday arrangements will be provided as booked and we If you have any special requests, please ensure you notify us basis is twice the price (excluding insurance premiums and will refund the direct cost of the event etc in question in writing at the time of booking. We will endeavour to pass amendment charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) (together with the cost of any local transportation where such requests on to the supplier(s) concerned. We regret affected in total. This maximum amount will only be payable applicable). Our liability in this situation will be limited to however that we cannot guarantee special requests will be where everything has gone wrong and you have not received such refunds. met and failure to do so will not be a breach of contract on any benefit at all from your holiday. Where we are found liable 12. Complaints/claims our part. Confirmation that a special request has been noted for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal posses- If you are unhappy about any aspect of your arrangements, or passed on to the supplier or the inclusion of the special sions (including money), the maximum amount we will have you must inform our tour escort or ground agents together request on your confirmation invoice or any other documen- to pay you is £50 per person affected as you are assumed to with the supplier of the service concerned immediately. You tation is not confirmation that the request will be met. have taken out adequate insurance at the time of booking. must make every effort to bring problems to the attention of Please also see clause 11(4) below. 19. Insurance ourselves and the supplier so that they can be resolved during It is a condition of our accepting your booking that you take (4) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is based on your holiday and to mitigate any losses, expenses or costs you any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on out adequate travel insurance for the whole period of your incur. Once we and the supplier concerned are aware of the holiday. Details of the policy we offer are shown in this and/or off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, problem, everything reasonably possible will be done to rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum brochure. We do not accept liability for any losses suffered by quickly resolve it. If you remain dissatisfied, you must write to yourself or your party as a result of your being uninsured or amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be us giving full details of your complaint within 29 days of your limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or under-insured. Insurance cover will only be effective when return to the UK (e mail messages are not acceptable in this your premium has been paid. Please read your policy details that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis context). We regret we cannot accept liability in relation to is the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have carefully and take them with you on holiday. We do not check any complaint which is not notified entirely in accordance alternative insurance policies to pay under the international convention or regulation which with this clause. applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question 20. Passport, Visa and Health Requirements (for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended for interna- 13. Arbitration It is the party leader’s responsibility to ensure that all tional travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating licence Disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract members of your party have all necessary passports, visas and granted by an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitra- health/vaccination certificates for your holiday prior to depar- Liability for national and international travel by air, the Athens tion if you so wish under a special scheme arranged by the ture. Requirements may change and you must check the up to convention for international travel by sea). When making any Association of British Travel Agents and administered inde- date position in good time before departure. We cannot payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you pendently by the chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The accept any responsibility if you are denied entry into any have received or are entitled to receive from the transport scheme provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbi- country or on to any flight due to inadequate travel docu- provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. tration on documents alone with restricted liability on the mentation. Any costs or expenses incurred as a result will be (5) This clause 11 is intended to set out our obligations to customer in respect of costs. Full details will be provided on your responsibility. Details of the current passport, visa and you as a tour operator/organiser in the light of the Package request or can be obtained from ABTA. This scheme does not health requirements for the arrangements featured in this Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. brochure which are applicable to British citizens are shown Please note, we regret we cannot make any payment to you There is also a limit of £15,000 per booking form. Neither elsewhere in this brochure. A full British passport currently or any member of your party if the person concerned is not does it apply to claims which are solely in respect of physical takes up to six weeks to obtain. Such requirements do change entitled to one from us under these Regulations. You must injury or illness or their consequences. The Scheme can from time to time and you should accordingly check the up to provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may however deal with compensation claims which include an date position in good time before departure. If you or any reasonably require. If asked to do so, you must transfer to us element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1000 member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non- or our insurers any rights you have against the supplier or on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect British passport, you must check passport and visa whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the of this element. The application for arbitration and statement requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the countries person concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must of claim must be received by the Chartered Institute of to or through which you are intending to travel. If failure to do so). You must also agree to cooperate fully with us and our Arbitrators within 9 months of the date of return from the have the necessary travel or other documents results in fines insurers if we or our insurers want to enforce any rights which holiday. Outside this time limit arbitration under the Scheme or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be are transferred. It is a condition of our acceptance of liability may still be available if we agree, although the ABTA Code responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. as set out in this clause that you fully comply with our does not require such agreement. complaints procedure, as set out in clause 12 below. 21. Behaviour 14. Air Travel We, the tour director and any other person in authority (e.g. (6) If you or any member of your party suffers illness, injury At the time of publication, we are not in a position to confirm or death, through misadventure, as a result of an activity airline pilot or accommodation manager) has the right to the airlines, aircraft types and/or airports of destination which terminate the holiday arrangements of any person whose which does not form part of your contracted holiday arrange- will be used in connection with your holiday arrangements. ments, we will provide you with all reasonable assistance. behaviour, in our opinion or that of the person in authority, Where this information is provided prior to departure (as will does or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to This assistance may include our making a contribution usually be the case) a subsequent change at any stage will be towards your initial legal costs in taking action against the themselves or any of our other clients, employees or any third treated as a minor change and will not entitle you to cancel party or to cause damage to property. In this event, our person(s) responsible providing you request this within 90 without paying the normal cancellation fee. All flight times days of the incident in question. All assistance (financial or responsibility for the person concerned (including any contin- shown in our brochure or given on booking are subject to uing/return travel arrangements) will immediately cease and otherwise) is subject to our reasonable discretion and a change. Please ensure you carefully check all travel documen- maximum total cost to ourselves of £5,000 per booking form. we will not be liable to meet any expenses or costs incurred tation and information relating to your arrangements as soon as a result, make any refund or pay any compensation. If you are entitled to have any costs and expenses arising from as it is received by you. This brochure is our responsibility. It is such an incident met by or from any insurance policy or if you not issued on behalf of and does not commit any airlines obtain a costs order against anyone in relation to the incident, mentioned in it or an airline whose services are used in the you must repay to us the costs and expenses we spend in course of any tour or other arrangements. assisting you. (7) Higher risk activities - Certain activities (e.g. trekking, diving, rafting etc) are of their very nature dangerous and

14 Total solar eclipse expedition • march 2006 • price from £995

Booking form To book by phone call 01276 406877 or fax 01276 406854 Post your completed booking • Details of each person travelling form to: Explorers, AGE IF CABIN CABIN TYPE (PLEASE TICK) 8 Minster Court, Tuscam Way, TITLE INITIAL SURNAME UNDER 18 CATEGORY SINGLE TWIN TRIPLE SHARE Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3YY or phone: 01276 406877 Explorers Travel Club Ltd. is registered in England (Company no. 1473225) and is • • • • a bonded Tour Operator Member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA • • • • number V3883) and licenced as a Tour Operator by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL no 2941) All payments made by • • • • clients to the company are covered by either the ABTA or CAA financial security • • • • arrangements. • Your contact details • Payment details Address x deposits @ £175 per person Total £ x insurance premiums @ £ Total £ Total payment enclosed £ Postcode Country • Payment method Cheque (made payable to ‘Explorers’) Work phone (incl dialling code) Home phone (incl dialling code) •Visa Mastercard Switch (complete the details below) •Card No • • • Single travellers Issue No (Switch) If you are a travelling alone and would like to avoid Smoker paying the single supplement we are able to offer a Expiry Date share facility. Partners are allocated according to sex •Non-smoker Name on Card and smoking status. • • Comments or special meal requirements Signature Date On behalf of all persons named, I have read, understand and agree to the Booking Conditions, I am over 18 years of age.

PERSONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE Baggage, Money and Documents. Under Personal the amount the Insurer will pay under that section. Some It is a condition of our accepting your booking (except Liability a £250 excess applies in respect of temporarily sections also include other limits, for example for any one U.S Citizens) that you take out adequate travel insurance rented holiday accommodation. item, or for valuables in total. for the whole period of your holiday. Details of the policy Under the Association of British Insurers General Business • Policy excesses: an excess applies to claims under most we offer are shown in this brochure. We do not accept Code of Practice, Bishopsgate Insurance must advise the sections of the policy. This means that you will be liability for any losses suffered by yourself or your party following: responsible for paying the first part of the claim. The as a result of your being uninsured or under-insured. • Policy document: a copy of the policy will be sent with amount you have to pay is the ‘excess’. Cover on a policy issued by ourselves will only be your holiday invoice. This document contains full details • Reasonable care: you need to take all reasonable care to effective once these premiums have been paid. of what is and is not covered and the conditions of the protect yourself and your property as you would if you cover. You should read the policy document very carefully. were not insured. Summary of Cover • Complaints: this insurance policy includes a complaints – up to the holiday cost • Conditions, exclusions and declaration: there are Cancellation and curtailment procedure which tells you what steps you can take if you – up to £5 million conditions and exclusions which apply to individual Medical and Other expenses wish to make a complaint. The policy is governed by – up to £600 sections and general exclusions, conditions and warranties Additional hospital benefit English law unless you and the Insurers have agreed – up to £25000 which apply to the whole policy. Personal accident otherwise. Baggage – up to £1500 • Health: the policy contains conditions about the health Money and documents – up to £500 of the people travelling, and other people upon whose Please make sure that you read your insurance policy Loss of passport – up to £250 health the trip may depend. carefully. A copy of the full policy wording is available Personal liability – up to £2 million • Property claims: these claims are settled on an on request. Missed departure – up to £800 indemnity basis (the value of the goods at the time you PREMIUMS lose them), not on a ‘new for old’ or replacement cost Legal expenses – up to £25000 Up to 10 days £26 A £35 excess will apply in respect of Cancellation basis. (deposit only claims £10), Medical and Other Expenses, • Policy limits: most sections of the policy have limits on Up to 17 days £29

01276 406877 • www.explorers.co.uk 15

Established in 1980 and now celebrating our 25th anniversary, UK based specialist tour operator Explorers is delighted to present this special programme for the 2006 total solar eclipse. Since our first solar eclipse tour to Kazakhstan in 1981, we have travelled the globe offering our clients the chance to view solar eclipses in almost every part of the world, from Outer Mongolia to Zimbabwe, Indonesia to Peru, Australia to Iceland and many more. We have a reputation for competitive prices combined with efficient, friendly service. Our financial security is guaranteed by our ATOL licence and we conform fully to the ABTA Code of Conduct.

Call 01276 406877 www.explorers.co.uk

“For those who have never “Other tour members were repeat “If you are planning a trip and you experienced a total solar eclipse the customers of Explorers and they want things to go just plain right, memory of your first minutes within were not shy about telling me why. then Explorers are the people to the moon shadow will last The big things were done right and go with.” a lifetime… and you will return as the little things were done right.” an eclipse chaser!”