What is the price in my currency?
Since exchange rates vary daily, please email us for the latest pricing. As of this writing, prices per person (double occupancy) were:
€ 995 Euros
£ 795 British Pounds
$ 1595 US Dollars
Is it all-inclusive?
Yes it is! All your meals, hotel (double occupancy), ground transportation, activities and tour director are included for the €995. All you have to do is get a plane ticket to Knoxville Airport (TYS) and your passport for an unforgettable 10 days 9 night Tour!
Is it a fully escorted tour?
From the moment you cross the customs doors we will be waiting for you. Our team consists of expert naturalists, historians and a tour director who will be with you from start to finish.
How many days?
The tour is 10 days and 9 nights.
What language is the tour conducted in?
Although passengers come from many countries around the world, all tours are conducted in English.
What size are the tours normally?
The tours are a minimum of 14 adults and a maximum of 28 adults.
Is there an age minimum or maximum?
We welcome adults of all ages on our tours. We do not have a set upper age limit but just ask that all passengers are young at heart and have a spirit for adventure travel.
Is the airfare included?
No, the airfare is not included in the €995. This gives you the liberty to find the best possible price and flexibility in your vacation. Many customers continue on to other destinations in the USA.
Why the Smoky Mountains?
The Smoky Mountains are America’s best-kept secret. Within a short distance you will find wildlife like bears and elks, crystal clear rivers with rainbow trout, magnificent views and vistas, and a rich mountain culture with the chance to meet Cherokee Indians and descendents of the European pioneers who called these Mountains home.
Are there “real” Cherokee Indians we will meet?
Our stay in Cherokee, North Carolina will give us the opportunity to meet and share with members of the Eastern Band of The Cherokee Nation. We will get the chance to hear stories and see their beautiful dances dedicated to the ancestors and to nature.
Where is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located?
The Great Smoky Mountains National park is located in the southern region of the Appalachian Mountain chain, straddling the state boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee. Click here to see a map.
How many times will we be hiking in the National Park?
We will be walking and hiking in the National park almost every day, to enjoy the wildlife and nature which it’s so famous for.
Is it strenuous?
Well, we will be hiking a few hours everyday. Each hike will take into consideration the group dynamics and the weather. It is strongly recommended that persons requiring assistance be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing the assistance. Neither Tours in the USA nor its personnel, nor its suppliers, may physically lift or assist clients into transportation vehicles. If a traveler thinks he or she might need assistance during a trip, he or she should call Tours in the USA to determine what assistance might reasonably be given. Tours in the USA cannot provide special individual assistance to tour members with special needs for walking, dining or other routine activities.
Which Hotels are we staying in?
We will be staying at 3 hotels, which offer views and atmosphere to the experience. They are super clean and close to many attractions and sites.
What type of transportation will we be using?
We will be exploring Cherokee and the Mountains in a mini-bus similar to the one pictured here:
What is included for the € 995?
For €995, you will get all ground transportation and airport transfers, hotel (double occupancy), meals, activities, tour director, local tour guides and naturalist. Gratuities are included in our tour pricing for all necessary inclusions such as, hotel personnel to include but not limited to bellmen, restaurant wait staff, step-on guides and local guide services.
However, gratuities for the Driver and Tour Escort are NOT included. Tours in the USA feels like this should be at the discretion of the traveler and based on the level of service provided by the individuals.
What is not included?
Airfare is NOT included. Tours do not include any departure taxes assessed by foreign airports at the time you leave the country. These must be paid in cash at the airport. Excessive baggage charge (we recommend you check with the airlines in advance); items of personal nature (hiking shoes, etc); meals not included in the itinerary; Sightseeing attractions listed as optional excursions; fuel surcharges and Gratuities to Tour Director and Driver.
How much should we plan for tipping the driver and tour director?
Your tour director and driver will be with you from start to finish, making sure you have a wonderful experience, sharing stories and history of the Mountains.
These very knowledgeable, friendly, and delightful professionals can truly make your vacation a breeze. They ensure that you not only see the sights, but that you experience and live your vacation!
How much to tip? Is a good question and our industry doesn't have a standard, for example, like the restaurant industry. However, according to the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, for both domestic and international tours, gratuities generally range from $4 to $8 per person, per day for a Tour Escort or Director and $2 to $5 per person, per day for the driver. Tips are a personal matter and we request they be handed at the end of the tour to the Tour Director and Driver individually (envelopes will be provided). Everyone appreciates being recognized for a job well done. Your generosity, whatever you decide, will be greatly appreciated.
Which airport do we arrive to and leave from?
You will be arriving to Knoxville, Tennessee airport (TYS).
Should I get travel insurance?
Travel and Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended and available to protect tour members from cancellation fees for covered reasons. Contact Tours in the USA for insurance information.
How do I pay for the Tour?
Once you have reserved with us we will send you an email giving you step by step instructions on paying for your tour with PayPal, a very secure online payment service.
All reservations require a confirmation signed by the customer.
After booking will I get any more information?
Yes, approximately 4 weeks prior to departure we send travel documents, and a pre-departure booklet to all our passengers. This provides detailed information on what to pack, what to expect, optional activity costs and just about everything you can think of. If you have booked through a Travel Agent this will be forwarded by them to you.
What documents do we need to take the Tour?
Travelers must provide positive identification in the form of a valid passport and a valid government-issued photo I.D. at the time of airport check-in. No other documentation will be accepted by the airlines. NOTE: Due to airline security measures, your photo I.D. and passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied aircraft boarding.
What should I pack?
What is the weather like when I go on my tour?
If there are changes in the itinerary, what happens?
The order of the tour and hotels scheduled are subject to change. Every effort will be made to preserve the original quality of attractions and hotels when circumstances necessitate a substitution.
Rates are subject to change therein at or before the time of departure. No revisions of the printed itinerary parts included features are anticipated; however, the right is reserved to make any changes, with or without notice, that might become necessary with the mutual understanding that any additional expenses will be paid by the individual passenger.
General Information:
10 Days advance notice required to book a package.
All packages are based on availability.
Tours are subject to change without notice & based on availability.
No additional discounts apply
A $250 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking.
The balance is due 60 days before departure on all tours
All rates are guaranteed upon deposit.
Exceptions to this policy cannot be made for any reason.
In the unfortunate event that you must cancel your trip, your refund will be determined according to the following formula:
Days prior to departure:
|
Days
|
Refund
|
|
120 + days
|
All but $50
|
|
120 - 91 days
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50% of your deposit
|
|
91 - 46 days
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50% of trip fee
|
|
45 days or less
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No refund
|
If we have a waiting list and can fill your spot, everything but $50 will be transferred to another trip of your choosing in the next 365 days. Trip fees may be transferred from one person to another if, in the opinion of the Tours in the USA staff, it is determined that the other person is in the proper physical condition to participate in the trip activity.
Tours in the USA reserves the right to cancel or alter a trip due to unforeseen weather, unsafe conditions, low registrations or other circumstances. On the rare occasion when Turs in the USA must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be refunded, including the non-refundable portion of your deposit. Tours in the USA is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, including airplane tickets.
The Fine Print - the standard legal terms all tour operators use
(Sorry, our lawyers require this. We will take good care of you.)
We would like to explain what it means to book with us.
A legal contract will be created when you sign your booking form and you should know exactly what responsibilities you are undertaking in your tour/trek. You should also be aware of our legal responsibilities to you as your tour operator. Once you are confirmed, Tours in the USA’s basic responsibility is to provide you with the best holiday we can provide within the limits of the conditions below. Your basic responsibility is to pay in full and accept the conditions as stated and to have an open mind as you have a great experience exploring the Smoky Mountains and the Cherokees.
Any person reserving or purchasing any tours with Tours in the USA accepts the condition that we reserve the exclusive right to change or cancel itineraries, hotels, low registrations and other tour components whenever it is deemed necessary. If this occurs, every effort will be made to offer alternate dates and/or programs. On the rare occasion we must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be refunded, including the non-refundable portion of your deposit. Tours in the USA is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, including airplane tickets.
Published times on itineraries are as accurate as possible but subject to change due to traffic, weather, mechanical and any other conditions beyond our control that prevent the tour from operating as scheduled. Tours in the USA expressly disclaim any liability for any damages that may be incurred for any changes, cancellations or delays on any itinerary on any tour.
All rates published are per person as indicated and are based on double occupancy. Our best effort has been made to publish this information as accurately as possible. The right is reserved to correct tour rates as deemed necessary by current currency and fuel price conditions. Reservations will be accepted subject to availability at the time of a request and will be considered confirmed only upon receipt of a minimum deposit. Please call or email for more details or questions. Tours in the USA will not accept liability in the case of any passenger being denied boarding by any airline carrier due to the carrier’s over-booking of a flight.
Baggage Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to handle passengers’ luggage as carefully as possible, Tours in the USA is not responsible for and does not assume liability or accept claims for loss of or damage to luggage due to breakage, theft or wear and tear through hotel and group carrier handling. It is recommended for your own self interest and protection that you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Check with your sales agent for low cost insurance to cover these risks.
Neither Tours in the USA, its affiliated entities and its and their employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “Tours in the USA”), own or operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for these trips. Because neither maintains any control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of these suppliers, Tours in the USA assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any of the suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful, willful or negligent act or omission on the part of any other party not under the supervision and control of Tours in the USA .Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate medical facilities or practitioners, weather, strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war, terrorism, computer problems, or other such causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided. Tours in the USA reserves the right to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. They reserve the right to withdraw any tour announced. Both parties reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any participant to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by the tour manager to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. Neither does Tours in the USA accept liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable airline or other ticket to the tour departure city and return or otherwise. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times. Participants may be photographed for the promotional purposes of Tours in the USA. Payment of the deposit to Tours in the USA constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Tours in the USA acts only as agents for suppliers. For airlines and coach carriers involved in transportation and any other tour companies participating in the program, Tours in the USA has no responsibility in whole or in part for any delays, delayed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, or injury to person or property or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature whatsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, transportation, or other services or any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond their control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby.
Application for reservation on this tour indicates full acceptance of the foregoing conditions.