MISSION STATEMENT
Although these days the term ‘adventure’ is much used and abused we at Trek and Climb Adventure are committed to running real adventures to all corners of the Earth. Our trips are not tours, photographic safaris, or excursions but genuine adventure trips. Trek and Climb Adventure helps promote sustainable conservation and preservation of the planet’s flora, fauna, and cultures by forging alliances between local guides, local people, and our clients. Our goal is to make, through our trips, an active contribution toward a sustainable biosphere. We always work in close conjunction with local people and make sure that our adventures benefit our local helpers, their society, and the environment they live in. Adventure, remote locations, different cultures, and people are part and parcel of our trips, but also the knowledge that you will have played an active role in conserving what you have enjoyed.
To achieve this, Trek and Climb Adventure will only collaborate with reputable guides and establishments (wherever possible from the host nation) who are experts in their field, will only collaborate with organizations and businesses which operate in an ethical and/or sustainable way, pledges to operate itself in an ethical and sustainable way, minimizing negative impacts on local cultures, environments, and economies, will work in close conjunction with local people and make sure that the trips we run to benefit local helpers, their society and the environment they live.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Introduction
We strive to make joining one of our trips an experience of a lifetime. Before completing the “Book this Trip” form, please read this information carefully. It makes clear in an understandable and honest way the terms and conditions under which we operate: what you can expect from us, what we can expect from you, what your rights are, and what our rights are. Before joining you should fully understand the nature of the services and facilities we provide. For this, you should read the information below in conjunction with any other material pertaining to the trip you want to join. When joining a trip by signing the form it is implied and accepted that you have read and understood all our terms and conditions below and agree to abide by them and that therefore a legally binding contract has been made. If at any time you have any questions, please just ask before completing the form.
Trek and Climb Adventure philosophy and risk management:
All our trips visit challenging parts of the world, sometimes in remote regions of developing countries. The unexpected is often the norm and it is important to realize that the most carefully laid plans can go wrong. Emergency and health services, local infrastructure and services, transport, and accommodation on some of our trips are unlikely to be of Western standard. Internal flights can be delayed or canceled and unpredictable weather may cause you some discomfort. It is therefore essential that those who join our trips do so with a positive frame of mind and a sense of humor. Unlike many holiday services calling themselves ‘adventure companies’, true adventure is by its very nature unpredictable. For this reason, our published itineraries should be seen as statements of intent, rather than contractual obligations.
A variety of factors including (but not limited to) political instability, war, transport difficulties, strikes, sickness, quarantine, local regulations, weather conditions, natural disasters, and other forces may cause us to alter the stated program, and/or incur additional expenses, and/or prevent the trip activity being realized. The guide will consult the trip members and make any changes necessary, but you will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred, which, depending on the circumstances, may be recoverable on your travel insurance. We will endeavor to keep changes to a minimum, but if they are necessary they will always be made with the trip aim, as well as the enjoyment and welfare of the trip team in mind. We cannot be held responsible for the results of any changes or delays if caused by any of the above factors.
However, we would like to stress that the problems outlined are unlikely events, even in remote areas. All true adventure involves a certain degree of risk, which varies from trip to trip. Our aim is to offer enjoyable and challenging trips whilst making the welfare and comfort of trip members our highest priority. Our guide is responsible for the safe and efficient running of the trip, and the supervision of safety, health, and hygiene. Achieving the trip’s aims is one of our highest priorities, but no adventure trip can be considered successful unless it is also conducted responsibly, safely, and harmoniously, and with regard for the environment.
We aim to assist trip members to realize their individual ambitions within the limits of these conditions and acceptable risks. Safety of trip members and protection of the environment is essential. Achieving the trip aims is desirable. By completing the “Book this Trip” form you agree to participate in the trip’s activities at your own risk. Trek and Climb Adventure cannot be liable for any discomfort, injury, illness, or death sustained during the trip, nor for any losses or damage to your property.
Booking a Trip
We advise you to read carefully the description of the trip and its grades before applying to join. If you are unsure you can contact our office. After receipt of your application, we will send you a confirmation letter/email and information that will help you prepare for the trip and an invoice with your deposit payment details. At least 10 weeks before the start of the trip, you will be expected to pay a final invoice for your trip payment. This should be paid no later than 2 weeks after receipt. If you join a trip within 8 weeks of its departure, you should send the full trip payment with your form. If the balance is not paid by the due date we reserve the right to cancel your place on the trip and apply cancellation charges, unless a payment delay has been agreed upon with Trek and Climb Adventure in writing.
Withdrawing from a trip
If you want to cancel your participation in a trip, you must do so in writing. Your cancellation will take effect from the date we receive your letter. Cancellation of a booking 100 days or more before the start of the trip as a whole we shall give you a full refund less the non-refundable deposit (which is never refunded). Canceling between 99 and 50 days before its start shall give you a 50% refund. If you cancel between 49 and 21 days before its starts we shall give you a 10% refund. If you cancel 20 days or fewer before its starts we shall not give you a refund. These terms are standard on the adventure circuit and any charges we retain are used to cover advance payments and purchases we have made in the host country and/or with our guides. If you withdraw, we advise you to check your insurance policy as you may be entitled to a refund.
Cancellation of a trip
In the unlikely event that a trip has to be canceled for whatever reason by Trek and Climb Adventure you will be notified immediately and all monies paid will be refunded. However, if our cancellation is due to force majeure any reasonable expenses we have incurred will be deducted from your refund. We do not accept liability for any loss arising from cancellations including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, and equipment, visa, passport and vaccination fees, or other trip-related expenses. Please note that it is your responsibility to protect yourself against airline and travel agency cancellations to and from the arranged meeting area by taking out adequate travel insurance.
Inclusions and exclusions
Trek and Climb Adventure will provide all the arrangements and services as detailed below from and to the arranged meeting area in the host country. The published cost of a trip does not include travel to and away from the arranged meeting area. It is the responsibility of each trip member to make their own way to the arranged meeting area in time for the arranged meeting date and time. We insist on punctuality and cannot accept liability for any loss arising from failure to arrive at the arranged meeting area on time. The published trip cost includes all travel from and to the arranged meeting area · all accommodation and trips camp facilities · all meals and provisions · access to specialist equipment · all permit and access fees · the services of local helpers · the services of the guide · any other services or goods specifically mentioned in the trip overview or itinerary. The published trip cost does not include visa and vaccination costs · personal travel insurance · additional (alcoholic) drinks and food · telephone calls · airport taxes payable in host countries · private trips and excursions · internal flights unless specifically stated and anything else not specifically included.
Insufficient numbers, small teams, and resulting surcharge policy
We aim to operate every trip within the trip cost advertised. In order to keep our prices low and trip teams small, we operate with very small margins and are thus unable to absorb the large cost and/or currency fluctuations. On the rare occasion of a significant increase in the price of products (e.g. fuel & equipment prices), services (e.g. access permits, helicopter airlifts), or exchange rates we reserve the right to cancel any trip for which we do not have a large enough team to make the trip economically viable. If the minimum team size is not reached, we reserve the right to add a 10% surcharge to the trip contribution. Having said that, it is in our view unlikely for our trips not to go ahead as planned and well within budget. If there are any problems of the sort described above, we will consult with all trip members. Most problems are apparent before the balance of the trip cost is due, so there is usually plenty of time for trip members to consider changed circumstances.
Experience and fitness required
Our trips are for everyone and there are no special skills (biological or otherwise) required. If you are disabled please contact us to find out about the suitability of the trip of your choice. Some degree of fitness is required, but if you are healthy and enjoy the outdoors, your fitness level should be sufficient. Some trips require a higher level of fitness, and if so this will be clearly stated in the trip grade, overview, and itinerary on the website. It is the responsibility of each trip member to have his or her fitness and physical condition checked by a medical and dental professional prior to departure. If in the opinion of the guide the health of a team member is at risk, the guide is entitled to authorize immediate evacuation and repatriation, and Trek and Climb Adventure will be entitled to recover any costs incurred.
Medical
It is entirely the responsibility of each trip member to ensure that they have taken adequate medical and dental precautions for the trip they intend to join. In particular, you must comply with all advice from the relevant authorities regarding vaccinations, inoculations, and other medical and dental precautions. If you have an existing or previous illness/disability which could affect your mental or physical condition during the trip you must consult your doctor about your suitability to join the trip. You must also inform Trek and Climb adventure of any such pre-existing condition. We reserve the right at any time prior to departure to insist that you provide a medical certificate as documentary proof of your suitability to join the trip.
Paperwork and tickets
You are reminded that it is entirely your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all the necessary documents for the trip, including (but not limited to) valid visas, valid vaccination certificates, travel tickets to take you to the arranged meeting area on time, a passport with at least six months validity beyond the date of your return travel (as some countries now insist on this). If you expect to have to renew your passport and your vaccinations before embarking on the trip, you should allow plenty of time to do so. In some cases, we must notify the authorities of the host country of the whole trip team’s passport and vaccination details. Discrepancies may result in delays to the team, fines to the individuals involved, or in the worst-case cancellation of all access permits. In such cases, we reserve the right to recover costs from the individuals involved.
Trip conduct and observing the law
Our guides will do their utmost to ensure that any problems are solved to the benefit of the whole trip, its members, and its aims. Signing the “Book this Trip” form implies your acceptance of the guide’s authority to make decisions affecting the safe conduct of the trip, and/or individual trip members. It also obliges you to comply with the guide’s instructions and with the laws and regulations of the host country. If you disregard these instructions and laws (in particular unlawful possession of drugs or weapons) you will be removed from the trip. The decision of the guide as to the conduct, itinerary, and objectives of the trip and its members is final. The guide may require an individual to leave the trip or to be confined to a base camp if in the guide’s judgment the actions of that individual put their own health and safety at risk, or jeopardizes the safety, enjoyment, or welfare of the trip team, or jeopardizes the aims and objectives of the trip, or puts the welfare of wildlife or habitats at risk. In such circumstances the guide cannot be held liable, nor is the individual involved entitled to a refund. In such circumstances Trek and Climb adventure reserves the right to recover any costs incurred as a result.
Insurance
It is compulsory that you are in possession of a suitable travel insurance policy that covers you fully for the activities in your trip, and provides cover for emergency medical repatriation including helicopter rescue. You should pay special attention to the fact that your policy covers you for relevant adventurous activities. We reserve the right to remove you from the trip team at any time if you fail to provide us with evidence of adequate travel insurance cover when asked to do so.
Trip equipment
All communal and group equipment such as activity equipment, tents, cooking equipment, trip medical kit, etc. will be provided by Trek and Climb Adventure. You will receive full training for any specialized activity equipment you are likely to use. You will need to provide your own clothing and personal equipment. A detailed list of personal clothing and equipment required will be sent to you as needed. Damage or loss to any equipment belonging to Trek and Climb Adventure caused by carelessness, negligence, or improper use will be charged appropriately and reasonably to the person responsible for the loss or damage. Depending on the circumstances you may be able to recover this loss from your travel insurance.
Trip Guide
At least one guide (usually from the host country) who is an expert in the trip area and activities will accompany each trip. The guide is the senior member of the trip team, and all complaints and problems should be addressed to the guide. It is a defining feature of Trek and Climb Adventure to provide a guide and their role is to take care of problems as they arise so that the trip members can dedicate their full attention to the trip aims and activities.
Single facilities
Our costs are based on two people sharing where there is fixed accommodation, although sometimes there may be dormitory facilities, and two or more people sharing where we use tents. It is often possible to arrange single facilities in fixed accommodation and sometimes in a tented camp, but there may be an extra charge involved. This will become apparent as the trip team manifests itself. Please notify us of your requirements when applying to join.
Unused services
If you fail to arrive at the arranged meeting area in time and as a result miss taking part in the trip, no refund or compensation will be given. Once a trip has departed, no refund or compensation will be given for any unused accommodation, travel, or any other feature contained in the trip itinerary. This also applies to all extensions and independent travel arrangements that trip members have made.
Complaints
It is our sincere hope that the trip you book will live up to your expectations. Remember that our trips are real adventures, not tours. Trek and Climb Adventure makes every effort to describe accurately field conditions on its website and verbally, but adventure in remote and challenging places is a delicate business, and prone to last-minute changes. We accept this as part of what makes joining Trek and Climb adventure a unique experience. We are not in the package holiday business, so if that is what you want, best look elsewhere. However, if you have cause for complaint during the trip you must bring it to the attention of the guide who will do his/her best to rectify the situation. We cannot take action and try to make your experience more enjoyable if you take no action during the trip, but only write a letter of complaint upon your return. However, if a problem is brought to the attention of the guide, but remains unsolved, you should write a letter of complaint within 28 days of your return. We cannot accept any liability in relation to any complaint if you fail to notify us strictly in accordance with the provisions above.
Legal status
By joining a trip you are entering into a legally binding contract with Trek and Climb Adventure. Because our trips involve adventure in remote and challenging places, Trek and Climb Adventure reserves the right to refuse an application for any reason we consider appropriate and proper.
Liability
Trek and Climb Adventure takes overall responsibility for the organization, logistical, and activity arrangements of your trip as well as providing overall leadership. In the event of disputes within the trip team, the guide’s decision will be final. Our trips sometimes take people to remote and potentially dangerous places. The role of the guide is to oversee the safe conduct of the trip and well being of all participants. Our guides have considerable experience in the areas and activities we operate. They will use this experience to facilitate the safe and successful achievement of the stated aims of the trip. Please be aware that you are acknowledging your personal responsibility for your own welfare at all times by completing the “Book this Trip” form.
Jurisdiction and the law
The terms and conditions of all agreements and contracts made with Trek and Climb Adventure can be changed, within reason, at any time and without prior notice, and all matters arising from it, shall be subject to, and governed by, English Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. When making your application to join a trip you confirm that you have read and understood all the terms and conditions above and agree to abide by them. These terms and conditions are subject to reasonable change without prior notice and the terms and conditions displayed here at www.treknclimb.com will at all times be considered the binding terms and conditions irrespective of other terms and conditions in circulation.
Trek and Climb Adventure Pvt. Ltd recognizes that adventure travel, trekking, bushwalking, climbing, cannoning, rafting, and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. The areas we operate in are sometimes remote and lifestyle, transportation, and health standards are often very different from Western countries. Clients should be aware of this and if you are not prepared to deal with such issues you should not travel with us.