Terms & Conditions | Galapagos Unbound

Terms & Conditions

GENERAL INFORMATION

OUR COMMITMENT

Our hope is that your first trip with Adventure Unbound is just one of many. Thus our goal is to provide thorough and complete communications and be clear with the details of our agreement with you.  Because the fine print sometimes changes, you will receive the most current Terms & Conditions along with your travel documents at the time of booking.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

We do our best to provide you with all kinds of great resources to prepare for your trip.  These include packing lists, reading lists, detailed itineraries and more.  All of our multi-day river camping trips include tents, sleeping bags, and pads.  In most cases we will even help you book a hotel room prior to and after your trip.  Most international departures include accommodations, meals and land transportation. The reservation packet that we send you will include a detailed gear list of what you should bring.

Most of our trips are suitable for beginners; however, some are more active than others.  A spirit of flexibility and adventure is a good thing to bring along.   It’s important that you understand the physical requirements for whatever trip you choose.  If you’re not sure about this, or you’re not sure which trip or date will best meet your needs, please call for advice from our talented and knowledgeable Adventure Consultants.  Be sure to read the “Trip Member’s Responsibility” below and if you have any medical concerns we encourage you to speak with your doctor before reserving space on a trip.

If you are planning a special event during the trip such as a birthday or anniversary, please let us know as we always have a few surprises up our sleeves.  On our trip application form you can indicate any food needs you might have and we’re happy to accommodate those where possible.

HOW TO SIGN UP

To make a reservation, please contact us by one of the following methods:

  1. Call us at 208-770-3359 – Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
  2. Send us an email - email addresses for our brands can be found on each website.
  3. Use the “Book Now” tab found on most trip pages on our website.

DEPOSITS

When we confirm the availability of your desired date and adventure, we will send you a confirmation packet including a suggested packing list. A deposit is required within 7-10 days of making your reservation for all trips for all trips booked 60 days or more in advance.  Confirmation is not final until we also receive a copy of your completed trip application and signed waiver.  We accept all major credit cards for the initial deposit. Credit cards are accepted for deposits only – the balance must be paid by check. Please note that some of our international tours require a second deposit due 120 days prior to departure.  Complete details on deposit amounts and payment due dates for your specific adventure will be sent to you on your initial invoice.

Early reservations are recommended as space is limited. While it is often possible to join one of our trips on short notice, space is limited and we recommend you sign up well in advance.

BALANCE DUE

  • USA-based trips:  Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
  • International trips:  Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

Reservations made after the balance due date must be paid in full at the time of booking. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if full payment is not received by the due date.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN

We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan which can include a full trip refund should you cancel at any time for medical or health reasons.  Coverage also includes medical evacuation, trip delay, and other elements.  Because so many of our guests purchase this plan, we add the cost to your invoice as a convenience and it becomes effective on the day your premium payment is received in our office.  Should you not wish to purchase this travel plan, simply deduct its cost from your invoice. Participants are responsible for researching the terms of their insurance coverage.

TRANSFER FEES

If you transfer from one trip to another, there is a $75 per person charge for USA-based trips up until 60 days prior to departure and a $100 per person charge for international trips up until 90 days prior to departure.  Transfers made after these times are treated as cancellations.  Transfer fees for some trips such as yachting trips are more stringent.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, you should notify Adventure Unbound in writing, by e-mail or fax immediately.  If written cancellation is received (call to verify) before the final balance is due, you will be given a refund less the amount of the deposit.  Deposits are not refundable.  If cancellations are made on or after the final due date, no money will be refunded.  If you are unable to go on the trip, you are welcome to find a replacement for yourself.  Please understand that once you’ve signed up, we lose the right to sell your reserved space to other individuals or groups.  Therefore, we regret that we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies.  For this reason we strongly recommend you consider purchasing the Travel Protection Plan we offer.

For non USA-based trips, Adventure Unbound must make substantial payments to its suppliers (hotels, transportation companies, etc.) far in advance of the trip departure date.  If Adventure Unbound cancels any tour, trip or expedition due to acts of insurrection, force majeure, strikes, popular demonstrations, acts of God, earthquake, flooding, or any cause beyond its control, Adventure Unbound will refund the portion of the trip cost not already advanced to suppliers and use its best efforts to recover and refund the balance as promptly as possible.

If we are not able to provide a substitute trip, river, or altered itinerary and have to cancel the departure completely, you will be refunded in full. Refunds are limited to the amount actually paid to Adventure Unbound.

CANCELLATIONS FOR EXTENSIONS

There is a $100 per person non-refundable cancellation fee for all extensions.  Cancellations must be received no later than 60 days prior to departure to avoid additional penalties.  Cancellations made 59-30 days prior to departure incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total fare.  Cancellations made 29-0 days prior to departure forfeit all fees paid.  For groups of 10 or more, cancellations must be received no later than 120 days prior to departure.  Cancellations made between 119-60 days incur a cancellation fee of 25% of the total fare.

SINGLE TRAVELERS

On most camping trips that do not include hotel accommodations we do have a limited number of single tents available at no extra charge.  On tours that include hotel accommodations, tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you are a single traveler, and request individual accommodations, we will apply a single supplement fee to your reservation. If you are willing to share accommodations, we will pair you with a roommate, should there be one available, allowing us to waive the single supplement fee. For some of our tours we have a limited number of single accommodations available. A select few of our tours do not offer single accommodations, regardless of traveler’s interest.  

TIERED PRICING

Our trips are budgeted for full or near full sign-ups which enables us to offer trips at the lowest possible price.  Because of numerous fixed costs, it is more expensive to operate a trip for a small group.  Therefore, on some of our trips, we have a “tier-pricing” system to avoid canceling a trip with a low number of sign ups.  We have found that most people also prefer this alternative to having a trip cancelled.   Thus, you will note on our trip prices there is a different price for 6-8 people versus 9-10, versus 11-12.

Tier pricing is calculated on the number of full revenue passengers.  Trip physicians, staff or guests of Adventure Unbound(travel writers, trip leaders-in-training, office staff, etc.) are not included in the tier pricing structure.  Trip costs quoted are based on foreign exchange rates current at the time of this printing.  We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.

We will initially invoice you at the higher tier price, and refund the difference depending on the final group size.

GROUP AND CHARTER RATES

On most trips, we offer a Group Rate for groups of 10 or more.  We are also happy to arrange private charter trips. Contact us for details.

WAITING LISTS

If you wish to be wait-listed for a full trip, the normal deposit is required.  If an opening occurs on the trip, you will be informed and automatically transferred to the trip roster.  If you accept the slot, you will become subject to the normal cancellation policies.   Otherwise, your deposit will be refunded in full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS / TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All travelers are required to have a valid passport when traveling to another country.  It is your responsibility to be sure that your passport is valid for 6 months after your tour dates.   Visas may be required for some countries. It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have the correct and complete documentation required for their trip.

TIPPING

If you are happy with the service you receive, it will be more than welcome.  Tipping is a very personal matter and the decision to tip and how much to give is entirely yours.  If you believe your guide deserves a tip, a suggested range is from 7-12% of your trip cost.  If you had the time of your life, then the sky’s the limit!  We also appreciate your comments.  We use your feedback to recognize extraordinary guest service and to discover areas where we can make improvements.  Our goal is to exceed your expectations!  Tips can be given to the “Team Leader”, who will distribute them equally among the crew.

GUIDE REQUESTS

Adventure Unbound is proud of the fact that we can sometimes bring guests together with their favorite guides. However, guide requests are often not possible and cannot be guaranteed for a variety of reasons. We will do everything we can to schedule you with the guide you have requested, but in the end, please understand, your request may not be feasible.

TRIP MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Trip members have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their abilities and interests. We are happy to discuss the trip with you if you have any questions or concerns. Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Members are also responsible for studying all pre-departure information; for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as detailed therein and, for acting in a manner considerate of fellow group members.

Although most travel, including travel to international destinations, is completed without incident, travel to certain destinations may involve greater risk than others.  Adventure Unbound urges passengers to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories issued by the United States Government prior to booking travel to international destinations. Information on conditions in various countries and the level of risk associated with travel to particular international destinations can be found at www.state.gov, www.tsa.gov, www.dot.gov, www.faa.gov, www.cdc.gov, www.treas.gov/ofac and www.customs.gov. By offering travel to particular international destinations, Adventure Unbound does not represent or warrant that travel to such points is advisable or without risk, and Adventure Unbound is not liable for damages or losses that may result from travel to such destinations.

Adventure Unbound reserves the right to disqualify anyone at any time before or during the trip for medical or psychological reasons. Each trip member is ultimately responsible for his or her own medical expenses. We cannot refund costs of medical examinations or other expenses incurred while preparing for a trip. If you arrive at the start of your trip with a pre-existing condition or injury that was not disclosed in writing to Adventure Unbound and you are subsequently forced to leave the trip because of this condition, you will be charged all extra evacuation expenses and will not receive a refund of any unused trip services. All health information is treated as confidential.

 

TERMS OF SERVICE

 

RESPONSIBILITY ~ AN IMPORTANT NOTICE

Payment of your deposit represents your acceptance of the following conditions: Remote Odysseys Worldwide, Inc. (dba Adventure Unbound), its subsidiaries and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agents for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services, and assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any delay, expense, mishap, inconvenience, bodily injury or death, loss or damage to person or property, however caused, in connection with any service, including, but not limited to, that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, irregularity, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from strikes, theft, quarantine, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, government restrictions or regulations, civil disturbances, and discrepancies or changes in transit over which we have no control.

Adventure Unbound reserves the right, either prior to or after departure, in its good-faith discretion and in circumstances that warrant it, to change or re-price any tour, trip, or expedition.  This includes the possibility of moving to a different river or river segment due to extreme water conditions, forest fires, road closures and/or acts of God.

Adventure Unbound reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable.

Adventure Unbound reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of our trips and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.

LIABILITY RELEASE

Everyone is required to sign a standard liability release form before the trip, acknowledging awareness that there are inherent risks associated with the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with Adventure Unbound’ cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.

FOREIGN TRAVEL

Trips in countries other than the United States of America are operated by independent suppliers arranged through our sister companies Remote Odysseys Worldwide, Inc. or ROW Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc.  We have no right to control their operations and therefore make the described travel arrangements upon the express condition that Adventure Unbound, Remote Odysseys Worldwide, Inc., nor ROW Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc., its subsidiaries, agents and employees, shall not be liable for any delay, mishap, inconvenience, expense, irregularity, bodily injury or death to person, or damage to property occasioned through the conduct or fault of any company or individual engaged in providing these services.

ITINERARY CHANGES

We do our best to follow our itinerary as published however, the nature of these sorts of adventures is such that each trip will be slightly different.  Weather, National Park regulation changes, hotel availability, guest ability, fuel shortages and other factors may require modifications.  We do our best to substitute equivalent destinations and activities.  Adventure Unbound will not be held responsible for any refunds whatsoever for changes to the printed or scheduled itinerary.

DELAYS

Travel requires a flexible attitude.  Due to factors out of our control, including but not limited to weather, unannounced road construction, etc., delays do occur.  For example, flights sometimes don’t operate as scheduled, roads may wash out, or detours may be necessary.  We advise you to consider these potential factors when planning your travel to our tour destinations, as well as ask for your flexibility and understanding when delays due to factors out of our control necessitate changes to your tour itinerary.

CANCELED TRIPS

Adventure Unbound reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient sign-ups or logistical problems, which may impede trip operations.  The refund of all land payments received shall release Adventure Unbound from any further liability.  In the event of trip cancellation, Adventure Unbound is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by trip members, such as penalties incurred through the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets, medical expenses and passport and visa fees. A trip cancellation due to insufficient sign-ups would normally occur at least 30 days prior to departure. These additional expenses can be recovered if you purchase a travel protection plan.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

Adventure Unbound shall not be liable for (a) expenses such as additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the individual trip itineraries, but which may be required to get to and from a trip start or end; (b) expenses due to the delay of a trip for any reason (e.g. bad weather, trail conditions, landslides, flooding, sickness, etc.); (c) expenses incurred in recovering luggage lost by airlines, belongings left behind on a trip or in shipping purchases or other goods home from abroad.