Terms and Conditions

Reserving Your Space
Fill out the reservation form on-line or call us at 1.866.877.2507 and speak with one of our travel advisors. Within 1-2 business days after receiving your reservation form, we will confirm availability for your preferred dates and destination and send you an official application via fax, regular mail or email (as a PDF file).

Once your signed application form is returned to us with your $250 trip deposit (payable by check. Mastercard or Visa), we will advise you that your space on the trip is confirmed.

Only then should you arrange international air tickets. Once you have bought your tickets (we will be happy to recommend reliable/economic options for airfare), forward us the flight information ASAP, so that we can schedule your airport pick-up.

If you reserve within 60 days of the trip's departure, full payment is due with your signed application. We recommend that you sign up as early as possible. Due to our extremely small groups (maximum 10), our trips can sell out several months in advance.

Activity Levels
We have ranked the activity level of each of our trips with the following five classifications:

• Easy (level 1) 1-2 hours of walking per day.
  
• Moderate (level 2) 2-3 hours of walking or hiking per day.
  
• Active (level 3) 3-4 hours of walking and hiking daily, sometimes over hilly terrain.
  
• Very Active (level 4) 3-5 hours of walking, hiking and biking daily, sometimes on steep terrain and/or at altitudes of 10,000'-12,000'. A minimum level of conditioning is strongly recommended.
  
• Strenuous (level 5) 4 -6 hours of hiking, biking, rafting or horseback riding daily, and may involve extreme altitudes (over 12,000 feet). These trips are recommended only for very fit individuals who thrive on physical activity. Doctors note is required to reserve space.

Please refer to your itinerary in the 'dates and planning' section to assure that you are comfortable with the activity level for your trip.

Catalog Prices
The prices in the catalog are based upon the costs and exchange rates at the time of printing. CULTURE XPLORERS reserves the right to alter these prices at any time. For trip departing between April 15th, 2003 and April 15th, 2004 your costs are guaranteed once you have paid in full.

Cancellation - if you cancel you trip
If you must cancel your trip for any reason, the following fees apply at the time we receive written notice of your cancellation (email notification is acceptable):

More than 90 days out = $0
61 to 90 days = $250
31 to 60 days = 50% of land cost
0 to 30 days = 75% of land cost
after departure date = 100% of land cost

Changing Dates/Trips
You may re-schedule your CULTURE XPLORERS trip for another departure date or an alternate destination. However, the fee structure above will apply for changes made less than 90 days before the original departure date.

Cancellation - if we cancel a trip
CULTURE XPLORERS reserves the right to cancel any trip when fewer than four people sign up or if the trip becomes unfeasible due to forces outside of CULTURE XPLORERS control, such as natural disasters or political instability. In all of these cases, we will refund 100% of the land cost of your trip.

However, CULTURE XPLORERS will not be responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip, including, but not limited to:non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, equipment purchased or medical expenses such as vaccinations.

Trip Cancellation Insurance
Should you have to cancel your trip due to illness, injury or death of a family member, this insurance protects most of your deposits and payments for both land and air costs. You can sign up for this insurance when you book the trip. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip insurance!

Passports and Visas
While on a CULTURE XPLORERS trip, you must carry a passport at all times. This should be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your trip. Also, ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your trip. CULTURE XPLORERS cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country due to incorrect visa documentation.

Unused Services
CULTURE XPLORERS does not refund any money for unused hotel rooms, meals, entrance fees or other activities during the trip. The trip cost is priced as a package, therefore credits are not given for services offered but not used.

Travel in the Developing World
You understand that while traveling with CULTURE XPLORERS, you will be traveling through developing countries where the level of hygiene and safety, the standards of accommodation and transportation and the quality of medical care is not the same as you would experience at home.

Responsibility
This type of travel involves a high level of inherent risk, which you agree to fully assume. You understand that during the course of the trip certain events may occur, including but not limited to: accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. You agree to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Flexibility
You acknowledge that travel on a CULTURE XPLORERS trip requires some flexibility and understand that the trip's route, accommodation and modes of transportation are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances.

Authority
While traveling with CULTURE XPLORERS you agree to accept the authority of the trip leader or specialist day leader at all times. You are aware that travel with a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical condition of different group members. You understand that CULTURE XPLORERS retains the right to decline any person as a member of the group at any time.

Local Partners
You acknowledge that CULTURE XPLORERS contracts with a network of local suppliers, both companies and individuals, to assist in the running of its trips. To the best of CULTURE XPLORERS knowledge, these companies are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However, CULTURE XPLORERS will not be held responsible for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these third parties.

Foreign Laws
CULTURE XPLORERS will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveler who breaks any law or regulation of any country visited.