Expedition Terms and Conditions 2016/17
1. KNOWLEDGE OF CONDITIONS SET FORTH
When the client (or any person who has a reservation under the client’s name) returns our booking form and it is accepted by ACONCAGUA TREKS, it is understood that the client acknowledges and agrees to all the conditions herein and certifies that the information submitted in the reservation form is complete and true. On accepting the reservation we agree to fulfill our obligations as detailed herein.
2. RESERVATIONS
Reservations shall be confirmed once the client:
- Pays a non-refundable booking deposit to secure his/her reservation on the expedition. This payment shall be made by bank transfer to our account.
3. RESERVATION CONFIRMATION
On receipt of a deposit payment Aconcagua Treks willl forward confirmation of booking to the client by e-mail.
4. PAYMENT OF THE BALANCE
The balance due must be paid 8 weeks before outbound travel date from the UK.
5. PRICES
All prices advertised on our website or in publications are expressed in £ Sterling and may be subject to change without prior notice. The client shall pay the ruling price at the time the booking is accepted and our prices shall not be subject to change once the deposit has been paid.
6. RESERVATION CHANGES
If the client wishes to introduce any change to his/her reservation after making the booking, Aconcagua Treks will need to be informed in writing of the said change and this will incur a £25.00 administrative charge per person.
7. CANCELLATION OF BOOKING
Cancellations shall be made in writing, without exception, and the price of the trip will be refunded to the client after deducting cancellation charges. The cancellation date shall be the date Aconcagua Treks receive the change in information from the client. If the client makes a cancellation 30 days or more prior to departure, the booking deposit payment made for the reservation shall be retained by us to cover administrative expenses. If a cancellation is made within 30 days of the planned expedition date, Aconcagua Treks will be entitled to 50% of the total expedition cost. If a cancellation is made within 72 hours prior to the expedition departure date Aconcagua Treks shall be entitled to 100% of the total expedition cost from the client.
8. CHANGES TO BOOKING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
Aconcagua Treks may change itineraries, services, departure dates etc. in order to provide a better service or due to act of God or force majeure. Reasons for force majeure include: strikes, earthquakes, civil war, quarantine, revolutions, fires, adverse meteorological conditions, epidemics, bad road conditions or road closures etc. Aconcagua Treks reserve the right to cancel the trip due to force majeure or because the minimum number of people required participating in the programme has not been reached.
The cancellation shall be informed in writing to the client, who may opt for:
a) Demanding the refund of the full price paid to Aconcagua Treks
b) Deciding on an alternative trip and pay an additional sum of money or get a refund, whatever the case may be, if there is any price difference.
9. CHANGES TO BOOKING DURING THE TRIP
The nature of this trip requires flexibility in regards to changes. Daily itineraries and co-ordination details are considered as objectives to be achieved, not as contractual obligations. To participate in the Company’s adventure trips, it is essential that the client consents to this flexibility. Furthermore, Aconcagua Treks shall not be held responsible for delays or alterations in the programme due to (not exclusively) baggage loss with the airline, bad weather conditions, any accidents suffered by mules, breakage of gear, flight cancellations, disease, wars, strikes, and any other act of God. Any expense deriving from such events will therefore be borne by the client (who may get a refund from his/her travel insurance provider).
10. GUIDES: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
Given the nature of the service hired by the client, both the objectives of the programme and the decisions taken by the guide as programme leader are final. If the guide considers that the client ’s behaviour or physical condition may be dangerous to the safety, health or well-being of said client or of the whole group, the client will be asked to abandon the journey and shall not be entitled to any refund whatsoever. In the event this action is necessary, Aconcagua Treks shall be entitled to resort to Law Enforcement personnel such as the police, Park Rangers etc.
11. DISCOUNTS
If during an ascent the guide considers that certain conditions (adverse weather, bad roads, negative behaviour etc.) make it unsafe to continue the expedition and decides to cancel it, the client shall be entitled to receive a non-transferable voucher with a 15% discount off the cost of another ascent attempt. This discount voucher shall be valid for two successive summer seasons after the current season. In the event the client themself decides not to continue for any reason and at any point during the expedition, said client shall not be entitled to receive a discount voucher.
12. DOCUMENTATION
It is the client’s responsibility to obtain the necessary visa to enter the country of destination. Aconcagua Treks shall not be held responsible if the authorities refuse to give an entry visa to the client due to reasons inherent to said client, or if admittance to a given country is refused due to the client’s failure to comply with the necessary requirements or due to defects on his/her passport. Any expense deriving from such a situation, or from any similar circumstance, shall be fully borne by the client and the conditions detailed herein for voluntary cancellation of the service shall apply.
13. LUGGAGE
The luggage and personal belongings shall be, at all times, the client’s responsibility. In the event of an accident, loss or damage during the transfer of luggage in our agent’s vehicles, carriers or mules, we shall be liable to pay up to a maximum of U$S 200.
14. SERVICES INCLUDED
Aconcagua Treks and our agents are responsible for those services that are included and detailed in the information furnished for each programme.
15. SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
Aconcagua Treks are not bound to pay for extras, beverages, telephone calls, laundry, tips, food during transportation, tickets for recreational centre’s, national parks or natural reserves etc. or for any other service that has not been duly specified in the advertised programme.
16. UNUSED SERVICES
The price of the programme is quoted as a package. Therefore, no refund or compensation shall be given for non-use of certain services such as hotel stays, transportation, permits or any other service that is included in the trip and has not been used by the client.
17. ACTING AS AN “INTERMEDIARY”
Whenever Aconcagua Treks acts as an intermediary between the client and transport companies, hotels, companies offering medical coverage, restaurants, etc. and in the event any of the aforementioned fails to comply with any of its obligations, we will assume the responsibility of taking the necessary steps (such as hiring new service providers, withholding payments from those who failed to meet their obligations, etc.) to ensure the successful completion of the trip. Aconcagua Treks shall not be responsible for services provided by Third Parties.
18. HEALTH
The client must be in good health and physical condition and is wholly responsible for having relevant medical examinations prior to the trip. Aconcagua Treks does not assume responsibility in the event that said examinations are not fulfilled. Our programmes take place in remote areas with little or no possibility of having access to medical services or hospitals. Therefore, any health conditions suffered by the client must be specified on our booking form. Our guides are properly trained to act in the event of emergencies and they always carry a first aid kit with medicine. Nevertheless, it is the client’s responsibility to carry any medicine specifically prescribed to him/her.
19. EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
It is the client’s responsibility to bring and wear adequate equipment and clothing. Said items are detailed in the information given upon booking of the trip and will be checked by our guides on the day of arrival. The staff of Aconcagua Treks are fully capable of advising the client on the necessary equipment required. Aconcagua Treks, our agents, guides, coordinators and any other party working for us shall not be held responsible for any accident or inconvenience as a result of inadequate equipment or clothing.
20. COMPLAINTS
Aconcagua Treks and our agents shall only deem a complaint as formal if said complaint is submitted in writing within 14 days after the end of the trip.
21. INSURANCE
Travel insurance is not included in the price of the programme. Aconcagua Treks strongly recommends that the client takes out a full travel insurance policy prior to embarking on the trip.
22. EXPENSES DERIVING FROM ABANDONMENT OF TRIP
The itinerary price is quoted on the basis of group services so as to provide an improved range and standard of services at a lower cost. If the client abandons the group for any reason (personal reasons, sickness etc.) the services hired by the client thereafter are on a private basis. However, the client will be allowed to use hotel stays even outside the dates scheduled for the whole group. Some services will have an additional cost that must be borne by the client because they are not included in the price. In the event extra stays are needed, the cost will need to be settled with our agent’s at the end of the trip.
23. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
Reservations are accepted on the grounds that the client has acknowledged and accepted the potential risks that this type of trip may entail. Also that the client is mentally and physically capable of participating in the activities required, that his/her participation is voluntary and that - although Aconcagua Treks and our agents has taken all necessary steps to provide the client with adequate equipment and trained guides - the client acknowledges that adventure activities are risky. This risk is inherent to the activity and cannot be avoided without destroying the activity’s unique characteristic. Said inherent risks may cause equipment loss or damage or accidental injuries, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma or death. It is not Aconcagua Treks intention to frighten the client or curtail his/her enthusiasm, nevertheless, it is important that the client knows in advance which risks are involved. The following are some examples of said risks: avalanche, lightning, rock instability or fall, snow, ice, extreme hot or cold temperature, dehydration, acute mountain sickness, wind, mountain equipment failure, human error. The client acknowledges that this list is not exhaustive and that there are other unknown or unpredictable risks that may cause harm.
25. LIMITATION OF ACONCAGUA TREKS AND OUR AGENTS OBLIGATIONS
Our liabilities and obligations in connection with any event or failure shall be limited to and shall not exceed the price of the trip.
26. LAW, JURISDICTION AND COMPETENCY
These conditions shall be exclusively governed by English Law. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at our office.