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Terms and Conditions

Reservations

A $375 deposit mailed with your completed registration form and signed release form will reserve you a place. For immediate confirmation please call. To register for a self-guided trip please read this page of terms and conditions in its entirety and then refer to Self-guided Trips for specific registration information.

The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. When applying less than 60 days prior to departure, full payment is due. We accept MasterCard and VISA. Reservations will be accepted 7 days prior to departure if space is available; however, reservations within 14 days are subject to a $75 late fee to cover international communications, resecuring hotel reservations, priority mailings, etc.

As confirmation of your deposit, we will send you an invoice for final payment and additional information including travel information, packing list, medical questionnaire, and an application form for travel and trip cancellation insurance. Receipt of final payment, you will receive trip rendezvous information and addresses. Returning members receive a 5% discount on most trips.

Cancellations and Refunds

Should you find it necessary to cancel, a cancellation fee will apply based on the date we receive written notice:

• Over 60 days prior to departure - $100
• 60-30 days prior to departure-50% of land costs
• Less than 30 days or failure to show-no refund

There will be no refunds or credits for unused portions or uncompleted tours for any reason whatsoever.

Please note that a few of our trips have payment schedules and cancellation fees that are more stringent. These exceptions are clearly indicated in the detailed itineraries, printed separately for each trip.

Distant Journeys reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient sign-up. In this case, all money will be refunded immediately. A trip cancelled due to insufficient sign-up normally occurs no less than one month prior to departure. However, Distant Journeys is not responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant as a result of such cancellation.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend that you purchase short-term travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage and accident/life. In the event you find it necessary to cancel either prior or during a trip due to injury, personal or family illness or emergencies, trip cancellation insurance will reimburse non-refundable airfares and non-refundable land costs. It can also cover the costs of emergency evacuations from remote areas. It is possible to purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance policies through any insurance agency or travel agency. Distant Journeys also makes applications available.

Medical and Health Insurance

Due to the physical nature of our tours, Distant Journeys requires that you have medical and health insurance coverage while participating on our tours. It is possible that the insurance policy you already have will cover you against accident/injury, and loss or damage to personal property while you are abroad. If not, it is possible to obtain a short-term travel insurance policy.

As our tours can be physically demanding and, at times, we can be several hours away from medical facilities, we request each member to complete our medical questionnaire. It is vital that persons with medical concerns make them known to us well before the departure of the trip. The trip leaders have the right to disqualify any member from the group whose physical condition is such that continued participation may jeopardize the individual or group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances.

Trips Costs

The land costs printed in itineraries are based on current exchange rates and tariffs. Due to fluctuations in currencies and costs of services, Distant Journeys may be forced to increase rates without prior knowledge. Though we will doÝ everything possible to avoid price increases, in the event we do raise prices, you will be contacted in advance of departure and billed accordingly.

Land costs for all trips include all accommodations, all breakfasts, most dinners, guides, all ski lift, cable car, train and bus transfers as specified in detailed itineraries.

Land Costs do not include international airfare, passport, visas, airport taxes, medical costs, costs of evacuation from remote areas, individual/optional trains, buses, lifts, or excursions, lunches, beverages, tips to guides/leaders, certain meals as specified in detailed itineraries, items not on the set dinner menus, personal items and services including laundry, insurance, etc. Please see detailed itinerary for specifics.

Single Supplements: Accommodations are based on double occupancy. There are only a limited number of single rooms available in the hotels at a supplemental charge. This extra charge simply pays for a private room, not better accommodations. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate. If there is no one with whom you can share, in most cases, there will be no extra charge.

Trip Grades

Trip Grades are noted in the specific itineraries. All trips are well paced with time for sight seeing and rest stops. Participants, however, must be in condition appropriate for the trip.Ý All our hiking and walking trips take place between 1,000' and 9,000'. We are happy to discuss the level of difficulty and provide you with names of past participants.

Easy:Ý Hike 3 to 4 hours daily carrying a daypack on generally gentle terrain. Distances from 4 to 8 miles. Elevation gain and loss 500' to 1,500'.

Moderate:Ý Hike an average of 4 to 5 hours daily on varied terrain. Distances from 5 to 9 miles. Elevation gains and losses generally 1,500'-2,500' or about 2 hours.

Strenuous:Ý Hike 5 to 7 hours daily on varied terrain, with consistent ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 2,500'-3,500'. Distances from 6 to 11 miles. There are some sections that include steep uphills and downhills.

Strenuous Plus:Ý 5 to 8 hours partly on rocky, challenging terrain with consistent steep ascents and descents of 2 to 3 or more hours generally 3,000'-5,000'. Distances from 6 to 15 miles. Though each day is not strenuous plus there are some sections that may include rough terrain and open and exposed trails.

Responsibilities of Trip Members

Trip members have the responsibility of selecting a trip that is appropriate to his/her abilities and interests. We can offer a list of past participants who can describe their experiences. Trip members are responsible for studying and comprehending the conditions implied in the trip itinerary, supplemental information sent by Distant Journeys, for being in good health, for bringing appropriate clothing, sufficient equipment and specific medications or first aid supplies, and for acting in an appropriate, respectful and safe manner and in accordance with the customs of countries visited.

At the guides discretion, a member may be asked to leave the trip if the guide feels further participation may be detrimental to or compromise the safety of the individual or the group as a whole.

Limitations and LiabilitiesÝ

Distant Journeys, it's owners and guides give notice that they act only as agents for the owners, contractors, and suppliers, providing means of transportation and/or related services and shall not be liable for any delay, mishap, expense, inconvenience, irregularity, bodily injury or death to person or damage to property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or individual engaged in providing these arranged services. Each of these passenger conveyance companies, tour companies, hotels, restaurants etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where the service is provided.

Distant Journeys shall not be liable directly or indirectly, for bodily injury or property damage for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to acts of God, weather, quarantines, civil disturbances, theft, default, detention, annoyance, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, or failure of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled etc., over that which it has no control.

Delays

Although these itineraries have been carefully planned, reasonable changes and substitutions in the itinerary may be made where deemed necessary for the comfort, safety, and well being of the members. Any resulting costs will be the sole responsibility of the participant. On advancement of deposit, the payee therefore agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions.