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General Terms & Booking Conditions Agreement between Patagonia Trails and Free Independent Traveler (FIT)

1. Pricing

The price for the land portion of the trip is called Land Cost and includes:

• All accommodation in hotels, inns, mountain huts, camps and tents

• Ground transportation in private vehicles or domestic buses including reception & transfer from the nearest airport (depending on the itinerary)

• Meals as specified in each program, excluding meals in cities or towns where travellers are free to dine independently (highlighted in Prices & Facts section)

• All trekking, horse-riding, diving, marine and river arrangements in the field (as specified in each program) including equipment, permits and mules or pack horses if specified

• Entries and park fees if specified on each program

• Expert leadership including English speaking guides in all our fixed departures trips. The guide: participant ratio varies from 1 to 8 and 1 to 10 depending on the type of program.

Costs not included in the trip are some meals as noted in the itinerary, soft drinks, alcohol and liquor, medical expenses, the cost of hospitalization or evacuation, laundry, airport departure taxes, visas, international and domestic airfares, gratuities and insurance. Please refer to the trip itinerary for detailed information on what is included and not included in the Land Cost.

If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to weather, road conditions, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency or other causes beyond our control, such as acts of God, the associated costs, including any non recoverable costs, will not be refunded or included in the trip rate already paid. In such circumstances it is your responsibility to pay directly for extra costs in the field (i.e. food, transport, accommodations, etc.). Make sure you have up-to-date travel insurance protecting you against cancellations and delays caused by ‘Acts of God’.

Prices listed on our website and marketing material are subject to change owing to trip dates and prices often being published more than a year in advance. Between the time of publication and the trip’s departure, we are occasionally faced with exceptional cost increases or currency fluctuations that we cannot absorb. We do everything we can to keep our prices the same as published.

Tier Pricing:

In the case of small trip groups, some trips are tier priced according to the number of full-price passengers on the trip. Initially we invoice you the highest level tier price and then if the group size increases we refund you the difference as the price drops to a lower tier level. Patagonia Trails- staff, invited travel writers, photographers or tour operators’ representatives and any other discounted travelers are excluded in the passenger tally when it comes to tier pricing.

2. Accommodation

Our prices correspond to accommodation on a shared basis and in shared facilities. If a passenger does not wish to share then he/she will be asked to pay the Single Supplement Fee listed in the Price-List if available , according to the trip. Hotel accommodation and Tent Accommodation is based on double occupancy. The criteria for choosing accommodation are a mixture of comfort, security, location, sustainability, local atmosphere and local people’s houses.

3. Meals

All meals in the field are included, as well as all meals eaten in places like National Parks where travelers will not be able to purchase their own food or where we consider it is not recommended to do so. Please refer to each trip itinerary for information on which meals are included and which are not included. The meals included are shown as B=breakfast, L=lunch, BL-=box-lunch, D=dinner. We have put a lot of effort into developing fresh meals for our trips and our clients love them. Each trip will have its own particular menu depending on the local food and typical dishes prepared in the area. We can easily accommodate vegetarians and special diets in our trips with plenty of time. Please let us know in advance.

4. Insurance

Travel protection is essential for your peace of mind and safety throughout the trip. Unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses prior to or during your trip could make you lose pre-paid, non-refundable payments. Emergency medical transport and air ambulances in remote locations can be extremely expensive and will probably not be covered by your medical health plan so it is compulsory that you purchase personal adequate travel insurance which is appropriate for your trip. This insurance should cover personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses which may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience during your trip. We also suggest you purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance. When obtaining travel insurance, you must inform the insurer of the type of travel to be undertaken, especially when “adventure activities” are included in your trip.
At the moment of making your own insurance arrangements, you must ensure that there are no exclusion clauses which limit cover for the type of activities included in your tour, such as, but not limited to trekking, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting as Patagonia Trails will not be responsible for costs you may incur as a result of not having valid or adequate travel insurance. It is the responsibility of all our clients to declare any material facts including known medical conditions to their insurers, as failure to do so may result in a claim being reduced or declined.

5. Medical & Health

IIt is mandatory that clients with medical problems make their conditions known to us well before departure. The guide has the right to disqualify anyone, at any time, during the trip if he feels the trip member is physically incapable and/or if a trip memberʼs continued participation will be detrimental to the individual and other members involved in the group. Refunds are not given under such circumstances. Because of the fact that hospital facilities for serious problems are often unavailable and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive, we accept no liability regarding provision of medical care at any time during the trip. This statement is included on the Release & Assumption of Risk form provided by our company. All passengers are requested to fill out a Medical Report that helps us identify any possible health risks they may incur.

6. Physical Certificate

We ask for these certificates in addition to a general medical certificate to secure a safe undertaking of the activities included on certain specific trekking, horse riding and kayaking trips.
The programs require the passenger to be physically qualified to be accepted on the trip. This is not a technical demand but a guarantee of the physical condition of the participant and security that they are in a good physical condition and have adequate knowledge to undertake the excursion.

7. Responsibilities of Trip Members

Trip members are responsible for understanding the conditions stated in the Trip Itinerary and selecting a trip that is appropriate given their interests and abilities. In order to assist you we grade each trip with a Trip Difficulty Rating. We are also happy to discuss the trip with you, as well as provide you with names of past participants who can discuss their experience with you.

Trip members are responsible for:

• Being in sufficiently good health to undertake the trip they have chosen.

• Bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as recommended in the equipment list.

• Packing their personal belongings, passport, credit cards, cash, and traveller checks in a safe and dry place. Packing all smart phones, cables, digital appliances, bateries, ipods, i-tablets and any other electrical goods for personal use in a safe, cushioned pad and dry sack along with the main luggage. Following normal standards of personal hygiene in order to lessen the risk of traveler’s diseases.Acting in an appropriate and respectful manner with fellow trip participants and in accordance with local customs. Completing the itinerary as scheduled (or as adjusted in the field as necessary). Normally, travelers will carry a day-pack, saddle bags, dry sacks containing personal belongings they wish to take with them, including camera, glasses, extra clothing, sunscreen, water, daily box-lunch etc. On some specific trips travelers will be asked to carry their own personal items including backpack, sleeping bag, roll mat, etc. On camping trips, cooking and cleaning and putting up tents will be the responsibility of the guiding Staff although they may ask the client for voluntary help in setting up his/her tent.

• Reasonable changes may be made in the itinerary due to weather conditions or if judged to be in the best interest and well-being of participants.

8. Participation Requirements

All Clients are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen holiday as described on the official site or sent to the clients.
Travel with Minors: Passengers travelling with minors are asked to provide proof that they are the guardian(s) of said minor, or that the minor is travelling with the expressed permission of their legal guardian(s). This measure is taken to ensure the security of all minors on our tours.
No unaccompanied minors (those under 18 years of age) can be accepted however (a) minors aged between 3 and 17 years may accompany their parents on tours designated as specially taylor made family adventures, (b) older teenagers (those aged 14 and over) may be allowed to join certain group tours provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them, (c) minors aged between 10 and 17 may accompany their parents.
Anyone suffering from mobility impairment, illness or disability or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the holiday. Failure to make such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and may result in such persons being excluded from the holiday in which case all monies paid will be forfeit. If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other peopleʼs enjoyment of the holiday, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.

9. Booking

Reservations, Payment, and Cancellation Policy
Reservation of the tour must be done by email. A reservation is not final until receipt of the deposit or payment for the tour.
To confirm your space on your tour, Patagonia Trails requires a deposit of 20% to be paid upon confirmation of your tour’s availability. Patagonia Trails also requires passengers to complete and sign all waivers and pre-trip paperwork prior to the confirmation of their tour.

For Public groups:

• Your tour deposit of 20% of the total tour cost is fully refundable up to 120 days before the beginning of your tour.

• Your deposit is 50% refundable (10% of the total tour cost) up to 90 days before the beginning of your tour.

The total payment for your tour is due 60 days before your tour’s departure date.

• Cancellation of your tour 59-23 days before your tour’s departure date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 40% of the total tour cost.

• Cancellation of your tour 22-14 days before your tour’s departure date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 60% of the total tour cost.

Tours cancelled less than 14 days before your tour's start date are not subject to any refund (Cancellation fee of 100% of the total tour cost.)

For Private Tours:

• Your tour deposit of 20% of the total tour cost is fully refundable up to 120 days before the beginning of your tour.

• Your deposit is 50% refundable (10% of the total tour cost) up to 90 days before the beginning of your tour.

The total payment for your tour is due 60 days before your tour’s departure date.

• Cancellation of your tour 60-45 days before your tour’s departure date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 40% of the total tour cost.

• Cancellation of your tour 44-31 days before your tour’s departure date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 60% of the total tour cost.

Tours cancelled less than 31 days before your tour’s start date are not subject to any refund (Cancellation fee of 100% of the total tour cost.)

Customer Cancellation and Refund Policy

To cancel reservation must be submitted the request to us in writing by email at patagoniatrails@gmail.com and cancellation date will be the date on which we receive a notice.

If it becomes necessary for you to cancel your tour, your money will be refunded depending on the cancellation date and the fees associated with cancellation on that date.

Partial refunds will not be given for unused tour arrangements for any reason whatsoever. We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

Tours that need to be cancelled and rescheduled to another date will be considered a cancellation and subject to the same cancellation fees as detailed previously.
No partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements for any reason whatsoever. We therefore recommend you to take out travel insurance to safeguard against cancellation and curtailment. Patagonia Trails reserves the right to cancel any trip due to insufficient sign- up or logistical problems that may impede trip operations. In such case you will be given a full refund of the amount paid to Patagonia Trails. Patagonia Trails will not be responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trip (i.e. nonrefundable air tickets, visa fees, equipment, medical expenses, etc.). The refund of all land payments received shall release Patagonia Trails from any further liability.

Reservation & Cancelation Policy for full day excursions
• Individual reservation:
Reservation of the trip service must be done by email. A reservation is not final until receipt of the deposit or payment for the tour/travel service. Deposit and final payment:
The 30% deposit is required in order to confirm reservation and to ensure an availability of the tour/travel service.
Deposit must be paid at the time of reservation.
Upon receipt of the deposit, Patagonia Trails will send a confirmation of reservation. Final payment date will be listed on the confirmation. After the confirmation of tour/travel service final payment is due 30 days prior to date of tour/travel service unless otherwise indicated by Patagonia Trails.
If a reservation is made within 30 days of departure, the entire cost of the tour/travel service must be paid at the time of reservation in order to secure confirmation.
Payments may be made by cash, wire bank transfer, credit card and Pay Pal. If you pay your deposit by wire transfer, we cannot confirm your reservation until your payment has received the bank.

Cancellations and Refunds for Individual:

To cancel reservation must be submitted request to us in writing by email at patagoniatrails@gmail.com and cancellation date will be the date on which we receive a notice.
If we receive a cancellation notice 31 days or more from the Tour/travel service date, we will refund 30% of the deposit amount, and all of the Tour price, to the extent that you have made that payment.
If we receive a cancellation notice to 31 days prior to the tour/travel service date, we will retain percent 10% of the full day price.
If we receive a cancellation notice 30 to 15 days prior to the tour/travel service date, we will retain 20% of the Tour/travel service price,
If we receive a cancellation notice 14 days or fewer prior to the tour/travel service date, we will retain 50% of the Tour price.
If we receive a cancellation notice 13 days or fewer prior to the tour/travel service date, we will retain 80% of the Tour price.

10. Mandate

The client grants Patagonia Trails a mandate to act in the name and on behalf of the client with the authority to contract all the necessary services for the complete fulfillment of the agreed tourist program, specifically lodging, transfers, food supply, excursions and other services. The client authorizes Patagonia Trails- to use the present mandate with other tourist operators of recognized prestige. The delegate is empowered to contract the same services that Patagonia Trails may contract in fulfillment of the present agreement, on behalf of the client. The parties hereby declare that the services that are agreed in fulfillment of this mandate by Patagonia Trails or its delegates are included in the price of the subscribed program and they do not represent any additional cost for the client. Patagonia trails subcontracts services of third party tour operators in case of horseriding trips as well as trekking trips in Torres del Paine region, Chile and Argentina. Patagonia Trails also subcontracts services of third parties for the rental bike trips offered. In some cases, Patagonia Trails hires outside guides and experts to perform special activities including (but not limited to) ocean navigations, glacier ice walks, and horseback riding. These vendors may require additional waivers and liability releases in order to participate in the activity. All passengers must sign the applicable releases and waivers before completing their booking.

11. Optional Activities

If you purchase any optional activities that are not part of your pre-booked itinerary, the contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider. The decision to partake in any such activity is entirely at your own discretion and risk. If you do have any complaint about, or problem with, any optional activity purchased your claim should be directed to the activity provider and not to us. However, should you or any member of your party by misadventure suffer illness, injury or death during the period of your holiday from an activity which does not form part of the arrangements made by us or an excursion purchased through us, we shall at our absolute discretion give you every assistance including advice and guidance if needed.

12. Assumption of Risk and Release from Liability

• I understand and accept that Patagonia Trails acts as an operator of trips that may expose me to hazards and
elements of danger, and that participating in trips such as the one I am undertaking entails risk of illness, danger to property, personal injury and loss of life. I am also accepting that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time during which I am participating on the trip. I hereby accept and assume full responsibility for any and all risks of illness, injury or loss of life to myself and loss or damage to my property arising out of the participation in the trip organized by Patagonia Trails-.
• I hereby agree that neither I, nor any of my heirs, personal or legal representatives, or family members will bring suit or make a claim for illness, injury, loss or damage to property, or loss of life resulting from any acts or omissions, including any negligence, gross negligence, or reckless or willful acts (but not willful or fraudulent conduct) of Patagonia Trails, its employees, directors, owners, officers, agents, contractors or affiliated organizations as a result of my participation in this trip. I hereby agree, without limitation, that Patagonia Trails, is not responsible for acts of God, equipment failures, vehicle accidents, illness from food or otherwise, detention, assaults, theft or criminal activity, annoyance, delays, quarantine, strikes, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control.
• I hereby release Patagonia Trails, its employees, directors, owners, officers, agents, contractors or affiliated organizations from and against any and all liability arising out of, or in any way connected with my participation in the trip, including liability for any negligence (but not willful or fraudulent conduct) and any intentional act intended to protect my safety and well-being.
• I understand and accept that Patagonia Trails can make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the passengers. They reserve the right to substitute hotels, alter the itinerary, and reverse the order of places to be visited.
• The laws of the Republic of Chile shall govern this Agreement, as well as any type of arbitration that may arise as a result of controversy to this document. I have carefully read this General Terms & Conditions Agreement and fully understand its contents and confirm that all the information I have provided in the booking form is truthful. I am also aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between Patagonia Trails and its affiliated organizations and/or myself.

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