information

Terms and Conditions

Please read carefully these terms and conditions of contract. In completing and submitting the Booking Form, you agree to be bound by these conditions, which constitute the agreement between World Expeditions Monde Ltd trading as World Expeditions, hereafter referred to as WE and you. No variation of these conditions will be effective unless in writing and signed by a person so authorized by WE. In these terms and conditions, reference to “WE representatives” means tour leaders and staff of WE and its officers, employees, agents, licensees, guides and other third parties and representatives and the land management authorities in each country in which the tour is conducted or any of them.

By completing and submitting the Booking Form you affirm that you:

• are over the age of 18 and legally competent to give the waiver, release and indemnity contained in it;

• understand that this document is contractual in nature, has legal effect and is not merely a warning nor provided for information purposes;

• understand that WE have relied upon your execution of the document in allowing your and/or your child’s participation in the tour.

Where this document is signed for a participant under 18 years of age, then the parent/guardian signing this document covenants in terms of conditions 17 and 18, in respect of any claim, liability or cause of action that arises out of or is incidental to the child’s participation in the tour.

1. How to Book To reserve your place on a tour, you must complete the Booking Form online and pay a non-refundable deposit of $400. Some trips require a non-refundable additional deposit or instant payment for a permit. In these instances, refer to the individual trip notes for details.

2. Prices The prices quoted represent the most current prices, are per person and are subject to minimum numbers. Where minimum numbers are not met by the balance payment due date, a small group surcharge will be offered to ensure the trips operation. Refer to the trip notes for all tour inclusions and exclusions. Once you have paid a deposit for your trip, any subsequent discounts or price reductions that are advertised may not be retrospectively applied. WE will try its utmost not to increase tour prices, however, sometimes increases are outside its control and WE reserve the right to amend tour prices accordingly. Amendments may be necessitated for many reasons including, but not limited to, increases in ground operator services, exchange rate fluctuations, increased fuel costs, airfares, airport charges, or the need to engage alternative air or ground operators. Any increase in tour prices must be paid prior to the departure date. Should the increase of your tour price be greater than 7% of your original tour price, you have the right to cancel your trip and obtain a refund of the monies you paid WE for your tour. You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any loss, expenses or damage (either direct or consequential) which may result from such cancellation, including but not limited to visa, passport and vaccination charges, gear purchase, airline tickets, airport and airline taxes.

3. Payment The balance of the tour price is payable to WE 70 days prior to departure and some tours, such as Polar cruises, require the balance of payment to be made 120 days prior to departure. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars to Canadian residents and in US dollars to American residents (unless otherwise specified), and all payments must be made in the respective currency apart from Antarctic, Arctic and Russian Far East tours, which are quoted and payable in US dollars only. If payment of the balance of the tour price is not received by WE by the due date, you will be taken as having cancelled the tour and cancellation charges in accordance with condition 4 will apply.

4. Cancellations If you wish to cancel your tour, you must notify WE in writing whereafter the cancellation will take effect subject to the following:

• If cancellation takes place more than 70 days prior to your departure date your full deposit, and any additional non-refundable deposits or permit paid, will be forfeited.

• If cancellation takes place between 70 & 35 days prior to your departure date 50% of the tour price will be forfeited.

• If cancellation takes place less than 35 days prior to your departure date 100% of the tour price will be forfeited.

For Polar cruises

• If cancellation takes place more than 120 days prior to your departure date, you will forfeit the full deposit amount.

• If cancellation takes place less than 120 days prior to your departure date you will be required to pay the full cost of the tour. Variations to the conditions outlined in conditions 3, 4 and 5 may apply subject to the voyage provider. Please refer to individual trip notes for details.

The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credit will be given for services not used. Any amount forfeited, which has not then been paid to WE by you, may be recovered from you by WE as a debt due and payable.

5. Amendments/Transfers AMENDMENTS: To make amendments to your tour arrangements, you must notify WE in writing. Each amendment to your tour arrangements will incur a $100 administration fee and you will be liable for any increase in airfares or operational expenses occasioned by the amendment.

TRANSFERS: If you wish to transfer from one tour to another, you must notify WE in writing after which the transfer will take effect subject to the following. Transfers may only be made to another tour to commence within 12 months of your original departure date and the following transfer charges will apply:

• If your notice is received more than 70 days prior to your original departure date, a $100 transfer fee will apply. In addition, any increase in airfares or operational services or extra permit/deposit penalties will apply: or

• If your notice is received within 70-35 days prior to your original departure date, 50% of your original tour price will be forfeited, of if less than 35 days prior 100% of your tour price will be forfeited.

For Polar voyages transfers will not be allowed unless received in writing by WE, not less than 120 days prior to the departure date. Transfers will only be accepted if you are transferring to another voyage the same operational partner that departs in the same season. If the transfer is agreed to by WE, a fee of USD$500 per person will apply unless your request for transfer is made within 120 days of your departure date in which case the cancellation penalties listed above will apply.

Note: Any transfer from one tour to another is subject to availability and the agreement in writing of WE, however, the transfer of a trip from one person to another is not permitted.

6. Health & Fitness Requirements You must be in good health and physical condition and are strongly advised to follow our pre-departure fitness training recommendations. Depending on the trip grading and your medical circumstances, you may be required to submit our medical questionnaire as proof that you are fit enough to participate in the tour 70 days prior to departure. If you have booked a tour graded 1-4 there is no medical form required unless your booking form indicates a pre-existing medical condition. If you have booked a trip graded 5-7, you will receive and may complete the medical form yourself unless you have a pre-existing medical condition or are 70 years of age or above, in which case, you must have your doctor complete your medical form, regardless of the trip grading, to certify you as fit to participate. For tours graded 8 to 10 you will be required to have your doctor complete and sign your medical questionnaire. If you suffer from severe muscular, chest heart or bronchial disorders, or if you are a severe asthmatic or have high blood pressure, you are strongly advised against participating. Tours take place in remote areas where there is little or no access to normal medical services or hospital facilities for serious problems. Evacuation, where necessary, can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Medical and evacuation expenses will be your responsibility, but insurance may cover you depending on the circumstances. While we do not discriminate by age, due to the extreme nature of our mountaineering trips we strongly discourage participants over 60 years of age. WE reserve the right in its absolute discretion to refuse a participant the right to participate on a tour and our standard cancellation terms will apply in these circumstances.

7. Medical Disclosure You declare and warrant that:

• you are in good health and mental and physical fitness at the time of booking this tour;

• you have disclosed to WE every matter concerning your health and mental and physical fitness of which you are aware, or ought reasonably be expected to know, that is relevant to WE’s decision to permit you to go on the adventure tour;

• immediately upon any adverse change in your health or fitness that may be likely to affect WE’s decision to permit you to go on the adventure tour, you will notify WE in writing of any such adverse change;

• you acknowledge that the obligation to disclose under this condition continues from the time of booking the tour through to departure and for the duration of the tour;

• WE is permitted to disclose medical information to our consultant doctor for an opinion;

• WE’s consultant doctor may exclude you from a tour if he/she deems it necessary;

• you have taken the necessary precautions to immunise/vaccinate for the destination you are travelling to;

• you have taken out a travel insurance policy that adequately covers you for medical eventualities including cover specifically for any pre-existing medical conditions.

8. Tour Leaders WE tour leaders take their responsibilities seriously and if for any reason a tour leader believes, in his or her absolute discretion, that you should not participate in the tour, before your departure, he or she may exclude you from the tour. In this event, you will be offered the option of taking another tour considered suitable for you or a full refund. If for any reason during a tour the tour leader considers, in his or her sole discretion, that your behaviour or your fitness or mental or physical health is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, he or she may direct you not to continue and you must follow the tour leader’s instructions. In this case you will not be entitled to any refund.

WE reserve the right to change, at any time, the tour leader of any tour. If that happens, WE will try to ensure that the alternative tour leader has expertise commensurate with that of the original tour leader. Any such change by WE will not give rise to any right on your part to cancel the tour or claim any expenses, loss or damage which may be suffered.

9. Complaints If while during your trip you have a problem, please bring this to the immediate attention of the tour leader or relevant supplier (eg. Transport provider, hotelier). If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction, please contact your WE consultant by email or phone and they will endeavour to assist you. If your complaint cannot be resolved locally, please follow this up in writing within 30 days of your return home by writing to our Operations Department at your local WE office using the recommendations set out in our ‘Complaint Handling and Dispute Resolution Policy’ as detailed at www.worldexpeditions.com/complaints

10. Cancellation due to tour booking numbers WE reserve the right to nominate a small group surcharge where a trip has not reached minimum numbers or to cancel the tour. In case of a tour cancellation, you will be given a full refund of payments made by you to WE. You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any injury, loss, expenses or damage or for any loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation including but not limited to visa, passport and vaccination charges, gear purchases or non-refundable flights and taxes.

11. Route changes, Postponement, Cancellation or Delay

WE reserves the right to either before or during a tour:

• cancel or modify any routes within the tour or objectives set out in the itinerary; or

• substitute different or equivalent routes within the tour in place of cancelled or modified routes, or

• postpone, cancel or delay (either in relation to the departure or arrival times or the duration of the tour) any such aspect of the tour if, in the absolute discretion of WE, it is necessary to do so due to inclement weather, snow or icy conditions or circumstances that are known to us and are otherwise likely to be hazardous or dangerous or due to any other adverse or threatening conditions whether political or military or terrorist or otherwise or if, in the absolute discretion of WE, there is a likelihood of any such event occurring which may impact upon the safety of the participants, or if an act or omission of a third party prevents the tour or any aspect of the tour being undertaken in accordance with your booking or for any other reason considered necessary by WE. In the event of any change, modification, cancellation, postponement or delay under this condition, you acknowledge that you will have no right of refund of the tour price (whether in whole or in part) and no right to claim compensation for any injury, loss or damage or other additional expenses incurred by virtue of the change, modification, cancellation, postponement or delay.

12. Itineraries

Itineraries and other details are published in good faith as statements of intention only and reasonable changes in the itinerary and related items may be made where deemed necessary or advisable by WE. The information contained on WE’s website, brochures, trip notes and pre departure information is to the best of WE’s belief, correct at the date of publishing.

13. Insurance Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price. It is a condition of booking a tour with WE, and your responsibility to ensure that you are adequately insured for the full duration of the tour in respect of illness, pre-existing medical conditions, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal items , evacuation, cancellation and curtailment. You must provide evidence to WE that you have obtained personal travel insurance covering all of the activities in which you expect to participate. If you do not, for any reason, provide satisfactory evidence of suitable personal travel insurance, WE may in their discretion cancel your tour and refund the tour price you have paid less cancellation fees and any other non-recoverable costs WE have incurred.

14. Proof of citizenship or information required to travel It is your responsibility to obtain proper identification or proof of citizenship as required by the authorities of the destination to which you are travelling. You will not be entitled to a refund if you are denied boarding or entry on any basis, including, without limitation, improper documentation (ie. visas) or failure to provide information. It is a requirement of many countries that your passport is valid for six months beyond the date of your return home to your home country, and it is your responsibility to check that you have such validity.

15. Airlines and other transport providers Any material published by WE, the Booking Form and these conditions of contract are not issued on behalf of, and do not commit any airline whose services are used or proposed to be used in the course of the tour. If an airline’s proposed travel or fare schedule is amended or cancelled, such amendment or cancellation will not be considered a cancellation of the tour by WE. Any flights or other transport forming part of the tour arrangements are subject to the conditions of the carrying airline or other transport entity, which in most cases limits the airlines’ or other transport entity’s liability to passengers in accordance with applicable international law and conventions.

16. Force Majeure If WE are prevented (directly or indirectly) from performing any of its obligations under this agreement by reason of an act of God, strikes, trade disputes, fire, breakdowns, epidemics and pandemics, interruption of transport , government or political action, travel bans imposed by governments, acts of war or terrorism, acts or omissions of a third party or for any other cause whatsoever outside WE’s reasonable control, WE will be under no liability whatsoever to you and may, at its option, by written notice to you, cancel the tour wherein condition 4 will apply in respect of cancellation charges.

17. Assumption of risk You acknowledge and agree that:

• by the very nature of adventure travel and trekking holidays, they are more challenging and demanding with a commensurately higher level of risk compared with conventional holidays, and involve potential exposure to injury and possibly death;

• in the countries and regions in which adventure travel is undertaken, standards of accommodation, transport, health care, hygiene, safety and service provision generally are often not as high as those standards in your country of residence and may require flexibility and patience on your part;

• the additional dangers and risks associated with adventure travel may include difficult and dangerous terrain; high altitude; extremes of weather, including sudden and unexpected changes; political instability; remoteness from normal medical services and from communications; and evacuation difficulties in the event of illness or injury;

• the enjoyment and excitement of adventure travel is derived in part from the inherent dangers and risks associated with adventure travel and that those inherent dangers and risks are a reason why you wish to undertake the adventure tour, and

• you have submitted your booking for the tour after giving due consideration of relevant travel information including, without limitation, any relevant information or advice given by the governments of Canada, The US Department of State, the British Foreign Office Australia, New Zealand and that it is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with that information or advice. For the above reasons, you, therefore, accept the inherent and increased dangers and risks associated with the proposed adventure tour and the accompanying risk of injury, death or property damage or loss.

18. No Liability

You acknowledge and agree that:

• To the fullest extent permitted by law and unless caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of WE, WE will not be liable for any claims, actions, loss or damage arising out of personal injury or death, or property damage, loss of service including consequential, exemplary or punitive damages which may arise in connection with your participation in any tour.

• WE will not be liable for any breach of any law by any person with whom you travel on the tour; and

• you may not rely on any representations concerning the tour made by WE which are not contained in these conditions.

19. Release and discharge

To the extent permitted by law, by accepting the additional inherent dangers and risks associated with the tour, you release, waive and discharge all WE representatives (including our ground operators in the country/countries in which you tour will take place) from all claims, actions or losses for personal injury or death, property damage, loss of services, loss of profits, consequential, exemplary, indirect or punitive damages or otherwise which may arise:

• out of or occur during your travel in connection with the tour or any activities conducted in conjunction with the tour unless caused by the reckless conduct of WE representatives, or

• in connection with any optional activities which you may undertake during the course of your tour but which do not comprise part of your tour itinerary and you accept that any assistance given to you by WE representatives in arranging such optional activities will not render the WE representatives liable to you in any way.

20. Privacy

You permit WE to collect personal information from you, or from your medical practitioner, regarding your health and medical condition. You acknowledge that this personal information may be disclosed to WE representatives in order to ensure your safety and well-being but will not be used by them for any other purpose.

21. Images

By signing these terms and conditions, you certify that your image may be used without charge by WE for promotional purposes, including but not limited to the website, printed promotional items and promotional presentations, unless you notify us in writing that you do not wish to have your image to be used for these purposes.

22. Waiver

A party will not be deemed to have waived any of its rights or remedies under these conditions or at law by allowing any time or indulgence or by not exercising any right or remedy arising out of any default by the other party.

23. Severance of conditions

If any part of a condition is illegal, unenforceable or invalid, it is to be treated as removed from the conditions, however, the remainder of the conditions are not altered.

24. Jurisdiction

This agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties will be construed and take effect in accordance with and be governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada. Should any conflict arise out of the application of the present contract, the Court of the province of Ontario, Canada, will, at the exclusion of any other jurisdiction, proceed with all claims arising.

Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips