Terms and Conditions

1. The Contract:
All persons wishing to make a booking must complete a registration form either by phone, e-mail, or in person at the Quetzaltrekkers office. All such persons will be bound by the following conditions and will hereafter be referred to as ¨the client¨.

2. Payment/Acceptance of Booking:
Registration must be completed by the client. Registration will be completed upon the receipt of a deposit of 50 Quetzales paid to Quetzaltrekkers at least one day before the scheduled trip departure. The balance is to be paid prior to the commencement of a tour. Failure to pay the balance at this time will result in cancellation of the tour for the client.

3. Insurance:
Prior to participation in a Quetzaltrekkers tour, the client is required to obtain a comprehensive insurance policy that includes health coverage, personal accident and liability, air ambulance and repatriation expenses in case of emergency. When obtaining travel insurance the client must ensure that the agent is aware of the type of travel to be undertaken. In the event that a client has not obtained a valid insurance policy prior to the start of the designated tour, the client agrees by the signing of the Medical and Terms and Conditions Agreement form to accept any and all responsibility for loss and financial costs of any and all emergency services provided.

4. Cancellation of a Tour by the Client:
If a client cancels a tour before 10:00 a.m. of the day prior to a trek, the client will receive a full refund. If a client cancels a tour for ANY reason after this time, the deposit of 50 Quetzales is completely NON-REFUNDABLE. This deposit may be applied to a future Quetzaltrekkers trip if the client desires. If a client decides not to participate in the trip prior to departure from the Quetzaltrekkers office, a full refund minus the 50 Quetzal deposit will be issued. If a client falls ill and decides not to participate in a trip after departure from the Quetzaltrekkers office but before the commencement of trekking (i.e. on the bus), the client will receive a 50% refund, plus the 50 Quetzal deposit. If a client begins trekking and falls ill or decides not to continue with the trip, only the 50 Quetzal deposit will be returned.

5. Cancellation of a Tour by Quetzaltrekkers:
Quetzaltrekkers reserves the right to cancel a tour for any reason, but will not cancel a tour after 2 p.m. on the day prior to a designated departure, except for unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside of our control. If a tour is cancelled by Quetzaltrekkers prior to departure, all deposits and trip fees will be refunded. If a tour is cancelled after departure for circumstances beyond our control, trip fees will be returned minus money to cover the costs of trip preparations and actual trip costs incurred.

6. Deposits:
The deposit of 50 Quetzales is not intended to cover lost, broken, or damaged gear. There is a fixed set of prices for all gear that the client agrees to pay if something malice is to happen to the gear. This deposit also acts as a reservation of the client’s place for a designated trip. All reservations made in person must be accompanied by the 50 Quetzal deposit. This does not apply to reservations via telephone or email.

7. Unused Services:
There will be no refund for missed or unused services. If a client does not show up for a trip or arrives after the trip has departed, no refunds will be given. However, they will be given the opportunity to put the deposit towards another trek.

8. Prices and Surcharges:
Quetzaltrekkers reserves the right to impose surcharges or price increases up to 2 weeks before departure.

9. Flexibility:
The client acknowledges and accepts that the nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and allows for alternatives. The outline itinerary as given for each trip is taken only as an indication as to what the group may accomplish, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Quetzaltrekkers. It is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities, and mode of transport may be subject to change, without prior notice, for any reason. Reasons may include, but are not limited to, sickness, mechanical breakdown, strikes, events emanating from political disputes, weather, and/or other unpredictable or unforeseen circumstances.

10. Acceptance of Risk:
The client acknowledges and accepts that Quetzaltrekkers tours include activities that are adventurous in nature and that such activities inherently involve a certain amount of personal risk. The client agrees to accept personally all risks associated with a Quetzaltrekkers trip.

11. Authority on the Tour:
The client acknowledges and accepts that at all times the decisions of Quetzaltrekkers’ tour leaders or representatives are final on all matters affecting the safety or well-being of the tour. The client must at all times strictly comply with laws, customs, and drug regulations of Guatemala. Should the client fail to comply with the above or interfere with the well-being of the group, the tour leaders or representatives may order the client to leave the tour without recourse to any refund.

12. Travel Documents:
The client must be in possession of a valid passport or a photocopy of the same validated by a Guatemalan lawyer.

13. Information and Advice:
The client acknowledges and accepts that information and advice given by Quetzaltrekkers on visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, or any other subject, is given in good faith, but without responsibility or liability on the part of Quetzaltrekkers or any member of the organization.

14. Factors Outside of Quetzaltrekkers’ Control:
Quetzaltrekkers will do its best to minimize the effects of matters outside its control, but accepts no liability for such matters, which may include, but are not limited to, political disputes, border closures, refusal of visas, industrial action, delayed flights, unforeseen climate, acts of war, and/or random acts of criminal violence.

15. Disclaimer:
Many of the tours include activities which pose a certain element of personal risk. The client accepts any and all personal risks inherent in the implementation of the tour and accepts the terms and conditions of Quetzaltrekkers The client agrees not to sue or hold liable in any way Quetzaltrekkers, Escuela de la Calle, Hogar Abierto, or any employees or volunteers of said organizations for any loss, injury, or death incurred in conjunction or association with any Quetzaltrekkers tour or related event.

Updated July 2007