Terms & Conditions
Yes, it’s all about the small print. we certainly know it is important to highlight these fine print stuff to ensure that our travelers are well informed of their (and ours too) obligations and responsibilities. We want you to be well informed all the way, right from the investigation and research stage of your trip, the booking process, payment and cancellation deadlines, the trip itself, the liability concerns, unforeseen emergencies and even what happens upon returning home.
The conditions that govern the purchase of a tour package, whether Air & Land combined or Land Only as listed in this web site constitutes a contractual agreement between Wanderlust Adventures and the customer and implies your acceptance of all Wanderlust Adventures terms and conditions as stated herein. Please ensure you read them carefully and understand these terms and conditions prior to booking.
TRIP SIGN UP & RESERVATION PROCESS:
Call OR E-mail us to check availability
Due to the complex nature of our trips that require consultation with our adventure experts, we do not offer the online booking option. Besides, our groups are always small – sometimes very small – and they can fill quickly, so contact us to check availability.
Reserve your spot
When signing on to one of our adventures, you agree to sign our Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Form, which states that you and your party have read and understand the important information on these pages, including a release of liability prior to and/or during your trip. Your reservation is neither guaranteed nor considered complete if we do not receive an Acceptance of Terms & Conditions form from you.
Receive confirmation letter & Trip forms
You will receive a confirmation letter upon booking, along with a reading list prepared exclusively for your expedition. You will also receive an insurance form and a copy of the trip dossier (if any) detailing the services we offer, as well as booking forms requesting additional vital information.
Pay Final balance
Your final balance will be automatically charged to your credit card in file unless you advice us prior to the final balance due date indicating you prefer to pay by personal check.
Receive your Pre-Departure Briefing & preparation materials: Your Pre-Departure Briefing will arrive approximately two to three months prior to your trip. This booklet will inform you on how to prepare for your trip, what to bring, what to leave home and what to expect. It will be accompanied by further material that will help you prepare for your expedition. We send your Pre-Departure Briefing electronically!
Final Documents
Receive your courier package with electronic copies of air tickets, insurance certificate if purchased from us, important list of contacts to leave at home and other goods approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
PRICING:
To offer the lowest and most competitive pricing for our clients, all of our trips are priced according to the minimum/maximum number of full-price participants on the trip. Wanderlust Adventures staff if any, our family members or guests of our company such as travel writers, photographers, trip leaders-in-training are not factored in the sales prices featured. Prices are quoted in Canadian dollars (CAD$) as well as United States Dollars (US$), unless otherwise indicated, and are based upon the prices of service providers, exchange rate, cost of fuel, taxes and other fees in force at time of preparation of the programs.
All prices are valid upon date of publication and are subject to change without notice because the trip dates and prices have often been published more than a year in advance. Between that time and the time of the trip’s actual 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. Unless the customer has paid in full, all prices may be increased at any time and for any of the above reasons. Where there is an increase in the total price of the Travel Services after a deposit has been paid and the cumulative increase, except any increase resulting from an increase in retail sales tax or federal goods and services tax, is more than 7 per cent the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund. Please note that for trips in certain areas of the world such as Europe, Patagonia and for some trips in Asia, prices are always seasonal. In such cases, the prices quoted in our web pages may just be indicative estimates only and are not final. It is your responsibility to check back with us for accurate final pricing.
PRICE INCLUDES
Airfare: Applicable on Air & Land combined packages only.
Meeting/Assistance/Transfers/Porters: Airport / Hotel round-trip transfers at all destinations and includes one suitcase per person. Some Land Only programs does not include transfers, unless specified otherwise. Such clients will join/leave our trips at the first and the last hotel in the itinerary.
Accommodation: Most accommodations in our programs are based on double sharing occupancy. A single supplement is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations, subject to availability. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate. However, if a roommate is not available, the forced single supplement as advertised in this site will be charged.
Meals: Meals as per itineraries
Local Guide & Fees: Professional English-speaking local guide(s)
Wanderlust Trip Leaders: Accompanying trip leaders are generally included for all departures with a minimum of 8 persons per trip departure.
Sightseeing & Entrance Fees: By motor coach and entrance fees as per itinerary.
Services Charges & Taxes: All taxes charged by local governments on services, which are part of the program, are included except those imposed by airport authorities (Navigation fees, airport improvement fees for Toronto, other related taxes/fees, Canadian Air Travelers Security Charge, Airline insurance fee).
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE:
Personal expenses: Telephone, Wi-fi and data port charges at some hotels, meals and drinks, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
Tips: To guide(s) driver(s) and hotel personnel.
Insurance: At time of deposit, customers may purchase travel insurance as indicated on registration form.
AIR TRAVEL
Wanderlust Adventures exclusively works with its associate company, Tourcan Vacations Inc. They operate a full-time air travel department to assist our guests with air transportation needs from their home cities to the starting point of their trip, plus any required additional travel services. Some guests prefer to do them on on their own and online in search of cheaper rates. This is indeed recommended. These online sites and air travel companies often gain last-minute fares or “special” deals that cannot be obtained directly through our services. We encourage our guests to do their research and select the booking method that best suits their needs.
DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
A nonrefundable deposit of $300-600.00 per person (depends on the trip style and destination of the trip), is required at time of booking. Wanderlust Adventures office must receive final payment 60 days prior to departure. Reservations made less than 60 days prior departure date must be accompanied by payment in full. If final payment is not received within the required period, Wanderlust Adventures reserves the right to cancel any such reservations without prior notice and levy applicable cancellation fees. Some Adventure trips require final payment 90- 120 days prior to departure. Please ask your Adventure Specialist.
RESERVATIONS/DEPOSIT/CONFIRMATION:
Reservations are strictly personal and must be accompanied by a deposit or payment in full before they can be considered confirmed.
PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD:
Verbal authorization given by travel agents or customers to Wanderlust Adventures for the use of a credit card confirms the reservation, whether or not the registration form is signed at that time. Signed copies of Credit Card Authorization Forms must be in our possession before final documents will be issued.
PAYMENTS BY CHEQUE:
We occasionally offer savings should you prefer to pay us by cheque. Please contact us or refer to the Pricing page of each trip for more information. Cheques should be written in favour of our associate company, Tourcan Vacations Inc with a note ” Wanderlust………………………………………….(name of the tour) tour”. In order to offer these savings, the final payment cheque should be received by our office by the date of final payment due. (Shown in your invoice). Should we do not receive your cheque on time, we will proceed to charge the balance payment on the credit card on file.
CHARGES FOR CHANGES:
Changes to a reservation: Subject to a $50 change fee outside of 60 days of departure. Within 60 days of departure cancellation penalties will apply.
Changes to the itinerary: Any changes to itinerary are subject to a $ 25.00 fee per change.
Change in the room occupancy:
If any change made by one or more customers alters the basis of room occupancy, rates will be adjusted to reflect true room occupancy status.
Change in customer’s name:
Changes of customer names will be treated as a cancellation and cancellation fees will apply.
Changes made subsequent to departure date:
Charges will apply for any changes in customer reservations (subject to availability) subsequent to the departure date.
CANCELLATION CHARGES:
Charges will apply in the event of any cancellation. No Services either cancelled or unused subsequent to departure. Insurance premiums are non-refundable, in whole or in part, whether cancelled before or after the departure date. The day of departure is excluded when calculating cancellation or change fees. All cancellation fees must be calculated based on the total amount of the products and Travel Services purchased. Wanderlust Adventures reserves the right to cancel a booking where any payment is not received by its due date ( 60 day prior to departure).
CANCELLATION BEFORE DEPARTURE DATE:
If cancellation is necessary, please advise Wanderlust Adventures in writing.
Cancellations
- Up to 60 days prior to departure – Deposit
- 59 to 45 days prior to departure – $ 500.00 penalty**
- 44 to 30 days prior to departure – $ 1,000.00 Penalty**
- 29 to 15 days prior to departure – $ 1,500.00 Penalty**
- 14 or less days prior to departure – 100% of the trip cost
**Plus any unrecoverable deposits paid to airlines or overseas suppliers.
FULLY OR PARTIALLY UNUSED SERVICES(AFTER DEPARTURE):
No refunds will be made for any unused portion of an itinerary including accommodation, sightseeing, cruises, transfers, meals, international or domestic flights with or without notice unless cancelled or missed by the supplier.
FLIGHTS AND CARRIERS (Applies to Air & Land Inclusive Programs Only):
Customers acknowledge and accept the following
Changes: Flights offered by Wanderlust Adventures and its air travel consolidator partners are conducted in accordance with the applicable tariffs of the air carrier and pursuant to regulations set out by the Canadian Transportation Agency. All such flights and rates are also subject to approval by the relevant government authorities. Consolidations and changes in the published schedule, aircraft type, days of operation, air carrier providing air transportation and flight itinerary may be undertaken at any time and without prior notice, in accordance with the air carrier’s tariffs.
Schedule Check and Connecting Flights: Flight schedules are subject to change without notice. Customers having purchased air only must reconfirm their return flight within 24 to 72 hours prior to the scheduled take-off time. Wanderlust Adventures undertakes to notify customers reasonably in advance through means it deems appropriate of any schedule changes resulting in the advancement or delay of the flight departure times or in case of cancellation of a flight. Whenever customers book connecting flights, they must allow sufficient time to make their connection. No control can be exercised over air carriers to guarantee flight schedules, which may be altered or affected by various circumstances. Wanderlust Adventures will not be liable for any change of schedule or a missed flight connection, including any additional fees incurred and special, incidental or consequential damages (including the carriage of baggage) arising from the foregoing, whether or not it had the knowledge that such additional fees or damages might be incurred.
Airport check-in: It is recommended that customers arrive at the airport check-in counter at least 3 hours prior to departure. Failing this, their reservation may be cancelled and their seats assigned to other customers, with no right of recourse.
Seat assignment: Unless already pre-assigned, staff at the air carrier’s check-in counter conducts aircraft seating.
Other applicable conditions: Air transportation is subject to all applicable government regulations and is governed by the Montreal Convention, or the Warsaw Convention as the case may be, the applicable tariffs of the air carrier as well as the conditions of contract appearing on the airline ticket. Any amendments or changes to the applicable air carrier’s general terms and conditions of carriage once filed with and approved by federal regulatory authorities, are not subject to additional public notice and are legally binding.
Refusal to transport: Removal of passengers: Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable for refusal by itself or the air carrier to transport a passenger nor for the cancellation of a reserved space or removal of a passenger due to, but not limited to, safety reasons, to prevent the violation of any applicable laws of any country or to prevent any hazard or risk to such passenger, to any other person or property, or to the flight.
VALIDITY OF AIR TICKETS (Applies to Air & Land Inclusive Programs Only):
Tickets are made out in the name of the customer and are not transferable. Tickets are valid only on the dates and flights indicated unless informed otherwise at the time of booking. Unused portions of tickets may not be used for travel on other flights and are not subject to a refund at any time.
BAGGAGE ON FLIGHTS:
Limits: Air carriers have individual rules and regulations with respect to baggage weight, size and number. Customers must consult with the travel agent for applicable restrictions.
Liability: The provisions of the Montreal Convention, or the Warsaw Convention as the case may be, the applicable tariffs of the air carrier, as well as the notice appearing on the passenger ticket and baggage check, govern the loss of and damage to baggage and establish the limits of air carrier’s liability. Baggage lost or damaged while boarding or disembarking a ship must be reported to the Purser’s office prior to the ship’s departure from port or prior to leaving the local customs area. Passengers’ baggage and property are transported, stored and handled at owner’s risk at all times.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
It is the full responsibility of customers to obtain at their own expense all necessary travel documents required by all relevant government authorities, including all ports of call, and to comply with the laws thereof. Passports will be required for all air and sea travel to or from all destinations and may have to be valid for six months beyond the date of the expected return to Canada. Canadian Citizens born in certain countries may require a visa in addition to a valid passport. A permanent resident card will be required for permanent residents/landed immigrants who are not Canadian citizens. One (1) parent traveling with a child under age 18 may have to obtain a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent not traveling. Customers are responsible for checking which documents are required, and then make certain that they have the necessary documents in hand prior to departure. The carrier or relevant authorities, without further recourse or the possibility of a refund, may deny customers boarding privileges failing to provide the required documents. Entry to another country may also be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete. No refund or replacement will be given for lost or stolen travel documents. Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable for any aid or information given by its employees or the travel agent in connection with obtaining any necessary travel documents or complying with any laws, whether given orally, in writing or otherwise, or for the consequences suffered by any customer resulting from his/her failure to obtain such documents or to comply with such laws.
CUSTOMER ADVISORY:
Some events are part of normal unpleasant occurrences, which can happen when traveling abroad. The customer realizes this, solely assumes the consequences thereof and agrees that Wanderlust Adventures cannot be held responsible for any damages owing to such occurrences.
Living Standards: Customers are asked to bear in mind and accept that living standards and practices at the destination, and the conditions there with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodations, may differ from those found in Canada.
Service disruptions: Some services including water, electricity, air-conditioning, security, sanitary conditions, pools, food, beverages and other services or benefits may be suspended or interrupted partially or completely during the customer’s stay. Likewise, depending on the occupancy rate of hotels, ‘ la Carte dining may be replaced by buffet or vice-versa.
Food, water and beverages: The food, water and beverages may not be up to North-American standards. Accordingly, customers assume sole responsibility for any illness suffered while abroad or upon return owing to the quality of the food, water and beverages.
ROOM ALLOCATION:
Hoteliers are solely responsible for room allocation, in accordance with the category reserved by customers. Should customers choose to alter their room category upon arrival at destination (upon availability), they must make their own arrangements with the hotelier and assume all additional fees levied by them.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT CONDITIONS:
Customers acknowledge and accept that hoteliers, in accordance with international standards, request that occupants check in between noon and 3 PM and check out by noon on the scheduled day of departure or by noon on the day immediately preceding a late night departure.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING ASSISTANCE AND CARE AND WHILE TRAVELLING
All customers requiring special care, assistance, attention or treatment must advise Wanderlust Adventures and the air carrier of any and all specific needs at the time of booking, in order to arrange air transportation, hotel and tour accommodations.
CHANGES TO TRAVEL SERVICES:
If confirmed goods or Travel Services are no longer available prior to the departure date or subsequent to arrival at destination, Wanderlust Adventures reserves the right to substitute them for comparable goods or Travel Services, or, alternatively, to cancel them.
Changes to a coach tour itinerary: Wanderlust Adventures and the participating coach tour operator reserve the right to cancel, alter or re-schedule any timing, to omit one or more stops, to substitute alternative itineraries or to otherwise amend the coach tour content of these holidays with or without prior notice to the passenger.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Health: Customers, whose physical condition so requires, must ensure that they have a sufficient quantity of any required medication with them, and that they carry such medication in their hand baggage at all times. Customers must also consult competent medical authorities prior to departure about preventive medical measures as regards to the countries to be visited.
Activities: Wanderlust Adventures cannot be held responsible for any accident or mishap occurring at the destination during the practice of activities in which the customers participate of their own free will and initiative.
Trip Ratings: Trip members have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their abilities and interests. In order to assist you, we grade each trip with a Trip 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 must be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Trip members are responsible for preparing for the trip by studying the itinerary and pre-departure information sent by Wanderlust Adventures. and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised therein.
Discretionary Tips & Gratuities: The destination tour leaders, guides, freelance contractors, logistical staff, porters and drivers Wanderlust employ are all paid salaries for their work. However, they always go out of their way to make your experience with them special and do not perform their responsibilities just for money. They do accept tips and gratuities should you determine that they performed their jobs at an outstanding level. Gratuities should reflect your satisfaction with their level of service.
CANCELLED TRIPS:
Wanderlust Adventures reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient signup or logistical problems that may impede trip operations. The refund of all land payments received shall release Wanderlust Adventures from any further liability. A trip with insufficient signup would normally be cancelled a minimum of one month prior to departure.
Wanderlust Adventures, must normally make substantial payments to its suppliers (hotels, transportation companies, etc.) far in advance of the scheduled embarkation date. If a trip is cancelled due to force majeure (acts of God, war, labor strikes, earthquake, flooding, etc.), Wanderlust Adventures will promptly refund the portion of the trip cost not already advanced to suppliers and use its best efforts to recover and refund the balance as promptly as possible. However, Wanderlust Adventures, does not guarantee recovery of any or all of the advance payments made, and our use of best efforts to recover these payments will not include the institution of any legal proceedings in foreign jurisdictions.
Wanderlust Adventures is not responsible for expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for a cancelled trip (e.g., nonrefundable advance purchase air tickets, visa fees, inoculations, equipment, etc.) or for any additional arrangements should the trip member have embarked prior to the scheduled group departure date.
LIABILITY & FORCE MAJEURE CIRCUMSTANCES:
Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable for failure in the performance of any of its obligations, including without limitation, for any loss or damage resulting from any delay, cancellation, loss of personal belongings, illness, bodily injury, accident, death, deterioration of Travel Services, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, disappointment or frustration, either mental or physical, due to:
- An Act of God or Force Majeure;
- A war, revolution, insurrection, riot, blockage or any other unlawful act against public order or authority, including an act of terrorism or threat thereof;
- Fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, epidemics, quarantine, storm, lightning, tornado or adverse weather conditions generally;
- Accident to or failure of an aircraft or equipment used in connection therewith, loss of or hijacking of an aircraft, or any shortage of or inability to provide labor, fuel or facilities;
- Any strike, lock-out, labor dispute or other industrial disturbance whether involving Wanderlust Adventures’ employees, the employees of its service providers or others upon whom Wanderlust Adventures relies;
- Any government order, regulation, action or inaction or any failure to obtain the approval of a government authority having jurisdiction in the circumstances as may be required to the conduct of operations here under or any government or legal restraint upon such operation;
- Others upon whom Wanderlust Adventures relies for the performance of the whole or any part of any Travel Services here under;
- Any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Wanderlust Adventures and any other event not reasonably to be foreseen, anticipated or predicted, whether actual, threatened or reported, which may interfere with the operations of Wanderlust Adventures or of its service providers.
EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY:
Wanderlust Adventures makes arrangements with air carriers, hotels, transfer operators and other independent parties to provide customers with Travel Services they purchase. Although Wanderlust Adventures takes great care in selecting these service providers, it does not have any control over them and cannot be held responsible for their omissions, fault or negligence, or that of their employees, nor for any loss or damages suffered as a result thereof. Travel Services provided are subject to the conditions imposed by the service providers and their liability is limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, tickets, vouchers, international conventions and agreements.
ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED:
Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable for the quality or safety of activities (such as excursions, optional tours, little extras and others) available at destination that customers may wish to participate in and which are not included in the package, nor for any other representation made by the operator of any such activities. Any written or oral contract for all such activities shall be deemed to be made between customers and the operator of such activities and shall be undertaken at the customers’ own risk of loss, damage or injury. Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable in any manner for any complaints or claims that may arise as a result of participation in any such activities which are offered by third parties over whom Wanderlust Adventures has no control.
MISCELLANEOUS CLAUSES:
Wanderlust Adventures shall not be liable for (a) expenses such as additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the individual trip itineraries, but which may be required to get to or from a trip start or end; (b) expenses due to the delay of a trip for any reason (e.g. bad weather, trail conditions, land slides, flooding, sickness, etc.); (c) expenses incurred in recovering luggage lost by airlines, belongings left behind on a trip, or in shipping purchases or other goods home from abroad.
PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING RIGHTS:
Wanderlust Adventures reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of our trips, and may use any such records for future trip marketing, promotional and/or commercial purposes without payment.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Wanderlust Adventures strictly complies with principles of confidentiality with respect to customers’ personal information, including in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
LAWS:
The laws of the province in which the Canadian gateway city is located govern this agreement. Any legal action instituted against Wanderlust Adventures must be heard before the courts of this province. For the purposes of any such proceedings, the parties hereby agree to elect domicile in the judicial district of the Canadian gateway city in question. The voiding of one or other of the clauses hereto shall neither annul nor invalidate this agreement, which is known as the Terms and Conditions.
FINANCIAL PROTECTION:
Wanderlust Adventures is registered as a travel retailer and wholesaler under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 (Ontario, Canada), under TICO registration number 2679578 and 2743184, accordingly, the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund will provide full or partial reimbursement of monies paid to us for travel services that are not provided due to the bankruptcy or insolvency of Wanderlust Adventures or an end supplier airline or cruise line, where a reimbursement has not otherwise been provided, as long as the claim meets certain requirements set forth in Ontario Regulation 26/05 made under the Travel Industry Act, 2002. For further information please go visit Travel Industry Council of Ontario(TICO).