interNATIONAL PARKtours - Tour Booking Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT! Read the following carefully prior to making your tour reservation:

1.            When to book

We encourage early booking to avoid disappointment. Discounted tour prices are available for bookings received 120 days prior to the tour’s departure.  Firm bookings with suppliers are made at least 60 days prior to departure. While we may accept bookings after this date, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer the transport and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, or specific rooming requests.

2.            How to book

Please complete and sign the attached Reservation Request and return it to us with your deposit of AUD$200 per person (Australian tours) or AUD$400 per person (overseas tours). Each person intending to travel must sign the Reservation Request. If any person intending to travel is under 18 years of age at the time of completion of the Reservation Request, then a parent or guardian of that person must sign the form on his/her behalf.

3.            Pre-tour contact

On receipt of deposit, we will send a booking confirmation.  Once the tour has reached the required minimum group size, we will send further tour details including a suggested packing list. The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Confirmation of your itinerary, tour mailing address list, meeting points, flight tickets (if applicable) and a guest list will be sent approx 3 weeks before departure.

4.            Change of cost and itinerary

We will make every effort to avoid changes to the itinerary and prices. Each tour cost is based on exchange rates, fares and tariffs applicable at the time of publication. The actual tour costs will depend on exchange rates and tariffs applicable at the time the overseas bookings are paid for by us. Therefore costs may be subject to change.

All tours need a minimum number of passengers to operate at the price projected in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary at any time and in any way we consider necessary or desirable, or to change any reservation, hotel, feature or means of conveyance for any reason. In the event of any modification the traveller shall pay any additional cost. No refunds will be made in respect of any accommodation, meals and tour services not utilised.

5.            Cancellations

Should you decide to cancel your holiday, you must notify interNATIONAL PARKtours (IPT) immediately in writing. Cancellation takes place as soon as we receive your written notification.  The following cancellation fees will apply:

• More than 90 days before departure, your deposit amount will be refunded. (less $100 admin fee / person)
• Between 89-60 days before departure, you will forfeit your deposit amount and any non-refundable costs.
• Between 59-30 days before departure - 50% of total tour price.
• Less than 30 days before departure, or once tour has commenced - no refund.

IPT reserves the right to cancel the tour and this agreement at any time without assigning a reason for the cancellation. If we cancel, then your deposit will be immediately refunded to you. You agree that we shall not be liable to you for any loss, expense or damage that you may incur as a result of any cancellation by us.

NB: Refund claims against your travel insurance policy can take up to 12 weeks to process.

6.            Travel Insurance

We require that all travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover the cost of medical evacuation in the event that you suffer illness or injury during the tour. Travel insurance may also cover cancellation charges. Please note travel insurance for travel within Australia does NOT cover any medical/dental expenses.  You should carefully read and understand your insurance policy before you depart.

7.            Age, Health and Fitness

We cannot accept bookings from unaccompanied minors, although we can take accompanied teenagers depending on their experience and the suitability of the tour. While IPT does not have a strict upper age limit or fitness level, our walks are often in remote locations and you must be certain you are capable of fully participating in the tour activities as noted in the itinerary. Travellers should be in good health and have an appropriate level of fitness. In preparation for your tour, you should be undertaking walks similar to those described in the itinerary. As proof of your fitness, a Medical Questionnaire must be completed. Disclosure of your known medical history and conditions is vital, as these can seriously impact the tour should they arise. If you have a medical condition that might impact on the tour, you will be asked to seek your doctor’s consent to participate on the tour.  All medical details will be treated as confidential.

8.            Not included in the tour cost

Unless otherwise specified the following are not included in your tour cost: airfares and associated taxes, heavy or excess baggage, travel insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, single room surcharge, optional tours and excursions, tips, passport and visa expenses, vaccinations, medical evacuations or items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, postage.

9.            For your protection

We are a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents and contribute to the Travel Compensation Fund. Your payments are kept in a trust account until required for the payment of your tour.

10.         Responsibility for carriers/accommodation providers

All tickets, coupons or vouchers supplied for your travel and accommodation are arranged and supplied by us as agents only. We are not liable to you for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay or irregularity which may be caused by any acts or defaults of any third persons or organisations responsible for carrying out any of the arrangements of the tour.

The travel and/or accommodation and other similar contracts in use by these operators constitute the sole contract between them and you. All tickets, deposit tickets, coupons and orders are furnished and issued to you subject to their usual terms and it is your sole responsibility to understand these terms and to comply with or exercise the legal obligations and rights arising under any such arrangements.

11.         Travel documents

A current passport is required for all international travel. Passport/visa requirements are your responsibility. We are not liable for any loss or expense that you incur as a result of failure to comply with the above.

12.         Leaving the tour

You may be asked to leave the tour if the tour leader, in their professional judgement, believes that your continued participation is not in the best interests of yourself or the other travellers. You may also be asked to leave the tour if you act in a way that endangers the safety, enjoyment or welfare of the group or yourself, or if you commit an act that is illegal. We are not liable for any loss or damage you incur as a consequence of being asked to leave the tour. You may leave the tour at any time by giving notice to the tour leader. We are not liable for any loss or damage you incur as a consequence of leaving the tour. Unless arranged beforehand and agreed to by us, if you leave a tour you will not be entitled to any refund.

13.         Complaint process

If you encounter any difficulties during the tour that you feel are our responsibility then you should, in the first instance, raise them with the tour leader. If you feel that the issue was not adequately dealt with then you should refer the matter, in writing, to IPT within 30 days of the end of the tour.

14.         Promotional photographs

During the tour, leaders usually take photographs for use in IPT slide shows, brochures and other promotional materials. IPT reserves the right to use these images for promotional purposes.

15.         Tour leaders and guides

An experienced tour leader will accompany your tour group. A local guide may assist with different aspects of a tour. In most cases our tour leaders and guides are independent contractors. This means we are not legally responsible for their actions and they have no legal authority to incur liabilities on our behalf without our express agreement. While we take care to ensure that only experienced people are contracted by us, we make no representation as to their skill or fitness for the task they perform or their capacity to deal with issues relating to the safety of group members throughout the tour. Our tour leaders and guides are mindful of each traveller’s welfare however they cannot ensure the personal safety of travellers. At all times you must exercise care for your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others accompanying you.

16.         Waiver and release

I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of adventure travel is derived in part from the inherent risks incurred by travel and activity beyond the accepted safety of life at home or work, and that these inherent risks contribute to such enjoyment and excitement, being a reason for my participation. I am aware that your walking tour, in addition to the usual dangers and risks inherent has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which may include: physical exertion for which I may not be prepared, exposure to sudden and unexpected weather events, exposure to hazards from flora and fauna, remoteness from normal medical services and evacuation difficulties.

I agree that if I suffer injury or illness IPT can, at my cost, arrange medical treatment and emergency evacuation service, as deemed essential for my safety.

By participating in the tour you will be engaging in sporting activity and leisure time pursuits and other activity for the purpose of recreation, enjoyment or leisure that involves a significant degree of physical exertion or physical risk within the meaning of s.68B of the Trade Practices Act 1974. All liability to you for loss or damage for breach of implied warranty of care and skill under s.74 of the Act is hereby excluded.

By signing the Reservation Request Form, the traveller releases IPT from all liability for injury or death or other loss or damage (including property loss or damage) arising during the tour to the maximum extent permitted by law. This release extends to injury, death or other loss even if it is caused by:

• Negligent act or omission by IPT or its employees or agents; or
• Breach of any implied statutory warranty of fitness for purpose or of skill and care; or
• Breach of any contractual provision (express or implied).

In the event that any statute prevents liability being excluded or modified then this clause shall be interpreted as applying only to such liability that can be excluded or modified by agreement between the parties.

If you are signing this agreement on behalf of any child then you indemnify and keep indemnified interNATIONAL PARKtours against all claims for damages for personal injury or death or other loss that may be made by you or any other person on behalf of the child or made by any person who suffers injury, loss or damage by reason of injury or death or loss to that child.

17.         Choice of law and jurisdiction

This agreement and the entire rights and obligations of the parties arising under or by reason of this agreement shall, to the maximum extent permitted by law, be exclusively governed by the concurrent laws of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia. All parties submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia.

18.         Definitions

In this agreement, unless the context suggests otherwise:

• The words ‘we’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ refer to interNATIONAL PARKtours Pty Ltd ACN 010 169 874 as trustee for the Groom Family Trust trading as interNATIONAL PARKtours (ABN 78 207 386 219) and its servants or agents.
• The words ‘you’, ‘your’ and ‘traveller’ refer to the person described in the Reservation Request as the guest.
• The word ‘injury’ includes ‘disease’ and ‘illness’.
• The word ‘child’ includes any person that is in your care under 18 years of age.
• The terms of this agreement are binding on the heirs, executors, administrators or assigns of the traveller and/or any person signing this agreement on behalf of a traveller.

19.         Entire Agreement.

You acknowledge that you have read and understood these Booking Terms and Conditions and that this forms the entire agreement between us.

interNATIONAL PARKtours Pty Ltd

6 Timbarra Drive,

Beechmont QLD 4211

Ph: +61 7 55 333 583 / Fax +61 7 55 333 683

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.parktours.com.au

ACN 010 169 874

ABN 78 207 386 219

Licensed Travel Agent 129