1. Standard Refund Policy

1.1 Cancellation by You

If you need to cancel your booking, the following refund schedule applies:

Please note:

• The deposit is non-refundable in all cases
• Some specialized tours, events, or peak season bookings may have stricter cancellation policies, which will be clearly communicated at the time of booking
• Certain third-party services (such as flights, permits, or special events) may be subject to different refund policies based on our suppliers' terms

1.2 Partial Cancellations

If you cancel part of your booking (such as reducing the number of travelers or removing certain components):

• The above refund schedule will apply to the canceled portion
• Any change that results in a price adjustment may also incur an administration fee
• Some services cannot be partially canceled as they are priced based on group size or full package rates

2. Special Circumstances

2.1 Cancellation by Us

If we need to cancel your tour for any reason:

• Due to insufficient participants: You will receive a 100% refund of all payments made
• Due to circumstances within our control: You will receive a 100% refund of all payments made, plus compensation as required by applicable law
• Due to force majeure events (natural disasters, political instability, etc.): You will receive a refund of recoverable costs, less any non-refundable expenses already incurred on your behalf

In all cases, we will offer the option of rebooking to an alternative tour or date where possible.

2.2 Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation coverage. Travel insurance can provide protection against financial loss in many circumstances where our standard refund policy would not apply, including:

• Medical emergencies before or during travel
• Unexpected work commitments
• Family emergencies
• Natural disasters affecting your home area
• Other unforeseen events preventing travel

We can provide recommendations for suitable travel insurance providers upon request.

3. Refund Process

3.1 How to Request a Refund

To request a refund, you must:

1. Submit your cancellation in writing via email to [email protected]
2. Include your booking reference number, full name, and the reason for cancellation
3. Specify the services you are canceling (full booking or specific components)
4. Provide any supporting documentation if claiming under special circumstances

Verbal cancellations or cancellations through social media channels are not accepted.

3.2 Processing Time

Once your refund request has been approved:

• We will process the refund within 14 business days
• Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the booking
• Credit card refunds may take an additional 5-10 business days to appear in your account, depending on your financial institution
• Bank transfer refunds may take 5-7 business days to process

You will receive an email confirmation once your refund has been processed.

3.3 Refund Method

Refunds will be processed through the same payment method used for the original transaction:

• Credit or debit card payments will be refunded to the same card
• Bank transfers will be returned to the originating account
• If the original payment method is no longer available, we will work with you to find an alternative refund method

We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstances.

4. Non-Refundable Items

The following items are generally non-refundable, regardless of when cancellation occurs:

• Booking deposits (as specified at the time of booking)
• Travel insurance premiums
• Visa application fees
• Amendment fees for changes made prior to cancellation
• Credit card or payment processing fees
• Any services already provided before cancellation
• Non-refundable flights or other transportation booked on your behalf
• Special event tickets or permits with no-refund policies

5. Tour Transfers and Credits

5.1 Tour Transfers

As an alternative to cancellation, we may allow you to transfer your booking to another person who meets all the requirements for the tour. In such cases:

• You must notify us at least 30 days before departure
• An administration fee of £100 per person will apply
• Both you and the transferee are jointly liable for payment of all costs
• The transferee must agree to our Terms and Conditions and any other requirements for the booking

Transfers are subject to approval and may not be possible for all tours or if special qualifications are required.

5.2 Future Travel Credits

In certain circumstances, we may offer a Future Travel Credit instead of a refund:

• Credits are typically valid for 24 months from the date of issue
• Credits may be applied to any of our tours, subject to availability
• Credits are non-transferable to other travelers unless explicitly approved by us
• If the new booking is more expensive than the credit value, you will need to pay the difference
• If the new booking is less expensive, the remaining credit can be used for additional services or another booking

Future Travel Credits may be offered at a higher value than the refund amount that would otherwise be available, particularly for cancellations close to the departure date.

6. Exceptions and Special Cases

6.1 COVID-19 and Public Health Emergencies

For bookings affected by COVID-19 or other public health emergencies, our policy is as follows:

• If government travel restrictions make it impossible for us to operate the tour: Full refund or Future Travel Credit at 110% of the amount paid
• If government travel restrictions make it impossible for you to join the tour: Future Travel Credit at 100% of the amount paid
• If you or a member of your traveling party tests positive for COVID-19 before departure: Future Travel Credit at 100% of the amount paid (with proof of positive test)
• If you choose not to travel due to concerns about COVID-19, but no official travel restrictions are in place: Standard cancellation policy applies

This policy is subject to change as the global situation evolves.

6.2 Customized Tours

For custom-designed itineraries created specifically for you:

• A non-refundable planning fee may apply from the outset
• Higher cancellation penalties may apply for specialized services
• Third-party providers may have their own cancellation policies which we must enforce

The specific refund terms for custom tours will be clearly communicated in your booking confirmation.

7. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding our Refund Policy, please contact our Customer Service team:

8. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website. Your continued use of our services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.

The refund policy that applies to your booking is the one in effect at the time of your booking confirmation, unless otherwise required by law.