Hi.
Welcome to Curious Travel!
Our website highlights some of our favourite destinations and itineraries to help inspire your next adventure. Curious about what travel ideas we can conjure up for you?
Welcome to Curious Travel!
Our website highlights some of our favourite destinations and itineraries to help inspire your next adventure. Curious about what travel ideas we can conjure up for you?
AGREEMENT: Enrolment in and payment for a service or a package implies agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth below.
RESERVATIONS: All reservations should be made in writing.
INVOICES: An invoice will be issued upon confirmation of services. Services are only confirmed once payment has been received.
PAYMENT TERMS:
Booking Deposits for The Curious Travel Company’s Services
• A deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip is due at the time of booking. This deposit may be higher during peak periods if hotels, internal flights or other elements of a trip require immediate pre-payment to secure the booking.
• Deposits required to confirm services provided by third-parties will be invoiced in accordance with the payment schedule of the service provider.
• Full Payment 45 Days Prior to Arrival Date
AMENDEMENTS
Whilst we will do our best to assist, we cannot guarantee that we or any supplier/principal will be able to meet any requested change. Where we or any supplier/principal can meet a request, all changes will be subject to any applicable terms and conditions of a supplier/principal and the payment of an administration fee of £50 per person per change, as well as any further cost we incur in making the change such as increases levied by the airline, cruise line or any other supplier used to fulfil your reservation. You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made, and you should contact us as soon as possible. Where we are unable to assist you and you do not wish to proceed with the original booking we will treat this as a cancellation by you. A cancellation fee may be payable in accordance with the charges set out ‘Cancellation’ below. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your booking prior to travel.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUND POLICY
Cancellation by you Should you or another member of your party need to cancel your arrangements, you must tell us in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing at our offices. As we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking the following cancellation charges will be payable. Where the cancellation charge is shown as a percentage, this is calculated on the total cost payable by the person (s) cancelling excluding insurance premiums and amendment charges (which are non-refundable). Period before departure from when written notification is received by us: Cancellation charge per person cancelling:
If your cancellation falls within the provisions of your travel insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim which must be made direct to your insurance company.
The following charges and refunds will apply when cancellation is made after the booking is confirmed by The Curious Travel Company.
If a trip is cancelled more than 90 days prior to start date:
• Any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
• The remainder of any deposits paid to The Curious Travel Company will be refunded minus a GBP 250 admin fee.
If a trip is cancelled between 70 - 89 days prior to start date:
• Loss of full deposit plus any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
If a trip is cancelled between 57 - 69 days prior to start date:
• Any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
• Additionally, a cancellation fee of 40% of the total cost of the trip will be charged.
If a trip is cancelled between 43 - 56 days prior to start date:
Any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
• Additionally, a cancellation fee of 50% of the total cost of the trip will be charged.
If a trip is cancelled between 29 - 42 days prior to start date:
Any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
• Additionally, a cancellation fee of 60% of the total cost of the trip will be charged.
If a trip is cancelled between 15 - 28 days prior to start date:
Any cancellation fees, surcharges, or non-refundable deposits charged to The Curious Travel Company by individual hotels, airlines or other third parties will be charged.
• Additionally, a cancellation fee of 80% of the total cost of the trip will be charged.
If a trip is cancelled between 0 - 14 days prior to start date:
· 100% of the total invoice cost
We strongly recommend that each client purchase comprehensive trip-cancellation insurance
GENERAL REFUND POLICY
Refunds will be made in accordance with the Cancellations and Refund Policy mentioned above. No additional refunds will be made for no-shows or any unused part of the itinerary whether voluntary, caused by airline delay or cancellation, or any other factor beyond
the control of The Curious Travel Company including but not limited to acts of god, strike, detention, riot, war, theft, civil disturbances, government regulations or restrictions, third-party or subcontractor negligence, or any other. No responsibility can be accepted for expenses incurred due to delay or change in schedule or other causes.
RECOMMENDATION OF INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that all guests insure themselves and their property prior to arrival. We especially advise medical, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation coverage. For the safety of our clients The Curious Travel Comapany reserves the right to use / authorize expensive emergency evacuation / rescue operation measures (i.e., Helicopters, Ambulances, etc.), at the financial responsibility of the client. We therefore request that you ensure your insurance will cover such an eventuality.
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR TRIPS
These are not included in our trips unless otherwise stated in the final itinerary and invoice. International and internal airfares, costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; reciprocity and other border fees; airport departure taxes; excess baggage charges; all gratuities; meals other than those specified in the itinerary; room service; beverages other than those noted in inclusions above or specified in the itinerary; any meals for your guide if you invite him/her to dine with you; sightseeing not included in the itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is the guest’s sole responsibility to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel documents. All guests are advised to check with the appropriate government authority to determine the necessary documents required for their travel. A valid passport is required for U.S. and Canadian citizens travelling to all international destinations. Passports must be valid for six (6) months after completion of your journey and should also have sufficient blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. Many destinations also require a visa for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey
HOTEL CHECK-IN
Trips are subject to the normal checkin times of each individual hotel. If a client wishes to have a different check in time this must be agreed with the hotel and any additional fees paid.
CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY
The Curious Travel Company reserves the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing and featured experts, and substitute accommodations, including vessels, aircraft and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond our control. Reasonable efforts will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. All scheduled sightseeing has been confirmed in advance, but venues including wildlife reserves, museums and other points of interest can change their hours of operations at short notice. If this occurs, your guide will offer alternative arrangements.
FORCE MAJEURE
The Curious Travel Company regrets it cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of its contractual obligations are prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of ‘Force Majeure’. In these Booking Terms & Conditions, ‘Force Majeure’ means any event which The Company or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war, or threat of war, riot, civil strife, actual or threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond The Company’s control. UK/USA Foreign office advice against travel to an area for the above reasons will be treated as ‘Force Majeure’.
CONDUCT
We reserve the right to decline, accept or to retain any person as a tour member for any reason that affects the operation of the tour or rights or welfare of our staff, suppliers or other tour members. A refund of the recoverable land tour services is the limit of The Curious Travel Company’s liability in this event.
RESPONSIBILITY
The Curious travel Company its owners, associates, agents and employees assume no responsibility for injury or death, loss, damage to personal property, delay, or for additional expenses due to acts of god (sickness, injury, poor health, weather, etc.) strike, detention, riot, war, quarantine, theft, civil disturbances, government regulations or restrictions, third-party or subcontractor negligence, or any other. The Curious Travel company is not responsible for any accidents, delays, inconveniences, expenses, mishaps of any kind what-so ever, or death resulting entirely or in part from the negligence of others or from causes beyond our control.
The Curious Travel Company reserve the right to make changes to and / or substitutions in the itinerary where deemed necessary, for any reason. We act solely as agents and as such assume no responsibility should any supplier fail to supply the service contracted. Personal belonging and baggage safety responsibility and risk is assumed entirely by its owner. The Curious Travel Company is not responsible for lost or damaged items. Some activities or sports Curious Travel Company may take part in or sell to a client may involve extreme risk to personal property or life, and may result in loss, serious injury or death. Each individual is responsible for their own safety and for making their own decisions, and for using common sense at all times to determine whether or not he or she should take part in any activities that Curious Travel Company may take part in or sell. Minors are required to use services of Curious Travel Company only after strict revision and under strict supervision of a parent or guardian.
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Persons with medical conditions, dietary conditions or other health problems should make them known to Curious Travel Company well before arrival. They must also ensure that they are fully covered by their travel insurance for all conditions. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the tour if it is felt that the individual is physically incapable of performing an activity and/or if that individual's continued participation would jeopardize the safety of the group or handicap the normal functioning or scheduling of the tour. Curious Travel Company assumes no responsibility for special arrangements necessary for or problems experienced by passengers physically unable to participate in the planned activities.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL AGREEMENT
In an effort to improve the effectiveness of our sustainable travel policy we hope that you as visitors to this country will work with us on the following important points:
LEAVE NO TRACE: Reduce your impact on the areas where you travel as much as possible. Respect wildlife, flora and fauna, reduce the amount of plastic and other waste you produce (refill water bottles especially) dispose of waste properly, be considerate of other visitors and leave what you find - do not remove / damage any cultural or historic structures or artifacts including rocks, native plants and other natural objects. Please leave everything as it was and where it was when you arrived.
NO TO TRAFFICKING: Curious Travel Company will not tolerate trafficking of any illegal items such as animals, plants and archaeological artifacts.
NO TO SEXUAL TOURISM & CHILD PROSTITUTION: Curious Travel Company is wholly against any form of sexual tourism and child prostitution.
LEARN THE LANGUAGE: We encourage visitors to learn a few simple words and phrases of the local language before or during your visit. Even the simplest words and phrases will go a long way in allowing you to interact with the local people. And, no matter how little you know, it's always appreciated.
PURCHASE LOCALLY MADE GOODS: We encourage you whilst in country to buy locally produced products and services. We strive to offer this to you already within your itinerary but if in doubt please ask our office or your guides & drivers for more information on the services being provided and/or to direct you to locally owned businesses and cooperatives.
CONSERVE PRECIOUS RESOURCES: Reduce. In general just think about reducing your overall consumption of resources and energy. When staying in hotels avoid having sheets and towels changed daily; turn off lights, air conditioner/heater, and television when you are out; take shorter showers. Re-use. Avoid repeated purchases of plastic water bottles. Refill them where possible. Recycle.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION: Buy guidebooks or use the internet to learn something about the culture, history, politics, and geography of the places you'll be visiting. Most importantly, know how to be a good guest in the country or culture. Please ask your guide or driver about culturally accepted behaviors. Be open to different ways of
thinking, living, and working. Accepting the differences in cultures is part of the travel experience.
BE CULTURALY SENSITIVE: Ensure that your dress and behavior is in line with socially acceptable limits within the area you are visiting. Be especially sensitive about taking photographs and interaction with children. If you are in doubt about what is / is not acceptable please check with your guide, driver, hotel staff or our office.
AVOID GIVING MONEY OR CANDY TO CHILDREN: Giving directly to children encourages begging and can undermine parents who cannot afford to give their children such items. If you must give gifts give useful items- pens, paper, clothing, etc. Curious Travel Company would be happy to channel your donations to needy organizations.
BECOME "CARBON NEUTRAL: Curious Travel Company can assist you with offsetting the carbon of your trip.
