Terms and Conditions

Itinerary Variations

It is possible that route or itinerary changes may become necessary due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule tour departures and itineraries where necessary. If necessary, we reserve the right to substitute accommodation of a similar standard. No refund will be available in the event of itinerary changes or hotel changes.

Airline Responsibility

Airlines shown in this brochure do not by virtue of their endorsement of this brochure represent themselves either as contracting with any purchaser of a holiday from South America Tourism Office or as having any other legal relationship with any such purchaser.

Responsibility

HDR International Pty Ltd, incorporated in Victoria, trading as South America Tourism Office, operators of the package tours outlined in this brochure, give notice that they act only in the capacity of Booking agents for the tour member in all matters of transportation, tour operation, accommodation, and other services. HDR international, its directors, representatives, in their absence of their own negligence, or subsidiaries and/or associated agents shall not be held responsible, directly or indirectly, for property loss or damage and/or damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of , or during any tour, whether due to the ownership, maintenance or operation of any aircraft, helicopter, vehicle, bicycle, boat, hotel, or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. These terms extend to any employees of South America Tourism Office.

Completion of the booking form and payment of a deposit or full payment is an acknowledgement that you have read, understood and accept the terms and conditions of South America Tourism Office.

Refund for unused services

No refund is available for cancellations after travel has commenced. Any alterations made whilst you are away, are made at your own expense. Refund for services/ground content included in the tour price but not used for any reason are not subject to any refund.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to protect you against loss of deposit or payment, cancellation fees, illness, injury or death, baggage or personal items loss, delays, strikes, war, or default by any suppliers or principals.

Warning

As some South American cities are situated at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level, it is advisable for passengers to check with their doctors to ensure that they are fit to travel to high altitudes.

Health and Regulations

You should carry a valid passport at all times. Passport, visa and vaccination requirements are not our responsibility, nor that of your agent, nor are we responsible for any expenses incurred due to your failure to comply with the above. You should familiarise yourself with health or visa requirements that may be applicable to the countries you intend to visit.

Costs

Costs are based on ground costs, airfare and exchange rates at the time of printing the brochure. We will do our outmost to maintain our prices, however we reserve the right to amend our prices due to exchange rate fluctuations, fuel cost increases, increases in hotel rates, airfares or increases in operator costs.

How to Book

Once you have selected your tour or holiday, please contact your travel agent or our office to place your reservation. A deposit of $500.00 per person is required together with a completed booking form. An additional deposit of $450.00 is required for cruise reservations but this amount could be higher depending on the cruise provider. Please note that all reservations are subject to availability at the time of booking. Verbal quotes are an estimate only and will be confirmed in writing on confirmation of reservation. Full balance of payment is required 60 days prior to departure or immediately upon confirmation of booking if booking is made within 60 days of departure. Cruise bookings will be requited to be paid in full 90 days prior departure.  Some cruise companies require balance to be paid earlier. If this is the case, we will advise you of the balance date. Failure to receive monies by the due date will mean automatic cancellation of your booking and loss of your deposit.

Changes

A fee of $30 per booking will be charged if you wish to make any changes to your confirmed reservation. Any changes made after final documentation has been issued will incur a $75 fee plus any other fees levied by hotel, cruise operators, and/or airlines. Whilst every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate changes and additional requests, availability cannot be guaranteed.

Cancellations

Cancellations can only be effective upon receipt of written advice. If cancellation takes place more than 60 days prior to the date of departure you forfeit your deposit plus any other fees which hotels, cruise operators or airlines may impose.  No refund will be made for cancellations made within 59 days of departure.

Force Majeure – Prior to travel
If your travel arrangements cannot proceed due to flood, earthquake, war or civil strife, acts of terrorism, hurricane, cyclone, industrial disturbance, strike, fire, lock-out, epidemic, pandemic, failure or delays of scheduled transportation, or any law, order, decree, rule or regulation of any government authority (including quarantine requirements or government travel advisories), or for any other reason beyond our reasonable control (Force Majeure), we may elect to:

• reschedule your travel arrangements, in which case we will issue you with a credit equal to amounts paid; or
• cancel your travel arrangements, in which case our contract with you will terminate.

If we cancel your travel arrangements, neither of us will have any claim for damages against the other. However, we will refund payments made by you less unrecoverable third party costs and less fair compensation for work undertaken by us up until the time of termination and in connection with the processing of any refund.
Please note that any credit issued will be subject to the terms and conditions as imposed by the suppliers of your travel arrangements.

Force Majeure – During travel
If we cancel your travel arrangements after your trip has commenced due to Force Majeure, we will provide you with a refund of recoverable third-party costs only.