Booking Conditions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

• Customer/Passenger/Client is the customer accepting the offer
• Fees are the fees payable for the services specified in the offer
• Service means the services specified in the offer to be supplied by Responsible Travel to the Customer
• Offer is the services and costs specified in the tour itinerary sent to the Customer and agreed by the parties.
• Party means each of the Customer and SendaLuna, and together the Customer and SendaLuna are the parties.

Once the client agrees to the tour itinerary and costs, the client will be asked for a pre-payment for the tour. On receipt of this payment, Responsible Travel (hereinafter referred to as RT) will send written confirmation. This confirmation will serve as a legally binding contract for the services requested as per the agreed tour itinerary and details (unavoidable changes withstanding) once the balance of tour payment has been received (see section 2).

If the applicant registers for several travelers, he is responsible for all of their contractual obligations as if his own. With the conclusion of the contract, the customer agrees to the storage of his/her personal data for use by RT to facilitate the tour and its itinerary only. Your personal information will not be sold or misused for any commercial gain. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy section (visit: /privacy-policy).

Once the client agrees to the tour itinerary and costs, the client will be asked for a pre-payment for the tour. On receipt of this payment, Responsible Travel (hereinafter referred to as RT) will send written confirmation. This confirmation will serve as a legally binding contract for the services requested as per the agreed tour itinerary and details (unavoidable changes withstanding) once the balance of tour payment has been received (see section 2).

If the applicant registers for several travelers, he is responsible for all of their contractual obligations as if his own. With the conclusion of the contract, the customer agrees to the storage of his/her personal data for use by RT to facilitate the tour and its itinerary only. Your personal information will not be sold or misused for any commercial gain. For further information, please refer to our Privacy Policy section (visit: /privacy-policy).

The airfare for all packages may not be guaranteed regarding price or availability until paid in full. Schedule, flights, and fares are based on current rates at the time of ticketing. These may change without notice. RT executives will make a great effort to obtain the best fares and schedule available.Once a flight is booked, the price of it must be paid in full immediately.No refunds are available in case of cancellations.

To pay, please make a wire transfer to one of the following international bank accounts in Germany and Ecuador (Note: RT is a German-Ecuadorian venture):

Account details for domestic wires:
Beneficiary Name: RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL LLC
Company Adress US: 6948 Collins Ave Ste 200 Miami Beach,
Account Number: 200000927489
Routing Number: 064209588
Bank Name: Thread Bank
Bank Address: 210 E Main St, Rogersville TN 37857

International Wires (WISE):
Account holder: Responsible Travel LLC
Account type: Checking
Account number: 948215972562355
Routing number: 084009519
Account Holder Address: 6948 COLLINS AVE STE 200, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33141
Swift/BIC: TRWIUS35XXX
Bank name: Column National Association
Bank Address: 108 W 13th St, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States

The scope of services is detailed as per our descriptions, illustrations, and quotations as presented on the RT web page and in the agreed services according to the offer (see section 1).

RT reserves the right to modify tour information (by email or detailed on the web page) before confirming the tour with the client through a written offer as per section 1. However, once a tour is confirmed and payment received, RT reserves the right to modify the tour only as a result of legitimate and unforeseeable circumstances.

Such circumstances include; modifications or deviations from the travel descriptions during the tour due to road conditions, severe weather and official arbitrariness among others; the travel process indicated in the travel description cannot be guaranteed though under all circumstances RT will only adjust the tour with consideration to the best interests of the client. The agreed travel descriptions only represent the planned travel process, without guaranteeing the details of the exact operational sequence.

If clients request special arrangements prior or during the tour, e.g., modification of the tour due to severe weather, once agreed, a written contract must be signed by both parties.

4.1 SERVICES AND PRICE ALTERATIONS

Modifications and/or deviations of the itinerary or program due to unforeseen and/or exceptional circumstances out of RT control, any additional costs incurred will be charged to the client.

RT cannot be held responsible for any changes to transportation costs, airport taxes, park entrance fees or the like that are subject to variation and are outside of RT control. We will endeavor to inform passengers of any changes as soon as possible.

RT is entitled to increase the travel price after conclusion of the travel contract as a result of increased transportation costs or charges for certain performances, port or airport taxes or modification to the exchange rates that may affect final costs; any such changes can occur only if the time between the reservation and departure date is at least 4 months or more. If this should be the case, the customer will be informed immediately, but no later than 21 days prior to departure. Price increases thereafter are not admissible.

4.2 EXTRA CHARGES

All extra charges that arise due to the modification of the itinerary caused by the client will be debited to the client for immediate payment. The aforementioned charges include; late arrival of the customer to the airport or port resulting in missing embarkation, late arrival to trekking tours, a premature exit of the country for whatever reason (health, personal, legal, etc.), illness or accident costs incurred during the trip (e.g., helicopter evacuation, hospitalization, hotel stay for a chaperon or companion).

If RT needs to advance money to meet an acute emergency, then the amount laid advanced must be refunded to RT immediately after the termination of the journey.

5.1 RESIGNATION BEFORE TRAVEL START DATE

RT can withdraw a tour offer up to 14 days before the travel start date if the minimum number of required participants is not met, but only if the tour description specifies a minimum number of participants. The customer must be notified of this cancellation (due to not meeting the minimum participant number) at least 14 days before the travel start date. In such a case, the customer will receive an immediate refund for any payments made but is not entitled to any compensation or further claims.

5.2 RESIGNATION AFTER TRAVEL START

RT can withdraw its services after the travel start date if the client is deemed to be behaving or disturbing the tour in an unsatisfactory manner. This specifically includes instances where the customer fails to meet specific tour requirements, such as those related to physical and/or mental health, general capabilities, or technical skills. If RT cancels the tour under these circumstances, costs incurred up to that date, including advanced payments for contracted services, will not be refundable. The client will only be entitled to refunds as determined by RT after considering the incurred tour costs.

Customers can withdraw from the contract at any time before the tour begins, but this must be done in writing. Refunds are subject to specific cancellation guidelines due to pre-tour costs incurred by Responsible Travel (RT). Cancellation fees for custom itinerary tours may vary and will be specified by a Responsible Travel Specialist consultant before reservation.

Specific Refund Policies for Cancelled Tours:

a) For mainland tours in Ecuador which do not include boat trips / cruises:
• 60 days or more before departure: Full refund, excluding a nonrefundable prepayment of 30%.
• From 59 to 21 days before departure: Refund of 60% of the travel price.
• From 20 to 10 days before departure: Refund of 50% of the travel price.
• From 9 to 5 days before departure: Refund of 20% of the travel price.
• From 4 days until departure: 0% will be refunded.

b) For journeys that include boat trips / cruises, the following conditions apply:
• 90 days or more before departure: Full Refund, excluding a nonrefundable prepayment of 30%.
• From 89 to 60 days before departure: Refund of 50% of the travel price.
• From 59 to 40 days before departure: Refund of 40% of the travel price.
• From 39 to 31 days before departure: Refund of 30% of the travel price.
• From 30 days until departure date: 0% will be refunded.
• Important note: For Galápagos Charters, cancellation fees can vary according to the chosen boat and will be confirmed individually.

c) For mainland tours in a South American destination (excepting Ecuador):
• 90 days or more before departure: Full Refund, excluding a nonrefundable prepayment of 30%.
• From 89 to 60 days before departure: Refund of 50% of the travel price.
• From 59 to 40 days before departure: Refund of 40% of the travel price.
• From 39 to 31 days before departure: Refund of 30% of the travel price.
• From 30 days until departure date: 0% will be refunded.

If travel services are not performed according to the contractual offer, RT's liability depends on national laws. Customers can request compensation, but RT reserves the right to refuse if deemed unreasonable. RT commits to rectifying situations to ensure equal quality of the tour.

In cases of reoccurring poor performance, the customer must immediately complain to the agency or its representative (usually the guide), detailing the problems. Failure to raise the issue at that time means the customer cannot later claim contractual compensation.

Cancellation of the travel contract by the customer due to quality issues that significantly impair the tour is only allowed if RT has not made reasonable attempts to fix the shortcomings.

If a customer wants to file a claim against RT for compensation due to unfulfilled contractual obligations, they must notify RT of their intentions within one month of the termination of the contractually agreed tour.

Service providers, tour guides, or other local agencies are not authorized to receive claims.

Claims for unlawful actions by RT must be submitted within 3 years of the termination of the tour contract, in accordance with international law.

Quito, Ecuador, is designated as the place of jurisdiction for any claim.

RT arranges accommodations, transportation, and related travel services to the passenger under the condition that RT shall not be liable for any injury, damage, death, delay, mishap, inconvenience, or irregularity. This includes those caused by the negligent or willful failure to act of any person or company providing services for the tour, even if it's RT's own negligence.

RT does not own, operate, control, manage, or supervise any supplier of goods or services for the trip, nor does it own any accommodations, transportation, or related travel services used. RT is not responsible for the actions or inactions of third parties involved in the trip.

RT is not liable for damage, loss, death, injury, inconvenience, or expense caused by, but not limited to: acts of force majeure; downgrading of accommodations or hotel problems; governmental actions; weather, sickness, epidemics, or the threat thereof; financial difficulties or insolvency of suppliers; contaminated or unwholesome food; strikes or labor disturbances; theft or criminal activity; terrorism or the threat thereof; lack of availability or access to adequate medical care or evacuation services; risks described on page one of the document, such as harsh terrain, high altitude, oxygen deprivation, sanitation problems, scuba diving, boating, swimming, dangers related to the sea, animal riding, dangers from wild or domestic animals, and dangerous or poisonous fauna or flora; delays or failures of transportation mechanisms; any other cause.

RT is not responsible for additional expenses or unforeseen delays resulting from any of the above-mentioned causes. RT is not responsible for additional hotel nights not specified in the itinerary, which might be required due to airline scheduling changes, individual client arrangements, or other factors. RT assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or personal property.

RT will not have any liability for incidental or consequential damages, regardless of how they are characterized.

RT reserves the right to substitute hotels, tour leaders, and yachts, and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable.

Participants are solely responsible for obtaining and ensuring the ongoing validity of their passports, as well as obtaining any necessary visas or other travel documents.

RT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person on a trip if their actions or general deportment impede the trip's operation, create a safety problem, or negatively impact the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other members. No refunds will be given in such circumstances.

RT reserves the right to take photographic or film records of its trips and may use these records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.

If a journey is substantially difficult or dangerous, or involves risks due to unusual circumstances (such as war, strike, unrest, epidemic diseases, or sovereign arrangements), both the customer and RT have the right to withdraw from or cancel the travel contract.

In cases of emergency procedures for unforeseen circumstances, the client is responsible for the full extent of incurred costs (e.g., hospitalization, additional accommodation, and food). However, RT will contribute up to 50% of the total cost for emergency transportation. All other demands are excluded.

The traveler is solely responsible for meeting all entry and health regulations, passport, customs requirements, visas, and currency import regulations, and for covering their associated costs. Any disadvantages or charges resulting from non-compliance are the client's responsibility, even if regulations change after the reservation. RT will inform customers of significant modifications to general regulations, as described in tour descriptions, before the tour begins, if possible.

11.1 PHYSICAL CONDITION AND GENERAL HEALTH

Trips are suitable for individuals in good physical condition, and even easy trips are more enjoyable for fit clients. Clients will need to navigate stairs, irregular terrain, and embark/disembark yachts from small skiffs. Clients are encouraged to prepare by exercising regularly. Some itineraries involve walking or hiking on challenging, irregular trails. Running, hiking, swimming, bicycling, and aerobics are listed as good conditioning activities. Clients are advised to contact RT with any questions about their ability to participate in a specific trip. Crucially, no refunds will be given for any unused portion of a trip if a client cannot participate in an activity due to physical limitations once the trip has started.

11.2 MEDICAL

Clients must be in generally good health. It is vital for individuals with medical problems or dietary restrictions to inform RT well before departure. RT staff will discuss the suitability of the chosen trip. The trip leader reserves the right to disqualify any group member at any time if deemed medically necessary to prevent endangering the group's welfare, and no refunds will be issued under these circumstances.

RT is not a medical facility and holds no expertise or responsibility regarding medications or inoculations; these decisions are to be made by the client and their private physician for safe participation.

RT assumes no liability for providing medical care. Trip members are urged to verify their insurance coverage is adequate. By purchasing RT services, the customer confirms being in good general health and releases RT from any liability or refund claims arising from damage due to the customer's own health negligence.

The invalidity of single regulations within the travel contract does not stipulate the invalidity of the entire travel contract.

To cover your investment in your trip and any unforeseen medical emergencies, we recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance coverage that would reimburse you for non-refundable airfare and trip cancellation fees should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness. Furthermore, we highly recommend a health insurance covering any medical treatment in Ecuador.