We strongly recommend you print and read these conditions before you proceed.

Please note that it is essential to read and understand the conditions of booking below and the about Wild Escapes what we're about section when you book. Please ensure you have read and understood the itinerary and style of the trip/s you are booking. Wild Escapes accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

Validity

The prices listed are based on the costs and exchange rates current at the time of pricing. Wild Escapes reserves the right to alter these prices at any time. For trips departing between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2010, the land price of your trip is guaranteed when you have paid in full. For trips departing beyond 31 December 2010, prices are indicative only. The itineraries and dates in the brochure are applicable from 01 January 2010 until 31 December 2010. Beyond 31 December 2009 dates and itineraries are indicative only and are subject to change. All information in the brochure is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but please note that changes to our trips (which can be significant) can and do occur. Wild Escapes will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes, but cannot be held liable for any alterations made to the itineraries. Please refer to our website for the most recent update to any trip. Please note that these conditions apply to Wild Escapes group trips only. Variations may apply for Wild Escapes Independent trips.

Cancellation by the traveller

Loss of monies paid applies to all cancelled reservations. The date of trip cancellation is the date on which the written cancellation is received by Wild Escapes. The loss of monies paid is as follows, per person:

• 60 days or more prior to trip departure - Loss of deposit
• Between 45 and 59 days prior to trip departure - 50% of total booking cost or loss of deposit; whichever is the greater
• Less than 45 days prior to departure - 100% of total booking cost

No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun. Refunds will be at the discretion of Wild Escapes if you are involuntarily forced to leave a trip for any reason. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not utilised. Please note that these conditions apply to Wild Escapes land content only. Different fees may apply to airline tickets. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking which will cover cancellation penalties in certain circumstances (Note: such insurance will not cover a change of mind).

Cancellation by Wild Escapes Travel

Wild Escapes reserves the right to cancel any trip before it is guaranteed to run, but will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure. A trip is guaranteed to run once it has one fully-paid traveller, unless minimum numbers state otherwise. This applies to departures within the validity range. Wild Escapes reserves the right to cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, at any time prior to departure due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events which make it unviable for Wild Escapes to operate our planned schedule. If Wild Escapes cancels a group adventure trip on which you are holding a fully paid booking you may choose between an alternative trip or a full refund. The company is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or loss of enjoyment, etc. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked then you are entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value then you will pay the difference in price.

Booking Amendments

If you wish to change your booking in any way, the following fees will apply:

1. Transfer from one tour to another:

• Amendment request received by Wild Escapes 60 days or more prior to your original tour departure date – INR 1250 per person per change. A transfer can only be made to a departure date within the current validity.
• Amendment request received by Wild Escapes less than 60 days prior to your original tour departure date - charges as per cancellation fees.
• If there has been any change in the price of the tour you change your booking to, since the time of your original reservation, the new tour price will apply to the new reservation. These fees are in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines.

2. Changes to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your tour booking (eg: hotels, transfers, etc.)

• Amendments to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your tour reservation will incur a INR 750 administration fee per booking per change. This fee is in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines.

3. No amendments are permitted to your booking within 15 days of departure.

Late bookings

For bookings made within 15 days of departure, Wild Escapes reserves the right to charge a late booking fee of INR 750 per booking. On some trips it is not possible for us to accept late bookings.

Local Payment

Some of our trips require a compulsory local payment, which is part of the contract with you (the customer) and Wild Escapes. This amount is the final payment for your trip and is to be paid in the specified currency, in cash to your leader upon arrival. The local payment is non-refundable, and is considered part of the total trip payment.

Further details and information on your local payment are shown in our brochures, website and in the trip notes.

Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds to local suppliers in countries that we travel through and therefore helps to reduce the overall cost of your trip.

Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all Wild Escapes travellers. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We also recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking.

Passports and Visas

You must carry a valid passport and have obtained the appropriate visas when travelling with Wild Escapes. Please ensure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday. Wild Escapes cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct visa documentation.

Responsibility

You acknowledge that travel on a Wild Escapes trip requires a degree of flexibility and understand that the trip's route, accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should Wild Escapes deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to you if the reason for any alteration is outside Wild Escapes’ control. While travelling with Wild Escapes you agree to accept the authority of the leader and local operator at all times. You are aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that Wild Escapes reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any person as a member of the group at any time. You acknowledge that Wild Escapes contracts with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of Wild Escapes' knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However, Wild Escapes will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behaviour of these third parties. Wild Escapes will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveller who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited. No employee, servant or agent of Wild Escapes has authority to vary these conditions. This agreement is governed by the laws of the Government of India.

Participation Form

All Wild Escapes travellers on group trips must sign a Participation Form on Day 1 of the trip. Please note that signing the form is a pre-requisite of travelling with Wild Escapes. The wording of this form follows.

"I understand that travelling with Wild Escapes may involve risks (and rewards) above and beyond those encountered on a more conventional holiday, and that I am undertaking an adventure trip with inherent dangers. I understand that I am travelling to geographical areas where, amongst other things, the standard of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, cleanliness, medical facilities, telecommunications and infrastructure development may not be of the standard I am used to at home or would find on a conventional holiday. I have read and understood the Wild Escapes Trip Notes for the trip I am undertaking and have provided details of any pre-existing medical conditions I have, to Wild Escapes' representatives. I accept these risks and obligations and I fully assume the risks of travel. I release Wild Escapes from any liabilities connected to these risks to the maximum extent permitted by law."

Trip Grading

Our travellers are sometimes concerned that Wild Escapes trips might be beyond their capabilities. Relax! Wild Escapes has a huge range of trips, with something for everybody. To assist you in deciding which trip is right for you, please refer to the "Physical grading" that is included in the facts section for most itineraries. The Physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows.

Physical Rating

Rating 1: Rated 1/6

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about being able to do anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2: Rated 2/6

You are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.

Rating 3: Rated 3/6

Activities include treks of 3 to 4 hours per day in hilly terrain, flat water kayaking or a long day's bike ride, in conditions which are likely to be hot and muggy. You will raise your heart rate on these trips, so a basic level of aerobic fitness is required.

Rating 4: Rated 4/6

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. This may be treks of up to 6 hours per day in steep terrain, or extended bike rides of more than one day. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5: Rated 5/6

Activities include extended treks of 8 or more hours a day or extended bike touring, often at altitude and over steep terrain. Even if you're in excellent shape, these trips provide plenty of challenges.

Rating 6: Rated 6/6

These trips involve extended trekking at altitude and are for the seriously fit only.

Local Partners

In many parts of the world, Wild Escapes works with highly reputable local operators.

These local partners are all passionate and enthusiastic about the countries and areas they operate in, and offer the same high standards as Wild Escapes. By working closely with these local companies, we are best able to put money back into the local economies of those countries through which we travel.

Family Adventures

Wild Escapes Family Adventures are living proof that children can add a special dimension to travel. We escape the ho-hum of conventional holidays and throw ourselves into all the fun and adventure that travelling has to offer. Our Family Adventure itineraries avoid long travel days where possible, and we've included plenty of highlights for the younger traveller such as elephants and unusual means of transport. While these trips are designed to keep the kids happy and stimulated, the parents are by no means forgotten! Our maximum group size on these family trips is 14, with a minimum age of 6.

Travelling with children on Wild Escapes' regular departures

We fully appreciate that parents wish their children to experience as full a range of experiences as possible in their development. Travel, and the geographical and cultural education which this can bring, can play a great part in this role. However, we feel we should take this opportunity to warn you of some of the negative aspects of travelling in the Wild Escapes manner with children. The reason for this note is not to put you off, just to give you the information to make the most informed decision possible.

A note to parents considering travelling with children:

1. Standards of safety and hygiene are sometimes considerably lower than at home. This is particularly the case travelling with Wild Escapes as we aim to escape the traditional tourist path and frequently get into more remote and economically undeveloped regions. Transport, accommodation and hygiene standards will often be considerably lower than we are used to at home. Remember that your children may be more prone to sickness than you are, and should this be serious, the standards of hospitalisation are extremely variable.

2. Most of our trips are more demanding than traditional travel. All have a reasonable degree of walking in them - be it sightseeing, day walks or full scale trekking. Whilst your children may be fitter than you are, they may not be after a period of time in the heat of the tropics with unfamiliar food. Generally we would advise against you travelling with Wild Escapes if your children have not had some outdoor or other travel experience.

3. If you decide to travel with Wild Escapes your children will be treated similar to an adult by the group leader. They are full paying clients just like every other traveller in the group. They have the same rights and the same obligations. The itinerary will not be modified because they are children. If you feel that something is too hard, or not desirable, then it is your responsibility to make alternative arrangements. This responsibility should not fall on your group leaders or your fellow travellers.

Conclusion

This may all seem a little negative. In fact, some of the most successful trips we have ever run have had children on them. Children have a wonderful way of opening doors.We have introduced the following guidelines to ensure the best possible experience both for children travelling and the rest of the group members:

1. We do not accept children under 12 years of age on Wild Escapes group trips (some trips have a minimum age of 18 - see specific trip page for details exceptions). Please refer to our Wild Escapes Family Adventures or Wild Escapes Independent itineraries which have many options suitable for younger children.

2. Children 12 - 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult traveller.

3. Maximum of 1 child per adult traveller.

4. If there is a group of 3 consisting of 2 adults with 1 child, it may not be possible to obtain triple rooms. In such cases, one of the adults will share with the child and the other adult will share with another adult passenger in the group. In the case of 2 adults travelling with 2 children, for safety reasons 1 adult must share with 1 child at all times.

Open age

Wild Escapes small group adventures are designed for travellers of all ages - we seem to have found a travelling style that suits all ages - assuming you are fit and healthy - and take travellers from 12 to 80 (12-17 year olds must be accompanied by an adult). The trips work brilliantly, with great group dynamics and social interaction. The majority of travellers are in the 25 to 45 age range. Wild Escapes Basix is different - the majority of travellers are in the 18 to 30 age range.

Please note that due to the higher than normal physical requirements or long and arduous travel conditions, some of our overland tours have upper age restrictions.