TERMS & CONDITIONS

The company ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS INSIDERS CORP. In order to book a tour in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands will require personal information about each traveler - we will use this information to issue your tickets and travel vouchers, but at no time will it be shared, loaned or sold to any other third party.

These TERMS & CONDITIONS apply to all the reservations you make through us. It is the client's responsibility to read them before booking, even if you have not been sent an email or text with the terms or link to the terms. When you agree to book with us you are accepting all it states here, not signature needed.

GALAPAGOS INSIDERS WILL

- Provide the best OPERATORS in the market relative to the established price.

- Provide all of the necessary information that YOU will require about your contracted travel tour or package, on the times agreed with you at the time of placing your booking.

- Provide YOU with all the tickets and vouchers required for your participation on the tour of your choice.

- Contact YOUR family, insurance company and / or embassy in case of accident caused by acts of providence or force majeure. GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will not be held responsible for injuries, death or any other damage caused under any circumstances by you.

YOU WILL

- Have clearly understood and accepted the social risks that travel inside of Ecuador and Galapagos implies, and the risks that exist in the practice of extreme sports including but not restricted to mountain biking, rafting / tubing, climbing, mountain sports, trekking, camping, rappelling / canopy, horse-riding, snorkeling, diving and any other activity or sport where there is contact with nature. YOU also clearly understand the risks of injury associated with force majeure or acts of providence such as wars, internal commotion, protests / strikes, terrorism, fire, natural disasters, public authority decisions, international commotion, or any other extreme circumstances, and accept that GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will not be responsible for loss, injury or damage to any person or property for any of the above causes.

- YOU will when possible hold valid travel insurance up to the end date of the tour contracted, against personal accidents and medical expenses during your trip to Ecuador, trip cancellation and baggage insurance to protect your travel investment.

- YOU will have all immigration documents in order according to Ecuadorian law, and will communicate GALAPAGOS INSIDERS of any kind of special food requirements, disability or sickness that exists at the time of travel.

Deposit and confirmation of Tour

Your reservation is confirmed by GALAPAGOS INSIDERS only after receipt of a 20% to 40% deposit payment (depending on the tour of your choice) which must be received within maximun 1 week (7 days) of the original booking. In cases where a reservation is made less than 61 days prior to trip departure then full tour payment is required within 5 days of the original booking. In cases when GALAPAGOS INSIDERS has a temporary hold for you at a cruise of your choice, the original down payment will be required before the expiration date of the hold we will have for you.

Payment

FULL PAYMENT: The full balance of the tour fare must be paid no later than 60 days prior to the departure date otherwise GALAPAGOS INSIDERS may treat the booking as being cancelled by YOU because these terms represent also the terms that the cruise operators in the Galapagos Islands apply.

GALAPAGOS INSIDERS reserves the right to change the price of a tour without prior notice in the event of any price increase beyond their control including changes to government taxes, and changes to published flight prices.

Tour Cancellation

Any cancellations made by YOU must be made in writing and will only be effective once the agency is in receipt of the written document / e-mail.

● If your cancellation is received 121 days or more before the starting date of the trip, YOU will forfeit the amount paid up to that date, which is not refundable.

● If your cancellation is received less than 61 days before the start date of the contracted trip, YOU will forfeit 100% of the total tour value paid, this is because by that time GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will have paid in full to the cruise or lodge operator for your trip and will be subject to their terms and conditions. GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will provide timely all information required by your Travel Insurance company in the event that you are requesting a refund through the insurance company of your choice.

● Under no circunstance GALAPAGOS INSIDERS can provide a change of dates for your trip if requested by you, as this is not contemplated in the terms and conditions of the Galapagos Cruises operators or in the terms and conditions of the lodge operators, no reschedules are allowed or possible.

Tour Alteration

GALAPAGOS INSIDERS reserves the right to cancel or modify the tour itinerary, based on decisions made by your cruise or lodge operator due to force majeure or acts of providence such as wars, internal commotion, or international commotion, protests / strikes, terrorism, fire, natural disasters, public authority decisions, or any other extreme circumstances; this may include substitution with comparable yachts, guides, hotels, transportation, meals, sightseeing destinations given the case or full cancellation of the trip and services hired without the option to access a refund depending on the severity of the situation.

Complaints procedure and refunds

If YOU experience a problem during the tour then you have to inform GALAPAGOS INSIDERS immediately and in writing – only complaints that are brought to the attention of GALAPAGOS INSIDERS within a maximum period of two weeks after finishing the tour will be handled.

GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will act as an intermediary in negotiating refunds with THE OPERATOR on YOUR behalf. In no case GALAPAGOS INSIDERS can guarantee a successful response or refund from THE TOUR OPERATOR, GALAPAGOS INSIDERS is subject to the terms and conditions of the operators, owners of the cruises, and lodges.

GALAPAGOS INSIDERS will not be responsible for giving refunds in any of the following situations:

- Changes to itinerary before or after departure.

- Mechanical issues affecting any form of transportation on the trip.

- Substitution of facilities or personnel.

- Late arrival or no-show from your part.

- Your decision to leave the tour early or miss any activities / meals / accommodations during the tour.

- Your decision to not take place on a contracted trip regardless of the situation causing that decision.

- YOU travelling without necessary documentation including passport, visas, immigration papers or vaccination certificates required.

- YOU not being able to arrive at the starting point of the tour contracted regardless of the reason.

- Any other circumstances on your tour or before arising beyond GALAPAGOS INSIDERS control.

Galapagos cruises and operators strongly recommend passengers obtain trip cancellation / interruption insurance to better protect themselves and their investments in case of unforeseen events that might be out of our control, and we recommend that you purchase insurance through a specialized insurance company to cover your funds in case of unforeseen circumstances out of our control.