Terms & Conditions

By requesting, booking, confirming, or making payment for any services provided by Adventure Journeys, the traveler and/or contracting party acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. These Terms and Conditions shall govern all services provided by Adventure Journeys and shall be binding upon all parties involved

1. FIRST CLAUSE Payments:

AJ requires full payment to confirm the services, therefore:

1.1. PAYMENTS:

The invoice will be sent upon booking confirmation by email, and a 35% deposit will be requested to confirm the booking.

• 65% Balance will be requested within 70 days before departure.
• Immediately after sending the invoice, we will request confirmation of payment receipt by email.
• Within 15 available days (maximum) before your trip, we will send the final confirmation service voucher.

1.2. EXTRA SERVICES OR EXTENSIONS (LESS THAN 4 DAYS)

For passengers that purchase additional services or extensions of less than 4 days.

• Extra services (extra nights, day tours, flights, transfers) and extensions of less than 4 days 100% full payment will be requested in the invoice / Terms and conditions do not apply.
• Purchases made a day before; 100% immediate payment will be requested / Terms and conditions do not apply.

Important:

*Tailor made trips from 4 days onwards, stated terms and conditions apply.

*Extra services will not be confirmed until AJ receives 100% full payment.

Rates are subject to modification due to increases in fuel costs, government taxes, supplier operational adjustments, park fees, exchange rate fluctuations, inflation, or extraordinary economic conditions.

1.3. PAYMENT METHODS

AJ offers USA bank account and credit card as payment methods. USA bank account charges $40 fee for transaction, credit cards charges extra fees. These fees are in no way from AJ as a company but subject to the companies that collect the payment.

By making payment, the client acknowledges and accepts these Terms & Conditions in full.

Chargebacks or payment disputes initiated without valid contractual basis after services have been confirmed may be subject to legal collection procedures and recovery of associated administrative and legal costs.

2. SECOND CLAUSE Insurance:

2.1 It is the responsibility of every traveler to be adequately insured against personal accidents and medical expenses during his/her trip to Ecuador, as well as having travel, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance to protect your travel investment. It is mandatory to have travel insurance of at least two hundred thousand dollars that includes health and expatriation expenses.

3. THIRD CLAUSE Passports & Visas:

3.1. Passengers must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after date of travel. Additionally, all passengers are required to hold a valid visa wherever required. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check with the appropriate consulates as to the visa requirements and obtain proper travel documents before the trip. Visa fees are not included.

4. FOURTH CLAUSE Itinerary Disclaimer:

4.1. We intend to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions, it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes.

Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. AJ is not responsible for last minute political situations that may alter clients’ confirmed itineraries, however, we will do our best to fulfil the service contract while clients are travelling. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention of specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.

4.2. AJ reserves the right to make changes to your trip arrangements (including flights, transport, hotels, or other services). Such changes are often minor, but if not, we will advise you or your travel agent, prior to departure.

4.3. Wildlife sightings are natural occurrences and cannot be guaranteed. Specific species, animal behavior, marine conditions, visibility, or environmental conditions may vary at any time.

5. FIFTH CLAUSE Suggested Tips Guide Lines:

Tipping is not mandatory but generally expected because most of the service providers appreciate it as an incentive for the quality of service delivered. There is an official 10% service tax, normally charged in restaurants, bars, hotels and the majority of services. However, for guides, drivers, and people related in tourism this tip is not considered. Therefore, AJ suggestions are the following.

In most cases, a tip of $10 US dollars is accepted for your AJ guide in Mainland Ecuador and $ 5 for your driver; however, these rates can vary when talking about the Galapagos since life in the Islands is much more expensive. In this case, we recommend a range of $15 for your naturalistic guide. Kindly note that these ranges are per person per day.

6. SIXTH CLAUSE Accommodation & Transportation:

6.1. Adventure Journeys will reserve the right to substitute hotels for a similar or better category due to unforeseen operational requirements.

6.2. Most of our accommodation is based on double occupancy, in case of requirement of a single accommodation please check the supplement cost $ that will be varied depending of your trip.

6.3. Itinerary and Domestic Transportation: domestic transportation and flights are only at the discretion of the local land operators and are subject to change without notice.

6.4.  Children are defined as passengers up to 11 years and 11 months of age at the time of travel.

6.5. Adventure Journeys reserves the right to modify hotels, visitor sites, navigation schedules, transportation, activities, or island sequences without prior notice if required for operational, safety, or environmental reasons.

6.6. Room categories, bedding configuration, views, floor level, and specific hotel features are subject to operational availability at time of check-in. While Adventure Journeys will make every reasonable effort to respect requested room configurations, these cannot be guaranteed.

7. SEVENTH CLAUSE Not included:

7.1. Passport and visa fees, foreign airport taxes and fees, departure taxes, excess baggage charges, baggage and personal insurance, gratuities, optional tours, beverages, other items and expenses of personal nature and any items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary or tour inclusions section.

7.2. Adventure Journeys reserves the right to adjust tour prices in the event of an unexpected increase in airfares, government taxes, and fees, fuel surcharges, entrance and park fees as well as currency fluctuations.

7.3. Galapagos Flights:

To maximize your adventure experience, Adventure Journeys has selected flights that fit perfectly with our operation and itineraries from Quito to The Galapagos. If you decide to fly to the Galapagos on your own on a different flight, or arriving and departing the islands before or after the tour dates, Adventure Journeys is not liable for:

• Arrivals to or departures from a different island and/or wrong airport to join the tour or leave the archipelago. There are two airports in the Galapagos: one on Baltra Island and the other on San Cristobal Island.
• Transportation outside of AJ services at the airports upon arrival and departure.
• Flight cancellations or flight schedule modifications.
• Additional expenses due to additional land and sea transportation required to join the tour.
• Missing any of our daily activities and visitor sites.
• The Traveler is fully responsible to meet our Airport Assistance Representative, at the given time and meeting point agreed with your Travel Supplier. Adventure Journeys is not responsible nor obliged to change its current itinerary, times and islands.
• Travel insurance (suggested for traveling)

Furthermore, be advised that it will be necessary to pay an extra cost of $75 USD due to operational process.

8. EIGHTH CLAUSE Cancellations & Alterations:

Cancellations received at any time after the payment are subject to forfeiture of 100% of the payment amount. Certain discounted, promotional, fixed departure, cruise, or special allocation services may become partially or fully non-refundable immediately after confirmation

8.1. CANCELLATION POLICY:

From the total amount of your invoice

– Within 70 – 55 days prior to travel 35% cancellation (Except cruise elements)

– Within 54 – 40 days prior to travel 50% cancellation.

– Within 39 – 1 days prior to travel 100% cancellation.

– No shows 100% cancellation.

Important note: AJ cancellation policy will not apply with Galapagos cruises
due to their individual cancellation policies.

Certain operational elements including Galapagos cruises, flights, permits, entrance fees, train tickets, special hotel allocations, and tailor-made services may become immediately non-refundable once confirmed with suppliers.

Galapagos operations are subject to strict regulations imposed by the Galapagos National Park, local authorities, maritime authorities, weather conditions, inter-island navigation restrictions, and operational logistics.

Adventure Journeys reserves the right to retain any unrecoverable operational costs already paid to third-party suppliers.

Adventure Journeys shall not be held responsible for missed services, activities, cruises, transfers, or accommodations resulting from:

• Airline delays or cancellations
• Immigration delays
• Airport operational disruptions
• Passenger late arrival
• Missed domestic or international connections

Any additional operational costs generated due to these situations shall be assumed by the traveler.

8.2. CANCELLATIONS IN FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS SUCH AS WORLD PANDEMICS, POLITICAL UNREST IN THE COUNTRY, WEATHER, NATURAL DISASTERS…

Adventure Journeys shall not be liable for any failure, delay, alteration, interruption, or cancellation of services resulting from Force Majeure events or circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to pandemics, epidemics, political unrest, civil disturbances, strikes, acts of terrorism, war, natural disasters, severe weather conditions, government restrictions, airport or port closures, transportation disruptions, and other extraordinary circumstances.

In such circumstances, Adventure Journeys will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements; however, specific services, routes, hotels, transportation, vessels, visitor sites, schedules, or itineraries may be modified, substituted, postponed, or cancelled without liability.

Adventure Journeys shall not be obligated to provide refunds, compensation, reimbursements, or damages for services affected by Force Majeure events where suppliers, airlines, cruise operators, hotels, transportation companies, government entities, or other service providers do not authorize refunds.

Any unrecoverable costs, supplier penalties, administrative fees, permit fees, flight costs, cruise deposits, or operational expenses already incurred shall remain the responsibility of the traveler.

Travel insurance covering trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, evacuation, and Force Majeure events is strongly recommended and remains the sole responsibility of the traveler.

8.3. ALTERATIONS:

• Adventure Journeys is committed to delivering the itinerary as described. However, in order to ensure the best possible travel experience and respond to operational, environmental, safety, or logistical circumstances, certain services, schedules, accommodations, transportation, or activities may occasionally need to be adjusted. Whenever possible, equivalent or superior alternatives will be provided.
• Any request to modify confirmed services, accommodations, transportation, activities, itineraries, passenger names, travel dates, room configurations, or any other component of the trip before or during travel shall be subject to supplier approval and operational availability.
• Any modification requested by the client may result in the cancellation and rebooking of existing services. In such cases, cancelled services may be subject to penalties of up to 100% of their value, in addition to any fare differences, supplier penalties, taxes, administrative fees, or additional operational costs incurred.
• Any request to change travel dates after confirmation shall be considered a new booking request and will be subject to availability. An administrative fee will apply, in addition to any supplier penalties, price differences, taxes, or fees generated by the modification.
• No refunds, credits, or compensation shall be granted for unused services, missed activities, voluntary trip interruption, early departure, late arrival, or any services not utilized by the traveler for personal reasons.
• Any traveler who voluntarily leaves the trip, withdraws from services, or terminates participation after the trip has commenced shall be subject to 100% cancellation penalties for all unused services.
• Adventure Journeys reserves the right to refuse modification requests that may affect operational feasibility, supplier commitments, group logistics, safety considerations, or contractual obligations.
• Name changes requested after confirmation are subject to supplier approval and operational feasibility. Additional costs may apply, including supplier penalties, fare differences, taxes, rebooking fees, and administrative charges associated with the modification. All applicable costs will be communicated prior to processing the change.

9. NINTH Consumer disclosure and responsibility:

Adventure Journeys is not responsible for service interruptions, operational failures, overbooking situations, strikes, supplier insolvency, mechanical failures, or negligence caused directly by third-party operators.

Travelers acknowledge that certain activities may involve physical exertion, altitude exposure, navigation, hiking, snorkeling, diving, wildlife encounters, uneven terrain, remote locations, or changing weather conditions.

It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they are physically and medically fit to participate in the activities included in the itinerary.

Adventure Journeys reserves the right to restrict participation in activities if a traveler’s condition may represent a safety risk to themselves or the group.

In force majeure situations, Adventure Journeys shall not be obligated to provide monetary refunds for unused services when suppliers themselves do not authorize refunds.

Whenever possible, future travel credits, operational alternatives, or rescheduling options may be offered.

Diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and water-based activities involve inherent risks.

Travelers participating in diving activities must hold the required certification level and assume full responsibility for their participation.

Adventure Journeys reserves the right to deny participation if safety requirements are not met

The Travel Agent/ Tour Operator, Adventure Journeys, acts as agent for the companies they represent, and consequence, accepts no responsibility for accidents, damage, baggage losses and/or delays due to strikes, weather, acts of governments or authorities, wars, criminal acts committed by third parties, hostilities, civil disturbances, riots, pilferage, defects of vehicles or breakdown in the equipment, or to the fault or default of any company used for carrying out these tours. Nor shall Adventure Journeys be liable for any damage resulting directly or indirectly from delays, cancellation or changes in flights. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable, for the comfort or wellbeing of the passengers, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the Tour Operator. Additional expenses shall be borne by the passengers. No refund can be made for the absence from parts of the tour. The right is also reserved by the Tour Operator, at its absolute discretion, to refuse or cancel any person at any time, without being under obligation to assign a reason, therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, the Tour Operator shall be under no liability to that person whatsoever. The airlines, rail and steamship companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any acts, omissions, or events during the time passengers are not aboard their aircraft and/or vessels. The passage contract in use by the companies concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the company and the purchase of these tours, and/or the passengers. Adventure Journeys reserves the right to cancel any tour, for any reason, prior to departure and cannot be held responsible for any damages resulting from said cancellation. In case of such tour cancellation by Adventure Journeys, a full refund of the monies paid to Adventure Journeys will be offered. There is no additional liability. Any dispute arising out of these tours will be settled in the courts of Ecuador under Ecuadorian laws.

Adventure Journeys’ maximum liability, under any circumstance, shall not exceed the total amount paid directly to Adventure Journeys for the affected services.

Adventure Journeys shall not be responsible for indirect losses, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, missed connections, missed activities, business losses, consequential damages, or additional expenses incurred by the traveler.

Adventure Journeys acts solely as an intermediary between travelers and independent service providers including hotels, airlines, cruise operators, transportation companies, guides, restaurants, and activity operators.

The airlines concerned shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularities which may be occasioned by reason of the defect or through the act or omissions of any person or company performing or rendering the services other than carriage by air, as described in the tour brochure. By utilizing the services of the suppliers, you agree that Adventure Journeys shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay incurred by you or those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services resulting directly or indirectly from any acts or default of the suppliers or from any occurrence or conditions beyond the control of Adventure Journeys, including the defects of vehicles or breakdown in equipment. Nor shall Adventure Journeys be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident or delay resulting directly or indirectly from delays, cancellation or changes in flights, itineraries, schedules or other services, strikes, theft, sickness, weather, quarantine, criminal acts committed by third parties, acts of declared or undeclared war, or other causes. The services described in the tour brochure, other than carriage by the outlined airlines, are furnished by independent contractors who are not servants of our joint venture or partners with the airlines concerned.

Any claim, complaint, or request related to services provided by Adventure Journeys must be submitted in writing within a maximum period of 15 calendar days after completion of the trip.

Claims submitted after this period may not be considered.