Terms & Conditions

INCLUDED IN GUIDED PROGRAMS: Prices are valid to December 2012 (2011-2012 pricing details are based on current currency exchange rates and will be subject to final confirmation) and include all accommodations as noted in program documentation; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers (regardless of arrival and departure days); fully-guided programs as noted in the itineraries (including park and entrance fees); bottled water supplied during expeditions; select beverages with meals; services of an A&K professional guide (please see condition noted below); handling of two pieces of baggage per person for regional flights (other conditions/restrictions may apply for specific flights especially helicopter transport; please refer to BAGGAGE section); hotel taxes; gratuities throughout, except to your guide, drivers and camp staff, trackers, or porters.

GRATUITIES: Gratuities are included for hotel/restaurant staff, porterage and drivers. Gratuities are not included for the A&K professional guide, driver-guides and camp staff, trackers, or porters, where applicable, which are at the traveller's discretion and should be based on the level of satisfaction with the service received. Recommended guidelines for each expedition are provided in A&K's pre-tour documentation.

NOT INCLUDED IN Expedition PRICES: Passenger Travel Protection Program (except medical evacuation insurance); international and regional airfares - unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities to the A&K professional guide, driver-guides and camp staff, trackers on Extreme Adventures programs as outlined in the Gratuities on Extreme Adventures section; meals other than specified in the itinerary; beverages other than noted in your "Pre-Tour Documentation," activities not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional programs (which are subject to availability).

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: Departure dates are subject to a minimum number of passengers to operate (excepting only cases of force majeure, which could include any major world event that adversely affects international travel patterns and other circumstances beyond A&K's control). Should the minimum number of passengers not be met, A&K will offer one of the following options: modify the services of the original expedition to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative program. Should no alternative be suitable, A&K will offer a full refund of all monies received.

All escorted group programs departing between January 1 and December 31, 2012 are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of two passengers. Please Note: Extreme Adventures, Marco Polo Club Invitationals, Canal & River Cruising and Escorted Mobile Camping programs require a varying number of passengers to operate.

ITINERARIES: Accommodations and expeditionary program are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond A&K's control. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. A&K also reserves the right to withdraw an expedition or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the program inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to expedition members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

SPECIAL REQUESTS: Due to the remoteness and potentially extreme conditions present during these expeditions, the ability to accommodate special requests will be very limited.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS: Quoted program prices include planning, handling and operational charges, and are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of July 2010. A&K reserves the right to increase program prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, and/or fuel surcharges. A&K is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any expedition within this brochure. Modification of program content to accommodate a smaller group size may affect the published program price.

IMMEDIATE CHECK-IN: On programs where immediate check-in has not been included in the program price, A&K does request that hotels do their utmost to facilitate this service; however, it is not guaranteed. Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid-afternoon. Should you wish to have your room ready for immediate check-in upon arrival, A&K can arrange this for an additional charge. Please ask for details and prices.

EARLY ARRIVAL: You may wish to arrive a day or two before the start of your program to allow time to relax and refresh after your journey and to prepare for the start of your program. Please ask for details at time of booking. Departing early from the U.S. is also recommended in the winter months, due to possible flight disruptions and cancellations caused by inclement weather conditions.

ACTIVE ELEMENTS: A&K Extreme Adventures offers programs that require a varying degree of physical conditioning. We have rated each of these expeditions based on the level of physical strain and severe weather/climate conditions that will be faced while participating in these programs. It is important to consider the degree of difficulty for these expeditions and prepare yourself accordingly. Preparation pertains to physical conditioning, mental preparation, and making sure you have the right clothing and equipment (excluding equipment provided or offered by A&K). SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ANY CLARIFICATION ABOUT A SPECIFIC EXPEDITION PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS AT TIME OF BOOKING.

BAGGAGE: Tour prices include the handling of two pieces of baggage per person. Weight restrictions on some routes on regional air flights may apply; details will be provided with preliminary tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the expedition. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.

INSURANCE
A&K’s Passenger Travel Protection Plan which provides cancellation coverage, medical coverage and protection against lost or damaged luggage, is strongly recommended.

Due to the remote location of A&K’s Extreme Adventure programs, A&K requires proof of a minimum of $50,000 per person in Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation insurance. This minimum amount is included in A&K’s Travel Protection Plan. Upgrades can be purchased for higher coverage. If you do not purchase the A&K Protection Plan, we will require proof of alternate coverage.

CHILD POLICY: A minimum age of 16 years is required on all programs.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS: Valid passports are required for travel to the destinations in this brochure. Check with your travel agent or A&K for the latest visa requirements. Please note that non-U.S. passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry. Please note also that passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank pages for visa and immigration stamps. A&K cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to a country due to non-compliance with these requirements. A copy of your valid passport must be submitted to A&K in order to confirm air reservations.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE: For the program in this brochure with the exception of Antarctica, Alaska, Canada, and Mexico (Holiday Departure) programs, a deposit of 20% of the total program price per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire cost of the program must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.

CANCELLATION AND CHARGES: For all programs except Antarctica, Alaska, Canada and Mexico (Holiday departure) cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to a 10% per person/per expedition cancellation fee; 89 - 45 days, will be subject to 50% of the land price; 44 days or less will be subject to 100% of the land price. A 100% CANCELLATION CHARGE APPLIES TO REGIONAL AIR CANCELLED 90 DAYS OR LESS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, WHERE APPLICABLE.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR ANTARCTICA'S FINAL DEGREE AND EMPEROR PENGUINS: A deposit of $5000 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days prior to departure, the entire cost of the expedition must be made at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.

Cancellation Charges FOR ANTARCTICA'S FINAL DEGREE AND EMPEROR PENGUINS: Client deposits and payments for confirmed reservations are refundable up to 90 days prior to departure from Punta Arenas, less an administration fee of $1500 per person. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure and is nonrefundable. Deposits and final payment are not transferable to alternate departure dates or from one client to another.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR CANADA: GRIZZLY BEAR ENCOUNTER: A nonrefundable deposit of $5000 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days prior to departure, the entire cost of the expedition must be made at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.

Cancellation Charges FOR CANADA: GRIZZLY BEAR ENCOUNTER: Cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to $5000 per person/per expedition cancellation fee; 89 days and less, will be subject to 100% of the land price.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR MEXICO: KAYAKING THE BAJA COAST (HOLIDAY DEPARTURE): A deposit of 50% of the total program price per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made within 90 days prior to departure, the entire cost of the expedition must be made at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation.

Cancellation Charges FOR MEXICO: KAYAKING THE BAJA COAST (HOLIDAY DEPARTURE): Cancellations received by A&K 90 days or more prior to departure will be subject to a 50% per person/per program cancellation fee; 89 days or less will be subject to 100% of the land price Deposits and final payment are not transferable to alternate departure dates or from one client to another.

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR EXTRA SERVICES: Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with A&K Extreme Adventures are subject to a separate and potentially different set of terms and conditions, please ask your consultant for details.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Airfares are available upon request.

CLAIMS AND REFUNDS: Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT'S RESPONSIBILITY clause on this page. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the local destination management company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused segments of the expedition or meals. A&K will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your Extreme Adventures expedition.

PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL: Abercrombie & Kent reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with A&K, program members agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Program members who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their A&K guide at the beginning of their program.

LIMITS ON ABERCROMBIE & KENT'S RESPONSIBILITY: Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively A&K), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your program. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Abercrombie & Kent companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result A&K is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.

In addition and without limitation, A&K is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these programs take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this program.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND WARNINGS: It is the responsibility of The Traveller to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department's travel website at www.travel.state.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-407- 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the program, should The Traveler still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, The Traveler assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits on Abercrombie & Kent's Responsibility clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the program, to the program itself, or to any products or services related to the program, shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that (a) in lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration, the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means, (b) arbitration is the exclusive forum for dispute resolution (no court actions), and (c) except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees.

TRAVELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS: The traveller represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to him or herself or other members of the program. A&K reserves the right to decline to accept anyone on a program and to remove from the program, at his or her sole expense, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the program.

ANY PAYMENT TO ABERCROMBIE & KENT CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN AND IN MORE SPECIFIC PRE-DEPARTURE PASSENGER DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING THE PERSONAL INFORMATION FORM.

Abercrombie & Kent accepts all major credit cards.

© 2011 Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. ABERCROMBIE & KENT, A&K, ADVENTURE CREW, DESIGN YOUR DAY, GUARDIAN ANGEL, INSPIRING EXPERIENCES, MARCO POLO CLUB, PRIVATE JOURNEYS, SIGNATURE SERIES, SIMPLY THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL, TRAVELLING BELL BOY and the ampersand design are service marks owned by Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies. S.A. The service marks and trademarks of airlines appearing in this brochure or on abercrombiekent.com are owned by the respective companies mentioned.

CST#2007274-20

One Name: One Unparalleled Standard Worldwide. Throughout this website, you'll see references to "Abercrombie & Kent" (or simply "A&K"). This is our shorthand for the many independent A&K companies that work with Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC of Downers Grove, Illinois, to provide its travellers with a consistent worldwide standard of expertise and excellence in travel. Their independence allows our guests to benefit from the unique local knowledge and specialized services available only from destination-based operating companies around the globe.

United States Tour Operators Association Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, as an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 Million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Travellers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC customers in the unlikely event of Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC's bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 Million posted by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC. Complete details of the USTOA Travellers Assistance Program may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, New York, NY 10016, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their Web site at www.USTOA.com.

ASTA TOP Tour Operator Program Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC is also a member of the American Society of Travel Agents TOP Program, open only to select tour operators.

Travel Agents A travel agent can enhance your trip by providing information and advice not contained in this brochure. A&K has long-standing relationships with the industry's best travel agents and would be pleased to work with yours.