Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using Our Service.

Registration

Once you have chosen your tour, you must reserve your place for the desired date. You will have to fill in a form with information that will help us prepare your experience as best as possible, so you must fill it in totally and as accurately as possible.

We advise you to register as early as possible, in order to guarantee a place on the tour and the best prices on flights, which normally appear 2 to 4 months before departure.

Booking

As soon as we receive your payment (either deposit or payment in full) and process your registration, we will contact you to confirm your booking.

Full Payment

You will be required to pay 100% of the tour price 90 days before the trip start date, unless otherwise specified. If these steps are not completed within the stipulated time, your reservation may be canceled.

Terms and Conditions

CONTRACTING PARTIES

1. General

1.1. The Terms and Conditions detailed here contain the entire contract between the interested party and SideQuest Travel. This contract can only be amended in writing by a representative of SideQuest Travel.

1.2. SideQuest Travel is an agency that carries out trips with those interested in them, and is not, therefore, a carrier, hotel chain or owner of planes or hotels. All reservations with carriers, hotels and other service providers are subjected to the terms and conditions and limits of liability imposed by these carriers, hotel chains and other service providers, with whom SideQuest Travel has partnerships or resorts in case of necessity. Please note that some of these conditions limit or exclude liability in the event of death, personal injury, delay and loss or damage to luggage, so we do not accept any liability for any loss as a result of such actions or as a result of any act or omission of third parties.

1.3. The Terms and Conditions mentioned here for registration are a complement to the travel plan you are registering for.

1.4. By reaching an agreement with SideQuest Travel, you acknowledge and accept all the established Terms and Conditions.

2. Responsibility

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Your Reservation

Upon receipt of deposit funds of the trip booked by you – subject to availability – SideQuest Travel will reserve a vacancy on the trip chosen by you. An agreement is made between you and SideQuest Travel, only after the confirmation of the reservation by SideQuest Travel and communication of the latter in writing (e-mail or other). When validating the reservation, you mandate SideQuest Travel so that, on your behalf and representation, it can contact the entities – suppliers of goods and services – responsible for carrying out the trip. Its supply is the responsibility of SideQuest Travel or its partners, namely travel agencies, accommodations, carriers or others, according to the agreements entered into and completed.

2. Price Guarantee

Travel program prices are based on service costs and exchange rates in effect on the scheduled date and may, therefore, be subject to change. The price of the travel program may vary due to changes in transportation costs such as fuel, scheduled fares and any other cost changes from airlines that are part of the program. The price of the travel plan may also vary due to government action, such as changes in VAT or any imposition of a currency change in relation to an exchange rate variation. If you decide to cancel for this reason, you will have the right to do so within 15 days from the issue date printed on the final invoice. If you do, your trip deposit (value for booking a vacancy in the trip) will not be refunded. The remainder – the price of the trip minus the amount of the deposit – transferred to SideQuest Travel, will have to be applied to another trip.

3. If we cancel or change your Tour

3.1. SideQuest Travel reserves the right to change or cancel your booking in accordance with operational requirements or circumstances beyond its control.

3.2. If a change or cancellation is necessary, SideQuest Travel will notify you in advance and, whenever possible, and propose an alternative experience. When cancellation is necessary, notice from us will be given no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip, unless the reasons for cancellation are beyond our control.

3.3. If the change or cancellation is due to force majeure (i.e. circumstances such as political instability, war or threat of war, riots, civil conflicts, closure of airports or ports, terrorist activities, disasters of any kind, fire, epidemic or of health risk, abnormal weather conditions or other similar events beyond the control of SideQuest Travel and provided that this situation occurs by national or international directive through state or governmental entities, we will reimburse any amounts paid for the services provided by SideQuest Travel, in accordance with the current law, except for expenses incurred by us in relation to your reservation and services provided by third parties, such as flights, insurance, visas and transfers.

3.4. SideQuest Travel is not responsible for any costs of other travel plans affected by cancellations or changes to dates.

4. Trip Details and Conditions

4.1. All information on our website or on any of our social media pages is correct to our knowledge and we cannot guarantee, however, that any item mentioned will be available, especially if we do not have direct control over it (supplied by third parties, for example).

4.2. SideQuest Travel is committed to providing you with the best travel experience, within what we believe is the best quality, both in the chosen itinerary, as well as in accommodation, transport, and tours/guides hired on site.

4.3. SideQuest Travel always proposes different travel experiences and so it is natural that these are changed whenever we see the possibility of an improvement in them. If there are changes or circumstances beyond our control that make it necessary to perform changes, we are given that right and confidence by you.

RESPONSIBILITY

All amounts paid to SideQuest Travel, whether with regard to the payment of the trip deposit or the entirety of the tour, can be used by us at the time we believe it to be convenient and whenever we feel that there is a need to do it.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Booking your Tour

1.1. In order to book your trip, a payment of the deposit amount indicated for the respective trip will have to be made and received. The payment of the entire value of the tour must be made up to 90 days,unless stated otherwise, before the tour start date to SideQuest Travel. Payment is accepted, in part or in full, only after confirmation of the reservation in writing (email or otherwise) by SideQuest Travel.

1.2. Your travel booking will be confirmed upon receipt of the deposit amount indicated or payment in full for the respective trip.

1.3. Any type of special meals will only be made upon request when filling in the reservation form, in the space reserved for this. We cannot guarantee, however, their existence, nor assume any responsibility or obligation, if the requirements for special meals are not met, or if our partners or contracted services cannot guarantee them.

2. Payment of the remaining amount

2.1. Unless otherwise indicated on the respective trip webpage, Payment of the remaining amount must be made:

• 100% of the total amount 90 days before the start of the trip which will be indicated in the booking confirmation communicated in writing by SideQuest Travel.

2.2. If the payment is not made by the mentioned date, SideQuest Travel will assume that you have cancelled your reservation and will apply the cancellation fees in accordance with clause 3 mentioned below.

2.3. Any travel documents will not be sent by SideQuest Travel until receipt of the trip deposit or payment in full of the booked tour.

2.4. In the case of late bookings made less than 90 days before the start of the trip, the total amount of the trip will be paid immediately, unless a deposit is taken, in which case you will have 7 days to pay in full before SideQuest Travel will assume you have cancelled your order. If booking within 90 days of the trip start date, SideQuest Travel may not be able to send the desired information before the tour takes place, so it can be done on the date the trip starts, delivering it personally.

2.5. SideQuest Travel reserves the right to cancel your travel experience and apply the appropriate cancellation fees if payments are not received within the aforementioned periods.

3. If you cancel

3.1. Notice of cancellation must be notified to SideQuest Travel as soon as possible, in writing (e-mail or otherwise) and after we have communicated the reception of it.

3.2. If cancellation occurs up to 90 days before the start of the trip, the value of the deposit and 50% of all other funds transferred until then, will not be refunded and will have to be applied to another trip of the company.

3.3. If you cancel and there are less than 90 days before the start of the trip, the deposit of the reservation will not be returned and the remaining funds transferred until then must be applied to another SideQuest Travel tour and the costs that SideQuest Travel has already had, will be subtracted from this amount if it has already made any reservation with third parties.

3.4 All returns in points 3.2 and 3.3 take place, except in the case of point 3.5, below.

3.5. The amount transferred until then will not be returned or cannot be transferred to another trip, from the moment that SideQuest Travel – via email, phone call or image on the website – communicates the booked trip as Sold Out (the image on the website may be Waiting List Only or Sold Out).

3.6. If the reason for cancellation is within the terms of any insurance policy you own, then such fees may be subject to the terms of your insurance policy, and be refunded to you by the insurance company.

3.7. Any cancellations of additional services booked before or after your tour, such as pre-or post-accommodation and transfers, cancelled within 15 days of the start of the trip, will incur a 100% cancellation fee.

4. If you change your reservation

4.1. If, after confirming your reservation, you wish to change it to an alternative date, you can do so subject to trip availability and providing that this date is on our website and/or social network.

4.2. A fee of $25 USD will be applied whenever a review or change is made to the booking after it has been confirmed unless the change in question increases the value of the trip. A reservation change within 30 days before the tour starts will be treated as a cancellation, and normal cancellation fees will apply (as detailed in section 3) except when the change is for an earlier departure date of equivalent or greater value.

4.3. Changing the name to a different person is possible, if it is for the same travel date, and if there is any cost of change in commitments that SideQuest Travel has already agreed with third parties, these must be assumed by the person who cancels the reservation.

5. Tour details and Conditions

5.1. SideQuest Travel advises you to carefully read the programs of the experiences it proposes, and you will have to take into account the items that are included or not, in the mentioned value. No refunds will be made for meals, accommodation, excursions, etc., which you have chosen not to use or when the spaces to be visited are closed. The nights booked are counted from the first day of the travel until the last day, and any nights not included in the program cannot be exchanged with extra nights on the program. No amount will be refunded if, for reasons beyond SideQuest Travel, such as transport delays, unannounced closures, weather conditions or other causes beyond our control, happen and make it impossible to carry out the tour.

5.2. SideQuest Travel welcomes travellers with special needs (ask for conditions and we'll send them by email)

5.3 Interested parties are responsible for carrying their luggage to the transport and to their rooms. There may be situations in which interested parties will have to transport their luggage over long distances and through places with some obstacles, so there will not be any assistance unless the costs of these are assumed by the person thelselves.

5.4 SideQuest Travel may, at its sole discretion, refuse the booking or cancel the booking of any person who cannot or refuses to comply with the Terms and Conditions stipulated by us. We are not responsible for any incidental costs in the event that someone is removed from a trip. Interested parties agree not to hold us or any of our partners responsible for any action taken under these Terms and Conditions.

5.5 You are responsible for all travel costs and plans to and from the starting and ending point of the trip, and there will be no SideQuest Travel responsible or leader accompanying any traveller from the start. The leader will always wait for you at the place where the journey begins.

5.6 There may be times when the leader of SideQuest Travel has to make decisions in the interest of the group. You agree to comply with the authority and decisions of the leader, as well as the laws of the place that you are going to visit. If you do not comply or if, in the opinion of the leader, your presence is not compatible with the general enjoyment and well-being of other members of the group or the good functioning of the tour itself, we reserve the right not to let you continue in it. Possession or transportation of illegal or restricted substances is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, you agree that the rest of the group, as well as any SideQuest Travel leader, have the right to be in a safe and comfortable environment. Any threats to your safety, well-being or inappropriate behaviour on your part, whether verbal or physical, will be taken very seriously and may result in the immediate cancellation of your trip. In this case, you will be responsible for your own repatriation and related costs, having no claims against SideQuest Travel.

5.7 You are responsible for any costs incurred as a result of damage or extra cleaning fees related to your accommodation. You are advised to immediately report, as soon as detected, any pre-existing damage to your room to the staff at the accommodation in question and/or to the leader(s) who accompanies you.

5.8 When the traveller occupies a seat in a carriage equipped with a seat belt, the cooperating service providers or operators, agents or organizations cannot be held liable for any illness, injury or death, nor for any loss, damage or claim resulting from any accident or incident if the seat belt is not being used at the time of the accident.

5.9 You will need to have a valid passport (minimum 6 months after the date of return) and all visas, personal travel insurance, permits and certificates necessary for the selected tour, as well as all necessary vaccinations and comply with all applicable laws.

5.10 You agree that the leader(s) of SideQuest Travel take photos and film you during the tour, as well as have access to your images, videos or sound files that you publish, and that these are used in SideQuest Travel's material on advertising or any other platforms, without us having to obtain any additional authorization or payment in relation to such material.

5.11 If you have a complaint regarding your travel experience, you must inform the leader during the course of it and, if the matter is not resolved after the leader's best efforts, your complaint must be made in writing to SideQuest Travel, as soon as reasonably possible, within a maximum period of 15 days after it has ended, so that your complaint can be analysed. If you do not do so within 15 days, your rights under this agreement may be affected.

6. Insurance

It is mandatory to have travel insurance that covers medical, evacuation and repatriation costs during the entire tour. The fact of not having valid travel insurance at the beginning and during the tour exempts SideQuest Travel from any responsibility in relation to the risks and consequent costs incurred.

7. Disease or Absenteeism

In case you withdraw from the trip after the start of it, due to illness, you must obtain a medical certificate in support of an insurance claim. No refund will be made for absence in the tour by SideQuest Travel.

8. What is NOT included in the tour price

International flights to and from your destination, airport taxes, passport and visa fees, laundry service, personal transport, local guides not mentioned in the program, phone calls, drinks, meals not detailed in the itinerary, tips, items from personal nature, excess luggage and optional excursions and everything that is not mentioned as included in the trip program.

9. Weather Conditions

Under no circumstances will SideQuest Travel be held responsible for weather conditions, nor can any experience be cancelled or changed by you at any time, based on weather conditions.

10. COVID-19 Pandemic

Under no circumstances will SideQuest Travel be held responsible for occurrences as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the closure of borders, cancelled or altered flights, closed places to visit, changes in plans during the program, accommodation and/or scheduled transport in advance and closed or cleared without the agency's knowledge. SideQuest Travel assumes that the person interested in the trip, upon registration, is aware that we live in uncertain times and that, therefore, SideQuest Travel cannot assume any responsibility for services provided by third parties or rules and laws enacted without prior notice.

11. Luggage

Luggage is restricted to a reasonable size and a maximum weight of 20 kilograms (except for rare exceptions that will be informed by us), plus a small backpack/bag that can be transported with you. We reserve the right to refuse luggage that is too large for our experiences.

On trips that include flights and bullet trains, as part of the itinerary, it is your responsibility to ensure that your luggage does not exceed the size and weight limits imposed by airlines. We are not responsible for any costs incurred for excess luggage.

12. Special requirements

Any special requirements must be disclosed to SideQuest Travel at the time of booking. SideQuest Travel will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and the availability of options outside a planned itinerary. Certain activities may be inaccessible to you if your mobility is limited in any way. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to SideQuest Travel at the time of booking but we cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. We are not liable for any failure to accommodate or fulfill any special requests or requirements that do not form part of these Terms or the contract between you and SideQuest Travel.

13. Acceptance of Risk

You acknowledge that adventure travel and the products and services offered by SideQuest Travel may involve a significant amount of risk to your health and safety. By travelling with SideQuest Travel you acknowledge that you have considered any potential risks to health and safety. You hereby assume responsibility for all such risks and release SideQuest Travel from all claims and causes of action arising from any losses, damages or injuries or death resulting from risks inherent in travel, including adventure travel specifically, visiting foreign destinations, and participating in adventurous activities such as those included in our tour itineraries or otherwise offered by SideQuest Travel.