TERMS & CONDITIONS
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Responsibility:
Open Sky Expeditions acts only as an agent for the independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, and other services connected with this tour. Said services are subject to the terms and conditions of the respective provider. Open Sky Expeditions and its employees, agents, representatives, and assignees accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other occurrence that might result from the negligence, defect, error or default of any company or person in the performance of said services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages, cancellations, or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws, or other situations of force majeure. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Open Sky Expeditions is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in any of the tours and activities arranged by Open Sky Expeditions. All travelers are responsible for purchasing their respective insurance policy(ies) to cover expenses and handle emergencies associated with the loss of luggage, personal effects and any other insurable losses associated with their trip.
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Payment Schedule:
This varies by trip and will be outlined in trip-specific materials, such as on a trip's web page or detailed PDF.
Initial deposits are due upon registration in order to confirm participation on a trip, and are payable via credit card, check or bank transfer (these are usually $900 per person for land-only trips and vary from around $1,500 to $3,500 per person for ship/small-charter based trips). Some trips require second deposits. Final payments are usually due between 120 and 60 days before departure. Payments by credit card are subject to a 3.3% fee (except on initial deposits, on which the credit card fee is almost always waived). Payments by check should be sent with sufficient time to arrive and clear by any stated deadlines.
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Cancellation Policy:
This also varies by trip and will be outlined in trip-specific materials, such as on a trip's web page or detailed PDF.
Generally, penalties for cancellations increase with proximity to departure date. Additionally, travelers are subject to any cancellation fees assessed by the purveyors of services, including airlines and hotels used in the itinerary. All requests for cancellations must be made in writing. These cancellation policies apply in every instance and no exceptions will be made.
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Refunds:
Leaving a trip in progress for any reason whatsoever will not result in a refund. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose to not participate, including but not limited to hotels stays, air or land transportation, meals, tours or other sightseeing arrangements.
Insurance: Travelers with Open Sky Expeditions must carry travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation coverage. We strongly recommend purchase of a comprehensive policy that also includes trip cancellation insurance covering illness or accident both prior and during the program as well as coverage for baggage loss or delay. Click here for insurance we recommend.
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Itinerary:
The itinerary, accommodations, and arrangements are subject to change or modification at the discretion of Open Sky Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned, but changes may still occur after the final itinerary is sent to you. By booking a reservation with Open Sky Expeditions, travelers understand that amenities, types of transport, routes, schedules, and itineraries may change without prior notice due to circumstances or events in the location due to, but not limited to, mechanical breakdowns, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, weather, political disputes, border crossing problems and other unforeseen factors.
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Rates:
Open Sky Expeditions will do everything possible to preserve the prices listed in the original marketing materials you receive. However, between the dates these prices are published and the trip’s actual departure date, unforeseen and exceptional cost increases may occur due to currency fluctuations, taxes, airfare and transport cost increases, or others that may force Open Sky Expeditions to assess a surcharge. If that unusual occurrence were to take place, the assessed surcharge will reflect only the specific cost increase. If the increase were to exceed 10% of the original cost of the tour, you may cancel within 10 days of receiving said notification and obtain a full refund.