1. Booking Conditions
It is important to read and understand the Booking Conditions prior to booking a tour with Green Stone Journeys. These conditions apply to all tours from the Green Stone Journeys website as well as any Custom Made or Special Departure tours.
When you make your booking and pay the required Confirmation Deposit per person, per tour, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to the Terms and Conditions of Green Stone Journeys. Also please ensure you have read and understood the itinerary and all tour details prior to your booking.
By booking a tour with Green Stone Journeys, the Client agrees to be bound by the Booking Conditions that outline among other things, the Company’s cancellation policy and certain limitations of liability. These conditions govern the relationship between Green Stone Journeys, hereinafter referred to as GSJ or “the Company” and you “the Client.”
The prices on the Company’s website are stated in American Dollars (USD). Please contact us prior to booking for prices in British Pounds (GBP), Canadian Dollars (CAD) or Euros (EUR). Prices will be converted to Pounds or Euros as per local costs and the exchange rate in Brazil.
2. Booking Requirements and Confirmation of Deposit
All bookings are confirmed in writing via email and made from the Booking Request form on our website or sent to you via e-mail upon contact. Upon the Company’s receipt of the booking, the Client will receive confirmation of acceptance and availability of the tour, outlining services requested and payment processes.
The Client is then required to pay a Confirmation Deposit of USD $250 to reserve the place on the tour. This refundable deposit, up to 30 days before tour departure, is required at the time of booking per person, per tour.
3. Payments
Payment is considered received when the bank confirms payment in the Company’s bank account. All final payments and remaining balances are required, at the latest, 30 days in advance of the tour departure date. If the final payment is not made by this time, we have the right to cancel your reservation on the tour and open the tour for other participants. If the booking is made 30 days or less prior to departure, full payment is required.
A receipt will be sent to the Client for the Booking Deposit and after Full Payment has been received. The tour will be confirmed once the Client has sent all the required booking details to Green Stone Journeys as per section. GSJ Custom Made or Special Departure tours require a 50% deposit of the tour price at the time of booking and other conditions may apply.
If Full Payment is not received 30 days prior to the trip and authorized by Green Stone Journeys management and, if alternative arrangements have not been made, the Booking will be considered cancelled and the place made available for another potential client and cancellation conditions will apply.
There are no refunds of the tour less than 15 days of tour departure (See cancelation policy).
4. Client Details
In order for Green Stone Journeys to confirm and guarantee the Clients travel arrangements and issue the travel dossier, the client must provide all client details with their Final Payment no less than 30 days prior to the tour departure date.
In the event where client details have not been received by the Company 30 days prior to the Client’s trip departure, the Company reserves the right to treat the file as cancelled and full penalties will apply.
Required details include full name, nationality as per passport, date of birth, passport number and expiry date, complete address, contact email and telephone, flight details, complete travel insurance details, person and telephone number to contact in case of emergencies and the medical information and waiver for the purpose of protecting your health for our yoga teachers.
The Client’s booking cannot be fully confirmed and the Company cannot issue a voucher without provision of these details.
5. Consent
The payment of the Confirmation Deposit or any other partial payment for a reservation constitutes consent to all provisions of these Booking Conditions.
The terms under which you, the Client, agree to make the reservation cannot be changed or amended unless this is done in writing and signed by an authorized staff member of Green Stone Journeys.
All decisions and matters subject to the Company’s discretion shall be by an authorized officer of Green Stone Journeys.
6. Age and Fitness Requirements
For Green Stone Journey tours, it is recommended the Client must be at least 18 years of age. In special or privately booked departures, children over the age of 12 years are allowed on the tour if accompanied by an adult family member over the age of 21. For children under the age of 12 years, special cases may be considered depending on the circumstances and location and must be approved by Green Stone Journeys.
For general fitness and health, the Client needs a minimum level of fitness and mobility to complete daily activities and to carry one’s own luggage. For elderly Clients we stress that adventure travel is inherently more rigorous than conventional vacations and can be physically demanding. All participants of the yoga adventure tours will be required to sign a waiver.
While the Company’s Tour Leaders (for Group and Special Departure tours) work hard to ensure that all travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided.
If Client is over 70 years of age or has a pre existing medical, the Client must complete the Green Stone Journeys medical form signed and dated by a physician.
If the Client has made a booking with the Company and is unable to complete the required medical form by the final payment dates, the Company reserves the right to treat the booking as being cancelled. Applicable cancellation penalties will apply.
7. Guaranteed Departures and Group Size
Green Stone Journeys yoga adventure tours guarantee departures with a minimum of four travelers and up to a maximum of twelve travelers. Upon receipt of the booking, the Company will confirm the Clients place on the tour and will inform the Client if it is a guaranteed departure.
If the minimum number is not four at the time of booking, the Clients place on the tour will be on hold until Green Stone Journeys can inform the Client as soon as possible that the tour is a guaranteed departure at which point, all necessary arrangements and airline bookings for the tour can be made by the Client.
All Special Departure and Custom made tours have their own arrangements of guaranteed departures with Green Stone Journeys.
8. Cancellation by the Client
You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of making the booking, as this will cover cancellation charges in certain circumstances. Cancellation of a reservation must be in writing and received by email and shall be effective only upon its receipt and acknowledgement by the Company.
Cancellation will take effect subject to the following:
- Cancellation that takes place between 30 – 60 days before tour departure: 100% refund of Booking deposit and/or Tour Cost of services booked.
- Cancellation that takes place between 15 – 30 days before tour departure: 70% refund of Tour Cost and/or services booked.
- Cancellation less than 14 days before departure: 100% Loss of Tour Cost and all services booked.
No refunds will be made should the Client voluntarily or involuntarily leave a tour early. Special Departure tours and Custom Made trips may vary in cancellation policy from that detailed in this clause and will be detailed at the time of booking.
9. Cancellation by the Company
Green Stone Journeys reserves the right to cancel any trip before it is guaranteed to run, but will not cancel a trip no less than 30 days prior to the departure except for the following reasons:
- “Force majeure”
- Unforeseen circumstances beyond the company’s control
GSJ will inform the client as soon as possible of a cancellation. The company will not be responsible for any incidental expenses the client may have incurred as a result of the booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or loss of enjoyment, etc. Clients holding a fully paid booking may choose between an alternative trip or a full refund. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than the originally booked tour then you are entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value then the client will pay the difference in price.
GSJ reserves the right to cancel Group Tours and Special Departure Tours if there is not the minimum number of 4 fully paid travelers required to run the tour. In the case of Group or Special Departure tours not confirming 30 days prior to the departure date, a Client will have the option to come join another tour with Green Stone Journeys or receiving a full refund of the Booking Deposit.
Please note that refunds will not be given for the following:
- Lost travel time or substitution of facilities.
- Presence of circumstances beyond the Company’s control that requires alternative arrangements to be made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of your tour.
- Unused services for any accommodation, activity or tour segment without prior notice.
- Premature contract termination.
10. Force Majeure
"Force Majeure" in relation to Green Stone Journeys, means any circumstances beyond the control of Green Stone Journeys, (including but not limited to: acts of God; natural disasters, floods, tempests, landslides, explosions, fires, accidents, war or threat of war, terrorism, insurrection, civil disturbance, political instability or strikes, requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions or other external occurrences). If Green Stone Journeys is affected by force majeure, the Company shall notify the client of the nature and the extent thereof.
Green Stone Journeys shall not be deemed to be in breach of these items and conditions or otherwise be liable to the client, by reason of delay in performance or by non-performance of any of its obligations hereunder to the extent that any such delay or non-performance is due to any Force Majeure.
If the Company is affected by force majeure it shall be entitled to, and may at its sole and absolute discretion, vary or cancel any reservations or cancel any reservation or arrangement in relation to a tour. In such cases, if necessary, the Company will endeavor to refund the Client where possible, once administrative costs to cover cancelled hotels, transportation, excursions and any other cancellation fees due to suppliers have been paid.
The Company shall not be liable in any way to the Client for death, bodily injury, illness, damage, delay or other loss or detriment to person or property, or financial costs both direct and indirect incurred, or for the Company’s failure to commence, perform and/ or complete any duty owed to the Client if such death, delay, bodily injury (including emotional distress or injury), illness, damage or other loss or detriment to person or property is caused by Force Majeure or any other cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of the Company.
11. Unused Services
There will be no discounts or refunds of services for missed or unused services, including voluntary or involuntary departure from tour, i.e. sickness, death of a family member, late arrival on the tour or premature departure either voluntary or involuntary.
12. Flexibility and Changes
The Client appreciates and acknowledges that the nature of adventure travel and wellness journeys requires considerable flexibility and should allow for alternatives by Green Stone Journeys.
While the Company will endeavour to operate all tours as advertised on the website, reasonable changes in the itinerary will be made when necessary or advisable by the Company. Green Stone Journeys reserves the right to change an itinerary or any of the facilities or activities after a tour departure due to an unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances or event beyond the Company’s control.
13. Extra Payment Costs
Itineraries, route, schedules, amenities and mode of transport are not under contractual obligation and are subject to alteration due to sickness or mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, strikes, events emanating from political disputes, entry or border difficulties, climate and other unpredictable circumstances. In such circumstances, the Client is responsible for any additional cost of any necessary alteration.
The Company recommends that the Client have approximately USD $500 for Emergency Funds, to be used in such instances. Please note that the Company is not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of changes to the itinerary caused by the reasons outlined above.
14. Major Changes
The Company makes a major change before a trip departure, the Company will inform the Client as soon as possible. The definition of a major change affects at least one day in five of the itinerary. If the major change is due to force majeure or unforeseen circumstance, no compensation is payable. When other major changes are made with advance notice, the Client may choose between accepting the change and obtaining a full refund of all monies paid (excluding Trip Cancellation Insurance Premiums and/or flights) or accepting any alternative tour offered by the Company within 14 days of being advised of the Major Change.
15. Booking Amendments
Transfer from one tour to another may be made up to 30 days before the departure date and must be approved by Green Stone Journeys. If the new tour chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked, then the Client is entitled to a refund of the price difference.
If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value than that originally booked, then the Client will have to pay the difference in price. Transfers to another tour can only be made to guaranteed departures in the current season and available on the GSJ website.
Any extra costs incurred for making the change will be charged along with an amendment fee of USD $50. Requests to transfer tours received less than 30 days of departure are normally not accepted. In this case, the Client must cancel the booking and re-book on another tour and cancellation fees apply.
16. Transfer of Bookings
Transfering of bookings to another person may occur provided all appropriate bookings and payment requirements are met. Transfer of bookings can only occur up to before 30 days before the trip departure and the new Client must understand and agree to the terms and conditions of this contract. Amendments within 30 days of departure will depend on availability and will be on a request basis.
No amendments are permitted to your booking within 10 days of departure. A fee of USD $50 per person per change will apply for any changes to cover additional administration and communication costs. The fees charged will be in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines (if any).
Amendments after the tour has started shall be considered depending on local circumstances and availability and a fee of USD $70 per person per change will apply.
17. Last Minute Bookings
Any bookings made within 30 days of departure, there will be a USD $50 fee charged to the file.
This last minute booking fee covers our additional costs for couriers, communication and administration fees.
18. Risk
The Client acknowledges that the nature of the tour is adventurous and may involve a large amount of personal risk. The client hereby assumes all such risk and does hereby release the owners, directors, management staff and employees of GSJ, including sub-contracted or local operators and their employees from all claims and causes of action arising from injury or death to persons on tour, and for loss or damage to personal property, however they may be caused.
It is the Clients sole responsibility to obtain appropriate medical advice as to medication, immunization, and whether or not you are fit enough to undertake the trip, prior to departure. Green Stone Journeys shall not be liable for illness, injury or death sustained while visiting the properties owned and managed by Green Stone Journeys.
The Client accepts that any suggested activities or assistance by Green Stone Journeys, the Tour Leader or the Local Representative to arrange such activities does not render the Company liable for said activities. The Client understands that the Client assumes full responsibility for any risks involved in included activities and optional activities. The Company shall not be liable for illness, injury or death sustained whiet visiting properties owned and/or managed by the Company and/or the Company’s partners.
19. Travel Documentation
Client must carry a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of the tour) and have obtained a visa for the country of travel(if required) necessary medical vaccinations, and travel insurance policies for the duration of the tour. It is the Client’s full responsibility to obtain all the correct documentation and permits prior to the start of the tour and is solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation.
The Company accepts no responsibility for the Client being refused entry into Brazil because of incorrect documentation. If the Client is refused entry into Brazil because of incorrect documentation, no refunds from the Company to the Client will be due as this will be considered to be a no show and regular cancellation penalties will apply.
Any information or advice given by the Company regarding visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. is purely advisory. The Company is not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided. All travel related documents such as: trip itineraries, contracts and invoices will be sent via email.
20. Prices and Surcharges
Green Stone Journeys reserves the right to impose surcharges (price increases) up to 60 days before departure due to unfavuorable changes in exchange rates, increases in air fares or other transportation/fuel costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so.
Should any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the tour cost, excluding insurance premiums, the Client may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and may choose between applying the amount paid toward an alternative tour or to obtain a full refund (except for flights). Cancellation requests must be received in writing.
21. Insurance
It is mandatory for all clients to obtain travel insurance for any departure with Green Stone Journeys. Insurance must cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, and evacuation expenses. Green Stone Journeys strongly recommends that the coverage be extended to include cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, loss of luggage and personal belongings and all other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the Client.
All Clients must obtain travel insurance with a minimum coverage of USD $200,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) while traveling with Green Stone Journeys. The Client must provide proof of travel insurance to the Company after the full payment is made, no less than 30 days prior to the tour departure date. The Client will also be required to show proof of travel insurance to the Tour Leader on the first day of the tour for Group Tours and Special Departure Tours. Note that the Client will not be able to travel without Travel Insurance.
Green Stone Journeys cannot accept responsibility for and in no event shall be liable for loss or damage of valuables or other articles left in or on facilities used by the company such as hotels, vehicles, or any other mode of transportation.
22. Responsibility of Your Tour
All services herein are organized by Green Stone Journeys. Notice is hereby given that all arrangements made on behalf of the Client are made by the Company on the sole condition that the Company shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage, or any irregularity which the Client may suffer (directly or indirectly) in connection with or arising out of the Client’s participation in a tour which may be occasioned through acts of the Company, any sub-contracted or local operators and/or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements.
Green Stone Journeys acts as an agent for transport companies, hotels and other contractors and is not responsible for the acts and omissions of these third parties and shall not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur, including, but not limited to, any defect in a vehicle or any other form of conveying a traveler, acts of God, detention, delays or expenses arising from quarantine, strike, riots, theft, force majeure, civil disturbance, government restriction or regulation, accident by aircraft, boat, bicycle, motor vehicle or any other form of transport or in any hotel or guesthouse, or other form of accommodation.
The Client acknowledges that the quality of the products organized by the Company, including accommodations and all other services related to the tour which are organized by the Company, are not within the control of the Company and that in any event the quality of such products may be compromised by local conditions.
The Client hereby releases Green Stone Journeys from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages, loss of enjoyment, inconvenience, or injuries related to the quality of such products.
The information contained in this website is correct to the best of the Company’s knowledge and the Company accepts no liability for any innocent inaccuracies contained herein.
Green Stone Journeys reserves the right to alter any itinerary in progress or service at any time without penalty to the Company. Any additional expense or cancellation shall be borne by the Client. The Company reserves the right to withdraw or refuse any service to any Client at the discretion of the Company. Payment of deposit is taken as acknowledgement and agreement of the above items.
23. Local Conditions
The client acknowledges that she/he will be visiting places where the political, cultural and attributes present certain risks, dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. By booking travel with GSJ, the client acknowledges that she/he has considered the potential risks, dangers and challenges, and expressly assumes the risks attendant to such travel conditions.
The client is solely responsible for acquainting her/himself with the customs, weather conditions, physical challenges and laws in effect at each stop along the itinerary, and are encouraged to locate or make contact prior to embarkation with his/her local embassy or consulate in each destination.
24. Website Validity
The prices on our website are based on airfares, exchange rates and costs in effect at time of posting to our website. Green Stone Journeys reserves the right to alter prices for new bookings if these rates change. The land price of your trip is guaranteed when you have paid in full for your booking, subject to the right of the Company to impose surcharges as stipulated in section 13 of these terms and conditions.
Although the Company has made a concerted attempt to verify the accuracy of statements made herein and the Company cannot be held responsible for any error, omission or unintentional misrepresentation that may appear on our website.
25. Claims and Complaints
If the client has any cause for complaint while traveling on a Green Stone JourneyS tour, you must immediately bring it to the attention of the Tour Leader or other Green Stone Journeys representative who will attempt to resolve the situation. If no resolution is found, the Client must write a letter via email to the Company outlining the complaint no more than 20 days after the tour has ended. The Company will not accept any liability for claims received after this period.
26. Authority
All Group Tours and most Custom Made and Special Departure Tours are led by a Green Stone Journeys Tour Leader. At all times the decision of the Company’s Tour Leader or representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well being of the tour.
The Client must agree to abide by the authority of the Tour Leader or Company representative, who represents the Company, while on tour. The Client must at all times abide by the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of Brazil.
If the Client is affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect other Client’s enjoyment of the tour, the Client must advise the Company at the time of booking.
If the Client fails to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on the tour or, if in the opinion of the Tour Leader, the Client’s behavior is causing or is likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others, GSJ may terminate that Client’s travel arrangements without any liability on the Company’s part and the Client will not be entitled to any refund for unused or missed services of costs incurred resulting from the termination of the travel arrangements. Green Stone Journeys is not responsible for, nor will accept any liability for any Client who commits an illegal or unlawful act while traveling with the Company.
27. Suppliers Conditions
Airlines, railways, coach and shipping companies and other suppliers have their own booking conditions or conditions of carriage. The Client will be bound by these conditions as far as the relevant transport provider or supplier is concerned.
Some of these conditions may limit or exclude liability on the part of the relevant transport provider or other supplier, and they are often also subject to various international conventions. The Client is precluded from making a double recovery by making the same claims and seeking the same recovery against Green Stone Journeys and its suppliers.
28. Baggage
The Company assumes no liability for loss or damage to baggage in transit to and from a Green Stone Journeys tour or while on a Green Stone Journeys tour.
29. Activities not Included in the Tour Price
The Client hereby releases the Company from all claims and causes of action arising from any damages, loss of enjoyment, inconvenience, or injuries related to the quality of such products not included in the tour price.
30. Severability
In the event that any term or condition contained herein is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this Agreement or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining Terms and Conditions to survive and continue as binding. These Terms and Conditions shall insure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Client and their respective heirs, legal personal representatives, successors and assigns.
31. Privacy Policy
The Company will provide your personal information, as well as any personal information you provide in relation to the persons whose travel arrangements have been requested by you, to suppliers and carriers to enable the operation of the services requested by you. We do our utmost to protect your personal information. Please refer to our website for the Company’s Privacy Policy. The Company may send the Client marketing material in relation to events and special offers by GSJ.
32. Any Likeness or Image of You
Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of the tours may be used by the Company, without charge, in all media for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes, including without limitation promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video and the Internet with your permission only. We will confirm use of the material during or after the tour for your discretion and permission of use.
Upon making the booking deposit, I have read, understand and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in this document by Green Stone Journeys:
Signature:
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