Terms and Conditions

Please read our Terms and Conditions Carefully:

ChilEscape Tours asks that you consider the following prior to confirming your booking - 

By booking with us and paying the deposit and full payment, you acknowledge that you have read, and understood and agree to be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions.

ChilEscape Tours may amend these terms and conditions at any time. All amended Terms & Conditions shall automatically be effective upon being posted on this website. Accordingly, we recommend you check the website frequently for any changes to these Terms and Conditions.

If you have paid a deposit on a tour, ChilEscape Tours will notify you as soon as possible of any changes to your tour.

EXCHANGE RATES & FINAL COSTS:

- All cost associated with your booking have considered the best and most economical way for you to enjoy your chilean adventure.  

- Tour rates are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to revision (i.e., In response to shifts in exchange rates or major a changes to government taxes impacting a significant increase to service costs, prices may be adjusted accordingly). 

- The company reserves the right to modify prices as needed, indicating that initially quoted prices may change due to personalised adjustments.

RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT:  

For most Bookings AU $1,000.00 per person non refundable deposit is required to confirm your place on a Tour. Deposits are non transferable. Please complete the ‘Booking Form’ via the tour webpage and forward a photocopy of the front page of your passport.

RECEIPT OF DEPOSIT:

By sending a deposit the client agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this document. A receipt for your deposit and final payment will be sent with in  7 days after confirmation of bank receipt.

BALANCE OF PAYMENT:

Final balance is due to be received by ChilEscape Tours 90 days prior to the confirmed tour departure date. Failure to pay the full amount 60 days before your Tour will give ChilEscape Tours the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: 

All cancellations must be received in writing. Email confirmation is permitted.

If cancelling 79 days or less prior to the Tour, a cancellation refund fee of 75% applies.

If cancelling  49 days or less prior to the Tour, a cancellation refund fee of 50% applies.

If cancelling 30 days or less a cancellation refund fee of 10% applies.

If cancelling 21 days or less there is likely to be no cancellation refund (Apply for travel insurance). 

INSURANCE:

Insurance is compulsory on a ChilEscape Tours adventure. It is a condition of travel that each passenger is adequately covered by a proper insurer. Please also check the contingencies of your prospective insurance cover and ensure you are aware of its conditions and omissions. We strongly advise you obtain travel insurance from time of booking to provide full cover.

ChilEscape Tours cannot in any way be made liable for any additional cost incurred by the customer on any tour. Travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses. Please check your policy carefully. It is generally recommended that you should also consider full comprehensive travel insurance also

(many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, you will require a record of your credit card number, to activate any request for emergency assistance).

If you plan to use your credit card as your insurance cover, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard. You should also travel with a copy of the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card (or have it on your phone/computer).

PASSPORTS AND VISAS:

It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport is current. All international passengers require a current passport with at minimum 6 months validity after the return date of any tour and at least two blank pages for immigration and visa stamps. Visa requirements vary for different nationalities and depend on the countries visited during the tour. Visa advice is given prior to your tour. 

Passport and visa requirements are not our responsibility.

We are not liable for any loss or expense due to a passenger’s failure to have a valid passport or visa. We will advise procedures for obtaining a visa (if applicable) and provide assistance regarding an application if required. For security reasons, all international travel and hotels require your name exactly as it appears in your passport, it remains your responsibility to advise these details correctly. If you do not provide the correct information you may not be able to travel and international domestic flights may be required to re-issue airline tickets or other documentation, the passenger will bare all costs incurred.

Ultimately, ChilEscape Tours cannot be held responsible for any delays, damages and/or losses, including missed portions of tours, related to improper or insufficient travel documentation.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DETAILS:

ChilEscape Tours notes that tour packages include flights from Australia and return. 

PRICE POLICY:

All quoted prices are per person and include...

The price includes planning, handling and operational charges and is based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as at time of Booking. ChilEscape Tours reserves the right to adjust tour prices to cover changes in costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. ChilEscape Tours is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any tour. All tour prices are current at the time of publication and are susceptible to currency fluctuations.

We reserve the right to alter the tour price in accordance with changes in foreign exchanges rates and changes in prices for services and any changes from the ground operators in each country . You will be notified as soon as is possible and you are required to pay any such increases before departure.

CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY:

All possible effort will be made to adhere to the published touring itinerary. Occasionally circumstances beyond our control will force changes, amendments or modifications to the itinerary and its inclusions. ChilEscape Tours cannot be held responsible for any omissions or modifications to the itinerary or the inclusions made as a consequence to these changes.

ChilEscape Tours also reserves the right to change the daily itinerary on tour due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond its control. These decisions are not made lightly, they consider your safety and the safety of all those involved. These decisions are final and may not be disputed during or after the tour. We are keen for cooperation and flexibility where possible on tours.

INCLUSIONS:

Inclusions include all accommodation as noted in the itinerary; meals as specified; arrival and departure transfers; fully-guided sightseeing and entrance fees, activities and shows that are noted in the itinerary; English speaking services of one tour guide. 

EXLUSIONS:

The tour price does not include costs associated with obtaining passports and visa fees; arrival and departure taxes, tariffs, levies and other charges including city taxes. Personal travel insurance, medical expenses and vaccinations and any other insurance charges are not included. In country of tour domestic airline travel upgrade, room upgrade other than that specified. Meals other than those specified in the itinerary including special menu selections otherwise not included, and all beverages; excess baggage fees, ‘FedEX’ & general postage, local tour guides during your free time. Also optional activities you may choose to do that require payment that may or may not be included in the itinerary.

It is the guest’s responsibility to ensure settlement of any charges made by a hotel (all hotels require your passport and validation of a credit card upon check in) for extra services ordered directly by you such as room service, mini bar, laundry, and communication charges such as telephone, fax, email or items of a personal nature.

GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURES:

All tour departure dates offered by ChilEscape Tours are based on group touring programmes. The term ‘group tour’ is defined as having a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 passengers travelling.

LUGGAGE:

Weight restrictions on some routes on in-country domestic flights may apply; all details will be provided with preliminary tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at owner’s risk throughout the tour program. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flights.

TIPPING & PORTERAGE:

Most tours basic tipping for the guides and drivers is included in the tour price.

Drivers will assist with porterage for one suitcase per person for lifting suitcases in and out of touring vechiles. Hotel and restaurant staff tipping is at your discretion. Extra tipping is very welcome; perks offer your ‘left over’ local cash to the guide & driver. 

TRANSPORTATION:

Generally, you'll be travelling in our comfortable medium or  mini-coaches depending on the numbers on a tour and the country. All seats have and require you to wear seatbelts and all seats are forward facing. Luggage is stored in a rear or under compartment. All vehicles are air-conditioned or with forced air vents and may have PA systems. Local transportation is used in some countries, as per the itinerary. Trains, ferry’s etc.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS:

Please note requests for special dietary requirements cannot be guaranteed at all hotels and restaurants. Please contact us for further clarification. Discussion with our local guide to assist whilst on Tour is essential.

SUBSTANCES POLICY:

We ask you to refrain from smoking or vaping whilst in the company of other guests, guides, drivers. We also ask that you refrain from being intoxicated by alcohol or other substances. 

We operate a strict ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ Policy whilst on ChilEscape Tours private cars, mini buses and coaches. We make frequent ‘comfort stops’ to allow free time for guests. Please note, following any instance of a passenger smoking or vaping whilst on-board any of our vehicles, they will have been deemed to have broken their contract with ChilEscape Tours and will be asked to leave the vehicle, and their tour with us will be terminated there and then. Please observe all notices both inside and outside regarding all smoking or non-smoking facilities or areas.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:

ChilEscape Tours guests are required to familiarise themselves with any health requirements specific to the countries being visited. We suggest that if you have any concerns please visit your doctor regarding requirements for international travel and day-to-day requirements of the tour. Should any ailments either exist at the time of booking, or arise before their departure from Australia, please call contact us for further clarification.

MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

A number of tours visit a variety of cities and towns which may have some steep, uneven gravel streets and stairs also some vehicle passenger drop off point are not always available as close to an activity as we would like. This may mean a longer walk.

Please note: People with walking difficulties or limitations should consider this before booking. If unsure please call our office for further clarification.

Participation Medical Advisories & Conduct:

To enjoy the program as intended, a  reasonable level of fitness is required as there is occasionally some considerable amount of walking. Guests should have the capacity to participate without any assistance (extenuating circumstances may be considered).

If any participant has any medical, physical or other condition including disabilities that could create a risk to themselves or to other members of the tour, ChilEscape Tours requires notice at the time of booking.

ChilEscape Tours reserves the right to decline any applicant or to remove any passenger from a tour, at the participant’s own expense, whose conduct is deemed incompatible with the group or whose health condition or mobility may risk and impact the safety, health or full participation of that participant or other tour passengers. Unfortunately passengers without travel insurance will not be accepted on any tour. Additionally, should a tour participant require or request medical attention during their travel, such attention will be provided by locally available health care officials and at locally available facilities. In such events, ChilEscape Tours is not liable for any direct or indirect costs, losses or expenses incurred by a passenger for health service costs incurred nor in the quality of medical care or medical services rendered.

Should you have any questions or need any clarification about a specific program please ask for details prior to booking.

Tour participants are requested to familiarise yourself with any health requirements specific to the countries being visited. It is highly recommended that you check and get advice from a medical practitioner and/or their local health authority or Consulate for the latest health requirements (i.e. precautions, vaccinations, etc.) applicable for travel to a destination.

CODE OF CONDUCT & UNSUITABILITY:

Upon confirmation of your booking you agree to abide by ChilEscape Tours code of conduct listed below: 

Respect - You will treat fellow travellers, service providers and locals with respect (be mindful and considerate of others). You will respect the local customs, rules and regulations. 

Safety - You will abide by safety rules. You will not engage in any unsafe and unlawful behaviour. You will not engage in hate speech or bullying. 

Responsibility - You will not litter or harm the local environment. You will not engage with the group intoxicated or smoke around others.  

If the operators consider any passenger as an unsuitable person for any ChilEscape Tours, we may in our absolute discretion cancel that passenger’s booking or decline to carry that passenger further, if at all (i.e., harassment, violence, racism, homophobia, ableism or similar will not be tolerated). 

UNUSED SERVICES:

Refunds: No refund will be given for missed services not utilised including accommodation, meals, sight-seeing or other activities or services included in the tour itinerary or other organised travel via ChilEscape Tours. No refunds will be made for lost or unused tickets or hotel vouchers.

No refund is given where pre-booked accommodation is partially or wholly unused. No overseas supplier or associate is authorised to promise refund on behalf of ChilEscape Tours. 

CONSULAR ADVICE:

It is the responsibility of the passenger to be informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to their countries Embassy Department travel website. www.dfat.gov.au or by calling 1300 555 135

In the event of a travel warning against travel to one of our tour destination location(s) ChilEscape Tours will also consult embassies to confirm or to cancel a tour. If the Tour continues and a passenger still chooses to travel, not withstanding any travel advisory or warning, the passenger assumes all responsibilities and risks of personal injury, death or property damage. ChilEscape Tours will not be liable for any result that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

Smart Traveller - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

LEGAL NOTICES

ChilEscape Tours act only as a booking agent making reservations with the companies or associates offering the services contained in your package. Whilst acting in good faith, ChilEscape Tours do not accept any responsibility for default causing loss or injury to person or property whether by negligence or otherwise on the part of the operator or accommodation managers / owners or their employees. ChilEscape Tours have made every effort to ensure the quality of accommodation and the accuracy of the brochure, but shall not be liable for any dissatisfaction the passenger may have with the accommodation and touring or any injury, damage or loss caused by the change or withdrawal of any price, detail or other item or service. In addition ChilEscape Tours shall not be held responsible for any loss of quality of goods or services supplied or any changes in an itinerary beyond our control made by third parties. This agreement shall be governed and controlled in accordance with the laws of Australia.

Responsibility:

ChilEscape Tours is acting only in the capacity of agent in all matters regarding all tours.

Whilst we take all reasonable care to select excellent quality service providers, these services are not provided by us but by airlines, hoteliers, transportation companies, travel agents and other service providers which are not under our control. All coupons, vouchers, receipts and tickets issued by the airlines, hoteliers and transportation companies, travel agents and other service providers are issued subject to the terms and conditions of liability contained in those documents, which may limit or exclude liability for death, personal injury, delay, and loss of or damage to baggage and are subject to the laws of the country where the services are provided.

ChilEscape Tours assumes no liability for any acts or omissions of any supplier including, without limitation, those involving failure to deliver or partial or inadequate delivery of services, overbooking or downgrading of services, cancellation of tours, schedule changes, re-routings, delay, theft, damage to or loss of baggage, property damage, accidents, death, sickness or injuries to persons regardless of cause, or other unforeseen events caused in connection with those service providers, their employees, agents, servants or representatives, whether or not any tours sold, services tendered or transportation provided is arranged through ChilEscape Tours.

ChilEscape Tours does not accept any liability caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events beyond our control, including but without limitation to war or threat/acts of war, acts of government, acts of terrorism, fire, strikes or other labour activities, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, quarantines, floods, weather conditions, natural disasters, incidents at sea, accidents or failure of mechanical equipment, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time or other disturbances of any kind which cancel, interfere with, or add cost to the services requested.

There are certain inherent risks in adventure travel and at times there may be inaccessibility to medical attention and difficulty in evacuation from remote locations in the case of a medical emergency. Passenger assumes all such risks with regard to these possibilities.
ChilEscape Tours is not liable for any negligent or will-full act of any such person or entity or of any third person.

WAIVER:

While on tour there may be instances where you may wish to join the Tour Director or tour guide for activities in free time outside the tour programme which may involve catching taxis or using public transport to shopping/dinner locations or other destinations chosen at the time. The ChilEscape Tours Director or guides will not be liable for any accident, injury, death, property damage or loss in relation to such activities. By confirming your booking, you agree to take part these activities at your own risk.

COMPLAINTS:

In the unlikely event of a complaint, the client is obliged to make ChilEscape Tours and the local supplier aware of such problems immediately. 

If at the end of the tour you feel your complaint has not been properly dealt with, you must notify ChilEscape Tours in writing within 30 days of the end of your tour.

AGREEMENT:

The payment of deposit shall be deemed your consent to and acceptance of these terms and conditions as presented herein.

FORCEMAJEURE:

If the tour cannot proceed due to flood, earthquake, war or civil strife, acts of terrorism, hurricane, cyclone, industrial disturbance, strike, fire, lock out, epidemic, pandemic, failure or delays of scheduled transportation facilities, or other Acts of God, or any law, order, decree, rule or regulation of any government authority, or for any reason whether of a similar or dissimilar nature beyond the control of ChilEscape Tours - aside from retaining 5% of your final booking payment to account for relevant administrative tasks/ fees - this agreement shall terminate and there shall be no claim for damages by either party against the other.

COPYRIGHT & RIGHTS RESERVED: 

Any content publicly shared as advertisement of the area, related to images and/or videos captured of the monuments, landmarks etc on your tour must acknowledge ChilEscape Tours. 

Any travel commercial related content captured by ChilEscape Tours on your tour may be used on our website or social media for marketing purposes. Please disclose at the time of booking or the beginning of the tour if you do not wish to be included in any commercial/ marketing photography.