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The following General Terms apply to all expeditions facilitated by AdventureHero. Please Note: In the event of a conflict between these General Terms and the specific terms found in the destination-specific sections below (Nepal, Tanzania, Patagonia or other destination), the destination-specific terms shall supersede and take precedence.
Our terms of service depend on the destination you are travelling to.
Mandatory Coverage & Pre-Trip Submission Proof of comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory before starting your trek in Nepal. This policy should at a minimum cover the days you are trekking however we suggest coverage that includes all of your travel time. We require all guests to email a copy of their insurance policy to their Adventure Specialists prior to arrival. This allows us to keep your coverage details on file with our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., ensuring that the on-ground team can act quickly in the event of an emergency.
Standard travel policies often only cover medical evacuation up to 4,000m; therefore, you must verify that your policy explicitly covers "trekking" as an activity up to 6,000m. If your itinerary includes a summit attempt on a trekking peak, your policy must also cover "mountaineering" or "climbing".
Evacuation & Financial Responsibility In the event of an emergency, the traveler is solely responsible for all costs associated with medical treatment and emergency evacuations. Helicopter evacuations in the Himalayas can cost $5,000 or more. While Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. will assist in coordinating logistics, they do not provide evacuation or medical services directly.
We strongly suggest choosing a provider that offers "upfront payment" for these services. Some insurers now require guests to pay all evacuation costs out-of-pocket in Nepal and seek reimbursement later; please ensure you have the financial means to cover such expenses if your policy does not pay providers directly.
Mandatory Medical Documentation If an evacuation occurs, it is mandatory to obtain a formal hospital report in Nepal immediately upon reaching Kathmandu. Insurance companies typically deny claims if documentation is not secured at the time of treatment. Local hospitals in Nepal currently charge a fee of approximately $150 for the official medical reports required for insurance claims.
Trip Interruption & Lukla Logistics Due to the unpredictable weather in the Himalayas, we highly recommend policies that include trip interruption coverage. This is vital if your flight to or from Lukla is canceled, requiring you to book a helicopter or rebook international travel. Our support team will assist you in obtaining the necessary documentation from local airlines to support your claim.
Insurance Providers We do not endorse or act as an agent for any specific insurance company. Travelers commonly use providers such as Global Rescue, WorldNomads, Allianz, or Travel Guard. We strongly encourage you to call your insurer to confirm specific altitude and activity limits before you arrive in Nepal.
The Reality of Mountain Flight Weather conditions in the Himalayas are highly volatile, and aviation schedules in Nepal are frequently subject to change. The flight between Kathmandu and Lukla is often delayed or canceled for consecutive days due to visibility or wind. For more detailed information on navigating these challenges, please review our guide on Flying to Lukla: What You Need to Know.
Ramechhap Diversions On an ongoing seasonal basis—typically from mid-March to mid-November—flights to Lukla may be diverted to depart from and return to Ramechhap Airport instead of Kathmandu. Ramechhap is approximately a 6 to 8-hour drive from Kathmandu depending on road conditions. Our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., provides complimentary shuttle transport between Kathmandu and Ramechhap when these diversions occur. You can find full details on this logistics shift in our blog post: Lukla Flights Diverted to Ramechhap.
Rebooking & Flight Priority Our Adventure Specialists book your Lukla flights as soon as your deposit and passport details are received to secure the earliest possible departure. If a flight is canceled, the local team will automatically work to rebook you for the next available opening. Please note that during peak trekking seasons, rebooked passengers are often placed on lower-priority flights, as early-morning slots are typically reserved months in advance. These scheduling decisions are made solely by the airlines and are beyond our control.
The Helicopter Alternative If flights are grounded, our team will attempt to coordinate passage on a chartered helicopter
Phaplu & Overland Contingencies In cases of limited aircraft availability, helicopters may only be able to shuttle guests to Phaplu, an airstrip in the valley below Lukla. In this event, our local partner can arrange a jeep transfer from Phaplu to Kathmandu. Be prepared for a 10 to 14-hour journey on rugged mountain roads.
Dynamic Coordination Airlines and helicopter companies frequently reroute aircraft and change confirmations based on real-time conditions. While our Adventure Specialists and local partners are available 24/7 to provide updates and manage these logistics, all plans remain subject to the final authority of the aviation providers and local weather patterns.
Due to the unpredictable nature of Himalayan weather and the potential for flight delays, our Adventure Specialists strongly recommend adding a buffer of extra days to the end of your itinerary. These buffer days ensure that you have the flexibility to manage unexpected scheduling shifts without compromising your international return flights.
Recommended Buffer Days by Season The following guidelines are based on historical weather patterns and are intended to provide a sufficient safety net for your journey:
Kathmandu Accommodations If you choose to add extra days to your stay, we can coordinate additional nights for you at our preferred partner hotels in Kathmandu for $89 per night. Our team is available 24/7 to help manage these adjustments and ensure your transition between the mountains and the city is seamless.
While our trekking packages are designed to be comprehensive, we recommend budgeting between $300 and $400 for personal expenses and gratuities throughout your journey. It is also essential to have access to emergency funds via cash or credit card in the event that weather-related flight cancellations necessitate a helicopter charter.
Traveler Responsibilities & Exclusions To maintain transparency and ensure you are prepared for the trail, please note the following exclusions from our standard packages:
The "adventure before the adventure" sometimes includes unexpected curveballs. If your gear doesn't arrive in Kathmandu when you do, our Adventure Specialists are available 24/7 to help you navigate the logistics so you can stay focused on the trail.
Mandatory Airport Procedures To enable us to assist you, it is essential that you take the following steps before leaving the airport:
Retrieval & Mountain Transport While retrieval is subject to airline timelines, our local partner team typically will send a representative to visit the airport to secure your bags. Once retrieved, we can facilitate the following logistics to get your gear to the mountain:
Costs & Liability
Our trekking packages typically include two nights of hotel stay in the vibrant heart of Kathmandu. While specific inclusions vary by itinerary, we prioritize the Ramada Hotel in the centrally located Thamel district. Should the Ramada be unavailable, our Adventure Specialists will coordinate your stay at a partner hotel of comparable quality.
Booking Extra Nights Through Our Platform For travelers who wish to extend their stay, our team can facilitate additional reservations at the following fixed rates:
By coordinating your extra nights through our local partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., you gain the flexibility needed for mountain travel. We do not charge for unused nights caused by logistical shifts, provided the booking was managed through our team. Please note that these rates are fixed and may differ from dynamic pricing found on third-party booking sites.
Flexibility & Logistics While we secure all rooms in advance, the unpredictable nature of Himalayan flight schedules requires a degree of flexibility. If a room at the Ramada is unavailable upon your return from the trek due to group scheduling changes, our local partner will arrange accommodations at a similar hotel in Thamel. In these instances, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. will manage the transfer of your luggage at no additional cost. We ask for your patience as it may take a few hours to coordinate these local logistics upon your arrival in the city.
Independent Bookings You are always welcome to secure your own accommodations independently. If you choose to book on your own, you are solely responsible for coordinating any necessary changes or cancellations directly with the hotel in the event of trek delays. For those wishing to stay at our primary partner hotel, you may book Extra Nights at the Ramada here.
Understanding the risks of high-altitude trekking Trekking at high altitude carries inherent risks that cannot be fully eliminated, including altitude illness (AMS, HAPE, and HACE), which can develop rapidly, become serious, and in some cases be life-threatening. It also involves remote terrain, variable weather, and limited access to medical facilities and evacuation. By booking this trip, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.
Your responsibilities
Acclimatization The most effective way to acclimatize is a steady, gradual rate of ascent with sufficient time at intermediate elevations to allow your body to adjust. Itineraries are designed with this in mind. Individual responses to altitude vary widely and are not predictable, and following the planned schedule does not guarantee that any individual will acclimatize successfully.
On-mountain leadership and guide authority Your trek is led by experienced guides provided by our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., who have extensive real-world experience trekking in these regions. Your guides are experienced trekking leaders, not medical professionals, and do not provide medical diagnosis or treatment.
For your safety, your guide has full authority to decide whether it is safe for you to continue ascending, to require you to rest, or to require you to descend. You must follow these decisions. If you choose to continue ascending or to disregard your guide's instructions against their recommendation, you do so entirely at your own risk, and you release Himalayanwonders and Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. from any liability arising from that choice.
Recovery and itinerary adjustments If you experience symptoms that require a pause in your ascent but you wish to continue after recovering, our team and the Kathmandu office of our local partner will coordinate the necessary logistical adjustments. Where descent is appropriate, you will descend to a lower elevation as directed by your guide based on your condition.
Costs of itinerary changes Additional days on the mountain beyond your original schedule are charged at $100 per day, and arranging a private guide to travel out to meet you carries a service fee of $350, in addition to daily mountain charges. These charges are pass-through cost recovery for guides, porters, accommodation, and logistics - they are not a profit item.
Emergency descent or evacuation for a genuine medical situation is never delayed, withheld, or made conditional on payment. Your safety is handled first; any associated costs are settled separately and are typically recoverable through your travel insurance.
Please build at least three extra days into your Nepal itinerary, or ensure you have the flexibility to change your international flights, as coordinating a new schedule or group can take several days.
Annapurna & Langtang regions If you are trekking in these regions, have your guide contact the Kathmandu office of our local partner immediately if your schedule needs to change. We will do our best to make arrangements; similar logistical conditions apply, and any additional charges will be quoted to you at the time.
Aviation logistics Our team will manage any necessary changes to your Lukla flight reservations at no additional service cost from us if your mountain schedule changes. Please note that rebooked tickets may carry lower priority than your original booking, as seat availability is determined solely by the airline.
High-altitude trekking in the Himalayas is a rewarding but physically strenuous challenge. Participants should be prepared to hike full days, as itineraries typically involve 6 to 9 hours of daily walking across varied and demanding terrain. While the journey is rigorous, we encourage a steady, personal pace — often described locally as "bistari, bistari" - to allow your body to adjust to the elevation.
How group pacing typically works Expeditions are led by our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd.. To accommodate different fitness levels and personal rhythms, trips are generally structured to allow for a range of walking speeds:
Group size, staffing, and the exact structure on any given day vary with the itinerary, season, conditions, and circumstances on the mountain, and are managed at the discretion of the operating partner. Trekkers may at times be walking between staff members along the route.
Fitness to travel
Trekking and climbing in Nepal are physically demanding. By booking, you acknowledge that:
Proper equipment is vital for a successful trek in the Himalayas.
Our Adventure Specialists love to celebrate your summits. By participating in an expedition, you grant Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd and Travel Payment Solutions LLC, and their partners a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any photographs or videos taken during the trip for promotional, marketing, or social media purposes.
Privacy Note: We respect your personal space. If you wish to opt-out of this license, simply notify our team in writing prior to your departure, or contact us afterward and we will cease the use of your likeness in future digital marketing materials where reasonably possible.
We generally do not charge supplemental fees for those embarking on a journey alone, ensuring our expeditions remain accessible to every explorer.
Kathmandu Stays While in the city, our Adventure Specialists coordinate private hotel accommodations for solo guests as part of our standard service.
On the Mountain Whenever availability allows, our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., will secure a private room for you upon request. However, please be prepared for twin-share arrangements with a group member of the same sex in specific circumstances:
Our team works 24/7 to navigate these local conditions, ensuring you have the best possible support even when the mountains are at their busiest.
Solo Support Fee If you are not joining a group trek, or if you are the only participant booked for a specific fixed-departure date, a Solo Support Fee of $20 per day applies. This fee covers the cost of a dedicated porter provided by our local partner to ensure you have full support on the trail. We will always inform you of any applicable fees regarding solo trekking before your arrival in Nepal to ensure complete financial transparency.
We believe your investment in adventure should be protected. When you place a deposit with Himalayanwonders, you can be assured that it is secured for your future journey. If your travel plans change, our Adventure Specialists are here to help you navigate your options, whether you need to adjust your dates or choose to apply your deposit toward a different iconic destination in our global network, such as Patagonia or Tanzania.
Flexibility & Terms To provide this industry-leading flexibility, we ask that you keep the following points in mind:
Our Adventure Specialists are dedicated to your journey's success and understand that travel plans can shift. To ensure a seamless experience with our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., we provide the following guidelines for cancellations and refunds.
Rescheduling & Flexibility
Deposit & Refund Terms
Unforeseen Events (Force Majeure) In rare instances where an expedition must be postponed due to circumstances beyond our control—such as natural disasters, civil unrest, health emergencies, travel advisories, or airport closures—our team will work with you to reschedule your journey at no extra cost. While our standard refund policy on deposits remains in effect during these events, we strongly encourage all travelers to maintain a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers trip interruption and cancellation.
Important Notes
We celebrate the grit and determination required to trek in the Himalayas. However, should you conclude your journey ahead of schedule—whether for health, personal reasons, or simply finishing faster than anticipated—please understand that we do not offer refunds for unused days or services.
Operational Commitments Our commitment to our local partners and staff remains a top priority. Our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd., has a professional and ethical obligation to pay the guides and porters for the full duration of their commitment to your trek. Because these operational costs are fixed and incurred at the start of the expedition, we are unable to recoup them once the journey is underway.
Return Logistics If you must terminate your trek early, our Adventure Specialists will coordinate with the Kathmandu office of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. to help facilitate your return logistics, such as arranging earlier transport or local flights. Please note:
Deposit & Final Balance To secure your expedition, a deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance of your trek must be paid in a major international currency (such as USD, EUR, or GBP) at the Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd office in Kathmandu upon your arrival.
Credit Card Identification: Charges on your statement will appear as TPS - Travel Pay. This is an abbreviation for Travel Payment Solutions LLC, our US-based booking facilitator.
Processing Fees & Local Taxes To maintain transparency regarding transaction costs and regional tax obligations, the following fees apply:
Invoicing & Confirmation Our Adventure Specialists will provide an updated invoice within 24 to 48 hours of receiving an online payment. For bank transfers, your invoice confirmation will be issued once our team has verified that the funds have cleared.
Payments for Indian Guests To secure your expedition, a deposit is required at the time of booking. Deposits can be made via our online payment gateway or directly to our dedicated Indian bank account; please contact our Adventure Specialists to request these account details. The remaining balance of your trek must be paid in Indian Rupees (INR) or another major international currency at the Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd office in Kathmandu upon your arrival.
Base Pricing All expedition costs are displayed and calculated in United States Dollars (USD).
Online Payment Exchanges When making payments through our online platform, the final exchange rate is determined solely by your credit card issuer or financial institution. Our Adventure Specialists do not control these bank-specific rates or any foreign transaction fees your bank may apply.
Local Currency Payments If you choose to pay your remaining balance in a local or alternative major currency at the Kathmandu office of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, the conversion will be calculated based on the real-time market rates provided by xe.com at the time of the transaction. This ensures a fair and transparent exchange process for all travelers.
The journey to the Himalayas begins with the right paperwork. To ensure a smooth entry into Nepal, our Adventure Specialists recommend checking your documents as soon as you book your trek—trust us, it is no fun to figure these things out at the last minute.
Passport Requirements
Nepal Entry Visa Fees The following visa fees are applicable upon arrival in Nepal. While the visa desk may sometimes accept credit cards, we strongly recommend paying in cash using a major currency (USD is preferred) to avoid technical delays at the airport:
Expert Support As part of our commitment to transparent planning, please note that Nepal entry visa fees are not included in your trek package price. If you have further questions or need the most up-to-date regulations, our team is available 24/7, or you can reference the official publication from the Nepal Visa Office.
We are committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect, safety, and camaraderie among all trekkers and staff. To ensure the well-being of the group, our local operating partner, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, reserves the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time—whether in Kathmandu or on the trail.
Conduct Expectations We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that compromises the safety or dignity of the expedition. Grounds for immediate removal from a trek or city program include:
Consequences of Termination If a traveler is removed from a trek due to a violation of these conduct standards, the following terms apply:
Respect for Local Legends Our partners' guides and porters are the heart of your journey, bringing years of expertise to every mile. We ask that you treat these professionals and your fellow travelers with the respect they deserve. By maintaining these standards, we ensure every team member can focus on a safe and successful journey to the roof of the world.
We reserve the right to modify or update our Terms of Service at any time to reflect changes in local regulations, operational requirements, or global safety standards. Any such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting.
Participation in the trek is conditioned on each participant signing the operator's separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, together with the Emergency Contact form and Certification of Fitness / Medical Proxy Authorization, prior to the commencement of the trek. You are responsible for reviewing and signing this agreement, and for ensuring that every member of your party does the same. Failure or refusal to sign the required documents may result in denial of participation, and no refund will be due for a participant who cannot join or continue the trek for that reason.
Payment Processing Charges on your credit card statement will appear as TPS - Travel Pay, which is operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC. Travel Payment Solutions is a United States-based entity that provides booking coordination and customer support services for the local operator.
Operational Responsibility: All treks, expeditions, and on-ground services are run and operated solely by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, a local Nepal-based company (Reg. No: 113079/69/070).
Travel Payment Solutions LLC and its employees, shareholders, and officers neither own nor operate any person or entity which provides goods or services for these trips. Travel Payment Solutions LLC assumes no responsibility and cannot be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, or delay which may be occasioned by reason of any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd or its agents.
Trade Name Disclosure. "HimalayanWonders" and "himalayanwonders.com" are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States company that provides booking, payment, and customer-support services. When our Adventure Specialists assist you under the HimalayanWonders name, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. All on-the-ground expedition services are operated by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd (Reg. No. 113079/69/070), an independent company organized under the laws of Nepal. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Release of Liability - Travel Payment Solutions LLC To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the "TPS Parties"), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind - including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties - for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your expedition, its booking, or its coordination.
You acknowledge and agree that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the treks, guides, transport, lodging, aviation, or any other on-the-ground services, all of which are provided by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd or other independent third-party suppliers. In coordinating, arranging, or facilitating those third-party services on your behalf, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator. You therefore release the TPS Parties from, and agree to hold them harmless against, any liability arising from the acts, omissions, negligence, or default of any third-party supplier, and you agree that your sole recourse for any such matter is against the supplier that provided the service.
This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud. If any portion of this release is found unenforceable, it shall be limited or modified to the minimum extent necessary so that the remainder is given full effect, consistent with the Severability & Interpretation section below.
You further covenant not to bring any claim against the TPS Parties in any forum other than as provided in the Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements) section below.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests ("your party"), you represent and warrant that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as an agent for all participants in your party. You agree to provide a copy of these Terms of Service to each guest. You acknowledge that all participants must sign a separate Release of Liability with the local operator upon arrival in Nepal. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claims arising from a guest's contention that they were not informed of these terms. At your request, we can provide a separate digital Terms of Service agreement to each guest in your party.
Severability & Interpretation If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or, if it cannot be so modified, severed from these Terms. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force. In all cases, these Terms shall be interpreted so as to give effect to the original intent and purpose of the parties as expressed in this agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements) Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your expedition — that is, the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC - shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, and shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration. You and Travel Payment Solutions LLC agree that the state and federal courts located in Utah shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any matter not subject to arbitration, and each party consents to personal jurisdiction there.
This provision applies only to booking and arrangement disputes with Travel Payment Solutions LLC. It does not apply to disputes arising from on-the-ground field operations in Nepal, which are governed by the laws of Nepal and by the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk signed with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd upon arrival.
Dispute Resolution (Field Operations in Nepal) Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the on-the-ground trekking, expedition, guiding, transport, accommodation, or other field services performed in Nepal — that is, the services provided by Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd - shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Nepal, and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of Kathmandu, Nepal. Each party consents to personal jurisdiction there. Such disputes are further subject to the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement signed with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd upon arrival, and in the event of any conflict between these Terms and that agreement with respect to field operations, that agreement shall control.
This provision applies only to field-operations disputes with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. It does not apply to booking or arrangement disputes with Travel Payment Solutions LLC, which are governed by the section above.
Entity Identification. The local operating partner for all treks and on-ground services in Nepal is Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd (Reg. No. 113079/69/070), a company organized under the laws of Nepal. Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd may appear in our marketing, website, booking materials, or correspondence under minor name variants (for example, "HimalayanWonders," "Himalayan Wonders," or "Himalayanwonders Private Limited"). All such references mean the same entity, Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd. In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Acceptance of Terms By submitting your deposit, you formally acknowledge and accept these Terms of Service in their entirety. This acceptance creates a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your expedition and with Himalayan Wonders Adventure Pvt. Ltd, a local Nepal-based company (Reg. No: 113079/69/070) for the on the ground services in Nepal.
At AdventureHero, we believe your investment in adventure should be protected for the long term. When you place a deposit for a Patagonia expedition, you can be assured it is secured for your future journey.
Navigating international borders is a key part of the "Heroic" journey. While our Adventure Specialists provide the following guidance, it is the sole responsibility of the traveler to verify and comply with the most current entry requirements for Chile and Argentina via their respective consulates or official government portals before departure.
Passports & Visas
Taxes for Foreigners in Chile (The 19% Savings) Chile offers a significant financial benefit to international travelers known as the IVA (VAT) Exemption.
Proper equipment is vital for a successful "Heroic" summit.
Our Adventure Specialists work closely with PatagoniaHero Travel SPA to secure your journey into the wild heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Because the National Park’s campsites, refugios, and hotels are in high demand and require strictly non-refundable prepayments to local providers, the following policies apply:
Standard Cancellation Schedule (Deposit: $750 per guest)Operational Commitments Please understand that all accommodations, transportation, and specialist guide services provided by our local partner are secured and paid for well in advance. As such, we are unable to offer any refunds for cancellations made within 69 days of your trip start date.
Premium Hotel Reservations For guests choosing premium accommodations, the following terms replace the standard deposit schedule:
We understand that travel plans can change, and our Adventure Specialists strive to offer as much flexibility as possible while navigating the strict booking regulations of the National Park.
Advance Notice (105+ Days Before Departure)Expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula involve some of the most complex maritime and aviation logistics on the planet. To provide our guests with the "Heroic" experience they expect, we partner with premier polar operators. Please note that cancellation policies differ based on the specific vessel and operator chosen for your journey.
Antarctica21 Air Cruise PolicyThe following tiered schedule applies to individual Air Cruise bookings coordinated through Antarctica21:
For expeditions operated in partnership with Oceanwide Expeditions, the following cancellation fees apply based on the total trip price:
Operational Release: Upon cancellation, the passenger releases the canceled cabin and all associated rights to Patagonia Hero Travel SPA.
Expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula involve complex maritime and aviation logistics. While historically a majority of flights operate on the scheduled day, weather conditions in the Southern Ocean can require adjustments to avoid protracted delays. To protect your experience and your investment, the following Contingency Plan applies specifically to Antarctica21 voyages.
Outbound Flight (Punta Arenas to Antarctica)In the unlikely event that the flight to Antarctica cannot take place on the scheduled day due to unfavorable weather conditions:
Upon arrival back in Punta Arenas, the trip officially ends at the airport. Travelers are solely responsible for any expenses associated with the rescheduling of their international airline tickets or onward travel plans. Because of this, we strongly emphasize the need for comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip delays and flight changes.
Third-Party Terms & Liability By booking an Antarctica expedition, you agree to abide by the health, safety, and conduct policies established by the vessel operator (Oceanwide Expeditions or Antarctica21).
The remote nature of treks in Chile and polar expeditions requires specific protections that go beyond standard medical coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage Requirement We strongly recommend that all travelers secure a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of booking. A "Heroic" level of protection should include:
Non-Endorsement Disclosure While our independent Adventure Specialists may provide names of commonly used providers (such as World Nomads or Global Rescue) for your convenience, Travel Payment Solutions LLC, and our local operating partners do not endorse, represent, or receive compensation from any specific insurance company. The choice of provider and the verification of policy adequacy—including ensuring the policy covers the specific altitudes and activities of your trek—is the sole responsibility of the traveler. We are not responsible for the denial of claims or the failure of any insurer to provide coverage.
Our Adventure Specialists love to celebrate your journey. By participating, you grant Patagonia Hero Travel SPA and Travel Payment Solutions LLC a perpetual, royalty-free license to use any photographs or videos taken during the trip for promotional purposes. You may opt out in writing prior to departure.
PatagoniaHero and our partners are committed to your journey, but some events are truly beyond human control. In the event of circumstances such as natural disasters, civil unrest, health emergencies, airport closures, or government-issued travel advisories, we will do our best to assist you in rescheduling your expedition.
Operational RealitiesProfessional Recommendation To protect your investment against these rare but impactful events, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trip interruptions and cancellations related to Force Majeure.
While each of our "Heroic" expeditions is designed to be as comprehensive as possible, certain costs remain the responsibility of the traveler. The following items are excluded from all of our packages unless explicitly stated otherwise in the individual trip itinerary:
To maintain the high-quality logistics required for Patagonia and Antarctica, we adhere to a strict financial schedule.
Currency & Exchange RatesWe are committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect, safety, and camaraderie among all trekkers and staff. To ensure the well-being of the group, our local operating partner, Patagonia Hero Travel SPA, reserves the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time—whether in Puerto Natales or on the trail.
Conduct Expectations We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that compromises the safety or dignity of the expedition. Grounds for immediate removal from a trek or city program include:
Consequences of Termination If a traveler is removed from a trek due to a violation of these conduct standards, the following terms apply:
Respect for Local Legends Our partners' guides and porters are the heart of your journey, bringing years of expertise to every mile. We ask that you treat these professionals and your fellow travelers with the respect they deserve. By maintaining these standards, we ensure every team member can focus on a safe and successful journey to the roof of the world.
Field Operations All treks, logistics, and on-ground services in South America are run and operated solely by Patagonia Hero Travel SPA, a local Chilean-based company (RUT: 777654543). Patagonia Hero Travel SPA is responsible for the safety, permits, and execution of all field operations.
Booking & Facilitation Services Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking and customer support facilitator for Patagonia Hero Travel SPA. While our Adventure Specialists provide expert coordination and payment processing services, Travel Payment Solutions LLC does not own, manage, or operate the local entity or its employees in Chile.
Limitation of Liability Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Patagonia Hero Travel SPA or its independent agents.
Trade Name Disclosure. "PatagoniaHero" and "patagoniahero.com" are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States company that provides booking, payment, and customer-support services. When our Adventure Specialists assist you under the PatagoniaHero name, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. All on-the-ground expedition services are operated by Patagonia Hero Travel SPA (RUT: 777654543), an independent company organized under the laws of Chile. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Release of Liability - Travel Payment Solutions LLC To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the "TPS Parties"), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind - including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties - for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your expedition, its booking, or its coordination.
You acknowledge and agree that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the treks, expeditions, cruises, guides, transport, lodging, aviation, or any other on-the-ground or maritime services, all of which are provided by Patagonia Hero Travel SPA or other independent third-party suppliers (including polar vessel and air operators such as Antarctica21 and Oceanwide Expeditions). In coordinating, arranging, or facilitating those third-party services on your behalf, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator. You therefore release the TPS Parties from, and agree to hold them harmless against, any liability arising from the acts, omissions, negligence, or default of any third-party supplier, and you agree that your sole recourse for any such matter is against the supplier that provided the service.
This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud. If any portion of this release is found unenforceable, it shall be limited or modified to the minimum extent necessary so that the remainder is given full effect, consistent with the Severability & Interpretation section below.
You further covenant not to bring any claim against the TPS Parties in any forum other than as provided in the Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements) section below.
Severability & Interpretation If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or, if it cannot be so modified, severed from these Terms. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force. In all cases, these Terms shall be interpreted so as to give effect to the original intent and purpose of the parties as expressed in this agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements) Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your expedition — that is, the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC — shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, and shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. You and Travel Payment Solutions LLC agree that the state and federal courts located in Utah shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue over any matter not subject to arbitration, and each party consents to personal jurisdiction there.
This provision applies only to booking and arrangement disputes with Travel Payment Solutions LLC. It does not apply to disputes arising from on-the-ground field operations, which are governed by the section below.
Dispute Resolution (Field Operations in Chile & Argentina) Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the on-the-ground trekking, expedition, guiding, transport, or accommodation services performed in Chile or Argentina - that is, the services provided by Patagonia Hero Travel SPA - shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Chile, and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of Santiago, Chile. Each party consents to personal jurisdiction there. Such disputes are further subject to the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement signed with Patagonia Hero Travel SPA, and in the event of any conflict between these Terms and that agreement with respect to field operations, that agreement shall control. Maritime and aviation services for Antarctica expeditions are provided by independent polar operators (Antarctica21 and Oceanwide Expeditions) and are governed by those operators' own terms, as described in the Essential Polar Disclosures section above.
This provision applies only to field-operations disputes with Patagonia Hero Travel SPA. It does not apply to booking or arrangement disputes with Travel Payment Solutions LLC, which are governed by the section above.
Secondary Waiver - Guest Responsibility Participation is conditioned on each participant signing Patagonia Hero Travel SPA's separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement, together with any Emergency Contact form and fitness or medical documentation, prior to the commencement of the expedition. For Antarctica expeditions, participants must additionally sign any Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement required by the polar vessel or air operator (Antarctica21 or Oceanwide Expeditions). You are responsible for reviewing and signing these documents, and for ensuring that every member of your party does the same. Failure or refusal to sign the required documents may result in denial of participation, and no refund will be due for a participant who cannot join or continue the expedition for that reason.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests ("your party"), you represent and warrant that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as an agent for all participants in your party. You agree to provide a copy of these Terms of Service to each guest. You acknowledge that all participants must sign the separate Release of Liability required by Patagonia Hero Travel SPA and, for Antarctica expeditions, the polar operators. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claims arising from a guest's contention that they were not informed of these terms. At your request, we can provide a separate digital Terms of Service agreement to each guest in your party.
Acceptance of Terms By submitting your deposit, you formally acknowledge and accept these Terms of Service in their entirety. This acceptance creates a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your expedition and with Patagonia Hero Travel SPA, a local Chilean company (RUT: 777654543), for the on-the-ground services in Chile or Argentina.
Policy Updates We reserve the right to modify or update our Terms of Service at any time to reflect changes in local regulations, operational requirements, or global safety standards. Any such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting to our platform.
Open Communication Transparency is a cornerstone of our service. If you have any questions, concerns, or need clarification on any of our policies, our Adventure Specialists are available 24/7 to provide the answers you need to book with total confidence.
It is the responsibility of every guest to check current entry requirements for their nationality, although most visitors can travel to Ecuador without a visa. For entry, you need: a passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity beyond your travel dates; a round-trip or onward ticket; and travel or health insurance covering health issues during your visit to Ecuador. Current requirements can be checked with the Embassy of Ecuador.
The Galapagos Islands are among the most entry-regulated destinations in the world, and the Ecuadorian government levies fees and formalities that are separate from your package price:
These fees and formalities are set by the Ecuadorian government and the Galapagos authorities, are excluded from all package prices, and are subject to change without notice. Our Adventure Specialists will send you current instructions before departure.
Flights between the mainland and the Galapagos are operated by independent airlines and must be paid in full before tickets are issued. Once issued, tickets are non-refundable and non-endorsable, changes are subject to the airline’s own policy, and guests are responsible for any fees arising from flight changes or cancellations. If your flight has already been confirmed at the time you change or cancel your trip, the fare will be deducted from your deposit. Every cruise package includes flights from Quito; if you opt not to include them, an additional fee of US$90 may apply for the dinghy transfer to the cruise ship.
Mandatory for Galapagos Cruises. Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of participation for all Galapagos cruises — and note that proof of travel or health insurance is also an Ecuadorian entry requirement.
Strongly Recommended for All Other Tours. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses including air ambulance, personal accident, and delay, loss, or damage to personal effects. Guests often use providers such as Cover More or World Nomads; we do not sell insurance, receive no commission, and make no warranty regarding any insurer’s products — please review any policy’s terms yourself.
When you place a deposit, it is secured for your future travels: your deposit never expires and can be applied toward any of our adventures. If your plans change, we can move your dates or apply your deposit to a different destination we serve, such as Patagonia or Nepal. Guests are responsible for any increase in package pricing between the original booking date and the new travel date. If your Galapagos flight has already been confirmed, the fare is deducted from your deposit (see Galapagos Flights). If you do not contact us and do not show up for your trip, your deposit is forfeited.
Rescheduling. We will reschedule your trip at no extra charge if your travel dates change — please provide at least 6 weeks advance notice. Rescheduling is available multiple times free of cost with that notice; with less notice, we will do our best to assist, and airline and cruise-line change fees may apply.
Force Majeure. A trip may be affected by natural disasters, civil unrest, epidemics, airport closures, travel advisories, or other events beyond our control. If this happens, we will work with you to reschedule at no extra cost. Our standard cancellation and refund policy on deposits remains in effect during these events. We strongly recommend insurance covering trip interruption and cancellation.
Unused Services. No refunds are made for unused services — hotel or cruise accommodation, transportation, or activities — whether due to early departure, personal choice, or inability to continue. Medically driven curtailment may be reimbursable under your travel insurance.
What's included is detailed on every package. The following are excluded from all Ecuador itineraries: the Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$200 foreign adults / US$100 children under 12); the Galapagos Transit Control Card (US$20); international flights; entry visas; travel insurance (mandatory for cruises); drinks and items of a personal nature; customary gratuities for guides and crew; unforeseen costs due to flight cancellations or weather; the US$90 dinghy-transfer fee where applicable (see Galapagos Flights); and all costs not outlined under "What's Included."
We are committed to a safe and respectful environment for all guests, staff, crew, and local communities - and, in the Galapagos, to strict compliance with National Park rules, which your guides will brief and enforce. Our local operating partner, Adventure Journeys, and the crew of any vessel reserve the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time - on the mainland, in the islands, or aboard a vessel - for physical or verbal abuse, harassment, fighting, persistently disruptive behavior, violation of National Park regulations, or excessive alcohol or illegal substance use. If a traveler is removed for conduct violations, all early-return costs are the traveler’s sole responsibility and no refunds or credits will be issued for unused services.
Field Operations. All treks, tours, cruises, logistics, and on-ground services in Ecuador and the Galapagos are run and operated by Adventure Journeys, an independent Ecuadorian company responsible for the safety, permits, guides, and execution of all field operations. Adventure Journeys is not owned, managed, or operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC. Galapagos cruises take place aboard vessels owned and operated by independent third-party vessel operators, under their own conditions of carriage and Ecuadorian maritime law, which Adventure Journeys charters or contracts on your behalf.
Entity Identification. Adventure Journeys may appear in our materials under minor name variants. All such references mean the entity identified above. In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Booking & Facilitation Services. Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking, payment, and customer-support facilitator for Adventure Journeys. "AdventureHero" and "adventurehero.com" are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States company; when our Adventure Specialists assist you, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. Travel Payment Solutions LLC is not involved in operations in Ecuador. These are the distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Limitation of Liability. Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Adventure Journeys or its independent agents and subcontractors (including vessel operators).
Release of Liability — Travel Payment Solutions LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “TPS Parties”), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind — including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties — for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your trip, its booking, or its coordination. You acknowledge that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the treks, tours, guides, transport, lodging, vessels, or any other on-the-ground services, all of which are provided by Adventure Journeys or other independent third-party suppliers (including airlines and vessel operators). In coordinating those services, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator, and your sole recourse for any matter arising from a third-party service is against the supplier that provided it. This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud, and any unenforceable portion shall be limited or severed consistent with the Severability provision below.
Severability & Interpretation. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable or, if it cannot be so modified, severed. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your trip — the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC — shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, with judgment on the award enterable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state and federal courts located in Utah have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
Dispute Resolution (Field Operations in Ecuador). Any dispute arising out of or relating to on-the-ground or aboard-vessel services performed in Ecuador — the services provided by Adventure Journeys — shall be brought only against Adventure Journeys, shall be governed by the laws of Ecuador, and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ecuador. Such disputes are further subject to the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement signed with Adventure Journeys, which controls over these Terms with respect to field operations in the event of any conflict.
Secondary Waiver — Guest Responsibility. Participation is conditioned on each participant signing Adventure Journeys' separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement, together with the Emergency Contact / Medical Details form, prior to the commencement of the trip. For Galapagos cruises, the vessel operator may additionally require its own passenger ticket documentation at embarkation, which each participant must also complete. You are responsible for reviewing and signing these documents and ensuring every member of your party does the same. Failure or refusal to sign may result in denial of participation, with no refund due.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity. If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests, you represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as agent for all participants in your party, agree to provide a copy of these Terms to each guest, and agree to indemnify Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claim arising from a guest’s contention that they were not informed of these terms.
Acceptance of Terms. By submitting your deposit, you accept these Terms in their entirety, creating a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your trip, and with Adventure Journeys for the on-the-ground and cruise services in Ecuador.
The classic Inca Trail is regulated by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, which issues a limited number of daily permits through licensed operators. Because of this regime, special terms apply:
Cusco sits at approximately 3,400 meters, and Andean treks cross passes above 4,200 meters. Altitude illness (AMS and, rarely, HAPE or HACE) can affect anyone regardless of fitness. We build acclimatization into our itineraries, and we recommend arriving in Cusco at least two days before any trek.
Mandatory for Cruise Itineraries. Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of participation for all cruise itineraries.
Strongly Recommended for All Other Tours. For all other itineraries, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses including air ambulance, personal accident, and delay, loss, or damage to personal effects — and, for trekking itineraries, coverage valid to the maximum altitude on your route. Guests often use providers such as Cover More or World Nomads; we do not sell insurance, receive no commission, and make no warranty regarding any insurer’s products — please review any policy’s terms yourself.
We understand plans change — please alert us as quickly as possible. The following applies to cancellations, measured from your departure date:
Government Permits & Entry Tickets. Inca Trail permits, Machu Picchu entry, and other government-issued permits or tickets are non-refundable in all cases and are excluded from any refundable amount (see Inca Trail Permits above).
Force Majeure. Regional strikes, road blockades, rail suspensions, weather events, and government closures of trails or sites do occur in the Cusco region and can require itinerary changes on short notice. If your trip is affected by events beyond our control, we will work with you to adjust the itinerary or reschedule; refunds remain subject to the schedule above and to amounts already committed to permits, transport, and accommodations. We strongly recommend insurance covering trip interruption for this reason. Unused Services. No refunds are made for unused services - hotel or cruise accommodation, transportation, entries, or activities - whether due to early departure, personal choice, or inability to continue. Medically driven curtailment may be reimbursable under your travel insurance.
What's included is detailed on every package. The following are excluded from all Peru itineraries: international flights; entry visas; travel insurance (mandatory for cruises); drinks and items of a personal nature; customary gratuities for guides and porters; unforeseen costs due to flight cancellations or weather; and all costs not outlined under "What's Included."
We are committed to a safe and respectful environment for all guests, staff, porters, and local communities. Our local operating partner, Valencia Travel Cusco, reserves the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time - whether in Cusco or on the trail — for physical or verbal abuse, harassment, fighting, persistently disruptive behavior, or excessive alcohol or illegal substance use. If a traveler is removed for conduct violations, all early-return costs are the traveler’s sole responsibility and no refunds or credits will be issued for unused services.
Field Operations. All treks, tours, logistics, and on-ground services in Peru are run and operated solely by Valencia Travel Cusco, a company organized under the laws of Peru (RUC No. 20490589857). Valencia Travel Cusco is responsible for the safety, permits, guides, and execution of all field operations, and is an independent company - it is not owned, managed, or operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC.
Entity Identification. Valencia Travel Cusco may appear in our materials under minor name variants (for example, "Valencia Travel," or with a corporate suffix. All such references mean the same entity identified by the RUC number above. In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Booking & Facilitation Services. Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking, payment, and customer-support facilitator for Valencia Travel Cusco. “AdventureHero” and “adventurehero.com” are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States company; when our Adventure Specialists assist you, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Limitation of Liability. Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Valencia Travel Cusco or its independent agents.
Release of Liability — Travel Payment Solutions LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “TPS Parties”), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind — including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties — for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your trip, its booking, or its coordination. You acknowledge that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the treks, tours, guides, transport, lodging, rail services, cruises, or any other on-the-ground services, all of which are provided by Valencia Travel Cusco or other independent third-party suppliers (including rail carriers and airlines). In coordinating those services, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator, and your sole recourse for any matter arising from a third-party service is against the supplier that provided it. This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud, and any unenforceable portion shall be limited or severed consistent with the Severability provision below.
Severability & Interpretation. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable or, if it cannot be so modified, severed. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your trip — the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC - shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, with judgment on the award enterable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state and federal courts located in Utah have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
Dispute Resolution (Field Operations in Peru). Any dispute arising out of or relating to on-the-ground trekking, touring, guiding, transport, accommodation, or other field services performed in Peru - the services provided by Valencia Travel Cusco — shall be governed by the laws of Peru and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Peru. Such disputes are further subject to the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement signed with Valencia Travel Cusco, which controls over these Terms with respect to field operations in the event of any conflict.
Secondary Waiver - Guest Responsibility. Participation is conditioned on each participant signing Valencia Travel Cusco’s separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement, together with the Emergency Contact / Medical Details form, prior to the commencement of the trip. You are responsible for reviewing and signing these documents and ensuring every member of your party does the same. Failure or refusal to sign may result in denial of participation, with no refund due.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity. If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests, you represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as agent for all participants in your party, agree to provide a copy of these Terms to each guest, and agree to indemnify Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claim arising from a guest’s contention that they were not informed of these terms.
Acceptance of Terms. By submitting your deposit, you accept these Terms in their entirety, creating a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your trip, and with Valencia Travel Cusco for the on-the-ground services in Peru.
Grand Canyon rafting is regulated by the National Park Service, and several NPS rules shape your trip:
Minimum age requirements vary by trip and are stated on each trip page. For participants under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the operator’s required documentation on the minor’s behalf, and the adult booking is responsible for the supervision of all minors in their party throughout the trip. Rafting requires the ability to board and ride whitewater craft, follow guide instructions, and manage camp terrain; you are responsible for honestly assessing your own capability and that of every member of your party. Accurate date of birth, weight, and height must be provided for each participant on the operator's forms - these are used for safety planning, equipment, and transport arrangements, and material inaccuracies may result in denied participation without refund.
All rafting trips are run and operated by Wilderness River Adventures, and participation is conditioned on each participant completing Wilderness River Adventures’ own Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risks form - including, for minors, signature by a parent or legal guardian — together with the emergency-contact and participant details it requires. This is Wilderness River Adventures’ document, entered into directly between each participant and Wilderness River Adventures, and it governs your participation in the rafting activity; Travel Payment Solutions LLC is not a party to it. The signed form must be returned directly to Wilderness River Adventures promptly after booking, per the instructions on the form — do not wait until departure. You are responsible for ensuring every member of your party completes and returns it; failure or refusal to do so may result in denial of participation, with no refund due.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all rafting trips. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses including air ambulance, personal accident, and delay, loss, or damage to personal effects. Please note: our cancellation policy admits no exceptions for any reason — launch dates are NPS-allocated and cannot be resold on short notice — so we strongly advise every passenger to obtain trip-cancellation coverage.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, please notify us as soon as possible. No exceptions are made to this policy for any reason — see Travel Insurance above.
Field Operations. All rafting trips and related on-river services are run and operated solely by Wilderness River Adventures, Inc. (“Wilderness River Adventures”), of Page, Arizona — an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, managed by Aramark, a US-based company. Wilderness River Adventures is responsible for the safety, permits, guides, equipment, and execution of all field operations, and is an independent company — it is not owned, managed, or operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC.
Entity Identification. Wilderness River Adventures may appear in our materials as “Wilderness River Adventures,” “WRA,” or in connection with Aramark. All such references mean Wilderness River Adventures, Inc. In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Booking & Facilitation Services. Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking, payment, and customer-support facilitator for Wilderness River Adventures. “AdventureHero” and “adventurehero.com” are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States (Utah) company; when our Adventure Specialists assist you, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Limitation of Liability. Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Wilderness River Adventures or its independent agents.
Release of Liability — Travel Payment Solutions LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party, including any minors in your care) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “TPS Parties”), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind — including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties — for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your trip, its booking, or its coordination. You acknowledge that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the rafting trips, guides, craft, equipment, transport, or any other on-the-ground services, all of which are provided by Wilderness River Adventures or other independent third-party suppliers. In coordinating those services, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator, and your sole recourse for any matter arising from a third-party service is against the supplier that provided it. This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud, and any unenforceable portion shall be limited or severed consistent with the Severability provision below.
Severability & Interpretation. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable or, if it cannot be so modified, severed. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your trip — the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC — shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, with judgment on the award enterable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state and federal courts located in Utah have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
Dispute Resolution (Rafting Operations). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the rafting trip itself or other field services is a matter between you and Wilderness River Adventures, governed by the Visitor’s Acknowledgement of Risks and any other documentation between you and Wilderness River Adventures, and by applicable law. Travel Payment Solutions LLC is not a party to those documents or disputes.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity. If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests — including minors in your care, custody, or control — you represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as agent for all participants in your party, agree to provide a copy of these Terms to each adult guest, agree to ensure the operator’s documentation is completed for every participant (by a parent or legal guardian where required), and agree to indemnify Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claim arising from a guest’s contention that they were not informed of these terms.
Acceptance of Terms. By submitting your deposit, you accept these Terms in their entirety, creating a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your trip. Your participation in the rafting trip itself is governed by your direct documentation with Wilderness River Adventures, Inc.
The Kingdom of Bhutan requires every international visitor to travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, and your visa can only be issued through that operator. Our local operating partner, Yak Holidays International, handles this entire process for you.
Mandatory Coverage for Treks. For all trekking itineraries in Bhutan — including high-altitude routes such as the Snowman Trek, Jomolhari, and Druk Path — comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking (to the maximum elevation on your itinerary), emergency medical treatment, and helicopter evacuation is a condition of participation, not a recommendation. Proof of adequate coverage may be requested before departure. Bhutan’s trekking routes are among the most remote in the Himalayas, and helicopter evacuation is the only rapid option from most of them.
Recommended Coverage for Cultural Tours. For non-trekking cultural itineraries, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses, air ambulance, personal accident, and delay, loss, or damage to personal effects.
Financial Responsibility. In the event of an emergency, the traveler is solely responsible for all costs of medical treatment and evacuation not covered by insurance. Yak Holidays International will assist in coordinating emergency logistics but does not provide evacuation or medical services directly.
Bhutan’s treks cross passes above 4,000–5,300 meters. Altitude illness (AMS, HAPE, and HACE) can develop rapidly and become life-threatening. By booking a trekking itinerary, you acknowledge and accept these inherent risks.
Most guests reach Bhutan via Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines into Paro. Mountain weather can delay flights, and we recommend building flexibility into your international connections.
Rescheduling. We will reschedule your trip at no extra charge if your travel dates change - please provide at least 6 weeks’ advance notice. Rescheduling is available multiple times free of cost with that notice; with less notice, we will still do our best to accommodate you, though a small coordination fee may apply. Guests are responsible for any increase in package pricing between the original booking date and the new travel date.
Refund Schedule.
Force Majeure. If a trip must be postponed due to events beyond our control — natural disasters, civil unrest, epidemics, airport closures, or travel advisories — we will work with you to reschedule at no extra cost. Our standard refund policy on deposits remains in effect during these events. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering trip interruption and cancellation.
If you finish a trek or tour ahead of schedule, or stop early for health or personal reasons, no refunds can be issued for unused days or services. Our local operating partner has an ethical and financial obligation to pay permit fees and the full salaries of guides, drivers, and support staff for the time committed to your trip. Any expenses resulting from an early return - additional hotel nights, meals, or changed flights - are the responsibility of the traveler. If your trip is cut short for medical reasons, the unused portion may be reimbursable under your travel insurance policy.
Currency. All trip costs are shown in USD. For online payments, your card issuer determines the exchange rate. Balances paid in local or alternative major currency in Bhutan are converted at current market rates per xe.com.
What’s included is detailed on every package. The following are excluded from all Bhutan itineraries: international flights; travel insurance; drinks and items of a personal nature; customary gratuities for guides and support staff; unforeseen costs due to flight cancellations or weather; and all costs not outlined under “What’s Included.” Note that, unlike most operators, our packages include the Bhutan visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee.
We are committed to a safe and respectful environment for all guests, staff, and local communities. Our local operating partner, Yak Holidays International, reserves the right to refuse service or terminate participation for any individual at any time - whether in Thimphu, Paro, or on the trail - for physical or verbal abuse, harassment, fighting, persistently disruptive behavior, or excessive alcohol or illegal substance use. If a traveler is removed for conduct violations, all early-return costs are the traveler's sole responsibility and no refunds or credits will be issued for unused services. Please treat Bhutan’s guides, drivers, and hosts - and its monasteries, dzongs, and cultural sites - with the respect they deserve; dress and conduct requirements apply at religious sites, and your guide will brief you.
Field Operations. All treks, tours, logistics, and on-ground services in Bhutan are run and operated solely by Yak Holidays International, a company organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan (Trading License No. 1027941) and licensed by the Department of Tourism. Yak Holidays International is responsible for the safety, permits, guides, and execution of all field operations, and is an independent company - it is not owned, managed, or operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC.
Entity Identification. Yak Holidays International may appear in our marketing, website, booking materials, or correspondence under minor name variants (for example, "YakHolidays Limited," "Yak Holidays," or "YakHolidays"). All such references mean the same entity, Yak Holidays International (Trading License No. 1027941). In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Booking & Facilitation Services. Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking, payment, and customer-support facilitator for Yak Holidays International. "AdventureHero" and "adventurehero.com" are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States company; when our Adventure Specialists assist you under the AdventureHero name, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Limitation of Liability. Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Yak Holidays International or its independent agents.
Release of Liability - Travel Payment Solutions LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “TPS Parties”), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind — including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties — for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your expedition, its booking, or its coordination. You acknowledge that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the treks, tours, guides, transport, lodging, aviation, or any other on-the-ground services, all of which are provided by Yak Holidays International or other independent third-party suppliers (including airlines such as Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines). In coordinating those services, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator, and your sole recourse for any matter arising from a third-party service is against the supplier that provided it. This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud, and any unenforceable portion shall be limited or severed consistent with the Severability provision below.
Severability & Interpretation. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable or, if it cannot be so modified, severed. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your trip — the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC - shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, with judgment on the award enterable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state and federal courts located in Utah have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
Dispute Resolution (Field Operations in Bhutan). Any dispute arising out of or relating to on-the-ground trekking, touring, guiding, transport, accommodation, or other field services performed in Bhutan — the services provided by Yak Holidays International — shall be governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Bhutan. Such disputes are further subject to the separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement signed with Yak Holidays International, which controls over these Terms with respect to field operations in the event of any conflict.
Secondary Waiver - Guest Responsibility. Participation is conditioned on each participant signing Yak Holidays International’s separate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement, together with the Emergency Contact / Medical Details form, prior to the commencement of the trip. You are responsible for reviewing and signing these documents and ensuring every member of your party does the same. Failure or refusal to sign may result in denial of participation, with no refund due.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity. If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests, you represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as agent for all participants in your party, agree to provide a copy of these Terms to each guest, and agree to indemnify Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claim arising from a guest’s contention that they were not informed of these terms.
Acceptance of Terms. By submitting your deposit, you accept these Terms in their entirety, creating a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your trip, and with Yak Holidays International (Trading License No. 1027941) for the on-the-ground services in Bhutan.
Guided jet ski (personal watercraft) touring in Alaskan waters is a genuine adventure sport, and the operator sets firm participation requirements:
Certain multi-day expeditions - including Canadian Passage routings - cross the international border and enter Canadian waters and ports. For these routes, every participant must carry a valid passport and be admissible to Canada under Canadian immigration law. Admissibility is each guest's own responsibility: Canada may deny entry for reasons including certain criminal history (note that a DUI conviction can render a traveler inadmissible to Canada, even one that is decades old). If a participant is refused entry or turned back at the border, the expedition cannot wait, and no refund is due for the resulting missed participation. If you have any doubt about your admissibility, resolve it with Canadian authorities before booking a cross-border route - or choose an Alaska-only routing.
This is an adventure, not a fair-weather activity - tours run rain or shine. The operator cancels only for dangerous conditions, principally high winds under a Small Craft Advisory:
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all Alaska trips - particularly for overnight expeditions, given the strict deposit and cancellation terms below. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses including air ambulance, personal accident, and delay, loss, or damage to personal effects. For cross-border routes, confirm your medical coverage is valid in Canada.
Billing. Charges on your credit card statement will appear as TPS - Travel Pay, the billing identifier for Travel Payment Solutions LLC, our US-based booking facilitator. Invoicing and payment procedures otherwise follow our General Terms. All trip costs are shown in USD.
All tours and expeditions are run and operated by Dangerous Water Adventures, and participation is conditioned on each participant completing Dangerous Water Adventures’ own release and acknowledgment-of-risk documentation — including, for participants under 18, signature by a parent or legal guardian — together with the participant details it requires. This is Dangerous Water Adventures’ document, entered into directly between each participant and Dangerous Water Adventures, and it governs your participation in the activity; Travel Payment Solutions LLC is not a party to it. You are responsible for ensuring every member of your party completes it as directed by the operator before departure; failure or refusal to do so may result in denial of participation, with no refund due.
Field Operations. All jet ski tours, expeditions, logistics, and on-water services are run and operated solely by Dangerous Water Adventures of Juneau, Alaska (“Dangerous Water Adventures”). Dangerous Water Adventures is responsible for the safety, guides, craft, equipment, permits, and execution of all field operations — in United States waters and, on cross-border routes, in Canadian waters — and is an independent company: it is not owned, managed, or operated by Travel Payment Solutions LLC.
Entity Identification. Dangerous Water Adventures may appear in our materials as “Dangerous Water Adventures,” “Dangerous Waters,” or “DWA.” All such references mean the entity identified above. In the event of any inconsistency between a name variant and this section, this section controls.
Booking & Facilitation Services. Travel Payment Solutions LLC (USA) serves as a booking, payment, and customer-support facilitator for Dangerous Water Adventures. “AdventureHero” and “adventurehero.com” are trade names (DBA) of Travel Payment Solutions LLC, a United States (Utah) company; when our Adventure Specialists assist you, they are acting on behalf of Travel Payment Solutions LLC in its booking-facilitation capacity. These are the two distinct entities behind your booking, and this Agreement governs your relationship with each.
Limitation of Liability. Travel Payment Solutions LLC, its officers, and employees assume no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any personal injury, death, property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, or irregularity resulting from the acts, omissions, or negligence of Dangerous Water Adventures or its independent agents.
Release of Liability — Travel Payment Solutions LLC. To the fullest extent permitted by law, you (on behalf of yourself and your party, including any minors in your care) hereby release, waive, and discharge Travel Payment Solutions LLC, together with its officers, members, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “TPS Parties”), from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action of any kind — including those arising from the ordinary negligence of the TPS Parties — for any injury, death, illness, property damage, loss, delay, or expense arising out of or relating to your trip, its booking, or its coordination. You acknowledge that the TPS Parties do not own, operate, control, or supervise the tours, guides, watercraft, equipment, transport, lodging, or any other on-the-ground or on-water services, all of which are provided by Dangerous Water Adventures or other independent third-party suppliers. In coordinating those services, the TPS Parties act solely as a booking facilitator, and your sole recourse for any matter arising from a third-party service is against the supplier that provided it. This release does not apply to liability that cannot be released or limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud, and any unenforceable portion shall be limited or severed consistent with the Severability provision below.
Severability & Interpretation. If any provision of these Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable or, if it cannot be so modified, severed. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the remaining provisions, which continue in full force.
Dispute Resolution (Booking & Arrangements). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the booking, payment, coordination, or arrangement of your trip — the services provided by Travel Payment Solutions LLC — shall be governed by the laws of the State of Utah and resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered in Salt Lake County, Utah, under the rules of a recognized arbitration provider, with judgment on the award enterable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state and federal courts located in Utah have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
Dispute Resolution (Tour Operations). Any dispute arising out of or relating to the tours or expeditions themselves or other field services is a matter between you and Dangerous Water Adventures, governed by Dangerous Water Adventures’ own documentation and applicable law. Travel Payment Solutions LLC is not a party to those documents or disputes.
Authorized Agent & Representative Capacity. If you are booking or paying on behalf of additional guests — including minors in your care, custody, or control — you represent that you are authorized to enter into this agreement as agent for all participants in your party, agree to provide a copy of these Terms to each adult guest, agree to ensure the operator’s documentation is completed for every participant (by a parent or legal guardian where required), and agree to indemnify Travel Payment Solutions LLC against any claim arising from a guest’s contention that they were not informed of these terms.
Acceptance of Terms. By submitting your deposit, you accept these Terms in their entirety, creating a binding agreement between you and Travel Payment Solutions LLC for the coordination of your trip. Your participation in the tour or expedition itself is governed by your direct documentation with Dangerous Water Adventures.
