Pipestone Travel (912267 Alberta Ltd.) (“Pipestone”) accepts bookings subject to the following terms and conditions:

The Contract

All persons (the clients) wishing to make a booking must sign a booking form and release. The contract is between Pipestone and the client, being anyone traveling or intending to travel on a tour operated by Pipestone. The service to be provided is the tour(s) referred to in the booking form. This contract and all matters relating to it are subject to the laws in the Province of Alberta and the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the Province of Alberta, Canada. No one other than a director of the company has the authority to vary or omit any of these terms and conditions.

Payment/Acceptance of Booking

The booking form must be completed and submitted along with a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD (or $300 CDN) per person, per trip. Clients booking by telephone, facsimile or Internet/e-mail are deemed to have read the booking terms and conditions and to have signed the Release and Assumption of Risk. Clients may be required to complete a supplementary trekking/medical form. Once the booking is confirmed, Pipestone will notify the client in writing at which point a contract, as described above comes into existence. The balance of the tour price is due 8 weeks before the departure date. A booking made within 8 weeks of departure requires full payment at the time of completing the booking form.

Changes or Cancellation by the Client

The date that written confirmation is received by Pipestone will be recognized as the cancellation date. Cancellation penalties will be applied as a percentage of the total tour price:

In addition to the above penalties, the full insurance premium is also payable in the event of a cancellation.
Changes to a booking will be subject to a $100 administrative fee. Pipestone reserves the right to treat changes within 8 weeks of departure as a cancellation and subject to the charges above.

If We Cancel the Tour

Pipestone reserves the right to cancel a tour in the event that a minimum number of passengers specified for the tour is not met, or for any other reason. We will not cancel a tour less than 6 weeks prior to departure except for force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company’s control. When a tour is canceled, the client may choose between a full refund and an alternative tour.

Travel Documents

Clients are responsible for arranging and must be in possession of a valid passport, and any visa or vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, personal gear, baggage etc.) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of Pipestone.

Prices and Surcharges

Pipestone reserves the right to impose surcharges up to 8 weeks prior to departure due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, increases in airfares or other transportation costs, taxes or other government action. If any surcharge results in an increase greater than 10% of the tour cost, the client may cancel the booking within 14 days of being notified of the surcharge and obtain a full refund.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all clients for the full duration of the tour. This insurance must cover personal accident, medical expenses, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs and all other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience occurring to the client. When the client has purchased insurance through Pipestone, the client acknowledges that they are satisfied with the levels of insurance arranged. When the client does not take such insurance, they acknowledge that the price of the tour does not include insurance. Clients making their own arrangements should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the types of activities included in the tour.

Complaints

Should the client have a complaint, they must advise the tour leader or relevant supplier at the time in order that the leader or supplier can attempt to rectify the problem. Any further complaint must be put in writing within 30 days of the end of the tour.

Tour Participation

Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of Pipestone’s employees, tour leaders or agents while on tour. If in the opinion of such persons the health or conduct of a client appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour, the client may be excluded from all or part of a tour. The client must at all times strictly comply with the laws, customs and regulations of all countries visited. Failure to do so could result in the client being ordered to leave the tour without recourse to any refund.

Pipestone’s Responsibility

Clients’ bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the possible risks inherent in adventure travel and they undertake the tour at their own volition. Due to political and cultural differences, as well as generally tougher physical conditions, travel to many areas of the world involves risks other than those we would take in our daily lives. Pipestone and the tour operators we work with place extreme importance on the safety of our clients. It is important, however, that clients realize that they are responsible for making themselves aware of the risks involved and of making their decisions accordingly.
No refund will be made for unused services included in the price. Pipestone shall not be liable for any delay deviations, omissions from any tour caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, nor for any direct or indirect consequences thereto. Pipestone shall not be liable to compensate clients for associated expenses incurred as a result of their booking.

Pipestone only acts as an agent for the owners, contractors, suppliers of transportation and local operators/agents, and/or other related travel services provided and assumes no liability or responsibility for additional expenses howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly from the actions or omissions of such independent parties, accidents, loss or damage to person or property, delays, transport failures, strikes, war, force majeure, Acts of God or other over which it has no control. Arrangements made by Pipestone will be subject to any special terms imposed by the supplier of these services. Pipestone accepts no responsibility for any action or activity undertaken by the client arranged independently of Pipestone while on tour.

All arrangements made on behalf of the clients are made by Pipestone on the sole condition that Pipestone shall not be held responsible for any injury, death, accident, delay, loss, damage or irregularity which may be occasioned through acts of any company, and/or persons engaged in carrying out the arrangements and services described in the tour description or otherwise in connection herewith. Payment of the deposit and/or final balance is taken as acknowledgment and agreement of the above items.

912267 Alberta Ltd. O/A Pipestone Travel, is incorporated as a limited liability company in the Province of Alberta, Canada. Directors: Penelope Warris and Scott Warris.

These terms and conditions last revised April 3, 2001.

P I P E S T O N E...T R A V E L

adventure@pipestonetravel.com

1-800-766-4318