The following booking conditions refer to our Tailormade Touring and Hotels. For Small Group Journey booking conditions, please see below.
TAILORMADE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travel Indochina, an affiliate of Jetabout North America Inc., hereinafter referred to as “Travel Indochina,” accepts reservations subject to these Terms and Conditions.
Important Notes -
- The travel industry in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China and India, is still in its infancy. While the freshness of novelty of tourism in these countries is part of the appeal to many visitors, others might see things differently. It is important to recognize that the level of service and standards in some areas, while improving, is not yet comparable to service standards in more mature travel destinations.
- The information contained in these Terms and Conditions is part of your contract with us. Once we have accepted your reservation and you have paid your Deposit there will be a legally binding contract between us.
- The Terms and Conditions can only be varied or modified in writing by us and no employee or agent, including your travel agent, has the authority to modify or vary these Terms and Conditions.
- It is you responsibility to read these Terms and Conditions carefully and if you do not understand them you must contact your travel agent for further information.
Deposit - Subject to the Important Notes above, a minimum non-refundable deposit of USD $300 per person is due and payable when reservations are initiated.
Receipt of the non-refundable deposit from you is deemed evidence that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
Final Payment - Final payment must be received by Travel Indochina at least 65 days prior to departure. For reservations made less than 65 days prior to departure, full and final payment is due at the time of making the reservation. Failure to make final payment when due will result in the reservations being automatically cancelled and you will be responsible for the cancellation fees as per our cancellation policy.
Late Bookings - A late booking fee of US$50 per new booking will apply for bookings made within 21 days prior to travel departure date. Please note that Travel Indochina is unable to accept checks for late bookings.
Minimum Booking Fee - Bookings of 3 nights or less will incur a minimum booking fee of US$50.
Method of Payment - Travel Indochina accepts the following forms of payment: cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. The authorization to use a credit card indicates you or your client’s compliance with our booking Terms and Conditions.
Website Validity & Pricing - Prices on our website are quoted in U.S. Dollars and are valid for travel for the date ranges shown. We will use our reasonable efforts to ensure the prices do not change but we may be required to impose surcharges depending on currency fluctuations, changes in government legislation, air prices, fuel surcharges or other variables outside our control. You acknowledge and agree that you shall be responsible for the prompt payment of all surcharges and price increases. In order to minimize exposure to surcharges we recommend you pay in full as early as possible. US/Foreign Taxes, including September 11 Security Fee are additional. INFORMATION AND PRICES ARE CURRENT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. AIRLINES FREQUENTLY CHANGE THEIR PRICES AS A RESULT OF FARE INCREASES AND/OR FUEL SURCHARGES. PRICES MAY DIFFER WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TRAVEL AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL FULL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FOR THE FINAL INVOICE PRICE. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR OUR CURRENT PRICES.
Cancellation Fees - Requests for cancellation of confirmed bookings must be made in writing and addressed to your travel agent and will be subject to the following cancellation fees applied per person, per confirmed booking:
- More than 65 days prior to departure - Deposit
- 65 - 30 days prior to departure - 25% of total price or Deposit, whichever is greater
- Within 30 days prior to departure - 100% of total price
These cancellation charges are in addition to any charges passed on to us by any suppliers such as airlines, hotels or other tour operators.
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at time of deposit to cover insurable risks.
Refunds and Unused Services - Travel arrangements cancelled, amended or altered within 24 hours of your departure or once travel has commenced do not qualify for any refund whatsoever. Services unused or cancelled for any reason are not refundable.
Amendments - Once itineraries are requested one free change is allowed. A fee of $100 is required for every change thereafter and a deposit must be paid on the booking before it can be changed. If an amendment is requested within 65 days of the scheduled departure date a cancellation fee may also apply.
These amendment charges are in addition to any charges passed on to us by any suppliers such as airlines, hotels or other tour operators.
Permitted amendments include, without limitation, changes to accommodation or travel arrangements. Name changes are not permitted as many suppliers deem a name change to constitute a cancellation and re-booking.
Airfares, Cancellations & Amendments - The prices on our website do not include airfares from or to your departing destination. Check with your agent for fares with all carriers to Asia. If you cancel your reservation, it is your responsibility to pay any cancellations fees imposed by the airline of up to 100% of the airfare. Any deviation from the set itinerary may also affect the airfare, and you will be responsible for payment of any increase in the airfare should you change the set itinerary. After the air ticket is written, any change requiring ticket re-issuance (such as change in airline dates, routing, stops, or change of name due to the name provided to Travel Indochina not being exactly the same as the name on the passport will be assessed a US$100 change fee plus any change and cancellation penalties charged by the airlines. The airfare excludes Taxes and Fees such as: U.S. Departure and Arrival Taxes, Customs and Immigration Fee, Inspection Service Fee, Civil Aviation Security Fee, September 11 Security Fee, Los Angeles P.F.C. Tax, and international landing and departure fees. You are responsible for paying such additional Taxes and Fees.
Insurance - Medical facilities across Asia are often unable to provide the full range of medical services that are available in developed countries, making evacuation a requirement in many non-life threatening medical situations. The costs of evacuation as well as international standard care are extremely high. In the most serious emergencies, travelers may not be capable of authorizing payment for an appropriate medical response that is urgently required. This may delay or prevent the provision of critical and possibly life-saving medical attention. For these reasons, regardless of the type of your vacation arrangements, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking.
Note that travel insurance ‘attached’ to credit cards is often limited in scope (e.g. not covering serious medical, repatriation or evacuation expenses) and in any case is usually effective only if travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Please note also that government regulations in Asia do not always require or enforce the possession of liability insurance by hotels, transport and other suppliers. Even when insurance is in place, it can be for very limited coverage only. Travel Indochina does its best to work with suppliers who possess liability insurance, however it is not always possible to find and contract with such suppliers. Contact your travel agent to organize insurance for your vacation.
Responsibility - Travel Indochina purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant services, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. TRAVEL INDOCHINA CANNOT, THEREFORE, BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL or incidental DAMAGES that may occur due to (a) intentional, wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of a supplier, its employees and others not under the direct control of Travel Indochina, or (b) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of independent suppliers. In addition, Travel Indochina cannot be liable for delays in departure or interruption of your vacation arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical problems of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality, strikes, war, terrorist activity, civil commotion or any causes beyond the control of Travel Indochina. In no event will Travel Indochina be responsible for incidental, consequential or special or incidental damage or loss suffered by any person. Travel Indochina’s maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid to Travel Indochina for its services. In issuing tickets and coupons for transportation of the purchaser by any means, and making arrangements for hotel or other accommodation, Travel Indochina is not acting as principal but only as agent for the companies, corporation or person providing or offering the means of transportation and accommodation. To the extent Travel Indochina shall not be acting as an agent, as stated above, is shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of the purchasers in arranging or booking transportation and accommodation. Airlines and other transportation providers (e.g., boat operators) are not liable for any detention, delays, loss, damage, sickness or injury, however or by whoever caused, during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The contract of carriage used by such transportation providers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation providers and the purchaser of these vacation arrangements.
Passports & Visas - All passengers require a valid passport and, in most instances, a visa. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and the necessary visas for the countries being visited. Travel Indochina accepts no responsibility if you do not have the correct documentation for your vacation. It is highly recommended that you allow at least a minimum of 10 working days for visa processing. Please note if you leave and re-enter any country that requires a visa you may need to obtain a double entry visa for that country. Please also note that most countries in Asia insist that passports are valid for at least six months after date of entry into Asia.
What is Not Included - Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, telephone and fax charges, visa and passport fees, vaccinations, meals not specified, gratuities (unless specified), and departure taxes.
Alterations to Travel Arrangements - a) Every effort will be made to provide these vacations exactly as described, booked and invoiced. Travel Indochina reserves the right to alter or cancel travel arrangements at any time. Travel Indochina will then provide, wherever possible, similar travel arrangements. Where travel arrangements of a lower standard only are available, Travel Indochina will refund the difference between the price of the arrangements booked and the actual arrangements provided. If the arrangements provided are of higher standard, there will be an extra charge to you. b) In the case of a supplier failing to supply travel arrangements as reserved, either shortly before or on arrival, Travel Indochina will make every effort to provide alternative arrangements on the above basis, but shall not otherwise be liable to compensate you where such failure on the part of the supplier to provide travel arrangements is beyond our control.
Special Requirements - You or your travel agent are responsible for advising Travel Indochina in writing of any medical conditions that may affect your ability to undertake the travel arrangements that you have purchased. In addition, you must provide a letter from your doctor stating the nature of the medical condition and certifying that you are physically fit to undertake the travel arrangement as purchased. You must request in writing that Travel Indochina arrange any special requirements considered necessary. Without such written notice, Travel Indochina accepts no responsibility for special requirements not provided.
Accommodation - Requests for specific bedding types must be made at the time of booking. We may not always be able to accommodate your needs, depending on the room types available at particular hotels. Twin share accommodation is based on two single beds or one double bed as provided by the hotel. Hotels provide triple share accommodation generally with a twin or double bedded room and one rollaway bed at an additional charge. Single room accommodation must be booked by people wishing to travel alone. Special requests such as non-smoking floors or king-size beds cannot be guaranteed.
Traveling with Children - Where a child stays for free in a room sharing with two paying adults, generally the hotel will expect the child to share the parent’s bed and will not provide an extra bed. Additional charges may be levied for child meals. Where a child rate is provided on our website, an extra roll or fold-away bed is usually provided. Children are charged an adult rate if staying in a room without adults.
Maps & Photographs - Maps shown on our website are for general information only and may not necessarily reflect actual routings and services provided. The hotel photographs may not necessarily reflect the standard of any room purchased.
Consumer Claims - We strive to ensure your arrangements are delivered smoothly, however there are times when problems arise on the ground. You should first try to resolve service problems with the provider of the service. If the problem cannot be resolved you should contact the emergency contacts provided in your detailed itinerary. If you fail to take these steps you may be affecting your recourse for a future claim. If a problem is not resolved during your journey you should send us written correspondence detailing the nature of your complaint as well as the efforts you went to resolve the problem while in Asia. Please send this correspondence to us, with supporting documentation, via your travel agent, within 30 days of the date of service delivery. We will not consider claims made after this period.
Our Privacy Policy - You consent to our processing personal information about you and other members of your party. We will hold your name, address and any other details you supply us with on our database. This information will be used to make your travel arrangements and to send you information about Travel Indochina. In order to make your travel arrangements we will need to pass your details to companies and individuals outside the US, where less stringent data protection controls may be in place. We will not pass on your details to any third parties that are not responsible for your travel arrangements. A link to our full privacy policy can be found at the bottom of the front page of our website.
Important Notes -
- CST #2001136-50 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. We are required under California law to advise you of the following: For passengers located in California only, in the event of Travel Indochina’s default, you may be eligible for a refund of up to US$15,000 from the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. If you were located in California at the time of you purchase, you have a right to make a claim against the fund for a refund of any money paid to Travel Indochina that is due because of Travel Indochina’s bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of operations, or material failure to provide the transportation or travel services sold. The claim must be filed within six months after the completion date of your travel. For a claim form and additional information, write to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001.
- “Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.” The following and the conditions on our brochures are our conditions upon which the contract between us, the seller of travel, and the passengers may be cancelled. Upon cancellation of the transportation or travel services, where you, the customer, are not at fault and have not cancelled in violation of the Terms and Conditions, if any, of the contract of transportation or travel services, all sums paid to Travel Indochina for services not received by you will be promptly refunded by Travel Indochina to you unless you otherwise notify Travel Indochina in writing. California law requires that the following statement be made to customers located outside of California at the time of purchase: “This transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. You are not eligible to file a claim against that Fund in the event of Travel Indochina’s default.”
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travel Indochina, an affiliate of Jetabout North America Inc., hereinafter referred to as “Travel Indochina,” accepts reservations subject to these Terms and Conditions.
Important Notes -- The travel industry in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China and India, is still in its infancy. While the freshness of novelty of tourism in these countries is part of the appeal to many visitors, others might see things differently. It is important to recognize that the level of service and standards in some areas, while improving, is not yet comparable to service standards in more mature travel destinations.
- The information contained in these Terms and Conditions is part of your contract with us. Once we have accepted your reservation and you have paid your Deposit there will be a legally binding contract between us.
- The Terms and Conditions can only be varied or modified in writing by us and no employee or agent, including your travel agent, has the authority to modify or vary these Terms and Conditions.
- It is you responsibility to read these Terms and Conditions carefully and if you do not understand them you must contact your travel agent for further information.
Deposit - Subject to the Important Notes above, a minimum non-refundable deposit of USD $600 per person is due and payable when reservations are initiated.
Receipt of the non-refundable deposit from you is deemed evidence that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.Final Payment - You must pay the balance for the journey to Travel Indochina and provide full details of your travel insurance not less than 65 days prior to departure. For reservations made less than 65 days prior to departure, you must provide full payment and complete booking details (including full insurance details) at the time of making the reservation. Your reservation cannot be accepted or confirmed until we have received full payment and complete booking details from you. Failure to pay in full by this due date or to provide full travel insurance details will result in the reservations being automatically cancelled and you will be responsible for any cancellation fees as per our cancellation policy.
Late Bookings - A late booking fee of US$50 per new booking will apply for bookings made within 21 days prior to travel departure date. Please note that Travel Indochina is unable to accept checks for late bookings.
Method of Payment - Travel Indochina accepts the following forms of payment: cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. The authorization to use a credit card indicates you or your client’s compliance with our booking Terms and Conditions.
Website Validity & Pricing - Prices on our website are quoted in U.S. Dollars and are valid for travel for the date ranges shown for each journey. We will use our reasonable efforts to ensure the prices do not change but we may be required to impose surcharges depending on currency fluctuations, changes in government legislation, air prices, fuel surcharges or other variables outside our control. You acknowledge and agree that you shall be responsible for the prompt payment of all surcharges and price increases. In order to minimize exposure to surcharges we recommend you pay in full as early as possible. Please be sure to confirm details of journey arrangements at the time of booking. US/Foreign Taxes, including September 11 Security Fee are additional. INFORMATION AND PRICES ARE CURRENT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. AIRLINES FREQUENTLY CHANGE THEIR PRICES AS A RESULT OF FARE INCREASES AND/OR FUEL SURCHARGES. PRICES MAY DIFFER WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TRAVEL AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL FULL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FOR THE FINAL INVOICE PRICE. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR OUR CURRENT PRICES.
2009 Journey Information - Prices, dates and itineraries for travel after December 2008 are particularly subject to change, because our journeys will be subject to content review late in 2008.
Journey Cancellations - Requests for cancellation of confirmed bookings must be made in writing and addressed to your travel agent and will be subject to the following cancellation fees applied per person, per journey:
- More than 65 days prior to departure - Deposit
- 65 - 50 days prior to departure - 25% of journey price or Deposit, whichever is greater
- 49 - 35 days prior to departure - 50% of journey price or USD $660, whichever is greater
- Within 35 days prior to departure - 100% of journey price
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at time of deposit to cover insurable risks.
Refunds and Unused Services - Travel arrangements cancelled, amended or altered within 24 hours of your departure or once travel has commenced do not qualify for any refund whatsoever. Services unused or cancelled for any reason are not refundable.
Journey Amendments - No amendments to your journey will be processed until the deposit has been received. Up to 65 days prior to departure, one permitted amendment per booking is permitted free of charge. Travel Indochina has the right to charge for subsequent permitted amendments, as follows:
- More than 65 days prior to departure - USD $100 per booking
- 65 - 50 days prior to departure - USD $265 per person, per journey
- Within 50 days prior to departure - standard Cancellation Fees will apply, and full price will apply to new arrangements
These amendment charges are in addition to any charges passed on to us by any suppliers such as airlines, hotels or other tour operators.
Permitted amendments include, without limitation, changes to accommodation or travel arrangements. Name changes are not permitted as many suppliers deem a name change to constitute a cancellation and re-booking.An amended booking which is subsequently cancelled will be subject to the cancellation fee of either the original departure date at time of amendment or the subsequent date, (whichever is the greater).
Airfares, Cancellations & Amendments - The prices on our website do not include airfares from or to your departing destination. Check with your agent for fares with all carriers to Asia. If you cancel your reservation, it is your responsibility to pay any cancellations fees imposed by the airline of up to 100% of the airfare. Any deviation from the set itinerary may also affect the airfare, and you will be responsible for payment of any increase in the airfare should you change the set itinerary. After the air ticket is written, any change requiring ticket re-issuance (such as change in airline dates, routing, stops, or change of name due to the name provided to Travel Indochina not being exactly the same as the name on the passport will be assessed a US$100 change fee plus any change and cancellation penalties charged by the airlines. The airfare excludes Taxes and Fees such as: U.S. Departure and Arrival Taxes, Customs and Immigration Fee, Inspection Service Fee, Civil Aviation Security Fee, September 11 Security Fee, Los Angeles P.F.C. Tax, and international landing and departure fees. You are responsible for paying such additional Taxes and Fees.
Insurance - Medical facilities across Asia are often unable to provide the full range of medical services that are available in developed countries, making evacuation a requirement in many non-life threatening medical situations. The costs of evacuation as well as international standard care are extremely high. In the most serious emergencies, travelers may not be capable of authorizing payment for an appropriate medical response that is urgently required. This may delay or prevent the provision of critical and possibly life-saving medical attention.
It is a condition of travel on Small Group Journeys that all travelers are adequately covered by travel insurance prior to arrival. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of vacation. Your insurance details must be supplied to us at the time of booking. If you fail to provide the requested insurance information, we reserve the right, acting in our sole discretion, to cancel bookings and apply charges as per our cancellation policy. Travelers will be asked to provide their insurance details upon arrival in Asia as part of the registration process, and in the event that possession of an appropriate insurance policy is unable to be confirmed, in the interests of the traveler and fellow travelers, Travel Indochina reserves the right, acting in its sole discretion, to prohibit participation in the journey. In such instances, we will use our reasonable efforts to assist with onward travel arrangements for the relevant traveler, however full Cancellation Fees will apply.
Note that travel insurance ‘attached’ to credit cards is often limited in scope (e.g. not covering serious medical, repatriation or evacuation expenses) and in any case is usually effective only if travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Please note also that government regulations in Asia do not always require or enforce the possession of liability insurance by hotels, transport and other suppliers. Even when insurance is in place, it can be for very limited coverage only. Travel Indochina does its best to work with suppliers who possess liability insurance, however it is not always possible to find and contract with such suppliers.
Responsibility - Travel Indochina purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant services, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. TRAVEL INDOCHINA CANNOT, THEREFORE, BE LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL or incidental DAMAGES that may occur due to (a) intentional, wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions on the part of a supplier, its employees and others not under the direct control of Travel Indochina, or (b) defects or failures of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality under the control of independent suppliers. In addition, Travel Indochina cannot be liable for delays in departure or interruption of your vacation arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical problems of any aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle or other equipment or instrumentality, strikes, war, terrorist activity, civil commotion or any causes beyond the control of Travel Indochina. In no event will Travel Indochina be responsible for incidental, consequential or special or incidental damage or loss suffered by any person. Travel Indochina’s maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid to Travel Indochina for its services. In issuing tickets and coupons for transportation of the purchaser by any means, and making arrangements for hotel or other accommodation, Travel Indochina is not acting as principal but only as agent for the companies, corporation or person providing or offering the means of transportation and accommodation. To the extent Travel Indochina shall not be acting as an agent, as stated above, is shall be deemed to be acting as an agent of the purchasers in arranging or booking transportation and accommodation. Airlines and other transportation providers (e.g., boat operators) are not liable for any detention, delays, loss, damage, sickness or injury, however or by whoever caused, during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The contract of carriage used by such transportation providers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation providers and the purchaser of these vacation arrangements.
Passports & Visas - All passengers require a valid passport and, in most instances, a visa. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and the necessary visas for the countries being visited. Travel Indochina accepts no responsibility if you do not have the correct documentation for your vacation. It is highly recommended that you allow at least a minimum of 10 working days for visa processing. Please note if you leave and re-enter any country that requires a visa you may need to obtain a double entry visa for that country. Please also note that most countries in Asia insist that passports are valid for at least six months after date of entry into Asia.
What is Not Included - Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, telephone and fax charges, visa and passport fees, vaccinations, meals not specified, gratuities (unless specified), and departure taxes.
Alterations to Travel Arrangements - a) Every effort will be made to provide these vacations exactly as described, booked and invoiced. Travel Indochina reserves the right to alter or cancel travel arrangements at any time. Travel Indochina will then provide, wherever possible, similar travel arrangements. Where travel arrangements of a lower standard only are available, Travel Indochina will refund the difference between the price of the arrangements booked and the actual arrangements provided. If the arrangements provided are of higher standard, there will be an extra charge to you. b) In the case of a supplier failing to supply travel arrangements as reserved, either shortly before or on arrival, Travel Indochina will make every effort to provide alternative arrangements on the above basis, but shall not otherwise be liable to compensate you where such failure on the part of the supplier to provide travel arrangements is beyond our control.
Accommodation – Twin share accommodation is based on two single beds or one double bed as provided by the hotel. Hotels provide triple share accommodation generally with a twin or double bedded room and one rollaway bed. A single supplement must be booked by people wishing to travel alone. Special requests such as non-smoking floors or king-size beds cannot be guaranteed.
Maps & Photographs - Maps shown on our website are for general information only and may not necessarily reflect actual routings and services provided. The hotel photographs may not necessarily reflect the standard of any room purchased.
Small Group Journeys Led by Western Tour Leaders - A Western tour leader will accompany groups if 7 or more travelers are booked on a journey 30 days prior to its departure. Tour leader scheduling occurs 30 days prior to commencement of the relevant tour. If a journey increases to 7 or more travelers within 30 days of commencement we will use our reasonable efforts to secure a Western tour leader but this cannot be guaranteed. Most of our tour leaders live in Asia and have in-depth knowledge of Asia and a passion for local cultures, customs, and history. Tour leaders work in partnership with local guides to provide an optimum service for clients. The maximum group size on our journeys is 15 travelers (16 for Family Small Group Journeys).
Small Group Journeys Led by Local Guide Only - If you book a Small Group Journey which has less than 7 travelers, 40 days prior to departure you will be advised that the journey will likely operate with local English-speaking guides only (i.e. a Western tour leader will not accompany the local English-speaking guides). In some situations there will be a single local guide for the entire trip duration, however, in most cases there is a separate local guide in each city. Travel Indochina takes great pride in the quality of local guides it recruits and trains and has operated many very successful locally-led Journeys, where groups are usually 4 to 6 people in size. However, 35 days prior to departure we do ask that you confirm you are happy to travel with local guides. If you do not want to participate in the journey with local guides only, you must immediately notify us in writing. No cancellation or amendment fees will apply, as long as you advise us at least 35 days prior to departure. Any cancellations made within 35 days prior to departure will attract a 100% Cancellation Fee.
Minimum Numbers - Usually a minimum of 4 confirmed travelers will be sufficient for the departure of a journey. We can operate some journeys with as few as 2 travelers, while some specialist trips cannot operate with less than 7 travelers. Where minimum numbers are not reached at least 40 days prior to departure, or where the group size falls below minimum numbers between 40 and 35 days prior to departure, you will be given the following options:
- An alternative departure date or an alternative journey commencing on a date close to the date of the originally booked journey. No amendment fee will apply. Any price difference will be deducted from or added to your final invoice.
- The option of undertaking the journey on an ‘independent’ basis. In that case you will travel privately, with different local guides at different cities. There may be additional costs to arrange the journey on an independent basis; if so, we will advise of these costs. This option is available for most, but not all journeys.
- Cancellation of participation without penalty, as long as we are advised at least 35 days prior to journey departure.
Travel Indochina can not accept responsibility for costs incurred to change or cancel flight tickets not booked by Travel Indochina which are issued more than 35 days prior to departure, unless we previously guaranteed in writing that the journey will operate.
Single Travelers - ‘Willing to Share’ - Single travelers may avoid paying a single supplement by electing to travel on a ‘Willing to Share’ room basis on our Small Group Journeys. If we are unable to match a Willing to Share traveler with another Willing to Share traveler of the same sex, we will confirm a single room at the twin share price. We advise travelers seeking a single room to book and pay the single supplement.
When sharing a hotel room with another Willing to Share non-smoker, you must not smoke in the hotel room. We will use our reasonable efforts to match non-smokers and people of approximately the same age, but this is not always possible.
The Willing to Share option is not available on Deluxe journeys, Family Journeys, the New Vietnam (flight) journey, or for travelers under the age of 18. On all overnight train trips and home stays all clients will be in shared compartments, even if a single supplement has been paid. This is because of cabin/ room design for these services. The Willing to Share option is generally not available for booking requests received within 45 days of departure.
Families & Children - Our Small Group Journeys are open to people 12 years of age and over. As travelers under 18 cannot participate in the journey on a Willing to Share basis, such travelers will need to either share a room with a parent or another family member, or pay the single supplement. There are no reductions in price for 12 to 17 year olds. We have however developed a separate range of Family Small Group Journeys (minimum age 5).
Triple Share - It is not possible to guarantee triple share rooms on our Small Group Journeys. This is because many hotels either do not have triple-bed rooms, or have fold-way beds only, which often make for a cramped room. Travelers can request a triple room at the time of booking, however the booking will be confirmed as double/twin plus a Willing to Share. During the journey a triple share room will be provided wherever possible, but usually a double/twin room plus a Willing to Share room will be provided. There are no reductions in price for triple sharers.
Health, Mobility & Fitness - Each Small Group Journey in our brochure has a grading to assist you in choosing a vacation best suited to your level of fitness. A guide to gradings is as follows:
- Easy
These journeys avoid the more arduous road travel by flying between major cities. They are suitable for travelers of all ages and levels of fitness. An average level of mobility and agility is required as these journeys still include some walking, often in hot and humid conditions, as well as getting on/off boats and walking up/down flights of stairs. Accommodation is generally comfortable by international standards.
- Moderate
These journeys involve some long distance overland/overnight travel and can include one or two nights of basic accommodation in more remote areas. These journeys are suitable for most travelers of average fitness and mobility with a spirit for ‘soft’ adventure. Travelers will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
- Adventurous
These journeys involve some long-distance travel and at least 2 nights in very basic accommodation. On these journeys there may be nights when clients will sleep out on boats, on trains, in a hill tribe village or in other basic accommodation. A traveler should be quite fit and be prepared for traveling in remote parts of third world Asia to get the most out of an ‘adventurous’ journey. Travelers will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
Minimum Fitness Levels/ Statement of Fitness - It is essential for group dynamics that the presence of a less able traveler does not significantly affect enjoyment of the journey for others in the group. We ask you to carefully consider the above gradings and think carefully about the Small Group Journeys most appropriate for your level of health and fitness. While it is not a requirement to undertake rigorous fitness regimes to join our vacations, traveling with us does require a capacity and willingness to engage in physical activity. All our trips, whatever their grading, require walking and general mobility. Travelers must be able to walk reasonable distances unassisted, negotiate uneven surfaces, climb stairs and board boats as the journey requires. Some journeys involve long distance travel and occasional basic accommodation.
We have established the following Minimum Fitness Criteria, relevant for all our Small Group Journeys. These criteria have been established both in your own interests and in the interests of your fellow travelers. By making a booking for a Travel Indochina Small Group Journey you are explicitly acknowledging and agreeing to the following:
1) That all members of my party have the necessary levels of health and fitness to undertake a Travel Indochina Small Group Journey.
2) In particular, that each member of my party can do the following unassisted (Minimum Fitness Criteria):- Walk 1-2 miles comfortably (in humid and hot conditions).
- Walk up 4 flights of stairs comfortably.
- Walk comfortably along rough and unstable surfaces.
- Negotiate boarding small boats, trains etc.
- Carry their own luggage (in the case of children, this can be with the assistance of an adult)
3) That a doctor will be consulted should I be unsure about the ability of any member of my party to perform the above activities.
4) That if a member of my party is unable to do any or all of the above, that person will be ineligible to participate in a Small Group Journey.
5) That I will declare any pre-existing medical conditions (physical or mental) and/or any other relevant information which may affect the ability of a member of my party to undertake the journey/s, overall group dynamics, and/or which Travel Indochina should reasonably expect to be made aware of, in advance of final booking confirmation.
6) That I will declare details of medication taken by members of my party on a regular basis, in advance of final booking confirmation.
7) That, upon commencement of a journey or at any stage during a journey, the tour leader has the right to prevent members of my party from journey participation. This right is exercisable if the tour leader decides, in his/her sole discretion, that a member of my party is unable to perform any of the above mentioned Minimum Fitness Criteria activities, or if I have omitted to declare a pre-existing condition which affects my interests, the interests of my party, or the interests of the rest of the group. In such a circumstance, a refund will not be provided for unused services.
Final confirmation of a booking is subject to receipt of complete and accurate information about the fitness of all members of your party. If you are at all concerned about the physical ability of any member of your party to undertake a Small Group Journey, we recommend tailored travel arrangements. We would be happy to assist in organizing these.Tour Leader Authority - When on the journey you must abide by and comply with the authority and reasonable directions of the tour leader who represents Travel Indochina. At all times the decision of the Travel Indochina tour leader will be final on matters regarding group dynamics, and individual or group safety and well-being. If a tour leader takes the view that you are unable to meet the ‘Minimum Fitness Criteria’ above, in your interests and in the interests of the group, the tour leader may in his/her sole discretion prevent you from further participation in the journey. Additionally, should you fail to comply with a decision or direction of the tour leader, interfere with the well-being of the group, fail to respect the rights or beliefs of your fellow travelers or commit an illegal, obscene or otherwise inappropriate act while on journey, the tour leader may in his/her sole discretion prevent your further participation in the journey. In such instances, we will use our reasonable efforts to assist with onward travel arrangements for the relevant traveler. No refund will be given for any unused portion of the journey.
Consumer Claims - We strive to ensure your arrangements are delivered smoothly, however there are times when problems arise on the ground. You should first try to resolve service problems with the provider of the service. If the problem cannot be resolved you should contact the emergency contacts provided in your detailed itinerary. If you fail to take these steps you may be affecting your recourse for a future claim. If a problem is not resolved during your journey you should send us written correspondence detailing the nature of your complaint as well as the efforts you went to resolve the problem while in Asia. Please send this correspondence to us, with supporting documentation, via your travel agent, within 30 days of the date of service delivery. We will not consider claims made after this period.
Small Group Journey Documentation - A Small Group Journey dossier is available from our website. The dossier outlines tour details as well as initial pre-departure information. Upon receipt of full payment you will be provided with a detailed itinerary and a comprehensive pre-departure guide with useful, detailed information about your vacation destination. This information is generally provided to you 2 weeks prior to departure, and will not be provided until you have paid in full. Should there be a discrepancy between information contained on our website and journey documentation, journey documentation information will prevail. Close to date of departure, we recommend you download a journey dossier from our website, to be sure you carry an up-to-date version while traveling.
A Flexible Attitude - All of the journeys described on our website have been carefully planned and researched. From time to time however, we may adjust journeys in order to improve them from an operational perspective. Local conditions may sometimes require adjustment to journeys during their operation. Whilst we endeavor to avoid such scenarios, they are an occasional, unavoidable feature of traveling in this region. If such journey adjustments become necessary, a flexible attitude will ensure that they do not impact on your overall experience and the experience of other group members. Please note that we reserve the right to levy extra charges over and beyond the trip price, when, due to exceptional circumstances we are forced to pay for additional, unforeseen tour arrangements.
Travel Indochina prides itself on high levels of operational integrity. We are also proud of our travelers and the positive and informed approach they exhibit in dealing with different and sometimes challenging local conditions.Luggage - Standard-sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases only are permitted on our journeys. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Some flights booked through Travel Indochina (domestic and international) have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms per person. You may be required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not available - you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs. If you are doing lots of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your journey concludes, or ship purchases directly home. Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travelers.
Our Privacy Policy - You consent to our processing personal information about you and other members of your party. We will hold your name, address and any other details you supply us with on our database. This information will be used to make your travel arrangements and to send you information about Travel Indochina. In order to make your travel arrangements we will need to pass your details to companies and individuals outside the US, where less stringent data protection controls may be in place. We will not pass on your details to any third parties that are not responsible for your travel arrangements. A link to our full privacy policy can be found at the bottom of the front page of our website.
Family Small Group Journeys - For families with younger children (aged 5 and above) we have developed a range of tailor made Family Small Group Journeys, details of which appear on our website.
- For booking purposes we define families as comprising two or more people – one person 5 to 17 years inclusive, and the other 18 years or older.
- There is a limit of 3 children per adult.
- Triple sharing is usually possible, but must be requested at the time of booking.
- In cases where separate rooms are booked we will request (but cannot guarantee) inter-connecting rooms.
- Please note that our child price applies to children under the age of 12. Children aged 12 to 17 inclusive must pay the adult price.
Families come in all shapes and sizes; contact us with any special requests or questions.
Important Notes -
- CST #2001136-50 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. We are required under California law to advise you of the following: For passengers located in California only, in the event of Travel Indochina’s default, you may be eligible for a refund of up to US$15,000 from the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. If you were located in California at the time of you purchase, you have a right to make a claim against the fund for a refund of any money paid to Travel Indochina that is due because of Travel Indochina’s bankruptcy, insolvency, cessation of operations, or material failure to provide the transportation or travel services sold. The claim must be filed within six months after the completion date of your travel. For a claim form and additional information, write to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001.
- “Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.” The following and the conditions on our brochures are our conditions upon which the contract between us, the seller of travel, and the passengers may be cancelled. Upon cancellation of the transportation or travel services, where you, the customer, are not at fault and have not cancelled in violation of the Terms and Conditions, if any, of the contract of transportation or travel services, all sums paid to Travel Indochina for services not received by you will be promptly refunded by Travel Indochina to you unless you otherwise notify Travel Indochina in writing. California law requires that the following statement be made to customers located outside of California at the time of purchase: “This transaction is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. You are not eligible to file a claim against that Fund in the event of Travel Indochina’s default.”