Thank you for choosing The Atlas Collection for your upcoming adventure. By booking with us, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, which outline important details about your booking, payment policies, cancellations, and more. We encourage you to read through them carefully to ensure you are fully informed about our services, responsibilities, and your rights as a traveler.
For any questions or clarification, feel free to reach out to our team – we’re here to help you make your journey as smooth as possible.
1. Booking & Payment
- Deposit: A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking, except for air travel, which requires full payment at the time of booking as tickets need to be issued simultaneously.
- Special Product or Peak Season Deposits: Greater deposits may be required in instances of specialist products and/or peak season travel.
- Balance Payment: The balance is due 90 days before departure.
- Non-Refundable Components: Certain components, such as gorilla permits, are non-refundable and must be paid in full at the time of booking.
- Accepted Payment Methods: Payments can be made via check, bank transfer, or credit card.
2. Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation by You:
- Cancellations must be made in writing.
- For cancellations 90 days or more before departure, the deposit is non-refundable.
- For cancellations between 89 and 60 days before departure, 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable.
- For cancellations 59 days or less before departure, the full trip cost is non-refundable.
- Refunds: We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against cancellation charges. Refunds for any part of the trip not used due to early departure or cancellation are at the discretion of The Atlas Collection and may be subject to cancellation fees.
3. Changes by You
If you wish to make changes to your confirmed booking, The Atlas Collection will make every effort to accommodate your request. All changes must be submitted in writing and are subject to availability and supplier approval.
- Change Requests: Minor changes (such as room type or excursion swaps) may be made up to 30 days before departure, subject to availability and any additional costs incurred from suppliers.
- Major Changes: Significant amendments (such as travel dates, destination changes, or a switch to a different itinerary) may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking, and standard cancellation fees may apply.
- Air Travel: Changes to airline tickets are subject to airline fare rules and change penalties, which can be substantial. Once issued, tickets are often non-changeable and non-refundable.
- Substitutions: If a traveler is unable to participate, a substitute participant may be allowed at the discretion of The Atlas Collection and relevant service providers, provided notice is given at least 30 days prior to departure and all costs or penalties are covered by the original traveler.
4. Changes or Cancellations by Us
While we strive to provide a seamless experience, there may be circumstances where The Atlas Collection needs to make changes to your booking. We will notify you as soon as possible if any of the following situations arise:
- Changes to Itinerary or Accommodation: We may need to make changes to your itinerary or accommodation due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather, road conditions, or changes by third-party suppliers (e.g., hotels, airlines, or tour operators). We will offer suitable alternatives or a refund for any unfulfilled portion of the tour.
- Force Majeure: The Atlas Collection is not responsible for cancellations or delays due to force majeure events such as natural disasters, political unrest, war, pandemics, or other events beyond our control. In these cases, we will do our best to minimize any impact on your travel, but we cannot offer refunds or compensation for changes caused by these circumstances.
5. Force Majeure
Neither The Atlas Collection nor our suppliers shall be held liable for any failure or delay in the performance of our obligations under these terms and conditions if such failure or delay is caused by events beyond our control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, etc.)
- Political unrest, war, or terrorism
- Pandemics, epidemics, or health emergencies
- Strikes, labor disputes, or disruptions to transportation
- Government restrictions, border closures, or travel bans
- Any other unforeseen circumstances beyond our reasonable control
In the event of a force majeure situation, we will make reasonable efforts to minimize the impact on your travel experience, including offering alternative arrangements or rescheduling where possible. However, The Atlas Collection is not responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of such events, including but not limited to accommodation, transportation, meals, or any other travel-related expenses.
If your tour is significantly affected or cannot proceed due to a force majeure event, we will offer you the following options:
- Alternative arrangements: Where feasible, we will offer you a comparable tour or alternative dates.
- Refund: If no suitable alternative can be arranged, we will offer a partial refund for the unfulfilled portion of your tour, excluding non-refundable components.
6. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers a range of potential risks, including but not limited to:
- Trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen events.
- Medical emergencies and evacuation.
- Lost, damaged, or delayed luggage or personal belongings.
- Flight delays or cancellations.
- Travel delays due to weather or other conditions.
While we can provide recommendations, it is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure they are adequately covered for their trip. Insurance can be purchased through a provider of your choice or we can offer advice on reputable companies.
The Atlas Collection is not liable for any losses or damages that could be covered by travel insurance. We strongly advise that you carefully review policy details before purchase to ensure it meets your specific needs.
7. Travel Documents
It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure they have the necessary travel documents for the tour, including but not limited to:
- Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended departure date.
- Visas: Any required visas for entry to the countries you will visit must be obtained prior to travel. The Atlas Collection can assist with guidance but is not responsible for visa applications or refusals.
- Vaccinations and Health Requirements: Certain destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or health certifications. Please check with the relevant authorities well in advance of travel.
- Travel Insurance: Proof of travel insurance may be required for certain destinations or activities.
Failure to obtain the necessary documents, including visas or vaccinations, may result in denied entry to certain countries or activities. The Atlas Collection is not responsible for any additional costs incurred due to the traveler’s failure to obtain the correct documentation.
8. Health & Fitness
Certain tours may involve physical activities, such as hiking, trekking, or other adventure-based excursions, that require a reasonable level of fitness. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the activities included in their itinerary.
- Pre-Trip Health: We strongly recommend that travelers consult with their doctor before departure to ensure they are fit for travel and any specific activities. Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions or concerns should inform The Atlas Collection at the time of booking.
- Medical Conditions: If you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to participate in the tour, you must disclose this at the time of booking. The Atlas Collection reserves the right to refuse participation if a traveler is deemed unfit for the tour or specific activities.
- Travel Fitness: Some tours may require physical exertion, and it is essential to be in good health to enjoy the full experience. Please review the itinerary and activity levels in advance to ensure they align with your physical capabilities.
- Travel Assistance: If you require any special assistance due to mobility issues, dietary restrictions, or other needs, please inform us at the time of booking to allow us to make appropriate arrangements where possible.
The Atlas Collection is not responsible for any medical conditions, injuries, or accidents that occur during the tour due to the traveler’s inability to meet the necessary health or fitness requirements.
9. Liability
The Atlas Collection acts as an intermediary between you and the various service providers (e.g., airlines, hotels, local operators, etc.) involved in your tour. While we strive to offer the highest standards of service, we cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, injury, or death that occurs during the course of your travel, except as outlined below:
- Third-Party Providers: We are not responsible for any acts, omissions, or defaults of the third-party suppliers or service providers used during the tour, including but not limited to airlines, hotels, transportation companies, and activity operators.
- Travel Delays or Cancellations: The Atlas Collection is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes to the itinerary caused by circumstances beyond our control, such as weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes, or governmental actions.
- Injury or Illness: We are not liable for any injury, illness, or accident that occurs during your trip, whether related to activities arranged by us or external events.
- Lost or Damaged Property: We are not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to personal property during your trip. We recommend that travelers secure adequate travel insurance to cover these types of incidents.
- Force Majeure: In the case of force majeure events (refer to Section 5), we will not be held liable for failure to fulfill any obligations under this agreement.
While we take all reasonable precautions to ensure your safety and comfort, The Atlas Collection cannot guarantee the safety of the tour, nor can we assume responsibility for events that occur outside of our control.
10. Acknowledgment of Risk
Many of the activities included in your tour with The Atlas Collection involve inherent risks of injury, illness, or even death. These activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Wildlife and Nature Experiences: Safari game drives and walks, primate trekking, visits to animal shelters/sanctuaries for wildlife interactions, and animal riding.
- Water-Based Activities: Scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing, mokoro, fishing, boat tours, rafting, zodiacs, Devil’s Pool, submersibles, jet skiing, paddleboarding, surfing, and swimming.
- Land-Based Activities: Hiking, bicycling, trekking, ATVs, canyoning/canyoneering, camping/sleepouts, glacier walks, technical climbing, and ice climbing or hiking.
- Air Activities: Helicopter tours, hot air ballooning, scenic flying, bungee jumping, hang gliding, ultralight flying, and paragliding.
- Cultural and Scenic Tours: Township visits, moped and vespa touring, scootours, ziplining, and funicular and cable car tours.
By participating in these activities, you acknowledge and accept the risks involved. The Atlas Collection strongly recommends that you consult with your doctor before engaging in any physical activities, especially those that may pose a health risk.
Additionally, some of these activities may not be covered under standard travel insurance policies, and we advise that you carefully review your insurance coverage to ensure that you are adequately protected.
The Atlas Collection will not be held liable for any injury, illness, or loss resulting from your participation in any of these activities.
11. Price Increases
a) All quotes and confirmations provided by The Atlas Collection are based on external supplier costs, such as airfares, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, accommodation, transportation, park fees, and other third-party charges. These costs are beyond the control of The Atlas Collection and are subject to change up until the final payment has been received, or, in the case of air travel, until the airline tickets have been issued.
b) You agree that if any of these supplier costs increase, such an increase will be for your account and must be paid to The Atlas Collection or as otherwise instructed by the relevant supplier.
c) You also acknowledge that:
i. Airlines reserve the right to impose additional or increased airport taxes, fuel charges, or other fees without prior notice. Any increase resulting from such charges levied by the airline will be for the traveler’s account and must be paid to The Atlas Collection or as otherwise instructed by the airline.
ii. Road transportation companies (including transfer services and car rental providers) reserve the right to implement additional charges due to fuel price fluctuations, government road levies, or other unforeseen increases. Any cost increase resulting from such charges will be for the traveler’s account and must be paid to The Atlas Collection or as otherwise instructed by the service provider.
iii. Government/National Bodies, concession owners, and other entities responsible for the management of national parks and protected areas reserve the right to increase park fees, gate fees, and related charges without notice. Any increase in these fees, whether applied before or during your travel, will be for your account and must be paid to The Atlas Collection or as otherwise instructed by the relevant authorities.
12. General Terms and Conditions
- Governing Law: These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from these terms and conditions shall be resolved in the courts of the United States.
- Severability: If any provision of these terms and conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
- Transferability: These terms and conditions are binding upon your heirs, successors, and assigns. You may not assign or transfer your booking to another person without prior written consent from The Atlas Collection.
- Entire Agreement: These terms and conditions represent the entire agreement between you and The Atlas Collection. Any changes or amendments must be made in writing and signed by both parties.
- Privacy Policy: By making a booking with us, you agree to the collection and processing of your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website.
- No Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision of these terms and conditions does not constitute a waiver of that provision or of any other provisions.