TERMS & CONDITIONS

CURRENCY
All amounts mentioned in this quotation are stated in US Dollars, but are occasionally calculated in other currencies – especially when using a credit card.

BOOKING
All clients are deemed to have read these terms and conditions and have signed a reservation form which must be made directly between the customer and the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC). The booking includes the number of participants, a list of participants’ names incl. title (Ms., Mr.), nationality and passport numbers prior to the departure. To secure a booking, ECC requires a completed booking containing all relevant information detailed above by e-mail, telephone, fax, or via Checkfront. Clients booking are deemed to accept these terms and conditions and sign a waiver when boarding our minivan to the Center. A booking is accepted and a contract is entered into as soon as ECC issues a written confirmation of the booking. The booking will be secured upon reception of the payment (see below). If Clients are not paying the booking in timely manner, ECC reserves the right to cancel the booking.

PAYMENT
An invoice will be issued with the confirmation of the booking and the submission of the participants’ details as stated above. Payments can be made by bank transfer which will incur a bank fee, or cash (at the ECC). Account details are given on the booking confirmation. Note that all bank transfer fees have to be covered in full by the client.

In case of a payment being made later than 90 days after the invoice is sent, a penalty of 10% of the total invoice will be applied.

CANCELLATION (ALL SEASONS)
ECC Cancellation policy is as follows :

• Cancellation less than 30 days prior to arrival date:
  – 25% charges of the full price will be applied, bank fee not included.
  (ECC will pay back 75% of the amount invoiced, bank fee not included)
• Cancellation less than 15 days prior to arrival date:
  – 50% charges of the full will be applied, bank fee not included
  (ECC will pay back 50% of the amount invoiced, bank fee not included)
• Cancellation less than 72 hours (3 days) prior to the arrival date or ‘no show’:
  – Full charge from all services requested for will be applied
  (ECC will retain the full amount received)

CHILD POLICY

• 1 – 4 years old: free of charge with no supplement single, sharing the room with parents,
• 5 – 10 years old: 50% discount with no supplement single
• Over 10 years: full charge.

TOUR LEADER AND FOC POLICY
Lao National guide will be charged 20$/night (per person),
International Tour Leader will be charged 80% of the public price (per person), Both guide and tour leader will sleep in the dormitory.
We do not offer FOC.

CANCELLATION BY ECC
ECC reserves the right to cancel any trip due to reasons beyond its control (i.e.: natural disasters or political instability). In such a case ECC will refund monies received in full (minus bank transfer fees).

COMPLAINTS
If a client has a complaint about the tour, he or she must make it known to the tour guide (leader) as soon as possible so that he/she is able to take appropriate action at the earliest opportunity. If the client is not satisfied with our response and he/she feels his or her enjoyment of the tour will be significantly affected the client should contact our manager at ECC to discuss how we might best resolve the problem. If the client remains unsatisfied after return from the tour, we must be notified in writing within 30 days.

INSURANCE
ECC guarantees that all its buses and cars owned by ECC are insured as commercial passenger vehicle. Insurance coverage does not apply after the passengers have exited the vehicle. A private travel insurance is compulsory for all people traveling with ECC. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We also advise to contract insurance coverage against cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects. The participants must be aware that during the course of the trip certain risks and dangers may occur, including but not limited to hazards of traveling on a mountain bicycle, kayak, hiking, or driving in a motor vehicle or boat, snakes, insects and other wildlife and proximity of elephants. It may also involve an accident or illness in remote places without appropriate facilities, or be caused by the forces of nature. The client agrees to assume all risks associated with the trip and agrees that no liability will be attached to the company or its outfitter, employees or agent, or to any member of the tour group. ECC accepts no liability in respect of death, personal injury, illness or delay of the passenger, or for any loss or damage to the property of the participant during the course of the trip, however caused.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Clients must carry a valid passport and obtain the relevant visas when traveling with ECC. We cannot accept responsibility if entry is denied to Laos or any other country due to incorrect visa or passport documentation.

RESPONSIBILITY
When booking an ECC tour, the client understands that ECC runs adventure and outdoor tours in Laos where the standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, level of infrastructure development and medical facilities, and telecommunication services are not necessarily the same as one may be used to at home, or one would find on a conventional holiday. This type of holiday inherently involves a higher level of personal risk than a ‘conventional holiday’. ECC, the Government of Laos and the Lao National Tourism Administration cannot accept any responsibility for accidents, injuries, death, or loss of personal effects. The client understands that during the course of the tour certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. The client agrees to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law. Each client acknowledges that travel on ECC tour requires a degree of flexibility, and understands that the itinerary, accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should ECC deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to the client, if the reason for any alteration is outside control from ECC. While traveling with ECC, the client agrees to accept the authority of the leader or local operator at all time. He/she is aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. The client understands that ECC reserves the right to decline the participation of any person as a member of the group at any time. The client acknowledges that ECC contracts a network of companies, government agencies and individuals throughout the country to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of ECC knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However, ECC will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these third parties. ECC will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveler who contravenes any law or regulation of Lao P. D. R. No employee, servant or agent of ECC has authority to alter these conditions.