Terms & Conditions
At Escaped to Latin America S.A., of which Shore Excursions Chile is a subsidiary travel brand, we want you to enjoy your tours with us with complete confidence. Please read the following conditions carefully as it forms your contract with us:
1. The Contract
The contract is between Escaped to Latin America S.A. and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by us. You, the client, are subject to having read and understood our travel policy outlined in this document. By booking with Escaped to Latin America S.A. (and paying the deposits/balances due), you understand and accept these terms and conditions.
These conditions apply only to services in our program and do not include international and national flights unless specifically quoted by us. Such flight arrangements are subject to the conditions imposed by the airlines.
2. Securing your Booking
To make any reservation, Escaped to Latin America S.A. requires a 50% deposit (or full payment if within 30 days of the tour), as well as all relevant passport and passenger details in the case of pre and post-cruise tours.
Scanned copies or digital photos of passport data/photo pages may be required from passengers for the booking of flights, and trains and for tourism tax exemptions. This will be advised if necessary and if not provided clients may be eligible for additional costs and/or local taxes, which may lead to problems in the booking process. These details will not be shared with third parties, in accordance with our privacy policy.
Clients are deemed to have read and understood the conditions of the sale. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when Escaped to Latin America S.A. sends out a confirmation that we have received your deposit, at which point a contract exists.
Escaped to Latin America S.A. reserves the right to decline any booking at its own discretion.
3. The Final Payment/Surcharges
Escaped to Latin America S.A. reserves the right to increase the tour cost to take into account the following items: supplier cost increases, hotel changes, government actions, political or economic factors, currency fluctuations, transportation costs (including the cost of fuel), airport charges and increase in scheduled airfares.
Escaped to Latin America S.A. will attempt to absorb a proportion of the surcharge, after consulting with our service partners and providers, but this will be judged on a case-by-case basis. This does not apply to government taxes, imposed after the publication of our program, insurance premiums and amendment charges. The client will then be required to pay the balance of the surcharge.
4. Changes to your Booking
An administration fee may be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour up to 30 days prior to departure, where such a change is possible / permitted. Thereafter, all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to charges (see 5. Cancellation by you).
If a client is unable to travel, in circumstances in which Escaped to Latin America S.A. consider reasonable, then we will attempt to transfer the booking to another suitable person. However, the tour arrangements must remain the same and only if all suppliers (including airlines) agree to accept the name change without penalty, and such charges are actually possible. Escaped to Latin America S.A. may not be able to transfer bookings in this way, as each individual situation will carry with it different penalties and restrictions.
5. Cancellation by you (or created by your cruise operator)
Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed under certain conditions. These are calculated from the day that written email notification is received by Escaped to Latin America S.A.
The charges are the following for Shore Excursions Chile. Other terms and conditions exist for pre and post-cruise, multiday tours to other Chile destinations and other countries in Latin America. these are found at escapedtravel.com.
- 30 or more days before the tour starts: the booking is refundable less the initial deposit plus any bank charges.
- 29 days or less before the tour starts: the full cost is non-refundable.
In certain circumstances, credit notes may be issued even when cancellations are made within a period of less than 29 days before the tour. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis in discussion with our providers, but cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that full travel insurance is considered mandatory, including cover against the loss of deposit or cancellation charges. No reimbursements can be given when cancellations occur for any unused services, and if a client elects to travel without full travel insurance then they accept the financial risks involved in doing so, and in all cases, our terms and conditions shall be adhered to.
Some countries and/or regions demand travel or health insurance to enter. One such example is that of Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. It is the responsibility of the client to make sure all such insurances are in order.
6. Complaints
Should the client have a complaint about any of the tour arrangements, it is a condition of the contract that you tell our local representative and your travel consultant at the time. Failure to complain at that moment in time will deny us the opportunity to investigate and rectify the problem, and thus render Escaped to Latin America S.A. unable to accept any form of responsibility.
If the client has a dispute with Escaped to Latin America S.A. which we are unable to resolve at the time, please write to us within 28 days of your return home and we will investigate further.
7. Travel and Cancellation Insurance
Recent global events have meant that many countries in our portfolio are or may be asking for valid travel insurance in order to enter. Travel insurance has always been considered mandatory by us and going forward we will need to see proof of purchase in advance of travel. This is to protect all parties, but especially our clients. Costs incurred for missed, postponed, interrupted or modified tours will not be borne by Escaped to Latin America S.A..
Travel insurance is considered mandatory for all clients whilst on our tours. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate cover for the full duration of the tour in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation, and curtailment. It is not our responsibility to check the validity and coverage of your insurance policy but we reserve the right to refuse travel to anyone whose insurance does not satisfy these criteria.
Note: In certain circumstances, a simple insurance policy may be included by your credit card company when you pay us with that card, but it must be stressed that this insurance does not normally replace the need for a complete insurance policy that may or can cover cancellation due to airline disputes, ground service strikes, illness, missed connections, Acts of God and all other events beyond our control.
8. Clients Responsibility
Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of Escaped to Latin America S.A.’s employees, tour leaders, guides, service partners and agents whilst on tour, as we only have your best interests and safety in mind. If in the opinion of such persons the health or conduct of a client at any time, before or after departure, appears likely to endanger the safety, comfort or happy progress of a tour, then the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour. In the case of ill health, Escaped to Latin America S.A. may make arrangements as it deems fit and recover the costs thereof from the client.
If a client commits an illegal act, he/she may be excluded from the tour and Escaped to Latin America S.A. shall cease to have a responsibility to/for them.
If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation in the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
With the somewhat volatile nature of politics in Latin America, our clients should always keep abreast of changes in immigration laws and paperwork requirements before travelling, as these can change at very short notice. Please contact the relevant authorities when booking and again before travelling to be sure. This is your responsibility, regardless of any advice we may give you in good faith.
All travellers need to carry a valid passport, with the correct minimum validity, and any visas that are required by individual countries that they are visiting. Please check carefully for each destination and/or stopovers and/or connections. If your flight transits the USA, you should check that your passport meets current US Customs requirements, including those covered under the Visa Waiver Scheme.
Copies of your passport data/photo page are required on booking for pre and post-cruise packages. These are required by many Latin American authorities in order to allow us to make flight, cruise, and other reservations, in addition to tourist tax exemption reasons. Escaped to Latin America S.A. cannot be held responsible for any bookings made with incorrect passport information, if not supplied with a clear copy at the time of booking.
Depending upon your route to and within Latin America, you may require an International Yellow Fever certificate, which may be valid for up to 10 years or for life. You should visit your doctor or travel clinic, before travelling, to discuss any vaccinations required and any issues related to altitude or climate. Bolivia now requires a Yellow Fever Certificate for passengers coming from several other Latin American countries, so please check your route carefully.
In certain countries, you are required to carry identification with you at all times, although photocopies often suffice. Copies of your passport, insurance policy and visited country entry form should be carried in your luggage or daysack.
9. Cancellation or Alteration of the Tour by Us
While Escaped to Latin America S.A. endeavours to operate all tours as advertised, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in the program. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, Escaped to Latin America S.A. will inform the client as soon as reasonably possible. A major change does not apply to the carrier, service provider or partner company, transport, restaurant, campsite or named accommodation. It is normally only considered to be a major itinerary re-routing, a significant change in the duration of your tour or the cancellation of a major excursion.
Escaped to Latin America S.A. will not accept responsibility for changes in flight schedules or departure airports, as this is the responsibility of the airline. However, we will endeavour to minimize their effects on your journey.
Escaped to Latin America S.A. will not be responsible if forced to cancel or change your tour because of war, the threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, political unrest, host country economic collapse, epidemics or health risks, technical or maintenance problems with transport, closed or congested airports or ports, changes imposed by re-scheduling or cancellation of flights by airlines, the alteration of airlines or aircraft types, or any events beyond the control of Escaped to Latin America S.A.. Consolidation (if applicable) refers to the fact that some tours, known as fixed departure tours (not custom itineraries), are dependent upon a minimum number of persons participating.
Escaped to Latin America S.A. is not liable for any penalty charges associated with “supersaver” types of connecting rail or airfares, in the event of a change to a tour departure time, date or airport.
Clients’ bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the possible risks inherent in travelling in the developing world and that they undertake the vacations, tours, treks or expeditions featured in our program, of their own volition. It is also important to understand that the most meticulously planned arrangement can go wrong. After all, Latin America is often an underdeveloped region, as far as basic infrastructure is concerned. Conditions are such on some of our tours that there may be occasions when delays, discomforts or unforeseen circumstances will occur. Escaped to Latin America S.A. cannot accept complaints due to these aspects.
10. Flight Problems/Delays
We cannot accept liability for delays in any of your flights, whether the cancellation or delay is caused by adverse weather conditions, rescheduling of the airline, airport authority and/or action by air traffic controllers, mechanical breakdown or industrial action. Where long flight delays result in lost tour time, no refunds are given by hotels or suppliers. Similarly, airlines do not offer compensation for flight delays. However, at their discretion, carriers will endeavour to reduce the inconvenience of any delay by providing meals and accommodation, as appropriate for the time of day or night (dependent on local availability). If you incur payments for such services in the event of a delay, Escaped to Latin America S.A. will not accept responsibility for payment unless we have given our prior consent.
11. Extra Notes
Contacts and/or Changes while on Tour
While clients are on tour with us, we ask that they contact our representatives on the ground in order to make any last-minute changes. All contacts are contained in the document we send to clients prior to travel. Our representatives have 24-hour contact lines/email and are your support whilst on tour.
Our sales office may be closed, and your travel consultant offline, therefore, a direct request to our representatives will be more efficient. Our office will, of course, be advised where necessary. The cost of any changes will be the responsibility of the client.
Limited Availability – Fixed Quota Services
Some services and tours have strict, government or private company quotas and/or date and/or route restrictions and as such Escaped to Latin America S.A. cannot be held responsible for not securing such spaces even after the final quote, payment from clients and passenger details have been received. Such services cannot be 100% confirmed until actually purchased by the company or its agents and this is confirmed to the client.
Spaces on, for example, Galapagos and Amazon cruises, specific train services, specific flights, Inca Trail and Huayna Picchu permits, etc are very tightly quota/price/date controlled and demand changes hourly or even by the minute depending on the service. Most of these kinds of services cannot be block booked and held in advance. If we cannot secure the exact service or tour a suitable replacement will be sought and if the client is not happy with the alternative offered a refund will be given less non-refundable charges.
Pricing
Any “From” prices on our website for pre and post-cruise tours are for the most economical accommodation options, shared tours and services, twin share basis, low season rates and exclude all flights. Single supplements will also apply. There is no guarantee that these prices can always be delivered, as they will vary according to seasonal demand.
Quotes given for flight prices change at short notice and carry a very short validity, of course, please take your time deciding on tour options with us but we will have to re-quote flights as the process continues. If you have any questions whatsoever regarding your vacation, the booking procedure, or conditions of sale, then Escaped to Latin America S.A. will be happy to answer them for you.
Our prices do not generally include international airfares to Latin America, international airport taxes, meals not specified in your itinerary, personal expenses, personal insurance, and tips.
Hotel Booking Procedure
If the hotels that were originally quoted do not have space when we start your booking process, then an equivalent standard hotel will be reserved for you, with the original one placed on a waiting list. If the original hotel does not come off the waiting list by 15 to 20 days out from travel the alternate hotel will be locked into your program and you will be advised in your final itinerary document which is generally delivered to you 2 weeks before travel.