TRAVELERS' INFORMATION AND BOOKING CONDITIONS
RESERVATIONS
We recommend that you book early reservations, 4 to 6 months in advance,
this allows us adequate preparation time. After you've selected which expedition
you wish to join, carefully read, fill out, and sign the application form. Then,
either fax both sides or mail the signed and completed form to us with your 10%
deposit. Deposits can be made with either check or credit card. This will
reserve you a space on the trip. The balance of the trip cost is due 45 days
prior to departure and may be paid by check or credit card. If you book less
than 45 days prior to departure, full payment must be received before the
booking can be accepted. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will mail you an
invoice.
CREDIT CARDS
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
AIRLINE TICKETING
Our international airline ticketing is booked by Vera Theadore at Wheatland
Travel in Pullman Washington, she can be reached at 509-334-2000 or
1-800-336-2016. Vera is able to secure reliable, low price air fares for our
clients. She can also arrange your transportation to departure cities. If you
choose to use another travel agency or book your airfare directly with an
airline, it is your responsibility to inform us of your flight schedule 60 days
prior to departure so we can handle your airport-to-hotel transfers and
accommodation arrangements.
SMALL GROUP SURCHARGE
To allow us to offer highly competitive trip prices, all Home Planet
Exploration prices are based on a group size of 4-8 full paying trip members
(unless otherwise indicated). Should the final number of bookings be less, a
surcharge may be included to cover the extra costs involved in handling a small
group. The expenses per person for a small group are simply higher. We will make
every effort to avoid any addition to the listed price.
TRIP COSTS
Land costs include: all internal flights and ground transportation including to and from airport; all hotel accommodations (except at en-route stopover cities); all meals and camping facilities on trek; all porter and pack animal costs; all permits and fees; all group equipment costs.
Land costs do not include: international flights; en route accommodations at stopover cities at the beginning and end of your trip; meals in destination cities (to allow for individual choice of restaurants); visa costs; porters', guides' and other tips, which while not mandatory are certainly customary; bar bills and excess hotel charges; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; expenses resulting from delays due to bad weather, trail, river, and road conditions, sickness, government action, and flight delays.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
We always hope to match a single traveler with a same sex roommate to share
hotel and tent accommodations. However, if there is no one with whom we can
match you, or you would prefer single accommodations, you will be requested to
pay the single supplement fee. The size of this fee will vary according to the
trip and is listed in the trip itinerary.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you wish to cancel your trip, this must be done in writing by the person
whose name the trip is invoiced to. If we receive notice of the cancellation 60
or more days before the departure date you will merely forfeit your 10% deposit.
After that date you will be additionally liable for the following cancellation
charges: (a) Less than 59 days but more than 30 days prior to departure: 30% of
the trip price. (b) Less than 30 days prior to departure: 100% of the trip
price. Please note that if the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of
your insurance policy, then any such changes will normally be refunded to you by
the insurance company (see Trip Insurance section below).
TRANSFERS & CHANGES
If you wish to make any changes to your booking once confirmation has been
issued, notification must be received at least 60 days prior to departure date.
CANCELLED TRIPS
Home Planet Exploration reserves the right to cancel any scheduled trip due
to inadequate sign-up which makes the trip economically unfeasible for us to
operate. In such a case, a full refund of land cost is given. However, Home
Planet Exploration is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by
members in preparing for the trip.
TRIP INSURANCE
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance to
protect your travel investment. This low cost insurance can be purchased from
Travel Insured International and coverage includes the following: 1) All
deposits and payments if you cancel your trip prior to departure because of
personal or family illness; 2) In country emergency evacuation; 3) Payment in
the event of termination of the trip after arrival in country due to political
or natural emergency. The costs of premiums will vary depending on the length of
the trip and type of coverage you obtain. Any travel insurance questions can be
answered directly by Travel Insured International at 800-243-3174
REFUNDS
No partial refunds will be given for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing
trips or trek arrangements for any reason whatsoever. Land Cost is quoted as a
package and credits are not given for services not used.
HEALTH & MEDICAL
Your health and safety are of paramount importance to us. Our guides take
extreme care to assure that you are properly acclimatized when we travel to
altitude and they are well prepared to deal with potential medical challenges.
It is extremely important that persons with medical problems make them known to
us well before departure.
While it is your own responsibility to make sure you are fit enough to join one of our expeditions, once you have joined us we strive to make your trip as enjoyable and safe as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about whether a trip might be overly strenuous please inquire of our office staff before you book. Understand that you are traveling in remote geographical areas which may have limited standards of hygiene, sanitation facilities, medical treatment and that medical services, including the presence of a physician or any other trained medical professional and availability of prescription type drugs may be limited or altogether absent.
IMMUNIZATIONS
You will need specific immunizations when visiting some areas of South
America and Peru.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
For all of our international trips a valid passport that is good for at
least 6 months after the trip departs is required. Many of the trips we run
require you to obtain a visa in addition to a valid passport. While in some
countries you are issued a visa upon arrival (such as Tanzania), in others
(Bolivia for example) you will need to get one beforehand. Check with us on
whether a visa is needed for your destination country and for the forms and
process to acquire a visa.
EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING
A detailed listing of the clothing and equipment you will need for a Home
Planet Exploration trek or mountaineering expedition is contained in this
package.
BAGGAGE
All baggage and personal effects are at all times at your risk, even when
carried by porters. We will not be responsible for any loss, damage or accident
to any luggage and property, howsoever incurred.
FLEXIBILITY
It is in the nature of adventure travel that arrangements and participants
must be flexible. The day to day agenda and ultimate goal of the trip are taken
as aims and not as contractual obligations. It is a necessary condition of your
joining any of our trips that you accept this flexibility, and that you also
accept that we cannot be held responsible for delays or alterations in the
program, or for expenses incurred, owing to international or internal flight
cancellations, strikes, local regulations, sickness, weather, war, quarantine,
force majeure, political closures and disputes.
TRAVELER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Trip members have certain responsibilities to Home Planet Exploration and to
other trip members: trip members are responsible for comprehending the
conditions implied in the trip Itinerary and selecting a trip which is
appropriate to their interests and abilities; for preparing for the trip by
studying the Trip Itinerary and supplemental trip information sent by Home
Planet Exploration; for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment as advised
by Home Planet Exploration; and for acting in an appropriate and respectful
manner in accordance with the customs of countries visited
On any Home Planet Exploration expedition it is necessary for you to abide by the authority of the trip leader who represents Home Planet Exploration Expeditions. The decision of the leader as to the conduct, itinerary and objectives of the trek or mountaineering expedition is final. Signing our booking form signifies your agreement to this.
GENERAL INFORMATION
For Detailed Trip Information
please contact us at HPEoffice@lwol.com
Home Planet Exploration
P.O. Box 6263
Bozeman, MT. 59771
Home Planet Exploration, Inc.
Trip Application
Use our online application form or print this page.
Please read, fill out, sign and date this application where requested, then mail it with the 10% deposit. Each traveler in a group must fill out an application form. Please enter all information.
TRIP __________________________________ DEPARTURE DATE _________
First Name ___________________________ Last Name ____________________
Preferred Name__________________ Age ___ Sex ___ Height___ Weight ___
Street Address ______________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________
Tel. Day w/ area code _____________ Tel. Eves ________ FAX __________
E-mail address ____________________ Occupation ______________________
Birthdate (Month/Date/Year) ______________Birthplace ________________
Passport Number _______________________Place of Issue _______________
Date of Issue ___________________________
______________________________________________
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY
I HEREBY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY OWN WELFARE AND WAIVE ANY FUTURE CLAIMS AGAINST HOME PLANET EXPLORATION INC., FOR LIABILITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
Assumption of Risk. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realize the potential risks and hazards that are involved in Adventure travel, up to and including death. Therefore you must carefully read the following before signing below:
I agree to hold harmless and indemnify Home Planet Expjloration Inc., hereafter refered to as HPE. and any of their guides, leaders, trek doctors, agents, employees, officers, directors, owners, associates, manufacturers of equipment, and subcontractors, for any loss or damage, including any that results from any claim for personal injury, death or property damage arising from my participation in the trip or expedition. I do hereby expressly agree to defend the above named parties against any and all liability, actions, causes of action, debts, suits, claims, and demands of any kind whatsoever, including attorney's fees, which I or my heirs, assigns, successors, or legal representatives may now have or which may hereafter arise out of or in connection with my trip or participation in activities arranged for me by the above-named parties.
I hereby release and forever discharge HPE and any of their guides, leaders, trek doctors, agents, employees, officers, directors, owners, associates, manufacturers of equipment, and subcontractors, from any and all liability for damage and injury or death to myself from any claim based upon negligence, recklessness, breach of warranty, contract or other legal theory, accepting for myself, my heirs, assignees, administrators, executors, and all members of my family, including minors accompanying me, full responsibility for any and all such damage, injury or death which may result. I acknowledge the risk and hazards of travel in remote areas of the world where injury, death, delay or unanticipated events may occur.
I understand that I am undertaking travel to remote geographical areas located in lesser-developed countries where, among other things, a sense of urgency, attention to detail, standards of quality, hygiene, political stability, cuisine, sanitation facilities, cleanliness, level of infrastructural development, telecommunications facilities, methods of conducting business, medical evacuation, etc., may be deemed unsatisfactory and or not equivalent to those found in industrialized nations. I also understand that the normal level of medical treatment and services, including the presence of a physician or any other trained medical professionals and/or the availability of prescription-type drugs, may not be possible. I understand and acknowledge all of these risk factors.
I am aware that travel within a group situation invariably involves compromise to accommodate the diverse desires, travel goals, personalities, and physical abilities of group members. I have been advised that my tour leader may be required to improvise and exercise his or her good faith discretion and/or make decisions based upon the consensus of the group which may not please me personally but satisfy the larger desires of the group. I understand and accept these aspects of group travel.
I confirm that I have read, fully understand, and agree to all of the terms and conditions contained in this HPE brochure, especially noting the pollicies on cancellations, refunds, limitations of liability and participant responsibility. I agree that the cancellation policies expressed in the HPE brochure and booking form shall take precedence over and supersede any rights to refund mandated under the consumer protection laws of any state.
Release and Covenant Not to Sue.
The terms of this agreement shall also include, but not be limited to, a
covenant not to sue or make claim against any of the above mentioned parties.
The terms of this agreement shall be binding upon myself, my heirs, assigns and
executors and all members of my family including minors, accompanying me. This
agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Montana.
Arbitration.
I hereby covenant and agree that any dispute over this agreement, regardless of
where this agreement is executed, be settled by binding arbitration through the
American Arbitration Association in Helena, Montana. The maximum amount of
recovery to which I shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be
the sum of the land cost of my trip with Home Planet Exploration.
Knowing and Voluntary Execution.
I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its contents. I have
voluntarily agreed to participate in a Home Planet Exploration trip, and
willingly execute this document. I absolutely understand its contents and its
legal ramifications, especially those pertaining to my full assumption of the
risk of travel and my release of Home Planet Exploration from any and all
liability to the maximum extent permitted by law. I am aware that this is a
release of liability and a contract between myself and Home Planet Exploration
and/or its affiliated organizations and sign it of my own free will.
Name: _______________________________ Date: _____________________
Signature:______________________________