TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Windhorse Adventures Tours
The tour operator for your trip is Vermont Markets International, LLC, a Vermont limited liability company, doing business as Windhorse Adventures (herein, collectively, “VMI”) and an independent agent of Dugan’s Travels.  Vermont Markets International is located at 26 Court Street in Middlebury Vermont 05753 USA. Telephone number 802-382-0010, e-mail address info@windhorseadventures.com.

Reserving your tour
To reserve a place on a tour, a non-refundable Reservation Fee of $800 per person is required unless the terms of the particular tour specify otherwise. The full Reservation Fee is required to secure a place on the waitlist. If we are unable to confirm your reservation by 36 days prior to departure, your Reservation Fee will be refunded in full. If you are approved after Final Payment date, standard late-add procedures apply. Due to changes in TSA security requirements you must, at the time of reservation, provide GAT with your name and date of birth exactly as it appears on the form of identification you plan to use. Failure to provide this information at the time of reservation could result in additional fees.

Terms of reservations
The reservation fee is fully refundable if you cancel within 24 hours of booking the tour. After 24 hours, cancellation fees apply (see “Refunds & cancellations” section). Reservations made fewer than 24 hours prior to the Final Payment Due Date (see “Making payments” section) will be refundable up until the Final Payment Due Date for the tour.

Making payments
Your final payment is due according to the terms of the particular tour you’ve chosen.

Tour Cancellation and Interruption Travel Protection may be purchased up until the Final Payment Due Date for your tour. All checks and money orders should be made payable to “Vermont Markets International” Please note that a $75 late fee will automatically be applied to accounts for which payment is not received by the Final Payment Due Date. In addition, a $30 fee will be added for any check returned to us by your bank and/or for any requested transactions. VMI reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment is not received on time, in which case cancellation fees will apply. In the unlikely event that an invoice is not received, payment is still due as stated above. VMI will mail final travel documents and airline tickets only after your account has been paid in full and your completed confirmation statement has been received. All payments are due in U.S. dollars.

Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Prices and terms listed here supersede any previously published. Advertised tour prices are based on lowest priced travel season and gateway. For the most up-to-date pricing please see our website. Airline fuel surcharges, as applicable at the time of pricing, are included in the tour prices. All prices are based on exchange rates, airfares, fuel prices/surcharges and land costs as of January 1, 21012 and are therefore subject to increase. Please note: Government taxes and fees with respect to air travel, including the September 11th Security Fee, and port taxes are part of the tour price.  All prices are in U.S. Dollars. VMI cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates when calculating refunds due to trip cancellations.

Travel Agents
Travel agents with a valid ARC or IATA number will receive a 10% per person commission for any reservations they make, and are only payable upon completed travel.

Departure fees and surcharges
Departure fees and surcharges are imposed by airlines, governmental agencies and, occasionally, hotels and/or other providers of services. They cover such things as federal- or foreign-government-imposed landing fees, security fees, and energy/fuel increases. These fees and charges are included in the air inclusive tour price. VMI reserves the right to pass on new departure fees and surcharges up to the date of departure.

Currency fluctuation surcharges
Prices are based on foreign exchange rates current as of
January 1, 2012, and are subject to surcharge if and as exchange rates fluctuate.

Reservations after final payment date
Late Additions are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and may be subject to additional costs from our suppliers. Your payment must be made in full by credit card at the time of reservation. Late Additions are subject to standard cancellation fees (see “Refunds & cancellations”) applicable at the time of reservation.

Revision fees
Failure to provide accurate and required information at the time of reservation could result in additional fees. Changes made after the Final Payment Date (see “Making payments”) will be considered Late Changes and are at the sole discretion of VMI. Any changes (including but not limited to dates, gateways and airlines) may be subject to a service charge of $75 plus any costs VMI incurs from its suppliers. Once the tour has departed, changes affecting return date or gateway will not be permitted.

Special arrangements
Deviations from published tour itineraries (such as but not limited to dates and gateways) may include additional costs from our suppliers. Transportation to and from the airport and hotel when you are not traveling with the group, can be arranged at additional costs. VMI can arrange pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, when available. While fulfillment cannot be guaranteed, VMI will make every effort to accommodate special travel requests. Please note: Due to the nature of VMI’s hotel contracts, pre- or post-stay arrangements may be in a different hotel from that of the main tour. VMI must be notified of all special arrangement requests prior to the Final Payment Date for consideration.

Optional excursions
Optional excursions may be purchased up to 20 days prior to departure or while on tour. Some select optional excursions require advance booking. Pre-purchased optional excursions cannot be cancelled within 20 days prior to departure or while on tour. VMI accepts payment by cash, Visa or MasterCard for optional excursions purchased on tour. Excursions require a minimum number of participants to operate; details and prices are subject to change. Due to seasonal hours of operation and availability, some excursions may not operate. If this occurs, you will be refunded any payments made for that excursion post-tour.

Flight routings
In order to provide you with the lowest possible prices, VMI negotiates special rates with major air carriers. Due to the nature of VMI’s contracts, air arrangements may be subject to change and to certain constraints, including but not limited to the availability of certain routings, travel times and direct or non-stop flights. It may be possible for VMI to accommodate seating preferences on some flights. However, the airlines have ultimate control of seat assignments, and VMI is not responsible for changes. Please reconfirm your seating requests directly with the airlines within 30 days of your departure. VMI can neither arrange for the crediting of frequent flier miles or guarantee booking flights in upgradeable classes of service, nor can VMI guarantee you will receive frequent flier mileage credit. Occasionally, due to specific tours or flight routings, an overnight stay is required en route. If this is the case, VMI will make arrangements for hotel accommodations, and a confirmation of the relevant hotel information will be included in your final travel documents (see “Final travel documents” section). If you and your traveling companion(s) make reservations at separate times and/or are originating from different gateways, you may not travel on the same flight(s). Additionally, VMI cannot guarantee that you will be on the same flight itinerary as others in a group/family if some of you have purchased the extension/pre-extension and/or are deviating from the tour itinerary. VMI can sometimes offer customized flight itineraries and routings based on availability, plus any additional costs incurred from our airline partners. Please note: Flight itineraries are subject to change up to departure due to schedule, equipment or routing changes by airlines, and VMI cannot be held responsible for these changes or additional costs associated with them. Business class upgrades may be available for an additional fee on some tours. Upgrades are based on availability and in most cases will only include overseas flights. Upgrades do not include flights between cities as designated in your tour itinerary. Each airline has its own policy on baggage allowances. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. If you exceed baggage allowances, you are responsible for any additional fees. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies.

Important information regarding flight delays & cancellations
VMI cannot be held responsible for any flight delays or cancellations caused by reasons including but not limited to weather, mechanical issues or strike. In the event of a flight delay, you must work directly with the airline to be rebooked. Once your new flight is confirmed, you must then notify VMI with your new arrival time. If you are arriving later than your original scheduled flight, you may not be met by a VMI representative at the airport. If this is the case, transportation from airport will be at your own expense. Flight delays or cancellations causing missed tour components (including but not limited to meals, excursions or sightseeing tours) or portions of tour will not be refunded by VMI nor will you be able to change your return date.

Making your own flight arrangements
On certain tours, you may or may be required to make your own flight arrangements for your tour. If you choose to make your own flight arrangements, you are also responsible for arranging your own transportation to and from all airports and for arranging flights between cities as designated in the tour itinerary at your own cost. If it is necessary for VMI to change or cancel the travel program in any way, you will be responsible for altering your flight plans accordingly and for any costs that result from such changes or cancellations.

Final travel documents
Final travel documents, including travel itineraries, hotel accommodations and airline tickets, are mailed approximately 14 days prior to departure. A supplemental fee of $25 will apply to all international deliveries (with the exception of Puerto Rico and Canada). If your mailing address changes or you want your final documents sent to another address, you must notify VMI prior to the Final Payment Date. Otherwise, you will be responsible for any additional mailing costs.

Refunds & cancellations
If you cancel your reservation, the cancellation fee schedule below will apply. If you are booked in a double/twin room and your roommate cancels, you will be responsible for paying the single supplement fee at the time your roommate cancels. Upon notifying VMI of your cancellation, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies your cancellation. If you purchased Travel Protection and are canceling for a reason covered under the policy guidelines, cancellation fees will be reimbursed to you directly from the insurance company. All Travel Protection packages are non-refundable. In the event you have to cancel your tour on the day of departure, you must notify VMI prior to the departure of your first flight. Any penalties for supplemental services/guarantees (included but not limited to flights, hotels or late additions) resulting from cancellations made at your request will be your responsibility, and all service fees are non-refundable. Substitution of travelers is not permitted. If you do not show up for your trip, if you cancel your trip after the departure date or if you leave before the scheduled completion of a trip, you will not be eligible for any refund from VMI for any unused portion of your trip or reimbursement for any additional costs incurred by leaving your trip early.

Cancellation of Land Tours
Days Prior to Departure Cancellation Fee
(Includes Reservation Fee)

24 hours or more        $800 (unless your tour specifies otherwise)
90 days or more         100%* (unless your tour specifies otherwise)
* Percentages listed above are of the total tour cost including reservation fee.

Health and capabilities
The paces of VMI tours vary, but in general require that participants be in good physical and mental health. While VMI encourages participation of disabled passengers on our tours, some itineraries and sites are not accessible by wheelchair or motorized scooter. When reserving your tour, please inform your tour consultant of any physical disabilities and limitations so he or she can help you determine the appropriateness of the itinerary you select. If such limitations cause you to require additional assistance, VMI asks that you plan to travel with a companion who can provide assistance.

Group travel requirements
VMI reserves the right, up to final payment date, to reschedule or cancel any tour that has an insufficient number of travelers. If an insufficient number of travelers registers for your tour, VMI will cancel your tour without penalty to you and you will receive a full refund. You will be responsible for all costs associated with independent travel arrangements. VMI reserves the right to cancel a tour extension for low enrollment. If VMI is forced to cancel a tour extension and a traveler subsequently chooses to cancel from the tour, standard cancellation fees will apply.

Itinerary variations and holidays
If improvements can be made to tour itineraries or unforeseen circumstances necessitate changes, VMI reserves the right to amend, adjust or alter itineraries. VMI will make every effort to notify you as early as possible of such changes. Due to local or national holidays, seasonal hours of operation or availability, special events and/or peak harvest seasons, access to certain facilities and attractions including but not limited to vineyards, museums, historical sites or stores may be limited. On such occasions, and whenever possible, itinerary adjustments will be made by VMI to minimize traveler inconvenience.

Passports and visas
You are responsible for obtaining any travel documents and verifying entry requirements necessary for each country of travel on your selected tour itinerary, as VMI is not responsible for providing this information or documentation. U.S. citizens are required to have a passport for all trips outside of the USA, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of the tour. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship. You are responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of delays or itinerary changes related to your lack of appropriate travel documents and are therefore ineligible for any refund from VMI. VMI recommends that you apply for any necessary visas with a visa service. If you decide to apply for your visa directly with the applicable consulate(s) and require additional assistance and/or documentation from VMI, you may be subject to a Special Arrangements fee of $95. For more information on countries requiring visas, please refer to the U.S. Department of State website: www.state.gov.

Legal responsibilities
Vermont Markets International, LLC doing business as Windhorse Adventures., its affiliates, and their employees, officers, directors and shareholders (herein, collectively, “VMI”) does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, taxi or other transportation companies, local ground or tour operators, visa processing services, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, VMI is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any third party. Without limitation, VMI is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from but not limited to acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal, terrorist or threatened terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in lodging facilities (or in any heating, plumbing, electrical or structural problem therein), mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, sanitation problems, food poisoning, epidemics or the threat thereof, disease, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of VMI. Participant assumes all such risk. VMI reserves the right to change or cancel the tour, the tour itinerary or any aspect of a tour at any time. From time to time, VMI may photograph or video tour and tour-related activities. You consent to the use of your likeness in VMI publications, without compensation. VMI makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of its publications, but it cannot be held responsible for typographical or printing errors, including but not limited to prices. VMI reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any traveler on the tour if that person’s presence is likely to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by others or for failure to abide by VMI regulations and/or the directions of the Tour Director. Travelers who have been removed from their tour waive the right to a refund of any part of the fee. VMI may send the traveler home at the traveler’s own expense. VMI tours are not for resale, and travelers must enroll directly with VMI. No warranties, representations or waiver of these Terms & Conditions apply to any tour unless expressly stated within these Terms & Conditions

In the event of any claim, dispute or proceeding arising out of this Agreement, or any claim which in contract, tort or otherwise at law or in equity arises between the parties, whether or not related to this Agreement, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Vermont and of the United States District Court for the District of  Vermont.