Standard Booking Conditions

Your booking contract is with your local Intrepid entity as set out in clause 27, acting as agent for Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 35 007 172 456) (us/we/our). By booking a trip with us you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions set out or referenced in:

• these Booking Conditions;
• Essential Trip Information and Important Notes that apply to your trip; and
• any Special Conditions or Promotional Terms that may apply,

(all of which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us).

Your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. In these Booking Conditions references to "you" and "your" include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred.

Bookings made on behalf of others

If you make a booking on behalf of other travellers (for example, family or friends travelling with you):

• You are deemed the Primary Contact for that booking and represent that you are authorised to act on behalf of all travellers named in the booking in relation to all matters concerning the booking (including amendments and cancellations), unless we are notified otherwise in writing by a traveller named in the booking.

• Before making the booking, you must ensure that each traveller named in the booking is informed of:
• these Booking Conditions;
• the Essential Trip Information and Important Notes that apply to the trip; and
• any Special Conditions  or Promotional Terms that may apply.

If you are a traveller named in a booking made by a Primary Contact, you agree that the Primary Contact may amend or cancel your booking on your behalf and you will be bound by their actions, unless you notify us in writing that they are not authorised to do so.

2. Privacy policy

Any personal information that we collect about you will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. 

If you are the Primary Contact and providing us with the personal information of another person, such as when you make a booking on behalf of a group, request visa support services for others in your group or provide details of an emergency contact or medical conditions, you must ensure that you inform these persons of the information that you intend to provide to us, and that those you represent are aware of the content of our Privacy Policy and consent to the disclosure of their personal information to us.

You are responsible for reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically and informing yourself of any changes to this Privacy Policy.

3. Deposit requirement

You are required to pay a non-refundable deposit for your booking to be confirmed. You are required to pay a deposit of AUD$400, NZD$400, CAD$400, USD$400, ZAR4000 per person per trip, unless otherwise stated in the Special Conditions. If your booking is made within 56 days of the departure date then the full amount is payable at the time of booking. Deposit amounts vary for selected trips and special campaigns that may be run by us from time to time, as set out in and subject to the Special Conditions.

4. Acceptance of booking and final payments   

If we accept your booking, we will issue you with a booking confirmation invoice. A contract will exist between you and us from the date we issue the confirmation invoice or if you book within 56 days of departure the contract will exist when we accept your payment. If for any reason we do not accept a booking and a payment has been made, then this will be promptly refunded. Please refer to your booking confirmation invoice for details regarding final payments, including how to make the payment. Payment of the balance of the trip price is due 56 days before the departure date, except as otherwise set out in the Special Conditions.

If you fail to make payment by the due date, we will remind you to make payment. In addition to the payment, you will also be responsible for any costs imposed on us by suppliers resulting from late payment. If we do not receive payment within 3 days after the reminder, you will be deemed to have cancelled your booking and any cancellation charges outlined at clause 6 (Cancellation by You) will apply.

5. Prices and surcharges 

Our trip prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. This means our trip prices may vary at any time in accordance with demand, market conditions and availability. It is likely that different passengers on the same trip have been charged different prices. Your best option if you like the price you see is to book at that time.

Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after we have confirmed your booking (in accordance with clause 4 (Acceptance of booking and final payments) will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply as set out below in clause 6 (Cancellation by You).

The most up to date pricing is available on our website. Prices are based on currency exchange rates at the time of publication; note that prices may vary depending on which currency the booking is made. We endeavour to ensure that all pricing and other information on our website is accurate. However, it is always possible that, despite our efforts, there may be times when obvious errors occur such as the price or some other detail displayed being incorrect. We reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time prior to us sending your booking confirmation invoice. If you have made a payment prior to us sending your booking confirmation invoice which contains amended prices, then you can give us notice within 7 days to cancel your booking in which case we will refund you in full. If you do not provide this notice you will be deemed to have accepted the revised price.

We reserve the right to impose surcharges up to 56 days before departure due to unfavourable changes in exchange rates, fuel surcharges imposed on us, increases in airfares or other transportation costs outside our control, or increases to government taxes, levies, permits or charges.  In such instances we will absorb increases up to 2% of the trip price and you will be responsible for the balance. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the trip price you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund. Please note that a surcharge may be applied to a purchase made by credit card.

6. Cancellation by you  

If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation from you that you wish to cancel. If you cancel a trip:

a)  56 days or more prior to departure, we will hold your deposit amount as a credit (Deposit Credit);

b)  between 31 and 55 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 30% of the total booking cost;

c)  between 30 and 15 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 60% of the total booking cost; or

d) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.

Any Deposit Credit may not be applied to the same or similar dates of travel.  

Note that different cancellation conditions apply to some styles of trips and additional services as set out in the Special Conditions and the Essential Trip Information relating to your trip. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking.

If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced (other than where we cancel it for operational reasons), we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made for unused services.. Please refer to clause 20 (Liability), which provides more information about your rights under Australian Consumer Law which may apply to your cancellation.

7. Cancellation by us

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid customer unless:

a)minimum group size specifically states otherwise (which is stated in the trip page or on our website) in which case we will give you notice of cancellation no less than 30 days prior to the trip’s cancellation; or

b)otherwise terminated in accordance with these Booking Conditions.

In the event that we cancel your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or receive a refund, unless your trip is cancelled due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below in clause 8) in which case your rights are set out in clause 8.

We will not be responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance or non-refundable flights resulting from our cancellation under these Booking Conditions.

8. Cancellations by You or Us due to Force Majeure

Prior to your trip’s commencement

In addition to the cancellation rights set out above:

a) we may cancel a trip due to a Force Majeure Event occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and wich significantly affects the performance of the trip or significantly affects the transport arrangements to the destination where the trip is scheduled to commence; or

b) you may cancel your booking if any Force Majeure Event (excluding the failure or delay of commercial airlines) directly prevents you from travelling to the destination where the trip is scheduled to commence or if government restrictions make it impractical for you to make use of the trip (for example, quarantine requirements).

In these circumstances, Intrepid will offer you:

      a) a 100% credit of monies paid for your trip; or

      b) a refund minus unrecoverable costs.

After your trip’s commencement

If the cancellation due to a Force Majeure Event occurs after your trip has commenced, Intrepid will offer you:

     a) 100% credit for the days that remain on your trip; or

     b) refund minus unrecoverable costs of the days that remain on your trip.

A “Force Majeure Event” means any event or circumstance  beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue and includes but is not limited to: acts of God; cyber incident; war; civil commotion; riot; blockade or embargo; fire; explosion; breakdown; union dispute; earthquake; epidemic, pandemic or other health emergency; flood; windstorm or other extreme weather event; lack or failure of courses of supply; passage of any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand, requisition or requirement or any other act of any government authority, beyond the reasonable control of the parties.

In the event of any cancellation in these circumstances, there will be no claim for damages by either party against the other and we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

Important note regarding credit:

Please note that our ability to issue you with a credit may be dependent on our suppliers issuing corresponding credits to us. We cannot guarantee that our suppliers will issue corresponding credits and so in such circumstances we may opt to pay you a limited cash refund as outlined above.

Unless specified otherwise in the Special Conditions, any credit issued under these Booking Conditions:

• does not have an expiry date;
• may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us, except in the case of Deposit Credits which may not be applied to the same or similar dates of travel of the original booking;
• is not transferrable to another person or redeemable for cash; and
• may not be used to book flights or insurance as they will have their own booking conditions.

9. Booking amendments 

Transfers to a third party or an alternative trip are only permitted when operationally possible and, in the case of transferring to a third party, where the transferee meets all the requirements in relation to the trip. Certain fees may apply. You will be required to pay any additional costs charged by suppliers and/ or an amendment fee to cover our administration costs.

No amendments are permitted to your booking within 56 days of departure.

10.  Inclusions  

The land price of your trip includes as described in the Essential Trip Information:

• all accommodation as listed in the Essential Trip Information
• all transport as listed in the Essential Trip Information
• sightseeing and meals as listed in the Essential Trip Information
• the services of a group leader as listed in the Essential Trip Information

11. Exclusions  

The land price of your trip does not include:

• international or internal flights unless specified
• airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
• meals other than those specified in the Essential Trip Information
• visa and passport fees
• travel insurance
• optional activities and all personal expenses.

12. Your details  

For us to confirm your travel arrangements, you must provide all requested details with the balance of the trip price. Necessary details vary by trip; they include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. On some more demanding trips we also require you to complete and forward a Self-Assessment form which will be provided to you by your sales representative. For more information about how we treat your personal information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

13. Age & Health requirements

Minimum Age:

For the majority of our trips, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18’s day to day care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

Maximum Age:

For the majority of our trips, we have no upper age limit.

Health

Our trips can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. We can provide details on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements and recommendations for your destination.

Existing Medical Conditions

If you have a medical condition which may reasonably be expected to increase your risk of needing medical attention, or which may materially affect the usual conduct of the trip, then you must advise us prior to or at the time you make your booking request.

We may request you to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If the assessment indicates that you are not fit to travel or will require special assistance which we cannot reasonably provide, then we may cancel your booking. Provided you notified us of your medical condition prior to or at the time you made your booking request, we will provide you with a full refund of payments made.

If you fail to provide a medical assessment within a reasonable time, then this will be considered a cancellation by you and cancellation fees and charges will apply (See clause 6 Cancellation By You).

Emerging Medical Conditions

You must advise us of any new or changed medical conditions which may reasonably be expected to increase your risk of needing medical attention, or which may materially affect the usual conduct of the tour.

We may request you to provide an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If the assessment indicates that you will require special assistance which we cannot reasonably provide or if you fail to provide a medical assessment within a reasonable time, then this will be considered a cancellation by you and cancellation fees and charges will apply (See clause 6 Cancellation By You).

Please refer to the Special Conditions and the Essential Trip Information that relates to your trip.

14. Additional Terms

For additional terms that apply to certain trips, please see the Special Conditions.

Due to the nature of some of our trips, in addition to these Booking Conditions, you may be required to sign and submit a separate waiver, different terms and/ or a release form to a third-party supplier who is helping to run your trip. Specifically, the ground suppliers of our trips in North America require a waiver to be agreed and signed by you on day 1 of your trip, in order to meet their insurance requirements. If you do not sign this waiver your participation may be denied and you will not be entitled to any refund.

Some activities on your trip (such as adventure or high-risk activities) may require you to sign a separate waiver or release form provided by the supplier as a standard part of its business. If you choose not to sign the required waiver, the supplier may not deny participation and you will not be entitled to a refund for that activity.

15. Passport and visas

It is your responsibility to obtain information and to have in your possession all the required documentation and identification required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. This includes a valid passport and all travel documents required by us and/or the relevant governmental authorities including all visas, permits and certificates (including but not limited to vaccination or medical certificates) and insurance policies. Your passport must be valid 6 months after the last date of travel within the final destination as set out on your itinerary.

You accept full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the trips, and you are solely responsible for the full amount of costs incurred as a result of missing or defective documentation. You agree that you are responsible for the full amount of any loss or expense incurred by us that is a direct result of your failure to secure or be in possession of proper travel documentation.

16. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travellers and must be taken out within a reasonable time after booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without these details. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.

17. Change of itinerary

You appreciate and acknowledge that the nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and you should allow for alternatives. The itinerary provided for each trip is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances or events.

While we endeavour to operate all trips as described we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary. Please refer to our website before departure for the most recent updates to your itinerary. 

Before departure: If we make a significant change we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. The definition of a significant change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five of the itinerary. When a significant change is made you may choose between accepting the change and paying any additional costs associated with the change, obtaining a refund of money paid on the land portion of the trip only or accepting an alternative trip offered.

After departure: We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to unforeseen adverse local circumstances materially affecting the operation of the trip or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the reasonable additional costs of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you.

Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of any change in itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable or non-changeable flights.

18. Behaviour and conduct

Our trips are generally run by group leaders, local representatives, crews or skippers (“Leaders”). You must at all times comply with the laws, customs and drug regulations of all countries visited, as well as the requirements of our Community Guidelines and our Responsible Travel Guidelines

If, in our or the Leader’s reasonable opinion, your behaviour is illegal, unsafe, inappropriate, breaches our Customer Guidelines or Responsible Travel Guidelines in a non-trivial way, interferes with the well-being of other participants, or materially affects our ability to run the trip as planned, the Leader may in their discretion direct you to leave the trip immediately, at your own cost and with no right to a refund. We may also, at our discretion, place you on our “deny list”, meaning you will not be permitted to travel with us on any future trips booked, and standard cancellation fees will apply. For the avoidance of doubt, this clause applies to unacceptable behaviour displayed before and after your trip.

19. Acceptance of risk

You acknowledge that the nature of the trip may be adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives.

You acknowledge that you are choosing to travel at a time where you may be exposed to the COVID-19 virus. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety and may require you to follow additional safety protocols on your trip.

We use information from government foreign departments and reports from our own contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to these additional risks.

You acknowledge that some trips visit and include overnight accommodation in remote areas which are located considerable distances from hospitals, medical centres or other forms of medical facilities. It may take many hours before you receive any professional medical attention.

You acknowledge that there may be occasions where you require first aid due to an accident, illness, injury or other health condition. You consent to our (and our suppliers’) personnel providing you with first aid on the basis that: (a) they are not qualified medical professionals; (b) we make no warranties and expressly disclaim all warranties regarding the standard of care that may be provided; and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by law we will not be liable (and neither will our personnel) for any care given or omitted. If you are unable to do so yourself, you consent to us seeking and securing any medical treatment that we reasonably consider you require. This may include attendance or evacuation by air. You agree to reimburse us for any costs we incur in seeking medical treatment or evacuation on your behalf.

Where a vehicle, vessel or aircraft is equipped with seatbelts, you must always wear your seatbelt when in motion. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our liability to you for any personal injury, death or other damages or claims arising from an accident or incident involving a vehicle, vessel or aircraft you are travelling on will be limited or excluded to the extent your failure to wear a supplied seatbelt contributed to or caused your injury or death

20. Liability and service guarantee

We commence providing services to you as soon as we accept your booking. This includes (often significant) work undertaken prior to travel to arrange and coordinate the delivery of trip. You also receive the benefit of work we undertake in anticipation of bookings. The services we provide to you are limited to (a) the arrangement and coordination of the travel arrangements forming your trip (as may be referred to in your booking confirmation invoice); and (b) the delivery of travel arrangements which we directly control, own or operate (“Services”),

“Australian Consumer Law” means the uniform consumer protection law set out in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (the CCA).

20.1 (Limitation of Liability) To the maximum extent permitted by law (including the CCA) we exclude all liability whatsoever to you or any other person (whether in contract tort or otherwise) for any loss (whether direct, indirect, consequential) including death or personal injury or damage of any kind that may be suffered as a result of any act or omission whether negligent or otherwise by or on behalf of us in connection with the Services or any other matter or thing relating to these Booking Conditions except to the extent that such loss or damage is incurred as a direct result of our fraud or wilful misconduct. This clause does not limit or exclude any rights you may have under the CCA.

20.3 (Third parties) We contract with a network of companies, activity providers, accommodation providers, airlines, coach and transfer companies, tour and local guides, government agencies, independent contractors and individuals to assist in the running of our trips as agent for these third parties (Third Party Supplier). Third Party Suppliers may also engage the services of local operators and sub-contractors. Although we take all reasonable steps to select reputable Third Party Suppliers, we cannot be responsible for their acts or omissions. Any services provided by Third Party Suppliers may be subject to the terms and conditions imposed by these Third Party Suppliers and you may be required to sign additional terms as set out in clause 14. These may limit or exclude the liability of the Third Party Supplier. You acknowledge that Third Party Suppliers operate in compliance with the applicable laws of the countries in which they operate and we do not warrant that any Third Party Supplier is in compliance with the laws of your country of residence or any other jurisdiction.

Our obligation regarding Third Party Suppliers is to take reasonable care when selecting them and to arrange for them to deliver services forming part of your trip for your benefit. We are not responsible for their acts or omissions, whether negligent or otherwise. Any disputes between you and any third party, are to be resolved solely between you and that party.

20.4 (Recreational Services) If we supply any Recreational Services to you, then to the maximum extent permitted by law we exclude any liability for death, physical injury or mental injury or any other liability referred to in section 139A(3) of the CCA resulting from our failure to comply with a guarantee that applies under Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3-2 of the Australian Consumer Law. This exclusion does not apply to significant personal injury caused by our reckless conduct. Recreational Services means services that consist of participation in the activities referred to in Section 139A of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), being participation in:

(a) a sporting activity or similar leisure time pursuit; or

(b) any other activity that:

(i) involves a significant degree of physical exertion or physical risk; and

(ii) is undertaken for the purposes of recreation, enjoyment or leisure.

21. Optional activities

Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance, recommendations or advice given by your group leader or local representative in arranging optional activities (including before or after a trip) does not render us liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider.

22. Claims & complaints

If you have a complaint about your trip please inform your group leader or our local representative at the time so that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If you believe that your complaint has not been resolved through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to us within 30 days of the end of the trip through our General Enquiries page.

23. Severability

In the event that any term or condition contained in these Booking Conditions is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.

24. Applicable law

The laws of Victoria, Australia govern these Booking Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Nothing in these Booking Conditions, including this clause 24, affects your rights as a consumer to rely on any applicable local laws. However, to the extent permitted by those laws, we limit or exclude those rights to the fullest extent possible.

25. Assignment and Registered address

We can assign or otherwise transfer any of our rights or obligations under these Booking Conditions, including novation to a related body corporate (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)), at its sole discretion on written notice to You (including notice via the Website).

 Registered Address of Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 35 007 172 456) Level 7, 567 Collins St, Melbourne VIC, 3000, Australia.

26. Indemnity from Parent/Guardian

Where a participant is under the age of 18, the parent or legal guardian of that participant agrees to indemnify and hold us (and our directors, officers, employees and agents) harmless from and against any claim, liability, loss, cost or expense arising from or in connection with the participant’s involvement in the trip, to the extent that such claim would have been limited, excluded or otherwise barred had the participant been of legal age and capable of providing informed consent and agreeing to be bound by these Booking Conditions in their own behalf.

27. Booking entity

Depending on the country or region you are making your booking from, you will be booking through the following Intrepid entity acting as an agent on behalf of Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 35 007 172 456):

• Australia: Intrepid Travel Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 34 126 440 033)
• New Zealand: Intrepid Travel New Zealand Limited 
  1836592)
• United States: Intrepid US, Inc 
• Canada:  Intrepid Travel Incorporated (BN 811474477)
• Rest of the World (including European countries that are not part of the European Economic Area): bookings are made directly with Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 35 007 172 456) 

If you are booking through a third party travel agent, the Intrepid entity is Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 35 007 172 456).

28. Promotional terms

From time to time, we may run promotions and special offers (Promotions) on our website which are subject to both these Booking Conditions and any additional promotion-specific terms which are incorporated into these Booking Conditions by reference. You should ensure that you read the specific conditions that apply to each Promotion.

Promotions are available for a limited time, as defined on our website. We reserve the right to cancel or change any Promotion at any time in our discretion. By purchasing a trip on a promotional basis, you agree and accept the terms that apply to the applicable Promotion. In the event of any inconsistencies between these Booking Conditions and the Promotional terms, the Promotional terms apply to your booking.