OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH TIBET ODYSSEY

These Terms and Conditions govern the relationship between you, the client, and us, Access Tibet Tour (hereafter referred to as "ATT"). In booking a tour, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, which affect your right to legal recourse, and specify the laws, forum, and jurisdiction governing this agreement; please be sure to carefully read this section, and make sure you understand your rights and obligations, as well as the rights and obligations of ATT.

These terms and conditions will be restated in the Tour Contract which will be sent to you after confirmation of all reservations and arrangements. The tour contract will also include any terms and conditions specific to your tour, and will require re-confirmation of your agreement upon receipt.

Following is important information about the tour contract that will be sent to you before your Tibet tour officially begins.

*** Important information about the Tour Contract:

Upon receiving the contract, it is important to respond as quickly as possible. If there are items you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we may come to a consensus. If you agree to the terms and conditions of the contract, please sign your name and date, and send us a copy of the signed contract by either email or fax. If you do not have access to a scanner or fax machine, you will be required to give written confirmation that you accept the contract (by email, or other means) and herein agree to complete the contract signing upon your arrival in Lhasa. However, if you fail to respond to this contract (neither contacting the tour advisor nor signing the contract), we will consider that, by purchasing the tour, you fully agree to and accept all terms and conditions listed in the contract, and ATT shall not be responsible for any consequences hereof caused due to your negligence.

Reservations and Payments

We suggest you book your Tibet tour at least 45 days before your arrival date, especially during the peak season of August and September. Below is our reservation policy.

a. If the booking is made at least two months (60 days) prior to your arrival in Lhasa, a deposit of 30% of the total tour price, plus transportation fees (for flights, train), is required to secure your reservation upon confirmation of your tour.

b. If the booking is made less than two months (60 days), but more than 15 days, prior to your arrival in Lhasa, a deposit of 50% of the total tour price, plus transportation fees (for flights, train), is required to secure your reservation upon confirmation of your tour.

c. If the booking is made less than 15 days prior to your arrival in Lhasa, you are required to pay the tour price in full, plus transportation fees (for flights, train).

For information on how to make payments, please click here.

Every effort has been made to provide correct pricing information. We reserve the right to correct errors.

Alteration, Cancellations and Refunds

Alteration

It is permitted to modify your itinerary twice, without penalty, after booking and confirmation of your tour. For further changes, we will charge a $20 (USD) surcharge per alteration. Additionally, changes requested too close to the date of the tour may not be workable.

Cancellation

You may cancel your confirmed booking by written request. If cancellation is requested after your tour has been confirmed, or if you fail to pay the full cost of the tour within the specified time, you will be liable to pay a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are as follows:

- If cancellation occurs more than 30 days prior to the start of your tour, you forfeit $100 (USD) of your deposit. We will refund the rest of your deposit within 30 days (note: most travel agencies retain the full deposit).

- If cancellation occurs less than 30 days, but more than 7 days, prior to the start of your scheduled tour, you forfeit 30% of the cost of your tour.

- If cancellation occurs less than 7 days prior to the start of your scheduled tour, you forfeit 50% of the cost of your tour.

- If you fail to appear at your scheduled arrival time without prior notice, you forfeit 100% of the cost of your tour.

- If, during the course of your tour, you decide to cancel the rest of your tour for reasons outside of ATT's control, you will not be refunded any fees or expenses that you have already paid. If you wish to book further activities or destinations, you will be required to pay the extra costs.

** The date of notification of cancellation will be considered the date on which notification is received at our premises in writing (by either email or fax).

Refunds

- If you have already paid your deposit, and cancel your tour at least 30 days before the start of your tour, we will refund your deposit, minus the $100 (USD) cancellation fee.

Passports, Visas and Tibet Travel Permits

Foreign citizens traveling in China are required to have both a valid passport and a valid Chinese visa; ATT is not responsible for providing either document. You should contact the appropriate consular office to apply for a Chinese visa. If necessary, and if the deposit for your tour has already been payed in full, ATT can provide an invitation letter to help you apply for your Chinese visa.

In order to travel to Tibet, special entry permits are required. Please carefully read our information on Tibet travel permits.

Responsibility

According to the policies of the government of Tibet, diplomats, journalists, and government officials are obliged to travel to Tibet only by arrangement of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Government of Tibet. Access Tibet Tour is not permitted to arrange travel services for these categories of people. If any member of your party belongs to one of these categories, please contact the Foreign Affairs Office of the Government of Tibet directly. If, upon your arrival, we discover that any member of your party belongs to one of these categories, we are obliged to send you back immediately, or transfer you to the Foreign Affairs Office.

The responsibility of ATT and its affiliated companies is strictly limited. As a tour operator, ATT organizes, promotes, and sells tour programs consisting of travel services including surface, air, and water transportation, sightseeing excursions, and cruise/hotel accommodations which ATT purchases or reserves from various suppliers. ATT does not own or operate any of these Suppliers. The Suppliers providing travel services for ATT’s tour programs are independent contractors, and are not agents or employees of ATT. As such, ATT is not responsible for any negligent or willful act, or failure to act, of any supplier or third party. Some tours include visits to shops and merchants. ATT is not responsible for any purchases you make during your trip, whether that merchant is part of the scheduled itinerary or not. By utilizing the travel services of the Suppliers, you agree hold responsible such Suppliers for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss incurred by you or to those traveling with you, and that neither ATT nor any representative of ATT shall be liable.

Without limitation, ATT is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from—but not limited to—acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for the failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time, sanitation problems, lack of medical care, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of ATT.

ATT reserves the right to correct promotional or pricing errors at any time, or to increase the program price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfares, cruise fares, currency fluctuations, park fee increases, taxes, or fuel surcharges. ATT reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour or to cancel or alter the tour without notice, in which event your sole remedy shall be a prorated refund for any remaining portions of the trip. Hotels and other accommodations are subject to change.

Due to the unique geographical conditions in Tibet, it may be necessary to alter your tour itinerary in case of road collapse, road construction, military or government injunction, etc. If any extra cost is incurred in such cases, passengers will be responsible to pay the extra costs incurred.

Air Arrangements

Any penalties resulting from flight changes made at your request after flights are booked will be your responsibility. If you cancel your trip after receiving your tickets, you must return your tickets to ATT before your refund (if applicable) is processed.

Air routings are subject to availability. Routings cannot be guaranteed, and are subject to change at any time. ATT is not responsible if an airline cancels or delays a flight. If that occurs, you should work with the airline to ensure you arrive at your destination. ATT will not provide any refund for portions of trips missed due to canceled or delayed flights. If an air schedule requires an overnight stay in a gateway city, ATT can assist with hotel reservations; however, if a flight requires a layover, overnights are at your expense.

Medical Issues

You must advise us in writing, at or prior to booking, of any physical, emotional or mental condition which may require professional attention during the trip or may require the use of special equipment. If you fail to disclose any such conditions, ATT may refuse to allow you to participate in the tour, and you will forfeit the cost of the tour; in such event we shall have no liability, financial or otherwise.

If you have any of these conditions, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition. If any such condition arises after the trip is booked, you must advise us in writing immediately. Failure to advise us shall release ATT and all professional personnel from any liability related to such condition or its treatment.

If you require a wheelchair, you must provide your own small, collapsible wheelchair. Certain features, and certain trips, are not wheelchair-accessible. We cannot guarantee any wheelchair assistance or accessibility in international destinations. ATT reserves the right to decline any trip participant whose condition, in our opinion, may affect the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants.

ATT is not responsible for the costs of any medical treatment you may require during the trip. Under no circumstances is ATT responsible for the quality of medical care, or lack thereof, you may receive while on the trip.