Off The Beaten Track Expeditions LLC is a company registered in the United Arab Emirates; with license number 2430529.01; located at Flexi Desk, Shams Business Center, Sharjah Media City Free Zone, Al Messaned, Sharjah; email [email protected], and phone number +34613060528 (hereinafter, the “Organizer”). The commercial name is Against the Compass.
Note: In this document, ”expedition” always refers to a ”travel package”.
Any contract with the Organizer is subject to these General Terms and Conditions.
The purpose of the General Terms and Conditions is to regulate the contractual terms for the provision of services by the Organizer and the compensation due by the Traveler.
The provision of services will be carried out through the Organizer’s procurement, arrangement, organization, employment, and management of the necessary technical, human, and operational resources.
These services will be provided in exchange for the prices in effect at the time they are paid for. Merely browsing the website https://expeditions.againstthecompass.com/en/ does not constitute a service.
The Organizer has provided the Traveler with a standardized form containing information about the expedition.
The Preliminary Information is an integral part of the expedition contract and will not be modified unless both contracting parties expressly agree otherwise. Before the expedition contract is concluded, the Organizer will clearly, understandably, and prominently communicate any changes to the Preliminary Information. If the Organizer fails to meet the information requirements regarding commissions, surcharges, or other additional costs before the contract is concluded, the Traveler will not be required to bear them.
The booking process will begin with the Traveler’s request through the website or via email.
If there are available spots, the Organizer will request the Traveler to make the corresponding deposit payment to formalize the reservation.
The expedition contract is finalized with the confirmation of the reservation, once the deposit payment has been received. From that moment on, any cancellations or modifications will be subject to the conditions outlined in section 3 of these General Terms and Conditions.
The payment method will be specified at the time of booking in the preliminary information. In any case, a deposit of no more than 30% of the total price will be required at the time of booking.
Unless otherwise specified, the remaining balance must be paid at least 45 days prior to departure (this varies depending on the destination).
If the booking is made within 45 days of departure, the full payment must be made at the time of booking, unless otherwise stated.
The price of each expedition is the one listed in its respective Program. In any case, the price of the expedition includes:
a) The cost of all services included in the Program (e.g., passenger transportation, accommodation) with the conditions established in that documentation.
b) The taxes or fees for the included services.
c) Technical assistance during the trip, when this service is specifically included in the contracted Program.
d) All other services and supplements that are specifically mentioned in the contracted Program or that are expressly stated in the expedition contract.
The price does not include services that are not listed in the respective Program. As a general rule, unless expressly stated otherwise, these services will include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Visas
b) Airport taxes and/or entry and exit fees
c) Vaccination certificates
d) Extraordinary services and/or products, such as coffee, wine, liquor, mineral water, special dietary requirements, laundry and ironing services, optional hotel services.
e) Any other service provided at the destination that is not specifically detailed in the Program, contract, or the documentation given to the traveler when signing the agreement.
f) Tips
g) Optional excursions or visits: In the case of optional excursions or visits not contracted at the origin, it should be noted that they are not part of the expedition contract. Their publication in the program is for informational purposes only, and the price is indicated as “estimated.” Therefore, when contracted at the destination, there may be variations in their costs that alter the estimated price. Furthermore, these excursions will be offered to the traveler with their specific conditions and final price independently, and their actual execution is not guaranteed until they are booked.
Important: The cancellation policy may vary depending on the destination and will be communicated when making the reservation.
However, in general:
At any time prior to the start of the expedition, the traveler may cancel the contract, in which case the Organizer will require a penalty fee.
If the client wishes to cancel after the deposit has been paid, the client may use the full deposit amount as credit for a future expedition, provided that the client notifies the Organizer more than 45 days in advance.
However, when the expedition involves additional and extraordinary costs such as flight purchases and/or visas, these will never be refundable.
If the client notifies the cancellation less than 45 days in advance, the Agency will keep the deposit as a penalty for non-compliance.
If the client wishes to cancel after making the full payment for the trip:
In the event of cancellation by the travel agency due to force majeure, the trip will be postponed.
If the client is unable to attend the tour on the new suggested dates, they will be fully refunded the total amount paid for the tour. Force majeure will be understood as a situation where, in the judgment of the travel agency, based on its experience, it is determined that the trip could pose a danger to the safety and integrity of the travelers. It should be noted that many of the tours organized by this travel agency are to locations where wars, disasters, and/or other dangerous situations may occur, which could result in a modification of the trip dates. Therefore, the client assumes the risk of potential cancellations or delays in dates and expressly waives any claims for compensation from the Agency.
Additionally, the organizer and, if applicable, the retailer, may cancel the contract and refund all payments made if the number of people registered for the trip is less than the required number specified in the preliminary information. The client will be notified within the legally established deadlines, which are as follows:
– 20 calendar days before the start of the expedition, for trips longer than 6 days.
– 7 calendar days before the start of the expedition, for trips between 2 and 6 days.
– 48 hours before the start of the expedition, for trips shorter than 2 days.
The Organizer offers trips to destinations that are in contact with nature, in situations of serious conflicts, or that involve the practice of high-risk adventure sports. The planned trips have specific characteristics that involve high physical and psychological risk, and risk itself is one of the main reasons for their organization and booking.
The Organizer will inform the traveler about the current security situation of the destination and provide the relevant official documentation to the extent possible. However, the traveler is responsible for consulting and staying updated on the warnings and restrictions applicable to the destination country.
To this end, the traveler will be informed of the potential risks inherent to the destination, including but not limited to armed conflicts, political instability, violence, restrictions on freedom of movement, and any other circumstance that may jeopardize their safety.
The Organizer will act with due diligence in the development of the trip and the contracted activities and will promptly inform the traveler of the risks and dangers they may face and/or could foreseeably face.
However, in order to participate in the trip and the contracted activities, the traveler must declare under their own responsibility that they are aware of the risks and dangers informed by the Organizer regarding the destination and/or the contracted activities and accept and assume the ordinary consequences of the same, releasing the Organizer and their employees, agents, suppliers, or collaborators from any liability, all in accordance with the terms of the declaration.
The trip is undertaken at the traveler’s own risk. Any recommendations made by the Organizer are not binding and serve merely as a notice or advice. The Organizer will not be liable for any damages or losses that may occur to individuals or property, whether caused by following, misunderstanding, or ignoring the recommendation, and such recommendations will not serve as a basis for any claims.
The inherent risks and dangers of the destination and/or activities can cause physical, psychological injuries, or even death.
The risks and dangers associated with the destination and/or activities include, but are not limited to, the following (the “Risks and Dangers”): war; terrorism; political instability; slipping, tripping, or falling; exposure to allergens; exposure to wild animals or dangerous insects, including bee or wasp stings, scorpion stings, tick bites, and snake bites; falling or slipping in the water while on the shore; rough ocean waves; fallen trees; storms; moving objects associated with extreme weather conditions; wind; dust storms; hail; lightning; temperature fluctuations; extreme or partial darkness; wildfires; bacteria or viruses transmitted by water or air; exposure to potentially poisonous plants; landslides; rock falls; landslides; earthquakes; tsunamis; gunfire in the activity area; mentally or physically unstable participants or criminals; negligence by participants; all types of outdoor injuries, including head injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, burns, internal injuries, illnesses or ailments, exposure to pathogens, viruses or diseases, including, among others, contracting Covid-19; hypothermia, heatstroke, sunburn, dehydration, and hyponatremia; errors in judgment by the tour leader; inadequate or incorrect medical care; getting lost; poorly executed or failed rescue attempts; dangerous contact with rescue vehicles, boats, or aircraft; failure or lack of communication equipment; inadequate or malfunctioning equipment; and mental, physical, or emotional distress from exposure to any of the above.
The Organizer reserves the right to modify the route or itinerary, always with the aim of ensuring the safety of the entire group or individuals. Under no circumstances will the modification of the itinerary for security reasons be considered a significant alteration of the contract.
The traveler must act in accordance with the rules of caution and common sense, following the instructions given by the guides at all times and adhering to the following rules:
a) Pay attention to and respect the guides’ instructions at all times and collaborate as a team at all times.
b) Do not engage in activities outside of the scheduled or guided ones, unless expressly authorized by the Organizer.
c) Follow the group’s discipline and the guides’ instructions during activities, such as adhering to the indicated itinerary, acting responsibly for your own safety, and being respectful towards other participants and the environment, among others.
d) Be in the appropriate physical and mental condition to participate in the activity, and inform the Organizer of any health issues when making the reservation before starting the activity.
e) Read, understand, and respect the difficulty levels proposed for the activities, especially the sports ones. If the traveler is not suited to this indicated level, any responsibility is declined.
f) Respect the group’s pace: The guide will determine the appropriate pace according to the group’s profile and the level of difficulty to be performed. Do not overtake the guide or lag behind. Do not leave the group without notifying the guide first.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the expulsion of the traveler from the activity, with no right to a refund of the proportional part of the price.
For safety reasons, it is mandatory to bring the appropriate equipment for each activity. The necessary equipment for each activity will be communicated by the Organizer and, unless expressly stated otherwise, it will be the responsibility of the traveler.
The Organizer reserves the right to expel the traveler from the corresponding activity, without refund of its cost or the proportional part of the price, if, reasonably, it is determined that as a result of violating the above rules, the safety of the traveler and/or the group is compromised.
It is mandatory to follow and obey the instructions of the guides. The traveler must behave respectfully at all times towards the group, the environment, and the places visited. Any disrespect, lack of consideration, or inappropriate behavior, especially towards national and/or religious symbols and customs, is expressly prohibited.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the expulsion of the traveler from the corresponding activity, with no right to a refund of the proportional part of the price.
In cases of adverse weather conditions that affect safety, a route/activity may be canceled at the guide’s discretion, once consulted with the group. Prior to the trip, no trips or routes will be canceled due to adverse weather conditions, and no claims or compensation will be provided if the reservation is canceled for this reason.
The traveler is obligated to inform the Organizer, at the time of the reservation request, of any potential physical or mental illnesses or disabilities that may require special assistance or care.
No reservation will be accepted for users whose physical or mental conditions make their participation impossible or dangerous for themselves or others, or that require types of care or assistance that cannot be guaranteed.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in the expulsion of the traveler from the corresponding activity, with no right to a refund of the proportional part of the price.
The Organizer will inform the traveler in the Program/Information Brochure about passport and visa requirements, including the approximate time for obtaining visas, and information about health-related procedures for the trip and stay in the destination country.
All travelers must ensure that they have the necessary valid documentation for entry and free movement in the countries of the contracted trip (passport, visas, vaccination certificates, among others). The management of these documents will be the sole responsibility of the traveler, who must ensure compliance with all validity, presentation, and authenticity requirements set by the competent authorities. In no case will the Travel Organizer be held responsible for refusal of entry to the country due to lack of proper documentation or if the documentation is expired, damaged, or insufficient.
If the traveler requests the Organizer to manage these documents, the Organizer may take responsibility for processing them, under express agreement and prior payment of the corresponding fees and administrative costs, which must be paid before the processing begins. However, the success of this management will depend on acceptance by the relevant authorities, and the Organizer will be exempt from any responsibility in the case of visa denial or any other entry document.