These True Hope Travel Consultants, Inc. (“THT”) Terms and Conditions apply to all group journeys departing between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025; and all related Extensions and bookings of the above programs for future years until updated.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The Payment Schedule varies by trip, but all trips require an initial non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot on a trip at the Time of Booking. The deposit can range from $495 to $5,500 depending on the trip.  Full payment is due if a traveler is joining a trip within 90 days of departure.

Final Payment: Final payments are due at least 120 days prior to departure. 

CANCELLATION FEES PER PERSON 
91 days prior to departure or more:   $1,500 ($5,500 on Africa Itineraries)

90 days to departure or less: 100% of the trip cost is forfeited (We highly recommend you purchase Trip Travel Insurance).

All airfares purchased via THT or with the help of THT or one of its affiliates or vendors are 100% non-refundable at the time of purchase.  All airfares are a contract between the individual and the airline.  The individual most often retains the value of the airfare for 1 year after cancellation, depending upon each individual airline's terms and conditions.  Travelers are advised to read the terms and conditions of all airfares before booking.

 
Cancellations must be received in writing. Additional terms and fees apply to Internal Airfares, Extra Services, and Partial Room cancellations.
Please refer to the full Terms & Conditions below for specifics. 

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
All group journeys are guaranteed to operate when the minimum of twenty (20) paid persons traveling is reached unless noted on the itinerary or advertising as a smaller group by design. Guaranteed departures will operate except only in cases of force majeure.  Force majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond THT's control or the control of our suppliers, the consequence of which neither THT, nor its suppliers, could avoid even with all due care, including, but not limited to, war or threat of war; riot; civil strife; terrorist activity (actual or threatened); industrial dispute; technical problems with transport, machinery or equipment; outages or power failures; natural or nuclear disaster; fire, flood, drought or adverse weather conditions; pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks of illness; and ice conditions in oceans and level of water in rivers. In the event of a cancellation or material alteration to the Journey as a result of the circumstances as described in this clause, THT shall have no liability whatsoever for any travel-related costs incurred by the Guest, including but not limited to air, insurance, visas, and other travel arrangements of any kind.  If a trip is postponed because of Force majeure, the trip participants will be automatically enrolled in the new date for the group's trip.  If the persons are not affiliated with a group, they are able to move another THT trip to the same location on a different date, subject to the price and availability of that trip.  Note, trip prices vary depending on seasonality and demand. THT highly recommends that travelers purchase Trip Travel Insurance, including considering Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance to guard their investment in a trip. In the case of a force majeure event(s) that could cause a trip postponement, we are happy to offer you a tour credit applicable to another THT trip.   This tour credit is in effect if all payments remain with THT.  But, as with anything of value, it is important to avoid any misunderstandings about a tour credit. Please read the following information, for the use of your tour credit will be governed by these terms:
•    In the case of an event causing a trip delay or cancellation, the amount of the tour credit will be determined in accordance with the Terms and Conditions and will be offset by any payment or settlement you receive from any relevant insurance policy.
•    Tour credit value is stated and calculated in US dollars. Tour credits are redeemable for future tour bookings only and cannot be redeemable for cash, check, gift certificate, or credit back to a charge card or bank account. 
•    Tour credits are non-transferable and will be forfeited if bartered, sold, or if obtained or used in an illegal or fraudulent manner, or through unauthorized persons or channels.
•    Tour credits will be awarded to each individual traveler on the trip reservation. 
•    Tour credits will expire on December 31, two years following the year of the originally scheduled tour (e.g. if you receive a credit for a tour set to depart in 2025, you may use that credit toward any tour(s) departing prior to December 31, 2027).
•    Tour credits may be redeemed when booking a new THT tour online at our website Tour credits cannot be redeemed through a travel agency or any other source.
•    Tour credits must be redeemed for any tour(s) with a departure date on or before the expiration date of the tour credit.
•    If your tour credit is insufficient to cover the full cost of your new tour(s), you will be responsible for paying the balance. 
•    If you cancel a booking made with a tour credit, all tour credit is lost. 
•    The owner of a tour credit or any Tour Member whose tour was purchased using a tour credit understands that he/she will be required to provide an alternate form of payment before being allowed to join the tour if the tour credit was used for payment in violation of these terms and conditions or applicable law.
Trip Travel Insurnace 
THT highly recommends all travelers obtain Trip Travel Insurance.  With that, THT recommends travelers carefully read the benefits of each policy they are considering.

INCLUDED IN JOURNEYS
All accommodations, meals and fully guided sightseeing (including park and entrance fees) as noted in the itinerary; airport transfers to/from hotel/ship in the first/last published city regardless of day of arrival and departure; services of THT Tour Director or appropriate guide on Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions; coffee/ tea/soft drinks/water at included meals; porterage of up to two (2) pieces of baggage; complimentary Internet access (where available on cruises and at land accommodations; service levels are not guaranteed); and hotel taxes. 

NOT INCLUDED IN JOURNEYS
Trip Travel Cancellation Insurance, Trip Travel Medical Insurance or Trip Travel Interruption Insurance; international and internal airfares, unless otherwise noted; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; reciprocity and other border fees; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise noted; excess baggage charges; gratuities to the guides; meals other than those specified in the itinerary; room service; beverages other than those noted in inclusions above; sightseeing not included in the published itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges, Internet access for all trains; and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

HOTEL CHECK-IN
Most hotels allow check-in to take place during the mid afternoon. Should you wish to have a guaranteed room ready for your immediate check-in upon arrival, it can be arranged for an additional charge. Please ask THT for details and prices.

ROOM UPGRADES/SPECIAL REQUESTS
Upgrades are available on request at individual hotels. Specific requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that while every effort will be made to secure a special request, it cannot be guaranteed.

ITINERARIES
THT reserves the right to modify program itineraries, including arranged sightseeing and featured experts, and substitute accommodations, including hotels, vessels, aircraft and trains, at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond THT’s control. Every effort will be made to operate itineraries as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. 

AIR TRANSPORTATION
International airfare (to the journey starting point and from the ending point) is not included in ALL program pricing. Programs that include airfare expressly mention that in the program advertisements.

AIR TRANSPORTATION THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN A PROGRAM
International airfare (to the journey starting point and from the ending point) is not included in ALL program pricing.  THT works with many air carriers and can offer quotations from any gateway. Some journeys require internal flights as specified in the itinerary. This airfare is typically not included and must be purchased from THT in addition to the journey.  All internal air is based on economy class seating and is 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. All international and internal air quotes are subject to change until final payment has been received by THT.  Flight confirmation is based on availability. Air reservations cannot be confirmed until a passport copy is received by THT.

All air carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by THT. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airlines (and not THT), even if purchased through THT. THT is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, name changes, schedule changes, flight changes and/or cancellations. Should you change or cancel your air transportation arrangements before or after your travel begins, all airline change and cancellation fees will apply.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE
If you purchase economy class tickets with THT, those tickets come with the following baggage allowance:
- 1 Carry-on Bag (22 inches X 14 inches X 9 inches)
- 1 Checked Bag (Baggage size must not exceed 62 inches (158 cm) when you total LENGTH + WIDTH + HEIGHT) and not be over 50 pounds. 

Premium Economy, Business Class or First Class baggage allowances vary by carrier accompany the tickets purchased or may be obtained from each separate airlines website. 

THT provides porterage of up to two (2) pieces of baggage (1 checked and 1 carry-on) per person. Please note, should your journey include internal/ domestic or charter flights, your luggage allowance may be less than two (2) pieces of baggage and weight/size restrictions and additional costs may apply.

Details will be provided in your Pre-Travel Documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at the owner’s risk throughout the travel program, and THT assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions and fees applicable to your international flights.

PRICES AND ARRANGEMENTS
Quoted program prices are per person, double occupancy except where indicated. Although not expected, published prices may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing. THT, nor any of it's travel partners, is under no obligation to give a breakdown in costs of any journey. Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions are only available to guests booked on related group journeys. Modification of program content to accommodate a smaller group size will not affect the published program price.

CHILD POLICY
The minimum age is 10 years old unless noted on the itinerary. All children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Some activities on journeys may require a minimum age to participate. THT reserves the right to marginally exceed the published maximum group size on Family Journeys to accommodate a family.

ACTIVE ELEMENTS & CONDUCT
Some active elements have been incorporated into select itineraries. To enjoy the trips as intended, a minimum level of fitness is required. THT will require prior notice if any participant has any physical or other condition or disability that would prevent them from participating in active elements of any trip and/or could create a hazard to himself or herself or to other members of the group. THT may require guests to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that they are fit to participate. Acting reasonably, if THT is unable to properly accommodate the need of the person(s) concerned or believes that health and safety may be compromised, THT reserves the right to refuse participation. The guest represents that neither he nor she nor anyone traveling with him or her has any physical or other condition or disability that could create a hazard to himself or herself or other members of the tour. THT also reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the participant’s own expense, anyone whose physical condition or conduct negatively impacts the enjoyment of the other guests or disrupts the tour. Due to ship restrictions, women who will be six (6) months or more pregnant at any time during a cruise are not permitted to travel.

THT’S GUEST PROTECTION RECOMMENDATION
Travel insurance is not included in the price of the program and is highly recommended for each traveller. 

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
It is the guest’s sole responsibility to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel documents. All guests are advised to check with the appropriate government authority to determine the necessary documents. A valid passport is required for U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to all international destinations. Passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. Many destinations also require a visa for U.S. and Canadian citizens; this will be indicated in your Pre-Travel Documentation if this applies to your trip. Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey. You may be refused boarding or disembarked from a plane, vessel or train without liability for refund, payment, compensation, or credit of any kind if you do not have proper documentation, and you will be subject to any fine or other costs incurred by THT which result from improper documentation or noncompliance with applicable regulations.

RESERVATION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Any payments made to THT constitute your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out herein and in more specific pretravel documentation, including the registration form.

THT receives payment in three methods:  Apple Pay, Venmo and personal checks.  (Note:  Travelers may incur fees via the use of Apple Pay and Venmo).  Refunds, if applicable, only occur via company check. 

Deposit per Person Required at Time of Booking:  Varies depending upon group leader/organization/trip. 

If your reservation is made within 90 days of departure, the entire cost of the trip must be paid at the time of the request in order to secure confirmation. 

CANCELLATION CHARGES
Cancellations must be received in writing and will become effective on the date of receipt, fax, or email. Cancellations received by THT are subject to the following:

CANCELLATION FEES PER PERSON
91 days prior to departure or more:    $1,500
90 days prior to departure or less: 100% of the program price.

PARTIAL ROOM CANCELLATION
If a guest cancels or leaves a journey and a roommate remains, an additional supplement may apply to the price for the remaining guest.

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR AIRFARE
All airfares purchased via or with the help of THT is 100% non-refundable at the time of purchase.  All airfares are a contract between the individual and the airline.  The individual most often retains the value of the airfare for 1 year after cancellation, depending upon each individual airline's terms and conditions.  Travelers are advised to read the terms and conditions of all airfares before booking.

CANCELLATION CHARGES FOR EXTRA SERVICES

Additional hotel nights and other extra services booked in connection with THT journeys are subject to the individual booking and the listed cancellation policy herein.

CLAIMS AND REFUNDS
Refunds are not made for any missed services. Please see our Limits on THT’s Responsibility clause below. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program and be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a statement from the local destination company verifying the claim. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. THT will not consider any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your trip.

PHOTOGRAPHY DURING TRAVEL
THT reserves the right to take photographs and video during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes during the program and thereafter. By booking a program with THT, guests agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs and video. Guests who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to their Tour Director at the beginning of their program.

LIMITS ON THT’S RESPONSIBILITY
THT, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns, does not own or operate any property or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, THT is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person. In addition and without limitation, THT is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these trips take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Guest assumes all such risks associated with participating in these trips.

If you decide to participate in any activities including, but not limited to, any excursions involving animals, riding on animals, scuba diving, snorkeling, hot air ballooning, helicopter flights, ziplining, high altitude treks, climbing, whitewater rafting, jet boat rides, snowmobiling, primate tracking and any activity which THT considers to carry inherent risk of serious illness, injury or death (“Activities”), then you fully understand and acknowledge that Activities carry with them various inherent risks, including serious illness, injury or death and you take complete responsibility for your own health and safety and agree to assume all risks of injury, illness or death, whether foreseen or unforeseen, that may befall you as a result of participating in any Activities and agree to release THT and its affiliates, their agents, employees and representatives from any liability whatsoever related thereto.

Further, as consideration for being permitted to participate in the Activities; you release THT, whether known or unknown, from, and agree not to sue or make claim against THT for, property damage, cancellation of any Activities for any reason, illness, negligent rescue operations or procedures, personal injury, or death arising out of your participation in the Activities, and any activity related thereto, including transportation to and from the site of the Activities, regardless of whether such property damage, illness, personal injury, or death results from the negligence of THT (but not its reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct), and/or from any defect in equipment. You further agree to indemnify and hold THT harmless with respect to any claim made against THT by anyone else which (a) related to your participation, or (b) which would be subject to the above release and covenant not to sue if you had made the claim directly yourself.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES
It is the responsibility of the guest to become informed about the most current travel advisories by referring to the U.S. State Department’s travel website at travel.state.gov or by phone at 888 407 4747. In the event of a State Department Travel Advisory against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should the guest still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory, the guest assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits on THT’s Responsibility clause, to any THT brochure, to any information regarding any THT trip, service or package, or to any THT-related trip, activity, service or package, shall be submitted exclusively to and resolved in binding arbitration in Chicago, Illinois under the CPR International Non-administered Arbitration Rules (which can be found at cpradr.org), before a single arbitrator appointed by CPR. Any party or their representative may appear for the arbitration by telephone or video conference. Each party shall bear its own fees, costs and expenses and an equal share of any arbitrator and administrative fees.

AMENDMENTS
THT reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions in its published materials and to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.  All amended Terms shall automatically be effective upon being posted by THT to the Website.  Accordingly, guests should check the website truehopetravel.com prior to travel in order to ensure they are aware of any changes.

©2024 True Hope Travel Consultants, Inc.