TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms of Service

Terms and conditions traveling in Peru: Happy Gringo Tours operates in regions where standards of accommodation; transport and services might not be those you would normally expect. However; we strive with all due care and skill to provide the best services for our tourists. Travelling in Peru requires flexibility; patience, broad-mindedness, good humour and understanding that changes may be made without notice; due to circumstances beyond our control (Force Majeure – see below). By booking any of our tours or hikes you agree to Happy Gringo Tours making necessary changes without liability.

FORCE MAJEURE: This is any event that Happy Gringo Tours could not; even with all due care, foresee or avoid. This covers events such as war or threat, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, disaster or adverse weather conditions, fire or all similar events beyond our control. In this case; Happy Gringo will not accept liability and reserves the right to change, postpone or even cancel the trip (this is the last option of course!).

Increments in Case of Protests, Strikes (FORCE MAJEURE) – Terms and Conditions

In the event of a protest / strike; which is not uncommon in Cusco, it may be necessary to leave a day or even 2 days earlier than scheduled so that we are able to comply with other services. In this case; an increment will be charged to cover costs incurred.

Risks: By booking any of our adventure trips (Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Salkantay trek, Ausangate trekking, Choquequirao trek, Lares trek, Vilcabamba trek, Huchuy Qosqo trek, Cachicata tours, etc.) you assume the risks associated with them. For these Happy Gringo Tours accepts no responsibility.

Travel Insurance: We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance that covers accidents, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, including rescue and air ambulance. We also recommend that it covers cancellations and loss of luggage. Please forward a copy/ company name and policy number by email or bring the information when you come to our office.

Group Discounts or fee Sacred Valley Tour: if there are at least 4 people in your group; you will automatically get either: A $20 per person group discount or a free Sacred Valley tour (a Must Do in Cusco). This discount or free tour is valid for the following adventure trips: Inca Trail 4 day group service; Lares tours  4 day and Salkantay trekking 5 day. Please note that this discount does not apply to private treks or any other trek not mentioned here.

Note: discount does not apply if less than 4 people undertake the trek (if a group member cancels).

►Everything you really need to know before hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Holiday or Election Increments

An increment of *$38 per person is applicable for all treks (regardless of group / private option / size of group) leaving during these holidays: Christmas (Dec 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th) New Year (Dec 29th, 30th, 31st, Jan 1st). An increment is also applicable in order to leave during election days (people are fined in Peru if they do not vote). We use the increments to pay staff a bonus for leaving on their holiday or it is used to pay the fines.

Sending your main Departure date and backup date: By providing us with a main date and a back up date for your trek (classic Inca Trail, Lares, Salkantay, etc) you automatically authorize Happy Gringo Tours to use either of these dates for your reservation. Happy Gringo Tours within the next 48 hours (after you have sent us your booking form and confirm deposit was made) will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and also to confirm the exact departure date of your trek. Terms and conditions

Sending your Personal Details for Booking:

Your passport number and other information must be valid. Please advise if you change your passport number after booking the tour (especially for booking the classic Inca Trail as if we do not make a change in your official details, you may not be permitted to do the trek). Please Note changing passports’ numbers requires an extra fee (we are able to change passports numbers easily on our receipt but it’s also extremely important that we make the changes with the Inca Trail authorities)

Student rate; in order to obtain this discount you must have a valid ISIC card. It is important you scan and email this to us at the time of booking and that it is valid on the date you are booked on the Inca Trail/alternative treks (you will need to show the real ISIC card http://www.isiccard.com upon your arrival here in Cusco and in Machu Picchu).

Making a Reservation and payment of deposit (Terms and Conditions).

For the classic Inca Trails: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 or 7 days (Group or Private Service), and other Cusco day tours.

We request a $190 non-refundable deposit per person along with your personal details (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, DOB).

*Note: the deposits are not transferible or refundable. Unless, you have serious problem that is double-check by the person who is in charge (when the proofs have real sense, the company send you back your deposit immediately). 

The deposit amount is: US$220 per person for Inca Trail only or US$270 per person for Inca Trail + Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Please confirm if you want to climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (the 45 minutes climb near Machu Picchu site and the one hour climb as well near Machu Picchu site) as they need to be booked well in advance too; these are US$75.00 per person there are 2 time sessions: 7 – 8am or 10 – 11am – this also needs to be specified although you need to be flexible to either time.

Please note, if you get the permits for the 7am start you will probably have to miss the Machu Picchu guided tour.

You can pay your final balance in cash and in US Dollars.

(1) Deposit sent for booking is non-refundable nor transferable to any other date, person or tour.

(2) Happy Gringo Tours must be notified of any changes or cancellations to your trip as soon as you are aware of them, via e-mail or fax so that we do not incur expenses not covered by deposit.

(3) Once final balance has been paid, we will not be able to refund your trek payment in the case of cancellations. There will, however, be parts of your trip that you are able to use (Machu Picchu entrance fee, train tickets, bus tickets).

(4) A claim letter for your insurance company; can also be provided by us upon request.

(5) Porter service hired can Not be cancelled (a fee is paid for booking this service).

VERY IMPORTANT (1): We strongly suggest staying at high altitude (above 3350 metres – in Cusco or another high altitude city) for 3 to 2 days (minimum) before undertaking the trip. This is in order to minimize the effects of possible altitude sickness (READ Cusco and Machu Picchu mountain sickess). Also; you can help your body acclimatize by drinking plenty of liquids, adding a bit more sugar to your drinks, eating food rich in carbohydrates, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol and drinking coca (ancient traditional leaf) tea. Diamox can also be helpful – please ask your doctor about this.

VERY IMPORTANT (2): We recommend you arrive in Cusco 48 hours or more before trek departure as we may need to leave earlier than scheduled in case of strikes or other events out of our control (see Force Majeure above).