TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The Term of Services

Terms and conditions for traveling in Peru: Happy Gringo Tours operates in regions where standards of accommodation, transport, and services might not be those you would typically expect. However, we strive with all due care and skill to provide the best services for our tourists. Traveling in Peru requires flexibility, patience, broad-mindedness, good humor, 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 other 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 two days earlier than scheduled so that we can comply with other services. In this case, an increment will be charged to cover the 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 luggage loss. 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 four 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: The discount does not apply if fewer than four people undertake the trek (e.g. if a group member cancels).

►Everything you 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 also applies 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 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 confirmed the deposit was made), we will send you an electronic receipt confirming your trek has been officially booked and the exact departure date of your trek. Terms and conditions

Sending your 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 passport numbers requires an extra fee (we can change passport numbers easily on our receipt, but it’s also extremely important that we make the changes with the Inca Trail authorities)

Student rate: you must have a valid ISIC card to obtain this discount. You must 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, three days, four 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 details (full name, passport number, gender, nationality, DOB).

*Note: Deposit is not transferrable or refundable unless you have a severe problem that is double-checked by the person in charge (when the proofs make real sense, the company sends you back your deposit immediately).

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

Please confirm if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (the 45-minute climb near the Machu Picchu site and the one-hour climb as well), as they need to be booked well in advance. These are US$75.00 per person. There are two-time sessions: 7 – 8 am or 10 – 11 am—this also needs to be specified, although you need to be flexible to either time.

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

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

(1) The 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 the final balance has been paid, we cannot refund your trek payment in the case of cancellations. However, you can use parts of your trip (Machu Picchu entrance fee, train tickets, bus tickets).

(4) We can also provide a claim letter for your insurance company upon request.

(5) The Porter service hired cannot be canceled (a fee is paid for booking this service).

(6) The tour packages are based on two minimums. Therefore, travelers will be accommodated in a double room.

VERY IMPORTANT (1): We strongly suggest staying at a high altitude (above 3350 meters – in Cusco or another high-altitude city) for 3 to 2 days (minimum) before undertaking the trip. This minimizes the effects of possible altitude sickness (READ Cusco and Machu Picchu mountain sickness). Also, you can help your body acclimate by drinking plenty of liquids, adding 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).