Birding holidays
Terms and conditions
Group size and philosophy
The size of a typical group is between 5 and 16, plus the 2 group leaders. A tailored quotation will be given for groups of less than 5 participants and for those travelling individually. We have two guiding philosophies: we value flexibility, to ensure all participants get the most out of their experience. We also emphasise responsibility: we put a great emphasis on protecting the treasures of the areas we visit, thus ensuring that future visitors will be able to enjoy the same experience. At the beginning of each tour the guides brief each group on the most important rules regarding protected habitats and species. The travel contract also includes an eco-code of conduct.
We are also able to create special, tailor-made tours and programmes which meet your needs in respect of price, location and timing.
Reservations
Those wishing to sign up for an Ecotours tour or trip need to fill out a booking form and return it to us electronically, or post it to our mailing address. A deposit of 30% of the total price per person is required to ensure registration; 25% of this is non-refundable upon receipt. Travellers will be notified of the amount required as a deposit and the deadline for registration. Reservations are made on a ’first come, first served’ basis: we accept reservations with deposits in order of their receipt. Faxed or telephoned reservations can also be accepted if followed by the necessary deposit within 10 days.
All prices indicated on the website are valid from 5 passengers
Payment
Hungarian Forint (HUF), USD ($), Euro (€) or British Pound (Ł) are all accepted. Payment should be made by bank transfer. Account details are available upon request from Ecotours Wildlife Holidays.
We are unable to accept payment by bank card and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Approximately 10 weeks (70 days) before the departure date participants will receive an invoice for the balance due, and payment must be made on receipt of this invoice.
Exchange rate surcharges
It is difficult to predict foreign currency exchange rates over the long term or on the date when a departure will operate. If from the time a client receives a price quote for services requested, the value of the major currency in which the quote was provided —Great Britain Pound (GBP), U.S. Dollar (USD), or Euro (EUR)—loses more than 5% of value vs the Hungarian Forint (HUF), Ecotours Wildlife Holidays will implement an exchange rate surcharge and adjust pricing appropriately. Exchange rate surcharges are applied at the time of final invoice. Specifically, we regard exchange rate surcharges as a last resort. For this reason, Ecotours Wildlife Holidays will absorb exchange rate fluctuations up to 5%. However, an exchange rate fluctuation in excess of 5% automatically triggers an adjustment of prices, the full amount of which will be paid by the client.
Prices Include
All prices indicated on the website are valid from 5 passengers
- all travel as laid out in the itinerary,
- all accommodation, based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin-bedded), (At most locations single rooms are also available at extra cost. Please ask for a single room at the time of booking.),
- 3 meals per day: usually breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch and evening meal consisting of at least two courses,
- services of the leader(s),
- trip materials and any available maps,
- visitors permits for National Parks.
Prices do not include
- passports and visas,
- airport and other departure taxes,
- food beyond the usual 3 meals/day stated in the itineraries,
- tips,
- immunizations,
- excess baggage charges,
- optional programmes,
- telephone calls,
- alcoholic drinks,
- laundry,
- room service, snacks and anything of a purely personal nature.
If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.
Refunds
Should notice of cancellation be received in writing more than 10 weeks (70 days) before departure of a tour of one week or longer, the total payment is refundable – with the exception of 25% of the deposit. Should notice of cancellation be received between 10 weeks and 5 weeks (35 days) before departure, half the total payment is refundable. If notice of cancellation is received 5 weeks or less before departure the client forfeits all payment and no part of the payment will be refunded.
Alterations to Tour and Trip
Ecotours Wildlife Holidays reserves the right to alter the content of a tour or cancel it, should this be deemed necessary. The agreed itinerary may be subject to change due to unforeseeable weather changes, unexpected seasonal changes or simply because the group decides to make some alterations or changes. Should any major changes be required prior to the trip commencing, participants will be informed and are at liberty to withdraw from the tour without penalty. Should changes have to be made during the tour any additional costs, should they arise, are the traveller’s responsibility.
Travel Insurance
It is compulsory for all travellers taking part in an Ecotours Wildlife Holidays tour to have her/his own travel insurance.
The pace of our tours and physical exertion
The pace of the tours is such that no exertion is required, although it is occasionally necessary to climb hills or walk on muddy, slippery terrain. While the effort is always rewarding, those who don’t feel comfortable with physical exercise or would simply like a break, are usually able to rest in the van instead of walking. Participants should be able to complete occasional walks of a few hours duration and the tour schedule for the day needs to be met.
Participants are requested to advise us in writing of any health problems when reserving a place on a tour.
Tour Cancellation
Ecotours reserves the right to cancel any tour or trip for which there are insufficient reservations 5 weeks (35 days) before the departure date. Should this occur, all deposits and other payments made will be fully refunded.
Trip Materials
Detailed itineraries, past or prospective list of sights and species, general information will be sent to each registrant on receipt of a deposit.
Final information, meeting instructions and additional material, if any, will be mailed about 20 days before tour departure.
Responsibility
Ecotours Wildlife Holidays, as the operator of land arrangements, takes responsibility for providing the services and accommodation to the tour participants, as offered to them and laid out in the brochure.
Ecotours Wildlife Holidays disclaims all liability for any death, injury, damage, loss, accident, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of any defect in any vehicle, or through the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger, or of any hotel proprietor or servant of any person engaged in carrying out the purpose for which all orders, tickets, and coupons are issued, or otherwise in connection therewith. The right to alter any land tour arrangement is reserved.
Ecotours Wildlife Holidays will not be held responsible for any damage, expense, or inconvenience caused by late air, train, or boat arrivals or departures or by any change of schedule or other conditions, nor will they be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, baggage or any article belonging to the passenger.
Financial Protection
Ecotours Wildlife Holidays Limited is a company committed to customer satisfaction and consumer financial protection. We are therefore pleased to announce that, at no extra cost to you, and in accordance with ”The Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 1992” all passengers booking with Ecotours Wildlife Holidays Limited is fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid as detailed in your booking confirmation form. The policy will also include repatriation if required, arising from the cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Ecotours Wildlife Holidays Limited. This insurance has been arranged with Affirma a trading brand of MGA Cover Services Limited (registered address Farren House The Street, Farren Court Cowfold West Sussex RH 13 8BP, company registration: 08444204 authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority registration number 678541) under a binding authority with the insurer CBL Insurance Europe Limited (registered address 2nd Floor 13-17 Dawson Street Dublin 2 Ireland, who are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority registration number 203120)
In the unlikely event of Insolvency you must Inform Affirma (MGA Cover Services Limited) immediately on +44 (0) 20 3540 4422. Please ensure you retain this booking confirmation form as evidence of cover and value.
Policy exclusions: This policy will not cover any monies paid back to you by your Travel Insurance or any losses which are recoverable under another insurance or bond. This policy will also not cover any loss sustained by Passenger(s) booked on a flight-inclusive package sold and commencing within the United Kingdom.