Terms and Conditions of Capture the Light Photographic Tours:
Fitness levels:
Our tours require a moderate to good level of fitness to access all of the locations. There will be a lot of walking on a variety of surfaces including uneven ground; rocky, muddy, steep or loose gravel paths. Bhutan is mountainous so we will be doing some short treks into some locations. In most cases they will be around an hour but the walk up to the Tiger’s Nest Temple will be approximately 3 -5 hours, a horse can be hired if you prefer for the upward climb as far as the Cafe which is a little over half way.
There is a risk of altitude sickness as we will be at higher altitudes then you might be used to. Our longest trekking day to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery will be our last full day in Bhutan by which time we may be more accustom to the altitude. If you have any long standing health conditions please seek permission from your medical practitioner before booking. Unfortunately our tours are not suitable for those who need wheelchair access.
Some accomodations may have stairs or ladders which are quite steep please let us know if this may be an issue and we will endeavour to find you a room on the ground floor.
Booking and deposit:
To confirm your booking a non-refundable deposit is required. Once a deposit is received Capture the Light Photographic Tours will confirm your booking via email. We recommend that you do not make other travel arrangements without a deposit having been paid or you receiving a confirmation from us. Capture the Light Photographic Tours is not responsible for any costs you may incur if you book other travel before you have paid a deposit or received our confirmation. Once your tour is confirmed with us we recommend that you purchase travel insurance ( please note a good comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip, we will need a copy of your insurance before departure). Our Bhutanese agents recommend should cover helicopter evacuation services and medical assistance.
Cancellations/Amendments:
Your deposit is non refundable unless Capture the Light Photographic Tours cancels the trip, in this case your deposit and any other funds will be refunded minus administration costs. We recommend you purchasing travel insurance to cover yourself if you have to cancel your trip for any reason.
In the case of you cancelling the your tour before the 6 weeks cut off then there maybe a penalty depending on the amount of time between the time of cancellation and the date of the tour.
The balance is due 6 weeks (42 days) before the commencement of your tour. Please note though that your place is not considered secure as far as our Bhutanese agent is concerned until the full price has been paid, only at that point will they book your flight into Paro so we recommend that you pay in full as soon as possible.
Our cancellation policy:
Your original $US500 deposit is not refundable unless we cancel the tour. You have a grace period of 7 days after booking in which we will refund your money minus any bank charges and an admin fee of $US50.
Within 35 days of arrival in Bhutan 75%* of your balance will be refunded. Between 34-22 days of arrival in Bhutan 50%*of your balance will be refunded. Between 21-15 days of arrival in Bhutan 25%*of your balance will be refunded. After this date (14 days of arrival in Bhutan) if you cancel your booking with us then there will be no refund.
*An administration fee of $US50 will be applicable for all cancelled tours, once the Bhutanese visa has been issued. Further, please note that for any refunds the bank transfer charges and currency exchange rate differences and transactions will be deducted from the total refund.
Further policies from our Bhutan agency (Authentic Bhutan Tours)
- Delayed arrival or Departure.
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or roadblocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.
2. Travel Insurance
To protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps, we would like to suggest and advise you to have a Travel Insurance policy from your country. The Travel Insurance policy should cover helicopter evacuation services and medical assistance. Authentic Bhutan Tours will not be liable for any kind of injury, illness or death during your visit to Bhutan either of trek or cultural tour.
3. Acceptance of risk
Your participation in the tours could involve a degree of personal risk. So while we are fully concerned over your personal safety you bear the responsibility. Therefore you acknowledge that your decision to travel with our company is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you assume the personal risks attendant upon such travel.
KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY EXECUTION I have carefully read and fully understand the contents and legal ramifications of this agreement as well as all the conditions as stated under Travellers Information, Terms and conditions page, especially noting those regarding cancellation and refund policies, limitation of liability, and responsibility borne by trip participants.
I understand this is a legally binding and enforceable contract and sign it of my own free will. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
Visas and Passports:
Your Bhutanese visa will be organised for you by our Bhutanese Agency. You are responsible for obtaining and paying for any other visas or entry documents that are required. Please note that most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the conclusion of your trip. We are not responsible to refund your costs if you miss the trip for this reason.
Eligibility:
You must be eighteen (18) years old or over to make a booking with us. Children over 12 with a photographic interest are welcome with a supervising adult when sharing the same room. Please note that the child might be accommodated on a trundle bed or similar. Please inquire for the cost of the child. This is not a suitable trip for children with no photographic interest. Please remember that a moderate to good level of health & fitness is required.
Level of photography:
We guarantee small groups to a maximum of 12 people. All levels of photographers are welcome. Don’t worry if you don’t know an F stop from a filter we are here to help and teach you. The important thing is that if you enjoy getting out with your camera and want to join with like-minded people then this is the tour for you. So whether you are a beginner or an expert photographer you will find that you will love our tours. We welcome all makes and models of cameras from a compact cameras to digital or film SLR cameras. We also welcome any non photographer to join their partners on this trip but please note no alternative arrangements will be made for them if they do not wish to accompany the group to any location on the itinerary. On the days when we are in the same hotel for 2 nights they can remain at the hotel for the day although they may need to purchase their own lunch. Please note not all hotels are close to shops etc.
Insurance:
We insist that you comprehensively insure your trip to cover medical, cancellation etc and adequate cover to insure loss or damage to all your camera equipment whilst you travel with us. We would suggest that you check your nominated travel insurance is sufficient cover for your DSLR camera kits, you may need with an additional cover with a specialist insurer. We require a copy of your travel insurance two weeks before departure.
Special diet requirements:
Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements. Capture the Light Photographic Tours will make every effort to insure that there are a variety of food items to cater for all dietary needs at each place we eat at but cannot guarantee that those requirements can be met all the time. Bhutanese food is largely vegetarian, they do use chillies in they cooking but as all dishes are usually served separately they are easy to avoid.
Baggage:
Luggage space is at a premium. Our internal flight has a weight limit of 20kg. Space is limited in the vehicle so please restrict yourself to one camera bag, tripod and one other moderate size bag per person. If you have to travel with more luggage for any further travels we can make arrangements for you to leave some luggage in Paro whilst we are travelling through Bhutan.
Gratuities:
Capture The Light Photographic Tour is in the habit of tipping for good serve but tipping in Bhutan is a purely personal matter. However, if you would like to, we will do it as a group giving it to our guide and driver in an envelope with a personalised card. This is not included in the advertised costs.
Itinerary:
You will be supplied with an itinerary of locations we will visit with your confirmation. We reserve the right to change the itinerary, this will most likely due to the weather or conflicting events at the locations.
Please be aware that the chance of rain and cold on tour is possible. Unless the weather is particularly inclement we will visit some of the locations as planned but if the weather will make those locations dangerous then a change in the itinerary will be made. Please make sure you bring good wet weather gear for yourself and your equipment as per the “what to bring list”. Alternative locations will not be arranged at our expense if you do not have suitable gear to participate. We recommend a moderate to good level of fitness, as there will be a lot of walking involved. In some areas we are on very uneven ground, muddy, rocky or loose gravel paths making falls and slips possible. We will also be on paths that are close to unfenced cliffs. We recommend good walking shoes/boots and care to be taken at all times. We will give safely briefings and will make recommendations on where it is not safe to access.
Client Terms:
Capture the Light Photographic Tours is not responsible for transport to or from your home City to the start of the tour. The offical meeting point for Bhutan is Bangkok from where we will fly into Paro. Please note that if you are traveling from Europe or the USA there are alternative hubs which can be used as a port of entry into Bhutan, these include Kolkata and Singapore. If you use one of these entry ports in may alter the overall price. If you miss the nominated flight into Bhutan then it is your responsible to arrange and pay for transport to join the tour at a suitable point.
Capture the Light Photographic Tours is not responsible for WIFI, room service, mini bar, telephone calls from room, laundry, alcohol or soft drinks served with meals. You must pay for these costs on check out of the hotel.
Capture the Light Photographic Tours does not provide photographic equipment. We will advise you on what equipment you will need to bring. Please advise us in advance if you need to hire a tripod.
Clients must make sure that you have adequate travel insurance to cover travel delays, medical events and camera equipment.
Copyright:
All photographs on the tour website, Facebook page and any advertising materials are covered by copyright and not to be used without permission and fee to the photographer.
Accuracy of your information:
When you submit any information to us you must ensure that it is true, accurate, current, and complete in all respects, and you represent that it is. We will rely on your information provided to make your booking and are not responsible for any problems which arise from the information being incomplete. For example, we need the exact name as it appears on your passport otherwise your booking may be invalid.
Smoking including e cigarettes:
All vehicles and accommodation are non-smoking but we will make regular comfort stops. Smoking is not permitted in any public place so if you are a smoker please let us know before you book so that we can clarify Bhutanese smoking policy with you.
Errors:
We do not guarantee that our website or any website content will be free from errors or omissions. There may be mistakes and errors in our website content which we fail to notice, which will not be binding on us. We reserve the right to correct any errors in our website content and to change any of our website content (including services, products, availability, and pricing) at any time without notice, including in any booking you have submitted or contract you have entered into with us on the basis of it. If any correction affects any booking you have submitted or contract you have entered into with us to your material detriment, then we will give you the opportunity to cancel the booking rather than accept the change.
Pricing:
We understand you want value for money and have endeavoured to price the tour to make it accessible for most pockets. We have tried to allow for price & currency fluctuations and exchange rates. However in exceptional circumstances we may have to alter the price to reflect unforeseen changes in exchange rates as this effects every cost involved in the tour.
Accommodation:
Accommodation has been chosen to be close to locations rather then on Star ratings. Where possible they are within walking distance of the dawn location. Whilst we expect all accommodation to be clean and comfortable not all rooms will always be ensuite, especially if we are using a farm or homestay where your room will be basic.
Every effort has been made to reserve twin bed rooms but on occasions hotels may only supply a double bed room. Special requests cannot be guaranteed and are based on availability at the time of check in.
Free WIFI is available in some but not all accommodations. Capture the Light Photographic Tours is not responsible for purchasing WIFI if it is not complimentary. You are also responsible for cost incurred for phone calls, mini bars, room service and personal items. Some hotels may require a deposit on check in.
No liability for force majeure:
We will not be liable for anything caused by event or circumstance beyond our reasonable control.
No liability unless our fault:
We shall not be liable for any losses unless they are caused by any negligence, or breach of any law or legal or contractual obligation on our part. We shall not be liable for any losses or injury caused by any act or omission on your part.
No liability for loss not foreseeable:
We shall not be liable for any loss or damage that was not foreseeable.
Definition of liability:
References to our liability include our liability under or for breach of a contract, liability in negligence, liability under any statute or other law, liability for breach of statutory duty, or any other liability on whatever basis or howsoever arising, including (without limitation) where such liability arises out of or in connection with our websites, website content, and any services provided through them, your reliance on the same, or the non-availability or interruption of the same.
Privacy policy:
Capture the Light Photographic Tours will protect your personal information. We will keep your personal data only for our own use and will never pass it on to a third party. If you are booking using one of our partners they will have their own privacy policy.
Capture the Light Photographic Tours is a registered ASIC business name of Anna-Mair Francis Creative Photography which has a Australian Business Number (ABN) 27 542 522 114.
Capture the Light Photographic Tours is not a travel agent or travel service provider.
Postal address: P.O Box 1251, Joondalup DC, W.A, Australia, 6919
Telephone: +61 401 840 516
Contact email: info@CTLPhototours.com
or info@annamairfrancis.com