Disclosure
THIS DISCLOSURE IS A BRIEF AND INCOMPLETE RECAP OF THE TOUR AGREEMENT AND RELEASE DOCUMENT. THE FULL TRIP CONDITIONS, RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, HEALTH AND SAFETY AND SIGN-UP FORM WILL BE PROVIDED TO EACH CONFIRMED TOUR PARTICIPANT. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST READ AND SIGN THESE CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF ANY RESERVATION AND AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TOUR.
PARTICIPANTS ARE INSTRUCTED TO NOT MAKE OR PAY FOR ANY AIRLINE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE TOUR HAS ACHIEVED THE REQUIRED MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.
TRIP TRAVEL GOALS AND CONDITIONS:
THE CHIEF GOAL OF OUR TOURS IS TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCOVERY AND EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY’S AVIFAUNA AND TO EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT LIFE ZONES WHERE THE BIRDS INHABIT AND BREED. DIVERSE FIELD TRIPS AND OVERNIGHT STAYS HAVE BEEN PLANNED IN OR NEAR NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS FOR MORE PRODUCTIVE BIRDING TIME. THE HOTELS AND LODGES HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BASED ON THEIR STRATEGIC LOCATION AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOGISTICS OF THE TRIP ITSELF. ALL OF THEM ARE NEAT, CLEAN AND MOSTLY ECO-FRIENDLY PLACES BUT BY NO MEANS QUALIFY AS LUXURIOUS HOTELS. ON SOME TOURS MORE HIGH-END HOTELS ARE UTILIZED AND THEIR RATING WILL BE NOTED.
OUR TOURS SPECIALIZE IN VIEWING AND EXPLORING DIVERSE WILDLIFE IN NATURAL FORESTED AREAS. WE CANNOT FULLY PREDICT OR CONTROL THE PRESENCE OF WILDLIFE AS THEIR MOVEMENTS VARY.
DUE TO THE REMOTE LOCATION OF SOME LODGES IN SOUTH AMERICA, A NUMBER OF THE LODGES ARE NOT SERVICED BY ELECTRICITY AND HAVE GENERATORS/CANDLES/KEROSENE FOR LIGHTING. AT SUCH LOCATIONS, 220V GENERATORS WHICH ARE RUN AT SCHEDULED LIMITED PERIODS TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC POWER. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR EQUIPMENT IS COMPATIBLE WITH 220V GENERATED ELECTRICITY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MAY NEED A CONVERTER OR ADAPTER TO CHARGE PERSONAL EQUIPMENT.
IF IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER IT IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE HOTELS, BOATS OR OTHER MEANS OF CONVEYANCE, COMPARABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE SUBSTITUTED WHEREVER POSSIBLE. IF MAJESTIC FEATHERS IS REQUIRED TO CANCEL A TOUR DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REFUNDED FOR THE COST OF THEIR TOUR, BUT MAJESTIC FEATHERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ACCOMPANYING EXPENSES SUCH AS AIRLINE TICKETS OR GEAR PURCHASES.
EACH TOUR THAT MAJESTIC FEATHERS OFFERS HAS A MINIMUM NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS TO PROCEED WITH THE TOUR. IF THE TOUR FAILS TO RECEIVE THE INITIAL DEPOSITS OF THE MINIMUM REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS, THE TOUR WILL EITHER BE CANCELLED OR OFFERED AT AN INCREASED PRICE. INITIAL DEPOSITS RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE CANCELLATION OF THE TRIP WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL. PARTICIPANTS ARE INSTRUCTED TO NOT MAKE OR PAY FOR ANY AIRLINE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE TOUR HAS ACHIEVED THE REQUIRED MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
TRIP GRATUITIES FOR THE TOUR BIRD GUIDE(S). (AN ADDITIONAL REGISTERED PERUVIAN GUIDE IS REQUIRED BY THE COUNTRY OF PERU. A REGISTERED PANAMANIAN GUIDE IS REQUIRED BY THE COUNTRY OF PANAMA), OR SPECIALISTS SUCH AS ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS PROVIDING SEMINARS ON A TOUR.
CUSTOMARY TIPS FOR DRIVERS, OTHER LOCAL GUIDES, HOUSEKEEPING/MAID SERVICE/BARTENDERS EXCESS WEIGHT OR BAGGAGE FEES.
TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM AIRPORTS FOR EARLY ARRIVALS OR LATER DEPARTURES. LODGING FOR EARLY ARRIVALS OR LATER DEPARTURES.
TRAVEL INSURANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE, EVACUATION SERVICES FOR HEALTH CARE
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR SOFT DRINKS. PERSONAL ITEMS: LAUNDRY, TELEPHONE CALLS, OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OPTIONAL ENTRANCE FEES, MUSEUMS, SPA TREATMENTS, CEREMONIES, HOTSPRINGS, RAFTING, DIVING/SCUBA, ZIPLINES, HORSEBACK TOURS ETC. (ANY ACTIVITY NOT DESCRIBED AS INCLUDED IN THE ITINERARY).
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THESE REQUIREMENTS.
HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE/MEDICAL CARE:
EACH PARTICIPANT MUST MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND EVACUATION TRAVEL INSURANCE. PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE TRAVELING TO AREAS THAT MAY BE REMOTE AND THAT MEDICAL SERVICE AND FACILITIES MAY NOT BE READILY AVAILABLE, INCLUDING MEDICAL CARE, ACCEPTANCE OF USA BASED HEALTH INSURANCE, PRESENCE OF PHYSICIANS AND MEDICATION.
PAYMENT DUE DATES, CANCELLATION POLICY, NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT DATES AND ITINERARY DEVIATIONS:
OUR CANCELLATION POLICY VARIES BY COUNTRY AND PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE THE FULL DETAILS ON OUR CANCELLATION POLICY FOR THE TOUR THEY ARE INTERESTED IN BEFORE SENDING A DEPOSIT FOR THEIR SELECTED TOUR.
WE STRONGLY SUGGEST PURCHASING TRAVEL CANCELLATION INSURANCE IN THE EVENT THAT YOU NEED TO CANCEL DUE TO AN EMERGENCY BEFORE OR DURING THE TOUR.
THE PACE OF OUR TOURS:
BIRDING OFTEN INVOLVES VERY EARLY OR LATE HOURS AND AT LEAST A MODEST AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND WE WANT OUR PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND FULLY WHAT IS REQUIRED. BIRDS ARE MOST ACTIVE DURING THE EARLY HOURS, AND OFTEN WE HAVE A WALK BEFORE BREAKFAST OR BREAKFAST BEFORE LEAVING FOR MORE DISTANT BIRDING LOCATIONS. ALL TOURS REQUIRE GENTLE WALKING, SOMETIMES FOR PERIODS OF UP TO FOUR HOURS. BIRDING IS CONTINUOUS BUT OF COURSE WE REST AS NECESSARY. AT TIMES WE CLIMB HILLS, WALK ON UNEVEN OR WET TERRAIN, OR PUSH THROUGH FOLIAGE. ON TOURS WITH MORE THAN ONE GUIDE, WE ARE SOMETIMES ABLE TO HAVE A “FASTER” AND “SLOWER” GROUP. OCCASIONALLY LUNCHES ARE BOX LUNCHES. IT IS MORE OFTEN THE CASE THAT WE EAT BACK AT THE HOTEL OR THE LODGE. ONCE IN A WHILE WE EAT AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT. BIRDS ARE LESS ACTIVE DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY AND THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO REST. AFTERNOON BIRDING PICKS UP AGAIN MID TO LATE AFTERNOON AND WE RETURN TO THE HOTEL AN HOUR OR SO BEFORE DINNER. EACH DAY THE BIRD LIST IS REVIEWED EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER DINNER. MOST ACCOMMODATIONS SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SO HAVING AN AFTER DINNER COCKTAIL IS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE NIGHTLIFE ESPECIALLY SINCE WE GENERALLY STAY IN MORE REMOTE AREAS AWAY FROM WELL DEVELOPED TOWNS.
ALL ACTIVITIES AS OUTLINED IN THE DAILY SCHEDULE ARE OPTIONAL.
IN GENERAL TOUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN BIRDING OR BIRDWATCHING FOR A WHILE. THE SKILL LEVELS WITHIN A TOUR GROUP MAY VARY BUT IT IS ASSUMED THAT BIRDERS AND BIRDWATCHERS OF ANY INTEREST AND SKILL LEVEL HAVE BINOCULARS, KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE RUDIMENTS OF HOW TO WATCH BIRDS. IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE ANY BIRDWATCHING PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL SUGGEST A FEW WAYS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR TOUR.
RESTRICTIONS ON TOUR PARTICIPATION :
THE NUMBER ONE THING IS TO PRACTICE COMMON SENSE BECAUSE RESTRICTIONS ON PARTICIPATION ARE A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE, WE IMPOSE NO ABSOLUTE RESTRICTIONS. IF YOU HAVE A HEALTH PROBLEM OR ANY PHYSICAL LIMITATION THAT MAY HAMPER OR RESTRICT YOUR FULL INVOLVEMENT IN ANY ASPECT OF A TOUR, OR ABOUT WHICH WE SHOULD BE AWARE FOR YOUR SAFETY (SUCH AS, WALKING DIFFICULTIES, DIABETES, ASTHMA, ANGINA, *MOTION SICKNESS, AND SO ON), PLEASE ADVISE US IN DETAIL IN WRITING AT THE TIME YOU RESERVE SPACE. SPACE TO ADVISE US IS INCLUDED IN OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY FORM IN YOUR SIGN UP PACKET. WE WILL PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO YOU OR YOUR DOCTOR THAT MAY BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE YOUR CAPACITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE TOUR, AND WE MAY REQUEST A PHYSICIAN’S LETTER INDICATING THAT YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE ON THE TOUR. WE DO NOT NORMALLY PROGRAM STRENUOUS PHYSICAL EXERCISE, BUT IF IT CANNOT BE AVOIDED, THE FACT IS MADE EXPLICIT IN THE TOUR DESCRIPTION AND IN THE INFORMATION MATERIALS PROVIDED TO YOU FOR THE TOUR. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETE GENTLE WALKS OF UP TO 4 HOURS, RIDE IN ANY SEAT IN TOUR VEHICLES, *(EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE FOR MOTION SICKNESS SUFFERS) AND MEET THE SIMPLE SCHEDULE OF THE TOUR. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEND HOME PERSONS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH THE SATISFACTORY OPERATION OF THE TOUR.
THE COLLECTING OF PLANTS OR ANIMALS DURING ANY OF OUR TOURS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.