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TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please read the following conditions carefully before booking. The clauses contained in these conditions and obligations form an integral part of your agreement with Sentiers du Monde. (hereinafter referred to as SdM). Your registration for one of our packages implies your knowledge and acceptance of these terms, and the clauses contained in this site constitute your contract.
1. Services
All services (hotels, flights, transfers, visits, excursions…) included in our packages were confirmed or available at the time of printing. Should any changes occur between now and the departure date, we will replace the service with a similar one or it will take place on a different date. No compensation will be paid in return.
2. Prices shown
Prices are based on service providers, exchange rates, fuel costs, taxes and other charges in force at the time of program preparation. Prices shown in the brochure/website may increase in the event of an increase in taxes, royalties or fees authorized by a competent public authority. The customer acknowledges that the contract price may be modified in the event of an increase in the price of fuel imposed by the carrier, an increase in airport taxes, an increase in port taxes or an increase in the exchange rate, provided that the exchange rate applicable 45 days prior to departure has increased by more than 5% since the date of purchase.
If the modification results in a price increase equal to or greater than 7%, excluding GST and QST, the customer may choose between (1) cancellation of this contract including a full refund, or (2) acceptance of replacement services that may be offered by the travel agent. However, no price changes can be made within 30 days of departure.
All prices in this brochure are in Canadian dollars. For Quebec residents, the contribution to the Fonds d’indemnisation des clients des agents de voyage (FICAV) has been free since January 01, 2019 and is included in the prices. This notice is subject to change without notice.
Insufficient numbers of participants can be a very valid reason for cancelling trips. If any changes need to be made, we will notify you as soon as possible.
3. Deposit and final payment
PACKAGES – LAND PORTIONS
Deposit :
Less than $500: Total cost of trip
500 AND MORE: 25% of the total amount.
Final payment must be received at our offices no later than 60 days prior to departure or by the date shown on your invoice, depending on the trip chosen.
Until the required deposit is received, SdM is under no obligation to confirm reservations and certain promotions may be cancelled.
AIRLINE TICKET
Deposit and final payment required at time of booking or according to airline conditions.
For all trips, the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Nota bene :
Some products with special conditions may have special booking requirements. They will be communicated to you at the time of booking.
4. Cancellation fees
Cancellation of your booking must be notified to us in writing only.
If you cancel your trip, a cancellation fee based on the amount of the trip will be deducted for each person and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
No refunds during the trip.
Any cancellation of a reservation, at a traveler’s request, for any reason whatsoever (personal reasons, acts of terrorism, political unrest or fear of political unrest, natural disaster, pandemic, government notice, etc.), will automatically result in the loss of all monies on file. Cancellation fees apply per person for cancellations before the final payment date = the deposit amount; after the final payment date = 100% of the total cost including taxes and service charges. In the event of cancellation by SdM other than due to force majeure such as acts of terrorism, political unrest or fear of political unrest, natural disasters, pandemics, government notices, border closures, strikes, etc., the customer will be refunded or credited the total amount paid to the date of cancellation. At the customer’s request, another package may be offered and the amount previously paid may be transferred to the new choice. SdM hereby disclaims all other liability.
Car rental / Buy-back
Cancellation fee: $75
Driver name change: $75
3 days or less before departure: 100% non-refundable
5. Service not used
No refunds will be made for services not used during the trip.
6. Payment by credit card
By allowing the travel agent to use his or her credit card number, the traveler agrees to abide by the booking conditions even if he or she has not signed the appropriate form. A verbal authorization is sufficient to confirm the reservation. However, at the request of the travel consultant, the traveler must stipulate in writing that he/she accepts that his/her card be used without a signature.
7. Air, sea or land transport
The customer acknowledges and accepts the following: SdM is not a carrier and has no control or obligation with respect to schedules, itineraries by air, sea or land, or the type of aircraft, vessel or vehicle selected by the carriers or receivers concerned.
Air travel : Passengers have the duty and responsibility to present themselves at the check-in counter at the time indicated on the voucher or, for international flights, at the airline counter at least 3 hours before departure. It is your responsibility to reconfirm your flight dates and times at least 24 hours before departure, whatever the country or airport concerned. Depending on aircraft load factors, the airline reserves the right to change the flight itinerary at any time, and to make a connection or stopover on the outward and/or return leg.
Flight times: airline schedules are given for information only and are subject to change without notice. SdM cannot be held responsible for any flight delays, changes or cancellations. What’s more, seats on the plane are assigned at the airport by the airline’s counter agent, and we have no control over them. SdM accepts no responsibility for changes in seat assignments, schedules, aircraft, or carrier(s).
The land transport offered is carried out in accordance with the various regulations of the organizations managing drivers’ hours.
Changes: Consolidations and changes affecting schedules, aircraft or vehicle type, days of operation, transport company and routes may be affected at any time and without prior notice. We reserve the right to adapt the size of the vehicle according to the number of participants. During ground transportation, seats are not reserved, except for the guide and/or tour leader. They are instructed to rotate seats and demand that there be no exceptions, otherwise they will be penalized.
8. Hosting
All the accommodations listed on this site are quality establishments, whose class varies according to location and country. For major reasons, we may be obliged to change those listed in the program, but always to a similar or higher category. Rooms are usually composed of one or two double beds, two twin beds or a single bed with private bathroom (unless otherwise stated). You’ll receive a list of accommodations and their contact details with your documents. Please note that rooms can vary in size and configuration within the same hotel.
9. Rooms
In most of our selected establishments, a triple or quadruple occupancy room is made up of two double beds, the same size as a double occupancy room, which is not recommended for long trips. In Europe and in many other countries, triple or quadruple occupancy is not an option. What’s more, the rooms are smaller than North American standards.
10. Hotel (international practice)
The customer acknowledges and agrees to take possession of his room around 4 p.m. and to vacate it before noon.
11. Distribution of rooms and/or cabins
SdM acts as an intermediary between you and the various service providers. It is therefore impossible for us to guarantee a special location, floor or view, as only hoteliers and/or cruise operators have the privilege of distributing rooms to passengers. For cruises, any cabin upgrade is beyond our control and is the decision of the shipping company.
12. Photographs or images
All photos and images are reproduced for information purposes only. Room decor may also vary.
13. Luggage
Luggage is limited to one suitcase per person, with a travel bag if necessary. The latter will be under the passenger’s supervision. All baggage is carried at the passenger’s risk and must comply with the airline’s instructions if any part of the journey is by air. You will receive luggage tags with your travel documents. We kindly ask you to complete them and attach them to your luggage before departure. Correct identification will facilitate handling (when included only). It may happen that the coach or transporter cannot park in front of the hotel. In this case, you’ll have to walk a few meters with your luggage if handling is not included. We assume no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to your baggage and personal effects. We strongly recommend that you take out baggage insurance. Please note that all passengers are subject to the baggage rules of the various airlines.
14. Tips
Tips to guides and drivers are not included (unless otherwise stated). We recommend that you use international standards, i.e. $3 per day per person for the guide and $3 per day per person for the driver, in America. In Europe, the norm is 4 euros per day per person for the guide and 3 euros per day per person for the driver. For all other destinations, please ask your travel agent.
15. Uses and customs
The habits, customs, accommodation, food and living habits of the countries concerned are different from those in Canada. So you can’t expect to find the same or even similar infrastructure, transportation, accommodation, food, customs and lifestyles as in Canada. Accommodation and infrastructure classifications are not the same as in North America. Please note that any complaints or claims relating to the habits and customs of the country visited will be automatically refused.
16. Travel insurance
For complete peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance for your trips within Quebec and comprehensive insurance for all your trips outside Quebec. If your trip is insured through your credit card or any other personal insurance, it is your responsibility to check the amounts of coverage and the number of days it covers, and, if necessary, to take out additional insurance.
For Sports & Adventure and World Experiences trips, it’s important to validate coverage with your insurer.
17. Documents and entry requirements
It is the customer’s sole responsibility to obtain, in a timely manner and at their own expense, any passports, visas, private authorizations or other mandatory travel documents required by government authorities for their trip. These documents may vary according to citizenship status and destination. For some destinations, the passport must be valid for a period exceeding the planned return date to Canada. If you fail to provide these documents, the carrier or the relevant authorities may refuse you boarding or entry into a country, and you will not be entitled to any refund. SdM assumes no responsibility for passports, visas, private authorizations or other documents required for entry into or exit from the countries concerned, including the country(ies) where the carrier makes a stopover. It is our sole responsibility to consult and obtain information and documentation specific to your situation from the competent authorities, i.e. embassies, consulates or ministries. You are strongly advised to consult the www.voyage.gc.ca website for information on and compliance with entry and exit requirements for your destination(s) and any stopover(s). Some countries require proof of vaccination. Please ensure that you comply with the health requirements of your destination(s) and any stopover(s).
A parent traveling alone with a child under the age of 18 may be required to present a written affidavit signed by the other parent authorizing the child to travel.
18. Travel documents
Approximately 10 days before your departure date, you will receive your travel documents, including departure time and place, program, hotel list and general documentation, provided full payment has been received.
Make sure the name on your travel documents matches the name on your passport. It is the traveler’s sole responsibility to have all necessary and compliant travel documents. Please carefully check all the information contained in your travel documents, i.e. airline tickets, vouchers and other documents issued. Please report any errors or discrepancies in the travel documents you receive immediately. Fees may apply to change your travel documents.
Travel documents are non-transferable and are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer and the suppliers of products and services involved in the delivery of services.
19. Privacy
The travel agent observes principles of confidentiality concerning personal information transmitted by the customer.
20. Change and/or correction of occupancy and/or name and/or destination
Change in occupancy: if changes are made to the occupancy of the room by one or more customers, prices will be adjusted to reflect the actual occupancy of the room. For any changes, please refer to the “cancellation fees” section. It is the traveler’s responsibility to provide the information indicated on his or her passport (first and last name) at the time of booking.
Name change: a name change will be treated as a cancellation and will be subject to the applicable fees.
21. Traveler’s liability
Any passenger who registers for one of our trips accepts the conditions and policies of SdM. In the event that a passenger behaves in a way that is prejudicial to other travellers or service providers, and despite a formal warning from one of our representatives persists in his or her conduct, the passenger will automatically be expelled from the trip. He will not be reimbursed for any expenses or losses incurred as a result of his conduct. In addition, travelers are responsible for being sufficiently healthy and self-sufficient to undertake their trip, and for carrying sufficient quantities of all necessary medications with them at all times. We reserve the right to question passengers about their physical condition. We also reserve the right to refuse registration for certain packages where good physical condition is a prerequisite. Vaccines: for all questions relating to vaccines and medication, please contact your local travel clinic directly. We accept no responsibility for any vaccinations or medicines taken in the countries we visit.
22. Exclusion of liability
SdM makes arrangements with cruise lines, hotels, incoming tour operators and other independent parties to provide customers with services. Although we choose our service providers with care, we have no control over them and cannot be held responsible for their acts, omissions, faults or negligence or those of their employees or subcontractors, nor for any loss or damage of any kind that may result. The services provided are subject to the terms and conditions of these service providers and their liability is limited to the terms and conditions of carriage, tickets, vouchers, international conditions and agreements that apply. The terms of this section also benefit SdM’s mandataries, agents and employees and are limited to purchases made at SdM. SdM assumes no responsibility for any other reservations not executed through SdM.
In the event of force majeure, SdM reserves the right to cancel, change or modify any part of the trip. SdM cannot be held responsible and will make every effort to offer equivalent services. Passengers will not be entitled to any claim and/or compensation for loss, damage or physical or mental injury resulting from these changes. All such losses or expenses must be borne by the traveller. A force majeure is an unforeseeable event or cause beyond the control of SdM such as illness, accident, strike, weather conditions, mechanical breakdown, war, acts of terrorism, demonstrations, political events, pandemics, quarantines, government notices, missed connections and any delays beyond SdM’s control, etc. Furthermore, SdM reserves the right to refuse any registration of one or more persons. Passengers may not change the course of their trip, except by prior agreement with the guide. Any unauthorized modifications will be entirely at the customer’s expense, and the customer will not be entitled to reimbursement for any services or accommodation not provided as a result of these modifications.
23. Settlement of complaints
If your trip doesn’t go quite as planned, you should first discuss it with your local guide, tour leader or destination representative, who should note and confirm the dissatisfaction. If the problem cannot be solved on the spot and you wish to make a complaint or claim on your return, you must send it to us within 10 days of the date of your return. Registration for any of the programs implies knowledge and acceptance of the general and special conditions and responsibilities described in this brochure.
Complaints routing :
reservations@lessentiersdumonde.com
24. Activities not included
SdM assumes no responsibility for the quality and safety of activities (such as excursions, optional visits, small extras and the like) available at destination in which the customer may wish to participate and which are not part of his package, nor for any representations that may be made by the supplier of such activities. Any verbal or written contract concerning such activities is presumed to be between the customer and the supplier in question and is at the customer’s risk for any loss, damage or injury that may occur in connection with the activity. SdM cannot be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any complaint or claim arising from participation in these activities, which are offered by third parties over whom SdM exercises no control.
25. Laws
This agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of Quebec. The contract took shape upon acceptance by SdM of the registration at their respective registered offices. No representative of SdM is authorized to modify or cancel any clause of the general terms and conditions.
26. Competition
All package draws are cancelled in the event of a departure cancellation. The prize is non-transferable and non-cashable.