General Conditions
Fitness
Excellent fitness is an absolute requirement for the security of the participants and the success of the undertaking. The tour operator takes it for granted that the participants prepare themselves for the tours by adequate training. Participants who do not meet the fitness-requirements have to meet the additional expense caused.
Equipment
Each participant will receive a full equipment list but is responsible for his/her own personal equipment. The group equipment will be provided by the operator as listed in the detailed travel programmes. Group
Leadership
A guide, chosen and sent by the operator, accompanies every group. During the journey, the decisions are taken in favour of the group interests. Should a participant repeatedly oppose the decisions of the guide, he/she will be required to leave the expedition, journey or tour. As soon as circumstances allow, the participant has to arrange for an early return on his/her own account and cost. No refund will be made for any unused services in such an event. Should the guide become unavailable prior to departure, the operator will provide for a substitute or cancel the journey. Should the guide become unavailable during the journey (accident, illness, etc.), the participants will choose a new guide among themselves and inform the operator immediately.
Responsibilities of the Participants Towards the Group
The participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner conducive to good group dynamics, mutual respect, tolerance and helpfulness that are requirements of the journey’s success. The participants agree to respect the rights, mores and customs of the respective countries and to respect the environment. In order to protect relatives, the participants agree, in case of an accident, not to give any information concerning the expedition, journey or tour as well as the course of the accident or the participants to the public without the explicit consent of the guide or the operator. Furthermore, they take care that personal messages, reports, letters (etc.) from other participants will not be published.
Insurance
Cancellation insurance and travel insurance are compulsory for each participant (see booking form). In order to avoid double insurance, it is not included in the package price. Upon booking the participants declare to have secured the appropriate cover for any risks and dangers related to the expedition, journey or tour such as illness, accident, rescue, repatriation, theft and cancellation fees.
Booking and Payment
By making a booking the participants declare that they meet the necessary requirements and acknowledge the booking conditions. The tour operator reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone who does not meet the requirements for participation.
Prices
The prices are detailed in the respective travel programmes. If the number of participants named in the programme is not reached, the tour operator reserves the right to cancel the journey or to conduct it with a smaller number. A cancellation will be communicated at least 21 days before the planned departure. If a journey is conducted with a smaller number of participants, there will be additional costs that have to be met by the participants.
An increase of prices has to be taken into account if the following applies: price alterations of airlines or other transport companies, increase of taxes and currency fluctuations. Should a journey be cancelled, a full refund of the money paid will be mad or it is possible to have the money transferred to an alternative tour organised by Kobler & Partner Ltd.
All participants residing in Switzerland will be billed in Swiss Francs (CHF) according to the price stated in the travel programme. Participants residing in EU Member States will be billed in Euro (EUR) according to the price stated in the travel programme. All other participants will be billed in US-Dollars (USD) based on the CHF price stated in the programme, respecting the exchange rates effective on the date of invoice.
Liability It is the sole responsibility of the participants and at their own risk that they take part in a journey, expedition or tour. The liability of the tour operators is limited to premeditation and negligence. Any liability for assistants is excluded.
The tour operator is insured against claims by the Employers’ Liability Act. Liability is limited to CHF 5,000,000 per damage. For any damages that are not person-bound, liability is limited to the double price of the journey.
Medical Care, Vaccination
Vaccination is sole responsibility of the participants as well as preliminary medical check-ups. The tour operator will inform the participants about any formalities concerning health requirements, which are necessary for the journey. The leader will take along a first-aid kit. It is sole responsibility of the participant to take along personal medication in sufficient quantity.
Visa, Passport and Customs
With their booking the participants agree to conform to the respective entry and customs requirements and, if necessary, to possess a valid passport. The necessary visas will be provided by the organiser.
Change of Programme
In case of unforeseeable events, the right to make programme changes is explicitly reserved. There is no guarantee that the summits will be ascended.
Complaints
Any complaints must be forwarded in writing to Kobler & Partner no later than 30 after completion of the tour.
Jurisdiction Any contract is subject to the sole jurisdiction of Berne and shall be governed by Swiss Law.
Special Conditions Concerning Expeditions Expeditions are journeys that are designated as «expeditions» in our programme. In addition to the general conditions, the following conditions apply: A solid experience in high mountaineering is required for the participation in an expedition; the participants must be able to move securely and independently on combined terrain (snow, ice, rock) The leader of the expedition is only available for the leadership of the group and not for any individual coaching. Each participant is obliged to help and take part in all necessary chores during the expedition, especially the break of all camps. The booking for the expedition is made with the booking form. As soon as we receive it, the participant will receive a letter of confirmation as well as an instalment bill. By paying the deposit the booking becomes final. The final balance payment is due 60 days before departure. In the event of cancellation, the following charges will apply: - up to 92 days before departure: 10% - up to 61 days before departure: 70% - up to 31 days before departure: 80% - up to 14 days before departure: 90% - later cancellation: 100%
Special Conditions Concerning Journeys Travels that are not designated as either «expeditions» or «tours» are classified as journeys. In addition to the general conditions, the following conditions apply: The booking of a journey becomes final by sending in the booking form. The price mentioned in the programme must be paid 21 days before departure. In the event of cancellation, the following charges will apply: - up to 92 days before departure: 10% - up to 61 days before departure: 50% - up to 31 days before departure: 80% - up to 14 days before departure: 90% - later cancellation: 100%
Special Conditions Concerning Tours Tours are guided mountain-, ski-, hiking- and climbing trips that are designated as «tours» in the programme. In addition to the general conditions, the following conditions apply: The booking of a tour becomes final by sending in the booking form. The price mentioned in the programme must be paid 21 days before departure. In the event of cancellation, the following charges will apply: - up to 31 days before departure: 80% - up to 21 days before departure: 90% - later cancellation: 100%