The Standard Booking Conditions apply to the country or region you are making the booking from not the destination you are travelling to.

Please take the time to read and understand the conditions of booking set out below prior to booking a trip with us. We strongly recommend that you also read the Essential Trip Information and Important Notes relating to your trip prior to booking to ensure that you understand the itinerary, style and physical demands of the trip you are undertaking. 

1. Our contract  

All bookings are made with Toucanto. By booking a trip with us you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions set out in:

 (a) these Booking Conditions; 
(b) Essential Trip Information that applies to your trip; and
(c) any Special Conditions that may apply,
(which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us).

Your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation invoice. In these Booking Conditions references to "you" and "your" include the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or any other person to whom a booking is added or transferred.

2. Validity 

Dates and itineraries are valid until 14 December 2025. Beyond 14 December 2025 dates and itineraries are indicative only.

3. Deposit requirement

Except as set out in the Special Conditions, you are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of the greater of $1000, or 25% of the total cost of your booking before your booking can be confirmed. If your booking is made within 60 days of the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking.  Deposits amounts vary for selected trips and special campaigns that may be run by Us from time to time, as set out in and subject to the Special Conditions.

4. Acceptance of booking and final payments

If we accept your booking, we will issue you with a booking confirmation invoice.  A contract will exist between you and us from the date we issue the confirmation. Please refer to your booking confirmation invoice for details regarding final payments. Payment of the balance of the trip price is due 60 days before the departure date, except as otherwise set out in the Special Conditions. If this balance is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and any cancellation charges outlined at clause 7 (Cancellation by You) will apply.

5. Prices and surcharges  

Our advertised trip prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. This means our trip prices may vary at any time in accordance with demand, market conditions and availability. It is likely that different passengers on the same trip have been charged different prices. Your best option if you like the price you see is to book at that time. Once you have received a quote the price will be locked in provided you pay the required deposit prior to the quote’s expiry. Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after you have paid your deposit will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply as set out below in clause 7 (Cancellation by You). The most up to date pricing is available on our website. Prices are based on currency exchange rates as of January 2021; note that prices may vary depending on which currency the booking is made. We reserve the right to in such instances we will be responsible for and absorb any increase up to 2% of the trip price and you will be responsible for the amount over and above that. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 8% of the trip price you may cancel the booking within 7 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund or change to an alternative holiday, if available and offered by us. Should the cost of your trip decrease due to the changes mentioned above then any refund due will be paid to you less an administration fee of £10. Please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the cost of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place. There will be no change made to the price of your confirmed holiday within 20 days of your departure nor will refunds be paid during this period. Please note that a surcharge may be applied to a purchase made by credit card.

6. Your details  

For us to confirm your travel arrangements you must provide all requested details with the balance of the trip price. Necessary details vary by trip; they include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. On some more demanding trips we also require you to complete and forward a Self-Assessment form which will be provided to you by your sales representative. For more information about how we treat your personal information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

7. Cancellation by you  

If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply.  A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant sales representative of the cancellation.

If you cancel a trip:

(a) 60 days or more prior to departure, we will return the deposit paid, less a deduction of the greater of 5% of the deposit paid or $100, to cover the cost of our administration expenses.

or

(b) 59 days or fewer prior to departure: 

• we will hold 50% of the monies paid by you in connection with the booking as a credit and retain the remaining 50% of monies paid by you in connection with your booking.

Any credit resulting from a cancellation under this clause 7 (Cancellation by you) does not have an expiry date and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us. This credit is not transferrable or redeemable for cash. This credit excludes flights or insurance as they will have their own booking conditions.

Note that different cancellation conditions apply to some styles of trips and additional services as set out in the Special Conditions and the Essential Trip Information relating to your trip. Your booking consultant will advise if differences apply. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking.  If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.  If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. The above cancellation terms are in addition to fees which may be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents or third-party tour and transport operator fees. Should one or more member of a party cancel, it may increase the per person holiday price of those still travelling and you will be liable to pay this increase.

Cancellation by You due to Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances: 

You have the right to cancel your confirmed holiday before departure without paying a cancellation charge in the event of “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the holiday or significantly affecting the transport arrangements to the destination. In these circumstances, we shall provide you with a full refund of the monies you have paid but we will not be liable to pay you any additional compensation.  Please note that your right to cancel in these circumstances will only apply where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to your destination or its immediate vicinity. For the purposes of this clause 7, “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” means warfare, acts of terrorism, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination.

This clause 7 outlines the rights you have if you wish to cancel your booking. Please note that there is no automatic statutory right of cancellation under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (Directive 2011/83/EU).

8. Cancellation by us

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid traveller unless minimum group size specifically states otherwise (which will be stated in your Essential Trip Information and/ or the Special Conditions); or when Force Majeure (as defined in clause 26 Force Majeure) results in the cancellation of a trip. 

If we have to cancel your trip, we will tell you as soon as possible and if there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of: 

 (a) a 110% credit of monies paid for your trip; or
(b) having a refund of monies paid to us. 

We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be cancelled. 

If you choose to accept a credit resulting from a cancellation under this clause 8 (Cancellation by us): 

• it does not have an expiry date and may be applied towards any other available trip offered by us; 

• is not redeemable for cash; 

• excludes flights or insurance as they will have their own booking conditions. 

We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.  

9. Booking amendments and transfers of bookings

Transfers to a third party are only permitted when operationally possible and where the transferee meets all the requirements in relation to the trip. Certain fees may apply. Please note that there may be addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines. Prices are set annually as defined in clause 5 above. No amendments are permitted to your booking within 21 days of departure.

If you or any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone else, subject to the following conditions: 

 (a) that person is introduced by you and satisfies all the conditions applicable to the holiday;
(b) we are notified not less than 7 days before departure;
(c) you pay any outstanding balance payment, as well as any additional fees, charges or other costs arising from the transfer; and 
(d) the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us.

You and the transferee remain jointly and severally liable for payment of all sums. If you are unable to find a replacement, any cancellation charges as set out in clause 7 (Cancellation by you) will apply in order to cover our estimated costs. Otherwise, no refunds will be given for passengers not travelling or for unused services.

Amendments to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your trip may incur additional charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines. 

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed and any alteration could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements. 

10. Inclusions   

The land price of your trip includes:

• all accommodation as listed in the Essential Trip Information

• all transport listed in the Essential Trip Information

• sightseeing and meals as listed in the Essential Trip Information

• the services of a group leader as described in the Essential Trip Information

11. Exclusions   

The land price of your trip does not include:

• Park entry fee to the Galápagos Islands

• Cost of the ‘Tarjeta de Transito’.

• international or internal flights unless specified

• airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified

• meals other than those specified in the Essential Trip Information

• visa and passport fees

• travel insurance 

• optional activities and all personal expenses

12. Age & Health requirements 

Minimum Age: For the majority of our trips the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel.  All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian.  The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18’s day to day care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

Maximum Age: For the majority of our trips we have no upper age limit though we remind you that our trips can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation.  We can provide details on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements and recommendations for your destination.  
Please refer to the Special Conditions and the Essential Trip Information that relates to your trip.

13. Additional terms

For additional terms that apply to certain trips, please see the Special Conditions.  

Due to the nature of some of our trips, in addition to these Booking Conditions, you may be required to sign and submit a separate waiver, different terms and/ or a release form to a third-party supplier who is helping to run your trip. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the terms of these Booking Conditions and the supplemental waiver, the terms of these Booking Conditions shall prevail and supersede any supplemental waiver. We reserve the right to deny participation to You if you have not signed a waiver.

14. Passport and visas  

It is your responsibility to obtain information and to have in your possession all the required documentation and identification required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. This includes a valid passport and all travel documents required by the relevant governmental authorities including all visas, permits and certificates (including but not limited to vaccination or medical certificates) and insurance policies. Your passport must be valid 6 months after the last date of travel with is as set out on your itinerary. You accept full responsibility for obtaining all such documents, visas and permits prior to the start of the trips, and you are solely responsible for the full amount of costs incurred as a result of missing or defective documentation. You agree that you are responsible for the full amount of any loss or expense incurred by us that is a direct result of your failure to secure or be in possession of proper travel documentation.

15. Travel insurance 

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travellers and must be taken out at the time of booking.  Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without these details.  If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.

16. Change of itinerary

You appreciate and acknowledge that the nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and you should allow for alternatives. The itinerary provided for each trip is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances or events.

While we endeavour to operate all trips as described we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary. Please refer to our website before departure for the most recent updates to your itinerary.

Before departure:  If we make a significant change, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. The definition of a significant change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five of the itinerary. When a significant change is made you may choose between accepting the changed trip; accepting an alternative trip if available and if offered by us (we will refund any price difference if the alternative tour is of a lower value), or having a refund of monies paid.

After departure:  We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of our control.   Where this occurs we will, if possible, make alternative arrangements for you at no extra charge. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

17. Authority on tour  

Our trips are run by a guide or group leader. The decision of the guide/group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a guide/group leader or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the guide/group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund.  We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our Responsible Travel Guidelines.

18. Acceptance of risk 

You acknowledge that the nature of the trip may be adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. 

We use information from government foreign departments and reports from our own contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks, and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to these additional risks.

19. Limitation of liability 

(a). We will accept responsibility for the arrangements we agree to provide or arrange for you as an “organiser” under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, as set out below and as such, we are responsible for the proper provision of all travel services included in your package, as set out in your confirmation invoice. Subject to these Booking Conditions, if we or our suppliers negligently perform or arrange those services and we don’t remedy or resolve your complaint within a reasonable period of time, and this has affected the enjoyment of your package holiday you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation or both. You must inform us without undue delay of any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services included in this package. The level of any such price reduction or compensation will be calculated taking into consideration all relevant factors such as but not limited to: following the complaints procedure as described in these Booking Conditions and the extent to which ours or our employees’ or suppliers’ negligence affected the overall enjoyment of your holiday.  Please note that it is your responsibility to show that we or our supplier(s) have been negligent if you wish to make a claim against us.

(b). we shall not be liable for any damage or loss if the failure to carry out the contract is:

 i.    attributable to you.
ii.   attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and the event is unforeseeable or unavoidable.
iii.   due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had to be exercised.
iv.   Force Majeure (see clause 25).

(c). We limit the amount of compensation we may have to pay you if we are found liable under this clause 19 as follows:

 i.    loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions and money: the maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is an amount equivalent to the excess on your insurance policy which applies to this type of loss per person in total because you are required to have adequate insurance in place to cover any losses of this kind.

 ii.    Claims not falling under (a) above and which don’t involve injury, illness or death: the maximum amount we will have to pay you in respect of these claims is up to three times the price paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total. This maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong and you or your party has not received any benefit at all from your booking.

20. Optional activities 

Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance, recommendations or advice, given by your group leader or local representative in arranging optional activities (including before or after a trip) does not render us liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider.  

21. Claims & complaints 

If you have a complaint about your trip you must inform your group leader or our local representative at the time so that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If you believe that your complaint has not been resolved through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to us within 30 days of the end of the trip through our Contact Us page. Failure to follow the procedure set out in this clause 21 may affect ours and the applicable supplier’s ability to investigate your complaint, and will affect your rights under these Booking Conditions.  

22. Severability 

In the event that any term or condition contained in these Booking Conditions is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason; then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.

23. Privacy policy 

Any personal information that we collect about you will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy to which the provisions of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations apply and may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a trip. In making this booking you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons such as our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable us to operate the Trip or, if permitted by any relevant Spam laws, to send you marketing material in relation to our events and special offers. 

Advance Passenger Information: A number of Governments are introducing new requirements for air carriers to provide personal information about all travellers on their aircraft to the Authorities before the aircraft leaves the UK. The data will be collected either at the airport when you check in or in some circumstances when, or after you make your booking. Accordingly, you are advised to allow extra time to check in for your flight. Where we collect this data, we will treat it in accordance with our privacy policy. 

You are responsible for reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically and informing yourself of any changes to this Privacy Policy.

. 

24. Delays and missed transport arrangements

If you or any member of your party miss your flight or another transport arrangement, it is cancelled or you are subject to a delay of over 3 hours for any reason, you must contact us and the airline or other transport supplier concerned immediately.

Under EU Law, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from the airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. If the airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Civil Aviation Authority at www.caa.co.uk/passengers. Reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday price from us. A delay or cancellation to your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight.

We cannot accept liability for any delay which is due to any of the reasons set out in clause 25 (Force Majeure) of these Booking Conditions (which includes the behaviour of any passenger(s) on any flight who, for example, fails to check in or board on time). 

25. Force majeure

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Booking Conditions we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our contractual obligations to you are affected by “Force Majeure”. For the purposes of these Booking Conditions, Force Majeure means any event beyond our or our supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Examples include warfare and acts of terrorism (and threat thereof), civil strife, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination or remain at the travel destination, any event which we or the supplier(s) of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. These events can include, but are not limited to war, threat of war, civil strife terrorist activity and its consequences or the threat of such activity, riot,  the act of any government or other national or local authority including port or river authorities, industrial dispute, labour strikes, lock closure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, and adverse weather conditions, epidemics and pandemics or other health emergency, unavoidable technical problems with transport and all similar events outside our or the supplier(s) concerned’s control. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure.

26. Prompt assistance 

If, whilst you are on the tour, you find yourself in difficulty for any reason, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is appropriate in the circumstances. In particular, we will provide you with appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance, and assistance with distance communications and finding alternative travel arrangements. Where you require the assistance which is not owing to any failure by us, our employees or sub-contractors we will not be liable for the costs of any alternative travel arrangements or other such assistance you require. Any supplier, airline or another transport supplier may, however, pay for or provide refreshments and/or appropriate accommodation and you should make a claim directly to them. Subject to the other terms of these Booking Conditions, we will not be liable for any costs, fees or charges you incur in the above circumstances if you fail to obtain our prior authorisation before making your own travel arrangements. Furthermore, we reserve the right to charge you a fee for our assistance in the event that the difficulty is caused intentionally by you or a member of your party, or otherwise through your or your party’s negligence.

27. Applicable law 

This agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with any disputes arising between you and us or our suppliers.

Special Conditions

 

Family Trips

 

(Age and Health Requirements):

All bookings for our Family trips must include a child under the age of 18.

Please be advised that the Galápagos Family Adventure requires some climbing in and out of boats, walking on uneven or unpaved terrain and water-based activities. Participants should satisfy themselves that they are physically able to undertake activities before booking as no refunds will be offered for or claims entertained for inability to participate in activities.