Terms and conditions

OPC permit #: 700462

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It is imperative that you read the following conditions carefully before making your reservation. The clauses contained in these conditions and obligations form an integral part of your contract with Sentiers du Monde (hereinafter referred to as SdM). Your registration for one of our packages implies your knowledge and acceptance of them, and the clauses contained in this site constitute your contract.

1. Services
   All services (hotels, flights, transfers, visits, excursions, etc.) included in our packages were confirmed or available at the time of going to press. Should any changes occur between now and the date of departure, we will replace the service with a similar one or it will take place on a different date. No compensation will be paid.
2. Prices quoted
   Prices are based on service providers, exchange rates, fuel costs, taxes and other charges in force at the time of program preparation. The prices indicated 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 voyages (FICAV) is 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 inform you as soon as possible.

3. Deposit and final payment
   PACKAGES – LAND PORTIONS

Deposit :

Less than $500: Total amount of the 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 according to the date indicated on your invoice, depending on the trip selected.

Until the required deposit is received, SdM has 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 particular booking requirements. These will be communicated to you at the time of booking.

4. Cancellation fees
   Cancellations must be made in writing only.

If you cancel your trip, a cancellation fee based on the amount of the trip will be retained for each person and is non-refundable and non-transferable.

No refunds during the trip.

Any cancellation of a reservation, at the request of a traveler, 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 amount of the deposit; 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 disaster, pandemic, government notice, border closure, strike, etc., the customer will be refunded or credited the total amount paid at 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 refund will be made for any service not used during the trip.
6. Payment by credit card
   By allowing the travel agent to use his/her credit card number, the traveler agrees to abide by the booking conditions even if he/she has not signed the appropriate form. Verbal authorization is sufficient to confirm the reservation. However, at the travel agent’s request, the traveler must stipulate in writing that he/she accepts that his/her card be used without a signature.
7. Air, sea or land transportation
   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, nor on the type of aircraft, vessel or vehicle selected by the carriers or receptives concerned.

Air transport: 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. Travelers are responsible for reconfirming their flight dates and times at least 24 hours before departure, regardless of 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 outbound and/or return leg.

Flight schedules: Airline schedules are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change without notice. SdM cannot be held responsible for any flight delays, changes or cancellations. In addition, aircraft seats 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).

Ground transportation is provided 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, transportation company and routes may be affected at any time and without notice. We reserve the right to adapt vehicle size to the number of participants. During ground transportation, seats are not reserved, except for the guide’s and/or tour leader’s seat. They are instructed to rotate the seats and to ensure that there are no “empty seats”.

8. Accommodation
   All the accommodations listed on this site are quality establishments, whose class varies from place to place and country to country. For major reasons, we may have to change the accommodation 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 one single bed with private bathroom (unless otherwise stated). You will receive a list of accommodations and their contact details with your documents. Please note that rooms may vary in size and configuration within the same hotel.
9. Rooms
   In most 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 many other countries, triple or quadruple occupancy is not available. In addition, rooms are smaller than North American standards.
10. Hotel (international practice)
    The customer acknowledges and agrees to take possession of his or her room around 4 p.m. and to vacate it by 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 you a special location, floor or view, as only the hoteliers and/or cruise operators have the privilege of distributing rooms to passengers. For cruises, any cabin upgrades are beyond our control and result from the decision of the shipping company.
12. Photographs or images
    All photos and images are reproduced for illustrative 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 own risk, and must comply with the airline’s instructions if any part of the journey is by air. You will receive baggage tags with your travel documents. Please complete them and attach them to your luggage before departure. Proper identification will facilitate handling (when included only). It may happen that the coach or transporter is unable to park in front of the hotel. In this case, you will have to walk a few meters with your luggage if handling is not included. We accept no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to your luggage or personal effects. We strongly recommend that you take out baggage insurance. Please note that all passengers are subject to the baggage regulations of the various airlines.
14. Gratuities
    Tips to guides and drivers are not included (unless otherwise stated). We recommend that you base your tips on 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. Habits and customs
    Habits, customs, accommodation, food and living habits in the countries concerned are different from those in Canada. You cannot expect to find the same or even similar infrastructure, transportation, accommodation, food, customs and habits 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 rejected.

16. Travel insurance
    To ensure your peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance for all trips within Quebec and comprehensive insurance for all 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 & Adventures and World Experiences trips, it is important to confirm coverage with your insurer.

17. Documents and entry requirements
    It is the customer’s sole responsibility to obtain, in a timely manner and at his or her own expense, any passports, visas, private authorizations or other mandatory travel documents required by government authorities for his or her 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 date of return to Canada. If you do not have these documents, the carrier or the appropriate 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.

Please ensure that the name on your travel documents is the same as the name on your passport. It is the traveler’s sole responsibility to ensure that he/she has all the necessary documents to travel. Please carefully check all information contained in your travel documents, i.e. airline tickets, vouchers and other documents issued. Please report immediately any errors or discrepancies on travel documents received. Charges may apply to amend your travel documents.

Travel documents are non-transferable and are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer and suppliers of products and services involved in the delivery of benefits.

19. Confidentiality
    The travel agent observes principles of confidentiality regarding personal information transmitted by the customer.
20. Change and/or correction of occupancy and/or name and/or destination
    Change of occupancy: If changes in room occupancy are made by one or more customers, prices will be adjusted to reflect actual room occupancy. For any changes made, please refer to the “cancellation charges” 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.

Change of name: a change of name will be treated as a cancellation and will be subject to the applicable fees.

21. Passenger’s responsibility
    Any passenger who registers for one of our trips accepts the conditions and policies of SdM. In the event that a passenger engages in conduct 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. All expenses and losses incurred as a result of such conduct will not be reimbursed. Furthermore, travelers are responsible for being sufficiently healthy and self-sufficient to undertake their trip, and for carrying sufficient quantities of all necessary medication 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 vaccinations or medication taken in the countries visited.
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 liable for their acts, omissions, misconduct or negligence or that 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 which apply. The terms of this section also apply to SdM’s representatives, agents and employees and are limited to purchases made from SdM. SdM assumes no responsibility for any other reservations not made 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 such changes. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the passengers. 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 the control of SdM, etc. SdM further reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the contract at any time. Furthermore, SdM reserves the right to refuse any registration of one or more persons. The passenger may not, without prior agreement with the guide, modify the itinerary. Any unauthorized modifications will be entirely at the passenger’s expense, and the passenger will not be entitled to reimbursement for any services or accommodation not provided as a result of such modifications.

23. Resolving complaints
    If your trip does not go according to plan, you must first contact your local guide, tour leader or representative at your destination, who will confirm your dissatisfaction. If the problem cannot be solved on site and you wish to make a complaint or claim upon your return, you must send us your complaint or claim within 10 days 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 others) available at destination which the customer may wish to participate in and which are not part of the package, nor for any representations that may be made by the supplier of such activities. Any verbal or written contract for 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 shall not be liable in any manner whatsoever for any claim or complaint arising from participation in such 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 was formed upon acceptance by SdM of the registration at their respective head offices. No representative of SdM is authorized to modify or cancel any clause of the general conditions.
26. Competitions
    All package draws are void in the event of departure cancellation. The prize is non-transferable and non-cashable.