Booking Conditions

The following Booking Conditions, together with all information relating to your chosen holiday contained on our website or in our relevant brochure, form the basis of your contract with Penguin Travel (operating through its brand names TrekkingBulgaria, CyclingBulgaria, BirdwatchingBulgaria, HorseridingBulgaria, BulgariaCarRent, Skibulgarien.dk, Solowalks etc.).

1. Making your booking.
Once we have received your booking request an invoice will be issued and sent to you, which is actually a confirmation for the services required. 10-14 days before departure, we will send you the vouchers for all services, stated in the invoice. Contact us immediately if any information, which is presented, on any document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not be possible to make changes later.

2. Payment.
In order to confirm your holiday you will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of at least 30% of your selected travel arrangements (or minimum 150 EUR or equivalent).
The deposit must be paid at the time of booking (or within a week after that, but not later).
In order to secure particular flight fares, we may require a higher deposit than normal to be paid at the time of booking. This may include an amount up to the full cost of the flight(s) concerned. We will advise you of this before you confirm your booking.
We must receive the balance of the holiday price not less than 6 weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we will send you a written reminder. If you do not pay all payments due in full within 7 days of receiving this reminder, we reserve the right to treat your booking as canceled by you.

What is a Local Payment?

The local payment is a predetermined amount (usually 100 or 200 EUR per person) which is mandatory on some of our tours to be paid cash to the tour leader upon arrival. The local payment is part of the total cost of the tour, it is NOT an additional fee. This exact amount is deducted from your initial invoice that you pay pre-departure. 

Why do we have a Local Payment?

Having a small part of the cost paid cash as a local payment is a standard practice in the tourism industry. During some of our tours in specific parts of the world,  there are a lot of cash expenses that we as an agency need to cover (which are included in your travel package).That's why to make it safer and easier for our tour leader, they will collect a small amount in cash directly from you during the tour. 
Having a Local Payment also allows us to keep the cost of our tours competitive and save on operational and administrative costs, so we can pass the savings on to you.
Please note that the local payment doesn't cover tips for the local guides, entry fees or other personal expenses. 

3. The cost of your holiday
We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed. If there are any changes to the published prices, these will be confirmed at the time of booking. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking. Once the price of your chosen holiday has been confirmed at the time of booking then, subject to the correction of errors, we will only increase or decrease the price, subject to the conditions set out in this clause, if our costs increase or decrease as a result of transportation costs (e.g. fuel, scheduled airfares and any other airline surcharges which are part of the contract between airlines (and their agents) and the tour operator) or dues, taxes or fees payable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports or airports increasing or decreasing. We will absorb increased costs up to a total amount equivalent to 5% of the cost of your confirmed holiday. Only if the increased costs exceed this 5% will we ask you to pay the difference. If any increase is greater than 5% of the cost of your holiday, you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid to us (except for any amendment charges) or alternatively purchase another holiday from us.

4. If you change your booking
a) An administration fee of 100 EUR per booking will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 90 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the charges below. Changes are subject to availability.
b) If a client is unable to travel, in circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking or that client’s place on the booking may be transferred to another suitable person (introduced by you). However, the tour arrangements must remain the same as originally booked. If a transfer can be made, an administration charge of 100 EUR per person transferring his/her place if the Company is advised up to your balance due date or 100 EUR per person if advised after your balance due date.
For flight inclusive bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight / an alternative flight.

5. If you cancel your booking.
Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written is received by the Company as a percentage of the total tour price per person canceling, excluding any amendment charges and insurance premium)
a) 60 and more days before tour start date – retention of deposit
b) 59-45 days before tour start date – 50% or retention of deposit if higher
c) Less than 44 days before tour start date – 100%

6. Changes and cancellation by us.
We start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors in brochure, website and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavor to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a "significant change" before departure, such as: a change of accommodation to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of twelve or more hours, alterations to your confirmed place of departure that add more than 100 miles to any single leg of your journey. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options: (a) accepting the changed arrangements or (b) purchasing an alternative holiday from us, of a similar standard to that originally booked if available. We will offer you at least one alternative holiday of equivalent or higher standard for which you will not be asked to pay any more than the price of the original holiday. If you do not wish to accept the holiday we specifically offer you, you may choose any of our other then available holidays. You must pay the applicable price of any such holiday. This will mean you’re paying more if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper or (c) canceling or accepting the cancellation in which case you will receive a full and quick refund of all monies you have paid to us.

7. Force majeure.
Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of, "force majeure". In these Booking Conditions, "force majeure" means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

8. Our liability to you
(1) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description whatsoever which results from any of the following:
(a) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or
(b) the act(s) and/or omission(s) of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday and which were unforeseeable or unavoidable or (c) 'force majeure'. We cannot accept responsibility for any services, which do not form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure or website and we have not agreed to arrange them.
Please note, we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by ourselves or our employees or, where we are responsible for them, our suppliers. Additionally we cannot accept liability for any business losses.
(2) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the services will be treated as having been properly provided. The exception to this is where the claim or complaint concerns the absence of a safety feature, which might lead a reasonable holidaymaker to refuse to take the holiday in question.
(3) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is based on any travel arrangements (including the process of getting on and off the transport concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel keeper concerned would have to pay under the international convention or regulation which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (including, for example, the Warsaw Convention as amended or unamended and the Montreal Convention 1999 for international travel by air and/or for airlines with an operating license granted by an EU country, the EU Regulation on Air Carrier Liability No 889/2002 for national and international travel by air and the Athens convention for international travel by sea). Please note: Where a carrier or hotel would not be obliged to make any payment to you under the applicable International Convention or Regulation in respect of a claim or part of a claim, we similarly are not obliged to make a payment to you for that claim or part of the claim. When making any payment, we are entitled to deduct any money, which you have received or are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint or claim in question. (4)
You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may reasonably require. You must also tell us and the supplier concerned about your claim or complaint as set out below. If asked to do so, you must transfer to our insurers or us any rights you have against the supplier or whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the person concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must do so). You must also agree to cooperate fully with our insurers and us if our insurers or we want to enforce any rights, which are transferred.

9. Complaints and problems.
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the hotelier, carrier or other supplier in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by mail within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot assist. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 20 days of your return back to your home giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint.

10. Destinations Less Traveled
Due to the nature of travel to our unique destinations, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, Penguin Travel and our travel partners reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events. Any travel to a "Destination less travelled" can be changed or cancelled by unforeseen events outside of our control including but not limited to weather, political issues, currency problems and accommodation issues.
In many of the countries that we operate in, especially in the countries of West Africa, tourism is in its infancy and although we strive to maintain as high standards as possible there may be occasions where you encounter discomfort, inconvenience or frustration. It is important that you are prepared to accept these countries as they are. 
There may be occasions where the accommodation is very basic, perhaps without electricity or running water. This is often the reality of traveling in remote locations, but we believe it is a small price to pay for the rewards that such travel entails.
With one person booked on a date, the trip becomes guaranteed. Even though the tour has a guaranteed departure, we ask you to wait to buy the flight ticket until you first have contacted Penguin Travel or we have confirmed to you that there are no changes to the travel plans. We are not liable to pay you any additional travel or any other costs, expenses or losses which you incur as a result of any change or cancellation by us, such as changes to times of connecting flights or other travel arrangements. You agree that all these provisions are reasonable.

11. Luggage Restrictions
On some of our tours, especially in Africa and Central/South America, it is mandatory to carry your luggage in a travel bag or backpack (hard-shell suitcases are not allowed) with a protective cover (rain cover). Your luggage may be stored on top of the bus. The luggage restriction on such tours is: 1x soft shell luggage less than 15kg. and 1 day backpack. It will be mentioned in the "Practical information" of the specific tour what the luggage restrictions are оr our representatives will let you know during the booking process.

12. Pioneer Tours.
A pioneer tour is a travel term that refers to a group tour to a new region with a tour leader, or to a tour that is carried out for the first time. Penguin Travel's pioneer tours are journeys to exotic and authentic travel destinations that are off the beaten track and foreign to mass tourism. What we aim to do with this type of tours is to explore and test these new destinations. More often than not, it is impossible to plan every detail on these tours, and changes can occur as we are exploring the destination. Patience, active participation and flexibility are required for one to participate in these exploration journeys. If you are adventurous, spontaneous, and open to the possibility of unexpected circumstances while traveling, you are very likely to enjoy the varied and unforgettable cultural and nature experiences on our pioneer tours. These tours are offered at a lower price than our regular tours, and quite possibly at the lowest price on the market.

13. Passport and Visa Requirements. Vaccinations.
To be absolutely safe, it is a good idea to make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date of return of your Tour.
Remember to apply for any necessary visa in good time.
Although we provide invitations for visas, it is your responsibility to ensure all the information is correct and that visa is valid for the duration of your stay.
You are responsible for ensuring you have a valid visa* for the destination, you are traveling to where required. We will provide you with support paperwork and advise you on the visa process but you must be aware that visa regulations change constantly and differ between Embassies in different countries.
Our advice should only be taken as a guide and you should ensure you are aware of all the up to date requirements from your government state advice and the nearest Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Check which vaccinations and medication you may require and allow time to obtain them.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain all necessary inoculations, take all necessary medication and follow all medical advice in relation to your holiday. Remember to bring certificates and confirmations with you in your hand luggage.

14. Website accuracy
Please note, the information and prices shown on this site may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. This website is our sole responsibility. They are not produced on behalf of and do not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.

Some of our tour descriptions include interactive maps. Please keep in mind there might be some tours with small differences between the written description and the maps. In such cases, the written description is to be referred to as the actual one and the most updated one.

NB. The price is per person for double occupancy. If you are a single traveler you need to pay a single supplement from the start even though you may wish to share a room with an unknown traveler. Possibility of sharing a room will be known after we receive bookings from other clients, and if there is such a possibility and both parties agree, then we will refund the single supplement paid.