Terms and Conditions 

In consideration of the permission to participate in a trek organised by. (“Everest Dream”), the participant (the “trekker” or “trek participant”) agrees to be bound by the following terms and conditions. All trek participants must read, agree to, and sign these Terms of Conditions as well as the Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement.

Eligibility

Trekkers must be at least 14 years old to participate, unless otherwise approved by Hobnail Trekking. Anyone under the age of 18 at the time of the trek departure must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire journey.

Voluntary Participation

By registering for a trek, trekker acknowledges that s/he has voluntarily applied to participate on this trek and that s/he has read the description of the trek as it appears on the website.

Your Responsibilities

• Medical considerations

If you have any medical or psychological conditions, it is very important that you let us know well before departure so that we can determine whether we will be able to assist you in making suitable arrangements in light of your condition(s). By registering for a trek, the trekker certifies that s/he is physically fit and does not have a condition that would limit mobility. The trekker further certifies that s/he does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other trekkers. The trekker must notify Everest Dream of any medical issues well before departure. Everest Dream makes no representation or warranty that a trekker is physically or mentally fit to participate on a trek. Each trekker is solely responsible for assessing whether s/he is physically or mentally fit to participate on a trek.

All trekkers should check with their doctor or medical professional about their intent to participate in this trek. Everest Dream reserves the right to refuse anyone from participating in a trek and trek leaders have the right to disqualify anyone at any time during the trek if, in the trek leaders’ sole discretion, they feel the trek member is mentally or physically incapable to continue and/or if a trek member’s continued participation jeopardizes the group’s or his/her own safety or enjoyment. Under these circumstances refunds are not given and the cost of any changes to airline accommodations will be the sole responsibility of the trekker.

Everest Dream, its representatives, and its independent contractors are not medical facilities or experts and therefore have no responsibility regarding medical advice, medications or inoculations that you or your doctor deem necessary for your safe participation.

In the event the trekker becomes sufficiently incapacitated as to be unable to direct his/her own medical care, the trekker authorizes Everest Dream, its representatives, or its independent contractors to provide any medical treatment they deem necessary in the event of any injury or illness to the trekker while participating on the trek, whether or not administered by medical or non-medical personnel. In addition, the trekker certifies that s/he has medical/travel insurance which will cover personal accidents, medical expenses, medical evacuation, air ambulance, loss of effects, repatriation costs, and all other expenses which might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay, or inconvenience occurring to the trekker.

Hospital facilities for serious problems are often unavailable, and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Everest Dream, its representatives, and its independent contractors do not assume any liability or responsibility regarding provision of medical care or costs associated with any of health condition that may affect the trekker. By signing the Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement, you agree to pay for all of your own medical care and transportation, including without limitation, emergency evacuation and emergency medical care.

• Your obligations as a trek member

By participating in a Everest Dream trek, you assume certain obligations to Everest Dream, its associates, and the other trek members. It is your responsibility to:

• Understand the conditions implied in the selected trek
• Select a trek that is appropriate to your interests and abilities
• Seek advice from a medical professional about your intention and ability to join this Trek
• Prepare for the trek by familiarizing yourself with the itinerary and preparation materials sent by Everest Dream
• Bring appropriate gear and clothing as advised by Everest Dream
• Obtain all necessary visas and travel documents
• Follow considerate standards of personal hygiene in order to reduce risk of contracting diseases and illnesses and for the benefit of your fellow trekkers
• Follow considerate social behavior with other trek participants and respect their habits
• Act in an appropriate and courteous manner befitting the customs of countries you visit
• Listen to and follow all instructions provided by your trek leader
• Complete the trek itinerary as scheduled (or as adjusted by your trek leader as necessary)
• Respect the countries we visit by using environmentally safe products when possible, staying on established routes of travel, and not littering.

Everest Dream reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a trek participant should such person’s behavior, health or mental condition impede the operation of the trek.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY— PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Everest Dream may contract with independent contractors to provide transportation, guide services and/or all other services related to a trek.Everest Dream assumes no responsibility or liability, however caused, for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service provided by an independent contractor or resulting directly from the following: – acts of God – detention – annoyance – terrorism – thefts – pilferage – force majeure – civil disturbances – government restrictions or regulations – strikes – delays and expenses arising from quarantine – failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled – discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services over which we have no control. The limitations expressed herein are in addition to any agreements and conditions contained in the Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement.

Payment Schedule

A 20% deposit is required to reserve your spot on a trek. The balance will be due 60 days before departure. 

Payments can  be made by major credit card or by bank transfer. Payments are in UK sterling. 

Everest Dream reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payments are not made on schedule. 

Cancellations

The payment system is structured so that you make payments as they are needed by Everest Dream to purchase your flight (if applicable), and/or to pay for your reservations and activities in Nepal. Because Everest Dream does not bank your payments, but uses them as they are received, refunds are only available if you have paid Everest Dream the entire cost of your trek and then cancel between 31 and 60 days prior to departure. In order to be eligible for a refund, Everest Dream must receive written notice of your cancellation with the applicable time frame specified above; the cancellation will be effective as of the date of the postmark of the written notice.

The trip insurance recommended by Everest Dream and/or any that you secure on your own may, under certain circumstances, cover the loss you incur from cancelling your trek. Please contact the insurance provider for your policy limitations.

Your deposit, although not refundable, can be transferred to another trek of your choice within three years of the booking date (the date on which you first made a reservation).

Changes to Your Reservation

If you decide to make any changes to your reservation within 180 days of its departure, you will be charged a $200 administrative fee plus any additional fees charged by the airline and/or hotel/teahouses to make that change. You must inform us of this change in writing and the change will be effective as of the date of the postmark of the writing. You will be notified of the change fees that apply. These fees (both administrative as well as others described above) will be due and payable before Hobnail can make any changes to your reservations. No changes can be made to your reservation within 60 days of departure.

Changes made to your reservation more than 180 days prior to departure will not incur a fee.

The trip insurance recommended by Hobnail and/or any that you purchase on your own may cover some or all of the cost of these changes for you. Please contact the insurance provider for your policy limitations.

Trek reservations are not transferable and therefore cannot be transferred to another individual.

Hobnail Trekking reserves the right to make reasonable changes in the itinerary where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of trek members.

Single Room Preference

All accommodations are based on double occupancy. If the trekker prefers single accommodations, s/he must pay a £250  single supplement fee (this option is selected when making the reservation). If the participant is travelling alone and does not choose the single supplement, s/he will be assigned a roommate of the same gender. If there is an odd number booked for a particular trek and one trekker is assigned a single room, s/he will not be required to pay the single supplement. Room assignments are made after all trek balances are paid.

Additional Documents

After reserving a spot on a trek, trekkers will receive three documents via email that must be signed and returned to Everest Dream within two weeks of receipt. They can be scanned and returned via email or a hard copy can be sent. These documents are the Terms and Conditions (this document), the Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement, and the Activity Level Acknowledgement Form. The trekker will also begin to receive a series of “Hobnail Trek Planners” that will assist him/her in preparation for the trek. These are sent out approximately monthly beginning at six months prior to departure, and then bi-weekly the month prior to departure, as well as the day before departure.

Travel Insurance

Everest Dream requires that all trekkers purchase trip/medical insurance that includes helicopter evacuation and covers you for trekking at high altitudes. Emergency medical (helicopter) evacuation coverage must be a minimum of $500,000. In addition, you must have coverage for repatriation of remains, trip cancellation (coverage at least as much as the total trek cost), medical, delayed/cancelled flights, and baggage coverage.

Should you have to cancel your trek because of illness, injury or death to you or an immediate family member, travel insurance may protect your deposits and payments for both air and trek costs. Everest Dream recommends, but does not require and in no way is the trekker obligated to purchase, the EXPLORER policy through World Nomads. A link to this provider can be found at the bottom of the trek detail page for your trek on our website. In no way is Everest Dream liable for any coverage or decisions made by World Nomads in carrying out its insurance policies.

Whichever company you choose for insurance, you should ensure that the policy meets your individual needs and Everest Dream's requirements. Everest Dream will require that you provide a copy of the insurance card (or whatever is provided in its place) approximately 75 days prior to departure. If you also have primary medical insurance through your (or a family member’s) employer, you will be required to provide Everest Dream a copy of that card 75 days prior to departure.

Everest Dream recommends that you purchase insurance as soon as you place a deposit on a trek. You should review the policy details on any insurance carefully and determine whether it is sufficient to meet your trip and medical needs during the trek and Everest Dreams requirements. Some providers cover pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased within a few days of making a deposit on your trek. Policies vary, so read them carefully before selecting one.

Delays and Cost Increases

The weather in Nepal (and especially on the trek) can change quickly, without warning. We will not be responsible for providing any reimbursement for delays in the trek due to bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, or government intervention. The prices are based on tariffs, currency values, airfares and third-party charges as of the date of publication on the website and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, as permitted by law, we reserve the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

Note about flights: Most treks run during the best weather conditions of the year and there is an extra day at the end of the trek to allow for poor weather, sightseeing and shopping. Flights to and from Lukla are not always dependable; weather conditions may cause flight cancellations. Costs of any evacuation by helicopter (roughly around $500) are in addition to any previously paid air/land costs and must be paid before evacuation departure.

If We Cancel a Trek

Everest Dream reserves the right to cancel all or a portion of a trek for force majeure or any other circumstances beyond our control and, in the event of such cancellation, full or partial refunds or credits, if any, will be at Everest Dreams sole discretion. We also reserve the right to cancel any trek if sign-up is inadequate to make the trek economically feasible for us to operate, and in this event, we give a full refund of the trek price.

In extremely rare circumstances, Everest Dream may need to cancel a trek in progress due to safety, health, or welfare concerns, or due to force majeure. In these circumstances, partial refunds or credits, if any, will be at Everest Dreams sole discretion. The cost incurred for changing airline accommodations due to any mid-trek cancellation is not included in the trek cost and will be the responsibility of the trekker. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund/change policy.

Additionally, Everest Dream is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the trek (e.g.,non-refundable air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear or medical expenses).

Refunds for Unused Portions of Trek

Everest Dream does not give any refunds for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or trek arrangements. Trip price is quoted as a package; credits are not given for services not used.

Address for All Communications in Writing

Any communications that must occur in writing should be sent via mail and email to the following:

Everest Dream

22 Silverbirch Road

Hartlepool,TS26 0BD

info@everest-dream.com 

No Waiver

I agree that any waiver by Everest Dream of any of the foregoing terms and conditions must be in writing signed by an authorized employee or shareholder of Everest Dream

By advancing deposit to Everest Dream, the trekker thereby agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions in this agreement.