Table of Contents for our Terms & Conditions

Please click the links below if you want to reach specific sections of the Terms & Conditions

OUR CONTRACT

1. PRICES & SURCHARGES

BOOKING REQUIREMENTS

2. YOUR DETAILS
3. MINIMUM AND ACCOMPANIED AGE 
4. GUESTS AGED 75 AND OVER OR WITH PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION
5. HEALTH, FITNESS & MEDICAL ADVICE
6. MEDICAL NON-APPROVAL & REFUNDS
7. TRAVEL INSURANCE
8.FLIGHTS 
9.TRAVEL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 
10.SCHEDULED CAREX TOURS CALLS 

RESERVATIONS

11. HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION
12. ACCEPTANCE OF BOOKING AND FINAL PAYMENTS
13. DEPOSIT
14. CANCELLATION WINDOW
15. TRANSFERABLE DEPOSITS
16. PAYMENT OF TRIP
17. INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
18. PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION

BOOKING CANCELLATIONS

19. BOOKING CANCELLATION BY CAREX TOURS
20. BOOKING CANCELLATION BY GUEST
21. CREDITS
22. TRIP TRANSFERS

TRIP TERMS

23. SMOKING
24. SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
25. MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
26. ACCOMMODATION
27. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
28. AUTHORITY ON TRIP
29. ITINERARY
30. RESPECTFUL CONDUCT
31. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
32. WHATSAPP GROUP & COMMUNICATIONS
33. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION & MEDIA
34. REFUNDS AND COMPLAINTS
35. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

OUR CONTRACT

All bookings are made with Carex Design Tours LLC (“we”, “us”), which is operated by Leatherback Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 24 631 228 898) as the trading entity. By booking a trip with us, you are deemed to have agreed to these booking conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us) and your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are outlined in your itinerary inclusions and exclusions, and you will be notified of any significant changes.

By making a reservation for a trip with Carex Tours, you agree to contribute to a positive group and that you’re up for the flexibility that travel often requires. You certify that you do not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for yourself or other participants – or that could affect the group momentum and enjoyment of an itinerary. Carex Tours reserves the right in our sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a trip at any time.

 

1.PRICES & SURCHARGES

The tour prices in this agreement are based upon current exchange rates, tariffs, and taxes. Fluctuations in these rates could result in a price adjustment without prior notice until the tour is paid in full. This means our trip prices may vary at any time in accordance with demand, market conditions, and availability. There is a chance that different guests 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 the price for the tour is paid in full, the fee will not be adjusted due to any later change in exchange rates, tariffs or taxes.

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.

The most up-to-date pricing is available on our website. Prices are based on currency exchange rates at the time of publication; note that prices may vary depending on which currency the booking is made in.

We reserve the right to impose surcharges before departure due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, increases in transportation costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so. 

1.1 Exchange Rate Surcharge:

In such instances of a variation in the exchange rate since booking your trip, we will be responsible for any change in the exchange rate representing five percent of the trip price and you will be responsible for the balance. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than ten percent of the trip price, you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund. You can request a cancellation by email. Please note that a surcharge may be applied to all purchases made by credit card.

Any surcharge will be imposed at the Final Payment Invoicing Date: approximately 127 days before trips commencing.

You can avoid exchange rate surcharges by paying for your trip in full before the end of your Cancellation Window (when booking before Final Payment Date), after which point you will no longer be responsible for fluctuations in exchange rate.

BOOKING REQUIREMENTS

2.Your Details

In order for us to confirm and coordinate your booking and travel arrangements, you must provide all requested details before or with the balance of the trip price (the Final Payment Due Date). Necessary details vary by trip; they include, but are not limited to:

  • Copy/image of your flight schedule
  • Full name as per passport
  • Date of birth
  • Address
  • Emergency contact details
  • Nationality
  • Color image of your passport bio page (incl. passport number, photo, issue and expiry date)
  • Any pre-existing mobility, physical or mental health conditions
  • Your fitness and dietary details
  • On some more demanding trips, we require you to complete and forward a self-assessment form. 

Unfortunately, if you don’t provide the requested details and documents by the deadlines given by our Carex Tours team, it could lead to extra charges or even the non-refundable cancellation of your trip.

3.Minimum and Accompanied Age

For most of our trips, the minimum age is 15 at the time of travel. Travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by:

  • a legal guardian, or 
  • an escort over the age of 18 who has been appointed by their legal guardian. 

The legal guardian (or appointed escort) will be responsible for the day-to-day care of the minor traveler under the age of 18. 

If a guardian nominates an escort, they’ll need to complete and sign a delegation form provided by Carex Tours.

Please note we cannot guarantee triple or adjoining rooms for families; accompanying adults may need to book an additional room.

4. Guests aged 75 and over or with pre-existing medical conditions

Guests aged 75 or older at the time of travel, or anyone with a pre-existing medical condition that Carex Tours reasonably believes may affect their ability to travel safely, must provide a completed Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel.

This form (provided by Carex Tours) must be signed by a qualified doctor and submitted within 30 days of booking confirmation.

For bookings made within 119 days of the trip start date, the approved Certificate must be submitted before the booking can be confirmed.

For bookings made 120 days or more before departure, the standard cancellation window and refund terms (see below) apply.

5. Health, Fitness & Medical Advice

Most Carex Tours trips have no upper age limit, but they can be physically demanding. Travelers must ensure they are suitably fit to participate fully and safely.

We’re happy to provide guidance on the expected activity level of your trip, but please note we are not medical professionals. It’s your responsibility to:

  • obtain appropriate medical advice at least two months before travel, and 
  • confirm that you meet all vaccination and health requirements for your destination.

If your health, fitness, or mobility changes after booking, please notify your Booking Manager as soon as possible by phone or email.

If we don’t have this information and it affects your ability to participate, we might have to cancel your booking or discontinue your participation in the trip. Unfortunately, in these cases, refunds won’t be available.

6. Medical Non-Approval & Refunds

If a doctor determines that you are Not Medically Fit to Travel, you are eligible for a full refund of your trip payment, provided:

  • you submit a completed and signed Certificate of Medical Fitness to Travel marked “Not Medically Fit to Travel,” and
  • it is received within 30 days of booking confirmation, and
  • your booking was made at least 120 days before departure.

For bookings made within 119 days of the trip start date, once the approved Certificate is received and the booking confirmed, standard cancellation terms apply thereafter.

These measures are in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of all guests traveling with Carex Tours.

7. Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance. Having travel insurance ensures peace of mind and safeguards you from unforeseen circumstances. You will need to provide us with your insurance details to your Carex Tours Booking Manager by the requested date and carry a copy during travel.

Travel insurance is essential to protect you in case of:

  • Trip cancellations after the cancellation deadline.
  • Health emergencies during the tour, such as injuries, medical issues, or evacuation.
  • Personal liability coverage.
  • Repatriation services in case of death.
  • All activities listed in your itinerary.

You are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance. Squaremouth and Insure My Trip are two popular travel insurance search sites. If you are under 70 years old, World Nomads is usually an economical travel insurance choice. 

Carex Tours is not responsible for any uninsured costs arising, including those arising from pandemics or illness. We maintain an active Communicable Diseases Policy, updated according to global conditions, industry standards, and best health advice. Please contact us for the latest version of the policy and consult it before traveling.

Ensuring your travel insurance meets these requirements helps us maintain a safe and secure travel experience for all participants.

8. Flights

Carex Tours does not include flights to/from trip Start and End points within the trip price. Because we are not licensed to sell flights, we can’t book these for you. This is why we encourage you to seek out a Travel Agent or flight specialist to help you find flights. 

After booking your flight, upload a copy of your itinerary to your booking page in WeTravel or email your itinerary to contact@carexdesign.com at least 120 days before your trip. Upload/send it as an image (PDF, screenshot, or similar), or forward your Travel Agent’s email. You are also responsible for notifying us of any changes.

9. Travel Entry Requirements

9.1 Visas and Passports:

Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after the trip’s finish date. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have a valid passport, the correct visas, permits, and certificates, for your country of citizenship throughout your transit and trip. 

We recommend you call your Travel Agent or check details with your relevant government website first!

Please check your relevant government travel website about any visas or documents needed for an itinerary before booking a trip.

9.2 Vaccinations:

Carex Tours cannot offer advice on vaccinations. We recommend you speak with a Doctor (they can also issue a note for personal use of any medication you may need to bring, at the same time!). Some countries have entry requirements for vaccinations, so please be sure you have the appropriate ones.

Carex Tours are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack a valid passport, visa, vaccinations, or other travel documentation.

10. Scheduled Carex Tours Calls

When you sign up for a Carex Tours trip, we may need to have 1-2 phone calls with you before your trip begins…These usually happen around four months before your trip and again two weeks prior to the trip. These calls help us get (and give!) all the final details to make sure your adventure goes smoothly.

If you think you might be hard to reach during these times, please let your Booking Manager know ahead. A lot of coordination for us booking your accommodation, transport, and any internal flights/trains depend on your documents/information being updated or provided on time.

If we require essential information from you to finalize your booking or ensure your safety, and we cannot reach you after reasonable attempts by email and phone, we may cancel your booking and treat it as a guest cancellation under our standard terms. We’ll always make multiple contact attempts and provide clear notice before taking this step.

After your trip, we’ll set up another call to hear your thoughts. We want to know what you loved and what could be better. Your feedback helps us to keep constantly improving our trips!

RESERVATIONS

11. How to make a reservation

When you’ve decided on the trip you’d like to join, booking is easy! Simply click the “Check Availability” button on the tour page on our website, and you’ll be redirected to our booking page on WeTravel. From there:

  1. Select your preferences, such as private or shared room occupancy, the number of travelers, and your payment plan.
  2. Fill in your details (and if you’re booking for more people, include their information too).
  3. Choose your payment method and confirm your booking.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll receive a booking confirmation email. 

12. Acceptance of booking and final payments

Before your booking is confirmed, our Booking Manager may call you to chat. We love getting to know our fellow garden admirers! They might inform you about any key details of the trip as well as ask a couple of questions to fill in your travel profile.

It’s a great idea to dig in online and do some of your own destination research or check out average flight costs or routes before this initial call… We love chatting with people who are really passionate about the place they want to visit (we feel exactly the same!).

Carex Tours will send reminders about your final payment balance and due date. These emails will include a link for you to make the payment.

The remaining balance for your trip is due 120 days before your departure, unless we’ve mentioned something different and created Special Booking Conditions for you. If we don’t receive your payment by the due date given we may need to cancel your booking, and the cancellation charges outlined in ‘Cancellations by Guest’ would apply.

If you’re booking within 120 days of your trip, the contract between us will start as soon as we accept your payment in full. 

13. Deposit

Each trip has a specified trip deposit amount to be paid in order to confirm your spot on a trip. This amount is mentioned in the booking page of every online itinerary.  

Bookings made after the Final Payment date require payment in full… Please note that by paying in full during this window means you also fall within our Cancellation Terms and as a result, we need to be clear that you won’t be eligible for the Cancellation Window.

Payment of a trip deposit confirms you have read and accepted our Terms and Conditions.

14. Cancellation Window

Providing your trip has a departure date of 120+ days, you can cancel your trip and receive a refund on your deposit, if the cancellation is made within 2 weeks (14 days) of payment of your deposit.

A booking made when the trip is due to commence in 119 days or less is not eligible for the Cancellation Window. 

15. Transferable Deposits

You can cancel your trip at any time before the trip starts and transfer the minimum deposit amount to any booking. Should the credited deposit be less than the minimum deposit required on a future trip date, or alternative trip, you will just need to pay the difference before your new booking is confirmed. For alternative itineraries; a Booking Manager may request a phone call with you to discuss trip specifics and any minimum fitness requirements for the new booking. After that, we will send you a discount code equivalent to your credit amount to be used towards the booking of an alternative trip.

16. Payment of trip

Final payment is due 120 days prior to the trip departure date. You will be sent an email reminder 7 days before.

Making a booking 120 days or less before trip departure will require full payment in order to hold your spot on the trip and is not eligible for cancellation window conditions.

17. Inclusions and Exclusions

17.1 Included in Booking Price

All meals, activities, accommodation, transport, and guides as stated in each trip’s online itinerary.

17.2 Not included in Booking Price

Visa fees, international flight costs, meals or activities not stated in the itinerary, airport taxes, personal items, snacks, drinks not stated in the itinerary, vaccinations, tips or gratuities (unless otherwise stated in the trip details), laundry, telephone, minibar, personal travel insurance.

18. Pre & Post trip accommodation booked by Guest

Carex Tours is not able to book additional accommodation for guests before the trip begins (Pre-Trip) at the Start Hotel or after the trip ends (Post-Trip) at the End Hotel. You are welcome to search online and book your own accommodation independently.

If you choose to book your own Pre-Trip or Post-Trip accommodation at the same Start or End Hotels as the itinerary, please email your booking details (including your confirmation number) to contact@carexdesign.com. This will help the Carex Tours team do our best to try and coordinate you staying in the same room without needing to move.

Alternative Accommodation
If you choose to stay at a different accommodation before the trip begins, you are responsible for arranging your own transfer to the Start Hotel where the trip begins. Similarly, if you book a different Post-Trip accommodation, you are responsible for arranging your own transfer from the End Hotel after the trip concludes.

Changes to the Trip Start or End Hotels
If Carex Tours needs to change the Start or End Hotels due to unforeseen circumstances, all guests will be notified by email. In such cases, if you have arranged your own accommodation at the original Start or End Hotels, we will arrange a transfer to the new hotel or you may adjust your booking accordingly.

BOOKING CANCELLATIONS

19. Booking cancellations by Carex Tours

Carex Tours reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any trip departure.

120 days or more in advance: For cancellations due to a lack of trip participants, we will cancel the trip no later than 120 days in advance of the trip departure and refund the amount you paid for that trip, in its entirety. If you choose to transfer to a different departure of the same trip instead of accepting the refund, we’ll honor the original trip price, even if the price of the new departure is different due to a price increase.

Cancellations within 120 days will only happen due to circumstances out of our control, such as political instability, terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, or other such circumstances. Refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs; in this case, the rest of your trip balance will be offered to you as a credit.

If the travel advisory of a destination changes to ‘Do Not Travel’, you will be entitled to a refund. If the event occurs within 120 days of the trip start, you will be provided a refund less any unrecoverable costs, which will be provided as a credit. 

If you have used pre-existing credit on file towards or for your deposit on this trip, please note that the original terms of the credit apply. 

It is your responsibility to be aware of the effect a travel advisory status, and any changes to it, may have on your travel insurance policy.

20. Booking cancellation by guest

Cancellation of your booking often does not allow time for the re-sale of your space on the trip.

However, with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee, you will never lose your deposit. No matter when you cancel – so long as the trip hasn’t started, you keep your trip deposit as a credit to be applied to future trips. This is also transferable for use on one of our sister travel brands: Patch Adventures, Fencox Travel, Magnificent Rail, Camino Women, Salt Caravan, Harriet Adventures or Salemi Ceramics.

Most cancellations happen due to unfortunate circumstances, such as sickness or bereavement, but we cannot adjust our policy for these circumstances. We have in the past tried to accommodate for these events, but the cost of covering these cancellations was financially unsustainable and caused the majority of trips to run at a loss. Sourcing replacement guests is difficult and campaigns to fill last minute spots rarely succeed. 

For this reason; if you wish to be covered for cancellations, this must be organized with an external insurance provider. 

If you need to cancel or switch to another trip before the Final Payment Date, we’ll process any refunds accordingly..

If you need to withdraw from a tour, you must notify Carex Tours in writing. Cancellation becomes effective when written notice is received.

If any guest leaves the trip voluntarily after its commencement, there will be no refund.

Any refund, be it part or whole, will be based on the payment originally received in our bank account — that amount is the gross amount on which any refund will be based. 

Cancellation 120 days or more prior to departure: Retain trip minimum deposit as a credit; refund all other monies paid. 

Cancellation between 50 and 119 days: If payment over the trip minimum deposit has been received, you will retain the deposit amount as a credit (including any private supplement deposit) held with Carex Tours, and receive a refund equivalent to 40% of the total monies paid over the deposit amount.

If payment over the trip minimum deposit has not been received, your deposit will be held as a credit with Carex Tours and no refund will apply.  

Cancellation between 0 and 49 days: If payment in full has been received you will receive a credit equivalent to the trip deposit paid.

Refunds are calculated based on unrecoverable costs already paid to our suppliers. We aim to apply these terms fairly and transparently, reflecting the real costs we incur when a booking changes or is cancelled.

Credits issued for future travel will remain valid indefinitely and can be applied to any Carex Tours trip. If a credit cannot be used due to medical ineligibility, we’ll work with you to find a fair solution.

21. Credits

You can transfer your credits to any other trip or even to another guest, but please note they are not refundable.

If you’d like to use your credit as a deposit for a new trip, you’ll just need to cover any difference in the deposit amount. Once you use your credit for a deposit, a cancellation window doesn’t apply.

If Carex Tours cancels a trip and you choose to use your deposit as credit for another trip instead of getting a refund, the two-week cancellation window starts fresh, and after that, our standard Cancellation Terms apply.

22.Trip transfers

If you decide to transfer to a different trip, please note the following conditions will apply:

  • A two-week cancellation window will not apply to the new trip.
  • You will need to pay any difference in the deposit amount before your place on the new trip is confirmed.
  • If the trip you are transferring to is more expensive, the difference will be payable according to our standard payment schedule and terms.
  • Our standard cancellation policy will apply.
  • If you request a trip transfer within 120 days of the new trip commencing, the full trip price must be paid upfront.

By proceeding with a trip transfer, you agree to these terms and conditions.

TRIP TERMS

23. Smoking

All participants in tours hosted by Carex Tours agree to comply with a non-smoking policy on all coaches, in restaurants, tour gardens, and in all lodging places. We ask that outside of these circumstances, that if you smoke or vape this is done away from Carex tour participants.

24. Special dietary requirements

We will do our best to accommodate specific dietary requirements, but cannot guarantee that we will successfully manage all dietary needs or be able to cater for specific allergies. Please note that for included meals with set menus, your options may be limited and sometimes repetitive, depending on the destination and local cuisine.

25. Medical requirements

While Carex Tours will do its best to endeavor to accommodate medical requirements, the expectation is that guests will be responsible for their own arrangements. 

Guests are advised to bring their own personal medication, accompanied by a doctor’s note for personal use. If you have severe asthma, allergic reactions, or other conditions that could require immediate intervention; please bring an ‘action plan’ for management from your Doctor.

26. Accommodation

Carex Tours’ trip prices are based on a Shared Room basis, except in circumstances where this is not possible. By booking you accept that due to unforeseen circumstances out of our control, sometimes accommodation may need to be changed. In this rare event we endeavor to arrange alternative accommodation of the same standards.

26.1 Shared Room

To book a Shared Room you will need to travel with either a partner or friend. If you’re traveling solo you will need to book a Private Room.

During a trip, if you have booked a Shared Room spot, you are committed to it for the trip duration and your room type cannot be changed. You are very welcome to book a private room for any pre or post-trip accommodation, though!

26.2 Private Room 

Your accommodation will be private throughout the trip, unless detailed otherwise. Private rooms are an additional cost, which is added to the ‘base booking price’ (cost of a Shared Room spot.) The amount varies per trip and the cost is detailed within each online itinerary. This amount is added on to the ‘base booking price’ (cost of a shared room spot). 

On trips where a full private occupancy is not possible for every night of a trip, a Private Room occupancy will be priced accordingly. In these instances, details will be clearly visible on the trip itinerary page.

If you initially book a Shared Room spot and later decide to upgrade to a Private one, we’ll do our best to accommodate the change (subject to availability). Please note that in these cases, the cost will be based on the current rate at the time of your upgrade, even if prices have increased since your original booking.

27. Baggage allowance

Please keep your baggage to a minimum and try to bring only what’s needed. You must be able to carry and handle your own bag comfortably by yourself throughout the trip. 

Please be mindful of local airline luggage limits if there’s a domestic flight on your trip. Any limits will be listed in your trip notes, which you’ll receive in plenty of time before you’re packing!

Carex Tours does not accept responsibility for any lost or damaged bags — it’s best to make sure you are insured for this. Unfortunately we cannot assist with locating lost luggage either (as much as we’d love to). Please contact the relevant airport service desk, or airline, for assistance. 

28. Authority on trip

Our trips are run by a group leader (your Guide). Guests are expected to respect the authority of the guide/leader/local operator at all times. The decision of a guide or group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or wellbeing of any traveler or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader or interfere with the wellbeing or mobility of the group, the 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 Guest Participation Guidelines

29. Itinerary

One of the first things we tell our guests is to think of our itineraries as guidelines, not blueprints. We carefully craft every journey, but no amount of planning can predict the weather, traffic, or whims of local businesses. Traveling isn’t neat. It’s not  entirely predictable. But it is exhilarating, eye-opening and transformative. It’s about saying “yes” to the unexpected, embracing the un-planned and the different, and finding beauty in all of it. So pack your curiosity, your appreciation for nature’s surprises, and a healthy dose of flexibility. The world’s gardens are waiting to amaze you…

When traveling with Carex Tours, we ask that you embrace the spirit of exploration and flexibility that is inherent in garden tourism. While we work hard to create a well-curated and immersive itinerary, please understand that unexpected circumstances may require changes to the planned schedule. Seasonal variations, weather conditions, or even local garden events may bring surprises along the way. We give our guides plenty of freedom, with their incredible local knowledge and real-time awareness of your group’s interests, to make decisions and adjustments they feel will enhance the experience for everyone.

If modifications to the itinerary or accommodations are necessary, we will make every effort to provide you with the closest possible alternative of equal value, making sure your safety, enjoyment, comfort and location are key in this process. It is important to note that some aspects of the trip may be subject to last-minute adjustments, and the sequence or timing of activities may change.

Your guide will keep you updated of any changes as soon as possible, ensuring clear communication. By joining our tours, you acknowledge that flexibility is a key component of the adventure travel experience, and you agree to remain open-minded and adaptable to the journey ahead.

30. Respectful conduct

Carex Tours reserves the right to accept or reject an individual at any time. 

Respectful and positive interactions are fundamental to our company culture. If a potential or booked guest doesn’t comply with our Terms & Conditions or displays any form of bullying, rude, aggressive, or abusive behavior to: our team members, fellow trip group members, the guide, or the general public, we reserve the right to refuse or cancel their booking, or remove them from a trip.

Please read our Guest Participation Guidelines before acknowledging your participation and booking conditions by paying a deposit. We created these guidelines so that everyone can feel safe and excited knowing we are all on the same page and can have the most incredible time! Our Trip Help Process is there if you see or experience anything that isn’t in alignment with those guidelines.

31. Communicable disease

You agree to follow the safety requirements explained in the Communicable Diseases Policy, agree to follow the directions of your guide in the event of illness in the group, and should you fall ill, take reasonable and practical steps to reduce the risk of the infection spreading to other group members, the local team and members of the public.

32. WhatsApp Group & Communications

When you join a Carex Tour trip, we ask that you connect with your guide and fellow garden admirers through a WhatsApp group set up for your trip. This group is important for safety, communication, and keeping everyone informed, including other participants and the Carex Tours team. We’ll set up the WhatsApp group about two weeks before your trip starts, once all guests are available to join. Your tour leader will be added into the group chat around 3-5 days before your trip begins. WhatsApp is a third-party platform. While we use it responsibly, Carex Tours is not responsible for data handling or privacy practices outside our control.

33. Use of Personal Information & Media

By participating in the WhatsApp group, you grant Carex Tours permission to use your name (first name and surname initial), photographs, video recordings, and other media captured during the trip. These may be used for marketing, storytelling, or other promotional purposes. If you do not wish to appear in media, please notify us before your trip begins.

If you do not wish to appear in promotional materials, you may opt out at any time by notifying us in writing.

All personal information collected is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and our Privacy Policy, available on our website.

34. Refunds and complaints

If you experience an issue during your trip, please notify your guide or our operations team immediately so we can attempt to resolve it on the spot.

If the issue cannot be resolved directly, you may submit a written complaint within 20 days of your return. We will review all complaints fairly and respond as soon as reasonably possible, keeping in mind that some matters may require consultation with local partners or suppliers, which can take additional time due to time zones or remote locations.

Please note that no refunds will be provided for unused services unless the issue was caused by Carex Tours negligence or failure to provide the contracted service. Circumstances outside our control – including weather, supplier issues, or other unforeseen events – do not qualify for a refund.

Carex Tours also works in partnership with local operators, whose local expertise is invaluable to the execution of our trips. While we make every effort to work with reliable and reputable third-party operators, Carex Tours cannot assume responsibility for any actions or omissions of third parties that result in personal injury, property damage, or other loss to our guests.

We have a complaints and refunds procedure, including a formula to calculate refund entitlements for any services that were poorly delivered or not delivered at all. We hope not to have any of these, but should you feel that something did not meet your expectations, please write to us in case we can rectify the situation.

We will contact you to conduct an investigation and may need to have a chat with you on the phone in order to proceed; any resolution offered will depend on the outcome of the investigation.

The formula for refunds is based on a reasonable breakdown of our service, with allocations primarily for accommodation, food, guiding services and experiences. To receive a full breakdown of the formula, please contact us. If you do make a complaint, the full calculation of your refund entitlement will be provided to you.

35. Acknowledgement of our terms and conditions

Carex Tours is committed to providing their guests with safe and enjoyable experiences. We expect our guests to understand the physical requirements of our tours and to be in good health before undertaking our trips. Although we ask guests to confirm their physical fitness, it is ultimately the guest’s responsibility to ensure they are medically, physically, and mentally, fit for the trip.

While you acknowledge that you undertake our trips at your own risk, we want to assure you that your safety is of utmost importance to us and we will endeavor to ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place.

If any part of this agreement is deemed unenforceable, all other parts will remain in effect. By booking a trip with Carex Tours, you agree to abide by these terms.

These terms and conditions and any contract to which they apply, are governed by the laws of the State of Wyoming, United States, and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Wyoming.

Payment of a trip deposit, or transfer of a credit as a deposit, means you have read and accepted our Terms and Conditions, including our Guest Participation Guidelines and Communicable Diseases Policy

 

Have a question about one of our garden tours, or want to know more about us?