Terms of Use
Please carefully read the following conditions as they form the basis for acceptance of all bookings.
GENERAL SITE INFORMATION
Product descriptions
Descriptions featured are based on current information provided by hotels and suppliers. Any facilities shown as included are subject to change at any time. The standard of accommodation and other services are based on various factors, which are generally accepted as indicative of a certain class, however, we do not guarantee the standard, class, or fitness for purpose of that accommodation or service. Hotel ratings are those suggested by relevant local authorities or our representative and may vary from Tourist Office ratings.
Maps and illustrations
Maps and photographic illustrations are for general purposes only and are not intended to indicate the exact location, facility, service or hotel, which may vary. Locations on maps are a guide only as maps are not to scale.
Prices
"From prices" quoted are the lowest available Explore Holidays adult twin-share, per person, per night AUD, inclusive of any compulsory meals for available travel dates, and are subject to change without notice. From prices quoted do not include credit card processing charges, as these may vary depending on purchase method chosen.
All prices are displayed in AUD. Prices are inclusive of taxes and charges that apply as at the date of publishing, but they do not include any fees that may be imposed directly by third parties. If we have to change any part of your booking for reasons beyond our control, for example, if a hotelier overbooks hotel accommodation, we will notify you.
ONLINE BOOKINGS
Payment
All online bookings must be paid in full by credit card at time of booking. Your credit card is debited immediately upon booking confirmation. A credit card processing charge of 1.5% applies to all online bookings (excluding Travel Agents' Only bookings made through ExploreNet).
Cancellations and amendments
Cancellations and amendments can be made by contacting the travel agency site through which you made your booking in the first instance. Explore Holidays reserves the right to charge cancellation fees up to 100% of the value of the booking. Service fees may apply.
Travel Documents
Your itinerary and vouchers will be sent via email to the address entered during the booking payment process. Please ensure this email address is correct before completing the booking. Travel documents will be sent in .pdf (portable document) format. If you have difficulty receiving or opening .pdf files please visit http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html to download the latest version of Acrobat Reader.
Vouchers need to be exchanged with hotel, transfer operator etc for the service to be provided, so please take printed copies with you when you travel, and keep them in a secure place.
BOOKINGS MADE THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENCY
How To Book
Select the holiday of your choice and then consult your Travel Agent who will make the reservation request with Explore Holidays. All reservation requests are subject to availability at the time of booking. Any verbal, written or electronic quote is an estimate only of the price. If your holiday is available, Explore Holidays will provide to your Travel Agent a written reservation confirmation which will include the price.
Click here to view contact details for our preferred agency groups.
Late Bookings
Bookings made 7 days or less before departure from Australia incur a charge of $25 per booking. Certain products may incur late booking fees more than 7 days before departure or may incur a higher fee. This will be advised at the time your booking is made. Late bookings require a payment guarantee in order for the request to be generated.
Deposits
In order to secure a booking, a non-refundable, non-transferable security deposit must be received by us from your Travel Agent within 7 days of reservation confirmation. The security deposit is normally a minimum of $165 per adult ($77 per child). Certain products require a deposit of up to $2000pp within 7 days of the booking being made. A further deposit may be required by the hotel, tour operator, cruise line or other principal. This will be advised at the time your booking is made. Failure to pay the deposit by the due date will lead to cancellation of your booking.
Final Balance
The balance of the price must be received by us from your Travel Agent normally not less than 42 days before your departure from Australia. Final balance for certain products is required at least 100 days before departure. This will be advised at the time your booking is made. Late payment may lead to cancellation and/or late documentation, which may not be issued until we are in receipt of payment in full. Airfares have limited validity or are required to be booked and paid for a certain time before travel. Please consult your Travel Agent for applicable airfare conditions.
Credit Cards
For any deposits or final balances payable, if you elect to pay for your holiday with a credit card, an additional charge of 1% of the amount being charged to your credit card will be added to the invoice value of the booking. The company reserves the right to vary this 1% charge. An additional 2.5% credit card service fee will be applied to all Diners Club and American Express payments received for bookings with Explore Holidays.
Cancellation Charges
1) Land Arrangements
(a) Bookings cancelled at any time after confirmation are subject to the forfeit the security deposit, including any additional deposits required by suppliers.
(b) In addition to this fee are any charges made by the hotel, tour operator, cruise line or other principal. This can amount to up to 100% of total land arrangement costs, particularly when cancelling tours and other arrangements within 60 days of departure. Some provider cancellation charges may also incur GST. You should check what additional cancellation fees apply (if any) BEFORE paying your deposit.
2) Airfares
A cancellation charge, up to 100%, may be applied depending on the conditions of the airfare.
GENERAL BOOKING INFORMATION
Minimum Age
At least one passenger travelling must be over 18 years of age to book Explore Holidays hotels. All offers are subject to availabilty and the standard conditions of the supplier.
Consumer Claims
In the unlikely event you might experience a problem, you should immediately contact the company responsible for the provision of that service (transfer/hotel/tour etc) whose number will be printed on your voucher. If you are not satisfied with that response and should you wish to make a claim, your claim should be made in writing to the Travel Agent who made your booking no later than 30 days after your return to Australia. Explore Holidays cannot be held responsible for delays or rejection of claims by principals if your claim is not made promptly.
Amendment Charges
Except as stated below, no fee applies for the first amendment or to extend an existing booking before documentation is issued.
(a) Air tickets, rail, cruise, or any service where any proposed amendment may be treated as a cancellation.
(b) Second and subsequent alterations, excluding extensions or additions after confirmations, will incur a $25 fee per booking.
(c) After documentation is issued a $33 fee for any change will be incurred.
Refunds
No refund is available for cancellations after travel has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilised. Any valid refund payable will be made net of any applicable fees and charges, including but not limited to merchant transaction fees and cancellation charges levied by either Explore Holidays or third parties.
Unused Services
Explore Holidays does not authorise the employees of any overseas supplier to promise refunds to clients.
Lost or Destroyed Vouchers
Lost or destroyed vouchers cannot be replaced or refunded for any accommodation plans, rail, transport, museum, exhibit and sightseeing tickets.
Extra Service
Explore Holidays and associated representatives overseas will not accept responsibility nor approve requests to pay for additional charges for extra services requested by clients and not included in the basic prices stated in this brochure. It is your responsibility to settle these charges, if any, before departure including parking fines or parking fees incurred when a rental vehicle is used.
Extra Hotel Nights or Car Rental Days
The special rates shown are available only when booked and paid in advance of your departure from Australia. Should you wish to obtain extra nights or additional days car rental when overseas the cost will be at the normal published rates and the amendment must be made directly with the supplier noted on the passengers vouchers and not through Explore Holidays. Any additional costs are to be paid by the passenger directly to the individual supplier.
Prices and Itinerary Changes
(1) Prices are based on currency exchange rates effective September 2005 and international airfares in effect at September 2005. They are quoted in Australian dollars and are GST free unless otherwise indicated.
(2) Details of particular hotels and holidays described in this brochure may have changed since publication. Changes in airline fares and exchange rates and other changes may also affect the price of particular holidays. You should ask your Travel Agent to check whether such changes have occurred in the price or itinerary BEFORE YOU BOOK and WHEN YOUR BALANCE IS DUE. Every endeavour will be made to advise you of any changes after you book.
(3) Special offers can be withdrawn at any time.
(4) The prices quoted by Explore Holidays are subject to change without notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as fluctuation in exchange rates and/or increases in land and airfare costs, airport charges or government taxes. No surcharges in respect of cost or currency deterioration will be made once full payment for your arrangements has been received. This guarantee does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or their agencies or to errors or omissions. In exchange for these guarantees no refund will be made if costs are reduced. The entire range of products featured is offered at the selling prices shown on each page but prices printed do not imply that similar product may or may not be available at a lower price if obtained direct. However, payments sent overseas by travellers are excluded from the protection provided by Travel Agent Licensing and membership of the Travel Compensation Fund. Itineraries are subject to alteration if airlines schedules are amended, a tour is cancelled by the operator for whatever reason, or other conditions require it. If, in the unlikely event that we have to cancel your booking because of insufficient numbers booked or because of events outside our control we will, if we are able to, offer you an alternative tour or arrangements of a similar standard. If you do not accept the alternative we will refund in full any monies already paid for that particular tour or arrangement.
Room Types and Bedding Guide
Prices on this website are based on existing bedding. Additional bedding may be either a bed, or a fold up ‘rollaway’ or a convertible settee. Please note: Triple share generally refers to three people sharing a but NOT the provision of three separate beds. Hotel rooms are generally ‘Run of House’ unless otherwise stated. Particular room requests
(e.g. interconnecting, twin vs double bedding, non-smoking rooms etc.) can be requested, BUT ARE NOT GUARANTEED AND ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY ON ARRIVAL.
Hotel Information
Whilst Explore Holidays makes every effort to ensure accuracy in hotel information and descriptions, we are reliant on the suppliers and hotels giving us accurate data. Since hotels are constantly changing facilities and services, we cannot be liable for any errors or omissions herein or for any disruption caused by hotel or apartment renovations. If any feature is of critical importance to your holiday, it is the passenger’s responsibility to ask Explore Holidays to check whether such features will be available at the time of occupancy at the given hotel.
Changes of Hotels
If for any reason the hotel(s) nominated herein is/are unavailable, an alternative will be sought/offered. If, after confirmation, the hotel becomes unavailable, you will be assigned to a hotel of similar or superior standard.
Costs not Included
Costs of passports or visas, meals other than those specified in the itinerary, gratuities (unless stated in tour packages), excess baggage charges, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, airport taxes (where not specified to be included in the package) and insurance.
Goods and Services Tax
All goods and services offered for sale within this brochure are exempt from Australian Goods and Services Tax as the goods and services are provided outside Australia. However, for goods and services and other items connected with Australia, Goods and Services Tax will apply. This is subject to change at any time should legislation be enacted affecting the current treatment of the Australian Goods and Services Tax upon the goods and services provided.
Health and Immigration
Passengers should familiarise themselves with any health or visa requirement that may be applicable in the areas they intend visiting, and they shall be responsible for all exit, entry, health and other documents required by laws, regulations, orders, demands or requirements of the countries visited or transited. Each person (including infants) requires a valid passport.
Kindly note that passport and visa requirements are not Explore Holidays’ responsibility or that of your Agent, and Explore Holidays is not liable for any loss or expense due to a passenger’s failure to comply with the above. Visas may take several weeks to process. Passports must have at least 6 months’ validity from the date of your return to Australia.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended to cover you against loss of deposit or final monies paid, because of unavoidable cancellation due to illness or other causes, personal baggage loss, medical expenses etc. Click here to learn more about Travel Insurance.
Responsibilities
The TravelSpirit Group Limited trading as Explore Holidays (ACN 083 012 051) itself or through entities that are related or affiliated to it (all of whom are included in the expressions “Explore Holidays” or the “Operator” on this website) provide the service of selling holidays/tours and ancillary services such as bookings, arrangements and ticketing. The Operator does not itself provide the transport, accommodation, meals or other facilities described on this website (collectively the “services”) that may be received by any person taking advantage thereof, all of which are provided by air carriers, land carriers, cruise operators, hoteliers or other service providers as principal. Explore Holidays agrees to make the reservations with the principals offering the services described on this website on the terms and conditions set out in this brochure. All coupons, exchange orders, contracts, tickets or vouchers issued by Explore Holidays (collectively “vouchers”) are issued subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions contained in the contracts in use by the principals when used and constitute the sole contract between the principal and any person taking advantage of the services. Acceptance of such contracts constitutes acceptance of the foregoing.
Explore Holidays is responsible only for the services it provides and it accepts no responsibility for any loss or injury to persons or property caused by any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, on the part of any principal providing any services to any person taking advantage thereof, including but not limited to any loss or damage in respect of luggage or other property or inconvenience in respect of the handling thereof nor for any dissatisfaction with the properties or services provided by the principals.
Explore Holidays is not liable in contract or tort for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or other events which are beyond the control of Explore Holidays or are not preventable including, without limitation, the acts or omissions of any person taking advantage of the services, dangers incident to the air or sea, delays, change of or alteration in any aircraft, itinerary, schedule or other travel service, illness, injury, strikes, war whether declared or not, failure of equipment, civil disturbance, medical or customs regulations, quarantines, floods, severe weather, acts of God, acts of government or other authority de jure or de facto or other disturbance of whatsoever nature, thefts, pilferage, improper or insufficient passport, visa or other documentation or anything else that interferes with, alters or adds to the cost of the services requested or booked.
The foregoing exclusions of liability are subject to all Australian and State laws, such as the Trade Practices Act and Fair Trading legislation which prohibits the exclusion of certain liability, but remain effective to the full extent permitted by such laws. Explore Holidays will take due care to ensure the services provided by the principals are as described on this website subject to the qualifications and exceptions stated, but accepts liability for and only to the extent that loss or damage results directly from its own negligence or that of its employees. The making of a booking constitutes acceptance by all persons taking advantage of the services described on this website that the terms and conditions contained in this brochure constitute the entire agreement between them and Explore Holidays and that the agreement only be varied by an officer of Explore Holidays in writing.
Consumer Protection
The TravelSpirit Group Limited trading as Explore Holidays holds a Travel Agents Licence (No. 2TA4825), is a member of the Travel Compensation Fund and is a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (“AFTA”).
New South Wales Law
The agreement constituted by the terms and conditions contained in this brochure are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.
Explore Holidays Limited
Part of the TravelSpirit Group Limited,
incorporating Explore Holidays, Venture Holidays and The African Traveller
ABN 75 083 012 051
Level 9, 234 Sussex St, SYDNEY
NSW 2000, Australia
Travel Agent’s Licence No, 2TA4825
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