Please read these terms carefully before using our services
Last Updated: June 15, 2024
Welcome to Soft Compass. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Soft Compass website located at softcompass.sbs (the "Site") and the travel services offered by Soft Compass ("Services").
By accessing the Site, booking a tour, or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the Terms, you may not access the Site or use our Services.
Soft Compass is a registered company (Company No: 35339676) with its registered office at 760 Jane Cove, Edwardbury, ST16 3AP, United Kingdom.
Throughout these Terms, the following definitions apply:
To make a Booking, you must:
A contract between you and Soft Compass is formed when we issue a Confirmation. The Confirmation will include essential details such as itinerary, inclusions, exclusions, and payment schedule. It is your responsibility to review the Confirmation and inform us immediately of any errors or discrepancies.
Unless otherwise specified in your Confirmation:
We accept the following payment methods:
All payments must be made in the currency specified in your Confirmation. You are responsible for any bank charges or currency conversion fees.
The price of your tour is guaranteed once we have issued your Confirmation and received your deposit. However, we reserve the right to impose surcharges in the following circumstances:
If a surcharge is necessary, we will notify you at least 30 days before your Departure Date. If the surcharge exceeds 10% of your total tour price, you may cancel your Booking and receive a full refund. You must notify us of your intention to cancel within 14 days of receiving the surcharge notice.
You may cancel your Booking at any time by providing written notice to us. Cancellation fees will apply as follows:
| Days before Departure Date | Cancellation Fee (% of total tour price) |
|---|---|
| 60+ days | Loss of deposit (20%) |
| 59-45 days | 50% |
| 44-30 days | 75% |
| 29-0 days | 100% |
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against cancellation penalties.
If you wish to make changes to your Booking after Confirmation, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request, subject to availability and the following conditions:
If you are prevented from traveling, you may transfer your Booking to another person, provided that:
You and the transferee will be jointly and severally liable for all payments due.
We reserve the right to cancel your tour in the following circumstances:
If we cancel your tour (except due to your failure to comply with these Terms or pay the balance), you will receive a full refund of all monies paid or, where possible, be offered an alternative tour of comparable standard.
We may need to make changes to your tour due to circumstances beyond our control. Changes are classified as follows:
If you choose to accept a significant change or take an alternative tour of lower standard, we will refund the price difference. If you accept a tour of higher standard, you will pay the price difference.
You are responsible for ensuring that you and all members of your party have:
We will provide general information about passport and visa requirements, but it is your responsibility to verify this information with the relevant embassies or consulates. We are not liable for any costs, delays, or denied entry resulting from incorrect or missing travel documents.
You are responsible for:
We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health specialist at least eight weeks before your departure.
Travel insurance with comprehensive coverage is mandatory for all of our tours. Your insurance must cover:
You must provide proof of adequate insurance coverage before your Departure Date. If you fail to provide proof of insurance, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without refund.
Our tour leaders and local guides have the authority to make decisions that affect the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all travelers. You must comply with their reasonable instructions at all times. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the tour without refund.
You are expected to behave in a manner that does not cause distress, danger, or annoyance to others. This includes respecting local customs, laws, and regulations. We reserve the right to terminate your participation in the tour without refund if:
In such cases, you will be responsible for arranging your own return transportation and any associated costs.
The accommodation specified in your Confirmation will be provided whenever possible. However, we reserve the right to substitute alternative accommodation of a similar or higher standard if necessary. Room assignments and specific requests (such as adjoining rooms) cannot be guaranteed but will be accommodated when possible.
Transportation will be provided as specified in your Confirmation. We reserve the right to substitute alternative modes of transportation if necessary. Schedules are subject to change due to weather, traffic, or other conditions beyond our control.
We reserve the right to modify the itinerary during the tour due to weather, road conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control. Our tour leaders will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative activities of similar interest and quality.
If you have special dietary requirements, mobility limitations, or other special needs, you must inform us at the time of booking. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your requirements, but we cannot guarantee that all requests can be met.
If you have a complaint during your tour, you must inform your tour leader or our local representative immediately, giving them the opportunity to resolve the issue on the spot. If the issue cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you should obtain written documentation from the tour leader or local representative, including details of the complaint and any actions taken.
If your complaint is not resolved during your tour, you must submit a formal written complaint to us within 28 days of the end of your tour. Your complaint should include:
We will acknowledge your complaint within 14 days and provide a full response within 28 days. If we need more time to investigate, we will keep you informed of our progress.
We cannot accept liability for any claims not notified to us in accordance with this section. Any legal action arising from the Agreement must be commenced within two years from the end of your tour.
We will arrange and provide the Services as described in your Confirmation with reasonable skill and care. We accept responsibility for any loss or damage you suffer as a result of our negligence or failure to perform our obligations under the Agreement.
Our liability is limited as follows:
Our liability is limited in accordance with the following international conventions:
Many of our tours involve activities that carry inherent risks. By booking such tours, you accept these risks. We will take reasonable precautions to ensure your safety, but we cannot eliminate all risks associated with adventure travel. You must:
You are responsible for providing accurate and complete information for all travelers in your party, including:
Inaccurate information may result in additional costs, delays, or denied boarding/entry.
You must ensure that all members of your party:
We reserve the right to request a doctor's certificate confirming fitness to travel.
You must respect the customs, laws, and regulations of the countries you visit. This includes:
We are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. You agree to:
We will not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations or delays in performance due to Force Majeure events. Force Majeure events include, but are not limited to:
If Force Majeure events prevent us from providing your tour as planned, we will:
We collect and process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which can be found at Privacy Policy. By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy.
You consent to our sharing your personal information with third parties (such as airlines, hotels, and local operators) as necessary to fulfill our obligations under the Agreement.
During your tour, we may take photographs or videos for promotional purposes. By participating in our tours, you grant us permission to use such images in our brochures, website, social media, and other promotional materials without compensation to you.
If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform your tour leader at the beginning of the tour.
We may also request testimonials from you after your tour. By providing a testimonial, you grant us permission to use it in our promotional materials with attribution to your first name and last initial, unless you specify otherwise.
All content on our Site, including text, graphics, logos, images, audio clips, digital downloads, and software, is the property of Soft Compass or its content suppliers and is protected by international copyright laws.
You may not reproduce, modify, distribute, or republish any content from our Site without our prior written consent.
Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. These links are provided for your convenience and do not imply endorsement of the content or services provided by these websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of third-party websites.
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. The amended Terms will be effective immediately upon posting on our Site. Your continued use of our Site or Services after the posting of amended Terms constitutes your acceptance of the changes.
For existing bookings, the Terms in effect at the time of booking will apply, unless the amendments are required by law or government regulation.
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
For EU consumers, this does not affect your rights under the mandatory consumer protection laws of your country of residence.
These Terms, together with your Confirmation and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Soft Compass regarding your tour and supersede all prior communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
Soft Compass
760 Jane Cove
Edwardbury, ST16 3AP
United Kingdom
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 0216 358 045
By using our Site, making a Booking, or using our Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.