Scuba and Land Exploration — Galapagos

We at Big Animals LLC know how upsetting it might be for our valued clients to have to postpone or cancel a trip they have been looking forward to for months. We, too, are disappointed when plans must be changed. However, we make extensive preparations in advance of each trip and we are required to make nonrefundable payments to hotels and other vendors on a regular basis. Consequently, we must rigorously enforce our cancellation and trip change policy for all guests without exception. Purchasing travel insurance is vital and may be obtained through a variety of insurance providers. Life in the modern world has taught us that trip cancellations and interruptions happen, luggage gets lost, and people have accidents prior to trips, and people get sick, and are unable to commence or complete anticipated journeys. Insurance is expected to provide you, as our valued client, with the protection and peace of mind in the event that all things do not go according to your intended plan. As a traveler, please be aware you are personally responsible for any expenses incurred due to illness or injury that may arise before departure or while you are on expedition — and as per the details below — cancelling or altering a trip without insurance becomes very expensive for all parties involved, including for Big Animals LLC. We encourage you to make the responsible choice — protect your investment with a reasonably-priced, comprehensive insurance policy. Big Animals LLC requires a deposit equal to 33% of the total trip price at the time of booking, including all applicable taxes, in order to secure space. Once we have accepted your deposit and application, we will make non-refundable payments to secure your space with overseas vendors; consequently, all deposits on expeditions are also non-refundable, without exception.

• Full payment is due 90 days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ departure date.
• In the event of cancellations made by customers fewer than 120 calendar days (12:00am US Pacific Time) before the expeditions’ start date, then Big Animals LLC shall charge a fee equal to 50% of the expedition’s full price, plus a $500 administration fee, and will offer the discounted trip to another traveler at a discounted rate.  If no replacement traveler can be located then the full amount previously paid by the original trip purchaser to Big Animals LLC shall be non-refundable.  Please purchase travel insurance and plan accordingly.

There shall be no exceptions to this “FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY” for any reason, including, but not limited to force majeure. Governing Law California. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement, and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.