About us:
Project Cordillera is a specialist adventure travel agency and social enterprise. We promote and sell sustainable expeditions and travel in the Peruvian and Colombian Andes, connecting adventurous travellers with our close network of trusted guides and operators. We provide groups and individuals with the opportunity to support community-led development through the way they travel by supporting civil society organizations (charities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)) working in social development and environmental protection. Our aim is to promote local economies, protect the environment and support mountain communities, in every way possible. By choosing one of our promoted expeditions, you are supporting this mission. Thank you for doing so.
About these terms and conditions:
These terms and conditions form your contract with Project Cordillera Ltd. (registered at Little Trees, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7RL, UK; company number: 08742882) for all the arrangement of your place on the expedition you choose. Please study them carefully.
Enquiry and application process:
The process is simple: First, decide what expedition/s you would like to do and when you would like to travel. We promote scheduled expeditions as well as tailed trips at a date of your choice. Complete the contact form on the appropriate page or email us to info@projectcordillera.org.
We will return your email with further information and the options available to you. We will also send you the appropriate application form and, depending on the nature of the expedition/s you are interested in, an experience form may also be necessary. Complete the form/s and return to us by email (note: some forms are automated and do not require a return email). To confirm your place on an expedition, a deposit is required (see payment information below). Once we have received all of your information and deposit, we will promptly reserve and confirm your place. Upon we confirm your place, the contract between us becomes binding.
Note: The application process is not binding until you indicate with a deposit that you are going to participate in a particular trip and we receive the required application forms completed to our satisfaction. If you are unsure, please contact us for more information. We offer travel consultancy by a number of channels including by phone. Please reach out to us to discuss your interests, expedition goals and your suitability on a particular expedition. Visit our planning page for answers to many of the most common enquiries and questions.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all information provided to us in your application form is correct and up to date.
Payment details:
We require the payment of a application fee to confirm your place on each expedition. This is the deposit for full trip payment and is required for each individual place on any expedition. This can be paid by Paypal or bank transfer. Bank transfer or international payments must be received in pound sterling (£). If paying in US dollar ($) we recommend using Paypal. However, any costs associated with currency transfers or bank charges must be paid by you. The application fee is non-refundable other than where your application does not pass our screening process (in which case you will be refunded in full less any bank charges).
The outstanding costs of your expedition must be paid directly to the operator or guide leading your expedition/s. It is your responsibility that this is paid as part of your contract directly with them, and Project Cordillera takes no responsibility for invoicing, billing or giving receipt of this payment. Following confirmation of your expedition by our consultants, the details of your expedition, including payment, are a matter between you and the operator or guide leading your expedition. We remain on hand to support this process, but it is not our responsibility.
Alteration:
If you wish to alter an element of your expedition prior to final payment we will do our best to make the change for you in coordination with the guide or operator of your expedition. If there are any costs and charges incurred, you must pay this outstanding amount. Please note that, although we will always to our best to support you in finding or designing your perfect expedition, amendments will not always be possible.
On occasions your guide or operator may have to make changes to a trip after a booking has been made. Most changes are “minor”, however, sometimes your guide/operator may have to inform you of a “major” alteration to your expedition arrangements. This may include a change to you itinerary, meaning having to attempt a climb or hike on an alternative mountain or in an alternative region (due to unforeseen circumstances, such as unstable mountain conditions, natural disaster, political unrest, the physical and mental condition of the participants, and much more beside). Other alterations may mean moving accommodation, a change in transport or a change in expedition staff. Please see the section below entitled “Assumption of risk” for more information.
Cancellation and force mejeure:
If Project Cordillera cancels your expedition/s other than as a result of force majeure (see below), you will be reimbursed 100% of your application form, less any transfer or bank charges. We will alert you as soon as possible if we become aware that your expedition is not going to run.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any correspondence between you and us, we cannot accept liability or pay compensation if we are forced to cancel, curtail or in any way change your trip or if performance of any part of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected as a result of “force majeure”. Force majeure means any circumstances that are beyond our or our suppliers’, sub-contractors’ or employees’ control and which we could not foresee and/or avoid. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to war, threat of war, riot, civil disobedience or strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, threat of terrorist activity, natural or industrial disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, flooding, closure or congestion of airports and all similar events beyond Project Cordillera Limited’s control. Advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office not to enter or remain in a particular country or region will generally be regarded as “force majeure”.
It is your responsibility to behave in a responsible, restrained and sober manner when dealing with local authorities, fellow travellers and our representatives. By agreeing to our terms, you agree to accept the authority and decisions of our employees and representatives, and that of our partners in Perú and Colombia. If, in the opinion of such people, your behaviour or health before or during the departure of an expedition is likely to threaten the safety, comfort or progress of that expedition, then you may be excluded from the expedition without refund or compensation. It is your responsibility to obey local laws, otherwise you may be excluded from the expedition. Please bear in mind that travel in Latin America is not the same as travel in Europe or North America, and minor inconveniences and delays may arise due to weather conditions, strikes, demonstrations, the poor state of roads or for any other reasons. By travelling with our partners, you are implicitly accepting this part of the Latin American way of life and local conditions.
If you cancel an expedition or expeditions for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify your guide or operator. The possibility of refunds are defined between you and the guide or operator you are travelling with. Project Cordillera takes no responsibility for this or any disputes that arise from issues related to a cancelled or altered expedition.
Insurance and early departure costs:
It is your responsibility to carry an insurance policy that is activated from or before the point of your expedition and covers all of the activities included. You may be are asked to submit details of your policy at any time, either by your guide or operator or by local authorities. If your current policy does not cover these specific activities, you should purchase travel and/or climbing insurance from a reputable agency. Please see our website for recommendations of good personal travel and high mountain insurance providers.
In the event of an evacuation or an unscheduled departure from an expedition, you will likely be responsible for all costs incurred in your leaving the field. Any disputes related to you leaving early are between you and your guide or operator. After confirming your expedition, Project Cordillera takes no responsibility for the running of expeditions, for any incidents that take place, for early departures or evacuations or any other part of your experience.
Assumption of risk:
Your participation in hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountaineering, acclimatization and/or other outdoor adventure based activities in foreign countries entails known and unanticipated risks that could result in serious physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to yourself, to property, or to third parties. Such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity and you consent to participation in the Activities and fully accept and assume such risks and responsibilities for loses, costs and damages. You expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in these Activities. Your participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and you elect to participate in spite of the risks.
You hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Project Cordillera from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with your participation in these Activities or your use of Project Cordillera and/or its partner’s equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of Project Cordillera.
Should Project Cordillera or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, you agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
You certify that you have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage you may cause or suffer while participating, or else you agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage yourself. You further certify that you are willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition you may have.
In the event that you file a lawsuit against Project Cordillera, you agree to do so solely in the United Kingdom, and you further agree that the substantive law of the United Kingdom shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state. You agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
By signing your application form you acknowledge you have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. You have read and understood it, and agree to be bound by its terms.
Data Protection:
Project Cordillera Ltd is the data controller of any personal information that you provide, such as name, address and any special needs, health, medical, mobility or dietary requirements, under the Data Protection Act 1998. In order to process your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements, we need to use the personal information that you provide to us. We may pass personal information on to relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as hotels, transport companies and tour operators. Your personal information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs and immigration, security and/or credit checking companies, credit and debit card companies and government and enforcement agencies if required by them, or as required by law. We may also use your personal information for the purposes of carrying out security checks. Your personal information may be shared with the police or other law enforcement or crime prevention agencies for security purposes.
If you travel outside the European Economic Area (EEA), your personal information may have to be sent outside the EEA where controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. This may also apply to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/religious requirements. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot properly effect your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.
The personal information that you provide to us or which is obtained through your dealings with us, will also be used by us or by processors on our behalf: to review your dealings with us including your purchasing and preferences; to review, develop and improve the trips and services that we offer; for market research purposes and for statistical analysis.
We may wish to contact you by post, email and/or telephone with news, information and offers. To alter your marketing preferences please write to us at Project Cordillera Ltd., Little Trees, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7RL, UK. If you wish to obtain a copy of the personal information held about you, please write to the above address. We may make a charge for supplying this information as permitted by law.
Information accuracy:
The information on our website, in our marketing materials or during our sales consultancy and support, is based on our own visits and information supplied to us and has been checked to ensure it is accurate. However, changes can and do occur from time to time and, in particular, may be made without any advance notification from our suppliers. Where we have been notified of a change we will advise you before we accept your booking or if after as soon as possible before departure. The availability of some facilities and amenities may be affected by local conditions, such as inclement weather, public holidays or low occupancy.
Complaints, liability and governing law:
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that your expedition runs smoothly, there may be occasions when things do not go as planned.
If your expedition has not or is not going as planned, and you believe this is the responsibility of Project Cordillera: (a) If you have a complaint or problem you must inform one of our representatives as soon as possible in order that they have the opportunity to put things right. (b) If your complaint or problem has not been resolved to your complete satisfaction, please send an email to info@projectcordillera.org so that we are given the opportunity to assist. (c) If you fail to follow either of these procedures, your right to compensation may be affected, as we will have been deprived of the opportunity to rectify the problem. (d) If you still have cause for complaint you should write to us within 28 days of your booking outlining in full the reason for your complaint or dissatisfaction at Project Cordillera Ltd., Little Trees, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7RL, UK.
If your expedition has not or is not going as planned, and you believe this is the responsibility of your operator or guide: (a) Project Cordillera takes no responsibility for the management or operations of your expedition. (b) Responsibility for your expedition is held by the operator or guide leading your expedition. (c) Changes, alternations and cancellations, as well as any disputes or complaints, are between you and the guide or operator operating the expedition. (d) Any disputes about payments, billing or receipts are between you and the guide or operator operating the expedition.
Your contract with us and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
