Your Agreement with Erica Boucher of International Yoga Travel, Empath Yoga, Inc., and Travel Planners International

Upon registering for a trip with Erica Boucher, Empath Yoga, Inc., International Yoga Travel, and Travel Planners International, Inc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as “we” or “us”) Traveler/participant (hereinafter referred to as “you”) agrees with the following terms and conditions on behalf of yourself, your family, and all members of your traveling party:

1. Agent for Suppliers: We act as sales agent for any airline, hotel, car-rental company, tour operator, cruise line, or other service provider named in your itinerary or confirmation (“Suppliers”).  We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Suppliers or their failure to adhere to their own schedules, provide services or refunds, financial default, or failure to honor future trip credits. In the event that a Supplier defaults prior to providing the service to you for which payment has been made, the sole recourse for refund shall be with the defaulting Supplier, from insurance covering such defaults if any, or from another responsible third party. We have no special knowledge regarding the financial condition of the Suppliers and no liability for recommending a trip credit in lieu of a refund.
2. Tour Operator: In the event that we are the tour operator, having curated a complete trip package which may include but it not limited to flights, hotels, transfers, activities, excursions, and all other aspects of a trip, we are not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Suppliers or their failure to adhere to their own schedules, provide services or refunds, financial default, or failure to honor future trip credits. In the event that a Supplier defaults prior to providing the service to you for which payment has been made, the sole recourse for refund shall be from insurance covering such defaults if any, or from another responsible third party. 

You understand that, with all payments to us for one of our curated trips, expenses are being incurred on your behalf. You hereby acknowledge and agree to the cancellation and refund terms found at www.InternationalYogaTravel.com, and confirm that you will not dispute the charge or request a chargeback from Erica Boucher, Empath Yoga, Inc., International Yoga Travel, or Travel Planners International under any circumstances.

3. Review Your Travel Documents Immediately: Once tickets and confirmations have been issued, it is your responsibility to review  and inform us of any errors. Suppliers may have penalties for modifications or refunds. We do not have control over printed prices on the tickets, although some tickets may have BT (Bulk fare) printed on them, and some may have a specific value on them, which may be different (lower or higher) than the fare collected. 
4. Risks Related to COVID-19: You agree that it is your personal decision to travel, and you are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of COVID-19. We have no responsibility for COVID-19-related requirements that travel suppliers and governments may impose from time to time, such as health affidavit forms, health screenings prior to departure or upon arrival, face coverings, exclusions, closures, or quarantines. For the latest COVID-19 government travel regulations, we recommend going to IATA’s website at https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm. For the latest travel supplier requirements, check the supplier’s home page.
   
   5. Other Risks of Travel and Release: We assume no responsibility for and shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any party not under our control, or any acts of God, unsafe conditions, terrorism, health hazards including pandemics, illnesses, weather hazards, or the suitability for a disabled person of any portion of any trip. We have no special knowledge of dangers during travel or at destinations. For information related to such dangers, we recommend going to the State Department travel website at www.travel.state.gov,  click on "Find International travel Information” then click on "Country Information", and  fill in the name of the destination country. For medical and health information, we recommend going to the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/travel, then click on “Destinations” and scroll to the name of the destination country. It is your personal decision to travel, and you are doing so with full knowledge of current travel recommendations and travel restrictions with regards to the risks of COVID-19. YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUME ALL OF THESE RISKS AND DANGERS, AND YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREE TO FOREVER RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND HOLD US, AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, ASSOCIATES, AFFILIATED COMPANIES, GUIDES,  GROUP  LEADERS, AND SUBCONTRACTORS HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, ACTIONS,  CAUSES  OF  ACTIONS, SUITS, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF ANY AND EVERY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH YOU NOW HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREAFTER ARISE OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE RISKS AND DANGERS.

Acknowledgment of Risks / Assumption of Responsibility

Although we have taken reasonable steps ensure safety, you acknowledge that this activity has risks, including certain risks which cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of this activity. The same elements that contribute to the unique character of this activity can cause loss or damage to the Participant including accidental injury, illness or in extreme cases, permanent trauma, disability or death and also can cause damage to or loss of property. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks.

Activities vary from trip to trip and may include but are not limited to:  stand up paddling, surfing, hiking, diving, rock climbing, zip-lining, canoe surfing, snorkeling, rope swings, sea kayaking, white water rafting, river kayaking, yoga, fishing, swimming, boxing and riding scooters on trails and roads with a wide range of surface conditions and traffic volume.

International Yoga Travel trips can involve travel to remote places with limited or no facilities. Transportation, evacuations and medical care can be significantly delayed; communication can be delayed, limited or not available.

Environmental risks and hazards include rapidly moving, deep or cold water; insects, snakes and predators, including large animals; falling and rolling rock; lightning, flash floods and unpredictable forces of nature, including weather which may change to extreme conditions without warning. Possible injuries and illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite, high altitude illnesses, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration and other mild or serious conditions.

Throughout the trip, participants are responsible for their own safety.

By signing up for this trip you acknowledge and understand that International Yoga Travel trips include risks of injury or death to participants. You understand the description above of these risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated risks may result in property loss, injury or death. You agree to assume responsibility for the inherent risks identified herein and those inherent risks not specifically identified. You acknowledge that participation in this activity is purely voluntary, no one is forcing participation and participation is elected with full knowledge of the inherent risks.

By signing up for this trip you assume and accept full responsibility for any injury, death, loss of personal property, and expenses suffered as a result of those inherent risks and dangers identified above, and those inherent risks and dangers not specifically identified and as a result of my negligence in participating in this activity.

Release and Waiver of Liability

DECLARATION OF HEALTH. By accepting this tour you represent that you have no physical conditions or medical precautions which would adversely affect you ability to take part in any physical or social activities offered on International Yoga Travel trips. You fully understand that your participation in any and all activities which may take place on an International Yoga Travel trip could be injurious to your health and you voluntarily assume all risks related to such activities.

PERSONAL RELEASE. By agreeing to the terms outlined here and elsewhere on the International Yoga Travel website you hereby release and discharge your rights and claims for damages or liabilities that may occur as a result of participation on an International Yoga Travel trip, including but not limited to damages as a result of unexpected occurrences including those from weather, local political situations, wildlife or uncontrollable acts of God, including the risk of death. You release International Yoga Travel including its owners, directors, employees, guides, instructors and partners from liability for personal injury, illness, emotional damage, incurred travel expenses or property damage you may incur as a result of participation on this trip.

6. Travel Insurance: 

Guests of International Yoga Travel are required to have travel insurance covering all dates of travel, meeting the minimum levels listed below and covering:

• Trip Interruption: Cost of the trip (including air)
• Trip Delay: $150/day, $750 total per person
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation: $100,000 per person
• Medical Expense: $25,000 per person

It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, to take advantage of any pre-existing conditions waivers and the option to upgrade your insurance to a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy.  Make sure you read over the terms of your policy and contact the insurance company for any questions or changes. International Yoga Travel can assist you in purchasing travel insurance, or you can purchase your own here. While IYT has their preferred travel insurance providers they have been working with for years, you are welcome to purchase travel insurance through whichever insurance company you prefer.

It is for your protection that the above outlined travel insurance is required. Please note that, unless you buy a cancel-for-any-reason policy, most policies have a specific clause stating they do not cover epidemics and pandemics, especially when travel warnings are in place. We are not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about benefits, exclusions, and conditions of any of the insurance offered, nor evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. No representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance. You agree to hold us harmless for any denial of claim by travel insurer as it relates to COVID-19 or any other claim under the policy. 

7. Booking Process: To complete a booking, you need to agree with these terms and conditions, pay the trip deposit and our professional service fees (where applicable) and complete the credit card authorization form, if using a credit card for payment. We are free to accept your offer on behalf of the relevant Supplier or reject it at our sole discretion. 

We accept all major credit or debit cards with a verifiable billing address. You hereby authorize us to process the charge to the credit or debit card you provide to us for the total amount of your booking and our professional services. 

To protect our customers, we verify with the credit/debit card company that the billing address and credit card verification number you provided to us is accurate and that your debit/charge will be accepted. Until such information is verified, the fare is subject to change. We are not responsible for any transaction that is declined based upon a credit/debit card that is declined by the issuing company or a travel provider or if, for any reason, the debit/credit card billing address and/or credit card verification number cannot be verified in a timely manner, nor are we responsible for any changes in fare or any other charges that may occur during our verification process. In the event the fare selected is not available, an approval code may have been issued on your credit card. If the transaction is not completed the approval code may temporarily debit the amount from your bank account.

The terms of your booking (such as price, availability and/or dates of travel) are not guaranteed until the ticket or confirmation number is issued. Please note that once you have completed the booking, you can only cancel or change the details (such as names or destinations) of your booking at our sole discretion and in accordance with these and the Supplier’s terms & conditions. Travel arrangements involving airline and cruise components are subject to Suppliers’ supplemental price increases that may be imposed by the Supplier and/or government, even after you have completed your purchase. You hereby consent to any such price increases and authorize your credit or debit card to be used for them. Suppliers have their own contracts covering cancellation penalties and other terms and conditions, and you may be bound by those contracts regardless of whether you receive notice of their terms. 

8. Driver’s Licenses, Passports, Visas, and Other Foreign Entry Requirements: It is your responsibility to obtain and carry a valid passport, visa(s), and all other documents required by applicable government regulations. Beginning on October 1, 2021, you must present a driver’s license or another form of identification that complies with the requirements of the Federal Real ID Act (see www.dhs.gov/real-id for more information).   If traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport and, depending upon the destination and nationality, you may need to obtain one or more visas, even for countries that you transit for a flight change.  The name, date of birth and gender that appears on the identification card must exactly match the same such data that is listed on airline ticket(s) and booking records. We strongly recommend that you take into account that certain countries will not admit a passenger if their passport expires within six (6) months of the date of entry.  Non-United States citizens may require additional documentation. Children and infants also require all such travel documents. Minors traveling with one parent, and/or without both parents, may be stopped and not admitted, unless authenticated and verified consent forms are provided to the authorities. Parental or legal guardian consent must be provided to the supervising adult/group leader. You acknowledge any failure to strictly comply with these requirements may result in denied boarding or an undue delay at an airport security checkpoint causing you to miss flight(s), and subsequent scheduled travel bookings on cruises and tours. Check each Supplier’s website to ensure you and all members in your travel group or party obtain and carry travel documentation required.

Each foreign country holds different views of past criminal offenses, whether within or outside of their boundaries.  If you have a current or past offense, and you are unsure how the country you are traveling to (or through) views that offense, please contact that country directly for entry and exit requirements.  We feel it is an invasion of privacy for any member of our staff to make such an inquiry.

9. Credit Card Rights: If we are purchasing travel on your behalf through a supplier, it is strongly recommended that you use a credit card for your purchase so that you can exercise your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act if you do not receive the services you purchased.  However, if we are the credit card merchant, our role is to facilitate the sale, collect funds on your behalf, and remit those funds to the Supplier. If the Supplier does not provide the services, your only recourse would be against the Supplier, and you agree not to initiate a chargeback against us.

In the event that we are the tour operator, you understand that, with all payments to us for an International Yoga Travel curated trip, expenses are being incurred on your behalf. You hereby acknowledge and agree to the cancellation and refund terms found at www.InternationalYogaTravel.com, and confirm that you will not dispute the charge or request a chargeback from us under any circumstances. You also understand that you can save 4% on an International Yoga Travel curated trip by paying with a check. Said check must be received 90 days prior to the departure date. 

10. Claims Deadline and Exclusive Jurisdiction: You agree to present any claims against us within 30 days after your trip ends and to file suit within one year of the incident, and you acknowledge that this expressly limits the applicable statute of limitations to one year.  You agree that the courts in Orange County, Florida will be the exclusive jurisdiction for all claims brought by you against Erica Boucher and International Yoga Travel, and that the courts in Orange County, Florida, will be the exclusive jurisdiction for all claims brought by you against Travel Planners International, and you hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

FL Seller of Travel License ST17873