Australian Owner Family Business | +(61) 3 9393 1313

Terms and Conditions

THE AGREEMENT

All bookings are made with Walking Country Pty Ltd (ABN 91 130 940 260). By booking a tour with us you agree to have read and accept these Terms and Conditions.

All of the safaris we offer are active participation based. We rely on the good will and cooperation of all passengers to make them a success. This includes your assistance in the preparation of meals, washing up, gathering firewood and loading/unloading of the vehicle.

All camping is in twin share permanent tents which include beds and mattresses, all linen, pillows and sleeping bags. Swags are also available for those who wish to sleep under the stars.

Due to space restrictions on our vehicles, please limit your luggage to 1 x soft bag of under 20kg. For all safaris visiting Kakadu National Park luggage is strictly limited to 10kg. Any additional luggage should be stored at your accommodation, where possible. For passengers on one-way safaris any additional luggage may be stored in the vehicle that is not readily available during the safari.

ITINERARY AND POSSIBLE CHANGES

Due to the very nature of our business as an adventure 4-wheel drive operator, we travel in remote parts of Australia. Whilst every attempt is made to adhere to the agreed itinerary, there are occasions it may not be safe to do so. Contrasting weather conditions including heavy rain, extreme temperatures as well as changeable road conditions can prevent us travelling on some of our advertised routes. On such occasions we, as the operator, will make a decision as to what is safe for our passengers. If a destination can’t be reached, alternatives will be sought but not guaranteed. Please read the Fine Print for further information.

COVID-19 TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Walking Country has published a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy on 5 October 2021 for all our valued travellers and staff. A copy of the full policy can be requested via e-mail. Walking Country requires all passengers to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) the day prior to tour start. Additionally, Walking Country requires all passengers to bring 2 x spare tests for the duration of the tour. We may ask passengers to test for COVID-19 prior to re-joining the general public in Alice Springs; particularly, if we have a farewell dinner planned. In line with NT Health advice, if you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you are exempt from this clause for 12 weeks after you exit isolation. In case of passengers falling sick or getting injured during the tour, Walking Country can offer services to transport passengers back to Alice Springs in order to isolate in line with government requirements. This will come at an additional charge of a minimum of $3 per KM travelled to cover running costs of fuel, insurance, and vehicle wear and tear. Please note, that all isolation arrangements need to be made by the agent/ passenger directly. Walking Country will endeavour to assist within its abilities to ensure all passengers’ safety.

COVID-19 ADDITION: ITINERARY AND POSSIBLE CHANGES

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants and sights/attractions are still closed. Walking Country Pty Ltd does not take any responsibility for this. The circumstances are changing very rapidly and we are watching the developments of COVID-19 closely to reflect all changes. Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to change the itinerary on ground based on this. Please ensure the group organizer and passengers are aware of this.

THE FINE PRINT

Walking Country Pty Ltd, reserves the right to amend safari times, itineraries, campsites, resources used and fares for its safaris as circumstances, time of year and operational reasons occur. There will be no refunds in these circumstances or for reasons such as delays incurred due to mechanical failure or weather conditions. Walking Country Pty Ltd cannot guarantee exact pick-up and drop-off times and will accept no responsibility in
the event of cancellation fees from other connecting services.

Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel a safari or arrange an alternative operator if group numbers are insufficient.

Walking Country Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for any injury, illness or other such accident sustained whilst on safari with Walking Country Pty Ltd or while engaged in any activities with other tourist operators that may not be part of the Walking Country Pty Ltd itinerary but available during a Walking Country Pty Ltd departure. Visits to Aboriginal operated inclusions although brochured are operated by a third-party operator and are not guaranteed.
Walking Country Pty Ltd accepts no liability for lost, stolen or damaged property and strongly recommends clients have Travel Insurance, including Cancellation Cover.

PAYMENT TERMS

CHARTERS AND PRIVATE GROUPS

On acceptance of the charter rate, a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tour price is payable within 7 days to confirm the booking based on the itinerary provided and details agreed upon with the charter manager. A suitable vehicle will be allocated, and a Booking Confirmation Number will be provided. The Balance/full payment is due 30 days prior to departure. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, the non-refundable deposit amount is 50% of tour cost with balance payable 30 days prior to departure. No refunds will be paid within 30 days of departure. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, full payment is due upon confirmation and no refunds will be due in the case of cancellation.

When a Total Vehicle Rate is provided, any increase in the number of passengers up to the capacity of the vehicle attracts no additional cost and a reduction in the number of participants receives no refund, unless otherwise specified in the quote. Any funds paid by credit card are subject to merchant levy.

PUBLIC LARAPINTA TREKS

On acceptance of the Larapinta Trek, a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is payable within 7 days to confirm the booking. A Booking Confirmation Number will be provided. The Balance/full payment is due 30 days prior to departure. No refunds will be paid within 30 days of departure. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, full payment is due upon confirmation and no refunds will be due in the case of cancellation. All public Larapinta Trek dates are subject to minimum numbers to go ahead. Walking Country Pty Ltd will advise weather a tour will go ahead no later than 30 days prior to the schedule departure.

GROUP LARAPINTA TREKS

On acceptance of the charter rate, a non-refundable deposit of 20% of tour price is payable within 7 days to confirm the booking based on the itinerary provided and details agreed upon with the charter manager. A suitable vehicle will be allocated, and a Booking Confirmation Number will be provided. The Balance/full payment is due 30 days prior to departure. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, the non-refundable deposit amount is 50% of tour cost with balance payable 30 days prior to departure. No refunds will be paid within 30 days of departure. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, full payment is due upon confirmation and no refunds will be due in the case of cancellation.

When a Total Vehicle Rate is provided, any increase in the number of passengers up to the capacity of the vehicle attracts no additional cost and a reduction in the number of participants receives no refund, unless otherwise specified in the quote. Any funds paid by credit card are subject to merchant levy.

COVID-19 ADDITION: CANCELLATION

Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to cancel all Charters due to changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic for example border closures or similar. Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to increase the final cost of all Charters if the government changes tour operator regulations. While we reserve the right to do so, we will work hard to mitigate all increases as much as possible.

CHARTERS AND PRIVATE GROUPS

If the Charter needs to be cancelled by the client due to any official COVID-19 related circumstances such as border closures or similar, Walking Country Pty Ltd will refund any funds paid up until the day prior to travel- we may ask for proof of residency in this situation.

PUBLIC LARAPINTA TREKS

If passengers are unable to travel due to any official COVID-19 related travel restrictions such as boarder closures or similar we will refund any funds paid. If the group numbers fall below minimum numbers due to COVID-19 cancellations, we reserve the right to cancel the departure and passengers have the choice of a travel credit to use in the following season or a full refund. Due to the very rapidly changing circumstances we may not be able to advise on the cancellation until 7 days prior to departure.

GROUP LARAPINTA TREKS

If passengers are unable to travel due to any official COVID-19 related travel restrictions such as boarder closures or similar we will refund any funds paid. If the group numbers fall below minimum numbers, the travel organiser has the choice to move the departure to the next season for the entire group. If numbers do not fall below minimum after the COVID-19 cancellations have been processed, the trip must go ahead as scheduled. When a Total Vehicle Rate is provided, any decrease in the number of passengers due to individual COVID-19 cancellations receives no refund, unless otherwise specified in the quote.

Refunds will be processed within 7 days of cancellation. The recovery of any funds paid by Walking Country Pty Ltd to secure availability with a third party such as hotels, day tours or similar will be attempted and if successful refunded. If unsuccessful subject to the third parties booking terms and conditions, Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee to cover these costs. Walking Country Pty Ltd will work closely with the Client to achieve the best outcome for all parties and will try to mitigate any charges where possible. For flight cancellations and all other cancellations our standard terms of cancellation apply, we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance.

COVID-19 SAFETY COMMITMENT

For occupational health and safety as well as COVID19 cleaning/ sanitising demands and responsibility we must include 1 x additional staff/ host on each Charter. If a passenger has sickness symptoms (fever, cough, headache), Walking Country Pty Ltd reserves the right to refuse the passengers to participate in the tour or any included services and report the individual to the closest Covid-19 testing clinic or hospital. The safety of our passengers is our highest priority and we have implemented a policy to reflect all actions taken by Walking Country Pty Ltd. Please request a copy of our “COVID-19 Safety Measures on Tour” Policy if you require further information about this.

COVID-19 MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY

We are pleased to advise our mandatory vaccination policy for all customers and Walking Country staff. The policy will apply for all departures from the 1st April 2022. Walking Country will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for any travellers eligible to receive the vaccination including children, at least 14 days prior to travel. Walking Country reserves the right to cancel a booking at 100% of the cost if the vaccination confirmation is not provided in the above timeframe. All passengers must be fully inoculated before travel commences. The inoculated period is different for each vaccine so please check the relevant medical advice carefully before starting your journey. Walking Country reserves the right to deny passengers to travel with us if the above is not adhered to. Please ensure to bring valid proof to show our guides at the start of the tour. Exemptions of this policy will be considered on a request basis for individuals unable to receive the vaccination due to medical reasons. A medical certificate must be provided at least 14 days prior to travel.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING

A torch (flash light), a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, fly net (summer), medication (if required), a water bottle (at least 1.5 litres), walking shoes/boots (we do a lot of walking/ climbing), warm clothing (winter), toiletries, swim wear, towel, camera (plus extra batteries/ memory cards), Travel Voucher/Ticket and a great sense of adventure. Passengers are welcome to bring their own beverages if they wish.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND FOOD ALLERGIES

All of our menus are designed to be well balanced and healthy to provide the necessary sustenance for you to enjoy and participate in your tour. If you have any food allergies or specific dietary needs please contact us to discuss these requirements and we will advise you if they can be catered for. Our standard dietary requests include gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, lactose-free or specific allergies. As we operate in remote parts of Australia, certain foods are not always readily available. We may have to supplement our menus as supply dictates therefore we cannot guarantee all ingredients contained in these alternatives. In these instances, we will advise you to provide your own supplementary food/ snacks depending on your specific requirements.

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK

Australia has many dangerous creatures, extreme weather conditions and often varying terrain. Camping, hiking and passing time outside may increase your personal risk of exposure to these dangers. Safety is our number one priority and all of our guides are highly trained to ensure passenger safety at all times. All passengers participating on our tours do so at their own risk and no responsibility can be accepted by Walking Country Pty Ltd for any loss, injury or accident. Passengers are responsible for any additional costs involved should such instances occur. All passengers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to departure. If you would like a copy of this in advance, please contact our Sales Centre. All passengers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver at all times. While all care is taken, the responsibility of children on tour rests entirely with the parent or caregiver. All passengers, including children, must wear shoes at all times, use sunblock and wear hats. Please note that we accept children of all ages travelling on our group and private charter tours.

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK LARAPINTA TRAIL TREKS

The Larapinta Trail is a wilderness experience defined by remoteness, mountain ranges and extreme temperatures. In case of injury, evacuations can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than twelve hours, depending on location and whether the rescue attempt extends into the night.

All passengers participating in our tours do so at their own risk, and no responsibility can be accepted by Walking Country Pty Ltd for any loss, injury or accident. Passengers are responsible for any additional costs involved should such instances occur. All passengers will be required to sign a liability waiver before departure. All passengers must wear shoes at all times, use sunblock and wear hats. Passengers should note that adventure travel and the Larapinta Trail, in particular, involves a higher-than-normal risk; we highly recommend taking out appropriate travel insurance.

See more information here: https://www.larapintatrail.com.au/larapinta-trail-emergency.html

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

We contract with a network of companies and individuals to assist in operating our safaris. Walking Country Pty Ltd works with the best operators available but takes no responsibility for any act of neglect by any operator whose services are used as part of your tour. Our suppliers make every effort to safeguard clients, and we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or sickness to any customer which is beyond our control. Passengers should note that adventure travel involves a higher than normal risk and a signed release may be required from all participants from a number of our activity providers.

AUTHORITY ON TOUR

We pride ourselves on the very high standard of our guides. Walking Country Pty Ltd is one of only a few Advanced ECO Accredited tourism operators based in the Northern Territory. All guides have a sound knowledge of the local area focusing on its history, Aboriginal culture, geology and the natural environment. Passengers must abide by the tour guides instructions and directions at all times, in particular with regard to actions and behaviour in National Park areas, Aboriginal communities, areas with elevated hazards or risks and emergency situations. Non-compliance with any directions from the tour guide or other authority may result in the passengers being refused onward travel with no right to refund. All vehicles are fitted with a microphone and Walking Country Pty Ltd will ensure to the best of its ability to have them all in good working order. Due to the environment in which we are travelling, heat, humidity and dust often have an adverse effect on electronics within the vehicles and as such their use cannot be guaranteed. In such instances guides will make every effort to ensure commentary of significant importance is heard by all but no compensation will be due in the event that it is not.

APPLICABLE LAW

The laws of The Northern Territory, Australia govern these terms and conditions. Any disputes in connection with a tour or these terms and conditions must be initiated in the courts of The Northern Territory, Australia.

PRIVACY POLICY

Walking Country Pty Ltd is committed to protecting your privacy. We will only use the information that we collect about you lawfully. We collect the information about you for 2 reasons: Firstly, to process your booking and secondly, to provide you with the best possible service. The type of information we collect about you includes: your name, address, phone number, email address, dietary requirements. We will never collect sensitive information about you without your explicit consent. We will never sell, trade or market your information to any person or company. The information we hold will be accurate and up to date. You can check the information we hold about you by emailing us at admin@walkingcountry.com.au. If you find any inaccuracies, we will delete or correct promptly. If you have any questions / comments about privacy, please contact us at admin@walkingcountry.com.au .

PHOTOS AND MARKETING

You consent to us using images of you taken during the trip for advertising and other promotional purposes in any medium as we require. You agree that the use of these images is without recourse to you and without compensation to you.

REGISTERED ADDRESS

Walking Country, 30 Kidman Street, Alice Springs, NT, 0870, Australia

Secure your spot on one of our tours with only a $500 deposit. Email admin@walkingcountry.com.au

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