Terms & Conditions
The legal stuff
Bigwalks accepts bookings subject to your agreement to the following Terms & Conditions which form part of your contract with Bigwalks. Please take time to read them.
Bookings can only be made by persons aged 18 years or over. Persons under 18 years of age are welcome on any activity provided they are accompanied by a guardian or responsible adult or, in certain circumstances, at the discretion of Bigwalks. As regards bookings in respect of a group, the person making the booking accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of everyone in the group and these terms and Conditions apply to all members of the group.
1. CONTRACT
No contract shall exist between Bigwalks and you, the client until we have received the agreed deposit (usually 25%).
2. LAW
Any agreement or contract shall be governed in all respects by English law.
3. PAYMENT
A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking and before the booking can be confirmed. The balance is required to be paid no later than 5 weeks before the event. Where the event is to take place less than 5 weeks after the booking the full amount is required immediately.
If the full balance has not been received at least 5 weeks prior to the event we reserve the right to consider the booking cancelled and any deposit already paid shall be non-refundable. We will also invoice the client for any outstanding balance as stated in these terms and conditions.
Payment can be made by cash or cheque, direct bank transfer, debit or credit card via Paypal. When paying by debit or credit card via Paypal the client will be liable for any additional charge/fee imposed by any third party at the time being in force, as a result of processing the transaction. In respect of cheques payment will only be regarded as received when the cheque(s) have been cleared by the relevant bank(s).
4. CANCELLATION & ALTERATIONS
Where a booking has been confirmed it will only be regarded as cancelled if we receive written notification i.e. e-mail or letter from the person making the booking or their authorised representative. Cancellation will take effect from the date we receive written notification of the cancellation - we will acknowlege receipt via e-mail or letter.
If we have to cancel your booking through no fault of yours or any member of your group we will refund in full any payment(s), including deposits, already received or offer you an alternative date/activity.
Deposits will be non-refundable regardles of the circumstances. If you cancel your booking 28 days or less from the start of the event (excluding the date of cancellation) the full amount is payable. In all other circumstances 50% of the full amount is payable.
If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of any insurance policy you may be able to reclaim the charges from your insurer.
In respect of bookings for group(s), the price quoted is based on the number of participants in the group and the person making the booking is responsible for arranging full payment. We are unable to accept individual cancellations from a group booking as the price quoted is based on the number of participants. If a member(s) of a group has to pull out of the event and cannot be replaced the full amount is still payable. If any member of the group fails to attend the event no refund will be given. If any member of the group leaves the group prior to the end of the event, no refund will be given. If a member of a group is unable to complete or continue with the event, for any reason, no refund will be given. If any member of your group is requested to leave the group because of his/her behaviour or breach of any law etc. no refund will be given.
We reserve the right to change the route(s) and/or accommodation without prior notice. We will not be held responsible for any compensation if we are forced to cancel or in any way change the booking due to force majeure including war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions or other external circumstances beyond our control. In these circumstances we will try to offer an alternative but no refund will be given. We reserve the right to cancel the booking without prior notification in which case we will refund in full any payment(s) already received. We reserve the right to alter without notice, the route, transport or accomodation etc.
Where a group booking has been confirmed and the price quoted is based on the number of participants we reserve the right to add additional fees to cover the cost of any individual(s) who cancel their participation. The remaining participants will be jointly responsible for paying any additional fees.
5. INSURANCE
Bigwalks has public liability insurance however, you should consider the need to take out your own insurance in respect of personal injury, medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of property etc. and expenses associated with the cancellation or curtailment of any booking.
If you or any member of your group becomes injured or ill through no fault of ours, all hospital expenses, doctor's fees etc. are the responsibility of the individual(s) concerned. No refund in full or part will be given.
The carriage and storage of all baggage and personal effects are at all times at your own risk. Bigwalks will not accept any liability for any loss or damage to property or personal effects, illness to the client or loss of life or consequential damages which might occur from any cause whatsoever.
6. PARTICIPATION STATEMENT
Your personal safety is our prime consideration and we will at all times exercise professional judgement to ensure your safety during any activity provided by us. We will use competent and suitably experienced instructors/guides for the activities with first aid training and provide first aid and safety equipment at all times.
However mountain avtivities and adventure activities carry an inherent risk of personal injury and/or death. Clients are accepted on our activities on the understanding that they understand and appreciate the risks inherent in their chosen activity, and the client undertakes the activity at his/her own risk. Such risk could include injury, disease or death.
Our activities take place in 'the wild environment' and this may involve hazards including but not exclusively, rough terrain, steep ground, inclement weather, water hazards, equipment, other people and wildlife. The client agrees that Bigwalks Mountain Adventures, associates and employees shall not be responsible for loss or damage to property, injury or illness to the client or loss of life or consequential damages which might occur from any cause whatsoever. The exception to this rule is in the case of personal possessions and equipment being lost from the vehicle(s) as a result of fire or theft during a UK challenge event.
We shall not be responsible for, or liable for, any client who commits an illegal or unlawful act. The client may in such circumstances be excluded from the activity without a refund.
We reserve the right to exclude an individual(s) from an activity for safety reasons (including issues surrounding the safety and health of an indivdual) in which case no refund will be given. If any individual causes inconvenience or annoyance to other group members we may at our sole discretion exclude that indivddual from the activity without any refund.
7. INSTRUCTORS / GUIDES
The decision of the instructor/guide will be final on all matters regarding the activity during the course of the activity. All members of the group must abide by any safety instructions given by the instructor/guide. If an individual refuses or repeatedly fails to comply with any safety instruction during the course of an activity we reserve the right to exclude that individual from continuing to take part in that activity or other activities without any refund. The activity instructor/guide shall have authority in this matter.
8. HEALTH
The client shall acknowledge an awareness of the proposed itinerary and shall confirm that he/she is medically fit, in good physical and mental health and is able to safely take part in the activity. Any client with a pre-existing medical condition or illness should seek advice of their medical practitioner prior to taking part in the activity in question. The individual must declare such conditions to us before commencement of the activity. We reserve the right to exclude an individual from any activity which we believe may aggravate any pre-existing medical condition/injury. All personal information and medical records will be treated in confidence.
If, in the opinion of the activity instructor/guide, an individual appears unfit to take part in or to continue an activity (regardless of their doctor's advice) we reserve the right to exclude the individual from that activity or future activity without refund.
If an individual becomes unwell during an activity our instructors/guides may render first aid in accordance with their training and/or summon medical assistance. An activity may be suspended or terminated in such circumstances without any refund
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9. PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO IMAGES
There may be occassions when we take photographs and/or video of individuals or groups during activities as part of an agreed package or for promotional reasons. Bigwalks retain full copyright of such material and reserve the right to use such material for publicity and marketing purposes. If an individual(s) does not want their image to be used in publicity materials (including the internet) he/she should inform us in writing and we will respect his/her wish.
It is also conditional that all material supplied to the client is subject to the effect of prevailing weather, operational and safety constraints which may affect our photographic capabilities during the activity. We will provide one photographic/video CD for the individual/ group, any additional CD(s) requested will be charged accordingly.
10. CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS
Should you have a complaint about the conduct of any of our staff or any matter relating to the activity we will investigate your complaint. All complaints should be brought to our attention immediately so we have an opportunity, where possible, to rectify the situation then followed up in writing as soon as possible, preferably within 7 days.
11. DAMAGES
Any clothing or equipment loaned for the activity or event must be returned to us in suitable condition on conclusion of the event. Any item not returned or is deemed to have been wantonly or negligently damaged will be charged to the individual and/or group. In addition, any damages and associated charges as a result of misuse of vehicle or accommodation facilities will be chargeable to the client at the end of the activity. We will add 10% of the item cost to account for our administration time.
12. PERSONAL INFORMATION
We will treat all personal information supplied by you as confidential and it will be stored securely in acordance with Data Protection legislation. We will only use your personal information for the purposes agreed by you as a necessary part of your booking e.g booking accomodation. We will not sell, supply or otherwise distribute your personal information to anyone else unless we are required to do so by law or for the purposes of a police investigation or in the interests of your safety e.g. informing emergency personnel of medical conditions in order to render emergency assistance. We may use your contact details to inform you of activities in the future or for newsletters. If you do not wish us to contact you in this way please inform us immediately and we will respect your wish.
NB Please note that hese terms and conditions are subject to regular review. The exact terms and conditions will be notified to you at the time of booking.