We would be grateful if you could read this document thoroughly as it gives our terms and conditions regarding the booking of your holiday, deposit and balance payments, cancellation procedures, mountain rescue and medical insurance and other essential information.
Deposit and payment
We require a deposit of £400 per person at the time of booking and details of how to pay are outlined below, please note your deposit payment is none refundable or transferable. Once we have received the deposit, we will confirm your place and send you confirmation. Balance of payment is due 12 weeks before the trek start date, and we reserve the right to cancel your trek and retain your deposit if you do not pay before the deadline.
ABTOT protected
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Mont Blanc Treks Ltd 5311, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
• Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Mont Blanc Treks Ltd.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: abtot.com
Methods of payment
For deposit and balance transactions we accept the following forms of payment.
Bank Transfer
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, you must pay any fees associated with the transaction in addition to the amount due.
Debit or Credit Card via Paynt
Should you wish to pay by credit or debit card one we receive your booking form we will send you an invoice that can be paid securely online. Please note that there are no additional charges when paying by credit or debit card.
Cancellation by us
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a trek for any reason then you would be entitled to a full refund of the total trek cost.
Cancellation by you
Should you need to cancel you will need to inform Mont Blanc Treks Ltd in writing. We recommend you take out cancellation insurance .
The following conditions will apply:
• More than 12 weeks before trek start date, loss of deposit or greater to cover any none refundable costs incurred to date.
• 6 – 12 weeks before trek start date loss of 50% of trek fee.
• Less than 6 weeks before trek start date loss of 100% of trek fee.
Health and Travel Disruption
It is essential that you take out adequate travel insurance that covers holiday cancellation in the event of illness, medical conditions & subsequent travel disruption.
Travel, Medical & Mountain Evacuation Insurance
You will need full travel & holiday insurance suitable for a trekking holiday, this will need to be organised by you before the trek starts. It is essential that you have the correct insurance that covers you if you need to cancel your trip beforehand & also in case of a medical emergency on the mountain, as rescue can be costly. Rescue in France & Italy is usually not charged, depending on the circumstances. In Switzerland, however you will always be asked to pay, and this could be several thousand Swiss francs, especially if helicopters are involved. The cost of hospitalisation and subsequent care is normally the most expensive part of any accident, if you do not have the correct cover and are hospitalized without insurance, the cost could easily run to tens of thousands of pounds. It is your responsibility to take out the correct level of insurance and we accept no responsibility for any costs that occur because of inadequate insurance. Please ask for further information if you are not sure.
Trekking Experience and Fitness Requirements
All clients need to have previous mountain walking experience and, if possible, experience with multi-day hiking. Alternatively, if you engage in other sports and work out regularly, you must gain mountain walking experience before you arrive. This requirement also applies to your partner or travel companion(s). If booking on a guided trek you will be required to complete our Trekking Experience Questionnaire at the time of booking.
Fitness for Participation
Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise and accept the potential risks and hazards that can be over and above those associated with normal ‘package’ holidays. All clients are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking and departure that they are mentally and physically capable of participating in the demands of the full itinerary and activities as described on the website. Each trek is given a trek grading. Please refer to this information to establish whether you capable of undertaking the trek. Any illness or disability must be declared and the information given to us before the start date via our booking form or Health Questionnaire if booking on one of our guided treks.
Mont Blanc Treks Limited and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of, or services connected with the tour. You are responsible for your own wellbeing & by agreeing to our terms and conditions you agree not to take any legal proceedings against Mont Blanc Treks Limited or its employees.
Guided trekking documentation & the UIMLA Trekking Leaders' Decisions
As we're sure you appreciate, the safety and well being of our group and each person on the trek is our primary concern. When completing the booking form & booking on to a guided trek you are agreeing to abide by the decisions of your trekking guide and the management at Mont Blanc Treks Limited. Completing our booking form signifies your agreement to this.
If in the opinion of your guide and the management of Mont Blanc Treks Ltd feel that your behaviour, or physical condition is detrimental to the safety, welfare or well-being of yourself or the group then a client may be asked to leave the trek. In this unlikely event this will be without the right to any refund. Similarly, a client may choose to leave a trek en-route. Once signed off a trek a client will not be entitled to any refund unless agreed by the company director. Decisions made by Mont Blanc Trek guides will be well informed, fully communicated and final.
Please note that any documentation & information provided before & during the trek is been supplied for guidance only.
Cause for Concern & Cessation Procedure on our Guided Treks
The decision whether the client treks with the group or not for whatever reason is at the discretion of the guide. Mont Blanc Treks fully supports this. A cause for concern may be raised in the rare event that a client arrives with or sustains a health & fitness issue during the trek.
The bench mark set for making decisions where the fitness of a client is an issue for the individual & the group will be as follows:
After day one if the client cannot maintain the timings as illustrated on the signposting within a reasonable timeframe resulting in an overall delay to the group of more than 90 minutes over the course of a day, then the client will be made aware that there is cause for concern & will be made aware of the options that follow.
In this event the following procedure will be adopted:
Day 1: Monitoring of the group to ensure all clients are happy with their progress. If there is cause for concern, discussion will follow of suitable options (a/b/c) for the days to come.
a. Taxi transfer to the next suitable location (to be organised & paid for by the client). Where it is unfeasible for the client to take transport to the next location it will be necessary for the client to book additional accommodation in an appropriate location at their own expense.
b. Trekking less demanding days
c. Voluntarily leaving the trek
d. Guide and MBT may request the client leaves the trek
Day 2 onwards: If issues continue to make it unfeasible for the client to walk with the group then the options are:
a. Taxi transfer to the next suitable location (to be organised & paid for by the client). Where it is unfeasible for the client to take transport to the next location it will be necessary for the client to book additional accommodation in an appropriate location at their own expense.
b. Trekking less demanding days
c. Voluntarily leaving the trek
d. Guide and MBT may request the client leaves the trek
In the extreme case where the client refuses to follow the guide's advice then there will be one option (a. below) and the Declaration on Leaving the Trek form should be signed by the guide and client.
a. Guide & MBT request the client leaves the trek with immediate effect.
If the client refuses to sign the Declaration on Leaving the Trek form, then the guide will sign the form & make a note in place of the client signature ‘Refusal to Sign’. After this event the guide the client will not will not re-join the group or be given route advice.
NOTE: in the unfortunate event that a client can no longer follow the daily itinerary and trek each day with the group, then they are strongly encouraged to take transport to the next possible location, enjoy a social evening with the group and make full use of the accommodation and bag transfer. Where it is unfeasible for the client to take transport to the next location it will be necessary for the client to book additional accommodation in an appropriate location at their own expense.
Self Guided Trekking documentation
Self-guided documentation will be sent out to the lead client once your balance payment has been received. You will receive one pack per group including guidebook, route cards, maps and any additional information; additional packs can be sent at an additional cost, please request this at the time of booking. The information supplied by us is for your guidance only. When undertaking a self-guided trek, you are expected to have a good level of navigational and map reading skills and can risk assess and make your own judgment to ensure your own and your group's safety. All information is supplied to the best of our knowledge. Times and distances quoted are approximate & based on an average walking pace, they do not make allowances for different walking speeds and stop/rest time. The information provided is intended as a guide and not as a substitute for mountain experience and navigational skills. Mont Blanc Treks Limited and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of the trek, or services / documentation connected with the trek.
Single Supplement & Sharing
All accommodation quoted is on a room sharing basis, normally in double, twin or triple rooms. Private en-suite facilities are available but are not guaranteed. When staying in the mountain refuges, dormitory sleeping quarters are normality with shared facilities. Please advise us as soon as possible of your requirements regarding rooms. Depending on accommodation single occupancy is a possibility, single supplements will apply. Please advise of any single room requirements as soon as possible.
Self-guided Solo trekkers
It is not possible to provide self-guided treks for solo trekkers due to safety reasons.
Bag Transfer
Guided treks include bag transfer for most nights during the trek. Bag transfers cannot be made to refuges or mountain huts. The standard self guided price does not include bag transfer. If you are a self guided client, bag transfer may be available at an additional cost. If you make use of the bag transfer service please make sure you have your luggage ready to be collected by 8am and it is not heavier than 15kgs. Do not leave any valuable items in your luggage transfer bag. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any luggage and property. Luggage that is transported each day or left at accommodation during the trek is done so at the owner’s risk.
Itinerary Alterations
The itineraries given for each tour should be taken as an indication of what each group hopes to achieve and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mont Blanc Treks Limited. It is a necessary condition of your joining any of our advertised holidays that you accept this flexibility. We cannot be held responsible for delays or alterations in the programme, or for expenses incurred owing to flight cancellations, war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, strikes, local regulations, sickness, terrorist activity, political closures and disputes, natural disasters, weather conditions, fire, technical transport problems or other circumstances amounting to force majeure and/or acts of God. In these extreme circumstances you will be responsible for expenses incurred, such as extra hotel accommodation or flights. These must be paid for directly at the time. If you are not able to continue with the trek due to health, fitness or in-appropriate kit, the client will be required to pay any additional costs for transport, repatriation and alternative accommodation. Travel & trekking insurance is a pre-requisite of the trek. Depending on the circumstances, these costs may be recoverable on insurance. Where facilities are altered, or withdrawn for reasons beyond our control we cannot accept any liability. All information is compiled as accurately as possible to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and advertising.
External Providers and Excursions
We may (at your request) offer available options regarding external bookings for excursions, services, restaurants. Please note that these are not recommendations. As such Mont Blanc Treks cannot be held liable for any issues with arrangements and / or services offered by external providers.
Medical Conditions
Please make your doctor and Mont Blanc Treks aware of any medical condition, which you think may be in any way relevant when joining one of the treks. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about what the trek involves.
Trek Grading
We grade our treks from 1 to 4 (1 being relatively easy & 4 being tough). Grades are decided depending on the difficulty of terrain, height loss and gain and numbers of days of sustained trekking. See our trek grading page for further details: Trek Grading
Age Restrictions
We welcome all ages here in the Alps, there is something for everyone particularly if it is tailor made specifically for your needs.
On our scheduled trek dates we do not accept booking from anyone above the age of 75. This doesn't mean that we cannot provide you with a trekking holiday, please get in touch and let us know the kind of adventure you are looking for, we can tailor make a privately guided trek to suit you.
The multi day itineraries would not be suitable for babies or small children who can’t walk very far and need to be carried. If you have young children then it might be a good idea to try a centre-based holiday with day hiking, this way you can tailor make each hike to suit your exact needs.
Please ask for advise on suitable guided and self-guided itineraries for families, it is very important to tailor make the itinerary, so it is achievable and safe. These mountains can be very inhospitable even in the height of summer.
Nutrition & hydration
In addition to health and fitness, your nutrition and hydration will be vital during the trek. Good nutrition and hydration improve your physical and mental performance, giving you energy to walk, think and help regulate your temperature. You'll be burning lots of calories and losing essential fluid each day so it is imperative you carry the right kinds of food and enough water with you. Decide on what foods and snacks will provide you with the best sources of energy for your mountain day. Also consider what you like and what keeps you happy! Drink water based fluids before you set off and throughout each day in the mountains. Consider how you'll access fluids and snacks whilst on the move. A packed lunch can be bought from local supermarkets when staying in villages or from the accommodation (order the night of arrival). If you're not familiar with the kinds of food and drink that would be good when exerting yourself on a daily basis do some research beforehand and trial what works best for you.
Medicals, Vaccinations, Passports & Visas
Medical examinations, vaccinations, obtaining passports, visas and other preliminary arrangements are entirely your responsibility and we accept no responsibility if these are not completed in time for departure.
Local or International Laws & Agreements
The use of transport or any other services provided in the holiday must be subject to the applicable local or international law agreements and to the terms and conditions of their owners or operators, which may exclude or limit liability. All clients are expected to obey the laws and regulations of the countries visited, failure to do so will relieve Mont Blanc Treks Limited of all obligations that they may have under this contract.
Complaints & Refunds
Should you or your group have any complaint about the trek you must make it officially known in writing to Mont Blanc Treks Limited within 28 days of the end of the holiday. No refund or compensation will be made or given for any unused hotel accommodation or any other unused service on the tour. If a significant proportion of the contracted services is not or cannot be provided you may be asked to accept an alternative itinerary or be refunded for the missing service on your return. The Company’s representatives other than the directors are not entitled to promise refunds for any reason and Mont Blanc Treks Limited will not be bound by any such promise.
Dealing with complaints
If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close.
Details of this scheme are available from The Travel Industry Arbitration Service, administered by Dispute Settlement Services Ltd
9 Savill Road
Lindfield
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 2NY
or from
ABTOT
117 Houndsditch
London EC3A 7BT.
This scheme cannot however decide in cases where the sums claimed exceed £1,500 per person or £7,500 per booking form, or for claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequence thereof.
Promotional Images
The company may use any likeness or image of our clients that is taken on the trek without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the Internet.
Disclaimer
All the information is provided to the best of our knowledge, we reserve the right to change the trek itinerary, as we feel necessary depending on the group and weather conditions. If you are not able to continue with the trek due to level of fitness or in-appropriate kit you will be required to pay any additional costs for alternative accommodation. We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any luggage and personal property; they are always carried at their owner’s risk, even when left at each accommodation, carried by transfer companies or left in storage during your trek. Travel & trekking insurance is a pre-requisite of the trek. Mont Blanc Treks Ltd are not responsible for any loss or injury.
