1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing and using the services provided by TrailBlaze Hiking ("we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use our services. These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use our hiking tour services, whether booked online, by phone, or in person.
Your participation in any of our guided hiking tours constitutes your acceptance of these terms, along with any additional terms and conditions that may apply to specific tours or services. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time, and such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting on our website.
2. Booking and Payment
2.1 Reservation Process
All bookings must be made through our official website, by telephone, or in person at our Sydney office. A booking is confirmed only when you receive a written confirmation from TrailBlaze Hiking via email. We reserve the right to refuse any booking at our discretion.
2.2 Payment Terms
Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed in writing. We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and approved payment methods. For group bookings of 10 or more participants, a deposit of 50% may be required with the balance due 14 days prior to the tour date.
2.3 Pricing
All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST where applicable. Prices are subject to change without notice, but confirmed bookings will honor the price agreed upon at the time of reservation. Additional costs such as personal equipment rental, travel insurance, and optional activities are not included unless specifically stated.
3. Cancellation and Refund Policy
3.1 Cancellation by Participant
- Cancellations made more than 30 days before the tour date: Full refund minus 10% administrative fee
- Cancellations made 15-30 days before the tour date: 50% refund
- Cancellations made 7-14 days before the tour date: 25% refund
- Cancellations made less than 7 days before the tour date: No refund
3.2 Cancellation by TrailBlaze Hiking
We reserve the right to cancel or modify any tour due to weather conditions, insufficient bookings, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, you will be offered an alternative tour date or a full refund. We are not liable for any additional expenses you may have incurred in preparation for the tour, including but not limited to travel arrangements or accommodation bookings.
3.3 Transfer of Booking
You may transfer your booking to another person up to 14 days before the tour date, subject to a $50 AUD administrative fee. The new participant must meet all health and fitness requirements for the tour.
4. Participant Responsibilities
4.1 Health and Fitness Requirements
Participants must honestly assess their physical fitness and health conditions before booking. Certain tours require specific fitness levels, which are clearly indicated in tour descriptions. You must inform us of any medical conditions, disabilities, dietary requirements, or other relevant information at the time of booking. Failure to disclose such information may result in your exclusion from the tour without refund.
4.2 Age Restrictions
Minimum age requirements vary by tour and are specified in each tour description. Participants under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We reserve the right to request proof of age and parental consent.
4.3 Conduct and Safety
All participants must follow the instructions of our guides at all times. Behavior that endangers yourself, other participants, or our staff may result in immediate removal from the tour without refund. You must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during any tour. We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior.
4.4 Equipment and Preparation
Participants are responsible for bringing appropriate clothing, footwear, and personal items as specified in the pre-tour information. While we provide certain equipment, personal comfort items and specialized gear may be your responsibility. Equipment rental is available for an additional fee.
5. Liability and Insurance
5.1 Assumption of Risk
Hiking and outdoor activities involve inherent risks including but not limited to physical injury, illness, property damage, or death. By participating in our tours, you acknowledge these risks and voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation. You agree that TrailBlaze Hiking, its employees, guides, and representatives are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage you may suffer during or as a result of participation in our tours.
5.2 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, TrailBlaze Hiking's liability for any claim arising from your participation in our tours is limited to the total amount paid for the tour. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages. This limitation applies regardless of whether the claim is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other legal theory.
5.3 Insurance Requirements
We strongly recommend that all participants obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering personal accident, medical expenses, evacuation, and trip cancellation. While we maintain public liability insurance for our operations, this does not cover personal injury or loss of personal property. You are responsible for ensuring adequate insurance coverage for your participation.
5.4 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless TrailBlaze Hiking, its officers, employees, guides, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your participation in our tours, your violation of these terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or entity.
6. Intellectual Property
All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of TrailBlaze Hiking and is protected by Australian and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content without our express written permission.
During tours, we may take photographs or videos for promotional purposes. By participating, you grant us permission to use your likeness in our marketing materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform your guide at the beginning of the tour.
7. Environmental Responsibility
TrailBlaze Hiking is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices. All participants are expected to follow Leave No Trace principles, respect wildlife and natural habitats, and comply with all environmental regulations. Littering, damaging vegetation, or disturbing wildlife may result in removal from the tour and potential legal consequences.
We operate under strict environmental guidelines and hold advanced ecotourism certification. Participants must respect protected areas, follow designated trails, and adhere to all park regulations and cultural protocols, particularly when visiting indigenous lands.
8. Privacy and Data Protection
Your personal information is collected and used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By using our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy. We implement appropriate security measures to protect your data, but cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.
We may use your contact information to send you updates about our services, special offers, and relevant hiking information. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contacting us directly.
9. Force Majeure
TrailBlaze Hiking is not liable for failure to perform our obligations due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather, pandemics, government regulations, strikes, terrorism, or other acts of God. In such circumstances, we will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements or refunds, but are not obligated to do so.
10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales. Before initiating legal proceedings, we encourage parties to attempt resolution through good faith negotiation or mediation.
If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these terms does not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
11. Contact Information
If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +61 2 9075 4286
- Address: 305 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Business Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM AEDT
By using TrailBlaze Hiking services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.