By registering and paying your deposit/full payment for a tour, you are entering into this agreement with Chaplet Tours & Pilgrimages, INC.

Please read these terms carefully before making a deposit or payment for a tour.

1 Registration and Payment

1.1 Registration. A complete enrollment form; copy of passport; and a deposit of $350 are required upon registration. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Booking 60 days or less prior to departure, a full payment is required. 

1.2 Payment.Cash, credit cards, or check may be used for payment. If using a credit card, a Service Fee (2.9-4%) of the total tour cost balance will apply.

1.3 Tour Prices. All prices quoted in flyers and brochures are quoted in US Dollars and are based on airfares, land tour rates, and exchange rates at the time the flyers were printed and based on a group rate of 35 or more passengers. Tour prices on flyers reflect discount for payment made by cash or check. 1.4 Exclusions. Quoted Tour prices exclude: trip insurance; airfares between points on the Tour; international airfare, including airfare and other transportation to and from the Tour (unless otherwise noted); costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes (unless otherwise noted);excess baggage charges; gratuities to the Tour directors, drivers, bell boys, waiters, and guides; meals other than those specified in the Itinerary; sightseeing not included in the Itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges and optional activities (which are subject to availability). 

1.5 Travel Insurance. Insurance coverage is not included in the tour price. Although travel insurance is optional, TRAVELERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE.

2 Passports and Visas

2.1 Responsibility. The Traveler is solely responsible for complying with passport and visa requirements for each country visited as per itinerary. 

2.2 US Passport holders. A valid US passport is required for US Citizens. The US passport must be valid at least 6 months after the return date.  

2.3 Non-US Passport holders. Non-US passport holders should call the Consulate(s) of the countries to be visited to obtain Visa(s). Chaplet Tours is not responsible for securing a visa to Non-US Nationals. No refunds will be made to a traveler delayed or denied entry to an aircraft or foreign countries.

3 Cancellations

3.1 Cancellations by Traveler. Once partial or full payment is made, cancellation by a traveler will require a written cancellation letter. The Cancellation Date will be the date on which we receive your notice.

Cancellation fees will apply as follows:

a)  91 days or more prior to departure, a $200 administrative fee per person will apply.

b)  90-60 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 25% of tour cost will apply.

c)  59-30 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 50% of tour cost will apply.

d)  29-15 days prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 75% of tour cost will apply.

e)  14 days or less prior to departure, a cancellation fee of 100% of tour cost will apply.

3.1.2 Reasons for Cancellation. The Traveler’s decision not to participate on the tour due to State Department warnings, fear of travel, illness, or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation. No refunds will be issued for any missed excursions, transfers, and accommodations. All airline tickets issued in conjunction with the Tour are subject to separate airline penalties, per individual carriers’ rules and regulations. 

3.2 Cancellations by Chaplet Tours. In the event that it may be deemed necessary, Chaplet Tours has the right to cancel the Tour or alter program itinerary, at any time, due to a lack of number of participants, for the comfort and safety of passengers, or of any other reason. In such case, Chaplet Tours will provide a full refund. Chaplet Tours will not be liable for any other costs, damages or refunds of any kind for any loss, delay, inconvenience, disappointment, or expense whatsoever in such circumstances. Chaplet Tours is not responsible and does not assume responsibility for any additional costs or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Chaplet Tours.

4 Responsibilities

4.1 Travel Advisories and Warnings. The traveler is responsible for staying informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U.S. State Department’s travel website at travel.state.gov. 

4.2 Force Majeure. Chaplet Tours assumes no responsibility for any cancellation, delay, personal injury, property damage or other loss, accident, inconvenience, or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any matter beyond our exclusive control including, but not limited to, acts of God, accident, riots, war, terrorist act, epidemic, pandemic, quarantine, civil commotion, breakdown of communication facilities, breakdown of web host, breakdown of internet service provider, natural catastrophes, governmental acts or omissions, changes in laws or regulations, national strikes, fire, explosion, or generalized lack of availability of raw materials or energy. 

4.3 Assumption of Risks and Release. If the Traveler participates in activities during the Tour, certain risks and dangers may arise, including, but not limited to, the risk of accidents in remote places without access to medical facilities, transportation or means of rapid evacuation and assistance; the hazards of traveling in unsafe or politically unstable areas or under unsafe conditions; the dangers of civil disturbances, war, extortion, kidnapping and terrorist activities; dangers and risks inherent in activities in underdeveloped countries; and dangers of local law enforcement activity. The Traveler hereby expressly assumes all of these risks and dangers, and the Traveler hereby expressly agrees to forever release, discharge, and hold Chaplet Tour and our agents, employees, officers and directors, harmless against any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, claims and demands of any and every kind and nature whatsoever which the Traveler now has or which may hereafter arise out of or in connection with the Tour or participation in any activities in which the Traveler participates. 

4.4 Limitation of Liability and Damages. In no event will Chaplet Tours be liable for any injury, loss, claim, damage or any special, punitive, exemplary, direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages of any kind, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, that arise out of or are in any way connected with the Tour, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. 

4.5 Suppliers Acts or Omissions. Chaplet Tours acts only as an independent contractor to supply or arrange for the travel services on the Tour or otherwise to procure services or goods from third parties such as airlines, hotels and other lodging providers, local hosts, guides, bus lines, car rental companies, driving services, restaurants and providers of entertainment (the “Suppliers”). Chaplet Tours assumes no responsibility for any personal injury, death, property damage or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission of any of the Suppliers. These include, but are not limited to, strikes, sickness, weather, natural disasters, acts of government and authorities, wars, criminal acts, riots, thefts, improper documentation of defaults of any company used for carrying out this tour.  

4.6 Third Party Contracts. Airlines, ship lines, and train tickets issued constitute the sole contract between the Suppliers and the Traveler. No refunds will be issued for any unused services once the Tour commences, starting from the first to last day of tour. Tour coordinators and other travel agents are not employees or authorized employees of Chaplet Tours.  

4.7 Seller of Travel. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Any transaction made outside of California is not covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. 

4.8 Expenses. The Traveler will personally assume full responsibility for any financial loss associated with his/ her travel arrangements, and the Traveler could lose his or her travel investment.

5 Controlling Law

5.1 Controlling Law. These Terms and Conditions shall, in all respects, be interpreted, constructed, and enforced according to the laws of the State of California.  A dispute arising under this Agreement shall be heard in courts within the State of California. 

5.2 Arbitration and Waiver of Trial by Jury. The Traveler agrees to present any claims against Chaplet Tours within ninety (90) days after the Tour ends and to file any suit within one (1) year of the incident, and the Traveler acknowledges that this expressly limits the applicable statute of limitations to one (1) year. In lieu of litigation and jury trials, each of which is expressly waived, any dispute concerning, relating or referring to this Agreement, the brochure, or any other literature concerning your trip or the Tour shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in California, according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceeding will be governed by the substantive law of the State of California. The arbitrator(s) and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this Agreement, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this Agreement is void or voidable.

6 Accommodations

6.1 Air Transportation Accommodations. Air transportation is in a coach economy class. 

6.1.1 Airfares and Taxes. Fares are based on levels at time of booking. Prices and flight schedules are subject to change without prior notice. Airport taxes are based on departure city and government increases which are subject to change until tickets are issued. The Traveler’s ticket constitutes the sole contract between the airlines and the traveler. Chaplet Tours will not provide refunds on issued tickets. 6.1.2 Seat Assignment. Random seats are assigned for all group participants. For a special seat or sit with a travel companion, the traveler should advise Chaplet Tours of such request at the time of booking. Chaplet Tours will make an effort to accommodate such request, however Chaplet Tours does not guarantee such request. Travelers that prefer a special seat are recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure and arrange the seat assignment with the airline’s agent. Chaplet Tours can never guarantee any special seats. Seats are the sole discretion of the airline and are pending availability. 

6.2 Baggage. Chaplet Tours assumes no liability for loss or damage to baggage in transit to and from the Tour or while on the Tour. 

6.3 Hotel Accommodations. Hotel accommodations are based on twin beds or double beds, and supplemental charges may apply for single occupancy. Chaplet Tours is not responsible for finding the Traveler a roommate.