TERMS AND CONDITIONS

YOUR CURRENT BOOKINGS & COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE AND TRAVEL RESCTRICTIONS WORLDWIDE. Tours Suspended & Your Future Holiday Credit.

A future holiday credit is equal to the full value of your booking that is being offered to all of our suspended tours If a tour has been paid in full. For tours partially paid, relevant deposit is applied under your name. This is valid for travel with us up until the end of 2025. It is not transferable to another person. Tours to Russia are not transferable to another destinations. It is not redeemable for cash. Travel credit applies on tours the Company operates itself thus not including river/sea cruises, luxury cruising trains or international flights. If your country of residence does not allow international travelling, or your passport is not yet allowed by Russian authorities to enter Russia, your Future Holiday Credit is automatically extended until it becomes possible for you to travel. Fully paid bookings for Russian tours are not transferable to other destinations. If you have questions or concerns regarding your entry to Russia, please contact our travel specialists.

Confirmation of the Terms and Conditions of your booking is included in writing in your invoice. Please read them carefully before making deposit payment as they set out the respective rights and obligations of both parties.

By booking a trip with us you are deemed to have agreed to these Booking Terms and Conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us) and your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation invoice.

Bookings can be made via our website www.discoveryrussia.com, by telephone or email. For tailor-made journeys, your Russian travel specialist will adjust your upcoming tour to Russia to fit your personal requirements. Group tours have scheduled departures and rates, however, we accept partial reservations (i.e. you may join our group tour for a few days of total tour length during the scheduled tour) if this fits your travel schedule more. In this case, your travel specialist will requote the tour for you.

By making a booking, the first named person on the booking (“Lead Name”) agrees on behalf of themselves and all persons detailed on the booking that:

• he/she has read these Booking Conditions and has the authority to and does agree to be bound by them;
• he/she consents to our use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
• he/she is over 18 years of age and where placing an order for services with age restrictions declares that he/she and all members of the party are of the appropriate age to purchase those services;
• he/she accepts financial responsibility for payment of the booking on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking.

DEPOSITS and PAYMENTS

We are committed to providing you with the highest level and quality of service. In order to guarantee smooth travels, advance payment is advised.
Once your itinerary is agreed, you will be requested to pay a deposit. The deposit amount (20-50% depending on a trip specification) and the time allowed to settle the balance owed may vary depending on your itinerary. The deposit is required to confirm your reservation.

Upon payment of the deposit, the buyers and travelers agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions. The Company is not responsible for delays or refusal of any of visas required to partake in this journey.

• You will be billed before the expiration date. Your invoice will be sent to you by email.
• We accept bank transfers to the Company for all payments. We accept credit card payments that are subject to processing fees: 3%.
• Last minute reservations are subject to availability and immediate full payment is required.
• For most tours, the balance must be paid between 90 and 120 days before departure. If you book less than ninety days in advance, the full payment will be required to ensure the confirmation of the trip.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

We shall contact you by the means of communication provided by you during your registration and booking, a week before the payment due date. In the event that full payment is not received by the due date, we will contact you by the electronic means of communication provided by you during registration and booking (please see our Privacy Policy).
If we have not received payment from you in due time, your booking will be authomatically cancelled.


If you cancel your trip before the balance due date, the cancellation charge can be zero or the amount of your deposit (including any increased deposit payable as a result of the booking of scheduled flights, see above) depending on the nature of your trip. Charges for cancellation after the balance due date will usually be more than the deposit amount and will vary due to the complex nature of our travel itineraries. Cancellation charges are likely to increase the closer to the departure date that the cancellation is made and may well be up to 100% of the total price of your booking and you should contact us as soon as possible. Cancellation charges for your trip can be confirmed to you on request at any time including before booking. Please ask for confirmation of the amount of any cancellation charge before cancellation.

Payment of the deposit signifies your acceptance of the below cancellation policy conditions:

• Cancellation policy vary for different types of the tours and is clearly stated on your deposit invoice. Payment of the invoice confirms you have accepted the terms and conditions:
• If we have already purchased air or railroad tickets in your name and if these tickets are not fully refundable, we will require reimbursement for these if the deposit does not cover it. If you wish to travel later and prefer not to cancel your tickets, we will mail the tickets to you for use at a later date.
• All participants are strongly encouraged to obtain travel protection to cover cancellations, delays, emergencies and unexpected illness. For some trips in remote areas, we may require, at a minimum, emergency medical/evacuation coverage. Insurance coverage can be arranged for you on request.
• In the event that your tour is cancelled by us, we will provide a full refund of any amounts paid up to the date of cancellation.
• The Company shall not be liable, for any personal injury, property damage, inconvenience, loss of time, or any other loss or damage, direct or indirect, arising out of any act, omission or negligence of any direct air carrier, motor coach company, hotel or any other person rendering any service or providing any accommodation or event in conjunction with the travel package the Company shall not be liable, for any injury, loss or damage, direct or indirect, sustained as a result of theft, accident, mechanical breakdown, government action, weather, act of God, failure to make timely payments, or any other reason beyond the Company's control. Refunds will be processed within 90 days from the date of cancellation's confirmation.
• COVID -19 affected tours: special T&C applies as stated above

FLEXIBLE BOOKING TERMS FOR TOUR PACKAGES FOR TRAVELERS ALREADY RESIDING IN RUSSIA

Dear fellow expats! We realize that the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus may leave you concerned about travelling in Russia, so we want to take a moment to reassure you that your safety and well-being remains our absolute top priority. In order to limit the uncertainty in planning your visit to any part of Russia, we have temporarily reviewed our booking terms so you could plan and travel with peace of mind. Valid for bookings made from September 1t until March 31 2021 for arrivals throughout the year 2021. In case covid-19 restrictions are placed in the area you have a tour booked in with us making a tour impossible to commence: o No cancellation fees applied, your funds are secured on a deposit to travel later (force majeure cancellation and postponement of the trip). We negotiate with all the local vendors on your behalf and take this stress out of your journey. If you can’t arrive on tour due to restrictions suddenly placed in the area you are living in, we must receive a statement from you confirming you can’t travel, in Russian, including act/other legal documents issued by the local authorities. If you need assistance with making statement in Russian, we will assist. Change of mind cancellation will result in no refund in cancelled less than 30 days prior to tour commencement.

1. ADVENTURE & SPORTS TOURS, EXTREME EXPEDITIONS

Please note that due to the nature of such tours, any cancellations means significant costs for the tour organizer, because these tours require far in advance planning and preparation, and tour cost is based on the number of participants. We are thus unable to provide a refund in case you release the space in the group. We recommend travel insurance prior to the booking.

Payment Terms:

30% Deposit upon Booking
70% Balance is due 120 days prior to tour commencement date

Cancellation policy:

Over 120 days before commencement: 30% of total trip cost is forfeited
Less than 120 days before commencement or no show: 100% of total trip cost is forfeited

• Our tours may vary greatly in terms of difficulty and style. If there are any reasonable physical demands to participants of any such tour, you will be advised by our Travel Specialist prior to trip confirmation, and your written consent will be required.
• You are free to decline to participate in any activities suggested.
• You are asked to inform us as to any health problems or restrictions that could affect your trip participation so that we can discuss possible alternatives.
• For extreme sport tours, please see our Sport Tours Policy
• There are risks and dangers inherent in any trip or travel that are beyond the control of the Company. Although we take all reasonable precautions in order to ensure your safety, participants agree to hold the Company harmless in the event of unforeseen events including, but not limited to: accidents or injuries beyond our control; acts of God, war or terrorism. (please see Waiver and Release Form)

2. GROUP TOUR

Payment Terms Standard, if booking is confirmed 120 or more days in advance

30% Deposit upon Booking
70% Balance is due 90 days prior to the tour commencement date or earlier

Cancellation policy:

Over 120 days before commencement - 20% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
120-90 days days before commencement - 30% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 90 days before commencement - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited


Payment Terms Urgent, if booking is confirmed less than 120 days in advance

50% Deposit upon Booking
50% Balance is due 90 days prior to the tour commencement date or earlier

Cancellation policy:

Over 90 days before commencement - 50% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 90 days before commencement - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited

3. PRIVATE TOUR

Payment Terms Standard, if booking is confirmed 120 or more days in advance

30% Deposit upon Booking
70% Balance is due 60 days prior to the tour commencement date

Cancellation policy:

Over 120 days before commencement - Refundable with No Penalty unless cancellations fees apply from the 3d parties (i.e. flight tickets) and less 75 USD administrative fee
120 - 90 days days before commencement - 10% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
89-60 days before commencement - 50% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 60 days before commencement - or no show - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited


Payments Terms Urgent, if booking is confirmed less than 120 days in advance

30% Deposit upon Booking
70% Balance is due 90 days prior to the tour commencement date

Cancellation policy:

Over 90 days before commencement - 10% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
90-60 days before commencement - 50% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 60 days before commencement or no show - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited

4. Imperial Russia Train Tours & River Cruises

Payment Terms Standard, if booking is confirmed 120 or more days in advance

30% Deposit upon Booking
70% Balance is due 90 days prior to the tour commencement date or earlier

Cancellation policy:

Over 120 days before commencement - 20% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
120 - 90 days days before commencement - 30% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 90 days before commencement - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited


Payment Terms Urgent, if booking is confirmed less than 120 days in advance

Full payment is required to guarantee your bokinng
Cancellation policy:

120 - 90 days days before commencement - 30% penalty (of the total trip cost is forfeited)
Less than 90 days before commencement - 100% of the total trip cost is forfeited

5. Photo Content

Discovery Russia holds irrevocable right on any content, including images, taken on the tours by our guides and tour directors. Discovery Russia has the right to use those images on the website.

Discovery Russia does not claim any rights on images taken by the tour participants themselves.

PRICES

All prices shown on the website are subject to availability. Prices are not guaranteed until we receive full payment from you.

Minor trip alterations (e.g., accommodations, excursions, etc.) may occasionally be necessary and may be made without penalty to the Company (business name: Discovery Russia).

Any additional extra costs due to trip alterations that become necessary during the course of the trip that are caused by events beyond the Company's (business name: Discovery Russia) responsibility and control, including but not limited to weather delays, strikes, etc, are the sole responsibility of the participant.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS TERMS

If your booking is secured with the Company, you will be able to use Paypal & Stripe payment options.Your online payment is secure and confidential. We do not collect, hold or process your credit card details. The payment gate you use is operated by the payment system and not by us.

Once you're finalized your trip details with a manager, you will receive an individually generated payment link with the detailed invoice, terms & conditions of cancellation, inclusions. Upon paying this invoice, you will be bound by the Terms & Conditions of your booking. Your payment can be settled in any currency. Every trip has individual terms and conditions of cancellations. We can help to purchase travel insurance if you want to secure your trip.

The Internet payment service is carried out by international payment systems Visa, MasterCard on the principles of confidentiality and security of payment, for which the most modern methods of checking, encrypting and transmitting data through closed communication channels are used. Bank card data is entered on the protected payment page of ALFA-BANK JSC.

On the page for entering bank card data, you will need to enter bank card data: card number, cardholder name, card expiration date, three-digit security code (CVV2 for VISA, CVC2 for MasterCard). All necessary data are printed on the card. The three-digit security code is the three digits on the back of the card. Then you will be redirected to the page of your bank to enter the security code that will come to you in SMS. If you have not received a security code, you should contact the bank that issued you a card.

Your payment might be declined due to the following reasons:

A credit card is not intended for making payments online, which can be found out by contacting your Bank;

There is not enough money to pay on your credit card. You can find out more about the availability of funds on your credit card by contacting the bank that issued the credit card;

Credit card information entered incorrectly

Your credit card has expired. The validity of the card is usually indicated on the front of the card (this is the month and year before which the card is valid). You can find out more about the validity of the card by contacting the bank that issued the bank card;

The personal information you provide (name, address, telephone, e-mail, credit card number) is confidential and is not subject to disclosure. Your credit card information is only encrypted and is not stored on our Web server.