Terms and Conditions

Application

These General Terms and Conditions govern the legal relationship between the tour operator Swiss Epic Tours GmbH (further referred at as SET) and the tour participants as well as third parties booking tours for tour participants or acting as agents for tours for all services provided by SET, in particular the organization of excursions and their guiding as far as tour guiding is not provided by third-party providers. For all activities of third-party providers, SET merely acts as an agent; however, such activities are carried out in the name of and according to the terms and conditions of the third-party providers. The present GTC form an integral part of any individual contract independently of the medium through which the contract is closed.

Conclusion of Contract / of Booking

Bookings can be made through different distribution channels (internet, travel agency, hotel, tourist information, etc.) by telephone, e-mail, fax or in person. On the occasion of the booking, customers shall inform SET of their credit card details. If bookings for customers are made by third parties (including bookings of customers for other customers), such third parties are liable both for payment of the booked service and customers' agreement to these GTC. The contract between the customer or the third party making the booking, respectively, and SET is concluded with the unconditional acceptance of the booking by SET. Through the booking, the customer as well as any third party making the booking accept the present GTC as binding. SET will not accept any non-binding reservations.

Rates and Terms of Payment

The Tour price per person is stated the price list in Swiss francs. All prices are quoted including VAT. Prices are subject to change. The Tour Price is due at the time of booking.

Cancellations / Changes in Bookings by the Customer

SET does not offer any cancellation insurance.

Regular Tours (Seat-in Tours) Regular Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the Tour start free of charge. In case of cancellation less than 24 hours before the Tour start and in case of no-show, the full Tour Price per customer is charged. Changes in bookings (i.e. change to another Tour, change of the customer name or of the Tour date) are possible up to 24 hours before the Tour start.

Private Tours Cancellations and changes in bookings (i.e. any change in the Tour, in the number of Customers or in the Tour date) must be made in writing (including e-mail) and are legally binding upon confirmation by SET. Acceptance of any changes in private Tours previously confirmed by SET is at SET free discretion. Cancellation policy for Private Tours will be communicated to the customer the moment the booking is made.

It is at SET's free discretion to cancel a Tour that is jeopardized, considerably hindered or made impossible due to force majeure, meteorological hazard, official measures, political disturbances, strikes, demonstrations, difficult traffic conditions, closed roads or similar unforeseeable events. The same applies if the minimum number of 5 participants paying the full Tour Price is not reached for regular tours. The Tour Price that has already been paid will be refunded, further compensation claims are excluded.

Changes in Tour Prices or Services

SET reserves the right to change the Tour Price according to the price list or the agreed Tour Price, respectively, in case of extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances are in particular: - changes in the rates of third-party providers, e.g. of transportation companies - newly introduced or raised taxes, charges or fees. The same applies for changes in route or program, due to extraordinary circumstances.

Terms of Participation

Tours are offered subject to the terms published by SET. For Tours abroad, all Customers must have their ID or passport with them. Minor Customers must be accompanied by a person having the power of representation. Coaches are not equipped with a ramp. Disabled Customers who need assistance in getting on and off the coach are requested to organize such assistance themselves. Pets are not allowed with the exception of companion dogs for disabled persons. Customers undertake to inform SET of any health problems. Adequate health and accident insurance coverage is the responsibility of the customers (including supplementary insurance against sports accidents in case of Tours with sports activities). Joining a Tour under the influence of drugs, medicines and/or excessive alcohol is not permitted. Customers undertake to strictly comply with these GTC, the terms of participation of third-party providers, the instructions of SET, of third-party providers, of support staff as well as external Tour guides and rescue staff. Furthermore, customers are obliged to wear seat belts and to use child safety seats, if applicable. SET reserves the right to exclude a customer from the tour with immediate effect in case of health problems, non-compliance with the terms of participation or violation of these GTC or any instructions. In case a minor customer is excluded, the accompanying person is also excluded from the tour. In case the exclusion is made prior to the tour start, the terms of cancellation apply analogously. In case the exclusion is made during a tour, the customer has no right to a refund of the tour price. In case of exclusion, any and all claims for damages against SET are excluded. If the customer is not present in time at the departure respectively meeting point for the start of or during the tour, SET reserves the right to exclude the customer from the tour after a waiting period of 5 minutes for a half-day tour or 10 minutes for a day tour and to depart without the customer. In this case, the customer is neither entitled to a refund of the tour price nor may the customer claim any damages. Furthermore, customer must pay for any additional costs (e.g. transportation back to the starting point) him or herself.

Liability

Customers undertake all activities at their own risk. Any liability of SET is limited to the Tour Price as well as any direct damages caused willfully or by gross negligence by SET. SET's liability for slight negligence, assisting persons as well as consequential damages and lost profit is excluded. SET does not assume any liability in case of non-fulfillment of contractual obligations that results from omissions or contract violation by the customer. In case of cancellation of a Tour, SET is only liable for the refund of the Tour Price if no alternative tour is offered. SET does not assume any liability for the disappearance of personal items, cash, valuables, luggage, photographic equipment, etc. as well as loss, theft, damage or misuse of checks and credit cards.

SET does not assume any liability for the offers and services of third-party providers nor does SET assume any liability for damages based on circumstances that are beyond SET's control, such as force majeure, natural events, catastrophes, changes in program due to non-adherence of train, bus or ship transportation companies or other third-party providers to their schedules, etc. Customer undertakes to claim any damages directly from the third-party provider.

All activities for which SET acts as an agent and which are carried out by third-party providers or are organized and/or carried out by customers themselves incur at customer's own risk. SET is not liable for the consequences of any accident. SET expects from each customer a considerable degree of personal responsibility. Customers only participate in activities that are compatible with their physical condition, in particular their health and physical efficiency. Customers are in particular responsible for an adequate equipment (clothing, footwear, sun protection, etc.).

Customers' claims towards SET due to non-fulfillment or fulfillment not in accordance with the contract must be asserted within 30 days after the contractually agreed tour date in writing with a detailed explanation of the claims. A complaint vis-à-vis the tour guide is not sufficient. Claims received by SET after expiry of this deadline cannot be accepted anymore, except if customers prove that they were faultlessly prevented from meeting such deadline.

Data Protection

Customers agree that their data, in particular customer's name, address, telephone number, birth date, nationality, gender and credit card details, are collected by SET for the carrying out of certain tours according to the contract. Such data can be forwarded to third-party providers.

Amendments to these GTC

SET may amend these GTC at any time. Such amendments are legally binding upon notice to the customer or publication on https://www.swissepictours.com

Severability

In case any of the provisions of these GTC shall be held or become invalid, void or unenforceable in any other way, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby. In case of unenforceability of a provision, such provision shall be replaced by an enforceable provision that reflects the intention and purpose of the invalid provision as closely as possible. The same procedure applies if a gap in these GTC becomes evident.

Applicable Law and Place of Jurisdiction

Swiss law shall apply to the legal relationship between the Customer and SET (with the exclusion of conflict of law rules). For claims against SET, the exclusive jurisdiction of the ordinary courts at the seat of SET is agreed.