Booking Terms and Conditions - Kumano Kodo, Japan

These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings, advice and reservations managed, provided, marketed, or sold by Hiking Trails Pty Ltd trading as ‘HikingJapan.com‘, ‘Hiking Trails Australia‘ and ‘Hiking Trails‘ acting as a “travel service”, “advisor” and/or “booking agent”;

HikingJapan.com and Hiking Trails, and the HikingJapan.com and HikingTrails.com.au websites are trading names and websites of Hiking Trails Pty Ltd ACN 635 598 033, registered in Victoria, Australia.
Hiking Trails may engage Third Party Operators and Services to deliver your booking.
Accepting a quote and/or paying an amount towards your booking defaults acceptance of the Hiking Trails Pty Ltd Booking Terms and Conditions.
The Booking Terms and Conditions and Cancellation and Change policies, restrictions, and fees of all Third Party Operators associated to your booking also apply in addition to Hiking Trails Pty Ltd Term and Conditions, and Booking Change and Cancellation Policy.
A Booking is considered accepted and confirmed once payment of an invoiced deposit or in full has been paid by the Customer to the Booking Agent.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd and their Staff and Directors will not be liable for any loss, damage or delay caused by or arising from any event beyond their control.
Prices may vary from advertised pricing due to exchange rate fluctuations. All components are subject to availability at the time of booking and to Operator pricing at the time of booking. Prices vary with season, holidays, and demand.
An “Operator” is any business that Hiking Trails Pty Ltd engage to deliver part of your booking in the region. This includes but is not limited to accommodation, local booking agents, travel service providers, travel support providers.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd work with local 'Operators' to book and deliver this package and to provide local support if needed. Hiking Trails Pty Ltd reserves the right to book components of your travel either directly or through existing Agents/Wholesalers.
When components of your travel and / or hike are booked for you by Hiking Trails Pty Ltd with or through Third Party Operators such as but not limited to accommodation, meals, transfers or local support, these have been booked in good faith by Hiking Trails Pty Ltd for you, and Hiking Trails Pty Ltd should not be held accountable for the non-delivery of products or services for whatever reasons by these operators.
Kumano Kodo Package bookings do not include local bus reservations or fares. These cannot be reserved in advance.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd is not liable for changes in local bus or train service schedules or routes. Where information on local buses or trains has been provided by Hiking Trails Pty Ltd this is as guide only, and these services are subject to change at any time. Similarly, local buses fill up with passengers on a first-served non-reserved basis, Hiking Trails does not warrant that any local bus service will have capacity for customers on any particular service.
Prices exclude Australian GST unless specifically quoted and applicable and specified within your quote and invoice. For more information on the ATO policy in regard to GST and International Travel bookings click here.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd will not be held liable for any closures, cancellations, disruptions or otherwise to your travel plans including components of your travel specifically recommended, referred, managed or booked on your behalf by Hiking Trails due to weather, political or other events, Covid-19 and other pandemic events and related restrictions, force majeur, natural events or disaster, foreclosure, terrorism or other factors beyond our control.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd as the “Booking Agent” is not liable for any injury or loss to person or property in any way linked to the delivery of this booking.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd is a ‘service business’ and reserves the right to collect a booking commission and/or include a non itemised ‘booking fee’ in package pricing.
Package Bookings are offered as ‘packages’ and Hiking Trails Pty Ltd may at their discretion choose to not disclose the financial breakdown of the components.
Quotes are generally valid for one week from the time of submitting.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd understands the seriousness and importance of dietary requirements and specific allergies providing risks for many guests, and whilst Hiking Trails makes every endeavour to cater for specific dietary requests and allergies, and select only accommodation and meal plan operators who agree that they can cater for your specific requests, Hiking Trails Pty Ltd should not be held accountable or liable for any reaction, omission, exposure or error on behalf of these Third Party Operators.
Hiking is a physical endurance activity often in a mountain environment. Hiking Trails Pty Ltd makes no warranty in regard to a Customers physical preparedness or appropriate health, fitness, clothing, and equipment for completing booked walks. Information is readily available on the length and elevation of the daily walks.
It is recommended that if you have past or current medical conditions or injuries, that may impair your ability to complete the walk or provide risk to you or your wellness, that you speak to your GP or medical professional prior to booking.
Given cultural and language differences and the remoteness of many overseas walking and hiking adventures, Hiking Trails Pty Ltd recommends that guests with severe allergies or dietary restrictions consult their GP and/or Dietician prior to booking.
Hiking Trails Pty Ltd partners with Tanabe City Kumano Travel Bureau to deliver Kumano Kodo self-guided and guided walking tours, and the Booking Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy of Tanabe City Kumano Travel Bureau will apply to Kumano Kodo bookings.
Adjustment Notes (Credit Notes) are valid for two years from the date of issue, and to the maximum dollar value issued, after which time they will be considered expired.
Booking Cancellation and Booking Change Fees may apply.
The Terms and Conditions of Hiking Trails Pty Ltd are governed by the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia unless otherwise specified above.

Booking Cancellation and Booking Change fees may apply in the event that bookings are changed or cancelled for any reason. For details of Hiking Trails Pty Ltd Booking Cancellation and Booking Change Policy, click here.

Hiking Trails Pty Ltd recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.

WARNING UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW AND FAIR TRADING ACT 2012

Under the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria), several statutory guarantees apply to the supply of certain goods and services. These guarantees mean that the supplier named on this form is required to ensure that the recreational services it supplies to you-

are rendered with due care and skill; and
are reasonably fit for any purpose which you, either expressly or by implication, make known to the supplier; and
might reasonably be expected to achieve any result you have made known to the supplier.

Under section 22 of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012, the supplier is entitled to ask you to agree that these statutory guarantees do not apply to you. If you sign this form, you will be agreeing that your rights to sue the supplier under the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 if you are killed or injured because the services provided were not in accordance with these guarantees, are excluded, restricted or modified in the way set out in this form.

NOTE: The change to your rights, as set out in this form, does not apply if your death or injury is due to gross negligence on the supplier's part. Gross negligence, in relation to an act or omission, means doing the act or omitting to do an act with reckless disregard, with or without consciousness, for the consequences of the act or omission. See regulation 5 of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Regulations 2012 and section 22(3)(b) of the Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012.