Seller of Travel registration

Smart Ocular Studio LLC, registered as Smart Ocular Travels and also doing business as Ocular Travels and AstroYou Journeys, is a registered Seller of Travel with the California Department of Justice, registration number CST 2156105-40. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a trust account. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF)

If you are a California resident and paid for travel services in California, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund if the seller of travel fails to provide the services you paid for or to refund you, because of bankruptcy, insolvency or ceasing operations. To file a claim you must be owed at least $50, file within 12 months after the scheduled end of travel, and agree to waive civil remedies against the seller for the same loss. Details: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, 468 Manzanita Ave., Suite 1, Chico, CA 95926, www.tcrcinfo.org.

Booking and payment

• Deposit: a $300 deposit per traveler reserves your place, whatever the total price of your trip and any extensions.
• Balance: the remaining balance, including any “Stay longer” extensions, is due 60 days before departure. We send a payment link and a reminder.
• Pay in full: you may also pay the full price at booking.
• If the balance isn’t paid by the due date, we may cancel the booking and apply the cancellation terms in section 4.
• Bookings made fewer than 60 days before departure are paid in full at booking.

Travel insurance (required)

Travel insurance with emergency medical and medical evacuation cover is required for all Nepal tours. It must cover hiking at altitude up to at least 3,500 m (11,500 ft) if you take a trekking extension. We strongly recommend trip-cancellation cover as well. You’ll be asked for your policy details before departure; see our trip planner for guidance.

Health, fitness and altitude

• Our Nepal tours include walks and hikes of several hours on uneven paths, and nights up to about 2,060 m (6,760 ft); extensions go higher.
• You confirm you are in good enough health to take part, and you’ll tell us before departure about any medical condition, allergy or dietary need that could affect your trip. Check with your doctor about altitude and vaccinations.
• Our guides may ask you to skip or adjust an activity if they judge it unsafe for you or the group.

Assumption of risk

Travel in Nepal involves risks that can’t be fully removed, including mountain roads, weather, altitude, uneven terrain, remote areas far from hospitals, local food and water, and the actions of third parties. You take part voluntarily and accept these risks. You agree to follow your guide’s safety instructions.

Changes to the itinerary

We may change the order of days, activities, hotels or transport because of weather, road or flight conditions, safety, or local events. We’ll replace anything we change with something of similar value where we can. If a change made before departure is significant, you may cancel for a full refund instead.

Our local partners and our responsibility

We organize your trip and work with licensed local partners in Nepal for guides, hotels, transport and domestic flights. We choose them carefully but don’t control them. We are responsible for our own negligence; we aren’t liable for injury, loss, damage, delay or extra cost caused by the acts of independent suppliers, by you, or by events outside our control (force majeure), such as natural disasters, strikes, epidemics, government action or airline schedule changes. Where liability is allowed to be limited by law, our total liability is limited to the amount you paid us for the trip.

Astrology sessions

Group astrology sessions and readings on our tours are provided by astrologers from our partner AstroYou™. They’re offered for reflection and enjoyment and are not medical, financial, legal or psychological advice. The free month of AstroYou™ Star membership for travelers is provided by AstroYou under its own terms.

Passports, visas and documents

You’re responsible for a passport valid for at least six months after arrival, the Nepal tourist visa, and any other documents required by the countries you travel through. We’re not responsible if you’re refused boarding or entry because of missing or incorrect documents.

Conduct

Please respect local customs, sacred sites and your fellow travelers. We may remove from the tour, without refund, anyone whose behavior puts others at risk or seriously disrupts the group.

Alcohol. Wine tastings and other alcohol on our tours are for guests aged 21 and over, and we may ask for ID. Please drink responsibly. Alcohol is served only by licensed venues or licensed partners. Where a tour uses a chartered vehicle, it is operated by a licensed charter-party carrier, and we may end service to anyone who is unsafe or disruptive.

Photos

We may take group photos and videos during tours and use them on our website and social media. If you’d rather not appear, just tell your guide or email us, and we’ll respect that.

Prices

Prices are per traveler, in US dollars. Once your deposit is paid, your tour price is fixed. If we make an obvious pricing error, we’ll tell you, and you can accept the correct price or cancel for a full refund.

Privacy

We use your details only to arrange your trip and keep you informed about it. Booking emails are sent whether or not you choose to receive news and offers, which is always optional. See our Privacy Policy.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California. Disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Contra Costa County, California.

Contact

Smart Ocular Studio LLC, doing business as Smart Ocular Travels, Ocular Travels and AstroYou Journeys
P.O. Box 20105, El Sobrante, CA 94820
Bookings: book@oculartravels.com
Questions: info@oculartravels.com
Phone: +1 (415) 484-0073