TERMS AND CONDITIONS/ CANCELLATION POLICY:
RETREAT/EXCURSION RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare; passports; visas; meals or other expenses while in transit between departure airport and arrival in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores; pick-up or drop-off at train stations, transfers not otherwise noted here within, additional expenses for late arrivals or early departures; laundry; bottled water or alcoholic beverages; cover charges; baggage or other airline fees or service charges; excess baggage charges; accident, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; medical treatment/emergency rescue expenses or insurance; expenses for guides, transportation, or deviations not included in the itinerary; gratuities and taxes for personal services and purchases; any other items of a personal nature; private non-group transfers; and any other item not heretofore specifically listed as included.
CHANGES: The Retreat/Excursion rate is based on rates of exchange, tariffs, and fares in effect at the time of publication and is subject to adjustment prior to departure. Changes to the printed itinerary are not anticipated, however, the Retreat/Excursion Organizer reserves the right to make any changes that it determines are necessary, with or without advance notice. Changes of itinerary will not result in a refund of any portion of the Excursion price. In the event of any change in rates of exchange, tariffs, fares, or itinerary that result in additional costs, these additional costs must be paid by the participant before departure or as soon as the change becomes known.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Limited transport to and from Ponta Delgada airport is available by the Retreat/Excursion Organiser. Participants may be responsible for taxi fare to and from Ponta Delgada Airport.
Balance must be paid in full by August 1, 2025
CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS: All requests for cancellation must be submitted to the Retreat Organizer (Rene’ Quenell) in writing. Allow 30-days for refunds to be processed. Regardless of the reason, cancellations result in additional costs and processing time for the Retreat/Excursion Organizer.
A $95 administrative fee plus the following charges will be assessed for cancellation of your reservation:
Prior to August 1, 2025 - 50% of Retreat cost per person (subject to approval).
No refunds after August 15, 2025 (please be sure to purchase travel cancellation insurance).
If the participant arrives late or leaves the Retreat prior to its conclusion, refunds will not be made for the unused portion of the Retreat. No refunds will be made for any excursion, sightseeing, meal, or other activity that the participant misses or decides not to take for any reason. The Retreat/Excursion Organizer reserves the right to cancel any Excursion prior to departure. If such cancellation is not due to circumstances beyond the Retreat Organizer’s control, such as war, etc. as set forth below, the Retreat Organizer will refund all payments participant made to Retreat Organizer, constituting full settlement with the participant. No compensation or refund will be made when cancellation arises before or during the Retreat from circumstances beyond our and/or our suppliers’ control (force majeure) such as war, strife, civil disobedience, terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, fire, natural disasters, illness etc., unless or until the Retreat Organizer is able to recover any Excursion related sums. In the event of cancellation arising from circumstances beyond our control as set forth above.
It is highly recommended that participants purchase their own trip cancellation insurance. The Retreat/Excursion Organizer is not responsible for expenses, including but not limited to lodging, meals, and transportation, incurred for delays and/or detainments beyond the Retreat itinerary as a result of circumstances beyond our and/or our suppliers’ control such as war, etc. as set forth above.
REVISION FEES: If changes are requested by participant after deposit is received, revision fees and/or cancellation fees will apply. A fee of $95 per transaction will be charged by the Retreat/Excursion Organizer for any alteration or revision made to a registration. Any revision to a registration may result in the loss of confirmed reservations or increased costs which will be payable by the participant. A change in traveler name will be treated as a cancellation and new reservation; cancellation fees apply.
NATURE OF THE RETREAT/EXCURSION: The Retreat/Excursion is tourism by nature and includes sightseeing, cultural exploration, yoga and/or meditation. Participants are strongly discouraged from joining the Retreat/Excursion in progress or leaving prior to its conclusion. Portions of the Retreat/Excursion could be considered rustic and rigorous and are best approached with a spirit of openness and adventure. Portions of the Excursions may be at higher elevations or in remote locations, or rural beach and backwater areas at which there may be no internet, telephones or means of rapid evacuation in the event of emergency. Each participant is advised to consult with his or her medical specialist prior to departure and must advise the Retreat/Excursion Organizer in advance in writing of any condition that may require attention during the Retreat/Excursion, so the participant, with the assistance of the Retreat/Excursion Organizer, can make the necessary arrangements. Virtually all participants are non-smokers. Smoking is not permitted in buses or other vehicles, at meals, or in guest rooms. The nature of the Retreat/Excursion may be suitable for minor children accompanied by a parent or legal travel guardian. Please inquire for details.
WHAT TO BRING: Prepare for pleasant, sometimes warm, sunny days and cool nights. Bring a rain jacket and shoes you can hike in. Temperatures range from the 60s to 80s. Please note that on some flights, the checked luggage allowance in economy is 33 lbs. per person. Please check with your airline.
DRESS AND CONDUCT: Please wear comfortable shoes. There may be uneven paths and stairs, dirt roads etc. Use of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited. Smoking is only permitted in a designated outside area. Violation of these policies is subject to immediate dismissal from the Retreat/Excursion. Earphones must be used with all electronic or other devices with audio capability.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE: Please check US dollar to Euro exchange rates. (subject to fluctuation).
PASSPORT AND VISA: Each participant is responsible for determining specific passport and visa requirements in the participant's country of origin and for obtaining the necessary documents prior to departure. Passport must be obtained in advance before booking and purchasing airline tickets. Excursion Organizer is not responsible if you are refused entry to a country due to incorrect passport, visa, or other required documentation. Passport/visa/emergency contact information must be provided in advance of the Retreat/Excursion.
LANGUAGE: All presentations, yoga classes and meditations will be in English.
PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEO: Representatives of the Retreat/Excursion Organizer will be photographing and video recording the Retreat/Excursion. The Retreat/Excursion Organizer reserves the right to use any such photographs and video recording in its advertising, displays, publicity materials, and publications without obtaining further consent from any participant. Each participant releases the Retreat/Excursion Organizer and its representatives from any liability in connection with any such use of such photographs and video recording. Photography and video/audio recording by Retreat/Excursion participants is not permitted during the yoga classes or meditations.
RELEASE/RESPONSIBILITY: The participant, must agree to this Tour Participant Agreement (TPA), agrees that the Retreat/Excursion Organizer and its representatives, except for their gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may be occasioned for any reason, including, but not limited to, any defect in a vehicle, the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying a participant, acts of God, terrorism, acts of war, or detention; delays or expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations; accidents by aircraft, boat, bicycle or motor vehicle, or in any hotel, inn, restaurant, accommodation or camp; failure of any means of transportation to arrive or depart as scheduled or changes in transit, hotel, inn, guest house or camping services; missed airline or other transport connections; or for additional expenses resulting from changes in exchange rates, tariffs, or itinerary. The participant agrees to assume all risks associated with the Retreat/Excursion and agrees that no liability will attach to the Retreat/Excursion Organizer, its employees or agents, or to any member of the Retreat/Excursion in respect of death, personal injury, illness or delay of the passenger, or for any loss of or damage to the property (including luggage) of the participant during the course of the trip, howsoever caused.
By purchasing this Retreat/Excursion package the participant releases the Retreat/Excursion Organizer and its representatives from any such responsibility or liability, except as hereinabove set forth. The liability of common carriers is generally limited and, therefore, it is suggested that participants purchase their own cancellation, property damage (including luggage), accident, and medical treatment/emergency rescue insurance.
Because of the nature of the Retreat/Excursion and accommodations, the Retreat/Excursion Organizer reserves the right to accept or reject any Retreat/Excursion participant at any time, without liability, and in the event it determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that a participant is disruptive to the harmony of the Retreat/Excursion it may, without any obligation to pay a refund or any other amount whatsoever, expel such participant from the Retreat/Excursion. The Retreat/Excursion Organizer will have no responsibility or liability for any participant who leaves the Retreat/Excursion prior to its conclusion or for any activity undertaken by any participant, which is not included on the Retreat/Excursion itinerary.
I have read and agree to the above policies for The Yoga Madre, LLC Retreat: Ayurveda & Tantra in São Miguel, Azores, Portugal September 21-27, 2025, and by making my advance payment as set forth below, agree to the terms thereof.