Tour Policies

TIPPING

Usual and customary tips for meals are included in the tour price. Tipping of birding guides, drivers, boatmen, etc. is expected and not included in the tour price. The amount of tip is discretionary. Guidelines for tipping are around $10-10/day for the birding guide, $7-10/day for the driver, and a few dollars for boat operators, maids, bartenders, etc. depending on performance.

CONDUCT WHILE ON TOUR

All tour participants are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and treat all other participants and tour leaders with civility. Exotic Birding LLC reserves the right to eject from the tour any participant for disruptive behavior, unruly conduct, or any form of hostility exhibited toward participants or tour leaders during the tour. Participants are solely responsible for any additional expense incurred as a result of such action. Further, refunds to participants in such cases for any remaining portion of the tour are solely at the discretion of Exotic Birding LLC and may be denied entirely depending on the circumstances.

Tour participants are expected to be punctual for all scheduled activities. Exotic Birding LLC reserves the right to leave participants behind as a last resort should they be late for a scheduled departure and cannot be located. In the event that a participant is left behind when the group is transferring to a new location, the participant is solely responsible for any arrangements and expenses required to rejoin the group.

Our tours visit many environmentally sensitive areas. Collecting of plants, animals, or archaeological artifacts during the course of an Exotic Birding tour is strictly prohibited.

Exotic Birding LLC does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, or gender. However, Exotic Birding LLC does reserve the right to deny participation of any person deemed unsuitable to join us on tour based on his/her past or present behavior.

SMOKING POLICY

We require that tour participants refrain from smoking inside any vehicle or in any confined spaces occupied by other group members. Tour leaders have the authority to pull off the road and stop the tour should a participant violate this policy.

ITINERARY CHANGES

Though our itineraries have been carefully crafted to optimize the travel and birding experience, unforeseen situations may cause changes in the original plan. In the event that published accommodations are not available, Exotic Birding LLC will do its utmost to arrange equivalent or best available accommodations in the same tour area. If any major changes in itinerary become necessary prior to departure, Exotic Birding LLC will inform participants and give them the option of withdrawing without penalty.

Minor alterations in itinerary may occur to take best advantage of photo opportunities at the time of the tour or because access to planned birding areas has been denied for any reason. Alterations might entail changing the sequence of events included on the itinerary or changing birding locations to take best advantage of conditions present at the time of the tour. Such changes are at the discretion of our tour leader.

If unforeseen circumstances such as an airline strike, weather conditions, changing political conditions, etc., force a change in itinerary or abrupt end to the tour, any additional costs incurred as a result are the sole responsibility of participants. No refunds can be made in such cases. Participants are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance that would cover their losses under these circumstances.