Terms & Conditions

1. Booking with Kora Trails

Kora Trails arranges travel services that may include accommodation, transport, sightseeing, guides, flights, rail travel, safaris and entrance tickets, as specified in your booking documents. The role of Kora Trails and any applicable supplier conditions will be identified in your booking documents. Section 26 explains the responsibilities of independent suppliers. Material supplier conditions, including non-refundable payments and special cancellation conditions, will be disclosed before you authorise the relevant booking or payment. Supplier conditions apply only to the extent permitted by law and do not remove responsibilities that Kora Trails has under Australian law.

2. Quotations and Availability

Unless expressly stated otherwise, a quotation is a proposal and does not reserve or guarantee services. Hotels, flights, trains, safari permits, guides and transport remain subject to availability until confirmed. Your quotation or accompanying booking documents will identify:

• the tour price and currency
• included and excluded services
• the required deposit and payment deadlines
• material non-refundable services and cancellation conditions; and
• any special booking conditions known at that time.

A quotation is valid for the period stated. Prices and availability may change before confirmation. Any material change will be explained before you agree to proceed.

3. Deposits

The deposit and payment requirements for your booking will be stated in your quotation or booking documents. Kora Trails does not apply one fixed deposit to every tour because supplier requirements vary. Flights, rail tickets, safari permits, special-rate hotels and other advance-purchase services may require an additional deposit or full payment. Before committing you to an additional payment, Kora Trails will explain the amount, deadline and applicable refund or cancellation conditions and obtain your agreement. A payment is not automatically non-refundable simply because it is described as a deposit.

4. Booking Confirmation

A quotation or enquiry alone is not a confirmed booking. Confirmation requires:

1. Receipt of the required deposit or payment.
2. Confirmation of the relevant arrangements by the applicable suppliers.
3. Written booking confirmation from Kora Trails.

Payments received before confirmation do not guarantee availability. If a requested service cannot be confirmed, Kora Trails will discuss available alternatives and any price difference before proceeding. If no acceptable alternative is agreed, payments for the unconfirmed service will be refunded, except for lawful, specifically disclosed commitments you separately authorised and subject to any rights under applicable law. Please check your written confirmation promptly and tell Kora Trails about any discrepancy.

5. Balance Payments

The balance payment date will be stated in your quotation, invoice or booking confirmation. Payment deadlines vary with the services booked and supplier requirements. Payments must be received by the specified deadlines; suppliers may release reservations if payment is late. If payment is overdue, Kora Trails will give written notice and a reasonable opportunity to pay before cancelling, where supplier deadlines allow. If an imminent supplier deadline prevents this, we will explain the situation as soon as reasonably possible. Any cancellation charge must reflect the applicable, previously disclosed conditions and comply with Australian law.

6. Cancellation by the Traveller

Please notify Kora Trails in writing as soon as you wish to cancel. We will acknowledge your request and explain the applicable charges. Cancellation charges depend on:

• when the cancellation is received
• amounts already paid or contractually committed to suppliers
• the supplier cancellation conditions disclosed for your booking
• non-refundable tickets, permits or special-rate services; and
• any reasonable Kora Trails cancellation or administrative charge specifically disclosed and agreed before booking.

Kora Trails does not treat every payment as automatically non-refundable. We will provide an itemised explanation of deductions and return any refundable balance. Amounts retained must be permitted by your booking conditions and applicable law, must not include double recovery and must take account of supplier refunds or recoverable amounts.

7. Individual Passenger Cancellation

If one person cancels a shared or group booking, the price for remaining travellers may change where the agreed price depended on room sharing or group size. Examples include a twin-share room becoming a single room or a change to shared transport costs. Kora Trails will explain the basis and amount of any proposed change and discuss available options before confirming revised arrangements. Changes remain subject to the disclosed booking conditions and applicable law.

8. No-Shows and Early Departure

If a traveller does not arrive for a confirmed service, arrives too late to use the service, or voluntarily leaves a tour before it is completed, unused services may not be refundable. Any refund will depend on the applicable supplier conditions and Australian law.

9. Refunds

Where a refund is available, Kora Trails will explain the calculation, including applicable supplier charges and any lawful charges previously disclosed and agreed. If a refund depends on recovery from an independent supplier, we will make reasonable efforts to obtain it, keep you informed and pass on recovered funds promptly. Where Kora Trails has a legal obligation to provide a refund or other remedy, that obligation is not conditional on first receiving money from a supplier. A credit or replacement will not be imposed where the law gives you the right to choose a refund. Genuinely incurred bank, currency conversion or payment processing costs may be deducted only where properly disclosed and permitted by law.

10. Changes Requested by the Traveller

Requests to change travel dates, passenger names, accommodation, itinerary arrangements or other confirmed services will be considered subject to availability. Suppliers may charge amendment, cancellation or rebooking fees. Kora Trails will advise you of material additional costs before making a requested change wherever reasonably possible. Some tickets, permits and special-rate services cannot be transferred to another traveller.

11. Changes to Your Itinerary

Operational requirements or local conditions may affect the itinerary, including transport schedule changes, road conditions, severe weather, attraction closures, strikes, government restrictions or safety concerns. Minor changes to sightseeing order, departure times or routes may be made where reasonably necessary. If a significant confirmed service becomes unavailable, Kora Trails and its local partners will seek an appropriate alternative and explain the available options, material differences and any proposed additional cost. Where reasonably practicable, significant changes will be discussed before proceeding. Your rights to cancel, obtain a refund or receive another remedy under your booking conditions or applicable law remain unaffected.

12. Cancellation or Changes by a Supplier

Independent suppliers may cancel, reschedule or change a service. Kora Trails will assist in seeking an appropriate alternative, refund or other available remedy under the booking conditions and applicable law. If an alternative costs more, we will obtain your agreement before confirming it wherever reasonably practicable. If immediate action is necessary to protect safety in an emergency and prior agreement cannot reasonably be obtained, we will explain the action and costs as soon as practicable. This does not automatically make you responsible for every additional cost or limit a remedy required by law.

13. Events Beyond Reasonable Control

Travel may be affected by events beyond reasonable control, such as severe weather, natural disasters, government action, border restrictions, civil disturbance, strikes, epidemics or transport disruption. Kora Trails will explain the effect on your booking and make reasonable efforts to assist with alternatives and minimise disruption. The available options may include rescheduling, alternative services, cancellation or a refund, depending on the circumstances, disclosed booking conditions and applicable law. Additional accommodation, transport, meals or flight costs may arise. We will explain proposed additional costs and seek agreement wherever practicable. Responsibility for these costs depends on the circumstances and applicable rights; an event beyond reasonable control does not automatically make all payments non-refundable or remove Kora Trails’ legal responsibilities.

14. Flights, Trains and Other Transport

Flight and train schedules are subject to change by the relevant operator. Travellers are responsible for following check-in times, baggage restrictions and other carrier requirements provided to them. Kora Trails will provide available schedule information as part of your travel documentation but cannot guarantee that an airline, railway or other carrier will not subsequently change its schedule. Where a significant transport disruption occurs, we will assist you in accordance with your booking arrangements and applicable rights.

15. Passports, Visas and Entry Requirements

Each traveller is responsible for ensuring that they hold a valid passport and all visas, permits and other documents required to enter, transit through and depart the destinations included in their journey. Passport validity requirements vary between countries. Kora Trails may provide general information or assistance regarding entry requirements, but requirements must be checked with the relevant official authorities. Travellers must provide accurate information and obtain required documents. This does not exclude responsibility for advice or services Kora Trails has expressly agreed to provide. Visa approval is determined by the relevant government authority. Kora Trails cannot guarantee that a visa will be granted. If a traveller cannot travel because of a visa refusal, cancellation conditions may apply. We will, where possible, approach suppliers to request flexibility, postponement or a reduction of cancellation charges.

16. Travel Insurance

Kora Trails strongly recommends that every traveller obtains suitable comprehensive travel insurance as soon as they make their first payment toward their journey. The policy should be appropriate for the traveller's personal circumstances and may include cover for:

• overseas medical and hospital expenses
• emergency assistance and evacuation
• cancellation and amendment costs
• travel delays and disruptions
• luggage and personal belongings; and
• pre-existing medical conditions where appropriate.

Travel insurance policies vary significantly. Travellers should carefully read the Product Disclosure Statement and understand the policy's inclusions, exclusions, limits and conditions. Kora Trails does not determine whether a particular insurance policy is suitable for an individual traveller.

17. Health, Mobility and Accessibility

We want travellers to understand the physical requirements of their journey before booking. Some tours may include walking for extended periods, uneven surfaces, steps, historic buildings without lifts, boarding coaches or boats, high temperatures, altitude or other physical demands. Where practical, Kora Trails will describe significant physical requirements within the itinerary or pre-departure information. Please tell us before booking about any mobility, accessibility or other assistance requirements that may affect participation in the itinerary. We will work with our local partners and suppliers to understand what reasonable arrangements may be available. If a particular service cannot reasonably accommodate a disclosed requirement, we will explain the situation and discuss available alternatives wherever practicable. Travellers should obtain appropriate professional medical advice where they are uncertain about their ability to participate in a journey.

18. Medical Requirements

Travellers are responsible for managing their personal medications and obtaining appropriate medical advice before travelling. Kora Trails and its guides are not medical providers and cannot determine whether a traveller is medically fit to undertake a tour. If a traveller becomes ill or requires medical assistance during the journey, our local representatives will make reasonable efforts to assist in accessing appropriate services. Medical, hospital, ambulance, evacuation or related expenses are generally payable by the traveller unless covered by an insurer or payable by another party under applicable law. This does not exclude any liability Kora Trails may have under Australian law.

19. Travel Advice and Safety

Travellers should review current Australian Government travel advice for their destinations before departure and during their journey. Local conditions can change at short notice. Travellers remain responsible for making their own decision about whether to travel after considering official travel advice, personal circumstances and insurance coverage.

20. Emergency Assistance During Your Tour

Travellers participating in Kora Trails organised tours will be provided with appropriate local contact details before or upon arrival at their destination. For destinations where our local partner provides 24-hour emergency support, an emergency contact number will be included in the traveller's final documentation. Emergency contacts are intended for genuine urgent situations occurring during the journey.

21. Accommodation

Hotel categories and standards vary between countries and may not be directly comparable with Australian accommodation standards. Where named hotels are included in a confirmed itinerary, we will make reasonable efforts to provide those properties. If a confirmed hotel becomes unavailable, an alternative of a reasonably comparable standard will be sought. Room configuration, bedding, views, adjoining rooms and other special requests remain subject to hotel availability unless specifically confirmed in writing.

22. Special Requests

Please tell Kora Trails about dietary requirements, room preferences, accessibility needs and other special requests before booking wherever possible. We will pass reasonable requests to the relevant supplier. A request is not guaranteed unless it has been specifically confirmed in writing. Some suppliers may charge additional amounts for special arrangements.

23. Tour Descriptions, Images and Information

Kora Trails takes reasonable care to provide accurate tour descriptions and information. Photographs on our website and promotional materials are intended to represent the destination, attraction or general travel experience. Exact conditions, scenery, weather, seasonal appearance, accommodation rooms, vehicles and other details may differ at the time of travel. Opening hours, attraction access, local regulations and operating conditions can also change. Where a material change becomes known before departure, we will make reasonable efforts to advise affected travellers.

24. Prices

Prices will be shown in the currency stated in the relevant quotation or advertisement. Kora Trails aims to clearly identify what is included and excluded from the quoted tour price. Where we advertise a consumer price, unavoidable charges that can reasonably be calculated at that time will be included as required by Australian law. Optional services and costs that cannot reasonably be calculated until the traveller's requirements are known will be identified separately where applicable.

25. Currency and Exchange Rates

Exchange rates may affect quotations for overseas services before confirmation. After confirmation, Kora Trails will not impose an arbitrary price increase. Any circumstance in which a confirmed price may change, the basis for calculating the change and your options will be clearly disclosed before booking and must comply with applicable law. If a material price change is proposed, we will explain it and discuss your options before proceeding, including any applicable cancellation or refund rights.

26. Independent Suppliers

Independent suppliers operate many of the services in a Kora Trails journey and are responsible for the services they provide. Their disclosed booking and operating conditions may also apply. Kora Trails is responsible for exercising reasonable care and skill in providing the services it has agreed to provide. Responsibility for a supplier service depends on the booking arrangements and applicable law. These terms do not create a blanket exclusion of liability for Kora Trails, its staff or representatives, or remove any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.

27. Traveller Conduct

Travellers must behave lawfully and respectfully toward fellow travellers, guides, drivers, staff and local communities, and follow reasonable safety instructions. A traveller may be removed from a service or tour only where reasonably necessary because of a serious safety risk, unlawful conduct or significant disruption. Where practicable, the concern will be explained and the traveller given an opportunity to address it; urgent safety action may be taken immediately. Any charges or refund for unused services will be assessed under the circumstances, disclosed booking conditions and applicable law. Additional costs reasonably caused by serious misconduct may be payable by the responsible traveller where permitted by law.

28. Personal Belongings

Travellers are responsible for taking reasonable care of passports, money, luggage and personal belongings. Lost, stolen or damaged belongings should be reported promptly to the appropriate local authority, supplier and travel insurer where relevant. This does not limit the responsibility of Kora Trails or a supplier where loss or damage is legally attributable to that party.

29. Problems During Your Journey

If a problem occurs while you are travelling, please tell your guide, local representative or Kora Trails as soon as reasonably possible. Early notification gives us the best opportunity to investigate the issue and assist in resolving it while you are still travelling. Please keep relevant documentation if the issue remains unresolved; section 30 explains how to request a further review.

30. Complaints

We take client concerns seriously. If you are dissatisfied with an aspect of your booking or journey, please contact Kora Trails and provide enough information for us to investigate the matter properly. We will acknowledge and review complaints in good faith and work with relevant suppliers where required. Nothing in this complaints process limits any rights or remedies available to you under Australian law.

31. Australian Consumer Law

The consumer rights notice at the beginning of these terms applies throughout your booking. If a provision conflicts with a non-excludable right or remedy under Australian Consumer Law, the applicable law prevails.

32. Reading Your Booking Documents

Read these terms together with your quotation, itinerary, invoice, written booking confirmation and supplier conditions disclosed before you agreed to the relevant booking. Booking-specific conditions apply to the services they identify, only to the extent permitted by law. If documents appear inconsistent, please ask Kora Trails for written clarification before paying. No booking document or supplier condition removes a non-excludable legal right.

33. Changes to These Booking Terms

Kora Trails may update these terms for future bookings. Your booking is governed by the version supplied or made available for your acceptance when you booked, together with any later variation agreed with you or required by law. Updating this website does not retrospectively change an existing booking or remove rights already acquired.

34. Governing Law

These Booking Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws applicable in Victoria, Australia, together with applicable Commonwealth legislation. Nothing in this clause limits any legal rights that cannot lawfully be restricted.

35. Contacting Kora Trails

If you have questions about a tour, payment, cancellation, accessibility requirement or these Booking Terms & Conditions, please contact Kora Trails before making your booking. We believe clear communication before travel is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and help our clients travel with confidence.