Returns and exchanges

We, Peru Nature Treks, provide this comprehensive policy detailing the terms under which Travelers can modify, cancel, or receive refunds for their booked tours and treks. Due to the high-demand, permit-controlled nature of Peruvian tourism (especially the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu), specific elements of our services are non-refundable and non-transferable. Our objective is to maintain full transparency (EEAT), clearly outlining financial responsibilities and ensuring compliance with the Peruvian Consumer Protection and Defense Code (Law No. 29571) regarding service provision and consumer rights.

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1. General Principles and Non-Refundable Items (Authority)

The financial structure of our tours relies on securing essential, non-recoverable third-party services and permits in advance, which are subject to strict government regulations.

• Initial Deposit (Non-Refundable):
  • The initial deposit paid at the time of booking is always non-refundable, regardless of the time of cancellation. We use this deposit immediately to purchase non-transferable services, including mandatory government permits (Inca Trail, Huayna Picchu, etc.), entrance tickets, and initial non-recoverable logistical costs.
  • This action secures your spot and initiates our expenditure with third parties (Ministry of Culture, SERNANP, train companies).
• Traveler Responsibility:
  • We require all Travelers to hold comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and loss of deposits. We will not be liable for losses covered under standard travel insurance policies.

2. Cancellation by the Traveler (Experience & Reliability)

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing (via email) by the lead Traveler who made the booking. The date of receipt of the written request will determine the applicable cancellation penalty.

Cancellation Timeline (Before Tour Start Date)	Penalty (Forfeiture of Total Tour Price)	Rationale
60 Days or More	Forfeiture of Initial Deposit Only	Covers non-recoverable permits and administrative costs.
59 to 30 Days	50% Forfeiture	Reflects partial procurement of services (guides, porters, accommodation) and operational planning costs.
29 to 0 Days	100% Forfeiture	All logistical services (food, transport, staff wages) will have been fully paid and confirmed, resulting in total operational loss.

• Refund Processing:
  • Refunds for recoverable amounts will be processed within thirty (30) business days from the date of confirmation of the cancellation and the final calculation of recoverable costs. We will deduct any transaction or bank fees associated with the refund transfer.

3. Booking Modifications (Changes)

Any request for changes to the original booking is subject to acceptance by Peru Nature Treks and the relevant third-party suppliers (e.g., hotels, train operators).

• Name/Passport Changes:
  • Changes to Traveler names or passport numbers are generally not permitted for government-issued permits (Inca Trail, Machu Picchu). If an error occurs, we will incur administrative fees (minimum US$50 per person) to attempt corrections or re-purchase new tickets, where possible.
  • If a new passport is obtained after booking, the Traveler must immediately send us a copy of both the old and new passports to manage permit updates, which is not guaranteed by Peruvian authorities.
• Date Changes:
  • Requests to change the tour date are treated as a cancellation of the original booking and a new booking, and will incur the relevant cancellation penalties detailed in Section 2, as permits are dated and non-transferable.

4. Cancellation or Changes by Peru Nature Treks and Force Majeure

We reserve the right to modify an itinerary or cancel a trip due to safety concerns, unforeseen circumstances, or events beyond our control.

• Minor Itinerary Changes:
  • We may make minor operational changes (e.g., hotel substitutions of equal or better standard, slight changes in trek departure times) without prior notification. We will not offer compensation for minor changes.
• Cancellation due to Force Majeure:
  • If weare compelled to cancel a tour due to unpredictable external events (Force Majeure)—such as natural disasters, political instability, strikes (Paros), or government closures—wewill offer the Traveler a choice between:
    1. A full travel credit for the amount paid, usable for a future booking with Peru Nature Treks.
    2. A refund of the recoverable amount only, less the non-recoverable costs (permits, tickets, deposits), administrative fees, and any third-party penalties incurred by us.
  • We will not be responsible for any associated costs incurred by the Traveler, such as flights, visas, or unconnected accommodation, due to a Force Majeure cancellation.