Terms & Conditions  for all Illuminated Tours 

[Last Revised & Updated: January 2022]
Illuminated Tours, LLC is a tour operator selling cultural and spiritual travel packages. Illuminated Tours, LLC is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, and affiliates, (collectively “Illuminated Tours”). Please read the following terms and conditions carefully. These terms and conditions along with any other documents provided by Illuminated Tours to the participant constitute the entire agreement between the parties and the parties agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. The terms "we", "us", "our", and “Illuminated Tours" refer to Illuminated Tours, LLC. The term "you" or “client” refers to the customer booking the travel package. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, please do not book travel packages through Illuminated Tours.

If you are booking a travel package for another person you agree to inform that person(s) about the Terms & Conditions that apply to the booking you have made on their behalf, including all rules and restrictions applicable thereto and these Terms of Use. You agree to be financially responsible for booking. You also warrant that all information supplied by you or on your behalf, or by members of your party is true, current, complete and accurate.

I. BOOKING PROCEDURES & PAYMENT SCHEDULE
You must make payment for your travel package in accordance with the following booking procedures  and specific instructions provided by Illuminated Tours. At the time of confirming a booking, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is due to secure the travel package.  In event of cancellation on our part, the deposit may be refunded on the basis which will be described below. The remaining  balance payment is due 90 days before the start date of the travel itinerary. If the booking is made within 90 days of the start date of the travel itinerary, 100% payment is due. If we do not receive any payment due in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you, in which case the cancellation charges set out below will become payable. We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received. 

Illuminated Tours accepts payments through our Illuminated Courses website as acceptable methods of payment, which can be connected to your credit card or Paypal. Any fees and currency conversions related to payment shall be the responsibility of the client. Once the deposit or full payment is processed, we will send you a confirmation e-mail of receipt of payment.

II. INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Included in Travel Package
All accommodations in Turkey or Morocco for the duration of our program; some meals as specified in the detailed day-by-day itinerary documentation, including all breakfasts; expert leaders and licensed English-speaking local guides; private sightseeing and on-site lectures; entrance fees to some historical sites (as specified in the program documentation); all local transport (including domestic flights and buses);  and all applicable tourism taxes at time of booking.

Not Included in Travel Package
Travel insurance; international airfare; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; reciprocity and other border fees; airport departure taxes; any and all baggage charges; cost of taxi to and from Istanbul airport to the hotel for the Turkey program; in Morocco cost of getting from the arrival airport to the Marrakech hotel if you arrive outside of the appointed window of time; all gratuities; meals other than those specified in the itinerary; beverages, sightseeing not included in the itinerary; personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges, Internet access; and optional activities (which are subject to availability).

III. PRICING
Quoted travel package prices are per person, based on double occupancy except where indicated. Solo travelers will be paired with same-gender roommates, unless arrangements have been made for a single room.  Although not expected, published prices may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing. Illuminated Tours is under no obligation to provide a breakdown in costs of any travel itinerary or services. Any modifications to a travel itinerary, including dates or number of people travelling, will require a revised proposal. Single travelers will be expected to pay a single supplemental fee as listed on the program page. 

IV. AIR TRANSPORTATION
International airfare (to the travel itinerary starting point and from the ending point) is not included in the travel package. Some travel itineraries inside Turkey and Morocco require domestic flights or buses as specified in the itinerary. This airfare and bus transportation is included in the price of the travel package. Flight confirmation is subject to availability. Air reservations cannot be confirmed until a passport copy is received by Illuminated Tours.

All air carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Illuminated Tours. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airlines (and not Illuminated Tours), even if purchased through Illuminated Tours (i.e., domestic flights). Illuminated Tours is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to: seat assignments, name changes, schedule changes, flight changes and/or cancellations. Should you change or cancel your air transportation arrangements before or after your travel begins, all airline change and cancellation fees will apply.

V. BAGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS
Baggage and personal effects are at the owner’s risk throughout the travel itinerary, and Illuminated Tours assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Therefore, you are urged to purchase travel insurance that includes provisions for your baggage. Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions and fees applicable to your international flight.

VI. CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELER
Any cancellation by the traveler must be requested in writing and must be acknowledged by Illuminated Tours in writing. The cancellation will become effective on the date of acknowledgement by Illuminated Tours. Cancellations are subject to the following policy:

• As you can imagine in these uncertain times, we are having to take concrete precautionary steps to protect you and the program in terms of planning.

  We will send you a more detailed listing of our refund policy, but in short:

  VI. CANCELLATION BY THE TRAVELER
  Any cancellation by the traveler must be requested in writing and must be acknowledged by Illuminated Tours in writing. The cancellation will become effective on the date of acknowledgement by Illuminated Tours. Cancellations are subject to the following policy:

  • Cancellation made 90 days prior to trip departure:  The non-refundable deposit is retained by Illuminated Tours.  The rest of the cost, minus costs deemed non-refundable by the Turkish travel agencies, is returned to the customer.
  • Cancellation made less than 90 days prior to trip departure: 100% of total booking cost, inclusive of deposit, is held by Illuminated Tours

  Cancellation charges for air travel will be governed by the terms and conditions of the airline and is non-refundable at the time of final payment.  Refunds from the airlines as well as the required travel insurance are solely the financial and legal responsibility of participants.
  
  VII. CANCELLATION BY ILLUMINATED TOURS
  Should Illuminated Tours deem it necessary to cancel the scheduled trip after payments from the traveler have been received, payment will be refunded or applied towards a future Illuminated Tours trip. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to COVID, travel bans, airlines shut downs, etc., refunds will not include any unrecoverable costs.

  Further, Illuminated Tours is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking, including, but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

Cancellation charges for air travel will be governed by the terms and conditions of the airline and is non-refundable at the time of final payment.  Refunds from the airlines as well as the required travel insurance are solely the financial and legal responsibility of participants.

VII. CANCELLATION BY ILLUMINATED TOURS
Should Illuminated Tours deem it necessary to cancel the scheduled trip after payments from the traveler have been received, payment will be refunded or applied towards a future Illuminated Tours trip. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to COVID, travel bans, airlines shut downs, etc., refunds will not include any unrecoverable costs.

Further, Illuminated Tours is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking, including, but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

VIII. TRIP & ITINERARY CHANGES
Illuminated Tours travel packages are carefully tailored but are subject to local laws, regulations, schedules, and closures as well as availability of local partners. Thus, unexpected changes may be made by Illuminated Tours to any given itinerary at any time before or during the trip.

IX. TRAVEL INSURANCE
The purchase of travel insurance is required in order to book a travel package offered by Illuminated Tours. Employees of Illuminated Tours are not qualified or authorized to: answer technical questions about benefits, exclusions, and conditions of any of the insurance offered, nor evaluate the adequacy of the prospective insured’s existing insurance coverage. Such insurance at a minimum should cover your losses sustained as a result of cancellation, medical issues, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness.

X. YOUR INFORMATION
In order for us to confirm your travel arrangements, you must provide all requested personal details, including a face copy of your passport, legal name, gender, date of birth, passport number, passport country and expiry date, and your home address. Your booking cannot be confirmed without these details.

XI. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND DOCUMENTATION
By offering travel packages in particular international destinations, Illuminated Tours does not represent or warrant that travel to such areas is advisable or without risk. It is your responsibility to stay informed about the areas to which you will be traveling, including any travel advisories and warnings issued by your country’s government. You are responsible for protecting your own well-being and personal property before, during, and after your booked travel itinerary. Illuminated Tours will not be liable for damages or losses that result from travel to such destinations.
You must be in possession of a machine-readable passport valid for 6 months after your travel itinerary return date along with applicable visas. It is your sole responsibility to secure and/or pay for any and all visas, reciprocity fees, affidavits, immunizations, etc. that are required to be permitted entry into each destination. In some countries you may be subject to entry (reciprocity) fees and/or departure taxes/ exit fees which will be collected at the airports upon entry/departure by local government authorities. Please note that entry to any country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.

For up-to-date detailed information on travel documents and visas, entry/exit taxes and further information on entry and exit requirements please check with your local consular services. Obtaining and carrying these documents is your sole responsibility. Illuminated Tours bears no responsibility for such information and will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for you, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses including missed portions of your vacation/holiday related to improper documentation or government decisions about entry.

XII. AGE & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All travelers must be 18 years of age or older unless they are accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveler under the age of 18. Some activities contained within an itinerary may have different age restrictions than the overall minimum age requirement. Details will be provided at the time of booking.
Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult your doctor for current recommendations before you depart. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to your trip.

XIII. SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS
Please notify us as soon as possible if you or any of your guests will require special accommodations, including ADA accommodations in any hotel which you may be booked. Illuminated Tours will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate this request, but cannot be responsible if ADA accommodations are not available. Turkey and Morocco do not generally meet ADA standards common in North America, and the program does entail a substantial amount of walking every day.

XIV. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
During an Illuminated Tours itinerary, there may be opportunities to participate in activities or local events, which are not included in Illuminated Tours’s travel package. Illuminated Tours makes no representations about the safety or quality of these activities and events, or the standard of the independent operator running it. You accept that any assistance given by your expert leader, host, guide or local representative in arranging optional activities does not render Illuminated Tours liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider and Illuminated Tours will have no liability for your participation in such activities. You will be bound by the terms and conditions of the independent operator.

XV. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Each traveler is expected to act responsibly and adhere to all behavior guidelines established by Illuminated Tours and its local partners. You shall hereby defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Illuminated Tours against any, and all third-party claims arising out of any conduct or omission in breach of these terms and conditions or that otherwise create liability for Illuminated Tours.

XVI. LIABILITY RELEASE
Illuminated Tours does not own or operate any entity which provides goods or services for your booked travel package including, for example, ownership or control over hotels, airline, bus, van, or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. Illuminated Tours is an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, or representative of any of these suppliers. Illuminated Tours does not own, manage, operate, supervise, or control any transportation, vehicle, airplane, hotel or restaurants, or any other entity that supplies services related to your tour. Illuminated Tours is not affiliated with any other tour operator. All suppliers are independent contractors, and are not agents or employees or representatives of Illuminated Tours. All tickets, receipts, coupons, and vouchers are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by each supplier, and by accepting the coupons, vouchers, and tickets, or utilizing the services, all customers agree that Illuminated Tours is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of nature, acts of God, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, insurrection, riot, theft, pilferage, epidemic, pandemic, illness, physical injury, quarantine, medical or customs or immigration regulation, delay, or cancellation. Illuminated Tours accepts no responsibility for lost or stolen items. Illuminated Tours reserves the right to refuse any client or potential client at its sole discretion.

XVII. ACCEPTANCE OF RISK & WAIVER
You are responsible for purchasing a travel package with Illuminated Tours that complies with your comfort level and for participating in activities that are suitable for your fitness level and capabilities. By making a booking, you acknowledge that Illuminated Tours’ travel itineraries are adventurous by nature and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. You are aware that travels such as those which you are undertaking involve hazardous activities, with a risk of injury or death which may be caused by forces of nature, the negligence of Illuminated Tours, or other persons and companies known or unknown, or of willful or criminal conduct of third parties. Additional risks and dangers may arise including, but not limited to, hazards of travel by train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft and other means of conveyance, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, animal interactions, or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as hiking, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of medical or other emergency, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects and differing animal regulation, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments. 

These risks are not an exhaustive list but are examples of many kinds of risks. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. You are also aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some or all of the time during which you are participating in this trip. You accept these risks and obligations and fully assume the risks of travel and work in this type of environment. You fully and forever release and discharge Illuminated Tours and all other related, affiliated, associated or otherwise connected corporations, partnerships, individuals and other entities and all of their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all costs (including, without limitation, actual legal costs), claims, demands, actions, causes of action and liabilities whatsoever for any and all losses, damages, death or injuries to persons or loss of property, which may be sustained by you in connection with or in any way relating to this trip, due to any cause or reason whatsoever including, without limitation, the reckless, willful or negligent actions or omissions of the Releasees or any other person or persons.

XVIII. SAFETY AND COMFORT
In order to guarantee the safety and comfort of the client, Illuminated Tours reserves the right to determine the type of vehicle and number of vehicles required to execute any and all activities in the booked travel package, following local transport laws and regulations.
Where the client occupies a vehicle seat fitted with a safety belt, neither Illuminated Tours nor the Operator nor its agents or co-operating organizations or service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims whatsoever arising from any accident or incident, if the safety belt is not being worn at the time of such an accident or incident. This exclusion and limitation of liability shall not be used to imply that the Operator or its agents or affiliated entities are liable in other circumstances.

XIX. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
It is acknowledged and understood that traveling to the destinations offered by Illuminated Tours will expose travelers to unique situations and experiences that may differ from those you are familiar with in your home country. We believe that these differences enhance the travel experience. Illuminated Tours will discuss these differences before your trip, but you also have a responsibility to perform your own research and act responsibly while traveling. It is common to have separate areas for men’s and women’s religious spaces in Turkey and Morocco.  In Morocco, due an old French policy, most mosques are off-limit to non-Muslims, though Sufi shrines are generally open to all respectful and properly dressed participants.  It is common to have clothing that fully covers arms, legs, and chest area, and for women to wear a shawl or scarf while visiting sacred sites.

XX. APPLICABLE LAW AND VENUE
The State of North Carolina law governs these Terms and Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes in connection with an Illuminated Tours travel package or these Terms and Conditions will be initiated in the Superior Courts of the State of North Carolina where exclusive jurisdiction and venue reside. If a court or any other appropriate authority finds any portion of this document to be invalid, the remainder will remain in full force and effect. All client claims must be submitted in writing and received by Illuminated Tours no later than thirty (30) days after the completion the booked travel itinerary. Client claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed waived and barred.
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XXIII. UPDATING BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Illuminated Tours reserves the right to update and/or alter these Booking Terms & Conditions at any time,  and it is the client’s responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest Booking Terms & Conditions can always be found on the Illuminated Tours website www.illuminatedtours.com and will supersede any previous versions.