Pueblo Cultours


		Reservation &Travel Policy Form 1 - Trip Application Form Schedule A – Reservation, Cancellation, and Travel Policy Eligibility Our trips are open to all mature, compatible adults in good health that have a good-humored and flexible approach to traveling in Mexico. Our tours are oriented to provide enriching and educational cultural experiences to those that appreciate art, history, traditional and indigenous cultures, archeology, architecture and design, culinary delights, and the environment. We do not in any way orient our trips to nightlife entertainment. On request, special consideration may be given to well-behaved children who are accompanied by a parent. The overall safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all guests will always be our priority. How to Register for a Trip We accept reservations on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call Jack W. Anderson at 915-996-9898 for trip availability and tentative bookings. Tentative bookings will be held 3 days to confirm reservation with deposits. Reservations are subject to this policy and to the final approval of guests subject to completing and returning the Trip Application Form. Approval Process All trip reservations are subject to approval by the trip leader. Each applicant (or representative) must fill out the Travel Application form and promptly mail it to the trip leader. You are subject to cancellation from a trip if you don't submit this form to the trip leader within 14 days of making your reservation. The Application is to review that your health and mobility are suitable for the tour. We will also check that we have a basically compatible group. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner. Payments A deposit of 50% of the full trip fare is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due no later than 30 days prior to departure. Adults and children pay the same tour price. Your payments are due at the times indicated above. If we don't receive your final payment on time, we may cancel your reservation, in which case you forfeit your deposit based on the Cancellation policy. Waitlist If there isn't space available when you register, we place you on a waitlist for a deposit of $100, which holds the priority of your space. We will call you if an opening occurs, and at such time, give you 3 days to make payment of the balance of the full deposit (50% of fare). If your deposit is not upgraded in the 3 days, we will refund your $100. As long as you remain on the waitlist, your deposit is fully refundable at any time. Minimum Reservations Generally, the tour requires a minimum of 6 reservations to confirm the tour. If the trip has not met minimum reservation requirements by 30 days prior to the departure date or by the published deadline, passengers will be notified by phone, our responsibility is limited to a full refund of any deposits and fees you have paid to date. Cancellations: It is regrettable we have to charge cancellation penalties, but the economic viability of any tour requires that it operate with at least a minimum number of reservations. Also we must pay advance deposits required by hotels and the train to hold your reservation. 45 days or more notice, cancellation penalty is 10% of full trip fare. Under 45 days notice, cancellation penalty is 50% of full trip fare, unless reservation can be filled from the waitlist or resold. 30 days or less notice, cancellation penalty will be 100% of the full trip fare, unless reservation can be filled from the waitlist or resold. In such cases where the reservation is resold, 10% penalty of the full trip fare will be charged as the rebooking fee. Cancellations should be made by telephoning us at 915-996-9898, but must be followed up in writing by email or fax to verify cancellation date (please retain a copy for your records). Traveler’s insurance with cancellation coverage is highly recommended, but please be advised this only covers limited circumstances. There are no refunds for any unused portions of the tour. Travel Insurance We have required liability and collision coverage on the van, which is the same as is provided for automobiles and buses travelling in Mexico. We strongly encourage you to purchase (within seven days of deposit) travel insurance (including medical and evacuation insurance) to cover the costs of cancellation fees, airfare, and other non-refundable expenses in the event that you need to cancel from a trip, we need to cancel a trip, or you become ill or are injured on a trip. This insurance is available through local travel agencies, insurance companies, AAA, or this can be found by searching traveler’s insurance on the internet. Medical Precautions The odds are that you will not have any problems on this tour, but it is well advised to take precautions. The most common health problems while travelling in Mexico are traveler’s diarrhea and dehydration. Common problems concerning this is water microbes and bacteria on lettuce and raw vegetables in salads. Drink plenty and only purified or bottled water (use purified water for brushing your teeth as well), take extra care in hand-washing during the day, and especially before meals. We will only eat or refer you to restaurants and establishments we have found reliable, don’t take chances on foods from street vendors. One preventative we’ve tried with some success is taking acidophilus a couple of weeks before and during the trip to build up the healthy bacteria in your stomach. There are several over the counter medications that are very effective with stomach problems, but it may be advisable to get a prescription from your doctor before travelling. We know several doctors offices and clinics (very reasonable $30 to $40 US a visit) along the way in case you need extra attention. Travel Documents US or Canadian travelers must carry proof of US Citizenship in the form of a passport or certified copy of birth certificate (a drivers license or voter registration card is not a proof of citizenship). International travelers require a passport. Minors require a notarized proof of parental consent of any absent parent for entry into Mexico. Very important - these documents will be checked when we pick you up in El Paso. If anyone forgets this, we all get delayed or turned back at the border. At our designated entry point into Mexico, Santa Teresa (1/2 hour from El Paso) or Palomas (1.5 hours from El Paso), we will stop at Mexican Immigration for the issuance of Tourist Visas. The above proof of citizenship is all that is required. This Visa is free if your stay in Mexico is under 7 days, or for longer visits, $25, which must be paid later at a Mexican bank. We will stop again at these offices on our exit from Mexico to cancel these Visas. Please note there is a stiff penalty for not turning in and canceling the Visa on your exit from Mexico. Photography We reserve the right to take photographs and/or videos during our tour and to use those photographs and/or videos for future marketing purposes. Participants who do not wish their images to be used in this manner should notify us in advance. Equipment Please try to travel light! Excess baggage is a burden to you and hurts my back. Please also use only soft-sided bags for luggage - one medium sized or two small bags should be sufficient in addition to a daypack for carrying your daily necessities (e.g., water bottle, camera). We both use a soft-sided bag with straps and wheels we found very inexpensive at Target. Generally, dress is casual and comfortable (jeans), you may consider something better for some of the dinners, i.e. khakis and casual dress shirt for men. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes or runners. Creel and Divisidero in the Copper Canyon can be cool in the evenings (days too in March), it’s always better to dress in layers, a light to medium jacket, sweater/vest/sweatshirt, and t-shirt. You'll also want to bring a swimsuit and perhaps a pair of shorts and sandals for when we are in El Fuerte. A good travelling hat and sunscreen is handy as the sun can be strong even on cool days in Mexico. Items Not Allowed Radios, sound equipment, firearms (sever penalty for carrying firearms into Mexico), and pets are not allowed. Please refrain from use cell phone while on the tour van or in restaurants. Be Considerate of Others We want this to be a social and enjoyable experience for you and your fellow passengers. Especially while travelling in the van, we ask you to be respectful of others and the overall harmonious atmosphere. Please refrain from talking loudly, constant or dominating conversations, be sensitive to the space of your travel companions. If in a wilderness setting, give yourself and others the chance to listen to the birds and beautiful sounds of nature. The van and most restaurants will be non-smoking areas. Dismissal from a Trip At the trip leader's discretion, you may be asked to leave a trip if the trip leader feels that your further participation may be detrimental to you, the trip, or to other participants on the trip. Be Considerate of Other Cultures (quote from Sierra Club) “Encourage local support for the preservation of nature, cultural traditions, and historical sites. Avoid sensitive areas such as those discussed above. When visiting other cultures, pay special attention to sacred sites and local customs. Take the time to learn about local environment and conservation issues, including the status of endangered species and impacted habitats. Avoid purchasing products that exploit these species or habitats.” Have Fun We look forward to hosting you and making this an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for you.