Booking Terms & Conditions

Last updated: Oct 22, 2025 8:20 PM

Thank you for visiting www.ancientpathwaystours.com. This site is owned and operated by Ancient Pathways Worldwide® (“Ancient Pathways,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Please review the following Booking Terms and Conditions carefully, as they form the basis of your contract with Ancient Pathways Worldwide. By booking a journey with us, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Price and Payment

Our journeys are custom-designed and pricing varies based on destination, season, and inclusions. Prices start at $3,500 per person per day and are subject to change until a booking is confirmed due to real-time pricing.

Deposit: 50% non-refundable deposit is due once we’ve discussed your itinerary and you’ve approved it.

Final Payment: Final payment is due no later than 60 days before the beginning of your trip.

Late Payment: Payments received after the final payment deadline will incur a late fee of 5% per month on the outstanding balance. Late payment may also result in cancellation of your booking.

Form of Payment: All payments must be made in U.S. Dollars. We accept bank transfers and major credit cards.

Included in All Journeys

All accommodations as listed in your confirmed itinerary
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner*
All scheduled excursions and immersive experiences
Services of your Founder-led guide(s) and local experts
Private ground transportation during the journey
Internal flights and transfers as listed in your itinerary
Laundry services at hotels where available
All entrance fees, permits, and local taxes

*The only exception to this rule is meals purchased during your personal time.

Not Included in Journeys

International airfare to and from your destination. (We’re happy to assist with booking flights if requested*)
Passport and visa fees
Travel insurance
Personal expenses, including shopping, phone calls, or spa treatments
Vaccinations, medical tests, or health documentation

*If requested, we charge an additional 20% of the total flight cost.

Passports, Visas, and Health Formalities

You are responsible for ensuring you and your group have valid travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for all countries on your itinerary.

Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your date of return and have sufficient blank pages for visa stamps.
Please verify visa requirements with the relevant consulate(s) prior to travel.*
Consult your healthcare provider for up-to-date vaccination and health advice. The CDC (cdc.gov) and World Health Organization (www.who.int) provide current travel health information.

This information applies to U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens must check with their respective consulates for entry requirements.

*If requested, we offer assistance with visas.

Insurance

Yes, we highly recommend obtaining travel insurance for your trip. We recommend Faye, as we’ve had personal experience using their services for our own travels.

Changes & Cancellations By You

We understand that plans sometimes change.

Amendments: We will do our best to accommodate itinerary changes up to 60 days before departure, though additional costs may apply depending on supplier policies.

Cancellations: If you must cancel your journey, written notice is required. Refunds are based on the date we receive your cancellation notice:

More than 90 days before departure: Deposit forfeited
61-90 days before departure: 50% of total trip cost forfeited
60 days or fewer before departure: 100% of total trip cost forfeited

We highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of illness, family emergency, or unforeseen circumstances.

Changes & Cancellations By Us

In rare circumstances, Ancient Pathways may need to modify or cancel a journey.

Amendments: We reserve the right to make minor itinerary changes (examples: hotel substitutions, route changes, date adjustments) when necessary to ensure traveler safety or quality of experience.

Cancellations: If we must cancel a trip for any reason other than force majeure, guests may choose between a full refund or a credit toward a future journey.

Force Majeure/Unavoidable Circumstances: In the event of events beyond our control—such as war, civil unrest, natural disasters, pandemics, or government restrictions—Ancient Pathways will offer a travel credit equal to the amount paid, valid for use within 24 months, or refund at our discretion.

Assistance

If you encounter difficulty during your trip, we will be with you to provide timely assistance, including guidance on accessing local health services, contacting consular authorities, or rebooking transportation in the event of cancellations or lost baggage.

Flights

Internal flights included in your itinerary are booked and managed by Ancient Pathways in partnership with local operators. These tickets are always non-refundable and non-transferable once issued.

Children

All travelers under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. There is no minimum age requirement. However, please contact us to discuss suitability for young travelers on specific itineraries.

Meal & Dietary Requests

We strive to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.) with advance notice. Please inform us of any requirements at least 60 days prior to departure so we may communicate with our culinary partners.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance

We welcome travelers of all abilities but note that our journeys often include walking, stairs, and uneven terrain. Guests requiring personal assistance must travel with a companion who can provide necessary support, as our team and local partners cannot provide ongoing personal care.

Illnesses

If you become ill during your journey, Ancient Pathways will assist in arranging appropriate medical care. All medical costs, quarantine expenses, or changes to travel arrangements due to illness are the responsibility of the traveler.

We will be with you every step of the way to assist and, when possible, adjust your itinerary so you can continue your journey once you’re feeling better.

Baggage

We do recommend traveling light. Most international airlines allow up to 2 checked bags per person (70 lbs each) and 2 carry-on items. During your journey, we may take short 2-3 day trips away from our home base — we recommend bringing a small suitcase or carry-on bag for these side trips.

Photography During Travel

Ancient Pathways reserves the right to capture photographs and video footage during any journey. By participating, you grant Ancient Pathways Worldwide® and its partners the right to use your likeness, image, and voice in promotional materials, media, and publications, without compensation. If you prefer not to be photographed, please notify us in writing before your trip.*

*If you prefer not to be photographed, please notify us in writing before your trip. We will always honor client privacy requests.

Limitation of Liability

Ancient Pathways acts solely as a tour operator and arranges travel services through independent suppliers, including hotels, airlines, ground operators, and local guides. While we take great care in selecting reputable partners, we are not responsible for the acts, omissions, or negligence of these third parties, or for any personal injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, or irregularity that may occur.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Ancient Pathways’ liability shall be limited to the amount you have paid for your journey. We shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, including lost profits or enjoyment, arising out of your participation in our journeys.

Travel involves inherent risks, and by booking, you acknowledge your voluntary assumption of such risks, including those related to travel by air, ground, or sea, and participation in physical or adventure activities.

Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms and Conditions and any disputes arising from your booking or participation in a journey shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine, without regard to conflict of law principles.

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter amicably through good-faith negotiation. If resolution cannot be reached within 30 days, the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Portland, Maine, under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on all parties.

Each party shall bear its own legal costs, except as otherwise determined by the arbitrator. By agreeing to these Terms, you waive your right to bring suit in court or participate in a class action for any dispute arising from your booking or participation in an Ancient Pathways journey.

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All journeys operated by Ancient Pathways Worldwide® are subject to our Booking Terms & Conditions. Prices, itineraries, and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Ancient Pathways acts only as an agent for the traveler in arranging accommodations, transportation, and other services, and is not responsible for the acts or omissions of third-party suppliers.