Booking conditions
The formal terms, in plain language.
Deposits, balances, cancellations, insurance, and liability — the exact numbers and policies we hold ourselves to when you book a Wandering Yaks journey.
- $400 USD deposit
- 15% cancellation fee
- Insurance required
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What these conditions cover
These conditions apply to all bookings made on wanderingyaks.com from onwards. Wandering Yaks runs small-group, host-led journeys from Hunza and Gilgit, Pakistan across the Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalayas, and Pamir. Tailor-made private trips have their own conditions issued with the quote.
1. Deposit and balance
A deposit of $400 USD per traveler secures your place on any journey, whether you choose a shared or single room. You can also pay the full trip amount at checkout. The remaining balance is due 45 days before departure for treks and cultural journeys, and 60 days before departure for expeditions with permit fees.
2. Cancellation by the traveler
If you cancel a paid booking, we deduct a 15% cancellation fee from the amount you have paid and refund the remaining 85% to the original payment method. This 15% fee applies to every refund — deposit-only payments and full-trip payments alike.
Card processing fees are not refunded. Where permit fees have already been paid to a third party (e.g. Wakhan MoFA), those fees are not refunded. Payments are not refundable after the trip has started.
3. Cancellation by us
We reserve the right to cancel a departure for safety reasons (weather, permit closure, security), minimum-group-size not met, or force majeure. In every such case, you may choose:
- A full refund of all payments made to us, or
- Rescheduling onto the next available departure at no cost, or
- Rebooking onto a different journey with any price difference refunded or topped up.
We are not liable for third-party costs (international flights, visas, insurance) if we cancel — this is what travel insurance covers.
4. Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for every booking. For treks above 3,000 m, your policy must explicitly cover trekking to the maximum altitude of your journey plus helicopter evacuation. We may refuse boarding at trailhead without proof.
5. Age policy
Minimum age varies by journey and is listed on each detail page. Travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who signs a consent form.
6. Behaviour and safety
Your leader has final authority on route decisions and safety calls. Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions may result in removal from the trip with no refund.
7. Liability
Mountain travel carries inherent risks. By booking, you acknowledge these risks and agree that Wandering Yaks is not liable for injury, illness, loss or damage caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Nothing in these conditions limits your statutory consumer rights.
8. Jurisdiction
These conditions are governed by the laws of the country of registration of Wandering Yaks (confirmed on your booking invoice). Disputes are subject to that country’s courts.
Common questions
Quick answers on deposits, refunds, insurance, and what happens if a departure is cancelled — aligned with the formal conditions above.
- How much is the Wandering Yaks deposit?
- A $400 USD deposit per traveler secures your place on any journey, whether you choose a shared or single room. You can also pay the full trip amount at checkout via Stripe in USD.
- When is the balance due for a Wandering Yaks trip?
- The remaining balance is due 45 days before departure for treks and cultural journeys, and 60 days before departure for expeditions with permit fees. We send a payment link and reminder.
- What is the Wandering Yaks cancellation fee?
- If you cancel a paid booking, we deduct a 15% cancellation fee from the amount you have paid and refund the remaining 85% to the original payment method. This applies to deposit-only and full-trip payments alike. Card processing fees are not refunded.
- Is travel insurance mandatory for Wandering Yaks trips?
- Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for every booking. For treks above 3,000 m, your policy must explicitly cover trekking to the maximum altitude of your journey plus helicopter evacuation. We may refuse boarding at trailhead without proof.
- What happens if Wandering Yaks cancels my departure?
- If we cancel for safety, minimum group size, or force majeure, you choose: a full refund of all payments made to us, rescheduling onto the next available departure at no cost, or rebooking onto a different journey with any price difference refunded or topped up. We are not liable for third-party costs such as flights, visas, or insurance.
Questions before you book?
Need clarification on deposits, insurance, or a specific journey? Our coordinators in Hunza and Gilgit usually reply within a day.
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