ISV's 2008 PROGRAM AGREEEMENT (BRILLIANTTRIPS PARTICIPANTS)
In that International Student Volunteers, Inc., a non-profit corporation, (hereinafter referred to as "ISV") desires to involve participants in international volunteer programs and the person making this booking through Brilliant Trips (hereinafter referred to as "Participant") desires to participate in ISV's Program, this Agreement is as follows:
ISV agrees to:
1. Confirm Participant's placement on the ISV Program when (1) Booking Form has been reviewed and approved by ISV staff based on Participant's medical and physical capabilities, (2) Brilliant Trips confirms Participant's full payment of participant's base program cost, and (3) Receives Participant's acknowledgement of the acceptance to the terms of the ISV Program Agreement (which is acknowledged in the Booking Form). Note: All 3 must be completed in order to be confirmed for the ISV Program. In the event that participants booking is declined due by ISV due to medical reasons. Participant will be given a full refund.
2. Provide an orientation meeting prior to the start of Participant's volunteer project conducted by the host volunteer organization, and prior to the start of Participant's adventure tour conducted by an ISV Tour Leader. These orientation meetings are designed to help prepare Participant for his/her volunteer project and adventure tour.
3. Provide Participant with a two-week conservation or social community development volunteer project in conjunction with a local volunteer organization in Participant's host country. This same host organization will provide Participant with all accommodations and meals during the volunteer project. ISV will assign a project and send a detailed Project Overview to Participant approximately one month prior to departure to his/her host country. Note: Three meals per day are provided to the Participant during the volunteer project.
4. Provide an on-site ISV leader to supervise Participant during the conservation or social community development volunteer project.
5. Provide Participant with a two-week adventure tour in conjunction with local tour operators in Participant's host country. All accommodations, ground transportation, and five (5) activities, as stated in the ISV Travel Manual, are included in the Base Program Cost (see Paragraph #5 under "Participant agrees to"). Approximately one-half of Participant's meals are included during the adventure tour. Any remaining meals are the responsibility of Participant. Additional optional packages and excursions will be made available to the Participant at an additional cost.
6. Provide Participant with an ISV Tour Leader to supervise and lead Participant during the two-week adventure tour.
7. Provide Participant with an ISV Travel Manual approximately one month prior to Participant's departure to his/her host country. The ISV Travel Manual will provide Participant with details about what to expect while traveling overseas, information on volunteer projects, the adventure tour, packing lists, and other program related information.
8. Provide Participant with information regarding options for earning academic credit through Participant's own college or university. For more information, please visit www.isvonline.com/academiccredit.html.
9. Provide Participant with the necessary materials for Participant to request financial assistance through gifts/donations from sponsors in Participant's community.
Participant agrees to:
1. Accept the terms of this Agreement by completing the Booking Form and paying Brilliant Trips full payment for the Base Program Cost for the ISV Program.
2. Secure travel/trip cancellation insurance and provide the ISV USA office with proof of travel/trip cancellation insurance no later than 65 days prior to departure. ISV takes no responsibility whatsoever for any actions or omissions by any travel, trip and/or medical insurance carrier.
3. Provide the ISV USA office with proof of primary medical insurance coverage. Participants may email or mail a photocopy of their primary medical insurance card, including the name of their carrier, policy number, name of insured, etc.
4. Disclose all personal medical information to the ISV USA office in writing. Participant agrees that the medical information on his/her Booking Form is complete and accurate. If Participant's medical information is not complete and accurate on his/her Booking Form or Participant's medical information changes prior to departure, Participant must inform the ISV USA office in writing immediately.
5. Pay BrilliantTrips the $2,995.00 USD Base Program Cost for the ISV Program to Costa Rica, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Thailand (less any promotional discounts), or $3,295.00 USD Base Program Cost for the ISV Program to Australia and New Zealand (less any promotional discounts). THE BASE PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE DOMESTIC AND/OR INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE AND ANY APPLICABLE AIRLINE TAXES OR SURCHARGES.
6. Pay the ISV USA office for optional packages and excursions selected by Participant and applicable additional costs.
- ISV Group Flight options and costs are available online at www.isvonline.com. Note: Participants traveling to one of the following countries will be required to pay for additional in-country (domestic) flights within their host country. Australia $395.00 USD; New Zealand $95.00 USD; Thailand $265.00 USD; and Ecuador $50.00 USD.
- If booking is made within 90 days prior to departure, participant understands ISV may not be able to offer international group flight to participant due to time restraints.
7. Pay the balance of any and all costs no later than 65 days prior to Participant's departure. Optional packages, excursions and additional costs, such as the in-country (domestic) flights in Paragraph #6 (Participant agrees to), are to be paid to the ISV USA office. Participant also agrees to pay additional program costs to the ISV USA office within 7 days of the booking date if the booking is made within 65 days of chosen departure date.
8. Participate in the entire volunteer project in accordance with the guidelines set forth by ISV and the host volunteer organization.
9. Participate in the entire adventure tour in accordance with the guidelines set forth by ISV and the local tour operators.
10. Complete ISV's Project Evaluation at the conclusion of Participant's volunteer project. Complete ISV's Tour Evaluation at the conclusion of Participant's adventure tour.
11. IF PARTICIPANT INTENDS TO APPLY FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT VIA INDEPENDENT STUDY: Participant must arrange and register for credit through his/her own college or university. Registration, fees, coursework, and assessment are administered directly by the accrediting school, not ISV. Participant is encouraged to make arrangements several months before departure. Participant agrees to notify ISV of successful registration for academic credit no later than 65 days prior to the departure to his/her host country. For more information, please visit isvonline.com/academiccredit.html.
12. Behave in a manner depicting a positive image of ISV, Participant's home country, and his/her home school. Participant acknowledges that ISV has a ZERO tolerance illegal drug policy. ISV reserves the right to remove any participant from the Program whose behavior, if in the sole judgment of an ISV staff member, is unbecoming to this positive image and/or injurious to the welfare and/or safety of any other person or property.
13. Keep a daily journal of his/her experiences during the ISV Program. Participant will also be expected to participate in all ISV group discussions.
14. Authorize ISV to use his/her likeness captured in any photograph, video or recording for any legal purpose including training, education, and promotion.
15. Authorize ISV to provide Participant's name and contact information to other ISV participants.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of the Program must be in writing (by email or mail). No verbal cancellations will be accepted. When ISV receives Participant's written cancellation, a cancellation fee will be incurred to cover the expenses and costs suffered by ISV because of his/her cancellation. The amount of the cancellation fee is determined by the number of days prior to Participant's departure date to his/her host country that the written cancellation notice is received and is specified as follows:
| PERIOD OF NOTICE | CANCELLATION RATE |
| 1. On or before sixty (60) days prior to departure. | 1. $400 USD plus any other paid deposits (e.g. for additional excursions) |
| 2. Fifty-nine (59) days to thirty (30) days prior to departure. | 2. 50% of total costs* |
| 3. Twenty-nine (29) days to fourteen (14) days prior to departure | 3. 75% of total costs* |
| 4. Thirteen (13) days or less prior to departure. | 4. 100% of total costs* |
*Airfare is not included within this cancellation policy. Refunds for aifare will be based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, vendors and operators.
BrilliantTrips will also charge an additional $150 cancellation fee.
If the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of Participant's travel/trip cancellation insurance policy then his/her carrier will normally refund any cancellation fees.
If a dispute arises between the parties to this Agreement with regard to any of the provisions or the performance of any Terms and Conditions of this Agreement, the dispute will be settled by nonbinding arbitration to be conducted in accordance with the American Arbitration Association Rules in Orange County, California, USA.
By clicking acceptance of these terms on the BrilliantTrips booking site, Participant is acknowledging the desire to participate in the ISV Standard 4-Week Program (2-Week Volunteer Project and 2-Week Adventure Tour). This booking must be accompanied full payment for the base price of the program. ISV assumes no responsibility for any omissions on the behalf of Participant, which affect his/her level of participation in regards to medical information such as physical disabilities, allergies, prescribed medications, or illnesses.
Cancellation by the Client
Any cancellation by a Client must be made in writing and acknowledged by the Company. The date on which the request to cancel is received by the Company or its Agents will determine the cancellation charge applicable.
(a) Cancellation for G.A.P Adventure Trips and
G.A.P Adventures — Independent Trips (excluding Expedition Trips)
The cancellation charges are expressed hereafter as a percentage of
the total tour price, excluding insurance.
A. Cancellation 60 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit.
B. Cancellation 59-30 days before departure: 50% of cost of services
booked.
C. Cancellation less than 30 days before departure: 100% of cost of
services booked.
G.A.P Adventures Tailormade trips may vary in cancellation policy from that detailed in this clause, and will be detailed at time of booking.
(b) Cancellation for G.A.P Adventures —
Expedition Trips
The cancellation charges are expressed hereafter as a percentage of
the total tour price, excluding insurance.
A. Cancellation 90 days or more before departure: Loss of deposit.
B. Cancellation 89-60 days before departure: 50% of the cost of services
booked.
C. Cancellation less than 60 days before departure: 100% of cost of
services booked.
In addition to the cancellation fees detailed in sections (a) and (b), the full insurance premium for any insurance arranged through the Company is non-refundable. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of making the booking as this will cover cancellation charges in certain circumstances.
Cancellation of a Tour by the Company
The Company reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason, but will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure except for force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the Company's control (excluding Expedition Trips - refer to Expedition Ticket/Contract). When a tour is cancelled by the Company, the Client may choose between a full refund of all monies paid or any alternative tour offered by the Company. The Company is not responsible for any incidental expenses that the Client may have incurred as a result of the booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or loss of enjoyment, etc. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked, then the Client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value than that originally booked, then the Client must pay the difference in price.
Amendments and Cancellation
a) Amendments by You
The Company will make every effort to assist you if you wish to alter your arrangements but reserves the right to impose an amending charge of Eur 100 per booking in the event of your wishing to change a booking previously confirmed by the Company up to 56 days before departure, together with communication charges and other expenses incurred by the company. These charges will be payable whether or not the Company is successful in confirming the amended reservation. Amendments made by you within 56 days of departure will be treated as cancellations and re-bookings. The normal cancellation charges detailed below will then apply. All amendments should be reconfirmed in writing, signed by the signatory of the original Booking Form.
b) Transferral of Bookings
You may change your booking up to 30 days before departure by transferring it to another person if you are unavoidably prevented from travelling and the transferee meets any and all the conditions which apply to the travel arrangements booked. The right to transfer is subject to a payment of an administration fee of Eur 100 per person (plus appropriate holiday insurance premium, if applicable) together with all additional charges of whatever sort imposed by the suppliers providing the component parts of the arrangements.
c) Cancellation by You
If you wish to cancel your booking you must advise the Company in writing (signed by the same person who signed the original Booking Form) sending such written notification to Basement Unit, 23A Craven Terrace, London,W2 3QH. Cancellation will come into effect on the day it is received by the Company. The following charges, in addition to your deposit and where applicable the gorilla permit money, will be payable by you, depending upon the number of days prior to departure date when the Company receives notice of cancellation.
Date when Written Advice Percentage of Holiday
of Cancellation Received Price Payable
56 days or more prior Deposit
42 to 55 days prior 35% forfeit
28 to 41 days prior 50% forfeit
14 to 27 days prior 75% forfeit
Less than 14 days prior 100% forfeit
Cancellation or Modification by us
(i) If you do not pay the balance of the holiday price by eight weeks (56 days) before departure date, the Company reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled, and to levy cancellation charges. (ii) Every effort will be made to operate all holidays as advertised. However, we do plan the arrangements many months in advance and occasionally we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. In very rare circumstances, such as insufficient numbers on safari holiday departures, the company may have to cancel the whole or part of your holiday at any time up to four weeks prior to departure. In the event of any cancellation, the Company will use its best endeavours to offer alternative arrangements of a comparable standard or to make a full and prompt refund for all monies paid by you. (iii) The Company will not normally cancel any holiday within four weeks of departure, except in circumstances outside the Company's control in the event of war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activities (threatened or actual), natural and nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, or other circumstances amounting to force majeure.The Company will then use its best endeavours to offer you an alternative holiday of comparable standard, or make full and prompt refund of all monies paid to it by you. (iv) In the rare event of cancellation becoming necessary within four weeks of departure date for reasons other than the force majeure circumstances described in the preceding paragraph, then the Company will offer, whenever possible, comparable arrangements or a full refund of all monies received by the Company from you. In addition, if the Company cancels a holiday less than 15 days before departure, compensation of 10% of the holiday price (excluding insurance premiums, amendment charges and air fares) will be paid to you. (v) The Company reserves the right to alter routes, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport, without prior notice, during the period of the holiday, due to circumstances or events which affect the stated intentions of the holiday. These influences may include, but are not limited to, sickness, mechanical breakdown, events emanating from political disputes, acts of terrorism (threatened or actual), entry of border difficulties, adverse weather conditions, earthquakes, and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances.
We reserve the right to alter or substitute the type of vehicle mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of clients carried.