Terms & Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the "Participant" or "you") and Celestane ("we," "us," or "our") for the provision of volcanic trekking expedition services in Java, Indonesia. By booking an expedition, submitting a deposit, or participating in our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you should not book or participate in our expeditions. These terms apply to all travelers, including those booking on behalf of others.

2. Definitions

• "Expedition" refers to any trekking service offered by Celestane, including single-day treks, multi-day circuits, and comprehensive cultural journeys.
• "Participant" means any person who has booked or intends to participate in a Celestane expedition.
• "Services" include guiding, transport, accommodation, meals, safety equipment, and other elements described in expedition itineraries.
• "Force Majeure" means events beyond our reasonable control, including volcanic eruptions, severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, or other unforeseeable circumstances.

3. Booking and Payment

3.1 Booking Process

Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a deposit payment. Full expedition details, including dates, itinerary, and pricing, will be provided in writing via email confirmation. All communication regarding bookings should be directed to our official contact channels.

3.2 Payment Terms

• A deposit of 30% of the total expedition cost is required to secure your booking
• Full payment is due 45 days before the expedition start date
• Bookings made within 45 days of departure require full payment at time of booking
• Accepted payment methods include bank transfer, credit card (processing fees may apply), and approved online payment platforms
• All prices are quoted in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) unless otherwise stated

3.3 Price Accuracy

We make every effort to ensure pricing accuracy. However, if a pricing error occurs, we will contact you promptly. You may choose to proceed at the correct price or cancel your booking for a full refund. Prices are subject to change for future bookings but confirmed bookings are honored at the agreed rate.

4. Cancellations and Refunds

4.1 Cancellation by Participant

• More than 60 days before departure: Full refund minus 5% administrative fee
• 30-60 days before departure: 50% refund of total expedition cost
• 15-29 days before departure: 25% refund of total expedition cost
• Less than 15 days before departure: No refund (full expedition cost forfeited)

Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to be valid. The cancellation date is determined by when we receive your written notice, not when you send it.

4.2 Cancellation by Celestane

We reserve the right to cancel expeditions due to insufficient bookings, volcanic activity creating unsafe conditions, severe weather, government restrictions, or other Force Majeure events. In such cases, you will receive:

• Full refund of all payments made, or
• Credit toward a future expedition of equal or greater value, or
• Transfer to an alternative available departure date

We are not responsible for costs you incur as a result of our cancellation, including airfare or other travel arrangements. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect against such circumstances.

4.3 Changes and Modifications

Changes to bookings requested by participants (dates, expedition type, group size) are subject to availability and may incur administrative fees. Changes requested within 30 days of departure may not be possible.

5. Participant Responsibilities

5.1 Fitness and Health

Participants must honestly assess their physical fitness and health conditions before booking. Volcanic trekking involves strenuous activity, high altitude, early morning starts, and exposure to sulfur fumes. You are responsible for:

• Disclosing any medical conditions, injuries, or physical limitations that may affect your participation
• Consulting with a physician if you have any health concerns about undertaking strenuous mountain activities
• Obtaining necessary medications and ensuring you bring sufficient quantities for the expedition duration
• Following guide instructions regarding pacing and rest periods

We reserve the right to refuse participation or require a participant to leave an expedition if their fitness level or health condition poses safety risks to themselves or the group.

5.2 Travel Documents

Participants are responsible for ensuring they have valid passports (with at least 6 months validity beyond travel dates), appropriate visas for Indonesia, and any other required documentation. We are not liable for denied entry or deportation due to invalid documents.

5.3 Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, and personal belongings is included in expedition pricing. However, participants should review policy details to understand coverage limits and exclusions.

5.4 Conduct and Behavior

Participants must:

• Respect local customs, religious sites, and cultural practices
• Follow guide instructions regarding safety protocols and environmental practices
• Refrain from behavior that endangers themselves, other participants, guides, or local communities
• Comply with Indonesian laws and regulations
• Practice leave-no-trace principles and minimize environmental impact

We reserve the right to remove participants whose behavior disrupts the expedition or violates these standards, without refund.

6. Service Delivery

6.1 Itinerary Changes

While we make every effort to follow published itineraries, volcanic conditions, weather, road closures, or other factors may necessitate route modifications or activity adjustments. Guides have final authority on safety-related itinerary decisions. We will provide comparable alternatives when possible but are not liable for changes required by circumstances beyond our control.

6.2 Accommodation and Meals

Accommodations are as described in expedition details (mountain guesthouses, village homestays, or hotels depending on expedition type). Meals included are those specified in the itinerary. Dietary requirements should be communicated at booking — we accommodate common restrictions with advance notice but cannot guarantee all preferences in remote mountain locations.

6.3 Group Sizes

We maintain small group sizes (typically 4-8 participants) for quality and environmental reasons. Minimum group sizes may be required for expeditions to proceed. If minimum numbers aren't met, we will offer alternative dates or full refunds.

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 Inherent Risks

Volcanic trekking involves inherent risks including but not limited to: physical injury, exposure to extreme weather, altitude sickness, volcanic gas exposure, falls on uneven terrain, and potential volcanic activity. By participating, you acknowledge understanding these risks and accept responsibility for your choice to engage in this activity.

7.2 Liability Cap

Our liability for any claims arising from expedition participation, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, is limited to the total amount paid for the specific expedition. We are not liable for:

• Indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
• Medical expenses beyond those covered by included travel insurance
• Personal injury or property damage caused by participant negligence
• Losses due to Force Majeure events
• Acts or omissions of third-party service providers (airlines, hotels outside our contracted partners)

7.3 Third-Party Services

We work with reputable local guides, guesthouses, and transport providers but cannot be held liable for their independent actions or service failures beyond our reasonable control.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including text, photographs, graphics, and itinerary descriptions, is owned by Celestane or licensed to us. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use this content without written permission.

Participants grant Celestane permission to use photographs or videos taken during expeditions (that include participants) for marketing purposes unless they explicitly opt out in writing.

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of Malaysia. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Malaysian courts.

9.2 Informal Resolution

Before pursuing legal action, we encourage participants to contact us directly to resolve concerns. Many issues can be addressed through good-faith communication.

10. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy. By booking with Celestane, you consent to data processing as described in that policy.

11. Miscellaneous

11.1 Entire Agreement

These terms, together with your booking confirmation and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Celestane.

11.2 Severability

If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full effect.

11.3 Updates

We may update these terms periodically. Material changes will be communicated to participants with active bookings. Continued use of our services after updates indicates acceptance of revised terms.

12. Contact Information

For questions about these terms or expedition bookings:

Celestane
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +60 3-6293 8174
Address: 33 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia