Terms and conditions | Papua Expedition

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL WITH PAPUA EXPEDITION

1. Introduction

Dear Participant,

The following General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all expeditions and travel services offered by Papua Expedition and form a legally binding part of your travel agreement with us. In addition to these terms, the specific details outlined in the respective trip descriptions and final pre-departure information you receive from us are also contractually binding. They describe both the scope of our services and the expectations regarding your personal readiness for this type of adventure. Please read everything carefully. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us anytime. For clarity and readability, we address participants as “you” and refer to Papua Expedition as “we” or “Papua Expedition”.

2. Nature of Our Expeditions

Papua Expedition does not offer typical hiking, study, wellness, or package holidays. We organize adventure expeditions into remote, underdeveloped regions, often without established tourism infrastructure. Participants should not expect standards equivalent to those in Europe. Transportation, safety, accommodation, hygiene, nutrition, medical care, and other logistical conditions may fall well below conventional standards. This is intentional and part of the character of our expeditions.

3. Physical and Environmental Conditions

3.1 Transportation

We often rely on local modes of transport, which may be rudimentary, uncomfortable, and lacking safety measures. Expect basic means of travel, including wooden boats, open trucks, or public ferries.

3.2 Trail Safety and Terrain

We explore remote jungle paths, unmarked routes, and natural terrain, including steep slopes, river crossings, and uninhabited wilderness. No alpine or certified mountain guide systems exist in the regions we operate. You move at your own risk in untamed nature.

3.3 Accommodation

Unless otherwise stated in the final travel information, accommodation includes basic guesthouses or outdoor camping. Nights may be spent in tents, under tarps, or under open skies. Gender separation is not always possible.

3.4 Food and Water

Meals are based on local foods, often supplemented by foraged or caught items such as fish. Refrigeration is not always available. Nutritional value and hygiene standards may vary. Please bring your own supplements if required. We use untreated water sources, which we may filter or boil, though contamination risks remain. Papua Expedition assumes no liability for health effects from local food or water.

3.5 Hygiene

Hygiene levels differ significantly from Western expectations. Showers and toilets may be unavailable. Washing in rivers, lakes, or with a bucket is common.

3.6 Medical Services

We bring a basic first aid kit, but medical care in remote areas is extremely limited. Evacuation options are rare and dependent on weather and infrastructure. No professional medical staff is guaranteed. You join at your own medical risk.

3.7 Local Partners

Our guides and contacts are often local residents with deep knowledge of their environment. However, formal training or certifications equivalent to European standards are not always present or required.

3.8 Risk and Challenge Level

Every expedition demands above-average physical and mental resilience. Terrain, weather, wildlife, and remoteness can all pose significant risks. You are responsible for honestly assessing your own readiness and should consult with our team in case of doubt.

4. Travel Agreement

A travel contract between you and Papua Expedition is formed once we confirm your participation after a preliminary discussion and you accept our offer. We reserve the right to cancel your participation if full payment has not been received or if we have reason to doubt your suitability for the expedition (see Section 11).

5. Payment Terms

To confirm your booking with Papua Expedition, a deposit of 20% of the total expedition price is required upon acceptance of your participation. This deposit secures your spot and enables us to initiate essential logistical preparations, including payments to local partners.

The remaining balance (80%) must be paid no later than 4 weeks before the official start date of the expedition. Payment must be made via bank transfer to the designated Papua Expedition account as specified in your booking confirmation.

If payment is not received by the specified deadline, Papua Expedition reserves the right to cancel your booking and offer the spot to another participant. In this case, cancellation fees as outlined in the withdrawal policy (see section 9) may apply.

Please make sure to inform us immediately if you anticipate any delays or difficulties in meeting the payment deadlines. We will try to accommodate you if possible—but cannot guarantee availability beyond the stated timeframes.

6. Scope of Services

The specific services we provide are outlined in the final travel briefing. Please read these documents carefully to understand exactly what is included in your trip.

7. Changes in Itinerary and Circumstances

Our trips are subject to natural and logistical uncertainty. Papua Expedition may adjust the route, destinations, activities, or schedule due to weather, terrain, transport issues, illness, political situations, or force majeure. Such changes are not considered travel defects and do not justify refund claims.

7.1 Route Adjustments

We always do our best to get you to your destination.

However, please note that closed routes or unexpected hazards may lead to detours or, in rare cases, missed destinations. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we appreciate your understanding when nature or local conditions require flexibility.

7.2 Delays

Expeditions may extend beyond the scheduled end date due to unforeseen conditions. We recommend to plan for at least three buffer days in your personal travel plans as well as the purchase of a flexible flight ticket with your airline

7.3 Team Changes

In rare cases, our guides may be replaced due to illness or emergencies. We reserve the right to continue the expedition with qualified substitutes.

8. Participant Responsibility

You might be expected to contribute to camp setup, cooking, cleaning, water gathering, and general cooperation, depending on the expedition. Respect for local culture, your team, and the guides is essential. Noncompliance, endangering behavior, or disrespect may lead to exclusion from the group without refund. You are expected to prepare physically and mentally and adhere to safety instructions at all times.

9. Cancellation by the Participant

You may cancel your participation in the expedition at any time by submitting a written notice to Papua Expedition. Please be aware that your cancellation will trigger certain fees due to the logistical and financial commitments we make in advance with our local partners.

If cancellation occurs more than 4 weeks before the expedition start date, 80% of the total expedition price will be refunded.
If cancellation occurs within 4 weeks of the expedition start date, no refund will be issued.
The initial 20% deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances, as it covers pre-paid and non-recoverable costs such as local transport, food, logistics, and community coordination.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance, including coverage for trip cancellation and interruption.

10. Cancellation Due to Force Majeure

We may cancel the expedition if unforeseeable force majeure significantly endangers the trip (e.g., natural disasters, loss of key personnel). In such cases, we will offer a voucher or refund at our discretion. Additional costs for early return or accommodations are your responsibility. We strongly recommend travel interruption insurance.

11. Minimum Group Size

If the minimum number of participants (typically 3) is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the trip up to 30 days before departure. In such cases, any payments made will be fully refunded.

12. Dismissal for Behavioral Reasons

Participants who refuse to follow instructions, severely disturb group harmony, or endanger others or themselves may be excluded at any point. In such cases, no refund will be issued, and you will bear all extra costs resulting from early departure or emergency transport. The same applies if such behavior is observed during preparation stages.

13. Refunds and Special Costs

We do not offer partial refunds if you choose not to use included services (e.g., equipment or meals). If we advance special costs on your behalf, you are obligated to reimburse them in full

14. Limitation of Liability

Papua Expedition’s liability for damages not involving personal injury is limited to three times the total trip cost, provided guilty of gross negligence or intent, or the damage was caused solely by Papua Expedition.

15. Commercial Use of Content

Any content produced during a Papua Expedition journey may not be used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Papua Expedition. Content is considered “commercial” if the person sharing it (e.g., an influencer) has a total reach of more than 12,000 followers or readers across social or traditional media platforms.

Selling or marketing content produced during a Papua Expedition trip to third parties is strictly prohibited, unless explicitly approved in writing.
“Content” includes but is not limited to: photos, videos, written text, and personal reports (such as interviews).

16. Statute of Limitations

Claims for damages related to life, body, or health based on intentional or negligent acts by Papua Expedition, its legal representatives, or its assistants (such as guides) are subject to a one-year limitation period. This also applies to claims for other damages arising from gross negligence or intent.

The limitation period begins on the day following the contractual end date of the expedition. If this day falls on a Sunday or national holiday, the period extends to the next working day.

If negotiations are ongoing between you and Papua Expedition regarding a claim or its circumstances, the limitation period is suspended until either side clearly ends the negotiations. The period then resumes and cannot expire earlier than three months after the end of the suspension.

17. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

17.1 Governing Law

The contractual relationship between you and Papua Expedition shall be governed exclusively by Indonesian law, unless otherwise required by international agreements or consumer protection laws.

17.2 Foreign Claims

If claims are made against Papua Expedition outside of Indonesia, and local laws apply to the legal basis of the claim, then the legal consequences, especially those concerning the nature, extent, and value of damages, shall still be interpreted under Indonesian law where applicable.

17.3 Jurisdiction for Lawsuits Against Papua Expedition

Papua Expedition may only be sued at its official place of business.

17.4 Jurisdiction for Lawsuits Filed by Papua Expedition

Legal claims initiated by Papua Expedition must be brought to the court of your residence.

17.5 Special Cases: International Participants

If a participant is a business, a legal entity under public or private law, or does not reside in Indonesia (or if their residence is unknown at the time of legal proceedings), the jurisdiction will be the registered office of Papua Expedition.