Terms & Conditions
Payment for, or participation in, any Birding Man Wildlife Tours (“BMWT”) trip constitutes acceptance of the following Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully. These policies are designed to provide clarity, safety, and fairness for our guests while allowing us to deliver high-quality, conservation-minded travel experiences.
1. Physical Ability, Assumption of Risk & Participant Responsibilities
By joining a Birding Man Wildlife Tours trip, you affirm that you are physically able to participate safely in the activities described for your tour, which may include walking, hiking, birding, wildlife viewing, vehicle travel, and travel over uneven or challenging terrain.
Guests are encouraged to ask questions about the physical demands of a tour before booking. If you have limited mobility or require accessibility accommodations, we invite you to inquire about our Accessible Birdwatching Tour or discuss your needs with us prior to booking. We are happy to help identify a tour suited to your comfort, safety, and enjoyment.
Outdoor and adventure travel inherently involves risks, both expected and unexpected. These may include, but are not limited to, slips and falls, loose rocks, uneven terrain, ice, snow, water hazards, wildlife encounters, extreme temperatures, high altitude, insects, hazardous plants, severe weather, and transportation-related risks.
By participating, you voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with these activities, including the possibility of property loss or damage, injury, illness, or death. You are responsible for obtaining appropriate medical, travel, and evacuation insurance for your circumstances.
Participants agree to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by BMWT guides and staff. BMWT reserves the right to remove a participant from a tour, without refund, if their behavior poses a threat to their own safety, the safety or enjoyment of others, or if they engage in illegal activities.
2. Liability Release & Indemnification
To the fullest extent permitted by law, participants agree to release and hold harmless Birding Man Wildlife Tours, (aka Birding Man Adventures, LLC), and their owners, employees, guides, independent contractors, agents, volunteers, affiliates, and partners (“Released Parties”) from liability arising from participation in BMWT tours and activities.
This may include claims related to personal injury, illness or death; property loss or damage; delays, changes or interruptions; and negligence by Released Parties, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Participants agree not to pursue claims against BMWT for matters covered by this release and agree to indemnify BMWT for costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising from claims connected to their participation, to the extent permitted by law.
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. Any disputes shall be resolved in the appropriate courts located in Denver County, Colorado.
3. Travel Insurance
BMWT strongly recommends comprehensive travel insurance for all tours and particularly for multi-day and international travel.
Depending on your trip and circumstances, appropriate coverage may include:
- Medical and emergency evacuation coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Coverage for illness, injury, or family emergencies
- Lost, damaged, or stolen baggage and personal belongings
- Additional lodging or transportation expenses resulting from delays or interruptions
BMWT is not responsible for expenses incurred due to illness, injury, flight disruptions, weather, civil unrest, natural disasters, or other circumstances outside our control.
For multi-day and international tours, we recommend purchasing appropriate travel insurance promptly after booking.
4. Reservations, Payments & Deposits
Day Tours
A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve a day tour and hold your requested date. A date is not considered reserved until BMWT has received the deposit or full payment.
The remaining balance is due 7 days before the scheduled tour date. For reservations made within 7 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
An inquiry, verbal agreement, email conversation, or proposed itinerary does not by itself constitute a confirmed reservation. Until the required deposit or payment has been received, BMWT may make the date available to other guests.
Multi-Day & International Tours
Unless otherwise stated for a particular trip, a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit per participant is required to reserve a place on a multi-day or international tour.
The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure, unless a different payment schedule is specified for that particular tour.
Guests booking within 90 days of departure are generally required to pay the full trip cost at the time of booking.
BMWT may establish different deposit amounts, installment schedules, or payment deadlines for individual tours when necessary. Any tour-specific payment terms provided at the time of booking will supersede the general payment schedule above.
Payment Methods
Available payment methods may include credit card, bank transfer, check, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Stripe or another designated electronic payment method. BMWT will provide payment instructions at the time of booking.
Where permitted and disclosed at the time of payment, credit card transactions and bank transfers will be subject to a 3% and 1% processing fee, respectively.
Some tours may use third-party booking platforms, such as WeTravel, FareHarbor, Viator, or other providers. Additional payment or cancellation terms imposed by those platforms may apply.
5. Tour Confirmation & Minimum Group Size
Private day tours are considered booked once the required deposit or full payment has been received.
Some scheduled group, multi-day, and international departures require a minimum number of participants to operate. Paying a deposit reserves your place on the tour but does not necessarily mean that the departure has reached the minimum enrollment required to operate.
A group departure is considered confirmed to run once the applicable minimum enrollment has been reached and BMWT has notified enrolled participants.
BMWT reserves the right to cancel a group departure if minimum enrollment is not met. If BMWT cancels for this reason, payments made directly to BMWT will be refunded or, at the guest’s request, transferred to another BMWT tour.
For tours subject to minimum enrollment, participants are strongly encouraged not to purchase nonrefundable airfare or make other nonrefundable travel arrangements until BMWT has confirmed that the departure will operate.
6. Cancellations & Refunds
Day Tours — If You Cancel
We understand that plans sometimes change. Because reserving a private tour requires BMWT to hold a guide and date specifically for you, the following cancellation policy applies:
More than 7 days before the tour: Payments made beyond the $100 nonrefundable deposit will be refunded.
3–7 days before the tour: 50% of the total tour price is refundable.
Within 48 hours of the tour or in the event of a no-show: No refund will be provided.
Please contact BMWT as soon as possible if your plans change. When circumstances allow, BMWT may offer the option to reschedule a tour, but rescheduling is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
Multi-Day & International Tours — If You Cancel
Unless different cancellation terms are provided for a specific tour:
More than 90 days before departure: Payments will be refunded, less the nonrefundable deposit.
Within 90 days of departure: Payments are nonrefundable unless BMWT is able to fill your spot with another participant.
If your spot is filled: Payments will be refunded, less a $250 administrative fee and any nonrecoverable costs already incurred by BMWT on your behalf.
Because cancellations can result in substantial nonrecoverable expenses, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
If BMWT Cancels
If BMWT cancels a tour because of insufficient enrollment or because BMWT determines that conditions prevent the tour from operating safely or reasonably, guests will generally have the option to:
Receive a refund of payments made directly to BMWT for the cancelled tour; or
Transfer eligible payments to another BMWT tour.
BMWT is not responsible for incidental or consequential expenses resulting from a cancellation, including airfare, lodging, rental cars, visas, or other travel arrangements purchased separately by the participant. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for this reason.
7. Weather & Itinerary Changes
Birding and wildlife tours take place outdoors, and changing conditions are part of the experience. Day tours generally operate in a variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, heat, and cold.
BMWT reserves the right to modify routes, destinations, activities, accommodations, timing, or itineraries before or during a tour when circumstances warrant.
Reasons may include:
- Weather or unsafe conditions
- Road or trail closures
- Wildlife activity or seasonal conditions
- Lodge or supplier changes
- Flight or transportation delays
- Safety considerations
- Other circumstances outside BMWT’s reasonable control
Whenever possible, changes will be made with the goal of maintaining the quality, safety, and overall experience of the tour.
If BMWT determines that weather or other conditions make a day tour unsafe or impractical to operate and cancels the tour, guests may reschedule or receive a refund of payments made to BMWT for that tour.
8. Travel Documents & Health Requirements
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they possess all documents and meet all requirements necessary for their travel, which may include:
- A valid passport
- Visa
- Vaccination or health documentation
- Medical certificates
- Destination-specific entry requirements
BMWT may provide general guidance when possible but cannot guarantee entry into any country or destination or assume responsibility for a participant’s failure to meet applicable requirements.
9. Pricing & Currency
BMWT reserves the right to adjust advertised tour prices when necessary due to significant changes in currency exchange rates, fuel costs, supplier pricing, government fees, taxes, or other operational expenses.
Any circumstances under which prices may change after booking will be communicated to affected participants.
10. Smoking
Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside BMWT tour vehicles and indoor spaces used by the group. When smoking outdoors where permitted, participants should move an appropriate distance away from other guests.
11. Damage to Property
Participants may be held responsible for damage to BMWT vehicles, equipment, accommodations, or other property resulting from their intentional, reckless, or negligent actions.
12. Photography & Video
BMWT may occasionally take photographs or video during tours for use on our website, social media, newsletters, or other promotional materials.
By participating in a BMWT tour, you grant BMWT permission to use images or video in which you appear for legitimate marketing and promotional purposes without compensation.
If you prefer not to appear in BMWT photographs or promotional materials, please notify us before or at the beginning of your tour, and we will make reasonable efforts to honor your request.
13. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting payment, signing applicable forms, or participating in a Birding Man Wildlife Tours trip, you acknowledge that:
- You have read and understand these Terms & Conditions
- You voluntarily agree to these Terms & Conditions
- You are legally capable of entering into this agreement
- You understand that participation in outdoor and travel activities involves inherent risks
These Terms & Conditions apply to tours operated by Birding Man Wildlife Tours unless different or additional terms are specifically provided for an individual tour.
