Booking Conditions for Group Tours

These conditions are construed in accordance with English Law and are subject to the sole jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

1. Booking Procedure

(i)    When you book you must complete a booking form accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking conditions and pay a deposit as specified under the ‘Payment & Agreement’ section.

(ii)    The deposit is part payment of the holiday. In addition to the deposit, full or part payment of certain elements of your holiday (such as flights) may be required at the time booking or at some point between booking and balance due date. The deposit and all such additional payments are non-refundable except as set out in clause 4 below.

iii)   The balance must be paid not later than the date specified on the invoice. This is normally no less than 10 weeks before the departure date. However, there are a few destinations or trip components that require payment no less than 90 days before the departure date which will be specified on your invoice and quotation.

iv)  Please note if we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all amounts paid or due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges shown in clause 4 depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled.

(v)  If a booking is made within 12 weeks of departure, the full amount of the tour must be sent with the completed form. Travel insurance is NOT included. A contract will exist when we issue our confirmation invoice. The booking is not accepted until the date shown on the confirmation invoice which we will send to you. If the booking is not accepted the deposit will be refunded.

2.  Your Financial Protection

We provide financial security for flight-inclusive packages holidays by way of an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under ATOL number 2903. The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK.

(i)  When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.

(ii)  We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer if applicable).

(iii)  If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative), for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

For holidays that are not ATOL protected, for example if no flights have been provided by us or the holiday is not sold within the UK, then financial protection is offered through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT).

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Temple World, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:

1.  non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are abroad. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Temple World.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call ABTOT’s 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here.

3. If you change your holiday

If, after the contract between us has come into existence, you want to change any supplemental bookings on a tour (such as flight reservations, pre and post-tour accommodation)  we will do our best to pass your request to the relevant supplier, however we cannot guarantee that such changes can be made. Where a change can be made, we will charge a fee of £50 per person per change, as well as any additional costs incurred including any fees imposed or incurred by any of our suppliers, and including for example cancellation charges that may be incurred for sectors cancelled. You should note, for example, that a change of name on or other alteration to an airline ticket will usually incur a 100% cancellation charge and a full re-booking fee.

4. If you cancel your holiday

If you have to cancel part of the booking or cancel the entire booking once it has been confirmed by us, written notification must be sent to us by recorded delivery post or by email. As proof of receipt by email of your notification to cancel you must receive and retain written acknowledgement from us. Charges will be applied from the date the letter or email is received,  according to the scale below. The charges are applied as a percentage of the total holiday cost, excluding any amendment charges and any amounts paid in addition to the deposit at the time of booking or before balance due date (see clause 1(ii) above) which are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

If cancellation occurs after a confirmation invoice has been issued, the following cancellation charges will be payable by you:

Period before departure date within which written cancellation notice is  received by Temple World	Cancellation charge payable as a percentage of the total (including deposit paid)
More than 70 days*	Deposit only
69-40 days	60%
39-15 days	90%
Within 14 days	100%

*For cruises, 100% cancellation charge applies from 69 days before departure

5. Alterations or cancellations by you after commencement of travel

We will do our best to implement any changes to your arrangements that you request once travel has commenced, but we cannot guarantee this will be possible. In the event of such amendments being made, you will be liable for any cancellation charges that may be levied for the services originally booked, and for the cost of booking the revised arrangements and the arrangements themselves. As a basic principle, no refunds will be paid to clients who do not complete a tour. However where we ourselves are able to obtain a refund from hotels or principals for services not used, we will pass this on to you, less any reasonable administration charges.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you have taken out holiday insurance you may, depending on the detail of your policy, be able to recover the cancellation charges; check your policy for details. It is your responsibility to ensure you are adequately covered by insurance for all elements of your trip. Please read your policy and take it on holiday with you.

 6 . If we change your holiday

Every effort will be made to operate the tour as advertised, but the Company reserves the right at its discretion to modify or cancel any flight, accommodation or arrangement. It is unlikely that we will make any major changes to your holiday, but we do plan many months in advance. Sometimes we may need to make changes which we reserve the right to do at any time.

i)  The minimum number of persons required for most tours to take place is 10.  If this is not achieved, we reserve the right to continue to operate (with local guides instead of a tour manager or guest leader) or to cancel the tour no later than 7 weeks prior to departure in which case all moneys paid to us will be refunded.

ii)  We cannot guarantee that every part of the itinerary advertised will be followed or the duration of each visit along the route will be as advised. Temple World reserves the right to decide whether to omit any visits or parts of the itinerary, where to include additional visits, whether to deviate from the advertised itinerary, to substitute or replace the advertised guest lecturer without notice. Provided such a decision is reasonably taken, Temple World shall be under no obligation or liability to the Client.

iii) Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a ‘significant change’.   A significant change is one we make to your holiday arrangements before departure that involves changing the time of departure or return by more than 12 hours, offering accommodation of lower category,  a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away*, or a change of UK departure airport to one which is more inconvenient for you (except as between Gatwick and Heathrow).

*Please note: A change affecting a stay in a hotel during a tour where the hotel itself is not the focus of the tour, does not constitute a significant change.

iv) Where changes are significant, we will inform you when you book, or, if you have already booked, as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. If a major change becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. You then have the choice of either:

1. accepting the changed arrangements as notified to you
2. purchasing another available holiday from us
3. cancelling your holiday.

v) If in these particular circumstances you cancel, all money paid to us will be refunded to you. We also reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your holiday and, in this event, we will return to you all money you have paid us or will offer you an alternative available holiday to purchase of comparable standard.  Please note that we are not liable for any consequential financial loss or incidental expenditure other than the holiday price stated in the confirmation invoice.

vi) You must advise us of your decision within 7 days of the date on which we notified you of the significant change or cancellation. Please note, the above options are not available where any change made is a minor one. A minor change is any change which, taking account of the information you have given us at the time of booking or which we can reasonably be expected to know as a tour operator, we could not reasonably expect to have a significant effect on your confirmed holiday.

vii)  If we are forced by ‘force majeure’ (see clause 7) to change or terminate your holiday after departure but before the scheduled end of your time away, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any refunds from our suppliers), pay you any compensation or meet any costs or expenses you incur as a result except as set out above.

viii)   We are not responsible for any arrangements you have made independently before or after the tour.

7. Force majeure

Except as set out in these terms and conditions, we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected, or you otherwise suffer any loss or damage as a result of circumstances amounting to ‘force majeure’.  Any refund will be subject to the deduction of reasonable expenses.

In these terms and conditions ‘force majeure’ means any event or circumstances which we or the supplier of the services in question could not foresee or avoid even with all due care. Such events and circumstances may include, whether actual or threatened, war, insurrection, riots, strikes, civil action, decisions by governments or governing authority, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes of schedules or operational decisions of air carriers, terrorist activity, industrial action, natural or nuclear activity, epidemics/pandemics, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control.

8. Surcharges

The price of our 2026 tours is based on known costs when the tour was planned, based on exchange rates as at 25 September 2025 (£1 = $1.33 & €1.13). We reserve the right to increase the price of confirmed tours solely to allow for increases which are a direct consequence of changes in:

1. the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from the cost of fuel or other power sources;
2. the level of taxes or fees chargeable for services applicable to the Tour imposed by third parties not directly involved in the performance of the Tour, including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; and
3. the exchange rates relevant to the package.

Even in the above cases, only if the amount of the increase in our costs exceeds 2% of the total cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), will we levy a surcharge. If any surcharge is greater than 10% of the cost of your holiday (excluding any amendment charges), you will be entitled to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us (except for any amendment charges). Since we absorb fluctuations equivalent to 2% of the tour cost, there will be no reduction in the holiday price in the event of a favourable variation in exchange rates.

You have 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice to tell us if you want to cancel. If you do not tell us that you wish to do so within this period of time, we are entitled to assume that you will pay the surcharge. Any surcharge must be paid with the balance of the cost of the holiday or within 14 days of the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice, whichever is the later.

We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in quoted prices at any time before your holiday is confirmed. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking.

9. Flights, cruises, rail journeys

i) Any flight, cruise or rail journey, scheduled or otherwise, forming part of the arrangements will be subject to the Conditions of Carriage of that airline or carrier. Some of these will limit or even exclude liability. Our obligations and responsibilities are limited where international conventions apply in respect of sea, rail carriers or air travel, including the Warsaw Convention and revisions.

ii)   The flight timings shown in your itinerary are for guidance only and are subject to change. Final details will be confirmed on your travel documentation, sent approximately 14 days prior to departure. The times shown on all tickets are local times. It is possible that flight times may be changed even after tickets have been dispatched – we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs.

iii)  When holding a flight without full payment, ticket taxes and the fuel surcharge can change until the ticket is issued in full. You can opt to pay in full for your ticket at any time if you prefer to guarantee there will not be any increases.

iv)  In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community list is available for inspection at http://europa.eu.int/ comm/transport/air/safety/ flywell_en.htm. In accordance with EU Regulations we are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier (s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the carrier with whom you have a confirmed reservation becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative the provisions of clause 4 will apply. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements without paying our normal charges except where specified in these conditions.

v)  We can accept no responsibility if you arrive late for the check in and miss your flight as a result nor can we accept responsibility for any loss by you of your holiday/flight travel tickets, vouchers or coupons.

vi)  With respect to flight delay, flight timings are provided by airlines. They are subject to air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions, the need for constant maintenance and the ability of passengers to check in on time. There is no guarantee that the flights will depart at the time shown either in the brochure/itinerary or on the ticket. Temple World does not have any liability to you for any delay which may arise in this regard. In the event of a flight being delayed, be it outward, onward or homeward, the relevant airline is responsible for making other arrangements, depending on the time of day & duration of the delay. However, we strongly urge you to ensure that flight delay is included in your insurance.

vii)  If your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in circumstances which would entitle you to claim compensation or any other payment from the airline under EC Regulation No 261/2004 – the Denied Boarding Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the compensation or other payment due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline’s obligations under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If your airline does not comply with these rules, you should complain to the Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk

10. Your Responsibility

i) All our group tours involve a certain amount of walking, often over hillsides, uneven surfaces and steps. Participants should be able to walk in these conditions for at least half an hour unaided and without a rest. We reserve the right to refuse to accept anyone who has failed to notify us of any infirmity which
may preclude this, or who in Temple World ’s opinion is unfit to travel.

ii)  You undertake to behave with propriety and in such a manner as in no way causes or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to other clients and/or any third party or damage to property. If, in the view of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers, you are in breach of this clause, we reserve the right to terminate your contract and neither we nor the providers of any of the services in question will have any further contractual obligations to you either in respect of covering any expenses, paying any compensation or refunds, or arranging for your return home.

iii)  When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss (reasonably estimated if not precisely known) must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other supplier. If the actual cost of the loss or damage exceeds the amount paid where estimated, you must pay the difference once known. If the actual cost is less than the amount paid, the difference will be refunded. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party’s full legal costs) as a result of your actions.

iv)  You must ensure that all your travel documents, full passports, visas, vaccination certificates, currency and travellers cheques are in order and valid for travel. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. We are able to give general advice on these matters for British citizens holding a British passport. However, non-British citizens and non-British passport holders should check with their embassy or consulate vis-a-vis current requirements.

v)  If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly.

vi)  The name on your airline tickets must be the name that appears on your full passport, and we will use the name you provide on your booking form to book any air tickets.  We cannot accept liability for any fees levied by the airline in the event that a name change is necessary due to incorrect spelling/names provided by you on your booking form.

vii)  Please note that if you believe that we have stated orally that a particular facility or service should be available, but is not in the brochure/web page for the tour or in writing from us, please make reference to it on the booking form so that we may confirm it to you when accepting your booking.

viii)  The Company is only liable for loss of or damage to baggage caused directly by its negligence. Valuable items are at all times at the customer’s risk and should be insured accordingly.

11. Complaints

Should you have any complaints about any aspect of your holiday arrangements, you must inform our local representative or tour leader immediately and the supplier of the arrangements concerned. Problems can most easily be dealt with on the spot. Please note, if you do not report a problem or complaint which, if it had been reported at the time it occurred could have been resolved there and then, we cannot accept any liability in respect of that problem or complaint.

It is sensible to expect a client travelling in the developing world to be reasonably resourceful if things go wrong. If you experience any difficulties, contact our local partner agency or contact us in the UK on our 24 hour emergency telephone service. The numbers for all those able to provide support whilst abroad will be found on your pre-departure information and with your tickets.

In the unlikely event that an acceptable solution cannot be found, you should then write to us within 28 days of your return with full details of your complaint. If you fail to follow this complaints procedure, your right to claim the compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result.