Booking Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: [02/15/2026]

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern all tour bookings with Storky Trails in partnership with FredTheGuide.

By booking a tour, you agree to these Terms in full.

1. Company Information & Partnership Structure

Tour Operator: Storky Trails
Contact: info@storkytrails.com

Payment Partner: FredTheGuide
Website: https://fredtheguide.com

Division of Responsibilities:

FredTheGuide handles all bookings, payment processing, and customer communications prior to tour departure
Storky Trails provides all on-ground services in Portugal, including guiding, accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities
All services in Portugal are covered by Ponteiro Afirmativo's Portuguese professional liability and personal accident insurance

2. Booking & Payment

How to Book:
All bookings must be made through fredtheguide at https://fredtheguide.com or via email with FredTheGuide.

Payment Schedule:

Bookings made 90+ days before departure: €1,400 deposit per person due at booking; final payment due 45 days before departure
Bookings made fewer than 90 days before departure: Full payment due immediately at booking

Accepted Payment Methods:
As specified by FredTheGuide.

Confirmation:
Your booking is confirmed once fredtheguide receives your deposit and issues a booking confirmation.

3. Cancellations & Refunds

Cancellation by Customer:

30+ days before departure: 50% refund
15-29 days before departure: 25% refund
Fewer than 15 days before departure or no-shows: No refund

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to FredTheGuide. Refunds will be processed by FredTheGuide within 14 business days of cancellation notice.

Cancellation by Storky Trails:
Tours require a minimum of 6 participants. If minimum enrollment is not met, Storky Trails reserves the right to cancel up to 30 days before departure with a full refund. In the event of cancellation due to circumstances beyond our control (see Force Majeure below), refunds will be processed based on unrecoverable costs already incurred.

4. What's Included & Not Included

Included:

7 nights accommodation in boutique hotels
Daily breakfast, all lunches and dinners
Wine and beer with meals; snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
All ground transportation and transfers
Entrance fees for museums, monuments, and cultural sites
Activities as outlined in the itinerary (wine tastings, boat excursions, etc.)
Expert local guide throughout

Not Included:

Airfare to/from Portugal
Spirits and hard liquor
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Guide gratuities (€120 per person recommended)
Personal expenses, souvenirs, or items of a personal nature

5. Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all participants purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, lost baggage, and travel delays.

Insurance Provided by Storky Trails:
As an RNAAT-registered operator, Storky Trails carries:

Professional liability insurance ("responsabilidade civil")
Personal accident insurance ("acidentes pessoais") for participants during the tour

What Our Insurance Covers During the Tour:

Medical treatment and hospitalization costs resulting from accidents during scheduled tour activities
Personal injury compensation

What Our Insurance Does NOT Cover:

Trip cancellation or interruption before the tour starts
Medical expenses from illness (non-accident medical issues like food poisoning, flu, heart conditions)
Pre-existing medical conditions
Medical treatment needed outside of tour dates (before arrival or after departure)
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Medical evacuation/repatriation costs
Events occurring outside of scheduled tour activities (e.g., if you go exploring on your own)

Why You Still Need Travel Insurance:
Your personal travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, illness (not just accidents), emergency medical evacuation, and protection for the days before and after your tour.

6. Health, Fitness & Participation Requirements

Physical Requirements:
Tours involve 2-4 hours of walking daily on varied terrain, including cobblestone streets, trails, and occasional steep inclines. Participants should be in good health and comfortable with light to moderate physical activity.

Medical Disclosure:
You must disclose any medical conditions, disabilities, dietary restrictions, or allergies that may affect your participation at the time of booking. Storky Trails reserves the right to refuse participation if we determine that your condition poses a safety risk to you or others.

Age Requirements:
Participants must be 18+ years old unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

7. Conduct & Removal

Participants are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and follow the guide's instructions at all times. Storky Trails reserves the right to remove any participant whose behavior:

Endangers themselves or others
Is disruptive, abusive, or illegal
Violates local laws or customs

No refund will be provided if you are removed from a tour for misconduct.

8. Itinerary Changes & Flexibility

While we make every effort to follow published itineraries, Storky Trails reserves the right to modify routes, accommodations, or activities due to:

Weather conditions
Safety concerns
Road closures or accessibility issues
Unforeseen circumstances

We will make reasonable efforts to provide comparable alternatives. No refunds will be provided for minor itinerary adjustments.

9. Liability & Limitations

Assumption of Risk:
Adventure travel involves inherent risks. By booking, you acknowledge and accept these risks, including but not limited to: injuries from walking/hiking, vehicle accidents, food-related illness, and unpredictable weather.

Limitation of Liability:
To the fullest extent permitted by Portuguese law:

Storky Trails and FredTheGuide are not liable for injuries, losses, damages, or delays caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control
We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings
Our liability is limited to the amount you paid for the tour
We are not liable for services provided by third parties (hotels, restaurants, transportation providers)

Personal Responsibility:
You are responsible for your own safety and must follow all instructions from guides and local authorities.

10. Force Majeure

Neither Storky Trails nor fredtheguide shall be liable for failure to perform obligations due to events beyond our control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, wildfires)
Pandemics or public health emergencies
War, terrorism, or civil unrest
Strikes or labor disputes
Government restrictions or travel bans

In such cases, we will work with you to reschedule or provide a refund based on unrecoverable costs. We are not obligated to refund costs already paid to third-party vendors.

11. Personal Belongings & Lost Items

You are solely responsible for your personal belongings. Storky Trails is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged items. We recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers personal property.

12. Photography & Marketing

Storky Trails may photograph or video record tour activities for promotional purposes. By participating, you grant permission for your likeness to be used in marketing materials (website, social media, brochures).

Opt-Out: If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify your guide at the start of the tour.

13. Booking Transfers & Name Changes

Bookings are non-transferable except with written approval from fredtheguide. A processing fee may apply for name changes or transfers.

14. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

During the Tour:
If you have concerns during the tour, please notify your guide immediately so we can address the issue in real time.

After the Tour:
Written complaints must be submitted to StorkyTrails within 30 days of tour completion. We will respond within 14 business days.

Governing Law:
These Terms are governed by the laws of Portugal. Services provided in Portugal are subject to Portuguese consumer protection and tourism regulations.

Jurisdiction:
Any disputes arising from services provided in Portugal shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Portuguese courts.

15. Data Protection & Privacy

We collect and process personal information in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Portuguese data protection laws. For full details, see our [Privacy Policy].

Information Collected:

Name, contact details, passport information
Emergency contact details
Dietary restrictions and medical information (as disclosed)

How We Use It:

To fulfill your booking and provide tour services
For insurance and safety purposes
To communicate important trip information

Sharing Information:
We share necessary booking information with fredtheguide and third-party service providers (hotels, restaurants, transport companies) only as required to deliver your tour.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full effect.

17. Amendments

Storky Trails reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date. Bookings made before changes take effect will be governed by the Terms in place at the time of booking.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with your booking confirmation and any tour-specific information provided, constitute the entire agreement between you and Storky Trails/fredtheguide.

Contact Information

For Bookings, Payments & Cancellations:
fredtheguide
https://fredtheguide.com

For Tour Details, Itineraries & On-Ground Services:
Storky Trails
www.storkytrails.com

By booking a tour, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.