UK Photo Tour - Terms and Conditions

This agreement is made between the participant (hereafter referred to as "the Participant") and Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd (Company Number: 17092334), trading as Marc Humphrey Photography (hereafter referred to as "the Company"). It is agreed that the terms set out below constitute the entire agreement between the parties and that no variation or modification shall be effective unless agreed by both parties in writing.

1. Booking, Payments, and Your Financial Protection

1.1 A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure the Participant's place on a UK photography tour.

1.2 The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 12 weeks prior to the tour start date. Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in the cancellation of the booking and the automatic forfeiture of the deposit.

1.3 In accordance with the UK Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations, all passengers booking with the Company are fully protected for the monies paid as a result of our insolvency. This protection has been arranged through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) and underwritten by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited (t&g). In the unlikely event of our insolvency, ABTOT ensures a complete refund of your prepayment.

1.4 The Company reserves the right to increase the price of the tour after booking only if there are direct variations in transportation costs (such as fuel), dues, taxes, or fees. No price increases will be made less than 20 days prior to the departure date. If any price surcharge exceeds 8% of the total tour cost, the Participant holds the right to terminate the contract without penalty and receive a full refund. Conversely, the Participant is entitled to a price reduction if the specific transportation costs, taxes, or fees detailed above decrease prior to departure.

2. Cancellations and Refunds

2.1 All cancellations must be made in writing by the Participant via email to photography@marchumphrey.com.

2.2 The booking deposit remains strictly non-refundable under all circumstances. If the Participant cancels within 12 weeks of the scheduled tour departure date, the full tour cost remains payable and no refund will be issued, except in verified cases of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the destination area which significantly affect the performance of the package.

3. Amendments and Cancellations by the Company

3.1 The Company reserves the right to make significant amendments to or cancel a tour itinerary prior to departure due to operational constraints, safety concerns, or low group booking numbers. Where a pre-departure change materially alters the core tour offering, the Participant will be offered the option to accept the changes, transfer to an alternative tour date or destination, or request a full refund of all monies paid to the Company.

3.2 In the event that a tour must be cancelled entirely by the Company due to a failure to reach the minimum required number of participants, the Participant will be notified no later than 90 days prior to the scheduled tour start date. In this instance, or if the tour is cancelled due to unforeseen operational circumstances, Participants will be offered a full transfer to another departure or a complete 100% refund of all monies paid. The Company is not responsible for any losses or non-refundable fees on independently booked individual travel or accommodation arrangements.

3.3 In accordance with UK regulations, a Participant may transfer their booking to another suitable person (e.g., another photographer who meets the tour’s fitness criteria), provided the Company is notified in writing at least 7 days before departure. Both the original Participant and the new transferee shall be jointly liable for any remaining balances and any administrative fees or direct costs incurred by the Company to process the transfer.

4. Personal Insurance & Liability

4.1 While the tour takes place within the UK, holding appropriate personal protection is highly recommended. The Participant is strongly advised to hold an active insurance policy covering personal cancellation, curtailment, baggage losses, and medical event cover.

4.2 The Participant must provide their active insurance policy details and emergency insurer contact numbers to the Company prior to departure.

4.3 The Company holds full Tour Operators Liability Insurance through Travel & General Insurance Services Limited (t&g) and Touchstone Underwriting. This covers the Company's operational liabilities but does not substitute for the Participant's personal travel or equipment insurance.

5. Passports, Identification, and Health Requirements

5.1 The Participant is solely responsible for ensuring they hold valid personal identification or any required domestic permits matching the specific entry and validity requirements of the destination region. For international participants booking a UK itinerary, the Participant is entirely responsible for securing valid passports, visas, and health documentation required by local immigration law.

5.2 The Company accepts no liability or financial responsibility if the Participant is denied boarding, transit, or entry by any transit authority or immigration authority.

6. Independent Travel and Logistics

6.1 Unless explicitly stated by the Company in writing, travel to and from the official tour starting point is not included in the tour price.

6.2 The Company is not responsible for any delays, cancellations, financial losses, or itinerary disruptions caused by changes to transport arranged independently by the Participant. Any additional transport costs required for the Participant to catch up with the tour group due to travel delays or cancellations will be borne entirely by the Participant.

7. Wildlife Reality, Itineraries, and Field Flexibility

7.1 The Participant acknowledges that wildlife photography involves working with completely wild animals in their natural environment. Sightings and specific animal behaviours can never be 100% guaranteed, field flexibility is required, and no refunds or compensations will be issued based on wildlife activity.

7.2 The Company acts as an expert photography guide and coordinates ground logistics with local suppliers. We reserve the right to amend itineraries or alter schedules at short notice due to local weather, safety concerns, or sudden shifts in wildlife activity to ensure the safety of the group and maximise the photographic opportunities of the tour. Minor changes - such as a change of equal-standard accommodation, adjusted daily travel timings, or alternate hide rotations - do not constitute a material alteration of the tour and do not entitle the Participant to a cancellation or refund.

7.3 The Participant confirms that they meet the physical and mental fitness levels required for the specific itinerary as detailed on the respective tour webpage.

8. Force Majeure

8.1 The Company cannot accept liability or pay compensation where a tour is delayed, cancelled, or altered due to events outside our reasonable control (Force Majeure), including but not limited to war, threat of war, natural disasters, industrial disputes, border closures, or pandemics.

9. Location Confidentiality & Commercial Restrictions

9.1 Participants agree to keep specific field coordinates, land-owner data, and sensitive habitat locations strictly confidential to protect local wildlife and environments.

9.2 To protect the Company's business assets and proprietary scouting, the Participant agrees not to use the specific field locations, local guides, or ground suppliers established by the Company to run, promote, or market their own independent commercial workshops or tours.

10. Field Behaviour and Dismissal

10.1 The welfare of our wildlife subjects always comes first. The Company reserves the right to immediately remove any Participant from a session or the tour entirely if their behaviour violates wildlife safety metrics, causes unnecessary stress to animals, or compromises group safety.

10.2 In the event of dismissal under clause 10.1, no refunds will be given, and the Company is not liable for any return travel, transit, or alternative accommodation expenses.

11. Complaints and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

11.1 If the Participant has a complaint during the tour, they must report it immediately to the tour leader in the field to allow the Company the opportunity to remedy the issue on the ground. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, a formal complaint must be submitted in writing via email to photography@marchumphrey.com within 28 days of the tour end date.

11.2 If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close. A fee is payable by each party when an application for arbitration is submitted.

11.3 Details of this scheme are available from The Travel Industry Arbitration Service, administered by: Dispute Settlement Services, 9 Savill Road, Lindfield, West Sussex, RH16 2NY (Email: admin@disputesettlementservices.co.uk). This scheme cannot however decide in cases where the sums claimed exceed £5,000 per person or £10,000 per booking form, or not solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences of such injury or illness, or solely or mainly in respect of a discrimination claim or any claim under the Equality Act.