Discovery Moto Tours (DMT) Terms and Conditions  

TOUR BOOKING FORM By completing an on-line reservation/booking and accepting these terms and conditions, or by signing a booking form, you accept these Terms and Conditions as a binding contract between Discovery Moto Tours
(abbreviated DMT) on behalf of yourself and your passenger(s), the participant(s) or customer(s). DMT cannot accept your booking without a signed booking form, or a completed online reservation.

RELEASE / WAIVER On behalf of yourself and your passenger(s) will be required to sign a waiver form at the start of the tour accepting that motorcycling can incur risks and that you accept these risks by your participation on the tour.

PAYMENT, RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT Upon booking and confirmation that your requested tour dates are available we charge a non-refundable 20% deposit of the tour price for you and your passengers. This deposit secures your places. We cannot guarantee any tour reservation until your deposit has been received. The balance of the tour price is due 2 calendar months before the tour start date. Bookings made less than 2 calendar months before the tour starts must be paid in full. If you pay your deposit by credit or debit card then the balance will automatically be charged to the same card. If using a credit card a 2% handling fee will be charged to cover the charges levied by the credit card companies. To avoid this charge please pay by debit card, bank transfer or send in a cheque. If you pay your deposit by bank transfer or cheque then you are responsible to send in the balance 7 days before this date. Failure to send your balance on time could result in you losing your place on the tour.

EMAIL ADDRESS It is vital to enter your valid email address on the booking form. We correspond by email. Once your booking form has been received and your deposit processed, we notify you by email that your place has been confirmed, and inform you when the balance is due, or when it will be automatically charged in the event your deposit was paid by debit or credit card. We'll also email you all of the information that you'll require for your tour.

DMT AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES Our agents and representatives are not a party to this contract, nor are they responsible or liable for failure to provide any service as may be described in our literature pertaining to the contract.

MOTORCYCLE RENTAL/SAFETY DEPOSIT When not using your own motorcycle, we supply a motorcycle as part of the tour package. We give all riders the choice of either a BMW R1200GS or F650GS. Our bikes have luggage cases, and some have top-boxes and backrests. In the unusual event at the time of the tour that your bike choice becomes unavailable we reserve the right to offer you an alternative bike. To date Discovery Moto Tours has never exercised this right, but we reserve it in the case of unexpected and/or uncontrollable situations such as mechanical failure, collision damage, theft etc. Should Discovery Moto Tours not be able to replace a confirmed motorcycle with the confirmed type or similar, a pro-rated refund for the difference will be refunded to the rider. This constitutes the maximum liability of Discovery Moto Tours. For un-guided hire only a theft deposit of £3000 is required before the start of the hire period which is refundable upon return of the undamaged hire motorcyle. A safety deposit has to be paid at the start of the tour, which equates to £950 for R1200GS or an F650GS. This can be paid by credit card, debit card or cash. This safety deposit is equal to the amount of the insurance excess/deductible of the vehicle insurance. This safety deposit will be refunded upon return of the undamaged motorcycle at the end of the tour. In the event the rider damages the motorcycle during a tour and it becomes unrideable, then the rider may have to finish the tour in the support vehicle. Discovery Moto Tours cannot guarantee we will always be able to fix the motorcycle during the tour.

YOUR OWN MOTORCYCLE When supplying your own motorcycle for use on the tour, no motorcycle insurance is provided by Discovery Moto Tours, and no insurance or safety deposit is required by us. You must also pay for your own fuel. All other services of the tour and back-up are included.

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES The use of an fully insured bike (if using one of our motorcycles), all fuel, a back-up support vehicle (on some local excursions this does not follow us), lead and support guides (on some local excursions and on tours with small numbers we only have one guide), hotel accommodation in double or twin rooms, or single rooms where a single supplement applies, breakfasts, lunch whilst on route, evening meals whilst on tour (on some rest days we do not have a group meal), all parking fees, guide fees, all local taxes, ferry fees, local entrance and excursion fees (but not your personal visa or immigration fees if required) and all toll roads and bridges.    

YOUR TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE Your personal spending money, drinks, personal travel insurance and your flight, plus any items not mentioned above as included.

LUGGAGE Discovery Moto Tours can carry one soft bag of luggage for each tour participant in the support vehicle. Items of an immediate or personal nature such as passport, money, camera, suntan lotion, beach or daywear etc should be carried in the motorcycles panniers. Discovery Moto Tours assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage or delay in delivering baggage to tour participants. Any loss, damage or delay of luggage carried by Discovery Moto Tours should be insured under the customers own travel insurance policy.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS If you cancel your tour more than two calendar months before the start of your tour then your will lose your deposit only. If you cancel your tour more than one calendar month, but less than two calendar months before the start of your tour then you will be liable for 75% of the tour price. If you cancel your tour with less than one calendar month before the start of your tour then you will be liable for 100% of the value of your tour price. No exceptions to this policy can be made for any reason, therefore holiday cancellation insurance standard on most travel insurance policies is strongly recommended.

CHANGING RIDERS AND PASSENGER NAMES You may make one change to the passenger or pillion without charge. Further changes to passenger or pillion names will incur an administration charge of £25 per name. You may assign your tour to another rider at any time up to 1 calendar month before the start of the tour for a fee of £200.

MINIMUM TOUR PARTICIPANTS AND CANCELLATION Discovery Moto Tours reserve the right to cancel a tour up to 30 days prior to tour start if an insufficient number of tour participants have booked and fully paid by that time. In this case, the customers will be notified forthwith. Discovery Moto Tours will offer to operate the tour if all customers agree to a supplemental charge due to the low number of tour members or offer an alternative tour or date. If customers do not accept to pay the supplement, or accept an alternative tour or date then Discovery Moto Tours will refund their payment in full. This will constitute the full settlement. Discovery Moto Tours is not liable for any additional costs or losses that may be incurred by the tour participant due to the tours cancellation. This includes, but is not limited to, any extra hotel reservations or car rentals, or the cost of non-refundable airline tickets. Situations may arise which, in our opinion, make it necessary for us to cancel, advance or postpone a scheduled tour, change itineraries or make substitutions regarding hotels, cities, tour guides and other travel arrangements. This may be due to several reasons, not limited to but including, war, adverse weather conditions, riots and or matters concerning participants safety, operational circumstances such as bike theft, or damage caused by fire. In these events, we do not assume responsibility or liability for any resulting losses, expenses or inconvenience. Discovery Moto Tours are not required to make refunds once the tour commences regardless of the reason for participants being unable to complete the tour.

FORCE MAJEURE Means any unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our normal control, which the consequences of could not have been avoided even when exercising all due care. Such circumstances or events include, but are not limited to, war, or threat of war, riot, civil unrest, industrial disputes or strikes, unavoidable technical problems with transport, closure or congestion of airports, terrorist activity, natural disasters, industrial disasters, fire, theft, flooding and adverse weather conditions. In the event of any of the above refunds or compensation payments cannot be made.

RIDERS OBLIGATIONS The rider/hirer agrees NOT TO: a) Allow any other person than the authorized persons named in the booking form to use the motorcycle. b) Allow such authorised persons to drive the motorcycle if you or they are banned
from driving or if you or they do not possess a valid driver's license or are incapable of driving. c) Drive the motorcycle if he/she himself/herself is banned from driving or if he/she does not possess a valid driver's license. d) Use the motorcycle in a condition unsuitable for driving. e) Use the motorcycle for any commercial, or non-general touring purposes. f) Participate in any motorcycling events of any kind, including the practice runs pertaining to such events. g) Use the motorcycle off-road or on beaches, unless supervised or under the guidance of Discovery Moto Tours staff. h) Use the motorbike as security or sell the motorcycle or dispose of the motorcycle or its parts, equipment, accessories and documents in any way that could infringe the rights of ownership of the rightful owner of the motorcycle. i) Park the motorcycle on the road during the night, or in a dangerous position during the day. j) Use the motorcycle for any trips not authorized, or any trips away from the touring group, or any trips out of the country of hire without the express agreement of Discovery Moto Tours staff in writing.

RIDING SAFELY, LOCAL TRAFFIC LAWS AND GROUP TRAVEL REGULATIONS If the rider does not comply with local traffic laws or the requirements for group travel as stipulated by Discovery Moto Tours staff, the contract may be cancelled and the rental motorcycle withdrawn. If Discovery Moto Tours staff think any rider is driving in a way that can harm the rider, passenger or any other tour participants or bystanders then they reserve the right to caution the rider and/or cancel the contract and secure the rental motorcycle. If the customer is using their own bike then in these circumstances to protect the other tour members we may exclude the offending rider from the tour and withdraw all guiding, backup and tour services from them. Any fines or prosecutions will be the responsibility of the offending party. Your safety is of of the utmost importance.

PHOTO AND VIDEO MATERIAL Any photos and videos taken by Discovery Moto Tours whilst on tour remain the copyright of Discovery Moto Tours. You also agree that we may use this material for our newsletter, or advertising and marketing purposes, including images in which individual tour members can be recognized.

PASSPORT, VISA, DRIVING AND HEALTH REGULATIONS The customer is responsible for complying with above regulations and any consequences resulting from non-compliance. You and your passenger(s) need a passport that covers you in the countries you are travelling too. Please check with the relevant embassy, but a standard UK, EC, US, Australian etc passport is fine for all the countries we visit. Your passport should expire at least 6 months after your trip finishes. Please also bring your travel insurance documents. For riders please also bring your full motorbike license. An International Drivers Permit is also recommended for Thailand, obtainable from the Post Office or the AA.

For riders using their own motorbikes please bring your logbook, insurance, receipt of purchase, a valid MOT/Test certificate if applicable, a valid green card (obtainable from your insurance company if travelling to Morocco). If you have any difficulties in obtaining a green card please let us know, as we will be able to assist. If you are using a friends motorcycle and intend using it on a Moroccan tour then you will also need a notarised document with the owners signature, listing the make, model, registration and vehicle identification number giving you permission to use the motorcycle for Moroccan customs purposes.

Please consult your doctor for up to the minute advice on any health precautions, jabs and boosters you may require. It would also be a good idea to get a European EHIC insurance document if travelling through Spain and Portugal, available from the Post Office, which enables a percentage of any medical fees to be reclaimed. The EHIC has replaced the old E111 which is no longer valid.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY We are responsible for providing the services listed in the tour brochure and our website, where it is within our control. We carefully select and regularly monitor our contractors, such as hotels and restaurants. Discovery Moto Tours is responsible for carefully planning all travel and tour preparations. Discovery Moto Tours is not responsible or liable for any accidents. We reserve the right without prior notice to withdraw any part or all of a tour, and to make such changes as may be necessary. Furthermore, it is agreed by you that the owners, operators and agents of this tour including Discovery Moto Tours are not the guardians of any customers safety and they, individually or collectively, cannot be held liable in any way for any occurrence in connection with the operation or the customers participation in connection with the tour, which might result in illness, injury, death or other damage to the customer, his property, or his family, heirs, or assigns. The liability of Discovery Moto Tours as the tour operator is limited to a total of two times the tour price irrespective of the title/claim.

CHANGES TO TOUR SCHEDULE Discovery Moto Tours reserves the right to amend the tour schedule. This may be due to several reasons, not limited to but including, war, adverse weather conditions, riots and or matters concerning participants safety, operational circumstances such as bike theft or damage caused by fire. In these circumstances the itinerary such as the tour routing, attractions and hotels may need to be adjusted accordingly. This may also mean a tour finishing earlier or later than planned. Discovery Moto Tours is not liable for any additional costs or losses that may be incurred by the tour participant due to the tours change of schedule. This includes, but is not limited to, any extra hotel reservations or car rentals, or the cost of non-refundable airline tickets. Situations may arise which, in our opinion, make it necessary for us to alter the normal schedule of the tour, change itineraries or make substitutions regarding hotels, cities, tour guides and other travel arrangements. We advise that your travel insurance covers holiday curtailment.

WEATHER CONDITIONS Discovery Moto Tours usually enjoys pleasant weather during its tours. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and can change quickly and significantly. Discovery Moto Tours cannot be made liable for unpleasant or unsuitable weather conditions and no refunds are made for such conditions.

PRICES OF TOURS AND RENTAL RATES Fares quoted in our brochures and website are those in effect at time of printing and creation. If cost factors, including but not limited to hotels, meals, motorcycles, insurance, and international currency fluctuations dictate the need for fare increases, then Discovery Moto Tours may do so at any time prior to 60 days before departure. We reserve this right, but are pleased to inform you that to date we have never exercised this.

INSURANCE Discovery Moto Tours recommends that you take out adequate travel insurance, including cover for medical treatment, accidents and repatriation, and holiday cancellation and curtailment.

VERBAL CHANGES of contract are not valid unless confirmed in writing by Discovery Moto Tours.

PRINTING, TYPING AND CALCULATION ERRORS AND OMISSIONS Discovery Moto Tours reserve the right to correct any printing or typing errors, omissions or calculation mistakes at any time.

COMPLAINTS AND JURISDICTION Should a participant feel that the organisers have not met its obligations it should first be brought to the attention of the accompanying leading tour guide. If however, the participant is not completely satisfied, any further comments should be put in writing, within 14 days of your return, specifying the tour identity and dates, and nature of the complaint to: info@discoverymototours.com where your complaint will be investigated and responded to within 14 days by email. The country of Jurisdiction shall be Thailand.

TOUR OPERATOR, AGENTS, BANKERS, LEGAL ADVISORS AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS Our European Agent is Discovery Moto Tours, 6 Parabola House, Parabola Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AH, UK. Our Thai Agent/Operator is Discovery Moto Tours (Thailand) Company Ltd., Sri Panwa, Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand. The tour operator is Discovery Moto Tours TA, M J O'Neill, Sri Panwa, Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand. Email: info@discoverymototours.com Our bankers are Barclays Bank Plc and Siam Commercial Bank Plc. Our lawyers are McEvily Collins Attorneys at Law, Phuket, Thailand. Our equipment providers are BMW Motorrad (Thailand) Company Ltd, Barcelona Motors (BMW), BVM Motorcycles Ltd, Toyota UK, Toyota Spain and Toyota Pearl (Thailand). Valid as of 1st November 2007.