Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions (“Booking Conditions”), together with our Privacy Policy and (where your tour is booked via our website) our Website Terms of Use, and any other written information we bring to your attention before we confirm your booking, form the basis of your contract with Andes Big Mountain SpA, a company incorporated in Chile, trading as “Andes Big Mountain” (“ABM”, “we”, “us”, “our”).Please read these Booking Conditions carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations.

0. Definitions

“Tour / Expedition / Program” means any guided mountain activity offered by Andes Big Mountain, including but not limited to mountaineering, alpine climbing, ski touring, volcano ascents, and high-altitude expeditions.
“You / Your” means the first named person on the booking and all persons on whose behalf a booking is made or added.
“Guide(s)” means ABM-appointed guides, including UIAGM/IFMGA certified guides and support staff.
“Force Majeure / Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances” means events outside ABM’s reasonable control, including but not limited to storms, dangerous weather, route closures, avalanches, rockfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, wildfire, floods, government restrictions, war, civil unrest, epidemics or pandemics, or any other circumstance making the program unsafe or impracticable.

1. Booking & Contract Formation

A booking is made when:

you pay the required deposit;
you provide all requested personal, passport and medical information; and
we issue a written booking confirmation.

A binding contract comes into existence once ABM issues a written confirmation.We reserve the right to decline a booking at our discretion for safety, medical, experience, fitness, or operational reasons, including minimum group size requirements.

2. Accuracy of Information

We take reasonable care to ensure that all information on our website and materials is accurate. However, itineraries, dates, routes, vertical gain, accommodation, logistics and prices are indicative and subject to change.

We reserve the right to correct errors and update details at any time.

3. Fitness, Skills & Medical Disclosure

Mountain programs are physically and technically demanding. You are responsible for ensuring that your fitness level, skills and experience are appropriate for the program booked.You must disclose all relevant medical conditions, injuries, medications, allergies, prior altitude illness or limitations before booking and update us if anything changes.We may require:

a medical certificate,
a self-assessment form,
proof of prior experience,
or a screening call.

Failure to provide requested documentation may result in your booking being treated as cancelled by you, applying Section 6.

4. Payment Terms (ABM Policy)

A 50% deposit of the total expedition cost is required at booking.
This deposit must be received before any organization begins, including:
- guide confirmations,
- refuge bookings,
- permits and logistics.
The remaining 50% balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the expedition start date.
No services are guaranteed until full payment is received.

Failure to pay the balance on time may result in cancellation with applicable cancellation terms.

5. Travel & Expedition Insurance

We strongly recommend (and for some routes may require) insurance covering:

trip cancellation,
medical emergencies,
evacuation and rescue,
travel delays,
loss or damage of baggage and equipment.

Insurance must explicitly cover high-altitude and mountain activities relevant to your expedition.

6. Cancellations (Andes Big Mountain Policy)

6.1 Client Cancellation

All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email acceptable).

More than 60 days before the start date
→ 80% refund of all amounts paid.
60 days or less before the start date
→ No refund (0%).

6.2 Non-Refundable & Non-Transferable Payments

Deposits are non-refundable.
Payments made to third-party providers (guides, refuges, permits, transport) are non-recoverable.
Bookings are not transferable unless explicitly approved in writing by ABM and may incur additional costs.

6.3 Cancellation by Andes Big Mountain

If ABM cancels an expedition for internal reasons, a 100% refund of all payments received will be issued.

6.4 Weather, Safety & Force Majeure

If the expedition cannot proceed due to weather, safety or force majeure events, no refund will be issued.Where possible, ABM will:

propose alternative itineraries or objectives, or
adapt the program to safer conditions.

This policy exists because guides, refuges and logistics partners require early and often non-refundable commitments.

6.5 Early Departure / Unused Services

No refunds are issued for early departure or unused services.

7. Changes Requested by the Client

Any request to change dates, participants or program elements must be made in writing and is subject to availability, third-party conditions and potential administrative or rebooking fees.

8. Program Flexibility & Itinerary Changes

You acknowledge that mountain expeditions require flexibility. Routes, objectives, schedules, accommodation and logistics may change before or during the program due to safety or operational considerations.

Additional costs arising from necessary changes during the expedition may be payable by you.

9. Acceptance of Risk

You acknowledge that mountain activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to altitude illness, falls, avalanches, rockfall, severe weather, and limited rescue access.

By booking, you accept these risks and agree to follow guide instructions and safety protocols at all times.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by ABM’s negligence where such exclusion is unlawful.

10. Guide Authority

All expeditions are led by ABM-appointed Guides. The Guide’s decisions regarding safety, route choice and participant suitability are final.

If a participant is deemed unfit, unsafe, or disruptive, ABM may remove them from the program without refund. Any resulting costs are the participant’s responsibility.

11. Participant Conduct

Participants must behave responsibly and respectfully. ABM reserves the right to terminate participation without refund for dangerous, illegal or disruptive behavior.

Participants are liable for any damage or loss caused by their actions.

12. Equipment

You are responsible for bringing and maintaining suitable personal equipment as specified in the ABM kit list.

ABM is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal equipment unless caused by our negligence.

13. Passports, Visas & Health Requirements

You are responsible for meeting passport, visa, entry and health requirements. ABM is not liable if you are unable to travel due to non-compliance.

14. Complaints

Any issue during the expedition must be reported immediately to the Guide.If unresolved, written complaints must be submitted to info@andesbigmountain.com within 14 days after the program ends.

15. Image & Media Use

Photos or videos may be taken during expeditions. ABM may use such material for promotional purposes where consent is given or permitted by law.

If you do not wish to appear in media, you must notify ABM before the expedition starts.

16. Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including sensitive data provided for safety and operational purposes.

17. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Booking Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Chile.Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Santiago, Chile, unless mandatory consumer protection laws provide otherwise.

18. Severability

If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and enforceable.

19. Contact

Andes Big Mountain SpA

Chile

info@andesbigmountain.com