Terms & Conditions

VALID IDENTIFICATION:

All travelers of any age must possess valid passports, government-issued IDs, and any required visas or travel documents before booking and travel. Identification and passport documents must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the return date of the itinerary, unless the destination country or applicable authority requires a longer validity period.

HEALTH AND MOBILITY:

Travelers must disclose any health, medical, dietary, or mobility issues that could affect their participation in the tour. OpenWinds reserves the right to decline, limit, or remove travelers from participation if their condition may materially affect the traveler's safety, the tour operation, or the experience of other travelers.

REPRESENTATION AND BOOKING:

Bookings for all products must be made through the official website or through an approved OpenWinds booking channel. OpenWinds will issue an invoice or payment request after availability and pricing are reviewed. Unless otherwise stated, invoices are valid for forty-eight (48) hours and are subject to availability until payment is received and the booking is confirmed. Non-USD payment amounts may have a shorter validity period as stated in the invoice, payment request, or booking communication.

A surcharge may apply for bookings made within ten (10) days of departure, during peak travel periods, or where supplier costs increase before confirmation.

PAYMENTS, CANCELLATION, AND REFUNDS:

Cancellation policies are specific to each tour and are listed on the tour page, invoice, confirmation, or booking communication. To qualify for a refund, if applicable under the relevant cancellation policy, written cancellation must be received by OpenWinds by 10:00 AM Eastern Time on the final day of the applicable cancellation period.

Refunds, where applicable, will be processed after review of the booking terms and any supplier charges already incurred. International wire refunds are subject to a $45 processing fee.

Payments are accepted via Zelle, wire transfers, and in-person check deposits at Bank of America branches. Checks sent by mail are not accepted.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, all tour prices, deposits, balances, cancellation calculations, and refund eligibility are quoted and confirmed in U.S. dollars (USD).

For customer convenience, OpenWinds may accept offline payments in CAD, EUR, or another approved currency upon request. When a customer chooses to pay in a non-USD currency, the payable amount will be calculated only for the installment currently due, using the exchange rate applied by OpenWinds at the time the payment instructions are issued. Any non-USD amount provided before payment is valid only until the expiry time stated in the invoice, payment request, or booking communication.

Payment of a deposit in CAD, EUR, or another non-USD currency does not lock the exchange rate for the remaining balance unless OpenWinds expressly confirms this in writing. The remaining balance continues to be based on the USD booking balance and, if paid in a non-USD currency, will be recalculated when the balance payment is requested.

Once a payment is received by OpenWinds, that payment is considered settled and will not be adjusted due to later exchange-rate changes.

Refunds, where applicable under the relevant cancellation policy, will be calculated based on the USD booking amount and the refundable portion of the booking. Refunds for non-USD payments may be issued in the same currency and up to the same amount originally received by OpenWinds for the refundable portion, or in USD at OpenWinds' discretion. OpenWinds is not responsible for exchange-rate differences, intermediary bank fees, receiving bank fees, foreign transaction charges, or other bank/payment charges applied by the customer's bank or payment provider.

TOUR PRICING, INCLUSIONS, AND EXCLUSIONS:

Tour prices cover land-based arrangements only, including accommodation, sightseeing, transfers, meals, and services specifically mentioned in the itinerary, unless flights or cruise components are expressly listed as included in the tour inclusions or itinerary.

Flights and cruise components are included only where explicitly stated in the tour inclusions or itinerary. Airfares, cruise fares, schedules, availability, fare rules, ticketing conditions, baggage rules, name correction rules, and supplier requirements are subject to the applicable airline, cruise line, or supplier terms.

Flight prices and availability are not guaranteed until tickets are issued. For tours marketed as including flights, airfare is arranged as part of the overall package, and airline tickets are typically issued upon receipt of full payment, normally no later than thirty (30) days prior to departure.

All travel required to reach the tour starting point and to return from the tour end point is the guest's responsibility, unless expressly included in the tour inclusions or itinerary.

Once any internal flight, cruise component, attraction ticket, hotel room, transport service, or other supplier service has been confirmed, ticketed, reserved, or issued, that portion of the package may become non-refundable and may carry amendment, cancellation, name correction, fare difference, supplier, airline, cruise line, hotel, or vendor charges, irrespective of the tour cancellation policy.

OpenWinds is not responsible for airline-imposed penalties, fare differences, supplier charges, schedule changes, amendment charges, name correction charges, or other costs arising after confirmation or ticket issuance of such services.

Refunds will not be issued for any unused or partially used services.

Private City Tours pricing assumes a minimum number of guests traveling together. Optional items, including Indian meals where not listed as included, are not included and must be requested during booking.

TRAVELER'S RESPONSIBILITIES:

Travelers must review all booking details, names, dates, inclusions, exclusions, rooming, flight details where applicable, and travel documents upon receipt. Discrepancies must be reported within twenty-four (24) hours; otherwise, changes may not be possible or may be subject to supplier charges.

OpenWinds is not liable for issues, costs, denied boarding, denied entry, missed services, or supplier charges arising from incorrect traveler information, invalid documents, visa issues, or errors not corrected within this timeframe.

HOTEL POLICIES:

Hotels may require a refundable security deposit, credit card, or incidental hold at check-in, payable directly by the guest. Room configurations, bedding types, extra beds, connecting rooms, smoking preferences, views, and early check-in or late check-out requests are subject to hotel availability and cannot be guaranteed in advance. Unless otherwise stated, maximum occupancy per room is four (4) travelers.

SPECIAL REQUESTS:

Special requests, including dietary, mobility, seating, accommodation, bedding, medical, or religious preferences, must be made at the time of booking. While OpenWinds will attempt to communicate such requests to relevant service providers, fulfillment is not guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in writing.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

OpenWinds strongly recommends that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, evacuation, baggage loss, delays, supplier default where available, and other unexpected events. Travelers are responsible for reviewing policy terms and ensuring the coverage is suitable for their needs.

ROLE OF OPENWINDS AND THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS:

OpenWinds markets, sells, confirms, and provides booking support for the tours listed on its website. Certain on-ground services, including transportation, hotels, sightseeing, meals, guides, tour managers, attractions, airport transfers, flights, cruises, and other local arrangements, may be provided through authorised ground handling partners, local service providers, vendors, and independent contractors.

Group tours may be operated locally on a shared basis with guests booked through other travel companies or agents, which is standard practice for group departures. OpenWinds remains the customer's booking and service support point as per the confirmed itinerary and voucher.

OpenWinds makes reasonable efforts to work with reliable service providers; however, OpenWinds does not own, manage, operate, or control third-party hotels, coach companies, airlines, cruise lines, restaurants, attractions, guides, tour managers, or other independent service providers. Services are subject to local conditions, availability, supplier rules, operational requirements, and the confirmed itinerary.

TOUR VOUCHERS AND SERVICE CONFIRMATION:

After booking and payment, travelers will receive a confirmation, invoice, itinerary, and/or tour voucher from OpenWinds, subject to processing and supplier confirmation. Travelers are responsible for reviewing all documents carefully and notifying OpenWinds of any discrepancy within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.

Participation in the tour is subject to the confirmed itinerary, voucher, package inclusions, and applicable terms of the relevant hotels, transport providers, attractions, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, and other service providers. OpenWinds will remain the customer's primary point of contact for booking-related support and service coordination.

ITINERARY CHANGES AND OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS:

OpenWinds and its authorised ground handling partners may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, routing, sightseeing order, hotel, restaurant, transport, guide, tour manager, or other components due to availability, traffic, weather, local regulations, supplier changes, closures, safety considerations, group size, or other operational requirements.

Such changes do not automatically qualify for a refund provided that the overall nature of the tour and materially similar services are provided. OpenWinds will make reasonable efforts to provide suitable alternatives where necessary.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION:

By booking a tour, travelers acknowledge that travel services involve independent service providers and inherent risks. OpenWinds shall not be liable for claims, damages, losses, delays, injuries, illnesses, deaths, expenses, or disruptions caused by acts, omissions, negligence, defaults, schedule changes, cancellations, or failures of third-party service providers, except to the extent caused directly by OpenWinds’ discretion own proven gross negligence or willful misconduct.

This includes, but is not limited to, issues involving hotels, coach companies, airlines, cruise lines, restaurants, attractions, guides, tour managers, transport providers, government authorities, or other independent suppliers.

Travelers agree to indemnify and hold OpenWinds harmless from any claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses arising from the traveler's participation in the tour, violation of these Terms, failure to obtain required documents, inaccurate information, or conduct that causes loss or harm to OpenWinds, other travelers, or service providers.

Under no circumstances shall OpenWinds be liable for any incidental, consequential, indirect, special, exemplary, or punitive damages. The maximum liability of OpenWinds, if any, shall not exceed the total amount paid by the traveler to OpenWinds for the specific booking in question.

TOUR CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

Group Tours: Group tour departures are scheduled in coordination with authorised ground handling partners and local service providers and may be subject to minimum participation, supplier availability, routing, weather, traffic, force majeure, government restrictions, or other operational considerations. While departures are planned to operate as published and many departures do operate as scheduled, OpenWinds does not warrant or guarantee that any specific departure will operate exactly as published.

If a group tour departure is cancelled prior to commencement of travel, OpenWinds will offer the traveler either an alternative available departure date or a refund of amounts paid to OpenWinds for the applicable tour package, subject to the package terms and any non-refundable supplier charges already incurred.

OpenWinds is not responsible for separately booked flights, visas, insurance, hotel nights, airport transfers, meals, activities, or other travel arrangements not expressly included in the confirmed itinerary. Any airline penalties, fare differences, supplier charges, amendment fees, or other costs arising from tour changes, cancellations, or ticket issuance shall be the traveler's responsibility.

Private Tours: Payments for Private Tours are non-refundable once confirmed, unless otherwise stated on the package page, invoice, or confirmation. Changes after confirmation are subject to availability and may not be permitted or may carry additional charges.

FORCE MAJEURE:

OpenWinds shall not be liable for any failure, delay, cancellation, alteration, loss, or additional cost caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to weather, natural disasters, strikes, labor disputes, pandemics, epidemics, government actions, border closures, political unrest, security events, road closures, supplier failures, airline or cruise disruptions, accidents, technical issues, or other force majeure events.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND NO WARRANTIES:

By booking a tour, travelers accept the inherent risks of travel, including but not limited to accidents, injuries, illnesses, delays, disruptions, weather events, political or security risks, road conditions, and the condition of accommodations, transportation, attractions, and local infrastructure.

OpenWinds makes no express or implied warranties regarding any travel services, including warranties of fitness, suitability, availability, uninterrupted service, or exact equivalence of substituted services. Tours are provided subject to the confirmed itinerary, supplier availability, local conditions, and these Terms.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION:

By booking with OpenWinds, travelers agree that these Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles, and any legal disputes shall be handled exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Georgia, USA.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

These Terms & Conditions, along with the applicable tour page, invoice, itinerary, confirmation, voucher, and any pre-departure documentation provided by OpenWinds, constitute the entire agreement between travelers and OpenWinds. This agreement supersedes any prior agreements, representations, or understandings between the parties.

SMS TERMS & CONDITIONS:

By providing your phone number and communicating with OpenWinds, you consent to receive conversational and customer care text messages from OpenWinds related to your inquiries, missed calls, callback coordination, booking support, travel coordination, and ongoing customer support communications.

Message frequency may vary depending on your interactions with OpenWinds. Message and data rates may apply.

You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. For help, reply HELP or contact OpenWinds through our website.

SMS consent is not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.