Because our tours are small and specialized we prefer to talk with each one of you individually.  This way, we can answer all your questions, and get to know each other a bit. Please contact us either by phone or email and we will provide you with the forms to get started. After May 1, 2007 these forms will be downloadable from this website.  

Once you have decided to book with us, we will need you to fill out our application form and our booking agreement which is a legally binding contract between yourself and Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. Please read through the application and the booking agreement carefully and if you have any questions, we are happy to answer them for you.

A deposit of $500 per person is required to hold your space and should be submitted with your application. We accept Visa, Mastercard, personal check or money order in US dollars for the deposit, (see note below for payment of final balance).

When we have received the required forms and deposit, we will be able to confirm your space. At this time, we will mail out to you our Red Lotus Trip Planner which will include information about the country we will be touring, and a suggested reading list about the area.

The remainder of the tour cost will be due no later than 60 days prior to the departure date. Please Note: We cannot accept credit or debit cards for the remaining balance due. Payment must be made by personal check, money order or bank draft in US dollars. If the remainder is not paid prior to 60 days, your booking will be cancelled and your deposit forfeited. You will also be required to provide proof of medical and personal liability insurance at the time of your final payment. Once final payment is received we will mail out a "Lotus List" of how to pack for maximum enjoyment and minimum hassle, details of where we will greet you in the country you are touring, and emergency contact information.

Once you have paid for your tour, if you need to cancel the following charges will apply:

91 days or more:   $50.00 charge per person
61-90 days:  forfeit deposit of $500
31-60 days:  50% refund of tour price
30 days or less:  Sorry, no refunds, no exceptions.
If you sign up for a tour within 60 days of the tour date, full payment will be due immediately before we can confirm your space on the tour and the deposit portion ($500 USD) will be non-refundable.

If, in the unlikely event, Red Lotus Tours, Ltd., needs to cancel a tour, we reserve the right to do so.  Your deposit and/or any other monies paid to us will be refunded in full within  3 weeks of the cancellation.  We will try to never cancel a trip less than 6 weeks prior to departure unless there is a ‘force majuere”.  In case of a ‘force majeure”, there may be some reasonable expenses deducted from your refund. 

It is required by Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. that you must be fully and adequately insured for the duration of your chosen trip.  We will ask for proof of this insurance at the time of your final payment.  If you fail to provide us with proof of adequate insurance, we reserve the right to cancel your tour.  The cancellation will be subject to the rules of our cancellation policy.  Due to the adventurous nature of our journeys, we require that you have medical, and personal accident insurance.  We also recommend that you have loss of baggage and personal items as well as cancellation insurance. 

It is also essential that you make Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. aware of any medical conditions or health concerns you may have that would affect your ability to complete a trip.  Trips to Peru take place at elevations from 9,000 to 13,000 feet, and this must also be taken into account and reported to your physician.  This notification must be made in writing at or before the time of booking.  If you have any health concerns whatsoever, these must be discussed with your physician prior to your departure.  Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. requires a signed document from your Physician stating that you are in good health for the trip you are signed up for.  We will provide you with such document to present to your Physician, and this must be signed by the time of your final payment.

Due to the cohesive nature of our tours, it is very important that you arrive on the first day of the tour and stay for the entire tour.  We will not be able to provide discounted rates or refunds for portions of the tour that are unused due to late arrival or early departure.   

You will be responsible for booking your travel arrangements to the country visited.  Transportation within that country will be booked by Red Lotus Tours, Ltd.  You will be responsible for ensuring you have all your travel documents in order, as well as emergency, personal liability and medical insurance, and immunizations.  You will always need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your visit, and we will inform you of Visa requirements, as well as required and recommended immunizations.  Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. accepts no responsibility for travelers who fail to provide the required documentation, fail to get the proper immunizations to enter a country, or who do not abide by the laws currently in force.  Plan carefully! 

Travel Reports
Most Governments maintain websites dedicated to providing their citizens with the most up-to-date travel information. The websites below publish online travel reports containing the most recent news as well as background information on every country.

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs

Immunizations and Travel Health Issues
It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic.

We've provided links to a number of websites that contain excellent background information related to travel health issues. Nevertheless these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.

The National Centre for Disease Control
Health Canada's Information for Travellers
World Health Organization (WHO)
MD Travel Health
Demal200 Homoeopathic Prophylactic for Malaria

Travel Visas
Visa requirements change frequently and are dependent upon your nationality and your destination. You may wish to arrange these yourself or have your travel agent arrange these on your behalf.

Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau
US Bureau of Consular Affairs

The price of your tour will INCLUDE all transportation in the country we are visiting (typically trains, private buses, taxis; occasionally in-country flights), hotels, and most meals (at least two meals per day), entrance fees to parks, archaeological ruins, and all classes specified in the itinerary of the tour you are taking.  EXCLUDED expenses are: airfare to and from the country we are touring, travel visas, alcoholic beverages, snacks, beverages and food taken outside of the meals provided, laundry, accommodation outside the tour, personal items and medication, souvenirs, airport departure taxes, and tips.  Some trips will have supplementary or added itineraries available at an extra cost.  Please read about each trip to make sure you understand what is in included and budget accordingly.

All prices are quoted in US Dollars.  If you are using a currency besides US Dollars to pay for your trip, we will use the exchange rate offered by the bank on the day of the transaction. 

Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. reserves the right to increase trip prices to take account of government action, currency fluctuation, increases in transportation costs, and/or noticeable rise in accommodation costs.  Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. will absorb a sum equal to 2% of the trip costs should a surcharge be applicable. 

Unless stated otherwise, Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. takes a maximum of 12 women per trip.  Our tour will depart once there is a minimum of 6 women booked and paid in full. 

Our accommodations are ‘comfortable’.  Comfort means a wide range of travel experiences somewhere between budget and five star.  Hotel and travel provided will have a little extra cushiness, while maintaining a cultural, charming experience.  We will often have private and upgraded transport (where available), and most meals will be included.

All travelers participate in activities and events during the trip at their own risk.  Tours in developing countries where lower standards of living, infrastructure and efficiency often prevail, will intrinsically involve risk of physical injury and illness greater than those encountered in daily life.  You accept these risks by partaking in the tour.  You acknowledge and assume all risks inherent therein.  Red Lotus Tours, Ltd., its employees, guides and contractors do not accept responsibility for any client or dependant thereof in respect of any loss, injury, illness, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience from the time of arrival to the time of departure.

The tours may travel through areas where there may be disruption to itineraries and schedules for a large number of reasons, including but not limited to vehicle defects, breakdown of equipment, strikes, theft, acts of God or government, acts of terrorism, criminal activity, war, a force majeure event, or the negligence or default of any supplier of services.  Alternative arrangements will be made when/where practicable and possible, but no liability is accepted for either disruption or if any operator temporarily withdraws a service for whatever reason.  Should Red Lotus Tour, Ltd. have to curtail a trip for any reason the company will not be liable for the client’s additional costs or refunds.  Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. will use all reasonable endeavors to complete a trip or utilize an alternative arrangement.  Route and accommodation changes may also sometimes be necessary.  These will always be made at the discretion of the tour leaders, generally for the benefit of the group, and do not constitute and alteration of your tour, therefore you will not receive any compensation for such changes. 

The tour leader has overriding authority on our tours.  By signing our booking form you agree to this.  If you commit any illegal act on a tour, or if in the opinion of the tour leader your behavior is detrimental to the safety or welfare of the group as a whole, you may be asked to leave the trip without any right to a refund.

You agree that Red Lotus Tours, Ltd., and it’s agents may take photographs and videotapes of you and use them in promotional, publicity, merchandising or commercial purposes. By signing the booking form, you hereby authorize the reproduction, copyright, sales, broadcast and/or distribution of said videotape, sound recording and pictures for such purposes and for no financial or other remuneration. You release Red Lotus Tours, Ltd. and its representatives and agents from any damages, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses or claims arising from such use of your pictures or voice.

During your trip with Red Lotus Tours, Ltd., if you encounter any problems or dissatisfaction please discuss this immediately with your tour leader(s). If this is not possible or if the problem cannot be resolved and you wish to complain, a written complaint should be sent within 30 days of completing your trip.

We strive to maintain the highest of level of satisfaction possible, however, please be aware that you are on a tour with other individuals, and everyone’s personal needs cannot always be met to the fullest. The nature of our tours is to build cohesiveness as well as flexibility, and we ask that you become part of a group, putting some of your personal preferences aside for the duration of the journey.

The booking form represents the entire agreement between the client and Red Lotus Tours, Ltd., who is the tour operator. On signing the booking form you show your willingness to accept our terms and conditions and confirm that you have the authority to accept such terms and conditions. On accepting your booking we agree to carry out our obligations to you as outlined and defined above.

This contract is governed by and shall be construed according to the laws of British Columbia, Canada and both parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the British Columbia courts.