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GENERAL EXPEDITION TERMS (AEB)

Note: This English translation is provided for convenience only. The German version is legally binding.

1. What this information is for

Our expeditions take you to regions where many things work differently from everyday life at home. So that you know exactly what you are getting into before you book, we describe openly here how we live, travel and make decisions on the road and which risks are part of it. What we owe you under the contract and what you owe us is governed by our General Terms and Conditions (AGB). In addition, the information in the announcement of your expedition and in the travel information you receive from us before the start of the trip applies.

2. What an expedition with us means

Our expeditions are not package tours in the conventional sense, as you know them with a hotel, coach and a fixed daily programme. We travel in small groups of no more than 11 participants, usually 8 to 11, to remote areas with little or no tourist infrastructure. We plan every expedition carefully, but on site we depend on what is available there: local vehicles, simple accommodation, regional food and partners who know their area. You therefore cannot expect comfort, hygiene and safety standards like those in Central Europe. That is exactly what makes our trips what they are, but it calls for openness, patience and team spirit.

3. What everyday life on the road looks like

Transport: Where we travel by motor vehicle, we use the vehicles customary on site, such as off-road vehicles in Mauritania or boats in the Yukon. Seat belts, well-maintained vehicles or drivers trained to German standards cannot be taken for granted.

Terrain: Our routes often lead away from marked trails, through desert, forest and mountains or along rivers. We assume sure-footedness, sturdy footwear and good basic fitness. Our guides are not state-certified mountain or climbing guides.

Accommodation: The tour announcement states which accommodation is included on arrival and departure. On the road we usually sleep in tents, in simple camps or under the open sky. We cannot promise accommodation separated by gender.

Food and water: We cook with what is available locally and is easy to transport. There is usually no refrigeration. Where necessary, we take drinking water from rivers or other sources and treat it; a residual risk from germs remains. If you have allergies, intolerances or particular dietary habits, state them in the expedition questionnaire so that we can clarify together what is possible and what you should bring yourself.

Hygiene: There are no showers on most expeditions. You can often wash in rivers or lakes.

4. Medical care and emergencies

We carry an expedition first-aid kit for initial care. In our areas, doctors and emergency services are often hours or days away. Our guides are trained in first aid and provide it to the best of their knowledge in an emergency; this does not replace medical treatment. Depending on the region, we carry a satellite phone or an emergency beacon. Whether and how quickly a rescue is possible depends on weather, terrain and reception.

Get medical advice before the trip, check your vaccinations and bring your personal medication in sufficient quantity. Note down your doctor's phone number so that you can reach them in an emergency. Who bears the costs of rescue and treatment is governed by clause 8.3 of our AGB.

5. Risks you should know about

Every expedition involves risks that cannot be ruled out even with good planning:

From the activities: falls, sprains and fractures, cuts and burns when handling knives, axes, stoves and fire, accidents involving vehicles or animals and, during activities on the water, the risk of drowning. For expeditions on the water you must be able to swim.

From nature and weather: extreme heat or cold, strong sun, sandstorms, thunderstorms, floods and strong currents, wild animals and periods without reception for communication devices.

For your health: gastrointestinal infections, wound infections, allergic reactions, exhaustion, heat illness or hypothermia and, depending on the region, tropical diseases.

From the situation in the country: In some destination countries the security situation differs from that in Germany. Read the travel and safety advice of the German Federal Foreign Office for your destination before booking and again before departure.

Special features of the individual expeditions:

Mauritania: Part of the route runs on open wagons of the iron ore train through the Sahara. The journey takes many hours, is dusty, cold at night and has no protection whatsoever against falling off. In addition there are drives in off-road vehicles and stages in the desert in great heat.

Canada (Yukon): We spend several days travelling by canoe on the Yukon. The water is cold, the current strong, and help is far away. Bears live in the area; the rules in camp and for handling food are therefore binding.

Costa Rica: The crossing leads through jungle and montane rainforest, with river crossings, mud, high humidity, insects and venomous animals.

Kurdistan (Iraq): The expedition leads into high mountains, with altitude, cold and steep terrain. The security situation in the region can change at short notice.

This list is not exhaustive. Which of these points play a role on your expedition depends on the route, the season and the situation on site. Ask us about anything that is unclear to you in the introductory call. If you are not comfortable with these risks, an expedition with us is probably not the right thing for you.

6. When something changes along the way

In remote regions it happens again and again that the weather, authorities, water levels, closed routes or an illness in the group change the plan. We then decide on site how to continue safely. This can mean that we take a different route, skip an item on the programme, postpone days or, in extreme cases, do not reach the destination. Equipment can also fail, for example if customs do not let a satellite phone or a drone into the country or luggage is lost. If a guide drops out at short notice, we bring in a suitable replacement. Your rights in the event of such changes are governed by our AGB and the statutory provisions.

Plan at least three full buffer days for arrival and departure. That way you will neither miss the start if your luggage is delayed nor your return flight if the end of the expedition is postponed. Because of the schedule, the group cannot wait for latecomers.

7. What we expect from you

An expedition only works if everyone lends a hand: with cooking, treating water, setting up camp, gathering firewood and whenever someone needs help. Prepare thoroughly, physically, with suitable equipment and with the entry, health and safety information for your destination. Before departure we keep you up to date via WhatsApp or email; please read these messages carefully. On the road, the guides' instructions apply, including on the pace of the group, because they serve everyone's safety. What applies in the event of serious misconduct is governed by clause 9.2 of our AGB.

8. Insurance and money for emergencies

Which insurance you need to take part is set out in clause 8 of our AGB. Rescue services and helicopter operators often require a credit card or another payment guarantee before a mission, while insurers usually only reimburse afterwards. So bring a credit card with a sufficient limit and agree with your family beforehand who can help out at short notice in an emergency. Our information on insurance and payment methods is not insurance or legal advice.

9. Questions before booking

In the introductory call we take time for all your questions, about the route, the physical demands and whether the expedition is right for you. You can also reach us at any time at info@globalpioneers.de.

Our expeditions