The following terms and conditions govern your use of any information or services provided by Camino Scholars (“Provider”). By accessing or using any materials, content, or services provided by Provider, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, you must not use the services provided by Camino Scholars.

Camino Scholars will not be held liable or responsible for medical conditions or illness that may impact a chosen itinerary. It is the responsibility of the participant to have travel insurance that covers any conditions or circumstances that may arise and/or be prepared for any related financial liability. 

It is the responsibility of the participant to assess whether a chosen itinerary is suitable and appropriate for them and their physical abilities. If in doubt, seek the advice of your physician to determine whether a chosen itinerary is right for you. The participant bears sole responsibility for the effects that pre-existing medical conditions may have on your ability to participate in a long-distance walk or any other activity that is part of a Camino Scholars itinerary, your ability to travel, your ability to travel to and within relatively remote locations with limited access to medical facilities, or that may adversely affect other participants on your itinerary. No credit of such payments will be made if you are unable to participate in or complete any portion of the chosen itinerary. 

Medical facilities vary from country to country and Camino Scholars makes no representations and gives no warranties about the standard of care or treatment that may or may not be available. Camino Scholars reserves the right to deny any participant access to any part of or all of their chosen itinerary at any time if a participant is deemed to have a physical or mental health condition that poses a risk or danger to themselves or to others who are participating in the itinerary, including but not limited to the other paying participants, the group leaders, their contracted partners, or their employees.

Dietary restrictions and/or limitations cannot be accommodated, and participants must be open to consuming a variety of foods unique to the countries included on the itinerary.

By booking travel with Camino Scholars, the participant acknowledges they have considered the potential risks, dangers and challenges, and expressly assumes the risks associated with their chosen itinerary.

Payment Information:  A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD is required to hold a spot on a Camino Scholars itinerary. The balance of the published cost of the trip is due by March 1, 2025 for all 2025 itineraries. After March 1, if a participant chooses to not travel for any reason, the balance is refundable only if another participant takes their place. A number of our lodging and transportation partners are small, cash based businesses and require payment up front. If the balance is not paid by March 31, 2025, the participant may lose their spot on their chosen itinerary. Please contact us if your balance payment cannot be made by this date so that we can discuss how to best accommodate you. For bookings made after March 1, 2025 the full price of the chosen itinerary is due and payable in full upon booking.

Payments must be made in US Dollars and can be made via Zelle direct bank transfer or credit card. If you wish to pay in installments, please contact us.

Release and Assumption of Risk:  The participant understands that itineraries organized and executed by Camino Scholars have the potential to be physically demanding and come with inherent risk. Certain dangers and risks may arise due to the nature of long distance walks and hikes, including but not limited to falls or injuries, natural hazards (including but not limited to animal and insect bites), accident or illness in small towns/nature trails, and/or foreign countries (where medical care may be difficult to access or reach). These circumstances and events are not the responsibility of Camino Scholars. Camino Scholars shall not be liable or responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses related to all risks and/or dangers as described herein. Weather or climatic conditions, civil or political unrest, disease, illness, injury, legal complications, mechanical failures or difficulties, or any other conditions outside of Camino Scholar’s control shall not be the responsibility of Camino Scholars, nor shall they be held liable for such. By paying for their itinerary, the participant traveler assumes all risk and responsibility and releases Camino Scholars and its agents, employees, associates, affiliated companies, and/or subcontractors from all liability.

Travel Insurance:  All participants on Camino Scholar itineraries must carry their own travel insurance policy. All participants must show proof that travel insurance has been secured before the date indicated on the Camino Scholar Traveler Registration Form (this will be mailed to each participant who has paid a deposit. Travel insurance must include a minimum of $200,000 medical evacuation coverage. All medical evacuation costs will be borne by the participant who is being evacuated. It is highly recommended that coverage include trip cancellation and interruption, and all other expenses that might arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay, cancellation, or other inconvenience arising due to issues resulting from travel. It should be a CFAR policy (cancel for any reason). Failure to provide evidence of insurance will result in the participant being removed from their chosen itinerary. The participant understands that travel insurance is not part of the price of any Camino Scholars itinerary and is obtained at an extra cost to the client. Camino Scholars shall not be held liable for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects, including belongings that are lost or stolen from any lodging, mode of transportation, bar, restaurant, café, or other locations visited while traveling on their chosen itinerary.

Safety of Our Participants:  The safety and well being of our participants is at the forefront of everything we plan. Camino Scholars group leaders will, at all times, have final decisions regarding matters likely to affect the safety, security, and well being of the participants. We reserve the right to prevent any participant from continuing on their chosen itinerary, with no right of refund if, in our opinion, that participant’s actions pose a threat to the safety of others or themselves.

Alcohol and Drugs:  Camino Scholars is committed to your safety on each one of our itineraries. Our goal is to make all participants feel safe and secure in our group who share the goal of accomplishing a long distance walk. We welcome the responsible use of alcohol while participating in one of our itineraries. We also recognize that some participants may wish to abstain from alcohol consumption. All participants will be sensitive to others in this regard. Camino Scholars does not tolerate any participant being under the influence of alcohol while participating in the walking portion of their chosen itineraries. If a group leader is of the opinion that a participant is under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, the group leader reserves the right to bar the participant from walking that day. An alternative mode of transportation will be arranged at the participant’s expense. Participants will familiarize themselves with relevant laws and restrictions on the use of and restrictions of various substances for the country/countries in which they will be traveling. Participants will be aware that substances that are legal where they reside may not be legal in the country/countries in which they will be traveling. For the good of the group, and the safety and security of all participants, the use of illegal substances and/or drugs will result in the immediate eviction of the participant from their chosen itinerary. The participant will, at that time, assume all responsibility and expense for transportation, lodging, and all other costs related to the termination of their participation. The participant is barred from participating in any future Camino Scholar excursion of any kind. Participants understand that the use of illegal substances or drugs may come with significant and impactful legal consequences when a guest in a foreign country. 

Backpacks and Luggage:  Participants will be responsible for carrying all bags or backpacks they choose to bring on their chosen guided walk itinerary. Baggage transport will only be provided according to the details outlined in their chosen itinerary. Baggage transport is limited to one backpack per participant. Participants are expected to bring a well-fitted backpack and are responsible for carrying it except for the days and times baggage will be transferred as outlined in their chosen itinerary.

Photos and Video:  Photos and video may be taken of participants on Camino Scholars itineraries. These may be posted to social media or used in promotional materials, presentations, websites, and other publicity activities related to Camino Scholars. Participants may request in writing that their image or likeness not be used or posted. Otherwise, by booking a Camino Scholars excursion, the participant gives Camino Scholars permission to use their likeness on social media or in other publicity activities. This also applies to photos or video taken by other participants.

Waiver and Booking Conditions:  When a client completes, signs, and submits the Traveler Information and Registration Form they agree to all Terms and Conditions herein. Camino Scholars agree to carry out the obligations as defined in the Services Provided section.

Disclaimer of Psychological Health Professional Services: Camino Scholar guides are not psychological health professionals or counselors. Any information, advice, or guidance provided by provider guides is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional psychological health or counseling services. Provider guides do not diagnose, treat, or provide therapy for psychological or mental health conditions.

Modification of Terms: Provider reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. By continuing to use Provider’s services after any such modifications, you agree to be bound by the revised terms and conditions.

Governing Law: These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. By using Provider’s services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms and conditions, your sole remedy is to discontinue your use of Provider’s services.