Terms and Conditions
Last updated: May 2026
Welcome to Modern Explorers. These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which we offer and operate our trips, experiences, itineraries, and related services.
By booking a trip with Modern Explorers, submitting a deposit, making a payment, or otherwise confirming your participation, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before booking.
Modern Explorers is built around small-group travel, thoughtful exploration, cultural curiosity, and shared experience. We do our best to design memorable, well-organized trips, but travel always involves some degree of unpredictability. These Terms are intended to make responsibilities clear, protect both parties, and help ensure every guest understands what they are booking.
1. Who We Are
Modern Explorers provides curated small-group travel experiences, hosted trips, itineraries, and travel-related planning services.
Throughout these Terms, “Modern Explorers,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refers to Modern Explorers and its owners, guides, hosts, representatives, and any associated business entities.
“You,” “guest,” “traveler,” or “participant” refers to the person booking or participating in a Modern Explorers trip or experience.
2. Nature of Our Trips
Modern Explorers trips are designed for travelers who want something more personal and immersive than a traditional large-group tour. Our trips may include city exploration, cultural experiences, food tours, walking tours, boat trips, nature-based activities, adventure elements, independent time, and travel between destinations.
Some trips may involve uneven terrain, stairs, boats, vehicles, crowded city environments, heat, cold, altitude, remote locations, water-based activities, wildlife, or other conditions that are different from everyday life.
By booking, you acknowledge that travel involves inherent risks and that standards of accommodation, transport, infrastructure, medical care, accessibility, safety, and service may vary from country to country.
3. Trip-Specific Terms
Each Modern Explorers trip may have additional trip-specific terms, payment deadlines, cancellation rules, inclusions, exclusions, participation requirements, minimum guest numbers, physical demands, accommodation arrangements, and insurance requirements.
These trip-specific terms may appear on the relevant trip page, booking form, brochure, proposal, invoice, or confirmation email.
If there is any conflict between these general Terms and Conditions and the trip-specific booking terms, the trip-specific terms will apply.
4. Booking and Confirmation
A booking is not confirmed until Modern Explorers has received the required deposit or full payment and has issued written confirmation of your place.
We reserve the right to decline a booking at our discretion. This may include, but is not limited to, situations where we believe a trip may not be suitable for a guest due to health, mobility, conduct, safety, or logistical concerns.
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all information provided is accurate and that all members of their party have read and accepted these Terms.
5. Minimum Numbers and Trip Viability
Some Modern Explorers trips require a minimum number of participants to operate.
If the minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the trip, offer an alternative date, adjust the itinerary, or offer the trip at a revised price.
We will notify guests as soon as reasonably possible if minimum numbers affect a trip.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by guests due to a trip not reaching minimum numbers, including flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, or other independent arrangements.
6. Deposits and Payments
Each trip will have its own payment terms, including deposit amount, payment schedule, final balance due date, and any applicable installment options.
Unless otherwise stated in writing:
A deposit is required to secure your place.
Deposits may be non-refundable.
Final payment must be received by the stated deadline.
Failure to pay by the deadline may result in cancellation of your booking and loss of any amounts already paid.
Prices are generally listed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
Modern Explorers may use guest payments to secure accommodations, transport, activities, guides, permits, reservations, and other trip arrangements. Many of these supplier payments may be non-refundable once made.
7. Payment Processing Fees
Any bank fees, currency conversion fees, credit card fees, wire transfer fees, PayPal fees, Stripe fees, or other payment processing charges are the responsibility of the guest unless otherwise stated in writing.
If a refund is issued, Modern Explorers is not responsible for refunding any payment processing fees, bank charges, or currency conversion losses that are not returned to us by the payment provider or financial institution.
8. Pricing and Currency Fluctuations
We do our best to ensure all pricing is accurate at the time it is published. However, trip costs may be affected by exchange rates, supplier price changes, taxes, fuel costs, permit fees, government charges, transportation costs, or other factors outside our control.
Trip pricing may be based on supplier costs quoted in foreign currencies. Significant exchange rate movements, tax changes, or supplier-imposed increases may affect final pricing before full confirmation.
Once your booking is confirmed, we will make every reasonable effort to honor the published trip price. However, we reserve the right to correct obvious errors or adjust pricing if there are significant supplier, currency, or operational changes before final confirmation.
Any inclusions and exclusions will be clearly stated on the relevant trip page or booking materials.
9. Website Errors and Obvious Mistakes
We reserve the right to correct obvious errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in pricing, availability, descriptions, itineraries, inclusions, exclusions, dates, or trip details.
We are not obligated to honor pricing, availability, or terms that are clearly the result of a mistake, technical issue, typographical error, or incorrect information supplied by a third party.
10. What Is Included
Each trip page or booking document will specify what is included. This may include some or all of the following:
Accommodation
Certain meals
Ground transport
Hosted activities
Local guides
Entrance fees
Internal transport or flights, where specifically stated
Group experiences
Trip hosting by Modern Explorers
Only items specifically listed as included are included in the trip price.
11. What Is Not Included
Unless specifically stated in writing, the following are not included:
International flights
Travel insurance
Visas or entry permits
Passport fees
Vaccinations or medical expenses
Personal spending money
Alcoholic drinks
Optional activities
Tips and gratuities
Meals not listed as included
Airport transfers unless stated
Baggage fees
Costs caused by delays, cancellations, missed flights, weather, illness, injury, government action, or other events outside our control
12. Cancellations by You
If you need to cancel your booking, you must notify Modern Explorers in writing.
Cancellation terms may vary by trip and will be set out in the relevant booking materials. Unless otherwise stated, cancellation charges may apply based on how close the cancellation is to the trip start date.
Because Modern Explorers often pays suppliers in advance, refunds may not be possible for costs that have already been committed or paid on your behalf.
We strongly recommend that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage.
13. Late Arrival, Early Departure, and Missed Activities
No refund will be provided for unused portions of a trip if a guest arrives late, leaves early, misses activities, declines included services, or is unable to participate for personal reasons, illness, travel delay, airline disruption, failure to obtain documents, or any other circumstances outside Modern Explorers’ control.
Guests are responsible for arriving at the stated meeting point, hotel, airport, or departure location on time.
If you miss a transfer, activity, meal, accommodation night, or other included service, Modern Explorers may assist where possible, but any additional costs will be your responsibility.
14. Cancellations by Modern Explorers
Modern Explorers reserves the right to cancel a trip for reasons including, but not limited to:
Insufficient participant numbers
Safety concerns
Natural disasters
Political instability
Supplier failure
Illness or unavailability of key personnel
Force majeure events
Travel restrictions
Events beyond our reasonable control
If we cancel a trip before departure, we will offer one or more of the following where possible:
A refund of recoverable amounts
Transfer to a future trip
Credit toward another Modern Explorers experience
An alternative itinerary or arrangement
Modern Explorers is not responsible for additional expenses you incur in connection with a cancelled trip, including flights, visas, insurance, hotels, or other independent arrangements.
15. Changes to Itineraries
Travel is wonderfully alive, which also means it does not always behave itself.
Modern Explorers reserves the right to modify itineraries before or during a trip due to weather, road conditions, supplier changes, safety concerns, local events, transportation issues, government restrictions, availability, or any other operational reason.
We will always try to preserve the spirit and quality of the trip, but specific accommodations, activities, transport arrangements, restaurants, timings, routes, and experiences may change.
No refund will be due for itinerary changes unless Modern Explorers receives a refund from a supplier or determines, at its discretion, that compensation is appropriate.
16. Flights and Independent Arrangements
Unless specifically included in the trip price, flights are your responsibility.
You should not book non-refundable flights or other independent arrangements until your trip has been confirmed by Modern Explorers.
Guests are responsible for booking flights that allow adequate time for arrival, immigration, baggage collection, customs, transfers, security screening, and potential delays.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for missed activities, missed connections, additional costs, or lost trip time resulting from flight schedules selected by the guest.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for airline delays, cancellations, schedule changes, baggage issues, denied boarding, or any costs related to independent travel arrangements.
17. Passports, Visas, and Entry Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that you have a valid passport, any required visas, entry permits, vaccinations, health documentation, and other travel documents required for your trip.
Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. Requirements can change, so you should check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government source before travel.
Modern Explorers may provide general guidance, but we are not responsible for your failure to obtain or carry proper documents.
If you are denied boarding, refused entry, delayed, fined, or otherwise affected due to incorrect or incomplete documentation, Modern Explorers is not liable for any resulting loss or cost.
18. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all Modern Explorers trips and may be required for certain trips.
Your insurance should cover, at a minimum:
Trip cancellation
Trip interruption
Medical expenses
Emergency evacuation
Repatriation
Lost or delayed baggage
Personal liability
Adventure or activity-specific coverage where relevant
You are responsible for ensuring that your policy covers the destinations, activities, and risks associated with your trip.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for losses that would have been covered by travel insurance.
19. Health, Fitness, and Mobility
You are responsible for ensuring that you are medically and physically fit to participate in the trip you book.
Some trips may involve walking, stairs, uneven surfaces, boats, heat, altitude, remote locations, early starts, long travel days, or limited access to medical care.
You must inform Modern Explorers before booking of any medical condition, disability, mobility limitation, allergy, dietary restriction, medication requirement, or other issue that may affect your ability to participate safely or comfortably.
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate guests where possible, but not all trips, destinations, accommodations, or activities are suitable for all travelers.
Modern Explorers reserves the right to decline or remove a participant from a trip if we reasonably believe their health, conduct, or condition may affect their safety, the safety of others, or the successful operation of the trip.
20. Medical Emergencies
In the event of illness, injury, accident, or emergency, Modern Explorers may assist in arranging medical treatment, transport, evacuation, communication with emergency contacts, or other support as reasonably necessary.
The guest remains responsible for all associated costs, including medical treatment, transport, evacuation, repatriation, accommodation, missed travel, and any other related expenses.
By booking, you authorize Modern Explorers and its representatives to take reasonable action in an emergency where you are unable to provide instructions.
Modern Explorers does not provide medical advice and is not responsible for the availability, quality, or outcome of medical treatment provided by third parties.
21. Rooming and Accommodation
Accommodation will be described in the relevant trip materials. Room types, hotel standards, amenities, and layouts vary by destination.
Where twin-share or shared accommodation is offered, solo travelers may be paired with another guest where appropriate. Roommate matching is offered as a courtesy and cannot be guaranteed.
If a suitable room share is not available, a single supplement may apply.
Guests who prefer a private room should request this at the time of booking. Private rooms are subject to availability and additional cost.
We cannot guarantee specific room numbers, views, bed configurations, hotel amenities, or room locations unless confirmed in writing.
22. Meals and Dietary Requirements
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements if notified in advance. However, food standards, allergen awareness, kitchen practices, labeling, and availability vary around the world.
Modern Explorers cannot guarantee that meals will be free from allergens or cross-contamination.
Guests with serious allergies or dietary restrictions are responsible for taking appropriate precautions and carrying any necessary medication.
23. Optional Activities
Guests may choose to participate in optional activities that are not included in the official Modern Explorers itinerary.
Any such activity is undertaken at the guest’s own risk and may be subject to separate terms, conditions, waivers, and payments.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for optional activities arranged independently by guests or provided by third parties outside the official itinerary.
If Modern Explorers assists with suggesting, booking, or coordinating an optional activity, we do so as a convenience only, unless specifically stated otherwise in writing.
24. Alcohol and Personal Responsibility
Some trips may include opportunities to purchase or consume alcohol. Unless specifically stated, alcohol is not included in the trip price.
You are responsible for your own alcohol consumption and behavior. Modern Explorers may refuse to allow a guest to participate in an activity if we believe they are impaired or unsafe.
No refund will be given for missed activities due to intoxication, illness, lateness, or personal choice.
25. Guest Conduct
Modern Explorers trips are small-group experiences, and the atmosphere matters.
You agree to behave respectfully toward fellow guests, guides, hosts, suppliers, local communities, and the places we visit.
We reserve the right to remove any guest from a trip, without refund, if their behavior is disruptive, unsafe, abusive, discriminatory, illegal, intoxicated to a dangerous degree, or otherwise detrimental to the group or trip.
You are responsible for any damage, loss, cost, or expense caused by your actions.
26. Local Laws and Customs
You are responsible for following the laws, customs, and regulations of the countries and communities we visit.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for any guest who violates local laws or behaves in a way that causes legal, financial, personal, or reputational consequences.
We ask all guests to travel with curiosity, humility, and respect.
27. Suppliers and Third Parties
Modern Explorers works with hotels, transport companies, local guides, restaurants, boat operators, activity providers, and other independent suppliers.
These suppliers are not employees of Modern Explorers. While we aim to work with reputable providers, we are not responsible for the acts, omissions, errors, delays, injuries, losses, or failures of independent third parties.
Your participation in supplier-provided activities may be subject to their own terms, waivers, rules, or conditions.
28. Photography, Video, and Marketing
Modern Explorers may take photographs or videos during trips for marketing, social media, website use, promotional materials, or internal records.
By participating in a trip, you grant Modern Explorers permission to use images or video in which you appear, unless you notify us in writing before the trip that you do not wish to be photographed or filmed for promotional purposes.
We will always try to be respectful and reasonable with guest images.
Guests are welcome to take their own photos and videos, but must respect the privacy and wishes of fellow travelers, local people, and any locations where photography is restricted.
29. Personal Belongings
You are responsible for your own belongings at all times.
Modern Explorers is not responsible for lost, stolen, delayed, or damaged luggage, valuables, documents, electronics, money, or personal items.
We recommend keeping passports, cash, cards, medication, and valuables secure and carrying appropriate travel insurance.
30. Assumption of Risk
By booking and participating in a Modern Explorers trip, you acknowledge that travel involves inherent risks. These may include, but are not limited to:
Illness or injury
Road accidents
Weather events
Political unrest
Crime
Transportation delays
Food or waterborne illness
Wildlife encounters
Water-related risks
Remote locations
Limited medical facilities
Activity-specific risks
You voluntarily assume these risks and agree that Modern Explorers is not liable for losses, injuries, damages, delays, or expenses arising from risks inherent in travel, except where caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.
31. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Modern Explorers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages arising from your booking, participation, or inability to participate in a trip.
Our total liability, where liability cannot be excluded, shall be limited to the amount paid by you to Modern Explorers for the relevant trip.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude liability where such exclusion is prohibited by law.
32. Force Majeure
Modern Explorers is not liable for any failure, delay, alteration, cancellation, loss, or expense caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
Such events may include, but are not limited to:
Natural disasters
Severe weather
War or civil unrest
Terrorism
Epidemics or pandemics
Government restrictions
Border closures
Strikes
Supplier failure
Transportation disruption
Fire, flood, or other emergencies
Any other event that makes performance impractical, unsafe, or impossible
In such cases, refunds may be limited to amounts recoverable from suppliers.
33. Complaints
If you have a concern during a trip, please raise it with your Modern Explorers host or representative as soon as possible so we have the opportunity to address it.
If the issue is not resolved during the trip, you must submit any formal complaint in writing within 14 days of the trip ending.
We will review complaints fairly and respond within a reasonable time.
34. Website Content
We make reasonable efforts to ensure information on our website is accurate. However, descriptions, photographs, itineraries, prices, availability, and other details may change.
Photographs are intended to represent the style or nature of a destination or experience, but they may not reflect exact rooms, meals, views, vehicles, weather, or conditions.
We reserve the right to update website content at any time.
35. Privacy
Your personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
We may collect information necessary to process bookings, communicate with you, operate trips, manage safety, and provide services. This may include passport details, emergency contact information, dietary requirements, medical information, and travel preferences.
36. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, United States, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Any disputes shall be handled in the appropriate courts or dispute resolution forums having jurisdiction over the matter.
37. Agreement
By booking with Modern Explorers, you confirm that:
You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions.
You agree to be bound by them.
You understand the nature of the trip you are booking.
You accept the risks associated with travel.
You are responsible for your own travel documents, insurance, health, conduct, and personal belongings.
Modern Explorers exists for people who want to go a little deeper, look a little closer, and travel with curiosity rather than simply pass through places. These Terms help us protect that experience for everyone.