Trip Availability and Reservations

Before completing your trip application, please call Lotus Expeditions at 970-325-4285 or send e-mail to info@lotusexpeditions.com to confirm that space is available. Next, download a Resevation Packet or request it be sent by mail and complete the Trip Application, Medical Information and Consent Form, Travel Insurance form and Liability Waiver located in the Reservation Packet and mail, fax, or e-mail them to:

Lotus Expeditions, LLC
P.O. Box 569
Ouray, Colorado 81427 USA
Phone: 970-325-4285
Fax: 970-325-4285
E-mail: info@lotusexpeditions.com

On all open-enrollment, regularly scheduled trips, a $500 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. Early reservations are recommended as trip spaces are limited and airlines often sell out of their best fares and dates. Please do not purchase any nonrefundable airline tickets until your trip reaches Running Status. Lotus Expeditions will notify you by phone or e-mail as soon as your trip reaches the minimum number of travelers to run.

Upon receiving your deposit and the forms in this packet, Lotus Expeditions will send a confirmation letter and an invoice for the balance of your trip including travel insurance and any single supplement fees.  A predeparture packet with a detailed itinerary, equipment and clothing lists, medical information and first-aid lists, training suggestions, reading list, and other details pertaining to your trip will be sent to you after receipt of full payment.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

On all open-enrollment, regularly scheduled trips, prices include all ground transportation and transfers in the destination country. Prices also include meals and scheduled accommodations where noted in the trip itinerary.  Prices are based on double occupancy of hotel rooms and tents while camping. Prices also include all necessary access permits, local staff, equipment and food on trek, baggage transportation by porters or pack animals up to established weight limits, and professional guides. 

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

On all open-enrollment, regularly scheduled trips, prices do not include international or domestic flights to or from the city where your trip begins, foreign visas, airport and departure taxes, required travel insurance, rescue or medical expenses, a personal first-aid and drug kit, excess baggage fees, transportation, hotel, or other fees incurred if leaving a trip before scheduled departure, meals not listed on your itinerary, gratuities for local or international staff, or any personal items including but not limited to alcohol, bottled drinks, laundry, telephone, e-mail, etc.

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Payment Schedule and Pricing

On all open-enrollment, regularly scheduled trips, a $500 deposit is required to secure your reservation. Your trip application is not complete until we have received your deposit. All deposits and payments should be in U.S. dollars and submitted by check or money order made out to Lotus Expeditions, LLC, and mailed to:

Lotus Expeditions, LLC
P.O. Box 569
Ouray, Colorado 81427
USA

Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

FEE SCHEDULE

. Deposit at time of reservation-$500
. Balance-90 days prior to departure
. Requested single supplement-See Trip Prices
. Forced single supplement-See Trip Prices

Prices for all Lotus Expeditions adventures are graduated based on the number of full-paying participants. This does not include guests of Lotus Expeditions, such as travel agents, travel writers, travel photographers, interns, or Lotus guides in training. You will be charged for how many full-paying participants are currently signed up for a trip and refunded the difference as more people join the trip.  If there are fewer than three participants, Lotus Expeditions reserves the right to cancel the trip. Trip cancellations due to low enrollment will be announced no later than 30 days prior to departure. Under these circumstances, Lotus Expeditions will refund all deposits and payments. 

Lotus Expeditions reserves the right to change trip prices at any time. Between the time you book your trip and the date of departure, currency fluctuations and other unforeseen cost increases may occur that we cannot absorb. We will do our best to limit any increases and to notify you at least 90 days before your trip departure date of any rate changes.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS

If you prefer a single hotel room and personal tent, you may request single lodging for an additional fee. If you are traveling alone, you will be charged a Forced Single Supplement Fee. If you are willing to share accommodation, however, Lotus Expeditions will endeavor to match you with a room and tent mate of the same gender, and the forced single supplement will be refunded.

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Cancellations and Refunds

Lotus Expeditions reserves the right to cancel any trip, at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to insufficient enrollment, logistical problems, strikes, natural disasters, and/or political instability.

Trip cancellations due to low enrollment will be announced no later than thirty days prior to the trip departure date. Under these circumstances, Lotus Expeditions will refund all deposits and payments, or you may transfer to another trip if space is available. In the event a trip is canceled for any other reason, Lotus Expeditions will strive to refund all expenses possible; however, travel insurance and deposits made to hotels, transportation companies, and independent ground operators in the destination country may not be recoverable, and thus, Lotus Expeditions does not guarantee the recovery of any or all advance payments made.

Lotus Expeditions and its guides reserve the right to change trip itineraries, accommodations, and/or guides at any time and for whatever reason. We strive to limit changes, and will notify you promptly in the event of any revisions. These changes do not constitute a trip cancellation and refunds are not permissible.

A Lotus Expeditions staff member or guide may ask a participant to leave a trip at any time and for whatever reason. Reasons may include but are not limited to physical ability, medical concerns, or the safety of an individual or the group. Under these circumstances, no refunds or transfers will be given, nor will Lotus Expeditions be responsible for any fees incurred by an early departure. Back to top

Cancellation Fee Schedule and Transfers

If, for any reason, you wish to cancel your trip before departure or transfer to another trip, you must submit a request in writing. Under the terms listed below, deposits and payments may be partially refunded or transferred to another Lotus Expeditions trip, based on availability and the date written notice is received. You may use this transfer option one time only.

CANCELLATIONS

. More than 90 days prior to departure-$500 is nonrefundable
. 46-90 days prior to departure-50% of trip price is nonrefundable
. Fewer than 45 days prior to departure-100% of trip price is nonrefundable

TRANSFERS

. Greater than 90 days prior to departure-$200 change fee
. 46-90 days prior to departure-$500 change fee
. Fewer than 45 days prior to departure-nontransferable and considered a cancellation, 100% of trip price is nonrefundable
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Flights

Please secure your international flight reservations early, as space is limited and the best fares and times for flights may sell out. However, do not purchase any nonrefundable tickets until your trip reaches Running Status. Lotus Expeditions will notify you by phone or e-mail as soon as your trip reaches the minimum number of travelers to run.

Please send us a copy of your flight itinerary before you purchase your ticket so we can ensure the correct times and dates.

We are a full-service tour operator and will be happy to help you schedule your flights. Please let us know if you need help with flight reservations and we will direct you to our travel agent.Back to top

Travel Insurance

All participants on any Lotus Expeditions trip are required to carry travel insurance and health insurance. Travel insurance may cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel and baggage delays, baggage and personal effects, flight accidents, some medical and dental expenses (after your primary health insurance), and limited emergency medical transportation. You are also required to carry personal health insurance that may cover any hospitalizations or medical expenses that might be incurred.

Lotus Expeditions will include a low-cost, basic Travel Guard Essential insurance policy, at an additional expense, based on your age, trip length and trip cost, on your final invoice unless indicated differently on your application.  If you require additional Travel Guard protection or prefer to purchase a policy at a later date, it may be purchased directly on our website under “reserve a trip”.  If you choose to provide your own travel insurance, you must send us a copy of your policy before trip departure. 

Travel insurance will not be invoiced nor should it be purchased until your trip reaches Running Status. Please read the insurance terms and conditions carefully before trip departure.

Your homeowner or renters insurance may cover you in the event of theft. Additionally, you can join the American Alpine Club for $75 and receive, among other benefits, reimbursement up to $5,000 for helicopter rescue service below 19,800 feet/6,000 meters (www.americanalpineclub.org).

Please call 970-325-4285 or send e-mail to info@lotusexpeditions.com for more information. Back to top

Trip Application

Please refer to the Printable Request Form.

Medical Information and Consent Form

Please refer to the Printable Request Form.

Travel Insurance Options

Please refer to the Printable Request Form.

Trip Waiver Form

Please refer to the Printable Request Form.

Application Checklist

Please refer to the Printable Request Form. Back to top

Mail the following items to:
Lotus Expeditions, LLC
P.O. Box 569
Ouray, Colorado 81427 USA

• Trip application completed, signed and dated
• Photocopy of page one in your passport included
• Check made out to Lotus Expeditions for deposit or payment
• Medical consent form completed, signed, and dated
• Travel insurance option selected, signed and dated
• Trip Waiver signed and dated