Terms, Conditions and General Information for Guided Tours
Travel adventures in small group tours throughout the Western United States

Please read the Travel Dream West Tours terms and conditions before reserving your space on our small group guided tours.  Carefully consider what is and what is not included in each tour.  We want to provide you with a remarkable experience and look forward to having enthusiastic, excited and flexible travelers on our journeys.  These group tours are a wonderful chance to make new friends while enjoying the scenery and culture of the Western States.  The team at Travel Dream West looks forward to welcoming you and is here to help you with any questions and concerns you may have.

Payment information can be found on our Reservations page.

Included in the Price:  All prices are in U.S. dollars including taxes and fees.

Accommodations- All accommodations for the duration of the tour are included.  Our tours stay at two to three star AAA-rated hotels and a couple of rustic or historical hotels which offer cleanliness, comfort and a unique experience.  Some of our tour hotels offer a continental breakfast or breakfast bar and amenities including swimming pools, exercise facilities and wireless internet access.

Transportation- All ground transportation as indicated in the schedule is included in the tour price.  The majority of our tours use 15 passenger tour vans, some with comfortable, individually adjustable high back seating and armrests.  For your comfort we never place more than 12 guests in one passenger van.  Flights and optional excursions are not included but Travel Dream West is happy to help you arrange these.  Please contact us for information about cheap flights or ground transportation to the tour start location.  Some of our tours include transportation from the airport on the first day of travel - please contact us in advance so that we can help you arrange this complementary transportation. 

Meals- Some continental breakfasts are included where offered by the hotel. On most days there is a lunch picnic planned - you will have a chance to purchase food in the morning before departure.  Water and daily snacks and water bottles are provided by Travel Dream West as well as condiments for picnics. Dinners are independent in areas where restaurants are nearby the hotel, many times, the group will eat together.  You will have a variety of dinner options. At least one dinner or appetizer/drink and one BBQ lunch is offered by Travel Dream West.  If you have dietary considerations these are not a problem but please inform us in advance.  You are responsible for your own diet. 

Tour Guides- Each tour is accompanied by a driver and a knowledgeable tour guide. All our tour guides are professional fully trained members of our team and will provide you with information about each place you visit. 

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Airfare to the tour departure and ending point: Although airfare is not included we are gladly assisting you in booking for you a comfortable and inexpensive flight.  It is your responsibility to arrive in time at the tour start destination and we cannot be held responsible for delays in your flights.  To be certain that you will arrive in time for the tour we recommend arriving a day in advance.  Please contact us for any assistance or information on flights and pre-/post booking arrangements.

Hotel rooms before or after tours:  Many guests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the night preceding the tour.  Travel Dream West encourages this and is happy to help you with your reservations before or after the tour upon prior request.  Reservations depend on room availability and the total cost of the room and fees will be added to your tour costs.  Airport transfers may not be included with these types of bookings although wherever possible they will be arranged for you.

Personal Expenses:  Phone calls, beverages, room service, laundry, visa fees, etc. are not included with your tour.

Luggage Responsibility: Travel Dream West makes every effort to handle luggage with care.  However we cannot be held responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects.  Be certain that you have adequate insurance for the tour duration.

Tips:
Gratuity for room service ($1/person/night) and tips for restaurant servers (15% or more) are recommended. Tips for the tour guide and driver ($2 - $5 per day/person) are recommended but optional depending on satisfaction.

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Itinerary and Price Changes:  Travel Dream West will make every effort to perform all tours as advertised.  Travel Dream West reserves the right to alter the itinerary, substitute sightseeing and change hotels as deemed necessary.  We reserve the right to make changes to the price due to unexpected significant external factors, however this is highly unlikely and you will be notified of these changes at the time of booking.

Small group surcharge: Our tours are guaranteed to depart at the listed pricing with 6 participants up to a maximum of 12 participants - see http://traveldreamwest.com/dates-rates-travel-tours.htm.   With five or less participants a small group surcharge per person applies as follows depending on the tour: with 5 participants $250-$300 per person,  with 4 participants $300-$400 per person depending on the tour. With 3 or less participants a special arrangement will be offered. All tours are guaranteed to depart. You will be informed at least 6 weeks before departure if a small group surcharge would apply. At this time and under these circumstances you would have to option to cancel your tour with a full refund of your deposit minus service and bookings fees of $200.

Luggage Handling and Restrictions- One average-size piece of luggage per person, not to exceed 50lbs, is permitted.  Due to space limitations within the van only a small carry on bag and purse can be taken onboard with you.  Carry on should not exceed 15 inches in length, 12 inches in width and 10 inches in height.  You are responsible for bringing your luggage to the van in time for loading every day. You will have the opportunity to do laundry at several hotels, please keep this in mind while packing.

Passports / Visas: You are responsible for your own travel documents. If you are traveling from outside the United States please make certain that you are familiar with the visa and passport requirements for your particular country.  Non-US citizens should please contact us for information on required documents.  Everyone needs to bring a government issued form of I.D.

Health and Participation: Travel Dream West reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the operation of the tour.  Our tours include some walking on uneven terrain and travel to high elevations. You are responsible for your own health.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance: Travel Dream West regrets that we cannot provide individual assistance to travelers with wheelchairs or scooters.  People needing personal assistance must be accompanied by an able caretaker or companion who will be fully responsible for assisting them.  Wheelchairs can only be accommodated on our tour bus with prior arrangement.

Age Recommendations:  Our tours are aimed primarily at adults and many of the activities may not be suitable for very young children.  Please contact us for more information about specific tours.  Custom options are also available for families traveling with children.  All children must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian at all times.  At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 or older to make a reservation.  Any minors traveling on a Travel Dream West tour are the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian.  By traveling with Travel Dream West Tours the parent or guardians release Travel Dream West Tours, Inc. from all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child traveler.

Photography: Travel Dream West reserves the right to use photographs taken on tour for promotional purposes including the website, brochures, and tour DVDs.  By traveling with Travel Dream West guests agree to allow their image to be used for marketing and promotional purposes.  Those who would prefer that their image not be used need to advise their guide.           

To avoid disappointment we suggest that you view your tour as an adventure where you will learn about the unique cultures, history and natural environment of the western United States.  You will travel through some of the West's most spectacular scenery and have a chance to hike and explore various unique areas.  However these are not "deluxe" or "luxury" vacations.  The hotels are selected for their locations, convenience and historical significance.  Our hotels are excellent but some are not comparable to hotels found in large cities.  Because our tours take you "off-the-beaten-track" we often stay at smaller and possibly rustic hotels.  However all hotels are comfortable and match our high standards.  Many have swimming pools, fitness centers and continental breakfast.

As with all tour travel a large amount of time will be spent sharing activities with the group.  Though there are independent times and some optional activities it is essential that you carefully consider the tour scheduled activities.  You will have a wide range of experiences with our tours and we look forward to having enthusiastic, flexible and realistic travelers on our tours.  These travelers will appreciate the natural beauty and cultural significance of various places and will enjoy spending time outdoors and as a group.  Friendships are formed, experiences are shared and you can have the time of your life.  It is important to realize that all of our tours include a lot of walking and very few 3-4 hour hikes (although these can be substituted with a less demanding activity) as well as long scenic drives (2-5 hrs a day) in our comfortable van.  Those who enjoy new experiences and remain flexible will have a wonderful, unique experience on our tours.