Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for RakiYa Travel (Rakia Travel and Tours) 

(NIUS: M51604027M) operating under the marketing name “RakiYa Travel.” By booking a travel package with us, you (the “Traveler”) acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.) 

1. Introduction and Contract Formation

• Parties: These Terms form the agreement between Rakia Travel and Tours (hereinafter “RakiYa Travel“, “we”, “us”, “our”) and the individual traveller or travellers (“you”, “client”). The person making the booking warrants that they are 18 or older and have full authority to bind all travellers in the booking to these conditions. All travellers are deemed to have accepted these Terms. 

• When Contract Takes Effect: A contract is formed once we confirm your booking and receive the required deposit or full payment. Booking confirmation and payment of the deposit or entire tour is deemed your acceptance of these Terms and acknowledgment of the risks of travel. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion. 

• Entire Agreement: These Terms and Conditions, along with any written confirmation or invoice from RakiYa Travel, constitute the entire agreement. No employee or agent of RakiYa Travel may alter these terms or make promises on our behalf unless confirmed in writing by an authorized representative. 

2. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

All matters arising from this agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Albania, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes or claims related to your booking or these Terms fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Albanian courts. By accepting these Terms, you consent to the jurisdiction of Albanian courts to resolve any such disputes. 

3. Booking Process and Payments

• Deposit or Full payment: To secure a booking, we usually require paying the full amount on our website through our checkout system. In some cases, by client request, we might accept a non-refundable deposit (typically 25% of the total package price, unless otherwise specified) at the time of booking confirmation. We will inform you of the exact deposit amount and payment schedule when you book. In case of deposit the remaining balance of the tour price must be paid in full by the due date specified in your invoice generally no later than 30 days before the departure date (or earlier for certain packages, especially those including flights or high-demand services). If you book within 30 days of departure, the full amount is due immediately upon confirmation. 

• Booking Confirmation: No booking is confirmed until the deposit or full payment is received by RakiYa Travel. If a deposit/payment is not received by the date indicated, we reserve the right to cancel your tentative reservation. 

• Payment Methods: Payments may be made via bank transfer or major credit card. Payments made by credit card are subject to a processing fee of 3.5% to cover merchant charges. This fee will be added to the final invoice. You are responsible for all bank fees or charges associated with the transfer of funds. 

• Non-Payment: If full payment is not received by the deadline, RakiYa Travel reserves the right to treat your booking as cancelled by you for non-payment. In such case, the applicable cancellation fees (outlined below in Section 5) will apply from the date of cancellation. We will not be obliged to provide the travel services if payment is not completed as required. 

• Prices and Surcharges: All prices are quoted in the currency stated on our website or your invoice. We reserve the right to correct obvious errors in pricing at any time. In rare cases, we may adjust the price after booking if unexpected increases in taxes, fuel costs, or exchange rates occur; however, no surcharge will be imposed within 30 days of departure, and we will always inform you of the reason for any price increase and your options in such cases (such as acceptance of the surcharge or cancellation with refund). 

4. Changes by the Traveler

• Requests for Changes: If you wish to change your booking (such as travel dates, itinerary, or names of participants), you must submit a request in writing (email is acceptable) from the person who made the original booking. We will attempt to accommodate change requests, but we do not guarantee that changes can be made. Changes are subject to availability and any applicable supplier fees. 

• Administration Fee: Any approved change may be subject to an administration fee (change fee), plus any difference in cost for the new arrangements. You will be informed of these costs before we proceed with the change. Minor additions (such as adding an extra service) made well in advance may not incur a fee, but significant changes typically will. 

• Timing of Changes: Change requests made close to the departure date are treated carefully. If a request is made within a certain period before departure (for example, within 60 days of departure), it may be considered a cancellation and rebooking. In such cases, the cancellation fees (Section 5) may apply to the original booking, because late changes can impose costs on us similar to a cancellation. 

• Inability to Change: If we cannot accommodate your change request (for instance, due to supplier policies or availability), you may choose to proceed with the original booking or cancel the booking (subject to cancellation terms below). 

5. Cancellation by the Traveler

• Notice in Writing: You may cancel your booking at any time before departure, for any reason, by giving RakiYa Travel written notice of cancellation. The notice must be made by the person who booked the trip, via a written communication (email or website enquiry). Verbal cancellation requests must be followed by written notice; without written notice, cancellation will not be processed. 

• Cancellation Fees: If you cancel a confirmed booking, the following cancellation charges will apply, calculated from the date we receive your written cancellation notice: 

• More than 60 days before departure: No cancellation fee.  

• 59 to 30 days before departure: 25% of the total tour price will be charged as a cancellation fee. 

• Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total tour price will be charged; no refund will be issued. 

These charges represent a reasonable estimate of our costs and losses caused by your cancellation (including payments we must make to suppliers).  
Note: In addition to the percentages above, all cancellations by the traveller incur an administrative fee of 4.5% of the total tour price to cover processing costs. Any bank fees or transaction charges already incurred are non-refundable. 

• No Refund for Certain Items: The above cancellation fees apply to the land or package portion of your trip. If your booking includes third-party products (for example, airline tickets that we have purchased on your behalf, or certain hotel or cruise reservations), any non-refundable fees or penalties imposed by those suppliers will be added to the charges above. For instance, flight tickets (especially at promotional fares) may be 100% non-refundable once booked – in such cases, the cost of the flight is in addition to the cancellation fees noted. We will advise you of any such conditions at time of booking. 

• Partial Cancellations: If some but not all travelers on a booking cancel, per-person cancellation fees still apply. The remaining travelers may need to pay any resulting price difference (e.g., single room supplements). 

• Refunds: Where a refund is due to you after deducting the applicable cancellation fees, we will process the refund within a reasonable time. Refunds will be made in the original form of payment whenever possible. Please note that credit card fees, bank transfer fees, travel insurance premiums, and visa fees are not refundable. Travelers who have started the trip and choose to leave early (or who miss some tour components) will not receive any refund for unused services. 

• Travel Insurance and Cancellations: If you cancel for a reason covered by your travel insurance, you may be able to recover the cancellation charges from your insurer. It is your responsibility to file an insurance claim in such cases (see Travel Insurance section below). Travelers who choose to travel without adequate insurance will bear all losses arising from cancellation or curtailment of the trip. 

6. Changes and Cancellation by RakiYa Travel

• Minor Changes to Itinerary: RakiYa Travel reserves the right to make minor adjustments to your tour arrangements before or during the trip to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the tour. By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge that travel itineraries may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or local conditions. This can include changes to accommodations, transportation, sequences of activities, or route modifications. In such cases, we will substitute arrangements of comparable quality and value whenever possible, and you will not be entitled to any compensation or refund for minor changes (we accept no liability for any loss of enjoyment or minor inconvenience resulting from such adjustments). 

• Major Changes: If a major change becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible. A “major change” is typically defined as a change that significantly alters the main features of your tour (for example, a change of your destination country, a change of departure or return date by more than a certain number of hours, or a lower quality of accommodations for a significant portion of the trip). The determination of a major change depends on the specific tour and circumstances and is at our sole discretion. When a major change occurs, you will have the choice to: 

• Accept the change; or 

• Accept an alternative tour/package of comparable standard (if we are able to offer one); or 

• Cancel the booking and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us, provided the major change is not due to circumstances of force majeure (defined below). 

You must inform us of your decision within 7 days of being notified of the major change, or we will assume you have accepted the change. 

• Cancellation by Company: RakiYa Travel aims not to cancel confirmed tours, but we reserve the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances. We will not cancel a tour less than 30 days before the start date except for reasons of force majeure or your failure to pay on time (or other significant breach of your obligations). If we cancel the tour (for reasons other than your fault): 

• We will offer you the choice of either a full refund of all monies paid to us for the tour (less any insurance premiums or similar costs that by their nature are non-refundable) or an alternative trip of comparable standard if available. 

• In cases of cancellation by us, we will not be liable for any additional compensation beyond the refund of monies paid. This means we are not responsible for additional expenses you may have incurred in preparation (e.g., visas, vaccinations, separate flights, gear purchases, loss of time, etc.), so purchasing travel insurance to cover such losses is strongly advised. 

• Minimum Group Size: Some of our group tours require a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the tour. We will notify you at least a specified number of days in advance (e.g. 30 days) if we must cancel for this reason. In such case, you will receive a full refund of monies paid, or be offered an alternative departure if available. No additional compensation will be due when a tour is canceled for insufficient participation. 

• Force Majeure – No Liability: Force Majeure refers to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control that make it impossible or impractical to carry out the tour as planned. This includes, but is not limited to, events such as war or threat of war, riots or civil strife, industrial disputes/strikes, terrorist activities, natural or nuclear disasters, epidemics or pandemics, health emergencies, acts of government, fire, adverse weather or climate conditions, and unavoidable technical problems with transport (including airline schedule changes or flight cancellations). If we are prevented from or impeded in performing our obligations by force majeure, we shall not be liable to provide any refund or compensation for losses or expenses you incur. We will, however, do our best to offer you suitable alternative arrangements or reschedule the trip once conditions allow, and we will use reasonable efforts to assist you within the constraints of the situation. 

7. Travel Insurance

• Mandatory Insurance: Travel insurance is highly recommended for all clients of RakiYa Travel and may be required for participation in certain tourstours-albania.com. We do not provide travel insurance, so you must obtain your own policy. The insurance should at a minimum cover personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, and trip cancellation/curtailment (to cover your losses if you have to cancel the trip or if the trip is interrupted)tours-albania.com. We also recommend coverage for baggage loss, flight delays, personal liability, and any high-risk activities included in your itinerary. 

• Proof of Insurance: We reserve the right to request proof of your travel insurance policy (e.g., insurance certificate) before or at the beginning of the tourtours-albania.com. If you fail to provide proof of insurance when asked, or if we learn you have no insurance, we may refuse to allow you to join the tour (with no right to refund), especially for tours where insurance is mandatory for safety reasonstours-albania.com. 

• Liability for Uninsured Travelers: Be aware that any losses incurred due to your lack of adequate insurance will be your sole responsibilitypalacetravel.com. This means that if you choose to travel uninsured, you will be personally liable for all costs arising from situations that a proper travel insurance policy would have covered (for example, emergency medical treatment, evacuation, trip cancellation fees, lost or delayed baggage, etc.)palacetravel.com. RakiYa Travel will not be responsible for such costs, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless for any assistance we provide that is necessitated by your decision to not carry insurance. 

8. Travel Documents (Passports, Visas, and Vaccinations)

• Passport: You are responsible for having a valid passport for international travel. Most countries require passports to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date, so please check your passport’s expiration date and renew if necessary. All travel documents must bear the correct name (as on your passport). We are not liable if you are denied travel due to incorrect or missing documents. 

• Visas and Entry Permits: It is your responsibility to check the entry requirements for all destinations and transit countries on your itinerary and to obtain all necessary visas or travel permits prior to departuretours-albania.com. This may include tourist visas, transit visas, work permits (if applicable), or any other documentation required by immigration authorities of the countries you are visiting. RakiYa Travel can provide basic guidance on visa requirements upon request, but we do not arrange visas on your behalf (unless explicitly stated for a specific tour), and we accept no responsibility if you are unable to travel due to lack of correct travel documentsoutdooralbania.com. 

• Vaccinations and Health Requirements: You are responsible for obtaining any recommended or required vaccinations or medical prophylaxis (e.g. malaria pills) for the destinations on your tour. Consult your doctor or travel clinic well in advance of travel to discuss health precautions. Some countries require proof of certain vaccinations (like Yellow Fever) for entry – it is your duty to have any such vaccination certificates with you if required. RakiYa Travel is not medically qualified to advise on vaccines; it is your responsibility to ensure you meet all health entry requirements. 

• Failure to Comply: If you fail to obtain and present the necessary passport, visa, or health documentation, and you are denied boarding or entry to a destination, you will be solely responsible for any resulting costs or losses. No refunds will be given for any portions of the tour missed due to your inability to travel, and we assume no liabilityfor such interruptionsoutdooralbania.com. 

9. Traveler Responsibilities and Conduct

• Travelers’ Fitness and Health: You are expected to ensure that you are medically and physically fit to participate in your chosen travel itinerarytours-albania.com. Many of our tours involve activities like walking, hiking, or long travel days; by booking, you confirm that you are in appropriate health to join the trip. Health Conditions: You must inform us at the time of booking of any pre-existing medical conditions, disabilities, dietary requirements, or allergies that might affect your ability to participate or that might require special accommodationstours-albania.com. We will advise you if the tour is suitable and attempt to accommodate reasonable special requests, but we reserve the right to decline a booking if we believe we cannot safely or comfortably accommodate a traveler’s particular needs. If you fail to disclose any significant medical or health issue, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour, and in such case you will receive no refund for unused services due to this omissiontours-albania.com. 

• Behavior and Conduct: We want all our clients to have an enjoyable and safe experience. You are required to adhere to the authority of your tour leader/guide and follow their instructions during the triptours-albania.com. Courteous and respectful behavior towards other travelers, our staff, and locals is expected at all times. If, in our or the tour leader’s opinion, your behavior or conduct is causing danger, distress, or significant annoyance to others, or if you commit any illegal act, we reserve the right to terminate your participation in the tour immediatelyoutdooralbania.com. In such event, you will not be entitled to any refund or compensation for unused tour services, and any additional costs to return home or otherwise incurred as a result of termination will be your responsibilityoutdooralbania.com. 

• Compliance with Local Laws: You must obey the laws and regulations of the countries visited. This includes customs rules, visa/permit conditions, park rules, environmental protection rules, and all local laws. If you fail to comply with local laws, we will not be liable for any fines, penalties or consequences you incur, and any such misconduct will relieve RakiYa Travel of any obligations we have to you under these Termstours-albania.com. We also reserve the right to dismiss you from the tour (with no refund) if your failure to follow local laws causes serious difficulties or legal problems for the trip. 

• Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold RakiYa Travel harmless from and against any liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of any claims or litigation which are caused by your own acts or omissions, including but not limited to any damage you cause to third-party property, injury you cause to any third party, or any breach by you of these Terms or local laws. 

• Adventure Travel and Assumed Risks: Some of our tours involve inherent risks (such as injury, illness, or loss) associated with activities like adventure sports, wildlife viewing, or travel in remote areas. By booking with us, you acknowledge and accept that you are aware of these risks and assume responsibility for your participation. We will take reasonable care to ensure a safe journey, but you participate at your own risk. We strongly recommend you have insurance that covers such activities and understand that standards of health, safety, and infrastructure in some destinations may differ from those you are accustomed to at hometours-albania.com. 

10. Third-Party Suppliers and Liability

• Role as Intermediary: RakiYa Travel acts as an intermediary or agent for numerous independent suppliers that provide the travel services included in your package (e.g., airlines, hotels, transportation companies, local tour operators, guides, activity providers, etc.). These third-party providers are independent entities and are not owned or controlled by RakiYa Travel. While we exercise care in selecting our partners and coordinate the services to create your itinerary, **we are not responsible for the acts or omissions of third-party suppliersprapanchaparyatana.com. 

• Supplier Terms and Liability: The services provided by these suppliers are subject to their own terms and conditions and limitations of liability, which will apply in addition to our Terms. Any issue or claim (such as personal injury, property damage, delay, or cancellation) which occurs due to the actions of a supplier or in the context of a service provided by a supplier should be directed to that supplier. We will, within reasonable capacity, assist you in contacting a supplier to resolve issues, but we cannot assume liability for their performanceprapanchaparyatana.com. 

• No Warranty for Third-Party Services: RakiYa Travel does not warrant or guarantee the quality or safety of services provided by third parties, though we aim to work with reputable providers. Any loss, damage, accident, or injury which is due to the negligence or breach of contract of a third-party service provider is the responsibility of that provider, and any recovery or remedy shall be strictly as provided by the law applicable to that provider and/or as specified in that provider’s own terms and conditions. 

• Air Travel: If your travel package includes air transportation, please note that airline tickets are often subject to strict airline rules and regulations. Your rights in the event of airline schedule changes, delays, or cancellations are governed by the contract of carriage on your ticket and relevant international air travel conventions. RakiYa Travel is not responsible for airline schedule changes, cancellations, flight delays, missed connections, loss of luggage, or any failure by the airline to provide the service, and we will not provide compensation for such eventspalacetravel.com. In the event of a flight cancellation or severe delay, we will endeavor to assist you in making alternative arrangements, but any additional costs may be borne by you or by your travel insurance. RakiYa Travel is also not responsible for any airline insolvency or the financial failure of any third-party supplierpalacetravel.com. For protection against such events, again, travel insurance is highly recommended. 

• Force Majeure – No Liability for Third-Party Events: As stated in Section 6, neither RakiYa Travel nor our suppliers can be held liable for failures or interruptions in services caused by Force Majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.). We shall have no responsibility for any additional expenses or losses resulting directly or indirectly from such eventsoutdooralbania.com. This includes, but is not limited to, the cost of alternative transportation, accommodation, or other incidentals when such events occur. Any recoverable funds will be handled per supplier policies and applicable laws. 

• Maximum Liability: To the extent permitted by law, our maximum liability for any loss, damage, or claim arising from your booking with RakiYa Travel (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) shall be limited to the price you paid for the travel package. We do not exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or that of our direct employees or for other liability which cannot be excluded under law. However, please be aware that by agreeing to these Terms, you are waiving the right to claim any indirect, consequential, or exemplary damages or losses against us to the fullest extent allowed by law. 

11. Complaints and Issues During Travel

• Duty to Inform: We sincerely hope your trip goes smoothly. If you encounter any issue or have a complaintduring your tour, you must promptly notify your tour leader/guide or our local representative as soon as possibleso that we have the opportunity to address and resolve the problemtours-albania.com. We prioritize resolving customer issues on the spot whenever feasible. Many problems can be solved or improved quickly if we know about them. 

• Failure to Report Promptly: If you do not give us or our representatives the chance to rectify a situation locally by promptly bringing it to our attention, this may affect your ability to claim compensation or a refund after the trip. For example, if you leave a hotel without informing anyone of a serious issue, we will have been deprived of the chance to assist or fix it. Please do not delay reporting problems. 

• Complaint After the Trip: If an issue was not resolved to your satisfaction during the tour and you wish to file a formal complaint, you must do so in writing. Please send your feedback or complaint to our customer service email (or office address) within 14 days of the end of your trip. Include all relevant details and any supporting evidence. We will acknowledge your correspondence and endeavor to investigate and respond within 30 days. 

• Dispute Resolution: In the unlikely event that a dispute arises that cannot be amicably resolved, you may pursue legal action as outlined under Albanian law (see Governing Law and Jurisdiction above). We may also agree to alternative dispute resolution methods (like mediation or arbitration in Albania) if both parties consent, as a means to resolve the issue more efficiently. 

12. Additional Terms

• Changes to These Terms: RakiYa Travel reserves the right to update or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. The current version will be published on our website. However, the Terms in effect at the time of your booking will govern your trip (unless a change in law requires us to apply new terms retroactively). We will notify clients of any material changes to terms that would apply to future bookings. 

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. 

• Privacy Policy: We are committed to protecting your personal information. Our use of your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy (available on our website). By agreeing to these Terms, you also consent to our Privacy Policy. We will only share your data with third-party suppliers as needed for the operation of your tour (for example, providing your name to a hotel for a booking) and as required by law. 

• Entire Agreement: This agreement (along with our Privacy Policy and the specific details of your booking confirmation/invoice) constitutes the entire understanding between you and RakiYa Travel with respect to the subject matter. It supersedes any prior or contemporaneous communications or proposals, whether oral or written, relating to your booking. You acknowledge that you have not relied on any representation, warranty, or agreement relating to the travel package that is not expressly set out in these Terms. 

By completing a booking and making payment, you indicate that you have read and accepted all the above Terms and Conditions. These terms are designed to ensure transparency and protect both your rights and our interests, allowing us to provide you with a safe and enjoyable travel experience. If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us before booking. We thank you for choosing RakiYa Travel and look forward to delivering an unforgettable journey!