Agreement

This page is designed to give you as much information possible about or terms of service. It is our mission for our participants to know exactly what to expect from each of our unique retreats.

Payments & Cancellations

1. Terms of service

beLeaf Retreat lists what is included on the trip’s page.  Airfare, tips, transportation to and from the retreat, and travel insurance are not included.

2. Reservation

To reserve your place on one our trips, please complete the registration form with a deposit specific to your trip. Your spot is only reserved with a deposit & deposits are non-refundable.

3. Payment & Schedule

All prices are per/person USD. All bookings include a semi-refundable deposit subject to the following terms below. Following the deposit to reserve your spot, the remaining balance will be due in 2 installments:

  • Deposit payment due upon booking

  • 1st payment 50% due January 16, 2023

  • 50% of remaining balance due March 16, 2023

  • This is non-negotiable. If you do not pay the balance for your trip, your place will be given to another individual and your payments until then will be forfeited.

We can work with you on a payment plan:  pay your trip in the usual 2 installments, or opt for several.   Email amanda@beleafretreat.com to discuss what works best for you!

Credit cards on file may be charged outstanding remaining balances at this time and unless you confirm cancellation with us directly. Refunds are available only according to conditions described below.

We currently accept US DOMESTIC BANK TRANSFERS, INTERNATIONAL WIRE TRANSFERS and CREDIT CARDS PAYMENTS.  Once you sign-up, we will send you the necessary information for you to make your payment.


Online Bank Payment – US only: also called eCheck or ACH, we do not charge a fee for this, although your bank may do so.   Please inquire with them directly.

International Wire Transfer: for those outside of the US.  We do not charge any fees for this method, although your bank most likely will.  Please inquire with them directly, and do mention that our bank is located in Mauritius, so they can give you the correct fees amount.

Credit card payment​: the following fees will be added to the total:

  • 2.9% for Visa and MasterCard

  • 3.9% for American Express

4. Cancellations Policy & Deposits

Our deposit and cancellation policies are as flexible as we can make them without leaving ourselves vulnerable to the crazy costs of an ever more cancellation prone travel industry. Unfortunately, if you cancel, we lose money. We’ve gathered feedback and we’ve arrived at the following policy. Please read carefully!

Signing-up

  • Sign up 60 days before your retreat and a $750 deposit for trips within the US/Canada will hold your place, or $1500 deposit for all international retreats.

  • At the 60-day mark, your final payment is due. We will send a reminder email + follow up with you if we still haven’t gotten it, however, we do reserve the right to give up your space if we haven’t received your final payment at this point.

  • Sign-up under 60 days and the full amount of the retreat is due.

Cancellations

Since our trips are highly catered and made of activities that need a lot of planning and organization, all payments (the initial $1500 sign-up deposit, 50% deposit and final payment) are all non-refundable.    This is because we must forward payments for accommodation, transportation, suppliers, etc. very early on, in order to privatize our accommodation, activities and our meals.

The Covid-19 pandemic has arguably introduced some degree of anxiety and incertitude regarding international travel.   Our policy is that, should there be a need to cancel the trip (ie covid19 reasons, natural disaster, human conflict, etc) before the trip’s deadline, then the sign-up fee (only) will be refunded, minus processing fees (ie bank, transfer, etc).   These are usually small amounts.

If the trip needs to be canceled once we have started to accept the post-signup fee payments (50% deposit and final remaining balance), we will strive to refund as much as possible or offer a voucher for future beLeaf Retreat's, whichever we can best negotiate with our on-the-ground partners and suppliers.  We will really try our best! 

Please note that the refund of your sign-up fee will only apply if we cancel the trip.  Our policy is to not run a trip if Covid-19 imposes too many restrictions for the enjoyment of the trip, such as: 

  • Border closings/lock-downs

  • Flight limitations

  • Mandatory quarantine on arrival and/or upon return to home country

  • Substantial spike in local cases

  • Local restrictions imposed on our activities, restaurants, hotels, etc., that make it unfeasible for us to provide you with a trip of a lifetime!

If the trip does go ahead (ie none of the above apply) and you are unable to attend the trip for any personal reasons, even related to covid-19 (ie your own country changes its travel/quarantine policy, you contract the virus, etc), there is unfortunately no refund.  The trip needs to be canceled by us, if we believe it can not run in accordance with our high standards of quality. 

Should you still need to cancel for any reason once you have signed up, we will offer your spot to the first person(s) on the waiting list.  If we are able to fill your spot, we will refund all payments made, minus processing fees.    Having said that, do note that there is no guarantee we will be able to fill up your spot.  For this reason, again, it is a good idea to get trip insurance when you first sign up.

Important: If you do not submit full payment 60 days before the retreat, and do not cancel your registration or respond to our communication, beLeaf Retreat retains the right to charge the remaining balance due to the credit card provided and release your spot. Any amount forfeited, which has not then been paid to beLeaf Retreat by you, will be recovered from you by beLeaf Retreat as a debt due and payable. Consider travel insurance to protect the costs of your trip in the case of injury, illness or inability to attend for other reasons.

5. Changes/Trip Cancellations

CHANGES: beLeaf Retreat reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by our team, trip leaders, teachers or partners. In the event that we need to make a last minute change to the venue, the teacher, the itinerary, or any aspect of the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances (natural disaster, illness, civil unrest, death, closure or any other unforeseen circumstance) we will offer the following to our guests that do not want to attend based on changes:

  1. Transfer your deposit to a future retreat to be taken within a year from the date of the current retreat. All other payments will be forfeited and beLeaf Retreat will not be liable for refunding or reimbursing any amount beyond the transfer of the deposit.

  2. If you choose to completely cancel the retreat based on the changes, normal cancellation policies apply (see above). beLeaf Retreat is not responsible for reimbursing you or refunding you for any amount paid if you decide to cancel based on these changes.

Please note that we require travel insurance so that you can make a claim based on the changes and have some of your expenses reimbursed by the travel insurance that we require for exactly this reason in addition to other medical and travel complications that can occur.

In the rare case of a cancellation or postponements on the part of beLeaf Retreat we will offer a transfer to another trip. beLeaf Retreat is not responsible for any expenses or damages incurred as a result of trip cancellation or postponement including preparation costs, airline tickets, travel documents or other expenses. beLeaf Retreat reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure in the event that there are too few people booked in which case you will be given a full refund of any and all payments made to beLeaf Retreat. You will not be entitled to claim any additional amounts or seek any compensation for any injury, loss, expenses or damage (either direct or consequential) or for any loss of time or inconvenience which may result from such cancellation (including but not limited to visa, passport and vaccination charges, or departure, gear purchases, airport and airline taxes).

Insurance & Documents

6. Travel Insurance

beLeaf Retreat requires each trip member to purchase individual travel medical insurance for their trip for both international retreats and domestic retreats, in case of emergency. We suggest that you include “cancel for any reason” with your policy.  You must purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage. We recommend purchase insurance within 1-2 weeks after making your first trip payment (ie. flight or retreat reservation) to secure the best price and best coverage. You will need to provide a policy and emergency contact number in order to join the trip.

Trip Insurance (ie. covering your flight tickets, luggage, etc.) is definitely recommended as well, but not mandatory.

7. Travel Documents and Immunizations

It is the responsibility of each traveler to obtain all required travel documents including Visas and other travel documents unless otherwise noted. Information regarding necessary documentation is provided per trip on our website or you can contact us for more detailed information regarding your trip requirements. It is your responsibility to purchase correct immunizations.  Please contact your nearest travel clinic for the latest requirements.

8. Covid Protocol & Vaccine

Our preference is to have all guests vaccinated, but if there is some medical condition or reason preventing you from getting the vaccine, please email amanda@beleafretreat.com. We will have an additional waiver available, absolving beLeaf Retreat from legal liability. You will be required to take a rapid covid test prior to arrival at the venue.

  • Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays.

  • The accommodation partner we work with follows the guidelines of local authorities.

  • Hand sanitizer available in guest rooms and key areas.

Other

9. Itinerary

The itinerary is therefore subject to change, especially if we find an experience that we believe would make the trip even better. 

10. Dietary Restrictions & Allergies


​​We do try to accommodate everyone’s food restrictions, especially allergies.   We can only do so if you let us know of any requirements when you fill out the participant form upon signing up.  We begin working with all our venues a long time in advance, and meals are usually locked several months before the trip.  At this point, it is often no longer possible to change menus.   

Acknowledgment

11. Acknowledgment of Risks – Assumption of Responsibility

Although beLeaf Retreat has taken reasonable steps ensure safety, I acknowledge that this activity has risks, including certain risks which cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of this activity. The same elements that contribute to the unique character of this activity can cause loss or damage to the Participant including accidental injury, illness or in extreme cases, permanent trauma, disability or death and also can cause damage to or loss of property. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks.

Activities vary from trip to trip and may include but are not limited to: hiking, backpacking and climbing in a wide variety of environments including on rock, snow and ice; bicycling on trails and roads with a wide range of surface conditions and traffic volume; rock climbing, using zip-wires and rope swings; white-water rafting, river kayaking, sea-kayaking and canoeing; swimming, snorkeling and surfing.

beLeaf Retreat trips may involve travel to remote places, possibly hours from medical facilities. Transportation, evacuations and medical care can be significantly delayed; communication can be delayed, limited or not available.

Environmental risks and hazards include rapidly moving, deep or cold water; insects, snakes and predators, including large animals; falling and rolling rock; lightning, flash floods and unpredictable forces of nature, including weather which may change to extreme conditions without warning. Possible injuries and illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite, high altitude illnesses, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration and other mild or serious conditions.

Throughout the trip, participants are responsible for their own safety.

I (the trip participant) acknowledge and understand that beLeaf Retreat trips include risks of injury or death to participants. I understand the description above of these risks is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated risks may result in property loss, injury or death. I agree to assume responsibility for the inherent risks identified herein and those inherent risks not specifically identified. I acknowledge that participation in this activity is purely voluntary, no one is forcing participation and participation is elected with full knowledge of the inherent risks.

I (the trip participant) assume and accept full responsibility for any injury, death, loss of personal property, and expenses suffered as a result of those inherent risks and dangers identified above, and those inherent risks and dangers not specifically identified and as a result of my negligence in participating in this activity.

Waiver

12. Release and Waiver of Liability

DECLARATION OF HEALTH. By accepting this Tour Participant Agreement I (the trip participant) represent that I have no physical conditions or medical precautions which would adversely affect my ability to take part in the yoga program or other physical or cultural activities offered on beLeaf Retreat trips. I fully understand that my participation in yoga or other activities could be injurious to my health and I voluntarily assume all risks related to such activities.

PERSONAL RELEASE. By agreeing to the terms outlined here and elsewhere on the beLeaf Retreat website I hereby release and discharge my rights and claims for damages or liabilities that may occur as a result of participation on a beLeaf Retreat trip, including but not limited to damages as a result of unexpected occurrences including those from weather, local political situations, wildlife or uncontrollable acts of God, including the risk of death. I release beLeaf Retreat including its owners, directors, employees, guides, yoga teachers and partners from liability for personal injury, illness, emotional damage, incurred travel expenses or property damage I may incur as a result of participation on this trip.

For the benefit of everyone on your trip, beLeaf Retreat reserves the right to accept or reject any participant at any time without liability, and in the event it determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion, that a participant is disruptive to the harmony of the trip, it may without any obligation to pay a refund or any other amount whatsoever, expel such participant from the trip. beLeaf Retreat will carry no responsibility or liability for any participant who leaves the trip prior to its conclusion or for any activity undertaken by any participant which is not included on the trip itinerary.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions regarding our policies you can refer to our FAQ page or contact us via the help button to the right!