1. Definitions

1.1 Agreement: these Terms & Conditions.1.2 Client/You: the person(s) named on the booking.1.3 Supplier: any third-party provider of services.1.4 Travel Services: any services booked through Aterra.1.5 Force Majeure: events beyond reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, war, strikes, pandemics).

2. The Agreement

2.1 By booking Travel Services with Aterra, you agree to this Agreement.2.2 Aterra is a booking facilitator only and assumes no liability for Supplier acts/omissions.2.3 Your contract is directly with each Supplier; Aterra coordinates logistics, documentation, and payments.

2.4 Disclosed Agent Status: Aterra acts solely as a disclosed agent for independent third-party Suppliers and is not the principal, operator, or provider of any Travel Services. All Travel Services are provided directly by Suppliers under their own terms and conditions.

3. Booking Procedure

3.1 A booking is only confirmed upon receipt of both:

• a signed Agreement (electronic signature or written email confirmation), and
  

• a non-refundable deposit of 30–50% of the total trip cost (exact amount to be specified on your invoice, and may be higher within this range if required by operators, urgency, or seasonality).
  

3.2 If booking more than 90 days before departure

• 30–50% deposit due at confirmation
  

• Remaining balance due 90 days before departure (12:00 AM Eastern Time)
  

3.3 If booking 90 days or fewer before departure

• Full payment due immediately

3.4 Failure to pay on time may result in cancellation without refund or liability. The lead traveler is responsible for full payment and compliance on behalf of all travelers.

3.5 Planning & Consultation Fee

Aterra Travel LLC provides an initial complimentary discovery consultation.

Should you wish to proceed with custom itinerary design following this call, a non-refundable Planning & Consultation Fee of $350 USD will be required prior to commencement of itinerary development.

This fee covers research, itinerary design, supplier coordination, proposal preparation, and advisory services.

Upon booking confirmation, the $350 Planning & Consultation Fee will be credited in full toward the final trip cost.

If you choose not to proceed with a booking for any reason, the fee remains non-refundable as compensation for professional time and services rendered.

Aterra reserves the right to pause or withhold itinerary materials, supplier proposals, or further planning services until the Planning & Consultation Fee has been received.

3.6 Refunds

Any refunds (if applicable) will exclude:

• Credit card or Stripe surcharges incurred at the time of payment,
  

• Irrecoverable intermediary bank charges,
  

• Wire transfer fees, or
  

• Exchange-rate losses.
  

Refunds will be processed to the original payment method within 30 business days, unless otherwise agreed.

4. Insurance, Documentation & Advisories

4.1 Insurance Requirement: All travelers must purchase and maintain comprehensive travel insurance—covering trip cancellation (including optional “cancel for any reason” benefits), medical expenses, baggage loss, evacuation, and repatriation—through a reputable insurer of your choice. Aterra does not underwrite or sell insurance products; any policy you buy is governed solely by the insurer’s terms and must be handled directly with them. We may request proof of coverage at any time. Traveling without sufficient insurance is at your own risk. 4.2 Passport & Visa Reminder: You are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all passports, visas, permits, and health certificates. We are not liable for costs or delays from inadequate documentation. Failure to obtain or present proper documentation does not entitle the Client to any refund. 4.3 Travel Advisories & Registration: We recommend checking your government’s travel advisories (e.g., U.S. State Department STEP, UK FCDO, Canada’s travel reports, Australia’s Smartraveller) and enrolling in any free traveler-registration service for safety updates and emergency contact.

5. Medical Conditions & Disabilities

You must disclose all medical conditions/disabilities at booking. We may cancel without liability/refund if information was withheld.

6. Fees & Payments

6.1 Currency: All prices quoted in USD unless stated otherwise. 6.2 Accepted Methods: ACH (U.S. only), Zelle, PayPal, Wire Transfer (Intl.), Stripe/credit card (2.9% + $0.30).6.3 Late Payments & Interest Charges

All invoices issued by Aterra Travel LLC are payable by the due date specified.Failure to remit payment in full within seven (7) calendar days of the due date shall constitute a late payment.

Aterra reserves the right to charge interest at a rate of 2% per month (24% per annum), or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower, on any outstanding balance from the original due date until payment is received in full.

In the event of continued non-payment after written notice, Aterra may cancel the booking in full, with no liability to refund any prior payments, and may retain all funds received as liquidated damages for loss of time, administrative effort, and opportunity cost.All travel documents, confirmations, and final itineraries will be withheld until payment has cleared Aterra’s account.

Clients shall also be responsible for any reasonable costs of collection, including legal fees, bank charges, and third-party recovery costs incurred by Aterra in pursuing overdue amounts. 6.4 Chargebacks: $500 fee + legal recovery of unpaid balances. 6.5 Wire instructions will be provided securely upon invoice. Aterra is not responsible for losses resulting from fraudulent payment instructions not sent directly from an official Aterra domain.

6.6 ACH/Zelle/PayPal  instructions upon request. Never pay without an official invoice.

6.7 Aterra may receive commissions or service fees from Suppliers; this does not increase your cost unless disclosed.

6.8 Aterra is not responsible for delays, losses, or fees resulting from intermediary or correspondent bank issues. Clients are responsible for confirming receipt with Aterra once a wire transfer is sent.

7. No-Show / Unused Services

7.1 No refunds, credits, or adjustments for no-shows, late arrivals, or unused services.

7.2 Aterra is not liable for missed connections or extra costs resulting from delays in flights, transfers, or other transportation. Additional arrangements will be made at the traveler’s expense. Aterra is not responsible for airline schedule changes, flight cancellations, or operational disruptions. Any rebooking fees, fare differences, or additional costs imposed by the airline are the responsibility of the Client.

7.3 If a traveler’s international flight delay causes missed charter flights, lodge nights, or ground services, any rebooking costs or additional expenses shall be the Client’s responsibility unless otherwise covered by insurance.

8. Cancellation by Client

(All deadlines in Eastern Time)

If you cancel your booking for any reason, the following cancellation terms apply:

• More than 90 days before departure: 30% of the total trip cost is forfeited (non-refundable deposit), or such higher non-refundable amounts as required by Suppliers and disclosed at time of booking.

• 90 days or fewer before departure: 100% of the total trip cost is non-refundable.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt by Aterra.

Certain Suppliers (including but not limited to lodges, charter operators, and specialty service providers) may impose stricter cancellation terms, including earlier full-payment deadlines or higher non-refundable amounts. In such cases, the Supplier’s terms shall apply and will be communicated at the time of booking.

Airline tickets are subject to the fare rules of the issuing carrier and are typically non-refundable and non-transferable unless otherwise specified.

If covered by travel insurance, you may seek reimbursement directly from your insurer. Aterra does not guarantee insurance reimbursement.

9. Postponement

Postponement requests must be submitted in writing and are subject to Supplier availability, Supplier approval, and Aterra’s written consent. Postponement is not guaranteed and is treated as a cancellation and rebooking unless otherwise agreed in writing.

If a postponement is approved:

• All Supplier penalties, rebooking fees, and fare differences shall be the responsibility of the Client.

• Previously paid deposits may be subject to Supplier re-contracting terms.

• Aterra may assess a postponement processing fee of up to $250–$500 per traveler to cover administrative time, supplier coordination, and revised documentation.

Any approved credit is non-transferable, non-refundable, and valid for 12 months from the original departure date unless otherwise stated in writing.

If postponement is requested within 90 days of departure, full cancellation penalties under Section 8 may apply.

10. Amendments by You

10.1 Name-Change Clause: Any request to change a traveler’s name on a confirmed booking is treated as a cancellation of the original booking and subject to the cancellation fees in Section 8. 10.2 Any other amendment requested ≤ 60 days before departure incurs a fee of 10% of the affected booking cost per person. Requests must be in writing.

11. Amendments & Cancellations by Aterra

11.1 Minor Changes: We may substitute comparable alternatives (e.g., similar-standard hotel, slight routing tweak) without entitlement to cancel or credit. 11.2 Material Changes: If we must make a significant alteration—such as shifting a flight by > 12 hours, downgrading accommodations substantially, or changing destination—you may:  a) Accept the revised arrangements; or  b) Cancel and receive a credit of all monies paid to Aterra, valid 12 months toward any future booking. 11.3 Cancellation by Aterra: For Force Majeure or Supplier insolvency/withdrawal—you’ll receive a credit of all monies paid (valid 12 months). We will use reasonable efforts to secure equivalent rebookings. If we cancel for your non-payment, you forfeit any deposit; no credit/refund is due.  

11.4 Aterra is not responsible for airline schedule changes, flight cancellations, or operational disruptions. Any rebooking fees, fare differences, or additional costs imposed by the airline are the responsibility of the Client.

12. Pricing Itineraries

12.1 Prices reflect known costs at issue date (fuel, taxes estimated). Advertised prices may change. 12.2 After Confirmation Invoice, we may add supplements for increased costs (taxes, fuel surcharges, govt. fees). An Amendment Invoice will reflect changes. 12.3 We reserve the right to correct errors or adjust advertised prices before confirmation and will notify you of any known errors and applicable price.

13. Force Majeure

No liability for disruptions beyond our control (natural disasters, political unrest, strikes, pandemics, Supplier defaults, government restrictions). Refunds, if any, are limited to amounts actually recovered from Suppliers. You must also notify us promptly in writing if a Force Majeure event impacts your travel.

14. Charter Flights & Medevac

Aterra does not operate air or medevac services. Any such arrangements are via third-party providers under their terms and applicable aviation law. Aterra assumes no liability. Aterra’s role is limited to arranging such services as a disclosed agent.

15. Our Responsibilities

We confirm your arrangements per final documents and ensure services meet reasonable local standards. We are not liable for:

• Services you book directly

• Independent excursions or add-ons

• Local infrastructure issues (power/water outages)

As a disclosed agent, Aterra’s responsibility is limited to coordinating and confirming arrangements as outlined in your final travel documents.

All claims must be in writing within 15 days of your return for any service failure or dissatisfaction.

Local standards may differ from your home country. No refunds or compensation for discomfort arising from local norms (e.g., power outages, basic roads, informal service levels).

16. Supplier Terms

All Supplier terms (including cancellations, deposits, postponements, refunds, amendments, and liability limits) apply and are binding on you. If a supplier’s cancellation or amendment terms are stricter or more restrictive than those stated herein, the supplier’s terms will supersede Aterra’s terms, and you agree to bear all financial consequences. Client acknowledges that Aterra is not liable for any refund or remedy in excess of what is actually recovered from the Supplier. Aterra has no control over Supplier operations and shall not be liable for their acts, omissions, insolvency, or failure to perform.

17. Third-Party Activities & Links

17.1 Activities not arranged by Aterra—even if recommended—are at your own risk; Aterra holds no liability. Inclusion of a Supplier, lodge, airline, or operator in an Aterra itinerary does not imply a guarantee of its performance or suitability. 17.2 We may provide links to third-party websites for convenience. Aterra is not responsible for their availability or content and makes no warranties about them.

18. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

Raise issues immediately with the Supplier; if unresolved, notify Aterra in writing promptly.

19. Conduct

19.1 We may remove any traveler without refund for unsafe, disruptive, or unlawful behavior. Compliance with Aterra staff and guides is mandatory.

19.2 You agree to comply with all local laws and regulations while traveling. Aterra is not liable for legal issues arising from your conduct abroad.

20. Liability

20.1 Aterra is not liable for direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages (including lost profits), except proven gross negligence by Aterra or its authorized representatives. 20.2 No liability for inconvenience, expense, loss, or damage from unsuitable services, except proven gross negligence. 20.3 No liability for failures due to circumstances beyond our control. 

Cap on Liability: Aterra’s total liability shall never exceed the total fees you paid under this Agreement.

As Aterra acts solely as a disclosed agent, liability is strictly limited to its own gross negligence in coordination services.

21. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Aterra and its officers, directors, agents, and employees from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of:

• Your breach of this Agreement;
  

• Your negligence or willful misconduct; or
  

• Any third-party claim related to your acts or omissions.
  

22. Data Privacy

Any personal data you provide will be handled per applicable privacy laws and our Privacy Policy at https://www.aterratravel.com/privacy-policy. We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined here (including tax, accounting, and legal compliance), and in any event no longer than seven (7) years from the date of travel completion. We employ reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data.

23. Mediation, Arbitration & Class-Action Waiver

23.1 All disputes shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1–16), administered by AAA or JAMS in Newark, NJ, under their Commercial Rules. 23.2 The arbitrator’s decision is final, binding, and may be entered as a court judgment. 23.3 Parties are jointly and severally liable for arbitration costs, subject to the arbitrator’s award. 23.4 Class-Action Waiver: You and Aterra agree any arbitration shall proceed on an individual basis only; no class or representative actions are permitted.

24. Governing Law & Notices

24.1 This Agreement is governed by New Jersey law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. 24.1.1 Mandatory Local Protections: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement limits any non-waivable consumer rights under mandatory laws of your country of residence (e.g., EU Package Travel Directive, UK Package Travel Regulations, Australia’s ACL, Canada’s Competition Act). 24.2 Notices: All notices must be sent to:

Aterra Travel LLC 12 Woodcroft Place Short Hills, NJ 07078 Email: info@aterratravel.com Actual receipt constitutes valid notice.

25. Miscellaneous Provisions

25.1 Severability: If any term is held invalid, the remainder stays in effect. 25.2 Non-Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision does not waive future enforcement. 25.3 No Oral Modifications: Only written, signed amendments are binding. 25.4 Entire Agreement: This document is the complete Agreement. 25.5 Authority: By signing or paying, you confirm authority to bind all travelers listed in your booking.

26. Waiver of Claims Against Referrers

If referred by a travel advisor, concierge, affiliate, or third party, you waive claims against them. All claims must go through Aterra.

27. Purchases, Medical, Baggage & Conduct

27.1 Purchases During Travel: Any goods/services you buy are at your risk; Aterra is not liable for defects, shipping failures, or disputes—even if recommended. 27.2 Medical Services: If injured or ill, Aterra may assist in arranging care or evacuation at your cost; we accept no liability for quality or outcome. 27.3 Baggage & Property: Carried entirely at your risk; Aterra is not liable for loss, theft, or damage. 27.4 Removal for Conduct: Aterra and Suppliers may remove anyone for unsafe or inconsiderate behavior without refund.

28. Currency Fluctuations If you pay in any currency other than USD, any exchange-rate differences at the time of payment are your responsibility. Client is also responsible for any shortfall caused by intermediary or correspondent bank deductions during wire transfers.

29. Children & Minors All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. By booking for a minor, you represent that you have obtained any required parental consents and will supervise the minor throughout the trip.

30. Accessibility If you or any member of your party requires special accessibility accommodations beyond standard medical disclosures (e.g., ADA-compliant rooms, wheelchair assistance), you must notify us in writing at least 90 days before departure so we can coordinate with suppliers. We will use reasonable efforts but cannot guarantee availability.

31. Marketing PermissionsBy providing your email address or phone number in connection with an inquiry or booking, you acknowledge that Aterra may send you service-related communications and, where permitted by applicable law, occasional marketing communications regarding similar travel services.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email or by contacting us directly. Opting out will not affect transactional or booking-related communications.

32. Intellectual Property All content provided by Aterra— including itineraries, photographs, text, logos, and other materials— is our copyrighted property. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, or publish any of it without our prior written permission.

33. California Residents

33.1 California Seller of Travel Registration Aterra Travel LLC is registered as a Seller of Travel with the State of California (CST # XXXXXXX). As required by the California Seller of Travel Act, all client funds collected in California are held in a trust account or bonded in accordance with state law.

33.2 California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund Disclosure If you are located in California at the time of payment, this transaction is covered by the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF) administered by the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation. You may file a claim with the TCRF if:

1. You paid more than $50 to Aterra Travel LLC for travel or travel services; and
   

2. Aterra failed to forward those funds to a proper supplier or failed to refund you when required.
   

The maximum amount payable by the TCRF to any one passenger is the total amount paid for your booking, up to $15,000. Claims must be submitted within 12 months after your scheduled return date, include supporting documentation, and a $35 processing fee. By filing a TCRF claim, you agree to waive any other civil remedies against Aterra Travel LLC for that sale.

If you are located outside California at the time of payment, this transaction is not covered by the TCRF and you may not file a claim against it.

34. United Kingdom - Package Travel Regulations

Nothing in this Agreement limits any rights you have under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 (PTR), including:

• Pre-contract information requirements
  

• The right to transfer your booking to another person
  

• PTR’s “Right to Cancel”: if you cancel within 14 days of our sending the Confirmation Invoice—and your departure date is at least 14 days after that invoice—you’ll receive a full refund of all monies paid; if you cancel after that 14-day window, our standard Section 8 cancellation fees will apply (up to the amount of your deposit)
  

• Compensation guarantees for non-performance or improper performance
  

• Ability to bring court actions where PTR allows

PTR Administration FeeFor bookings confirmed more than 14 days before departure, we charge a non-refundable PTR administration fee of £25–£50 (depending on the complexity of your itinerary) to cover the risk of full refunds under PTR’s “Right to Cancel.” This fee will be disclosed on your Confirmation Invoice and is in addition to any deposit.

35. Australia - Australian Consumer Law 

Nothing in this Agreement excludes or restricts any guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010). All non-waivable consumer guarantees (e.g., fitness for purpose, due care and skill, correspondence with description) apply, and any attempted exclusion is void to the extent of conflict.

36. Canada - Consumer Protection 

Nothing in this Agreement limits any rights you may have under the Competition Act (Canada) or applicable provincial consumer protection legislation (e.g., Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act). You retain all non-waivable rights against misleading or deceptive conduct, unfair practices, and implied warranties.

37. Additional Provisions

37.1 Assignment You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under this Agreement without Aterra’s prior written consent; any purported assignment without consent is void.

37.2 Trust Account / Bond Disclosure Where required by law (e.g., California Seller of Travel Act), client funds are held in a trust account or bonded as mandated; inquiries about our compliance status may be directed to info@aterratravel.com.

37.3 Anti-Bribery Both parties agree to comply with all applicable anti-corruption and bribery laws (including the U.S. FCPA and UK Bribery Act) in the performance of this Agreement.

37.4 Intellectual Property Ownership All content produced by Aterra (itineraries, photos, text, logos) and all proprietary supplier materials remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and may not be reproduced, distributed, or adapted without their prior written permission.

37.5 Photography & Media Consent

By default, Aterra may request consent to use photographs, images, or testimonials for marketing purposes. You may opt in or out at any time by notifying us in writing. No use will occur without your explicit consent.

37.6 In the event of any conflict between these Terms and any marketing, quotation, itinerary, or communication, these Terms shall control unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.

37.8 Aterra shall not be liable for loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, disappointment, or consequential damages arising from travel disruptions.

38. COVID-19 & Public Health Events

You acknowledge the ongoing risk of pandemic-related government restrictions (such as entry-testing requirements, quarantine mandates, or lockdowns). Such events fall under Section 13 (Force Majeure) and are your responsibility. Aterra is not liable for costs or changes due to public-health restrictions beyond our control.

 39. GDPR / Data-Breach Notification

If you are an EU resident, you have rights under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In the event of a personal data breach, we will notify the relevant supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware, and, where required, affected individuals without undue delay, in accordance with GDPR Articles 33 and 34.

40. Final Itinerary Review

40.1 You must review your final itinerary and booking confirmation within 2 days of receipt and notify Aterra in writing of any errors or discrepancies. Absent timely notice, the itinerary will be deemed accurate and approved.

40.2 Pre-Travel Check: It is your responsibility to review your final travel documents and confirm all details are accurate and complete. Aterra is not responsible for errors or omissions that could have been reasonably identified and corrected if raised before departure. Any corrections required due to Client-provided name errors, date errors, or passport discrepancies shall be at Client’s expense.

41. Assumption of Risk for Adventure Activities

41.1 For high-risk excursions (e.g., safaris, hiking, diving, or other adventure activities), you voluntarily assume all risks associated with those activities. You agree that Aterra and its Suppliers bear no liability for injuries, damages, or losses arising from participation in such activities.

41.2 We are not responsible for failed trip communications due to travelers not enabling roaming, WhatsApp, or international messaging on their devices. Please ensure availability throughout your trip.

42. Gratuities Unless explicitly stated otherwise in your itinerary, all service-provider gratuities (e.g., guides, drivers, porters, hotel staff) are not included in your trip price and are at your discretion.

43. Time Zones

 All deadlines, payment due dates, and notice periods in this Agreement refer to Eastern Time (ET), U.S.

44. Emergency Contact

For urgent issues while traveling, call our 24-hour support line: +1 646-222-6365, WhatsApp at +1 917-943-8991, or email info@aterratravel.com.