Small World Journeys seeks to provide travellers with adventures and experiences that connect them to the natural world and to local people.

As a tour operator, our focus lies on travelling in small groups, helping preserve the natural areas we travel in, supporting local businesses and people and promoting positive social exchanges.

Our multi-day itineraries mix nature, adventure and culture with unique lodging and exceptional cuisine. Led by a local naturalist guide, our Small Group trips are designed to give guests the best of the Cairns region: the classic attractions and the hidden gems while traveling in an ecologically responsible and comfortable style.

Our Independent Journeys allow individuals or groups to customise their own itinerary and our Educational Adventures offer options for students of all ages

Small World Journeys has written a policy on responsible tourism in order to formalise what we feel are best practises in the industry, but a policy that will be need to be continually updated as we find more efficient and more helpful ways to operate. We have committed to the following:

Office Operations

1. Reducing paper wastage by not producing any form of paper brochures
2. Offsetting the carbon emissions that result from all of our office operations through Sustainable Travel International’s myclimate™ portfolio.
3. Using natural light in our office, and using our energy efficient bulbs only on dark days. Turning off lights when they are not in use.
4. Using energy efficient appliances and equipment
5. Using fans for cooling rather than air conditioning.
6. Using only biodegradable, phosphate free, and non-toxic cleaning products
7. Composting food scraps and lawn waste using the compost bin at our office.
8. Printing on both sides of the paper or reusing scrap paper.
9. Cutting up scrap paper to use as notepads.
10. Ensuring the majority of correspondence is done through email to reduce the need for paper.
11. Turning off major hardware or putting them into sleep mode when not in use (fax machine, copier, computers).
12. Volunteering our time to help local conservation efforts which help to preserve the habitats of threatened and endangered species.
13. Continuing to streamline our operational systems that utilize electricity and paper.
14. Reducing our carbon footprint by offsetting all the carbon emissions from any staff air travel.

Trip Operations: Environmental Responsibility

1. Ensuring our guests are well informed about the area and aware of the impact that they can have on the environment through extensive pre-trip materials and education during their trip.
2. Keeping our trips at a maximum of 10 guests to lighten our environmental and socio-cultural impact.
3. Offsetting the carbon emissions that result from our trips through STI’s myclimate™ portfolio.
4. Giving our guests the option of purchasing offsets for their air travel through our website.
5. Using accommodation that is not wasteful of local resources or destructive to the environment. Some of our accommodations recycle grey water, use aerated taps, have a tree-planting program and used a significant amount of recycled materials in construction.
6. Planting a tree in each of our guest’s names through our partner the Australian Rainforest Foundation.
7. Providing each guest with a cloth shopping bag they may use throughout the trip and take home so they may avoid using disposable shopping bags.
8. Providing each guest with a reusable water bottle and drinking water so they may avoid buying disposable plastic drink bottles.
9. Avoiding disposable items and goods that utilize excess packaging and encouraging our guests to do the same. Purchasing environmentally friendly products whenever possible.
10. Forbidding the collecting of plants, including the picking of flowers
11. Finding the shortest routes to our destinations to reduce fuel consumption and avoid leaving our vehicles idling.
12. Abiding by the Leave No Trace principles of low-impact travel.
13. Discouraging the purchase of souvenirs made from coral, ivory, rare animal hides, bones or shells.

Trip Operations: Social & Economic Responsibility

1. Educating and training all staff on our sustainable policies.
2. Using only locally-owned accommodation, restaurants, and outfitters to provide direct economic benefit to the community.
3. Hiring local people and provide them with appropriate training to ensure they understand and comply with our responsible tourism policy.
4. Actively supporting cultural, social and environmental initiatives through financial contributions and direct participatory involvement.
5. Purchasing produce at local farmer’s market whenever possible to reduce reliance on importation of international foods.
6. Planning our trips in a way which maximizes the opportunity to meet local people and learn about the local culture
7. Supplementing every Small Group trip with an aboriginal guide to give our guests an indigenous perspective
8. Helping to enrich our clients' experience by providing cultural and environmental interpretation, and by providing our leaders with the appropriate training
9. Encouraging guests to buy locally produced products by advising them to patronize locally-owned shops, markets and artists. Giving guests a list of where they can find these places in Cairns.
10. Providing opportunities for our guests to engage in one on one interaction with indigenous people.
11. Working with other organisations to share our experience and learn from others. Maintaining membership of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Sustainable Travel International, The International Ecotourism Society, The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, and Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.
12. Using marketing materials and website to accurately represent Small World Journeys destinations and activities.
13. Requesting formal feedback from guests in the form of an email post-trip.
14. Endeavouring to be honest at all times with every customer.

Our Responsible Travel Policy is to be reviewed on an annual basis, in order to continue to improve our operations and service.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

BOOKING

Once we have received your a) booking application form; b) signed Release, Discharge and Indemnity form; and c) deposit, we will, subject to availability, confirm your trip by sending you a booking confirmation. This will normally be done within 48 hours and by email. We advise you not to make any international travel plans until you have received our confirmation. We urge you to check the details we send you carefully and to contact us immediately if there is any incorrect information.

Please note that it is a mandatory requirement that you accept these terms and conditions by signing your application and sign and return to us the Release, Discharge and Indemnity form attached to these terms before we will accept your booking.

PAYMENT
At time of reservation.......................$500 deposit due per person
60 days prior to departure..................Balance is due
If you sign up for a trip within 60 days of trip departure, full payment is due at the time of booking. If your payment is not received when due, Small World Journeys reserves the right to consider the reservation canceled and you will be forfeiting your deposit.

For bookings made within 15 days prior to departure, Small World Journeys reserves the right to charge a late booking fee of $50 per booking. On some trips it is not possible for us to accept late bookings.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, Australian bank cheques, and international cheques in Australian dollars. Please contact us for our bank details if you wish to pay by direct deposit or international wire transfer.



SMALL GROUP TRAVEL -- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Accommodations are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will attempt to match you with a roommate of the same gender. However, if a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged, but we will only charge you half of the single supplement. If you prefer single occupancy, a full single supplement will be charged. We will not be responsible for incompatibility of a roommate for any reason.


CANCELLATIONS
IF YOU CANCEL
Accidents happen; emergencies occur. For this reason we strongly recommend travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you should an emergency happen that prevents you from participating on your Small World Journeys trip.
If it is necessary for you to cancel your trip, you must notify us in writing by email, fax or letter immediately. If we are unable to find a suitable alternative trip, we will refund you the cost of your trip less the following, per person charges:

61 days or more prior to departure................................$100 administration fee
(+ $50 flat planning fee for Independent Journeys or Educational Adventures)

60-31 days prior to departure.................................................50% of total price
30 days or less prior to departure...........................................No Refund

Your refund will be calculated on the day we receive your written cancellation.

IF WE CANCEL
Small World Journeys may cancel a departure due to logistical or operational issues, insufficient sign-ups or any other cause that makes the trip unfeasible for us to operate. We will advise you of such cancellations at a minimum of one month prior to departure. At that time we will endeavour to find an alternative trip for you. If we do not find an alternative for you that is acceptable, you are entitled to a full refund and that will constitute full settlement.

We may also cancel departures if forced to do so by circumstances such as war, civil or political unrest or what is commonly referred to as force majeure.

Force Majeure
In the case of Force Majeure (meaning a circumstance beyond Small World Journeys’ reasonable control including, but not limited to, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire and strikes), Small World Journeys will not be liable for any delay, change or cancellation of trips.
Small World Journeys normally makes significant payments to its suppliers (hotels, outfitters, etc.) far in advance of the scheduled departure date. If a trip is cancelled due to force majeure, Small World Journeys will promptly refund the portion of the trip cost not already advanced to suppliers. Small World Journeys may, in its discretion, recover from its suppliers a refund of money paid in respect of any trip cancelled due to Force Majeure. Where this occurs, a refund will be given. Otherwise, Small World Journeys will not be liable to refund money paid in respect of a cancelled trip.
Please note Small World Journeys is also not responsible for expenses incurred while preparing for a cancelled trip (e.g., nonrefundable advance purchase air tickets, special equipment, visa fees, loss of enjoyment, etc.) or for any additional arrangements made before or after the cancelled trip.
REFUNDS
Prices are quoted as a package, and in most cases are based on group participation. Therefore, Small World Journeys does not give refunds for unused services, activities or meals. Additionally, no refunds will be given if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun.
Refunds will be at the discretion of Small World Journeys should you be forced to leave a trip for any reason.
TRANSFERS
• If you postpone your trip more than 60 days prior to trip departure date, we will be happy to transfer 100% of your monies paid to another Small World Journeys trip or different departure date within 12 months of the original trip start date. If canceling, the administration fee is $100 and the balance of your deposit is refunded. (If applicable, the $50 flat planning fee for Independent Journeys and Educational Adventures is also retained).

• From 31 to 60 days prior to departure—50% of the cost of Small World Journeys scheduled Small Group Trip is non-transferable and non-refundable.

• Less than 30 days prior to departure – all amounts paid to Small World Journeys scheduled Small Group Trips are non-transferable and non-refundable.

PRICING
Our Small Group Travel confirms at 4 guests. Under some circumstances, guests may opt to pay an additional fee to confirm the trip at 2 or 3 people. If Small World Journeys signs up an additional guest or two, taking the confirmed number of participants to four, the price difference will be refunded to each guest.
We reserve the right to change our prices without prior notice, due to factors beyond our control. Price increases are not passed on to participants who have already paid a deposit.

ITINERARIES & CHANGES
We will take every measure to ensure the accuracy of the website, promotional literature, itineraries and prices, but conditions can change and errors can occur. Circumstances beyond our control may also necessitate changes to our itineraries. In this case, guests should refer to the tour itinerary included in the Pre-Departure packet with the updates. Changing conditions in the field may also necessitate itinerary modifications after the trip has departed.


PRE-TRIP MATERIALS

Once you have signed up for a trip, Small World Journeys will send you additional information to help you prepare for your trip. Please note we send correspondence by email to cut down on paper usage. If you wish to receive correspondence by mail, please advise us upon booking.

We will send you the following:
Confirmation Packet: Detailed itinerary, Packing List, payment invoice, travel insurance information, travel agent contact information, reading list, information on optional trip extensions, and other travel information.
Pre-Departure Packet: Last-minute information on the trip, trip roster if applicable, rendezvous instructions, and emergency numbers--sent approximately 2 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date.
COMPLAINTS
Should you have any complaints about any aspect of Small World Journeys’ operations, please inform your guide. Most problems can be dealt with quickly and may be due to cultural misunderstandings. If the problem is not rectified to your satisfaction, please inform us in writing within 30 days. We will address your complaint in a prompt and professional manner, and if appropriate, take remedial action.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend you purchase insurance coverage, available through your travel agent, to protect you in the event of trip cancellation, protection to baggage, possessions and valuables and to cover against personal accident.

For more information on travel insurance, go to: www.aigtravel.com.au

We will not be responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of your baggage, possessions or valuables under any circumstances.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT
You are responsible for:

1. Choosing a trip appropriate to your physical abilities and interests. Guests are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to participate on their trip and may be required to obtain a medical practitioner’s clearance. Once a trip has been confirmed medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. Small World Journeys takes no responsibility regarding medical advice, medications or vaccinations that you or your doctor feel is necessary for your safe participation. All journeys are undertaken at your own risk and we reserve the right to refuse your participation in a particular activity or a complete journey if we believe it is for your own safety and the safety of other passengers.

2. Having a valid passport for international travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date which you expect to return home. You are responsible for arranging visas or travel permits, if applicable. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry to Australia.

3. Providing Small World Journeys with correct information regarding your personal details. This includes name, address, email, medical conditions and flight details. We will not be responsible for losses incurred due to incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate information.

4. Providing Small World Journeys with a signed Release, Discharge and Indemnity Waiver prior to trip departure (You will not be permitted to join a trip without this information on file)

5. Studying the pre-departure information sent to you, and arriving at the trip start with the recommended clothing and gear as specified on the Packing List.

6. Respecting the laws and customs of Australia.

7. Following the leader’s directions in accordance with environmental guidelines and regulations. This includes abiding by Leave No Trace Environmental Ethics as instructed by the trip leader.

8. Appreciating that in Australia, level of service, local customs, etiquette, food, living standards and accommodation may differ from those in the your home country. In Cairns especially, the pace of life and service can differ significantly from other Westernized nations.

9. Respecting the rights and privacy of other trip members. Any cause of danger, distress or annoyance to the group will be acted upon. You may be asked to leave a trip if the guide feels that your continuing participation may prove detrimental to yourself or to the safety or well-being of other guests. Any expenses incurred from removal from a tour will be your responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITY OF SMALL WORLD JOURNEYS
LIMIT OF LIABILITY
Small World Journeys will take all reasonable steps expected of a tour operator to ensure your safety and well being.

Some days or activities and certain trips listed in this catalog are operated by local tour operators contracted with Small World Journeys. We assume no liability or responsibility in connection with any injury, death, loss, accident, damage, cancellation, delay or inconvenience to person or property which may result through the acts of any company or person engaged in carrying out arrangements of the trip or resulting directly from the following: acts of God, detention, annoyance, terrorism, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, strikes, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services beyond the control of Small World Journeys.

Extreme care is taken in the contracting of all services, however we cannot be responsible for the errors or omissions of the suppliers or services. In the unlikely event that a supplier fails to honour their contract with us, we reserve the right to alter, change or cancel such services which are outlined in our website and promotional material. If and when such a change occurs, we will attempt to substitute a comparable service. However, we will not be liable for any difference in the quality or enjoyment.

You acknowledge that during the trip which you are choosing to participate in you are subjecting yourself to certain risks including, but not limited to: forces of nature, travel in remote areas and wilderness terrain, and transportation by coach. You recognise that such risks may be present at any time during the trip.
Small World Journeys reserves the right and trip participants agree to allow Small World Journeys to take photographic or film records of any of our trips and trip participants, and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.
Payment of your deposit represents your acceptance of the above terms and conditions.