Trip Terms & Booking Conditions
Silky Way Travel
Trip Terms & Booking Conditions
1. YOUR AGREEMENT WITH SILKY WAY TRAVEL
These Terms & Booking Conditions, along with any other written information we provide before confirming your booking, form the basis of your contract with Silky Way Travel, LLC, a company registered in California, United States. By making a booking, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
In these Booking Conditions, references to "we," "us," and "our" refer to Silky Way Travel, LLC, and "you" and "your" refer to all persons named in the booking.
By making a booking, the Lead Traveler (first named person on the booking) confirms that:
They have read and agree to these Booking Conditions on behalf of all travelers in their party.
They accept the inherent risks of travel and understand that Silky Way Travel specializes in curated, immersive travel experiences, which may include cultural and adventure-based activities.
They consent to our use of their personal data in accordance with our Privacy & Data Protection Policy.
They are over 18 years old and authorized to make the booking for all named travelers.
They accept financial responsibility for the booking.
2. YOUR CONTRACT & APPLICABLE LAW
Your contract is with Silky Way Travel, LLC, a company registered in California, United States. California law (and no other) governs this agreement, and any disputes must be resolved exclusively in the courts of California.
By booking with us, you agree that:
Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising from this contract shall be exclusively resolved through binding arbitration in California under the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The costs of arbitration shall be shared equally unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator.
Waiver of Class Action & Jury Trial: You waive the right to file or participate in any class-action lawsuit and waive the right to a jury trial.
Limitation of Liability: We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from any travel-related issues, including but not limited to cancellations, delays, force majeure events, or actions of third-party providers.
Time Limit for Claims: Any claim against Silky Way Travel, LLC must be filed within one (1) year of the trip’s completion, or it is permanently waived.
3. BOOKING & PAYMENT POLICY
Deposits & Payment Schedule
To secure a booking, a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking.
If booking within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and apply cancellation charges.
All payments must be made in USD. Travelers using non-USD credit cards or international transfers may incur foreign exchange fees charged by their financial institution.
Booking Confirmation & Minimum Travelers Requirement
Our group tours require a minimum of six (6) travelers to operate.
Your trip will be guaranteed once we reach the minimum number of travelers. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as the trip is guaranteed.
If the minimum group size is not met by 90 days before departure, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the tour.
If the Tour is Not Guaranteed by 90 Days Before Departure
If the tour does not meet the minimum required travelers by the 90-day mark, we will notify you, and you will have the following options:
A full refund of all payments made.
Transferring your booking to a future departure of the same itinerary.
Applying your payment as credit toward a different available Silky Way Travel tour (price differences may apply).
Important Notes
Your trip is not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email from us.
We are not responsible for any incidental expenses (e.g., flight cancellations or changes, visa fees, or accommodations booked independently) incurred before the trip is guaranteed or due to trip cancellation for insufficient group size.
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
As all of our tours are highly curated with some activities that are exclusive to Silky Way, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 60 days of departure, regardless of the reason, including medical emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances. Travelers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any unexpected cancellations or disruptions.
If you need to cancel your booking, written notification must be received by us. Cancellation fees apply as follows:
Cancellation or transfer more than 90 days before departure = Deposit ($500 per person)
Cancellation or transfer between 60-90 days before your departure date = 75% of total cost
Cancellation or transfer within 60 days of your departure date = 100% of total cost (no refund)
No Separate Cancellation Policy for Add-ons
All pre- and post-tour accommodations, optional excursions, and other add-ons follow the same cancellation terms as the main tour booking.
5. REFUND POLICY & TOUR MODIFICATIONS
If We Cancel Your Tour
In the unlikely event we must cancel your trip, you may choose:
A full refund processed within 14 days.
A free transfer to any future departure of the same itinerary (subject to price differences).
A credit toward a different destination (subject to price differences).
Pricing & Itinerary Adjustments
All pricing and itineraries are subject to change until 14 days before departure due to fluctuations in supplier costs, government regulations, or other unforeseen circumstances. While we endeavor to maintain advertised prices, we reserve the right to adjust the final tour price or itinerary based on factors such as:
Supplier cost changes (e.g., accommodation, transport, or local service provider fees),
Changes in exchange rates or government-imposed taxes, or
Necessary itinerary modifications due to logistical or operational requirements.
If the final price increases by more than 10%, travelers will have the option to:
Accept the revised pricing, or
Cancel their booking for a full refund.
If We Modify Your Itinerary
We reserve the right to make minor itinerary adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather, government restrictions, or supplier availability. Any significant changes will be communicated as soon as possible, and we will offer an alternative experience of equal or greater value.
Definition of a Significant Change
Silky Way Travel considers a significant change to be:
The removal of a key destination (e.g., if Guizhou is removed from tour entirely).
A change in trip duration exceeding 24 hours.
The removal of a highlight activity that cannot be replaced with a comparable alternative.
Policy for Handling Significant Changes
If a significant change occurs, we will:
Offer a comparable alternative itinerary at no additional cost.
Provide a refund if no suitable alternative is available.
Not offer compensation for minor modifications, such as changes in activity order or substitutions due to force majeure.
6. CHINA VISA SERVICES
Silky Way Travel offers optional China visa processing services for travelers. The visa service fee is non-refundable once payment has been submitted and processing has begun. This applies regardless of changes to your travel plans or denial of the visa by the embassy or consulate.
Our visa service includes:
Assistance with completing the visa application form
Guidance on gathering required documentation
Processing of the application
Return shipping of your passport with the visa
Processing Time: Estimated at 5–7 business days from the date we receive all required documents. Please note that this is a general timeframe and not a guarantee. Actual processing times may vary based on the embassy or consulate’s workload, holidays, or other external factors. Silky Way Travel is not responsible for delays caused by the embassy or for any reimbursement, full or partial, resulting from such delays.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to provide complete, accurate, and timely documentation. Silky Way Travel is not liable for visa rejections, delays, or additional costs resulting from errors, omissions, or decisions made by the embassy or consulate.
7. TRAVEL INSURANCE
We provide standard travel incident insurance issued by a Chinese insurer, which covers incidents only during the tour and while you are in China. The standard travel incident insurance provided by a Chinese insurer covers only basic medical incidents during the tour and is subject to local coverage limits. It does not cover trip cancellations, lost baggage, or emergency evacuation. Travelers must purchase comprehensive travel insurance for full coverage
We highly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance to ensure full protection. Your insurance should cover:
Trip cancellations and delays
Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
Lost baggage and personal belongings
It is the traveler's responsibility to ensure they have adequate coverage for their specific needs before departure. We are not responsible for costs incurred due to lack of sufficient insurance.
8. RESPONSIBILITIES & LIABILITY
Activity-Specific Waivers
Participation in activities such as hiking, boating, cultural experiences, or any physically demanding excursions is voluntary, and travelers assume full responsibility for their own safety. A signed liability waiver may be required before participating in certain activities.
General Liability Disclaimer
Silky Way Travel acts only as an intermediary for hotels, transportation providers, local guides, and other travel service suppliers. We are not responsible for delays, cancellations, or disruptions caused by third-party providers, government restrictions, force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, strikes, political instability), or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
Personal Responsibility Clause
Travelers are responsible for assessing their own fitness level and ensuring they are medically capable of participating in the tour’s activities. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is your responsibility to consult with your doctor before booking.
We are not responsible for medical emergencies beyond the coverage provided by the standard travel incident insurance issued by a Chinese insurer. Any additional medical expenses beyond this coverage must be covered by the traveler’s insurance or personal funds. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to ensure full protection.
Tour Leader’s Authority
Silky Way Travel’s designated tour leader has full authority over all matters affecting the safety, well-being, and operation of the tour.
Travelers must comply with all instructions regarding safety, schedules, and group coordination.
If a traveler’s actions jeopardize the group experience, safety, or violate local laws, the tour leader has the authority to remove the traveler from the trip without a refund.
Tour leaders may adjust the itinerary as needed due to weather, local conditions, or unforeseen circumstances. Travelers must follow all itinerary adjustments as deemed necessary.
Failure to follow reasonable instructions from the tour leader may result in the traveler being asked to leave the tour, at their own expense, without any reimbursement from us.
No Responsibility for Personal Belongings
We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings at any point during the trip. Travelers should ensure their personal travel insurance covers luggage loss, theft, or damage.
Refund & Compensation Limitations
If a traveler chooses to leave the tour early for personal reasons, including illness or an emergency, we are not responsible for refunds for unused portions of the trip. The traveler is responsible for any additional costs incurred, including flight rebookings, accommodation extensions, or extra transportation.
If a tour is disrupted or altered due to force majeure events, we will make reasonable efforts to provide alternative arrangements but is not obligated to issue refunds or compensation.
9. VISAS, PASSPORTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to obtain and maintain all necessary travel documents, including valid passports, visas, and any additional entry permits required for China. We do not provide visa application services or recommendations; however, upon request, we will issue an invitation letter to facilitate the visa application process.
We assume no liability for a traveler’s failure to comply with visa, passport, or entry requirements, including denial of entry by immigration authorities. Travelers are advised to verify all entry and exit requirements well in advance of departure. Failure to obtain the necessary travel documents, including passports and visas, will not be grounds for a refund or compensation.
Certain ethnic minority autonomous regions in China are subject to additional local regulations that may restrict independent travel. Travelers are required to follow all instructions provided by the designated local guides and comply with any applicable regional restrictions.
10. Force Majeure (Unforeseen Circumstances)
In the event of force majeure, Silky Way Travel will make reasonable efforts to notify travelers as soon as possible and provide alternative arrangements where feasible.
We are not responsible for trip cancellations, delays, or itinerary changes caused by events beyond our control, including but not limited to:
Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, severe weather conditions, etc.).
Political unrest, war, civil disturbances, or government-imposed restrictions.
Pandemics, epidemics, public health emergencies, or quarantine regulations.
Airline strikes, transportation disruptions, or supplier insolvencies.
Refunds & Alternative Arrangements
If a force majeure event occurs before departure and significantly affects the trip, we will make reasonable efforts to provide an alternative itinerary of equal value. If no suitable alternative is available, a partial refund or future trip credit may be offered at our sole discretion.
If force majeure occurs during the trip, we will adjust the itinerary as needed to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. If alternative arrangements are provided, no refunds or compensation will be issued for missed activities or itinerary changes.
Travelers are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to force majeure disruptions, including flight rebookings, accommodation extensions, or extra transportation.
11. Privacy & Data Protection Policy
Silky Way Travel complies with CCPA and may share limited data with third-party marketing partners for promotional purposes only. We do not sell personal data. Travelers may opt out of marketing communications or request data deletion by contacting hello@silkywaytravel.com.