Antarctica is the most remote continent and one of the most inhospitable and undeveloped regions of the planet. Logistics problems are enormous, the weather ferocious and unpredictable. Distances are immense, facilities scarce. There are no corner-stores, gas stations, TV weather forecasts, emergency outpatient units, pay phones or tourist information booths. Safety and self-sufficiency are the paramount rules. We acknowledge and respect this.

1. In order to make a reservation, you must complete and sign the ANI Booking Form and mail it to the ANI office. At the same time you should send a deposit of US $5,000 by wire transfer from your bank to ANI’s account or a check drawn on a US Bank Account.(details are included on the Proforma Invoice). The Proforma Invoice is a part of these Terms and Conditions and specifically outlines the payment schedule for your chosen ANI expedition.
    
2. A Medical Form and Waiver Form are included, both the Medical Form and Waiver form are mandatory. You will not be permitted to participate in your program unless these forms are completed and signed. Please take notice that once your deposit is paid should you wish to cancel at any time thereafter, THE DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE. Additionally, the cancellation penalties detailed below will be applied. For this reason we strongly urge you to take suitable cancellation insurance coverage.
    

3. In case of a medical problem arising during the expedition, which results in costs for evacuation, use of aircraft or re-patriation, the responsibility for payment of these costs belongs solely with the traveler. All program participants must provide proof of adequate insurance or other arrangements are in place to cover costs associated with search and rescue and medical care and evacuation. Please refer to your program for the amount of coverage that you will need. The responsibility for all costs remains with the traveler and you will be billed for such costs.
    

4. ANI reserves the right to cancel an expedition or program prior to the scheduled date of departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants or logistical problems caused by strikes, acts of terrorism, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances beyond ANI’s control which may make operation of the trip inadvisable. The decision to cancel an expedition or program is within the sole and absolute discretion of ANI. In the event of a cancellation by ANI, all money received by ANI from the client or the client's booking agent for that expedition or program will be promptly refunded. This refund will be the limit of ANI’s liability and ANI shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages, whether known or unknown, under any circumstances whatsoever. ANI is not responsible for any expenses incurred by the client or client’s booking agents in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees or other trip related expenses.
    

5. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary, it must be realized that for this type of adventurous travel to inhospitable regions impacted by severe and unpredictable weather, changes to the itinerary may occur for which ANI accepts no responsibility, however caused and for whatever reason. ANI reserves the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to reschedule the departure and return of any of its expeditions and programs in the Antarctic region at any time, as conditions warrant, and without prior notification and no further obligation on our part. ANI also reserves the right (in its sole and absolute discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary with due notice wherever practicable to clients. Such rescheduling does not constitute cancellation by ANI. Every reasonable effort will be made by ANI staff to ensure that all clients' expedition objectives are met.
    

6. Should a client be unable to accept any changes or modifications to the travel schedule and/or itinerary and decides to cancel, then notification of cancellation must be received in writing by ANI. At the time we receive your written cancellation, the following penalties will apply:
   
   A $2,500 USD per person deposit - payable by bank draft, or by Visa, MasterCard, Discover - along with completed reservation form secures your space. A second deposit, payable by bank draft only, of $10,000 USD is due September 5, 2004. Final payment, payable by bank draft only, is due November 2, 2004. All deposits are non-refundable.
    

7. Should a client's application for participation in an expedition or program be justifiably declined by ANI prior to the scheduled date of departure, ANI will refund all payments received from the client less US$1,000 processing fee, and this will be the limit of ANI’s liability and ANI shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages, whether known or unknown, under any circumstances whatsoever. ANI’s decision to decline a client’s participation in any expedition or program shall be in its sole and absolute discretion. ANI is not responsible for any expenses incurred by the client or client’s booking agents in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees or other trip-related expenses.
    

8. In the event that, during an expedition or within seven days prior to the scheduled date of departure, a client is, or becomes, in the sole judgement of ANI's senior representative on site, incapable of participation or continued participation in any expedition or program without risk or prejudice to the client, fellow expedition members or staff, ANI reserves the right to declare such client’s participation or continued participation terminated. In such event, ANI will assist in the safe return of the client to Punta Arenas, at ANI's convenience, but no refunds will be payable or due and owing to the client.
    

9. ANI’s Expedition leaders and guides will do their utmost to ensure that any problems are solved for the benefit of the group and the expedition as a whole. Your signature below signifies your acceptance of the leader’s authority (whether it be a Captain, Field Operations Manager or Field Lead Guide) to make decisions affecting the group or individuals. For instance, such leader may require an individual to leave the group if he/she believes that person’s health is at risk, if an illegal act is committed, or their behavior becomes detrimental to the safety, enjoyment or well being of the group. Should an ANI leader take such action, that person would not be entitled to any refund whatsoever.
    

10. Please understand that there are certain known and unknown hazards involved in Antarctic expeditions, which you must accept voluntarily at your own risk. Every ANI client must execute a separate Assumption of Risk, Indemnity and Release and Waiver of All Claims and Liability Agreement without exception. ANI will not be liable for any illness, injury or death sustained during an expedition, nor will it be liable for any uninsured losses of your property. ANI shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property arising out of any act of war, terrorism, insurrection, revolt or other civil or military uprising occurring in the countries of origin, destination or passage. That is why ANI strongly urges you to check with your insurance agent to make sure you are adequately covered for all eventualities.
     

11. ANI’s staff, agents and representatives, other than an Officer of ANI, are not entitled to promise refunds for whatever reasons, and ANI will not be bound by any such oral promises.
     

12. Program and Expedition rates are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel, services and labor sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly and ANI reserves the right to revise its prices.

    Having said all the above, we should point out that ANI is in business to help people realize their Antarctic dreams and goals. ANI endeavours and strives to do everything in our power to help make your involvement with ANI and Antarctica a positive and rewarding experience.

    Upon advancement of a deposit or any part of full payment for a reservation on any of ANI’s programs or expeditions, the undersigned acknowledges and confirms that he or she, having read and understood these Terms and Conditions in their entirety,

                (i) agrees to be bound by all of the terms hereof;
     
    (ii) confirms that these Terms and Conditions will be binding on his or her heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors; and
     
    (iii) agrees that this is the entire understanding between him or herself and ANI and cannot be modified or changed in any way by any statements or representations by him or herself or by ANI.