Backroads Terms & Conditions

Backroads is providing new, more flexible booking policies in order for you to plan your future travel with complete peace of mind. Learn more about what to expect when traveling with us this season here.

 

Book with Confidence

Your Deposit is FULLY REFUNDABLE on Scheduled and Private Trips

Your Deposit Is FULLY TRANSFERABLE on Scheduled Trips

  • You may transfer to another trip or place your deposit on account for a future trip prior to your final payment date.
  • On Special Departures you can transfer deposits to a new trip prior to 155 days before your trip start.
  • On Ocean & River Cruises, you can transfer deposits to a new trip prior to 185 days before your trip start.

Your Trip WILL RUN (at any group size)¤

In the event that your trip only has one party at the time of final payment, for most departures we’ll call you to ask if you’d prefer to travel with more guests. Most Backroads guests prefer a robust group of travelers; if you choose to transfer to a fuller trip, you’ll receive a $300 credit, per guest. If instead you prefer to travel with a very small group, an additional $800 per guest guarantees your trip will run. If even one more party signs up, we'll refund your $800.

† see DEPOSITS, TRANSFERS & FINAL PAYMENT chart below

¤ Applies to Scheduled Trips. Does not apply to Private Trips, Cruises or Special Departures (Africa Safaris; Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking; Peru Trekking and possibly others as noted on our website); Asia; Latin America; Middle East; Dalmatian Coast; Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket; Morocco; New Zealand; Amalfi Coast Premiere; Iceland Northern Lights; Yellowstone & Tetons Snow Adventure and trips with Internal Air.

 

Our Standard Booking Policies

BOOKING A NEW TRIP

How to Sign Up: Where’s your next adventure? Reserve your trip anytime at backroads.com or call 800-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) Monday–Friday 7–5 PT, and weekends 7–3 PT, to speak with one of our Trip Consultants. 

Price: Prices are per person based on double occupancy (two people per room) and quoted in US dollars. Prices are valid at time of publishing and are subject to change at any time. You can always find the most current prices on our website, or by calling us. Once you book your Backroads trip, your price is guaranteed. Prices cover land costs only, and do not include airfare to and from the trip. Trip prices include accommodations, baggage transfers, porterage and all ground transportation during your trip. Please see the trip web page for more specifics on all items included in the trip price. Local taxes may apply in select destinations. Active Cruises are subject to port fees. Private rooms and pro bike or tandem upgrades incur a supplemental fee. 

Booking after the Final Payment Due Date: If you book after the Final Payment due date (see chart) and Backroads must request additional rooms from our hotels or ships, you will be charged your trip deposit (and Final Payment for Special Departures and Active Cruises) before you are confirmed on the trip. If we are unable to confirm your room(s) within 7 business days, you will receive a full deposit refund. If we can confirm your room(s), your remaining balance will be charged on the day following confirmation using the same payment method as your deposit. If you decide to cancel before or after the rooms have been confirmed, cancellation fees will apply (see chart). 

Traveling Solo: If you are traveling solo and prefer to share a room, Backroads will endeavor to find you a roommate of the same gender. We are able to pair roommates over half the time, saving you the private room fee. The earlier you book, the more likely we can find you a roommate. If no roommate is available, the full private room charge will apply.

Travel Protection Plan: Because you can’t plan for the unexpected, we strongly encourage that you consider the Arch RoamRight Travel Protection Plan to help protect against financial loss due to cancellation fees. A travel protection plan may protect up to 100% of your vacation investment when unforeseen covered issues arise. Visit backroads.com/travel-insurance for a detailed plan summary and more information. 

Paying Your Balance: The balance of your trip price is due in US dollars only, on the Final Payment due date according to the chart below. We automatically bill the credit card on file when the balance is due, unless you instruct us otherwise. Balances may be paid by major credit card, check, money order or wire transfer (please contact us if you prefer to use a non-credit card payment option). If Final Payment is not received when due, Backroads reserves the right to cancel your reservation. 

Cancellation Policy: Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including but not limited to weather, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemics, personal, family or medical emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private rooms, staterooms and internal air charges are considered part of the total trip price and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage cancellation fees are calculated on your total trip price (see chart). 

We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure or the failure of third parties—such as hotels or ships—to honor their reservations. In these cases, you will be refunded your trip price. Backroads is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled or postponed trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations or illness.

All policies are subject to change without prior notice.

BOOKING A PRIVATE TRIP

Please see our Private Trip Terms & Conditions for more details.

Terms & Conditions

Bike Cancellation Policy: If you have upgraded to a Cannondale or Co-Motion Tandem, a full cancellation fee will apply in the event you cancel your trip reservation inside 30 days.

Trip Forms & Release of Liability: Guests are required to complete and sign our Release, Assumption of All Risks, and Binding Arbitration Agreement and Personal Information Form. Forms linked here are for reference only; signable copies are made available in your Backroads Account for your convenience. Signatures are required after booking and all forms must be completed prior to final payment. We are unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.