Booking Terms & Cancellation Policy

1. Booking & Payment

How to secure your spot

All expeditions are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your place:

• Complete the online booking form on our website.
• Pay a deposit of 50% of the total expedition cost through our secure online payment system (credit/debit card in USD).
• You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours with your booking reference, expedition details, gear list, and pre-trip instructions.

Remaining balance

The remaining 50% is due on the first day of the expedition, paid in cash in U.S. Dollars (USD) at the meeting point before departure. Please bring exact change — we cannot guarantee availability of change for large bills.

2. Cancellations by the Client

If you need to cancel, please notify us in writing as soon as possible at hello@altharaexpeditions.com. The following refund schedule applies based on days before the expedition start date:

Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 10 business days of your written cancellation. No refunds are issued for unused services once the expedition has begun.

Rebooking / transfer of dates

We'll accommodate a one-time date transfer at no additional fee, subject to availability, if you notify us at least 30 days before your original expedition date. A second transfer request is treated as a cancellation.

Transfer of booking to another person

You may transfer your reservation to another qualified participant at no charge, provided you notify us at least 14 days before the expedition date and the new participant meets the requirements in Section 4.

3. Cancellations by Althara Expeditions

Weather & mountain conditions

We reserve the right to cancel, modify the route, or turn around at any point if weather, volcanic activity, avalanche risk, or any other condition poses an unacceptable risk. This decision rests solely with the lead guide, whose judgment is final.

Minimum group size

If a minimum group size is not met, we will notify you at least 21 days in advance and offer: (a) placement in another group, (b) a small-group supplement for a private expedition, or (c) a full deposit refund.

Guide unavailability

If your assigned guide is unable to lead due to illness or emergency, we will provide an equally qualified replacement. If no suitable guide is available, we will offer a full refund or priority rebooking at no charge.

4. Physical Requirements

Climbing high-altitude volcanoes involves significant physical exertion and exposure to altitude, cold, and technical terrain. Participation requires honest self-assessment of your fitness and experience.

Pico de Orizaba — 18,491 ft (5,636 m)

• Previous experience above 13,000 ft (4,000 m) strongly recommended
• Ability to hike 8–10 hours with a 30–40 lb pack
• Basic crampon and ice axe experience, or completion of our skills clinic
• No active cardiovascular or respiratory conditions aggravated by altitude

Iztaccíhuatl — 17,159 ft (5,230 m)

• Experience hiking above 10,000 ft (3,000 m) required
• Ability to hike 7–9 hours over mixed terrain with a loaded pack
• Suitable for experienced hikers making their first high-altitude summit

5. Risk Acknowledgment & Liability

Mountain climbing and high-altitude trekking are inherently dangerous activities. Risks include but are not limited to: acute mountain sickness (AMS), HAPE, HACE, frostbite, hypothermia, falls, avalanches, rockfall, volcanic activity, extreme weather, and exhaustion.

By booking with Althara Expeditions, you acknowledge that:

• You voluntarily accept these risks and participate at your own risk
• Althara Expeditions, its guides, staff, and partners are not liable for injury, illness, death, loss of property, or additional expenses arising from participation
• You will sign a separate Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk document before the expedition. The expedition will not proceed without your signed waiver
• Our guides are certified professionals who will take every reasonable precaution, but cannot eliminate all risk inherent to high-altitude mountaineering

6. Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude mountaineering, including trip cancellation, emergency medical treatment, high-altitude rescue and evacuation, and repatriation. We suggest World Nomads or Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance, both of which cover adventure sports. Althara Expeditions is not responsible for medical evacuation or rescue costs.

7. Equipment & Personal Gear

Provided by Althara Expeditions

• Ropes, hardware, and group safety equipment
• Crampons and ice axe for each participant
• Trekking poles
• Experienced, certified lead guide(s)
• Emergency first-aid supplies
• Mountain permits (where applicable)

Client's responsibility

• All personal clothing and layering appropriate for extreme cold and high altitude
• Mountaineering boots rated for crampons (rentals available on request — additional fee applies)
• Headlamp with fresh batteries, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Personal snacks, hydration, and prescription medications

8. Code of Conduct

The following conduct may result in removal from the expedition without refund:

• Failure to follow guide instructions on safety, pacing, or turn-around decisions
• Disrespectful or aggressive behavior toward guides, staff, or other participants
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs before or during the expedition
• Environmental violations including littering or leaving waste on the mountain

9. Photography & Media

We may photograph or film expedition activities for use in our marketing, social media, and website. By booking, you grant Althara Expeditions a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use images or video in which you may appear. If you prefer not to be featured, notify us in writing before the expedition — your preference will be respected.

10. Governing Law & Disputes

These terms are governed by the laws of Mexico. Disputes will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, they will be submitted to binding arbitration in Puebla, Mexico. Nothing here limits your rights under applicable consumer protection laws in your country of residence.