Making a Reservation

1. Book online!  Just click the “Book Now” button on the webpage of the trip you’re interested in taking.  You will be directed to our secure online reservation system. Fill out some basic information about yourself and then pay the initial payment via credit or debit card.   

2. If online booking is currently unavailable for the trip you’re interested in taking, you will be directed to this page, where you may fill out the reservation request form.  We will get in touch with you via email within a few days.  If there is space available, you will receive an invoice via email to pay the initial payment by credit or debit card to guarantee your spot on the adventure.                        

3. Once we’ve received your initial payment, you will receive an e-ticket with further details about your adventure (i.e. where to meet the bus, what to bring, optional activities and the day-to-day itinerary).  Please allow 72 hours for this email e-ticket to show up in your inbox.  

Payment Schedule

  • An initial payment must be made by credit, debit or cash card online to confirm your spot on an adventure.
  • All balances are due 60 days prior to departure. 
  • If you must cancel your trip, all payments are non-refundable, but may be transferred once to another Green Tortoise adventure, if done so at least 60 days prior to departure. 
  • Less than 60 days prior to departure, full payment is required to reserve a space. 
  • All payments must be made online with credit, debit or cash card. 
  • In the unlikely event that we must cancel your adventure, you will receive a refund of your initial payment and balance.

*We no longer accept cash, money order or cashiers checks at departure.  All balances must be paid in advance.

Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions. 

POLICIES

To cancel your trip and receive any credit, you must do so at least 60 days prior to departure. Within this period you may apply your initial payment minus a $100 rebooking fee one time only to another Green Tortoise trip within 12 months of cancellation date.  If you notify us less than 60 days prior to departure, or fail to pay your balance by the due date, you forfeit the entire initial payment.  PLEASE EMAIL TO CANCEL. We can be reached at [email protected]

All deposits are non-refundable / non-transferable to another person.  The full balance of your fare, including the food/parks fund, is due at least 60 days prior to departure. The full trip amount also becomes non-refundable/non-transferable when paid 60 days prior to departure.

If you must cancel 60 to 30 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% credit towards future Green Tortoise travel.  Travel must be completed within 14 months of the date of cancellation. If you notify the Green Tortoise of a cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure, you forfeit the full payment of the trip. 

Reservations made less than 60 days prior to departure must pay the total balance within 72 hours of booking with initial payment. Failure to pay the remaining balance within 72 hours (or less as required to be prior to departure) will be canceled for nonpayment with no refund.

The Green Tortoise reserves the right to cancel any trip (very rare) for any reason at any time without any compensation other than the full or pro-rated fare which may be as a refund or trip credit.

Within the 60 days prior to departure and after you have paid the balance, the trip may be canceled for safety or operational considerations. Examples for this may include but are not limited:  a stay at home order is in effect, all or most of the national parks/borders we are visiting are closed, extreme weather or road closure etc. If we are forced to cancel the trip because of the above limitations, you will be eligible for full credit towards a future Green Tortoise trip. You may  be eligible for a cash refund minus 20% of your fare only. If all of the above conditions are not in place and you choose to cancel the trip, your entire initial payment and balance due is non refundable.

The food/parks fund, which everyone pays, covers about 65% (some exceptions) of meals, all camping fees, as well as some U.S. park entrance fees. You are responsible for all other meals.  The Green Tortoise reserves the right to add a fuel surcharge to the final balance.   The Green Tortoise reserves the right to include an increase in fare based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) if it is over 3% between time of booking and time of departure. All Green Tortoise buses are insured as commercial passenger vehicles. You are not covered by this insurance anytime you are off the bus. You are required to purchase additional travelers insurance. Federal and state law mandates that the passenger accept responsibility for all carry-on items and that the carrier’s liability be limited to $250 per bag that has been checked into the luggage compartment.

A. I will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, including but not limited to hiking, swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, rafting, boating, cave exploration, kayaking, soaking in hotsprings, and engaging in other activities in public parklands and in privately-owned facilities such as restaurants, bars, stores, and recreation areas. I further understand that by participating in any of these activities, I may be subjected to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which may cause me to suffer property damage, injury, or death (“DAMAGES”). I know that these DAMAGES can occur due to natural causes, the active or passive negligence of Green Tortoise, its employees and agents, or the negligent or intentional acts of third parties and/or fellow passengers.

I further understand that while on the Green Tortoise there will be times where access to rescue or medical facilities or expertise may be several hours or even days away from the location where these DAMAGES may occur. I understand that being exposed to such DAMAGES, risks and hazards are inherent in participating in Green Tortoise Adventure Travel and I understand that I should therefore exercise extra care for my own person. I understand the potential for these DAMAGES to occur, that those hazards and risks associated with Green Tortoise exist, and notwithstanding these factors I choose to take this Green Tortoise journey, agree to pay the required costs therefor and voluntarily assume the risks of such DAMAGES occurring while I am on my Green Tortoise journey.

B.   Green Tortoise may at times deliver passengers to various third parties who will conduct, supervise, guide, or instruct passengers in various sporting or recreational activities, or conduct entire tours including but not limited to, those activities listed above in section A. Green Tortoise assumes no duty to certify, monitor or verify the qualifications of any third parties involved in these activities. Passengers’ concerns regarding the qualifications of any third parties conducting or supervising these activities should be directed to the third parties and passenger agrees to release, indemnify and hold harmless Green Tortoise for liability for DAMAGES arising out of the negligence of such third parties.

C.   I have chosen to be a passenger on an unconventional touring vehicle that differs in design from ordinary commercial buses used for regular transportation or touring purposes. Since the vehicle in which I will be travelling is not a conventional tour bus and therefore involves unique risks of DAMAGES, I understand the need for all passengers to exercise particular caution when on the bus, and especially while moving around the interior of the vehicle while the vehicle is in transit. I voluntarily assume the risks of any and all DAMAGES I may incur on Green Tortoise vehicles unless such DAMAGES are directly related to the negligent operation of the vehicle by Green Tortoise employees.

D.   In the event that I choose to quit or depart from my Green Tortoise tour prior to the completion of the tour as scheduled, I understand the risk inherent in doing so, and I agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless Green Tortoise, its officers, directors, agents and employees of any liability for DAMAGES arising out of, or occurring after, my departure from the tour. I also understand that by quitting or departing from the tour I will have forfeited and relinquished any remaining value in the ticket purchased for the tour and waive any and all claims for reimbursement from Green Tortoise. The Green Tortoise is not responsible for any passengers expenses arising from delays due to accidents, breakdowns, or adverse traffic and weather conditions.  Release In consideration for being accepted by Green Tortoise [or any of its affiliated entities] to take a Green Tortoise journey, I hereby agree to hold Green Tortoise, [its affiliated entities], owners, agents, employees and contractors harmless from any and all liability, action, causes of action, debts, claims and demands of every kind and nature whatsoever which I now have or which may arise from or in connection with my Green Tortoise journey.

The terms of this Agreement shall also serve as release and assumption of risk from my heirs, executors and administrators and for all members of my family. I, my heirs, distributees, guardians, and legal representatives hereby agree to hold harmless, and not make any claim against, sue, or attach the property of Green Tortoise, [its affiliated entities], its owners, agents, employees or contractors for any injury or damage I might suffer due to the acts of omissions, including negligent acts or omissions, of any employee, agent, contractor or owner of Green Tortoise [or any of its affiliated entities].

The undersigned further expressly agrees that this RELEASE and ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT is intended to be as broad as permitted under California law and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that all other portions shall continue in full legal force and effect.  Binding Arbitration Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to any DAMAGES I may incur, or concerning this Agreement, or to the making, performance or interpretation thereof, shall be settled by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association which then exist. I understand that binding arbitration may deprive me of various rights that I might otherwise have in a legal action, including, without limitation, the right to a jury trial, the right to appeal, and full discovery rights. Judgement on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy. I further agree to pay half of any costs to third parties, including arbitrator(s), in an arbitration proceeding commenced and conducted pursuant this agreement.

The food/parks fund, which everyone pays, covers about 70% (some exceptions) of meals, all camping fees, as well as U.S. park entrance fees. You are responsible for all other meals.  The Green Tortoise reserves the right to add a fuel surcharge to the final balance.  The Green Tortoise reserves the right to include an increase in fare based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) if it is over 3% between time of booking and time of departure.

All Green Tortoise buses are insured as commercial passenger vehicles. You are not covered by this insurance anytime you are off the bus. You are required to purchase additional travelers insurance. Federal and state law mandates that the passenger accept responsibility for all carry-on items and that the carrier’s liability be limited to $250 per bag that has been checked into the luggage compartment.  No oral representations, statements or inducements, apart from this written agreement have been made and the undersigned acknowledges that the terms of this agreement cannot be altered or waived by any Green Tortoise employee or agent except in writing. I have read and do agree to sign the assumption of risk, release, and binding arbitration agreement form.

I agree to confirm my reservation 2 days prior to my departure or I may be moved to a stand-by list. I understand that conditions may be relatively primitive, and not luxurious. I understand that all trip itineraries are flexible and subject to change. I understand, agree and accept that Green Tortoise does not guarantee arrival times. I agree to cooperate with my Green Tortoise drivers’ directives and abide by all prevailing laws. I understand that it’s my responsibility to return to the bus on time and to catch up with the tour in the event that I am left behind. I understand that Green Tortoise reserves the right to apply a fuel surcharge to my reservation at any time. I understand that the Green Tortoise reserves the right to refuse service at any time, to anyone that they believe to be incompatible with the Green Tortoise way of traveling without any compensation other than their unused portion of the food fund. I understand that the Green Tortoise reserves the right to cancel any trip (very rare) for any reason at any time without any compensation other than the prorated fare as a future Green Tortoise trip credit.