General Terms and Conditions of Sale

1. 1. Identification of the Provider

These General Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter 'GTC') are entered into between Switzerland Tours, with registered office at Boulevard Georges-Favon 26, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland (hereinafter 'Switzerland Tours' or 'the Provider'), and any natural or legal person making a reservation for a tour or tourist service offered by Switzerland Tours (hereinafter 'the Client'). Any reservation implies full and unconditional acceptance of these GTC.

2. 2. Purpose and Scope

These GTC define the rights and obligations of the parties in connection with the sale of guided tours, day excursions, stays and bespoke services offered by Switzerland Tours on its website tours-switzerland.ch or through its direct sales channels. They apply to the exclusion of all other conditions, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Switzerland Tours. Switzerland Tours reserves the right to amend its GTC at any time; the applicable conditions are those in force at the time of booking confirmation.

3. 3. Booking and Contract Formation

Booking is made by the Client via the website tours-switzerland.ch or through the contact form. The contract is concluded and the booking becomes binding upon receipt by the Client of written confirmation from Switzerland Tours and payment of the deposit or full amount depending on the booking timeframe. The Client is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information in the confirmation and must report any errors within 48 hours. Switzerland Tours cannot be held liable for consequences arising from incorrect information provided by the Client.

4. 4. Prices and Payment

Prices are quoted in Swiss francs (CHF) and are indicative until booking confirmation. They include the services expressly mentioned in the tour description and exclude personal expenses, tips, beverages not mentioned, insurance and any optional services. Full payment is required at the time of booking for any tour departing within 30 days. For advance bookings of more than 30 days, a 30% deposit is required at the time of ordering, with the balance due no later than 30 days before departure. Failure to pay within the specified time may result in automatic cancellation of the booking without refund of the deposit.

5. 5. Modification and Cancellation by the Client

Any modification request (change of date, tour or number of participants) must be submitted in writing via the contact form on our website and will be processed subject to availability. A modification fee of 30 CHF per booking may apply. In the event of cancellation, the following conditions apply: cancellation more than 30 days before departure, full refund; between 15 and 30 days, 50% of the total amount is retained; less than 15 days before departure or no-show on the day, no refund is due. These conditions apply regardless of the reason for cancellation, except in duly justified cases of force majeure.

6. 6. Modification and Cancellation by Switzerland Tours

Switzerland Tours reserves the right to modify an itinerary, programme or substitute an equivalent service in the event of operational necessity, weather conditions or force majeure. In the event of cancellation of the tour by Switzerland Tours before departure, the Client will be fully refunded or may choose, at no additional cost, an alternative date or a tour of equivalent value. Switzerland Tours shall not be liable for any indirect loss (travel expenses, accommodation costs, loss of income) resulting from such cancellation. A minimum number of participants may be required for certain tours; if this threshold is not reached, the Client will be informed no later than 48 hours before departure.

7. 7. Liability of the Provider

Switzerland Tours is responsible for the proper performance of the services set out in the contract, in accordance with the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). However, its liability shall not be engaged in cases of force majeure, unforeseeable events beyond its control (exceptional weather conditions, strikes, administrative closure of access, pandemic, natural disasters), or the acts of independent third parties (transport companies, cable car operators, hotels). The liability of Switzerland Tours is in any event limited to the amount of services actually paid by the Client.

8. 8. Obligations and Liability of the Client

The Client undertakes to arrive at the designated meeting point at the specified time, to follow the safety instructions given by the guide, and to behave respectfully towards other participants, guides and the natural environment. The Client acknowledges having been informed of the physical requirements for the chosen tour and certifies being in a state of health compatible with participation. Switzerland Tours accepts no liability for accidents resulting from failure to follow safety instructions or from a false declaration regarding the Client's state of health. Any disruptive behaviour may result in exclusion from the tour without refund.

9. 9. Intellectual Property

All content on the website tours-switzerland.ch (texts, photographs, videos, logos, itineraries) is the exclusive property of Switzerland Tours and is protected by Swiss intellectual property law. Any reproduction, distribution or commercial use without prior written authorisation from Switzerland Tours is strictly prohibited. Photographs taken by clients during tours remain their personal property; however, Switzerland Tours reserves the right, with the client's prior consent, to use publicly shared photographs for its institutional communications.

10. 10. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These GTC are governed exclusively by Swiss law, in particular the Code of Obligations (CO) and the Federal Act on Travel Agencies insofar as it applies. In the event of a dispute relating to the interpretation or performance of these terms, the parties shall endeavour to reach an amicable settlement. Failing that, the courts of the Canton of Geneva shall have sole jurisdiction, subject to mandatory provisions relating to jurisdiction for consumer disputes.