Coming to a remote place like Vanuatu can be a challenge for international guests. You will have to get used to many friendly smiling people, the relaxed pace of island time, and simply enjoying the atmosphere and experiences around you. If you have a sense of adventure, enjoy discovering new things and meeting people then you will likely fall in love with Vanuatu.
There are some very important travel tips that we can recommend from our years of experience. These you will find very helpful for planning your trip, knowing what to pack, and also for navigating your way around the ni-vanuatu culture once you are here. Especially if you are visiting any islands beyond Efate or Santo then these tips are very essential reading for you.
Contact us at ask@vanuatucustomtravel.com and we will email you a copy of our very helpful travel tips so you can start planning and packing straight away.
Medical and Indemnity Forms
For your safe travel we ask you to fill in a Medical and Indemnity Form as part of our booking process.
Please keep a copy with a contact person at home, forward a copy to Dany at Vanuatu Custom Travel, and keep a copy with your passport when you travel.
In case of an emergency, paramedics in Port Vila can be contacted who handle a wide range or emergencies very well. They check for insurance papers with passports. Planes can be hired and guests can be flown back to Australia if required. This is not cheap. We ask all guests to have travel insurance while in Vanuatu as this affords you faster service with more options in case of a medivac.
The costs for emergencies can be very high. The price of travel insurance is very low.
Booking Conditions
Here is some fine print if you want to know more in detail. We will email you a copy when you make your booking or enquiry.
Booking arrangements:
The person making the booking will be deemed to have accepted these booking conditions on behalf of everyone named in the booking. All communications from Vanuatu Custom Travel (VCT) and Sure Thing Services Pty. Ltd will be sent to you the person making the booking. You are responsible for forwarding payments to Sure Thing Services Pty. Ltd for VCT’s tours. Other payment for flights, insurance, transfers, and accommodation before or after the VCT (land only) tour is the responsibility of the person making the booking and the wholesaler/travel agent you book these elements with. VCT will provide services from arrival on Mota Lava Island until your departure from Mota Lava Island. VCT’s Booking Coordinator Dany Girgis is an experienced travel agent & can make all booking arrangements for your travel before and after Rah.
Brochure/Website:
Any brochure/website information should be used as a guide only. Please check with VCT or your travel consultant for any updated information or pricing.
Changes in prices and itineraries:
Prices and itineraries are correct at time of publishing however they may be subject to seasonal changes, peak period demands, changes in fees, taxes or currency fluctuations. The price of your holiday may change at any time up to 30 days before your departure if any new surcharges, fees or taxes are introduced or if any existing surcharges, fees or taxes are varied after you have paid all or part of the quoted price. If the wholesaler or travel agent has to change any part of your booking for reasons beyond their control such as if an airline changes its schedules, if a hotelier overbooks, or if there are any changes in applicable surcharges, fees or taxes it is the booking agents responsibility to notify you. For any changes to the VCT (land only) tour VCT or Sure Thing Services will contact you.
Deposit:
A deposit of $100.00 per adult and $50 per child is required to be paid within 7 days of your reservation to confirm your VCT island tour booking. You will be advised at the time requesting a booking if any additional deposit will be required. Please note that a paid deposit does not guarantee the final price.
Final payment:
Full payment for your holiday is required at least 45 days prior to departure. If for any reason VCT’s Booking Coordinator does not receive your balance by the due date we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and to apply the appropriate cancellation charges. If you pay after 45 days prior and go ahead with your VCT tour, VCT may apply a $40 per person late fee to the booking.
Late bookings:
Bookings made within 30 days of departure date will only be accepted if VCT’s Booking Coordinator receives full payment within 36 hours of your reservation request. If VCT accepts a booking within 7 days of the departure date an urgency fee of $150.00 for the booking will apply and full payment must be received within 24 hours.
Cancellations:
If you cancel or terminate your holiday you will be refunded your payment minus your deposit and an additional admin fee of $100 for the Rah Island component of your trip. Cancellation
fees for your flights and non-Rah components may be up to 100% if no refund is possible.
Cancellations prior to final payment:
There will be no refund of any additional supplier deposits paid.
Cancellations after final payment:
There may be cancellation fees or charges by airlines, hotels and ground/cruise operators amounting to part or all of the cost paid. Contact your booking agent for these cancellation details.
Alterations:
Alterations to your package which require reissue of documents. A fee of $30.00 per person may be charged by VCT. A document re-issue means an alteration to an existing booking and not a transfer to any other package, when cancellation fees may apply.
Refunds:
To the extent permitted by law, no refund is available for cancellations after a holiday package has commenced or in respect of any tours, accommodation, meals or any other service not utilized.
Product descriptions:
Some descriptions featured are based on information provided to Vanuatu Custom Travel by suppliers. Any facilities shown as included may change at any time. VCT makes no specific representation as to the standard, class or description of accommodation and/or services provided by third parties.
Maps and photographs:
Maps and photographs are shown for general information and may not necessarily reflect the actual routings, exact locations, events or services provided at the time of your holiday.
Health, Indemnity and Immigration:
You are responsible for all visa, passport, immigration, quarantine, customs, health and other requirements of the country visited. A valid passport with at least 6 months validity must be carried by each traveller. VCT requires guests to complete a MEDICAL & INDEMNITY FORM before travel and requests guests keep a copy of their MEDICAL FORM with a contact person at their place of origin and most importantly carry the completed copy with their passport during travel. In case of an emergency Pro Medical can evacuate guests from the islands at cost to the insurer or guest. VCT requires guests to return the INDEMNITY FORM signed by all travelling guests 45 days before departure to confirm the guest’s reservation. VCT is not responsible for your failure to comply with these requirements.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is a requirement of travel with VCT.
Air travel:
Air travel is subject to the conditions and limitations of liability set out in the airline’s conditions of carriage.
Events beyond our control:
VCT does not accept liability whatsoever for injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by any events, which are beyond its control including but not limited to, war, civil disturbance, fire, floods, acts of god, acts of government or any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment or industrial action.
Limit of liability:
To the extent permitted by law, Vanuatu Custom Travel excludes all liability for any loss or damage whatsoever.
Destination passenger enquiries:
VCT and Sure Thing Services Pty Ltd mak e no representations as to the safety, conditions or other issues that may exist at your destination at the time you are there. You should obtain travel advice, including from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Law of contract:
These booking conditions are governed by the laws of Australia and any action arising under them or in any way connected with the holiday may be brought only in a court in Australia, subject to any law which is expressly inconsistent with this.
