The Terms and Conditions presented here aim to define and govern the provision of services by LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Lda.), registered at the Commercial Registry Office RNPC (National Register of Legal Entities) with the unique registration and legal entity number 513951016, National Register of Travel and Tourism Agencies (RNAVT) No. 6282 at Turismo de Portugal, applying the discipline provided for in Decree-Law No. 17/2018, of March 8.
Travel arrangements are the responsibility of LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Lda.), in accordance with the Terms and Conditions defined herein.
The travel program in which the client signs up will have specific conditions and terms, complementing the general ones present here.
When contracting LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas Lda.), the Customer acknowledges and accepts all the Terms and Conditions established herein as well as the travel program in which the Customer signs up, which constitutes the specific conditions for participation in the trip.
Trips by the LEVA-ME Agency (Fronteiras e Colinas, Lda), under current legislation, are covered by Civil Liability Insurance – Fidelidade and by the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund of Turismo de Portugal.
Registration for a trip will only be validated after full payment or a deposit of 30% (non-refundable) for the total cost of the service and completion of the documents sent to the customer (Terms and Conditions and traveler form) within 5 days. The customer undertakes to pay the balance of the total cost of the trip, including any additional services requested, up to 70 days before the departure date. Otherwise, after that date, their place will be put up for sale and they will forfeit the 30% paid. If registration takes place 70 days or less before the start date of the program, the full price must be paid at the time of registration, subject to confirmation of the associated reservations/services. LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Lda) reserves the right to cancel any registration for which payment has not been made under the conditions previously specified.
By registering, the Client assumes that he/she is in adequate health conditions for the trip for which he/she is registering and accepts the nature of the trip, in particular the risks arising from the impossibility of immediate access to medical assistance.
The Client assumes that he/she is aware of the type of physical, cultural and psychological demands that the trip may involve and that may lead to unforeseen situations.
The Client assumes to be aware that unforeseen events may arise, related to socio-cultural and climatic impacts.
LEVA-ME reserves the right to refuse or cancel bookings when: The client's past or present behavior indicates a risk to the safety, well-being, or tranquility of other participants, the tour leader, the Agency, or third parties; There is a breach of applicable rules or instructions; Any situation is identified that could compromise the normal course of the trip.
This decision will always be made in a proportionate and justified manner, in accordance with Portuguese law, without discrimination based on sex, age, ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The minimum age for registration is 18 years. From the age of 16, participants will only be accepted when accompanied by their parents, or with only one parent, according to current legislation. There is no maximum age; however, given the nature of the trips, which sometimes require physical exertion, and the lack of medical assistance in some remote locations, LEVA-ME reserves the right and duty to advise against, suggest an alternative, or even not allow the registration of a traveler whenever justified. These decisions are not based exclusively on age, but on the participant's suitability to the specific characteristics of the trip.
Given the nature of travel, the poor mobility preparedness of some countries, as well as the terrain, transportation, and hotels in the places visited, it is recommended that travelers with physical disabilities contact us in advance for advice and to determine whether the trip in question is safe for them, or whether we recommend another destination.
The registered traveler agrees to sign a liability waiver and risk assumption agreement, and Leva-me may refuse their participation in the trip. The documents will be sent at the time of registration; if you do not accept the conditions, you will have up to 5 days after they are sent to request a refund.
A Customer registered for a trip may not change their registration to another trip or to the same trip departing on a different date without LEVA-ME's consent. If a change is possible, it may be subject to the expenses and charges set out in the Cancellations section.
The Client may transfer their registration and be replaced by another person who meets all the required conditions for the trip, provided that they inform LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Lda.) in writing up to 7 days before the start date of the trip and that such transfer is possible with the different travel service providers. The registration of the new person may interfere with accommodation, flights, and other transportation, and is subject to possible limitations and additional fees. The transferor and the transferee are jointly and severally liable for the payment of the trip price and any additional charges incurred.
Whenever there are reasons beyond its control that justify it, the organizing agency may change the order of the routes, modify the departure times or replace any of the planned hotels with others of a similar category and location, and must inform the client of such change as soon as it becomes aware of it.
The prices shown in the schedule are based on the costs of services and exchange rates in effect on the schedule date, and may therefore be subject to changes resulting from variations in the cost of transport or fuel, duties, taxes, fees and exchange rate fluctuations.
Whenever there is a change in the price of the trip, the Customer will be immediately informed. If the increase is greater than 8% of the trip price, the customer is invited to, within 8 days, accept the necessary increase or cancel their registration with a corresponding refund.
If the price increase is equal to or less than 8%, the Customer may choose to accept the updated price or cancel the contract, the latter being subject to the cancellation conditions stipulated in the general terms of the program: Up to 70 days before the trip (30% non-refundable); less than 70 days before the trip (100% non-refundable).
The Agency reserves the right to cancel the organized trip at any time if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
LEVA-ME will notify the customer of the cancellation as soon as possible and no later than:
i. 20 before the start of the trip if the trip lasts more than 6 days;
ii. 7 days before the start of the trip if the trip lasts between 2 and 6 days and
iii. 48 hours before the start of the trip if the trip lasts less than 2 days.
The Agency may also cancel the trip if it is prevented from executing the contract due to unavoidable and exceptional circumstances, and must notify the traveler as soon as possible, before the start of the trip.
If the agency cancels the trip for the reasons indicated, the traveler will be given a full refund of the payment made to LEVA-ME, and the client will not be entitled to any additional compensation.
This refund excludes any services (flights, insurance, etc.) purchased by the customer from third parties, and the Agency is exempt from any liability for cancellations. Trips that include travel insurance – the value of travel insurance is not refunded in the event of cancellation, whether by the traveler or by LEVA-ME.
The traveler may cancel their trip at any time before its start date, but if they cancel the trip up to 70 days before the start date of the travel program, they will lose 30% of the program value, which was paid by the client to the Agency as a non-refundable deposit. If the cancellation occurs 70 days or less before the start date of the program, the full program value will be forfeited. The Client will also lose the value of any additional services requested.
The customer will not be entitled to any refund under the terms described above, even if they canceled due to being unable to travel due to health reasons or an accident. They will also not be entitled to any refund if they wish to cancel because they do not have a certificate of any vaccination required by the destination country, even if not informed by LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Lda.).
Once the trip has started, no refund will be due to the customer for not using services or not enjoying programs that occur due to reasons of force majeure or for reasons attributable to the customer, even if due to negligence.
Once the trip has commenced, no refund is due for services not used by the Client. Failure to provide services provided for in the travel program for reasons not attributable to the Agency, and if it is not possible to replace them with equivalent services, entitles the Client to a refund for the difference between the price of the services provided and those actually provided.
Complaints may only be considered if submitted in writing immediately after the event giving rise to the complaint and, in any case, without undue delay. Complaints may only be accepted if they have been reported to the service providers (hotels, guides, local agents, etc.) during the trip or stay, with the respective supporting documents required.
In the event of a complaint due to non-compliance with the contracted services, the customer may activate the Travel and Tourism Guarantee Fund under the terms set out in art. 39 of Decree-Law no. 17/2018, of 8 March, and to do so must submit the respective complaint, in writing, to Turismo de Portugal lP at www.turismodeportugal.pt.
Under the terms of Law No. 144/2015, of August 8, the customer may resort to the following alternative dispute resolution entities with any of the entities listed on the website of the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs at http://www.consumidor.pt
The client is responsible for verifying which documents are necessary to enter the destination, as well as for their personal (and/or family) documentation, which must be in good order (identity card, authorization for minors, visas, vaccination certificate, and any other documents that may be required). The client is also responsible for completing any documents required for entry into the destination (visas, health forms, etc.). The agency declines any responsibility for the refusal to grant visas or the denial of entry to the client into a foreign country; the client is also responsible for any and all costs that such a situation may entail.
Customers (regardless of age) travelling within the European Union must have their civil identification document (passport; ID, Citizen Card);
To obtain medical assistance, you must have your European Health Insurance Card.
Customers (regardless of age) who travel must have their respective civil identification document (passport) as well as a visa if necessary.
Nationals of non-EU countries should consult specific information regarding the documentation required for travel at the embassies/consulates of their countries of origin.
The presentation of personal travel insurance, valid for the dates of the program, is mandatory on the part of the client. Otherwise, LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas Lda), as well as its service partners, may refuse registration or exempt itself from any and all liability relating to the risks and consequent costs incurred by the Client for not having obtained the recommended protection.
Furthermore, the traveler is required to sign a liability and risk waiver. Without this waiver, LEVA-ME may refuse to allow the traveler to participate in the trip, even after the traveler has paid in full for the services provided by LEVA-ME, and no refunds will be given.
The customer gives express consent for all information, including personal data, provided in relation to their trip to be transmitted to government authorities for the purposes of border control and security in air or other travel.
As well as local partners of LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Ltd) for the execution of the travel program (including health-related data, among others). Clients are required to sign a consent form for the use of their data; otherwise, LEVA-ME may refuse to accept the client's booking.
Occasionally, LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas Ltd) produces photo/video content during trips for use as promotional material. LEVA-ME assumes the consent of the trip participants, unless they communicate in writing, with due advance notice, that they do not allow it.
The meeting point for the Client, on each trip, with the tour leader and the other participants is officially at the destination accommodation. The specific location will be communicated to the Client well in advance of the trip's start. The tour leader may already be at the destination awaiting the travelers' arrival.
Departure and arrival times will be in accordance with the carriers' schedules on the date the travel information is issued, and are indicated in the local time of the respective country, and are therefore subject to change. Delays due to technical or other issues related to the means of transportation or the carriers are excluded. Customers should always check the flight schedule printed on their ticket and confirm their return with the airline 72 hours in advance.
LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Ltd) has the following rooms as accommodation for your trips:
In some cases, when mentioned in the travel program, accommodation may be in camping tents, beds in train cabins, or other options.
LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Ltd) may group guests who register individually for the same trip into pairs, by gender and in chronological order of registration. Exceptionally, on some trips, due to the characteristics of each accommodation, separation by gender may not be possible.
The accommodations in the program are indicative, as is their category, which adheres to criteria and classifications assigned by local authorities and may sometimes differ from those in Portugal. These accommodations may be changed to similar accommodations for reasons beyond the agency's control, and the agency is obliged to inform the client as soon as it becomes aware of this.
Meals listed as included, whether in restaurants or hotels, will be served to the group at a fixed time and with the same menu for all participants, excluding drinks. Whenever possible and upon prior request, special diets will be provided; however, LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Lda.) cannot guarantee them or ensure all dietary needs are met. There may be situations where it is not possible to provide meals that are completely suitable for your dietary restrictions, and in such cases, it is the traveler's responsibility to pay attention to their diet and take additional precautions.
LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Lda.) only organizes travel packages from the moment the traveler arrives at the destination until the final transfer to the departure airport. The choice and purchase of flights are the sole responsibility of the client.
Once the minimum number of participants is reached, LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Lda.) will inform travelers that the trip for their chosen date is confirmed and that they may, if they wish, purchase their flights from that moment onwards. However, it is understood that LEVA-ME (Fronteiras e Colinas, Unipessoal Lda.) has no responsibility for the purchase or cancellation of flights, and is not liable for the cost of flights under any circumstances, even if the tour is changed or cancelled at the last minute. For this reason, we recommend that when purchasing flights, customers choose a fare that allows for flight changes, as well as insurance that allows for flight cancellation.
The Agency is not responsible, under any circumstances, for the baggage and other belongings carried by the Client, regardless of the location or means of transportation used. The Client is advised to purchase baggage insurance and to be present during baggage loading and unloading operations throughout the trip.
LEVA-ME's trips are primarily made up of Portuguese-speaking travelers. Therefore, Portuguese is the common language and the one in which the trip leader will communicate. It should be noted, however, that many tour/local guides only speak English or Spanish, so it's important that travelers understand these languages.
These Terms and Conditions are supplemented by the travel program for which the Client registers, which constitutes the specific conditions for participation in the trip. They may also be supplemented by any other specific conditions sent to the Client at the time of registration or any other conditions as long as they are duly agreed upon by the parties.
