General Information


General Information revised as of 08/26/2014

EXPEDITION COST: Includes land arrangement only (and domestic flights as indicated in itinerary). See each expedition cost in itinerary.
Registration is done on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply as soon as possible to secure your spot as these expeditions have limited participation and will fill up quickly.

On our expeditions abroad, a minor price adjustment may have to be made close to departure date if the US dollar exchange rate fluctuates too much. Participants will be kept informed.

3-DAY TOUR COST: Includes hotel accommodations, some meals and entrance fees as indicated in itinerary. You provide your own transportation (own car, rental or carpool).

PAYMENT: You may pay with a credit card via Paypal (please note there is a 3% Paypal fees to add to your total cost; 5% Paypal fees from countries other than the USA), or via certified check, cashier's check or money order (US dollars only). If you use your own Paypal account, you may have to give our business email address which is info at adventurephotoexpeditions dot com (please use appropriate keyboard keys)(Paypal fees still apply). No personal checks accepted for expeditions. Bounced checks will incur a $25 charge. Checks in US$ drawn from a bank outside the USA (such as Canada) need to include a US$3.00 bank fee. Checks should be made to Carole Devillers or Carole Devillers Photography, not Adventure Photo Expeditions.

SMALL-GROUP SUPPLEMENT: Will be requested and due two weeks prior to start of trip if less than 3 or 4 participants sign up (as indicated in itinerary) and you will be informed of the amount if the situation arises (from $150 and up on 3-day tours; from $300 to $600 on expeditions, as indicated in itinerary).
Our expeditions are limited to 6 participants and our 3-day tours to 8. Some exceptions may apply.

RESERVATIONS: Made on a first-come, first-served basis. A $1,000 deposit (which includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee) is required on our expeditions to New Mexico and abroad (or as indicated in the itinerary cost section), and $350 on our 3-day tours (as indicated) (which includes a $75 non-refundable registration fee), which can be paid by check (preferred) or via Paypal (with a 3% or 5% Paypal fee accordingly). (You don't need to have a Paypal account - you can pay with a credit card via Paypal). Go to our Registration page. The balance is due 120 days prior to departure date for expeditions to India, 90 days for other expeditions and 60 days for 3-day tours. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if we have not received your unpaid balance by these deadlines. If your reservation is cancelled due to an unpaid balance, you will not receive a refund of your deposit.

CUSTOMIZED TRIP: It is possible for us to customize a trip just for you and/or your party, provided our tour leader is available on your chosen dates. A small fee of $75 will be first required for preparation of an itinerary & quote to cover our time, research and phone calls, to be deducted from your final payment if trip is accepted. Same rules as for other 3-day tours/expeditions apply.

CANCELLATION: Any cancellation must be done in writing (letter in the mail - no e-mail), cancellation being effective on the date it is received.
EXPEDITIONS: Deposit is refundable in full (minus Registration fee and any Paypal fees) if cancellation is received at least 121 days prior to the start of the expedition. Exceptions apply in case our contractors require a non-refundable deposit, in which case that amount will be deducted from refund.
From 120 days to 91 days prior to start date, a cancellation fee of $500 will be retained.
From 90 days to 61 days prior to start date, a cancellation fee of $1,000 will be retained.
From 60 days to 31 days prior to start date, a cancellation fee of $1,500 or 50% of original cost before any discount (whichever is higher) will be retained.
From 30 days to 15 days prior to the start date, a cancellation fee of 75% of original cost (before any discount) will be retained.
From 14 days or less prior to the start date, you will forfeit all cost and no refund will be due.
Non-recoverable deposits or cancellation fees incurred by us from contracted parties, as well as Paypal fees (if after 60 days from payment), will not be refunded at any time under any circumstances. Paypal will refund its fees within 60 days of payment.
3-DAY TOURS: Cancellation needs to be received 60 days prior to the start date to get a deposit refund (minus Registration and any Paypal fees).
From 59 days to 15 days, a cancellation fee of 50% of original cost of 3-day tour (before any discount) will be retained.
From 14 days prior to start date, no refund will be due.
Non-recoverable deposits or cancellation fees incurred by us from contracted parties as well as Paypal fees (if after 60 days from payment) will not be refunded at any time under any circumstances. Paypal will refund its fees within 60 days from payment.

CANCELLED EXPEDITION: In the event that an expedition/3-day tour has to be cancelled due to insufficient participation or other reason outside our control, all fees paid will be refunded minus Paypal fees. However we decline responsibility for any expenses incurred by the traveler in conjunction with the expedition such as airfare or other non-refundable arrangements, and we strongly encourage our participants to buy travel insurance to cover themselves, when joining us on our 3-day tours. On our expeditions abroad and in New Mexico, travel insurance is mandatory (see Insurance paragraph).

AGE REQUIREMENT: The minimum age to participate in our expeditions/3-day tours is 25.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Based on double occupancy, with private facilities as available. We do not guarantee that a roommate will be available as our groups are very small, so unless you already know someone who is booking and willing to share a double room, be prepared to pay for single accommodations. Accommodations are in 2 and 3-star hotels in larger U.S. cities, and 2 to 4-star hotels abroad. In some New Mexico areas we may be accommodated in motels, however in such instances we always ensure of the cleanliness of the premises.

ALSO INCLUDED IN EXPEDITION COST: General entrance fees (as indicated); meals as indicated in itinerary; photographer/guide services; llama trek (if indicated in itinerary); domestic flights and train in India; all New Mexico taxes on NM 3-day tours.

NOT INCLUDED IN EXPEDITION COST: Airfare to/from your home city, passport and visa fees, meal beverages (whether alcoholic or not) (unless indicated in itinerary), items of personal nature, room service at hotels, food outside of the included meals, laundry service, telephone incidentals, luggage and travel insurance, optional excursions fees, camera fees as required at certain venues (may be included on some expeditions), porters tips (may be included on some expeditions), gratuities to guide(s), chauffeur and tour leader.

MEALS: Included as indicated in itinerary. Meals do not include individual beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) which are paid by participants. Because of timing constraints, some breakfasts and lunches will not be available in restaurants but will be taken with us to eat en route. Whenever possible, picnics will be gourmet fare. Bottled water will be available at all times in the expedition leader's vehicle. Diets such as vegetarianism or veganism will be taken in consideration.

TRANSPORTATION: On 3-day tours, you provide your own transportation. On week-long NM expeditions, the expedition leader will provide and drive a rental vehicle. In France, we will use public transportation (metro, bus, coach, train, taxi-van). In India we will have our own chauffeur/guide and private vehicle (airport transfers may be by taxi).

EXPEDITION LEADER: All expeditions and 3-day tours are led by photographer Carole Devillers from beginning to end. Occasionally a co-leader with expertise in the country explored may be joining us (as in our Japan expedition). Should the tour leader become unavailable due to sudden illness or injury, she will be replaced by another expert photographer so that the expedition goes on schedule.

HIKING: Our hikes level is easy to moderate, depending on location, and no particular skills are required. Still, they will be more enjoyable to you if you are in shape and participants should be in good physical condition. However, our hikes are done at a non-competitive pace, with casual photography stops along the trails and rest stops as necessary. Also, please note that New Mexico climate is not what you may be used to. Our altitudes (5000' in Albuquerque, 7000' in Santa Fe and higher in Taos and the north) as well as the prevalent dryness can take some getting used to. We stress the need to drink water regularly, even when not thirsty, from the time you arrive in Albuquerque, to avoid dehydration. Our vehicle will be supplied with 500ml water bottles every day.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Option of the Hot Air Balloon flight during Balloon Fiesta:
Reservations need to be made with us at time of registration or as soon as you know (at least two months before the start of Balloon Fiesta). Payment is required with the balance of payment due, 60 days prior to beginning of expedition. Other options not included in land cost such as museum visits can be paid at the museum entrance.

LUGGAGE: If not providing your own vehicle: because of limited space in our vehicle and since we will be on the move most of the time, traveling from city to city, it is requested that you limit your luggage to one small/medium suitcase or soft bag, one small backpack for day outings, your camera bag and one tripod. A laptop case may be added to the baggage allowance. Digital photographers who wish to bring a laptop may do so at their own risk. All personal luggage is the owner's responsibility and we assume no responsibility for any wear and tear, damage, breakage or loss.

SMOKING/ILLEGAL DRUGS/ALCOHOL: Smoking is not permitted in non-smoking rooms, at meals, reunions and in our vehicle. Because of the dryness and high risk of forest fire in New Mexico, it is preferable to refrain from smoking on hikes in the wilderness. It is permitted at photo stops where local ordinances permit and if it does not bother other participants. Illegal drugs are not permitted at any time. Alcohol is not permitted during our excursions, sightseeing and hiking. You may order alcoholic beverages during meals at restaurants and pay for them.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: We require you purchase travel insurance for the duration of any expedition to European countries and India and week-long expedition in New Mexico, covering medical and cancellation expenses. This is mandatory for your peace of mind as well as ours! A copy of your policy will be required with the balance due. Insurance companies such as Travelex, Travel Insured, Travel Guard or Mondial-assistance are known to be reliable.

DOCUMENTATION: Upon reception of your deposit, we will email you an aknowledgement of reception, a responsibility disclaimer to be signed and a questionnaire to be filled out and returned to us. A detailed itinerary, expedition check-list and clothing suggestions will be provided 30 days prior to departure. On our 3-day tours, participants will receive detailed driving instructions to our meeting point.

MISCELLEANOUS: With your participation in our 3-day Tours/Expeditions you accept that photos taken of you during such 3-day Tours/Expeditions may be used on our website or in promotional material.

RESPONSIBILITY: Adventure Photo Expeditions is a service rendered by Carole Devillers Photography. Acting only as an agent for the commercial enterprises we contract, Carole Devillers Photography does not assume responsibility for any injury, accident, rescue, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via any means during our expeditions. Outdoor recreational activities like ballooning, hiking and backpacking are by their very nature potentially hazardous. Weather can change drastically and unexpectedly and there can be places where a loss of footing can lead to injury or death. Although our expeditions are deemed safe, they are still, as their name implies, adventurous in nature, and each person participating in them must ensure he/she understands the risks involved, takes the necessary precautions and assumes the risks inherent in such activities.
Carole Devillers Photography reserves the right to substitute accommodations and modify excursions previously outlined in the itinerary as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience. We also reserve the right to pass on to expeditions members any additional and unplanned expenses incurred beyond our control during the expedition.
Registration and payment of deposit constitute the acceptance by the participant of all above-mentioned conditions. A responsibility disclaimer will need to be signed before payment in full.

To register for an expedition and make a payment, go to Registration

If you wish to pay by check, please contact us by email or telephone to get our postal address.

If you have any questions, please go next to our Frequently Asked Questions FAQs or contact us.