General Information & Policies

Thank you for choosing Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours. Please read the following information carefully before booking your tour.

Reservations

To confirm your reservation, a deposit is required. The remaining balance must be paid before the start of the tour or upon arrival, as previously agreed.

Payment Methods

We accept bank transfers and cash payments. Please contact us directly for detailed payment instructions.

Cancellations & Refunds

• Cancellations made in advance may be eligible for a partial refund.
• Last-minute cancellations may not be refundable.
• In case of unforeseen circumstances (weather, natural events, or force majeure), we will do our best to reschedule your tour.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected situations such as cancellations, medical emergencies, or travel delays.

Health & Safety

Participants should be in good physical condition. Some tours involve walking in uneven terrain and humid environments. Please inform us in advance of any medical conditions or dietary restrictions.

What to Bring

• Lightweight clothing for warm and rainy conditions
• Long trousers (for insect protection)
• T-shirts (dark colors recommended)
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Waterproof jacket or poncho
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries
• Reusable water bottle
• Small backpack with rain cover
• Sun hat
• Insect repellent (preferably natural)
• Sunscreen
• Personal first aid kit and medications
• Binoculars (recommended)
• Small bills (USD $1–$20) for purchases

Note: High-quality sunscreen and eco-friendly repellents are difficult to find locally, so please bring enough for your entire stay.

Responsibility & Liability

By participating in the tour, all participants (or their legal guardians if under 18) agree to release and hold harmless Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours and its staff from any liability.

We act only as an agent for transportation and related services and are not responsible for:

• Accidents, delays, or losses
• Actions of third-party providers
• Weather, illness, strikes, or other unforeseen events

We reserve the right to:

• Modify itineraries if necessary
• Substitute accommodations of similar quality
• Replace guides in case of emergency
• Decline or remove any participant

All baggage is carried at the owner’s risk.

Participants should be in good health and consult a physician before traveling.

Environmental Commitment

We are committed to sustainable tourism. We ask all our guests to respect nature, wildlife, and local communities during the tour.

Tour Size

We believe that small groups provide a higher-quality birding experience. Our tours are designed with group size in mind to enhance each participant’s experience.

Typically, our tours are limited to:

• 7 participants with 1 guide and 1 vehicle, or
• 14 participants with 2 guides and 2 vehicles

We usually travel in 12- or 15-passenger vans, ensuring that each passenger has two seats available. This provides extra space for luggage and guarantees a window seat for all participants.

Our group size limits are strict. We do not exceed them, even to accommodate additional bookings. Occasionally, a guide in training may join the tour. In such cases, one seat will be occupied by the trainee guide.

Our guides rotate seating arrangements to ensure fairness among participants. We believe that any minor inconvenience is outweighed by the benefit of having an additional guide.

When two guides are listed, the second guide will join if the tour reaches sufficient capacity. Group limits are indicated on each tour page, itinerary, and catalog description.

Accommodations & Transportation

Whenever possible, accommodations will be in comfortable, modern cabins, eco-lodges, or city hotels.

However, some of the best birding locations are in remote areas, where accommodations may be simpler. These may include small country inns or tented camps. In such cases, details will be provided in the itinerary and information bulletin.

Transportation is typically provided in vans or small buses.

Equipment for Birding & Butterfly Photography

Our birding guides carry a spotting scope for group use, but we encourage participants to bring their own if possible.

Personal binoculars are essential for enjoying birdwatching and other nature activities.

Our guides also use audio equipment responsibly to attract difficult-to-see species when appropriate. This technique is especially helpful for observing elusive birds such as antpittas, tapaculos, and certain nocturnal species.

Our butterfly guides are fully equipped with natural traps, allowing excellent opportunities to photograph butterflies during our tours in Ecuador and across South America.

Smoking Policy

Most of our clients prefer a smoke-free environment.

If you smoke, please be considerate of others and refrain from smoking:

• During meals
• Near the group on trails
• In shared spaces

Smoking is strictly prohibited in vehicles.

Tour Information

Tour fees and inclusions are listed in each itinerary. Prices are based on double occupancy and are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Single rooms are available upon request (subject to availability) and require an additional single supplement.

If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room, we will try to match you with another participant. If no roommate is available, the single supplement will apply.

Unless otherwise stated, tour fees include:

• Accommodation and meals as specified
• Transportation during the tour
• Entrance fees
• Refreshments during field excursions (on most tours)
• Baggage handling
• Tips for drivers, porters, and local guides
• Professional guide services

Tour fees do NOT include:

• International or domestic airfare
• Passport and visa fees
• Airport taxes
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses (phone, laundry, etc.)

Some tours may include internal flights—please check your itinerary.

Tipping

Tips for drivers, porters, and local guides are included and managed by your tour guide.

However, if you wish to reward exceptional service from your guide(s), additional tipping is appreciated but entirely optional.

Cancellation Policy

In case of cancellation by the client, refunds are as follows:

This policy applies only to payments made directly to Butterfly and Bird Julio Tours.

Airline tickets purchased separately may have their own cancellation policies.

We reserve the right to cancel a tour. In most cases, a full refund will be provided. However, any previously disclosed non-refundable costs will not be reimbursed.

Trip Cancellation & Medical Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage.

Since we must make advance payments to suppliers, refunds are limited according to our cancellation policy.

Please confirm with your insurance provider that your coverage applies internationally and includes emergency evacuation.

Be aware that many healthcare providers abroad require upfront payment, and medical evacuation can exceed $50,000 USD.

Payment Options

We do not accept direct credit card payments.

PayPal

Clients may pay via PayPal using a credit card. Fees apply:

• 3.5% (U.S. transactions)
• 5% (international transactions)

We will confirm the exact amount received. Contact us to request a PayPal invoice.

Bank Transfers

Electronic transfers and wire payments are accepted. Please contact us for banking details.