Terms and Conditions

By enrolling in one of our activities, the client is accepting these Terms and Conditions. Please, read them carefully.

Ownership, Content and Protection

Passa Montanhas is a registered trademark and used by Sónia Maria da Silva Matos in the promotion and accomplishment of tourist animation activities, with head office in Rua Terra das Estradas, Lote 1, Arelho — 2510-191 Óbidos, tax identification number 214473198, license holder of the National Register of Tourism Agents (RNAAT, Registo Nacional dos Agentes de Animação Turística) no. 62/2019, in Turismo de Portugal, recognized as Nature Tourism by the ICNB.

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the website www.passamontanhas.pt, whose contents include texts, images, brands, logos, among others. These are owned by Passa Montanhas and are protected by copyright under Portuguese and European Union laws. The use of any content without our express authorization is not allowed, except for the private use foreseen in the law.

The activities of tourist animation promoted and performed by us are our responsibility according to the Terms and Conditions defined herein. In the scope of these activities and the associated collection of information, we intend to assure customers and visitors of our website that we are committed to keeping the personal data provided protected. In turn, by accessing our website or requesting our services, the customer or visitor agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as well as any specific conditions of participation communicated or sent at the time of enrolment in a particular activity, which should be read carefully.

Passa Montanhas reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions without prior notice; therefore, we recommend to check this page regularly for information about any changes. The date of the last update will always be shown at the bottom of this page.

Who we are and what we do

Passa Montanhas is a registered trademark associated with the development of tourist activities in nature, trying to meet what each client or group of clients wants. Thus, we develop activities within the areas of trekking and walking trails, as well as other activities in nature intended for groups, teams or team building. The description of each activity, whether on our website or in the personalised proposals sent to the client, is as explicit as possible, but may suffer slight changes in the content and format of the services, depending mainly on the time of year and the respective weather conditions. The possible changes will be communicated as soon as possible or, as a limit, at the time of confirmation of your reservation.

Transportation and Meeting Point

Unless expressly stated otherwise, participation in our activities does not include any transportation or transfer. The activities start in the place indicated by us and where each participant should attend by his own means.

Accommodation and Meals

Unless expressly stated otherwise, participation in our activities does not include accommodation or meals. In the activities of half a day or full day, each participant must take care of the necessary food for his/her comfort during the scheduled time.

In cases where it includes accommodation and/or travel, these are the responsibility of the tour operator "Em Viagem — Travel Solutions". In the need to ensure overnight stays, participants are expected to stay in double rooms (two people). In some cases, the accommodation may be in triple rooms or rooms of more people (dormitory or others). Participants will be grouped in pairs, by gender and in order of enrolment, unless they pay the surcharge for individual housing if applicable.  In some situations, due to the characteristics of the accommodation, separation by gender may not be possible.

Duration

The duration of each activity is approximate and indicative, as the behaviour of the group and the external conditions may impair the expected rhythm and duration.  A tolerance of 15 minutes is given, with reference to the indicated start time, so that all the participants meet at the set meeting point, after which the activity will be started with all those enrolled who have attended.

Weather

The performance of our activities is dependent on atmospheric conditions.  If they are a reason for the cancellation of some activity, you will be offered a new reservation but always subject to the weather of the respective day.  If you do not wish to make a new reservation, the full value of the activity will be refunded to you provided it does not involve subcontracting third parties.

Each participant has the responsibility to carry the appropriate clothing and footwear to perform the activity, taking into account the typology of the activity and the weather at the moment.

Material and Equipment

Each participant must carry the material and equipment necessary to practice the activity referred to in the program. He/she should also take into account the typology of the same as well as the weather at the moment.  So, to enjoy our activities safely and comfortably, you should consider the following:

• use several layers of clothing so that it is possible to adjust the thermal comfort according to the weather and the physical effort;
• always carry a waterproof jacket in the backpack as weather is often unpredictable;
• always carry emergency accessories such as a first aid kit, thermal blanket, flashlight and whistle in your backpack;
• use additional heating accessories such as gloves, scarf, hat and collar;
• wear protective clothing such as sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gaiters and insect repellent;
• wear waterproof, sturdy footwear with ankle support and good grip to the terrain;
• use 1 or 2 poles for support on uneven terrain, ascents or descents;
• carry enough water and food for your comfort during the activity.

We reserve the right to exclude the participant from the activity if we consider that he/she is not properly equipped for safe performance.

Safety and Restrictions

Our activities comply scrupulously with safety standards in order to minimize the associated risks.  However, we cannot guarantee a 100% safety level, characteristic of the type of activities developed by us called Nature Sports.

It is therefore imperative that each participant is in health conditions appropriate to the practice of the activity in which he/she is enrolled and accept its nature, namely the associated risks and the impossibility of immediate access to medical care, and that he/she is aware of the type of physical and psychological demands that the activity involves and that can lead to extreme and unforeseen situations.

The verification of certain conditions such as minimum age, state of health, physical condition, among others, is also decisive.  Whenever possible, these restrictions will be indicated in the proposal sent to the client; therefore, we recommend its reading after receipt.

Each participant must commit to following all standards of conduct that respect their own safety, of others and protect nature.  We will not be liable for improper conduct by participants during activities and, if they do occur, we may terminate an activity if safety conditions or minimum standards of conduct are concerned.

Insurance

Under current legislation, our activities are covered by the following insurances:

• Civil liability insurance — policy no. 205158419, insurance company Allianz

The professional activities of the company are covered by civil liability insurance, which covers property damage and personal injuries that can be attributed to us during the course of our activities, with a safe capital of 50 000,00 euros.

• Personal accident insurance — policy no. 205158452, insurance company Allianz

During the activity hours and provided that the required safety standards are met, all participants in the activities performed by us are covered by personal accident insurance with the following capital:

• Capital insurance for death or permanent disability - 22 132,78 euros
• Treatment expenses – 3 874,26 euros

We will not be responsible for the improper behaviour of the participants during the activities and that do not comply with the indications of the person in charge of the activity in the field.  Therefore, personal accident and/or civil liability insurance will not be activated in the following circumstances:

• When the participant, on his/her own initiative, does something outside the scope and normal development of the activity described in the program or following unnecessary risk behaviours to the activity in which he/she is participating;
• When the participant, on his/her own initiative, decides to give up/abandon the program or decides to make changes to the activity in which he/she is participating.

Standards of Conduct

The behaviours to be adopted in Nature, whether protected or not, are extremely important for its preservation and must comply, among others, with the set of official standards contained in the Code of Conduct and Good Practices of Visitors in Protected Areas of the Institute of Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF, Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas).  Namely:

• Respect local lifestyles and traditions;
• Respect the locals;
• Respect private property. Close the gates if they arise during the trail;
• Avoid noise and behaviours that disturb local peace;
• Stay away from animals, do not feed them and observe them with binoculars;
• Do not pick up plants or collect geological samples.  Allow other visitors to also contemplate nature's wealth;
• Take pictures only.  They are a memory of past good times and note the beauty of the landscape;
• Respect the signalling of the Protected Area;
• The trails should be used by small groups at a time.  Excessive visitors can cause erosion and destruction of vegetation;
• Do not start a fire, use flashlights and bring warm clothing to warm yourself;
• Each visitor is responsible for the garbage and waste produced. Dispose of them in the appropriate places;
• Contact your local authorities whenever you notice any irregularities.

For your safety, follow the signposted trails, do not leave the trail indicated by the guide and do not forget that sometimes the same trail may be used by other visitors walking, riding, cycling or in motor vehicles.  In all cases, mutual respect and common sense are necessary.

Levels of Difficulty

When choosing an activity, each participant should take into account if their physical condition matches the level of difficulty indicated in the chosen program, as described here.

Accordingly, the levels of difficulty to be assigned to each activity are divided into five, taking into account the distance, duration, slope, obstacles and type of terrain:

• Very easy — an activity that is intended for all people, of short distance and duration made in a trail with regular terrain, without slopes and of low physical intensity;
• Easy — an activity with slightly longer distances and duration on trails that may present some slopes, with low physical intensity;
• Moderate — an activity with longer distances and durations performed on trails with a sometimes irregular terrain and some unevenness that requires a good physical condition;
• Difficult — an activity with distances or long durations carried out on trails with uneven terrain and accentuated unevenness, which requires a good physical condition and the of regular exercise;
• Very difficult — an activity with distances or long durations carried out on fairly irregular terrain, with obstacles and sharp slopes in various phases of the trail, which requires a good physical condition and the practice of regular exercise.

Reservations and Payments

To participate in any activity presented or proposed here, you must complete your enrolment by completing the enrolment form.  To request and propose an activity according to your needs, you must make a request for a previous quote by filling out the respective contact form.  In both cases, in the true interest of participation, you must make your reservation by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., committing yourself to this act to make the purchase of the requested service and to agree to the general and specific Terms and Conditions of the activity.  You should be aware that your personal data will be requested upon your contact or enrolment. If you want to enrol a minor, we can only consider it with the guarantee that the person who formalises it is its legal representative, who also participates and accompanies the minor throughout the activity, as long as the difficulty level is appropriate for its participation.

After making the reservation, you must pay for the activity in which you enrolled. In case of scheduled activities of one day, payment can be made in advance by bank transfer or directly at the meeting point, just before the start of the activity. In case of activities of several days or involving local partners, payment must be made in advance and by bank transfer to the IBAN indicated in the email that you will receive in response to your reservation; therefore, the payment is confirmed after receipt of the respective proof.

If payment has not been made according to the above-mentioned conditions, we reserve the right to exclude the participant from the activity.

If you wish to issue a receipt with a tax identification number, you must request it at the time of enrolment or payment.

Changes, Cancellations and Refunds

In the event that there are circumstances beyond Passa Montanhas control and whenever applicable (services provided by third parties, atmospheric conditions, logistical problems, etc.), there is a possibility of changes in trails, schedules, accommodation, transport or even prices.  If the activity requires the subcontracting of third parties, the expected prices are in line with the costs of services and rates at the time of programming, but there is the possibility of adjustment of values.  Whenever this happens, the client will be informed immediately and, if he/she does not agree, he/she may cancel his/her enrolment being refunded in accordance with the provisions of these Terms and Conditions.

In the event of an eventual cancellation of activity for unforeseen and exceptional reasons, the client may always perform it at a future date or, if he/she wishes, be fully refunded for the amount already paid, as long as there are no commitments previously entered into with third parties.  If the cancellation is due to weather conditions, you will be offered a new reservation, but always subject to the weather of the respective day.

We reserve the right to cancel activities in the following cases:

• The minimum number of participants required is not met;
• The weather is not favourable to the practice of the activity;
• The minimum safety conditions are not met;
• The conditions foreseen in particular conditions are not met.

In case of cancellation of the reservation by the customer, you can receive a full refund of the payment under the following conditions:

• For activities of only 1 day, you will receive a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity and if we have not made commitments to other operators involved.  In the event of sold-out events, no refund will be made.
• For activities with a duration of more than 1 day, cancellation must be made up to 15 days before the beginning of the activity, otherwise, you may incur expenses already incurred before third parties or in the total loss of the amount paid.

In case of cancellation of the reservation by the customer, he/she can be replaced by another person if the following three conditions are simultaneously met:

• The substitute person fulfils all the necessary requirements for the activity (health, fitness, availability for the dates concerned, necessary documents, etc.);
• The quitting client notifies Passa Montanhas by writing (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) at least 24 hours in advance for an activity of 1 day and 15 days for an activity lasting more than 1 day;
• If we have made commitments with other operators involved in the activity, they accept the replacement. In case of accommodation and if the substitute person is of different sex, it may be necessary to pay the accommodation surcharge or a cost of a similar nature.

Only one replacement can be made if these three conditions are simultaneously met.  Otherwise, it is assumed that the customer has given up losing the right to the service.

Images and Photos

The photos we take require express authorization of each participant to collect their image. If a participant wishes to see their images published with credits, they must always put their name on the ones they send us