APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The Aspiring Traveler must submit his completed G.A.T Application either in person after a live G.A.T presentation in a school or community or online through the “Apply Now” link on the G.A.T website. There are no commitments in submitting an application. The G.A.T Team will review each application. Only the ones selected will be authorized to participate in a G.A.T Program.

Within 5-10 business days (approx.) of receiving a G.A.T Application, the G.A.T Team will contact the Aspiring Traveler in regards to acceptance into the Program, rejection, or request complimentary information. If accepted, the G.A.T Team will notify the Aspiring Traveler by email and/or phone with the instructions to become an official G.A.T Traveler by registering online and signing the G.A.T Traveler Agreement.

AGREEMENT PROCEDURE

To reserve a space on the Program, each Traveler must sign the G.A.T Traveler Agreement and submit it to the G.A.T Team with a $100.00 USD non-refundable, non-transferable deposit for this amazing 10 Days discovery and adventure challenge going across Panama in Central America. Spaces are limited for each departure date. The G.A.T Team reserves spaces for Travelers on a first-come, first-served basis, in the exact order that their G.A.T Traveler Agreement and deposit are received. The G.A.T Program’s Departure Date assigned to each Traveler is determined by the G.A.T Team’s logistical and overall coordination needs. The G.A.T Team does take in consideration but is not bound by, the Traveler’s Departure Date preferences and Friend preferences (placement on the same G.A.T Program as one or more friend).

TRAVELERS WHO LEAVE THE GAT PROGRAM BEFORE PROGRAM COMPLETION

The G.A.T Team for any portion of the G.A.T Program fees or related expenditures will not refund any Traveler who leaves voluntarily or is required to leave the G.A.T Program before completion of the G.A.T Program. Travelers who leave may not be permitted to re-join the G.A.T Program or attend the same venues or activities. The G.A.T Team will not assume any responsibility for any Traveler once they have left the G.A.T Program. This policy includes any Traveler being removed from the G.A.T Program by request of the G.A.T Team for breach of contract; conduct violations, medical/health concerns or personal reasons.

Travelers who leave the G.A.T program due to medical or personal reasons (injury/illness or family crisis at home) should refer to the travel insurance provider, which may provide for partial or full recovery of their Program fees and expenditures, depending on the reason for leaving. Travelers who leave the Program for medical reasons (i.e., illness or injury requiring medical treatment or a short stay in the hospital) or personal reasons (i.e., funeral or wedding) may be permitted to re-join the Program at the discretion of the G.A.T Team.

PROGRAM DEPOSITS

The $100.00 USD non-refundable, a non-transferable deposit must be paid to the G.A.T Team, and the G.A.T Program Agreement must be duly submitted in order to reserve a spot on a G.A.T Program. The deposit will assure the G.A.T Team of the Traveler’s commitment to getting involved in the Program and allow the G.A.T Team to book all reservations for the Traveler. Traveler’s space is not guaranteed until both the signed Traveler Agreement and the non-refundable, non-transferable $100.00 USD Program deposit are received by the G.A.T Team. Upon receipt of the signed Agreement and non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, the G.A.T Team will allocate the Traveler a space in a G.A.T Program depending on availability, logistics, and Traveler’s departure date and friend preferences. The Traveler will then be sent an email with a receipt for the deposit and the confirmation of the GAT Program allocated with the departure date and all the necessary details for the Traveler to prepare for departure.

FINANCIAL DUE DATES

A minimum payment of $500.00 USD in addition to the Program deposit is due 90 days prior to the departure date. This payment allows G.A.T to prepay expenses including, booking deposits, equipment rentals, Travelers’ kits, staff and collaborators’ preparation.

Any and all payments for the G.A.T Program cost are due in the G.A.T office on or before 65 days prior to the departure date.

G.A.T will email an invoice 75 days (approx.) prior to departure date. This invoice will show all payments received and the balance due. Any late payment will incur a $50.00 USD late fee charged by the G.A.T Team.

If all payments are not received in full by the G.A.T Team 65 days prior to departure, the G.A.T Team will consider that Traveler has canceled (unless the G.A.T Team has officially approved a written exception request by the Traveler). The traveler will then be notified of the cancellation of his Program Agreement via email and the related cancellation fees will be applied as specified in the “Cancellation and Refund Policy”. Once the Program Agreement is canceled the Travelers spot for that departure date is released and even if the Traveler is later readmitted to participate in a G.A.T Program the departure date of the late agreement cannot be guaranteed.

MEALS ON THE G.A.T PROGRAM

Part of the G.A.T experience is to taste the food, drinks, and ingredients from various cuisines that are exotic and different to the Travelers’ common diet. This can be delectable at times, but also requires an open mind and some respectful commitment.

All Programs (except for the customized programs) include at least 75% of all meals (100% of breakfasts, 80% of lunches, and 50% of dinners). When exploring areas with gastronomic diversity, the Travelers will choose between various restaurants (mostly dinners in the city). In these occurrences, the cost of those meals will be the responsibility of the Traveler.

Meals included in the G.A.T Program will showcase the local cuisine. A vegetarian alternative will be available at each meal. Travelers with dietary requirements may supplement the included meals at their own expense. Foods normally consumed at home may not be available during the program. Travelers are responsible for showing up at the prescribed time and place to eat their included meals. No refund or replacement will be made for meals that were not consumed by the Travelers. Meals during transit to and from your house to the G.A.T Program are not included. Meals before the welcome dinner on Day ONE and after the breakfast on DAY TWELVE will be the traveler’s responsibility.

Travelers must inform G.A.T of any known food allergies and/or dietary requirements on the provided Medical Questionnaire.

PROGRAM CHECK-IN AND WELCOME DINNER

On the arrival day of the G.A.T Program (DAY ONE), Travelers must present themselves at the Program Check-In held at the assigned G.A.T hotel. At the Check-In Travelers will be presented with a G.A.T adventure kit, assigned to the first squad of Travelers, and given important information to get settled in. At the Welcome Dinner that same night, Travelers will meet and present themselves as well as the G.A.T Team. Travelers will also be informed of their first upcoming challenges, and any remaining questions will be addressed. These two compulsory meetings will serve as orientations to prepare the Travelers as well as presenting the G.A.T philosophy, and breaking the ice within the group.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Participants will be treated as responsible travelers and therefore are expected to comprehend and apply the following conduct at all times:

Observe the laws of the country, the terms of the G.A.T Program, the rules of specific activities, and the instructions from the G.A.T Team members or other instructors. Treat others with the same trust, respect, and fairness that you would like them to show you. Look out for the wellbeing of yourself and others. Be on time for activities and meeting points. Report unacceptable behaviors to the G.A.T team. Talk to a G.A.T team member if you have any concerns. Demonstrate by your actions that you are trying new experiences outside of your comfort zone, challenging yourself in a safe way, and keeping an open mind. Circulate in public places with a buddy and notify the G.A.T team before leaving the group or predetermined area of activity.

LEGAL DISPUTE

If a legal dispute occurs between the parties of the G.A.T program agreement with regard to any of the clauses, conditions or the performance of any Terms and Conditions of the Agreement, all forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and legal proceedings of any kind, shall be brought exclusively in Panama City, Province of Panama, Republic of Panama where Go Across Travel is registered. The parties to the Program Agreement submit, agree and attorn to jurisdiction in Panama City, Province of Panama, and the Republic of Panama in all forums for mediation, arbitration and legal proceedings, including any court actions. If a party brings any action or proceeding in any other location or forum other than Panama City, Province of Panama, Republic of Panama, the other party shall have a right to have said action or proceeding transferred to Panama City, Province of Panama, the Republic of Panama by stipulation of the parties, and the party bringing the action or proceeding shall cooperate accordingly.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

Any formal Cancellation of Program partaking by the Traveler must be communicated in writing by the Traveler (by email confirmation of receipt by G.A.T). Verbal cancellations will not be accepted. The traveler must inform both G.A.T and the travel cancelation insurance provider of the cancellation. If the insurer considers that the reason for cancellation is within the coverage of the insurance policy then the provider may/or may not refund the Traveler. If the Traveler’s insurance claim is denied, the Traveler can then present proof of the insurance provider’s declination of the claim to G.A.T, and the G.A.T Cancellation Policy will apply as follows:

All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Program arrangements require G.A.T to make financial commitments on Traveler’s behalf in advance of the departure date. When G.A.T receives Traveler's written cancellation, a cancellation fee will be incurred. The amount of the cancellation fee is determined by the number of days prior to the Traveler's departure date that the written cancellation notice is received and is specified as follows:

1. On or before 60 days prior to departure, 100% of Program costs (less the non-refundable and non-transferable deposit) will be refunded.
2. 59 to 30 days prior to departure 50% of program costs (less the non-refundable and non-transferable deposit) will be refunded.
3. 29 days or less prior to departure 0% of program costs will be refunded.

Cancellation refunds will be made after the conclusion of the G.A.T Program season (September to November).

In the presumed case of any overpayment, the Traveler’s account will be reviewed and refunds will be made after the conclusion of the G.A.T Program season (September to November). Any Traveler who cancels their G.A.T Program will be given a non-transferable $100.00 USD voucher only redeemable towards a future G.A.T Program and valid for the two following G.A.T Program seasons.

The program itinerary is subject to modifications and changes by G.A.T without notice. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and local conditions require our itinerary to be altered or canceled, G.A.T reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. If such issues arise and G.A.T is forced to cancel a program within 60 days of departure, no refund can be given by G.A.T, and G.A.T will issue the Traveler a non-transferable voucher for Program costs paid only redeemable towards a future G.A.T Program and valid for the two following G.A.T Program seasons.

TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE AND TRAVEL CANCELLATION INSURANCE

G.A.T requires that the Traveler purchases travel insurance as early as possible once accepted on the G.A.T Program. Travelers are responsible to familiarize themselves with their insurance policy. G.A.T is not responsible for any insurance actions, exclusions or omissions.