Community Benefits

The villagers — the guides, host families, handicraft cooperatives — receive fair wages as stipulated by the Community-based Tourism Committee. We ensure that the majority of the money of each trip goes directly back to the villagers and a portion of guests' in-village costs is donated to the community/conservation fund. The fund supports the continuation of local conservation projects and village-led programs, such as scholarships. Proceeds from tourism creates concrete economic opportunity for the villagers who may otherwise have to find employment outside the village.

Prices

Our prices are fixed in Thai Baht.

Our prices include:

• Transfers between our office and the villages
• All activities and equipment
• Homestay accommodation
• All meals and refreshments as specified in program
• Village guide
• Translator
• International Thai-speaking support staff
• Contribution to regional social and environmental projects
• Contribution to community fund
• Visitor's/Volunteer Handbook, English/Thai phrasebook
• Value Added Tax (VAT)

Our prices exclude:

• Flights, visas and departure taxes
• Vaccinations and travel insurance (accident insurance can be purchased from us — please inquire for more details)
• Transfer from your previous destination to our office and transfer to your next destination — arrangements can be made by Andaman Discoveries
• Personal items and expenses

Children's Rate

Children who have not reached their 5th birthday on the start date of the tour are free. Those over 5 but have not reached their 12th birthday on the start date of the tour pay 50% of the adult rate. Those who have passed their 12th birthday on the start date of the tour pay the adult rate.

With or Without a Translator?

We understand that it can be a frustrating experience in a foreign country with few people who can speak your language. Our English-Thai bilingual translator can eliminate this fear by serving as a facilitator between you and the villagers.

However, if you are a "do-it-yourselfer" or you are an adventurer, you may want to consider visiting the villages without a translator. We do provide all the necessary information and materials to you in the pre-trip briefing in our office. Some villagers and local guides can speak English. Don't be shy to use our phrasebook and talk to the villagers! This will be a truly authentic cultural immersion experience.

Deposit

A 30 percent deposit of our program price, and/or a 100 percent payment of transport arrangements, other tours and hotels are required to secure your booking. Andaman Discoveries will send an email confirmation to you once the payment has been received. This email is the proof of our contract agreement. Full payment is required upon arrival prior to the program start date.

Late bookings

Any booking made one month or less before the start of the trip will require a deposit of 30 per cent of the overall price to secure the booking.

Payment options

Payment can be made online through our bank’s secured website. Please note that a 3.75 percent bank fee will be added to the amount of your payment. Alternatively, you can transfer the payment to our bank account. A bank fee will also be charged based on the amount of the payment.

Cancellations, Modification, Early Departure, and No-shows

It's important for Andaman Discoveries to maintain a good relationship with the villagers and you can help us do this, by letting us know of any changes in travel plans at least two weeks in advance. Villagers have to buy supplies and make arrangements for the customers' trip, so if for some reason they can not come, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thereafter we apply the following cancellation policy:

• Cancellation announced more than 14 days before the start of the trip: Your payment will be refunded, minus 30 per cent administrative costs and bank charges.
• Cancellation announced less than 13 days before the start of the trip: Your payment will be retained, with 70 percent donating to our fund for regional social and environmental projects and 30 percent for our administration costs.
• Modification is allowed more than 7 days before the start of the trip, subject to availability and may incur an additional charge and/or penalty from our partners.
• No-shows: The full amount will be retained, and distributed as above.
• Early Departure: If you are departing earlier than the intended end-date of the program for any reasons, the full amount will be retained, and distributed as per program itinerary.

Modifications of Our Program

Our program activities are subject to change depending on weather conditions, tides, and seasons. Andaman Discoveries and villagers will do their best to ensure that tour programs run according to plan. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the tour program or activity has to be changed, an alternative will be offered. The itineraries provided in advance will give an indication of what to expect. An assessment of weather and sea conditions may result in having to make alterations to the itinerary, please understand that these are to ensure the safety and comfort of your clients during the trip.

Travel insurance

Please ensure that you have insurance coverage for overseas travel before starting the trip.

Visas

Please make sure that you have a valid visa for the duration of your trip.