Policies and Agreements
Every adventure carries some risk, which is arguably why we do it in the first place, and activities or trekking in this region should not be taken lightly. Wau Adventures takes all care to maintain a safe and secure environment at all times, taking into account the individuals involved, the nature of the activity, and a wide variety of local factors. Ultimately however, the final decision to proceed rests with you as the adventurer.
As a prerequisite of all activities with Wau Adventures you are required to read, understand, and return a signed copy of both the following documents highlighting your responsibility in relation to safety, medical, liability and general policy matters. Bookings will only be confirmed after completed forms, and booking fees, are received from all members of the intending group.
To download printable versions, simply click on the buttons below.
(General Policy Agreement)
(Liability Indemnity)
General Policy Agreement
A non-refundable booking fee of K100.00 per person is required to reserve any booking. Full payment is required sixty (60) days in advance of arrival in Wau, or the provision of any services. Bookings may be cancelled without notice if payment has not been received.
Payments may be made by bank cheque or money order directly to Wau Adventures, PO Box 51, Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, 422; or by telegraphic transfer through the ANZ Bank, Lae Branch, Account # 12193952, BSB # 018890. Clearly identify your name on the deposit form.
In consideration of the extensive prepayments and organisation prior to your arrival, refunds of payment received as a result of the cancellation by you of your adventure apply as follows (excluding booking fee): 100% with more than 60 days notice, 75% with 45-59 days notice, 50% with 30-44 days notice, and no refund with less than 30 days of booking. In the case of an adventure in progress ceasing prematurely due to safety concerns, accident, illness, or weather, there will be no refund. If an adventure is cancelled by us for any reason prior to commencement, Wau Adventures will refund all payments in full.
All planned dates are strictly adhered to. If you would like to spend more time before or after the trip, make your reservations accordingly. It is strongly recommended that you allow at least one additional day prior to the adventure to allow for flight delays or luggage problems.
All guests are required to sign a liability indemnity form as a requirement of our insurance policy. This acknowledges that you understand and accept the hazards and risks of trekking, adventurous activities, and travelling in a foreign country, and are medically fit for the trip you have chosen.
All guests are strongly encouraged to arrange appropriate medical insurance for all medical and hospital costs, including all associated rescue, evacuation, and transportation costs relevant to the planned activities. Ensure your policy will cover you in Papua New Guinea, including international rescue and evacuation costs, as well as transportation in an emergency back to your place of origin in the event your original ticket will not work. Wau adventures will assist in coordinating logistical support, but will not be liable for costs incurred in emergency situations. We also highly recommend travel insurance to cover the loss or theft of personal belongings, problems with plane tickets, personal or medical emergencies, emergency rescue and evacuation, or to protect your payments and deposits against possible cancellations.
(Each guests to sign and forward copy of printed document)
Liability Indemnity
In consideration of the services of Wau Adventures, their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as “WA”), I hereby agree to release and discharge WA, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows:
I acknowledge that trekking and mountaineering entails known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardising the essential qualities of the activities.
The risks include, among other things: the hazards of walking on uneven terrain and slips and falls; being struck by rock fall, icefall or other objects dislodged or thrown from above; the use of climbing ropes and equipment; the forces of nature, including lightning, weather changes, and risks of falling off the rock, mountain or into a crevasse; risks of exposure to insect bites; the risk of altitude and cold including hypothermia, frostbite, acute mountain sickness, hypoxia, cerebral and pulmonary edema; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion associated with this activity.
Furthermore, WA guides have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant’s fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather, the elements, or the terrain. They may give inadequate warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.
I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in the activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks.
I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless WA from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my participation in this activity or my use of WA’s equipment or facilities, including any such Claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of WA.
Should WA or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney’s fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I have no medical or physical conditions, which could interfere with my safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume, and bear the costs of, all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition.
In the event that I file a law suit against WA, I agree to do so solely in the country of Papua New Guinea, and further agree that the substantive law of that country shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that country.
By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against WA on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein.
(Each guest to sign and forward copy of printed document)