John Osaki's Blog
  Mtnseeker Channel

We can't say that "it was the trip of a lifetime," because that would mean we never plan to do it again. We do plan on repeat performances… It truly was a marvelous trip. Walking Softly Adventures was perfection in our opinion.
--ALICE AND RON WINKLER

Payment of a deposit of $400 per person is necessary in order to secure a reservation, but you can reserve a trip WITHOUT immediate payment of a deposit at our Trip Reservation page. Once you make a reservation, we will contact you to confirm availability of space on the trip of your choice prior to processing your deposit payment. Deposits may also be sent by check or money order to Walking Softly Adventures, PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286. Credit card payments (VI, MC, AE, Discover) can also be made by calling us at 1-888-743-0723 or 503-788-9017. Of the $400 deposit payment, $150 is non-refundable. 

Funds received by Walking Softly Adventures from clients are deposited in a trust account and managed in accordance with Oregon Seller of Travel laws.

Application Form/Liability Waiver: A completed application form and signed liability waiver are required from each trip participant. When you contact us, we'll forward these forms to you. Or, you may use the following links to print the forms yourself.

Application Form and Liability Waiver (pdf version)
 

--SALLY SAMPLE

Terms and Conditions

Trip Price: Trip price is based on double occupancy. A single supplement is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations, subject to availability. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will try to match you with a roommate. However, if a roommate is not available, you will be charged a forced single supplement which is 50% of the stated single supplement. (Please note that this new policy is in effect for all departures beginning in June 2008.)

Deposit and payment: A deposit of $400 per person will secure a space on a trip. Of this deposit $150 is non-refundable. Please complete the attached application form, and sign the release form on the reverse. Return the forms with your deposit of $400 per person (check, money order, or credit card) to Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286. Funds received by Walking Softly Adventures, Inc. from clients are deposited in a trust account and managed in accordance with Oregon Sellers of Travel laws. Full payment is due 70 days before departure.

Cancellation: Upon receipt of written notification of cancellation (letter, fax, or e-mail) from you, the following cancellation fees will apply:

In the event that Walking Softly Adventures, Inc. must cancel a trip we will issue you a full refund of the amount you paid us for the trip. However, we cannot be held responsible for personal expenses you may have incurred in preparation for the trip, such as the cost of non-refundable airline tickets and pre-paid hotel expenses.

Trip Cancellation Insurance: Please note that we STRONGLY urge you to obtain trip cancellation insurance so that your travel investments are covered in the event that you must cancel the trip for personal or family illness. Call us at 503-788-9017, or toll free at 1-888-743-0723 for more information.

Trip price does not include: Airfare. Baggage handling. Excess baggage charges. Meals other than those stated as included. Passport fees. Personal insurance and trip cancellation insurance. All items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone, fax, and bottled water.

Air Transportation: Please note that air transportation is NOT included in the trip price. We STRONGLY recommend that you purchase your air tickets through a travel agent. Contact us for details needed to make flight and rail arrangements that will coordinate with your selected trip, or have your travel agent call us.

Seller of Travel Registration: Walking Softly Adventures is a registered seller of travel in Oregon (#183) and Washington (#601 683 451).

Limits on Responsibility: Walking Softly Adventures, Inc. purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., its owners, operators, escorts, agents, employees, servants, contractors, and associates give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors, and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or all other related travel services. Walking Softly Adventures, Inc. cannot, therefore, be held responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property that may occur in connection with the service of an aircraft, vessel, automotive vehicle, or other means of transportation that is not under its control. The operation of any vehicle or other conveyance used on this trip will be the full responsibility of the companies or individuals engaged in conveying passengers; said companies or individuals are governed by the laws of the country in which they are operated and recourse for any mishap must be filed locally. Furthermore, Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., its owners, operators, escorts, agents, employees, servants, and associates assume no responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from acts of God, weather, fire, acts of governments or other authorities, wars, civil disturbances, riots, terrorist acts, strikes, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, dangers incident to sea, land and air travel, and other similar acts or incidents beyond its ability to control. The right is reserved to make reasonable alterations to the itinerary (including substitution of hotels) when and where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the trip participants. Trip price is based on current exchange rates and is subject to change if exchange rates vary significantly. Walking Softly Adventures, Inc. reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

Know Before You Go

Arrival: We suggest you consider arranging your travel so that you arrive at least two days before your trip is scheduled to start. Air travel from the U.S. to destinations abroad is generally reliable, but delays and flight cancellations do occasionally occur. By planning to arrive early, you safeguard against potential delays and cancellations and you have extra time to adjust to the new time zone so you’ll feel more relaxed when your trip begins!

Baggage: Specific baggage handling services have not been priced into the trips (and are sometimes unavailable). We strongly advise that you pack adequately but lightly and limit baggage to an amount you can easily handle. Not all hotels and inns have elevators.

Equipment and Preparedness: Since virtually all of our hikes take place "off pavement" you should be prepared to encounter uneven footing, mud, puddles, and even occasional snow patches. Trail conditions can vary considerably during the course of a trip; some trails are wide, well-built and well-graded. Others, particularly on the more strenuous option, are "way trails"—boot-beaten paths traversing rugged terrain without a clearly defined trail tread. Comfortable, well broken-in hiking boots are indispensable. We recommend boots that come above your ankles since these will provide valuable support on uneven terrain. Goretex-lined boots will help keep feet dry. Trekking poles are strongly advised. When hiking always carry waterproof rain gear (hooded jacket and pants), warm clothing (hat, gloves, fleece, capilene base layers), and food and water with you in your daypack. 

Fitness Requirements: Since Walking Softly trips are in mountainous areas, you can expect that all hikes will involve some degree of elevation gain and loss. To make the most of a Walking Softly trip you DO need to have a desire to hike in the mountains, and you DO need to be physically fit. As a general rule of thumb, if you are capable of a hike involving a vertical elevation gain of two thousand feet over the course of four miles (along with the accompanying descent), you should be able to participate fully. If in doubt about your general physical fitness, consult your physician.

Included Costs: The costs of all arrangements necessary to support the trip and the hiking options described are built into the trip price. This includes all lodging (in twin/double rooms with private bathrooms unless otherwise specified), meals as specified in the itinerary, guiding services, ground transportation costs, and service charges, taxes, and tips for service providers. There are no additional charges for chairlifts, cable cars, ferries, or admissions to national parks and other sites included as part of the trip itineraries.

Accommodations: Many of the accommodations used on our trips are small, family-run hotels and inns without elevators. Rooms in these hotels and inns can vary in terms of size, furnishings, and views available.

Meals. All breakfasts are included and are served by the hotels. Lunches are sometimes not included, but when this is the case your guides are available to help you purchase food for trail lunches that best meet your personal preferences. On most evenings, dinner is included. On the other evenings, your guides can provide recommendations for noteworthy restaurants where you can sample the best of local cuisine. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or concerns.

Back to top

Home | Dear Traveler | About Us
From Our Mailbox | Reserving Your Place | Showtime! | The World's Heritage | Contact Us

© Walking Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286
503-788-9017, Toll free 1-888-743-0723, info@walkingsoftly.com