Please take time to read our terms and conditions before booking. You are welcome to call or contact us, should you wish to discuss any of our terms and conditions. We want you to buy from us with confidence.
All Passengers using the services of Above Lao Co. Ltd do so under the following terms & conditions. By paying for and accepting supply of these Services you agree to be bound by these conditions. Please ensure that all members of your party have been made aware of the following conditions. If you do not accept these conditions you should contact Above Lao Co. Ltd immediately and prior to accepting supply of the Service.
1. Operator
Above Lao Co. Ltd, owner of “Above Laos Ballooning Adventures”
2. Service
Hot air balloon flight according to our program for a specific flight area described on our web site.
3. Fare Prices
Fare prices are in US Dollars. Should our prices change after your payment is complete Above Lao Co. will anyway provide the due service as agreed on.
Currency Prices are charged in US Dollars and will be refunded if necessary in US Dollars, any currency fluctuation that takes place in the meantime is at the risk of the customer and will not be reimbursed by the Operator.
4. Cancellation, Refund and Deposit Policy
4.1 Cancelled by the Operator
Hot Air balloon flights are completely dependent on weather and only the pilot has authority to decide whether a flight goes ahead. We reserve the right to cancel a flight due to unsuitable weather conditions at any time up to the moment of take-off, or if the balloon does not have a sufficient number of passengers.
Cancellations made by the Operator will entitle the customer to a full refund of the Fare Price if it is not possible to reschedule the flight (depending operator and/or customer’s availability)
We do not accept liability for any costs or expenses you incur if we have to cancel a flight.
4.2 Cancelled by the customer or Agent
More than 7 days before the confirmed booking date: 100% refund, 0% cancellation fee
7 to 2 days before confirmed booking date: 70 % refund, 30% cancellation fee
Less than 48 hours before confirmed booking date or no show/no flight: no refund, 100% cancellation fee
Reduction of participants against requested bookings is considered and treated as cancellations.
Postponement or changes of dates against requested and confirmed bookings is accepted once, but the client MUST commit to new dates within a period of 30 days from the original request. The change of dates must be made at least 7 days prior to the flight and will be subject to availability.
The Operator has the right to retain all deposits received up to the amount of the cancellation fee and invoices will be issued for any further amounts outstanding
Please note that if the customer made the booking for travel through a booking agent all refunds of deposits and booking fees are to be obtained directly from the booking agent. Such booking agent may at their discretion retain a booking fees less than or equal to 100% of the price.
4.3. Deposit policy
Regular tickets bought online must be paid in full at the time of booking. Deposits are only applicable for custom-made or exclusive flights.
For custom-made flights or privatized balloons, prepayment of at least 50% of the final price will be required.
Valid Agency Voucher is also accepted.
Upon receiving of the deposit payment or Valid Agency Voucher we reconfirm the booked Service and date.
5. Quotes
Quotes for special events, incentives, private charters, and specific requirements and incentives will be valid for 7 days from the date issued. The Operator reserves the right to re-quote based on any changes to quote requirements. A deposit will be required with confirmation which may vary from the above, please ask.
6. Booking Processing and Payment
Bookings for Services with the Operator may be made by telephone, email or on the website. Once your booking is confirmed, the Operator will issue you a booking confirmation. Your booking is not confirmed unless a confirmation reference number has been issued. Bookings not paid according to our Payment & Deposit policy will be cancelled by the Operator.
7. Safety Requirements for Travel
7.1. Hot Air ballooning is an outdoor adventure activity using rural properties that can be uneven or overgrown for takeoff and landing. Please come dressed with appropriate clothing (long sleeves and trousers made of natural material such as cotton) and enclosed footwear. While the flight is gentle, landings can be bumpy and the basket may occasionally lay on its side with passengers lying horizontal for a short time. Please ask if you have any concerns.
7.2. General Mobility
It is a DCAL (Direction Civile de l’Aviation Lao), EASA ( European Aviation Safety Agency ) and company requirement that Passengers flying with the Operator must be able to climb INTO the basket unaided, so that in the event of an emergency Passengers are also able to climb out of the basket unaided. The side of the basket is approx. 1.2 metres. The Operator’s staff will be in attendance to supervise Passengers climbing into the basket. The Pilot in command will make the final decision on whether a passenger is able to climb into the basket unaided and therefore travel on the balloon flight. In the event that the Pilot refuses to allow a passenger to board on this basis the Passenger will be given a partial refund through their booking agent or by Above Lao Co. Ltd if they booked directly with the Operator.
7.3. Disabled Passengers
The Operator recommends that disabled persons seek medical advice before participating in a balloon flight. Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules prohibit certain disabled persons for safety reasons. As stated above the Passenger must be able to climb in and out of the basket unaided in order to participate in the balloon flight. Disabled Passengers participating in the balloon flight do so at the own risk and the Operator accepts no liability for any damage or injury caused.
7.4. Pregnant Persons
Pregnant persons are not allowed to fly in a hot air balloon. Passengers who suspect they may be pregnant should check with their doctor before travel.
7.5 Medical Conditions
Passengers with medical conditions should check their suitability to fly prior to booking and advise our staff when booking. As the entire tour last more than 3 hours, passengers are advised to carry any necessary medication with them. Persons with medical conditions participating in the balloon flight and pack up activities do so at their own risk and the Operator accepts no liability for any damage or injury caused.
7.6. Alcohol and Drugs
At no time will a passenger be allowed to fly if their judgement is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or prescription medicine. Passengers not able to fly will be refunded through their booking agent or by Above Lao Co. Ltd if they booked directly with the Operator.
7.7. Carriage at Pilot’s Discretion
The pilot in charge of the balloon has absolute discretion in deciding whether a passenger will fly or not. Such decisions are made in the best interest of the safety of the passengers and crew and the Operator accepts no liability for any inconvenience or damage caused. Passengers not able to fly may at the discretion of the Operator or travel agent be given a partial refund through their booking agent or by Above Lao Co. Ltd if they booked directly with the Operator.
7.8. Minimum Age Requirement
Children must be a minimum of 5 years old to travel on the balloon flight and children up to the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult on the balloon flight. Children aged 13 to 17 years old can travel on the balloon flight by themselves, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the rest of the tour including bus transfers. Children less than 5 years old may travel with their parents on the tour, but must remain on the ground in the company of at least one parent while the other parent takes the balloon flight and in this situation the parents have the option to fly on successive balloon flights when available. Adult prices will apply from twelve (12) years old.
8. Flight Times, “Sunrise”, “Sunset” and Duration
Above Laos operates balloon flights early in the morning as close to sunrise as possible, and in the afternoon close to sunset but specifically does NOT guarantee passengers will be in the air at sunrise or sunset, be aware that weather conditions or cloud cover may of course affect to what degree the sun is seen. Balloons travel with the wind, which governs their speed and direction. Accordingly, the duration of the flight may vary slightly at the pilot’s discretion and should be comprised between 40 min to 1h15 unless safety dictates otherwise.
9. Days of Operation
Hot Air balloon rides are operated daily by Above Laos from October to June (subject to weather conditions and passenger loadings). Above Laos reserves the right to alter flight and pick up availability at any time. Passengers are asked to provide a WhatsApp/Mobile phone number for us to confirm their pickup time and place the day before their flight.
10. No Warranty
The Operator does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or reliability of any information, service, or product listed on the Operator’s website.
11. Itineraries, Pickup and Drop Off Times
The times given in brochures, this website, emails, over the phone or other means are approximate and subject to change depending on the time of year and your exact pickup location. They may be earlier or later than those described. A closer time can be given to you upon reconfirmation with us the day before Service. Some small delays may ensue on the morning of travel if people to be collected before you are late arriving or there are traffic hold ups, which are out of our control. All efforts will be made to contact you if we are going to be more than 20 minutes after your scheduled pickup time. The time you are returned from your tour is entirely dependent on how the morning unfolds and can vary for a number of reasons, outside the Operator’s control. The Operator accepts no responsibility for any delay in returning passengers to their pickup location, connecting tour or departure point.
12. Disclaimer
12.1. All passengers participate in a Service at their own risk. The Operator does not accept any liability for any loss, claim, injury, or any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damage which may arise out of or is in any way connected with the Passenger’s participation in the Service.
12.2. Under no circumstances shall the Operator be liable for any loss, claim, or any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages (including but not limited to lost profits or savings) which arises out of or is in any way connected with the use of any information, any listing of any data on the Operator’s website, or any delay or inability to use this website based on tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise.
13. Jurisdiction
The laws of Lao PDR apply in relation to these terms and conditions and the Operator’s business.
14. Third Party Websites
This website may contain links to other websites maintained by third parties. The Operator is not responsible for and does not operate or control any information or services provided on such third-party websites. The links are provided solely for convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by the Operator.
15. Condition Changes
The Operator reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions contained herein at any time. Visitors to the site shall be responsible for reviewing such terms and conditions regularly.
16. Photographs, Filming and Media
As part of your Service, Above Laos advises that photos and/or film are taken daily as a service to all our passengers on the morning. By travelling with Above Laos you are accepting that you assign all copyright in such photos and/or film to Above Laos & acknowledge that Above Laos has and reserves the right to use such photos and/or films in any medium & in any reasonable manner whatsoever without payment or notification to you.
17. Personal Items
All personal items are carried at the risk of the Passenger. Bags and backpacks may not be carried on the balloon due to weight and safety restrictions, do not bring large bags on our tour.
We strongly advise you NOT to bring valuables or Passports or identity documentation on our tour at all. But instead you should leave behind at home or in your hotel for safe keeping. You are specifically advised there are no secure facilities for storing personal items, while on tour.
Above Laos and/or its staff accept no responsibility, nor are liable for, any act of omission whatsoever (whether inside or outside their control) for any Service which may result in any loss, damage, detention, diversion or theft in regard to personal belongings, and will be exempt from liability in respect of direct or indirect or consequential loss or damage, irregularity, travel delay, itinerary alteration omission or extension.
18. Gift Vouchers
All gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from initial date of purchase and are fully transferable within that period. If you wish to extend the validity of your voucher, you have to do that before the end of a 1-year period from the date on the Gift Voucher. Gift Vouchers can be transferred to others on the basis of the giver’s approval.
19. Failure to Load
If you fail to show for your Service for whatever reason, you will not receive a refund as we will have held a firm seat for you and turned away other bookings to do so. The Operator recommends travel insurance to be taken out by all passengers.
20. Payment Methods:
Payment can be made by:
Cash (USD, LAK, EUR, Baht), Visa card or Mastercard.
Credit Card Declined: If your credit card payment cannot be authorised by the Operator earlier than 3 days prior to travel, our system will automatically cancel your reservation. The Operator will attempt to contact the Customer to obtain another form of payment. However, if the Operator cannot contact the Customer, the Customer’s booking will not be held. The Customer will know that the Operator has obtained a correctly authorised payment and made a booking once the Customer receives their booking confirmation and not before.
Travel Agents Voucher: If your travel agent gives you a voucher, its acceptance by us as a means of paying for your service depends upon your agents’ continuing good credit status with Above Laos. We reserve the right to ask you for full cash payment on the day of travel if we are unable to get satisfactory responses to our payment enquiries and credit checks of your travel agent.
21. Data protection
The purchaser has the right to request the deletion or rectification of all or some of the data concerning them. The data requested by us is necessary for the processing of our clients’ orders and are mandatory, however this data will not be sold or exchanged with any other third party.
08/2024
