Hikings Terms and Conditions

​Participation in Birdstories excursions and daily activities requires the acceptance of this document.

REGISTRATION METHODS 
Reservation for excursions is mandatory. It is done via e-mail, via Whatsapp or by phone by communicating First and Last Name, Tax Code, Residential Address, Phone Number and Number of Participants. Go to Contact.

Registration is done by the day before the day of the hike (within 16h from the start time of the hike).

METHOD OF PAYMENT
Payment of the registration fee can be made in three ways:
Paypal payment method at the time of registration.
Bank transfer at the time of registration.
Cash payment on the spot.
Payment details will be communicated by e-mail and a receipt of payment must be sent by e-mail or Whatsapp.
Participation fees include organization and logistics, Environmental Hiking Guide service for the entire hike and insurance coverage

RCT. TERMS OF CANCELLATION
It is possible to communicate the cancellation of the registration by email, Whatsapp, sms or Telegram.
In case of inability to participate in the excursion already booked and paid for, the communication must be made no later than two days before the excursion (48 hours before the start). In that case it will be possible to participate in another excursion of your choice. In case of cancellation less than 24 hours before the excursion, the fee will be forfeited.
If the cancellation is implemented by Birdstories due to bad weather or lack of participants a full refund of the participation fee will be made.

COVID EMERGENCY - 19
Participant:
Declares that he/she has read the Covid Containment Measures to be observed during excursions and activities organized by Birdstories.
Declares that he/she is aware that participation in Birdstories activities will not be possible if he/she is aware of having been in contact in the last 14 days with individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 or if he/she comes from areas at risk according to WHO indications.
You declare that you are aware that in the presence of fever (over 37.5°) or other flu symptoms, you have an obligation to stay at home and call your
family doctor or health authority.
Declares that he/she has not tested positive for Covid-19.
Declares that he/she is aware that if the excursion includes a visit to a museum, restaurant or other indoor place, it is necessary to have the Covid-19 Green Certification / EU digital Covid Certificate (D.L. 111 of 06.08.2021) with them.

DECLARATION OF FITNESS
The participant before registering for the hikes must assess his or her psychophysical fitness for the trek. He/she declares that he/she is informed of the level of difficulty (see below) and the physical commitment required to undertake the hike or activity and agrees to inform the Guide already at the time of registration of any relevant information regarding his/her psychophysical fitness.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY OF THE EXCURSION
The participant declares that he/she is aware of the different levels of difficulty, which will be indicated each time by the Guide in the excursion sheet. If you have any doubts about the difficulty of the route, please contact the Guide by phone, who will provide further clarification.
Grades of difficulty with the acronyms of the CAI scale, based on the type of terrain on which the itinerary takes place, the technical difficulty and the physical effort required.

Level T Tourist / Easy
The itinerary takes place on roads, dirt roads, mule tracks, wide paths and well-marked trails. The routes are not long (up to 12 km) and usually take place below 1000 meters, with positive elevation gain* of no more than 500 meters. They require minimal physical fitness for walking and are also suitable for children and people beginning to approach hiking.

Level E Hiking / Medium
The itinerary takes place on all kinds of terrain, or on obvious passing tracks in varied terrain (pastures, debris, rocks), even in passages with high vegetation. The route has a maximum length of 18 km, with positive elevation gain of up to 1,000 meters.It requires a certain sense of direction, absence of vertigo, walking training, as well as appropriate footwear and equipment.Suitable for those who already have experience with hiking.

EE Experienced Hikers / Difficult
This is a route that implies an ability to move over special terrain. Paths or tracks over impervious and treacherous terrain (steep and/or slippery grass slopes, or mixed rock and grass, or rock and debris). Varied terrain at relatively high elevations (scree, short non-steep snowfields, open slopes without landmarks, etc.). Rocky and exposed sections. Generally has a length of more than 18 km and a positive elevation gain of about 1,000 meters or more. Suitable for those with general mountain hiking experience, sure-footedness and absence of vertigo, adequate equipment, gear and physical preparation.

Difficulty scale for accessible routes with aids (CAI classification)

AT Accessible Tourists
Trails on cart tracks, dirt roads, grassy tracks.
Modest slopes (<8%), width >1.5 m, moderate elevation gain (<150 m). The bottom is homogeneous and smooth, so it´s well rideable. The route has no exposed or problematic points for maneuvering. 

AE Accessible Hikers
Route on obvious trails and cobbled mule tracks.
Moderate slopes (<16%), width between 1 and 1.5 m, elevation gain <300 m, length between 3 and 6 km. The bottom is uneven, with few or modest artificial or natural steps easily overcome by an off-road aid. The route has no exposed or problematic points for maneuvering.

AEE Accessible Experienced Hikers
Route on trails and mule tracks with varied terrain. Sections with slopes even >16%, width >1m, elevation gain >300 m, length >6 km. The terrain is uneven with forced passages, natural steps >10 cm, significant obstacles, exposed and narrow places.

*The elevation gain is the difference between the height from which we start and the height to which we have to arrive.Therefore, the positive elevation gain indicates the elevation gain we have to make uphill.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
The participant agrees to come to the hike with the necessary equipment indicated on the hike sheet and on the Covid Containment Measures sheet. The Guide reserves the right to exclude from the hike, for reasons of safety of the person himself or the group, those who show up without the required equipment.

LOGISTICS
For safety reasons related to weather conditions, special conditions in the group or unforeseen events, the Guide reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary at the last moment.

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Generally, dogs are always allowed to participate in nature hikes. The participant with dog agrees to notify the Guide at the time of registration.While hiking, the dog must be kept on a leash and must not cause harm to people or property.If there are special restrictions regarding bringing the dog, it will be indicated in the hike form.

INSURANCE
The Environmental Guide will carry out his work with liability ( Civil Liability) insurance coverage towards his clients.
Clients are not covered by any accident insurance policy that is not part of the
liability of the profession of the Environmental Guide.
Should the participant wish to have “Accompanied Daily Accident” insurance coverage, the fee to be paid is 1 Euro per person per day. It is also possible to take out a subscription costing 10 Euro per year. 

​BEHAVIOR ON THE EXCURSION
The participant agrees to follow simple rules of behavior toward others and the environment in which we find ourselves.
The participant(s) agree to behave respectfully toward other participants.
Leave no trace of one´s passage: One´s garbage should be taken back either home or to the first dumpster we find. It is advisable to bring a garbage bag with you to also collect any plastic waste or shell casings left by hunters.
We ask that you have respect for the flora, fauna, and everything along the way (signs, objects, crops). It is forbidden to pluck, pick and eat plants and flowers along the trail, unless explicitly instructed by the Guide for educational purposes related to the activity at hand.
It is recommended to keep cell phone ring tones off.When observing wildlife and avifauna with binoculars, it is necessary not to use cell phones and to keep maximum silence.


Serena Conforte
Birdstories Environmental Hiking Guide