Introduction

Welcome to Elite By Locals (EBL), the online booking site operated by EBL ehf. Our registered headquarters in Iceland has registration no. 560623-0110), and we are a registered company in Iceland with the VAT number 149312.

When you make a booking or place an order through our website or any other means, it is considered an offer to purchase the relevant tour package or travel arrangement subject to the following booking conditions.

By accessing, browsing, using, or completing a reservation through our website or mobile site, you acknowledge and agree to have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by the terms and conditions outlined below. A contract between you and EBL will only be formed once we receive full payment and issue a confirmation invoice. By making the booking, you accept these conditions on behalf of all members of your travel party and assume responsibility for the payment in its entirety.

By submitting a booking, you confirm that you agree to this agreement.

Pick-up & Drop-off Services

At EBL, we provide pick-up and drop-off services in the capital area for most of our tours.

As a traveler, it is your responsibility to arrange for your pick-up by providing us with your pick-up location in a timely manner and being ready at the designated time. We will provide you with information regarding your pick-up time at the time of booking. If you have any doubts about when to be ready for your scheduled tour, please contact us via email or phone.

Please ensure that you are ready at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Be prepared in front of your hotel or guesthouse for your pick-up. Please note that drop-off locations may not always be directly in front of your accommodation.

Upon arrival at the designated pick-up location, the tour guide will inform you of the duration of the stop and the scheduled departure time. It is your responsibility to re-board the car at the designated departure time.

Please note that if you miss the pick-up, you will not be eligible for a refund of the price paid for the services. It is your responsibility to be ready at the assigned pick-up point from the start of the pick-up time to ensure you don't miss our guides when they arrive to pick you up.

Prices

As a local operator, EBL cannot be held responsible for currency fluctuations or additional fees beyond our control, such as bank transfer fees or credit card fees.

All charges are made in USD or EURO currency. Your credit card will always be charged in USD or Euro currency. We also process refunds in USD or Euro currency.

The prices displayed on our website, both desktop and mobile, are based on current rates and include value-added tax. EBL reserves the right to modify or change prices published on the website without prior notice in the event of currency fluctuations, government taxes, or other cost increases beyond our control. Prices are guaranteed against any surcharges after an invoice has been issued, unless the increase is due to government laws or significant currency changes amounting to 5% or more of the tour price. Any amount exceeding 5% will be charged, and customers will have the option to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%. Increases resulting from changes in government laws, such as tax changes, will be added to the invoice.

Payment

Accepted payment methods: EBL accepts all major credit and debit cards. For bookings made at least 2 weeks prior to the travel date, we also accept bank transfers.

We accept the following cards: Visa and MasterCard.

If you prefer to pay via bank transfer, please contact us, and we will provide you with the payment instructions via email.

Payment at the time of booking: EBL requires a deposit of 10% of the total price at the time of booking. The full payment (minus the deposit) for the tour is due at least 7 days prior to your arrival. Keep us informed via email if payment is done differently than mentioned above.

Payment processing: Online payments will be securely processed through Landsbanki Payment. Once your payment is received, you will automatically receive an invoice for the amount paid.

Cancellation

For cancellations received no later than 7 days prior to the start of the program, no cancellation fees or charges will be incurred by the client.

All cancellation fees imposed by EBL are intended solely to cover our direct costs associated with amending and/or canceling your reservation. By accessing, browsing, using, and/or completing a reservation through our (mobile) website, you acknowledge, understand, and agree to be legally bound by the following cancellation policy. A contract between the customer and EBL will only be established once EBL receives full payment and issues a confirmation invoice. The customer making the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all members of their travel party and is responsible for the full payment due from the entire party.

Included

Admission to sites, museums, or exhibitions visited is included in the tour, unless otherwise stated in the tour description. *Please note that bookings for the Blue Lagoon and Friðheimar must be made and paid for in advance by travelers.

Excluded

Unless specifically mentioned, meals and refreshments are not included. During full-day excursions, there will be a lunch break at a local restaurant.

Languages

Guidance is provided in English.

Food & Beverages

Please limit the consumption of food to "snack type foods" such as candy, chips, cookies, etc. Only beverages in covered containers are allowed on board.

Clothing

When traveling in Iceland, regardless of the season, it is important to wear sturdy shoes and warm outdoor clothing. The main attraction of many excursions is nature, and a short outdoor walk may be included to fully enjoy the tour.

Appropriate footwear and suitable outdoor clothing are mandatory. We reserve the right to refuse participation to customers who are dressed inappropriately or have inappropriate footwear, as this could jeopardize their safety and well-being. In such cases, full cancellation charges will apply.

All adventure trips and outdoor activities are subject to weather and general conditions. EBL reserves the right to modify routes, itineraries, departure times, or cancel trips without prior notice, prioritizing your safety.

Please remember that in Iceland the weather can change rapidly leading to changing conditions. Our guides are specially trained to handle such changes, and their top priority is to make decisions with your safety in mind. Please be aware of this and respect your guide's authority in such matters. This is particularly important for winter travel in Iceland. Our summer trips are rarely affected by severe weather conditions.

Liability

EBL disclaims any responsibility for loss, damage, accidents, injuries, illnesses, or schedule changes resulting from weather conditions, strikes, natural disasters, or any other causes beyond EBL Tour's control. EBL acts in good faith and cannot be held accountable for the actions, defaults, or delays of agents, hotels, coach operators, airlines, guides, restaurants, or any other individuals or companies.

EBL reserves the right to modify routes, itineraries, or departure times without prior notice if necessary. In the event of flight changes (domestic or international) or changes to scheduled travel by cruise, ferry, bus, or train, the passenger is responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of such changes (e.g., additional hotel nights, meals, transfers, etc.). EBL is not liable for losses or expenses arising from flight delays or changes, injury, sickness, accidents, strikes, damage, negligence, weather conditions, war, or any other causes beyond EBL's control. Any such losses and expenses are the personal responsibility of the traveler. Since EBL cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, accidents, injuries, illnesses, schedule changes, or other factors resulting from weather conditions, strikes, natural disasters, or any other causes beyond EBL's control, we therefore strongly advise all customers to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover all eventualities.

In the unlikely event of a cancellation on behalf of EBL do to sickness or unforeseen circumstances of the guide, EBL will not be held responsible for any inconvenience it may have on the costumer.

During normal handling, baggage may show signs of wear and tear. EBL assumes no responsibility for minor cuts, scratches, or dents, as well as for items protruding from luggage, such as retractable handles, wheels, straps, and luggage carts. EBL cannot be held responsible for damaged luggage if it is brought on the tour. 

ASSUMED RISK & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Guests/clients are advised that all activities are undertaken at their own risk, and they must conduct themselves in a suitable and responsible manner at all times in accordance with EBL guidelines. They are also responsible for their own safety. All adventure tours and outdoor activities involve inherent risks, and EBL and its partners do not assume any responsibility for accidents caused by customers, actions traceable to their own behavior, or factors beyond human control (Force majeure). By purchasing the trip, you agree to these conditions, understand their implications, and accept responsibility for your participation. Depending on the excursion, you may be required to sign an additional liability release.

Our guides have the right to refuse participation to any customer who they believe may be unable to complete the tour due to physical condition, injury, or illness. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.

We reserve the right to refuse participation to clients who exhibit physical or verbal abuse or pose a threat to staff members or fellow travelers in any way. In such cases, full cancellation charges apply.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS:

We reserve the right to decline participation to clients who we believe are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In such circumstances, no refund will be given. Our guides also reserve the right to refuse participation to any customer whose behavior or demeanor is likely to cause offense, upset, or endanger other passengers.

REVIEWS & FEEDBACK

EBL appreciates all feedback, whether positive or negative, as it helps us enhance our services and performance. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share your tour experience with us.

Please note that all complaints must be communicated to EBL within 5 days after the completion of your tour. Otherwise, any potential compensation may not be valid.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Like with any international travel, we strongly recommend that you obtain a travel insurance policy in your home country that covers the cost of canceling your travel reservation with short notice. Such travel insurance is typically affordable and often provides coverage for other risks as well. Having travel insurance is always a prudent choice when traveling worldwide.

Usage of Collected Data

EBL may use data, such as email addresses, to communicate with customers and provide the best possible experience.

EBL values your privacy and is dedicated to protecting and safeguarding any personal information you provide us. As the "Controller" of the personal data you provide, we collect some basic personal data from you in order to provide our services. The data is mainly collected based on our legitimate interests in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

If required, we will seek separate consent from you before obtaining your data.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting and safeguarding any personal information you entrust to us. This is our promise to you:

We assure you that we will handle your personal data with the utmost care, ensuring its safety and security.

We will only collect the necessary data required to provide our services to you.

We will solely use your personal data for the stated purposes and will keep you informed about its usage and disclosure.

What information do we need?

When you make a tour booking with us, we will request your name, email address, and credit card information. Additionally, we offer the option to provide your hotel or guesthouse details in Iceland if you wish to utilize our pick-up and drop-off service. You will also have the choice to subscribe to our newsletter. We do not collect any special types of information, location-based data, or sensitive information.

Why do we need your data?

We require your basic personal data to effectively provide our services. This may include sending you emails regarding your pick-up details, timing, weather updates, and more. Rest assured that we will only collect the necessary personal data required to fulfill our services.

How do we handle your data?

All personal data is processed by our staff in Iceland and is hosted on servers located within Iceland.

As part of our services, we collaborate with third-party tour operators to offer tours and also sell tours operated solely by third parties. In such cases, we will share your basic personal data with them to enable the provision of the services you have purchased.

Your credit card information is processed by Landsbanki a verified and secure credit card transaction processor.

We have implemented a robust data protection regime to ensure the secure and effective processing of your personal data.

How long do we retain your data?

We will retain your data for as long as necessary to comply with statutory or legal requirements or as long as needed to provide our services to you. After this period, your data will be securely destroyed. For accounting and auditing purposes, we may retain your personal data for a reasonable period after the completion of our services.

If you have provided your information for direct marketing purposes, we will keep it until you notify us that you no longer wish to receive marketing information from us.

Are there any other purposes for which we would like to use your data?

We would like to use your name and email address to inform you about our upcoming offers and similar products. This information is securely hosted by a third-party service. You have the freedom to unsubscribe from these communications at any time through phone, email, or our website.

What are your rights?

You have the right to request access to your personal data at any time. If you believe that the information we have about you is incorrect, you can request to review and correct or delete it. If the processing of your personal data is based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

If you are unsatisfied with our response or believe that we are processing your personal data in violation of applicable laws, you can submit a complaint to the Icelandic Data Protection Agency via their website: https://www.personuvernd.is/.

Changes to our Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time, and any modifications will be effective immediately.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

This agreement shall be exclusively governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Iceland.

Any disputes arising from or related to this agreement shall be exclusively submitted to and resolved by the district court of Reykjavík.