Please read the following terms and conditions carefully. These terms and conditions apply to your retreat booking with Carla de Kretser (trading as Metta Rising).  
By making your booking you are irrevocably agreeing to enter a contract with Metta Rising on these terms and conditions. That contract becomes binding immediately on our confirmation of your booking. 

PAYMENT 
A deposit must be paid before bookings will be processed. Payment of the deposit means you have accepted our terms and conditions. Deposits are non-refundable.  
Unless otherwise indicated, the balance of the price must be paid in full no later than 30 days prior to the retreat start date or earlier. Full payment is required immediately if you make a booking within 30 days of the retreat start date. 
In some circumstances we may offer payment plan alternatives. If we do, and you select that payment alternative, then you must make each payment by the due dates indicated (we will make these clear on the payment page). 

Where full payment or any part thereof is not made by the due date, we may treat your booking as being cancelled by you. In that instance we will retain any applicable cancellation fees and refund the balance of your payment as a credit note in accordance with the Participant Cancellation policy. 

CANCELLATION BY PARTICIPANT 
We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. For this reason, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to protect you in the event of cancellation. 
Participant Cancellations 
All retreat bookings are non-refundable unless otherwise stated. 
If you cancel your participation in the Sri Lanka retreat for any reason, including but not limited to personal circumstances, illness, injury, visa issues, passport issues, work commitments, or change of mind, the following applies: 

More than 90 days prior to retreat start date: 
Your deposit is non-refundable. Any remaining balance paid will be refunded minus any non-recoverable costs incurred by us. 

90 days or less prior to retreat start date: 
No refunds will be issued. This includes the full retreat amount, regardless of whether the balance has been paid. 

Failure to attend or early departure: 
No refund will be given for any unused portion of the retreat. 

You acknowledge that international retreats involve significant upfront costs (including accommodation, venue hire, transport, and facilitators) which cannot be recovered once bookings are confirmed. 

RETREAT INITIATED CANCELLATION 

We aim to provide an intimate and high-quality retreat experience. In rare circumstances, including if participant numbers are too low to run the retreat as planned, or due to events beyond our control, we may need to cancel the retreat. 
If the retreat is cancelled, we will notify you at least 90 days prior to the retreat start date and offer a full refund of all amounts paid, including your deposit. You agree we will not be held liable for any other costs or losses incurred by you due to cancellation, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, or non-refundable flights. 
Metta Rising will use reasonable endeavours to ensure booked retreats take place as advertised; however, we reserve the right to change the venue of retreats for any reason and at any time prior to retreat start. 
In the event we change the venue of a booked retreat and the new venue is not suitable for you, you will receive a credit note equal to the price paid by you, valid for use toward a future Metta Rising retreat within 12 months of issue, unless otherwise agreed in writing. You will not be entitled to a cash refund or any other remedy. 
This does not apply where cancellation occurs due to a Force Majeure Event, which is addressed separately below. 

FORCE MAJEURE 

Our obligations under these Terms and Conditions are subject to events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics or epidemics, government restrictions, travel bans, border closures, war, terrorism, civil unrest, strikes, industrial disputes, or any other event or circumstance which we reasonably determine makes it impractical, unsafe, illegal or impossible to operate the Sri Lanka retreat as planned (a Force Majeure Event). 
If a Force Majeure Event occurs before or during the retreat, we may, at our sole discretion, amend the retreat itinerary, postpone the retreat, offer a transfer of your booking to a future retreat, or cancel the retreat. 
If the retreat is cancelled due to a Force Majeure Event, you will be entitled to a refund of amounts paid less your deposit and any non-recoverable costs already incurred by us in relation to your booking. We will not be responsible for any additional costs, losses or expenses incurred by you, including but not limited to flights, visas, accommodation, travel insurance excess, or other travel-related expenses. 
Non-recoverable costs may include, but are not limited to, accommodation and venue deposits, facilitator and staff fees, catering and transport costs, booking and payment processing fees, and other operational expenses already incurred in connection with the retreat. 

TRANSFERS 
You may transfer your booking to another person with our written approval, provided: 

The replacement participant meets all retreat requirements, and 

All details are provided at least 30 days prior to the retreat start date. 

Any price difference or administrative costs incurred will be payable by you. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE 

You must obtain travel insurance covering all dates and destinations of travel. Your insurance must cover at least: trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, travel delays, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be required to provide documentary evidence confirming that you hold the above travel insurance prior to departure. If you fail to provide such evidence, we may treat your booking as being cancelled by you and the Participant Cancellation policy will apply. 

We will not be liable for any costs, losses or damage incurred by you resulting from your failure to comply with this clause and we recommend you purchase your insurance at or soon after booking your trip. 
We make no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursement, scope of coverage, or other aspects of any travel insurance policy or claim. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY 
You must also declare any health, medical or dietary issues and requirements to us at the time of your booking and where necessary update that information prior to departure and during the retreat. Based on your disclosures we may require you to provide a medical certificate confirming that it is safe for you to participate in a retreat. Despite your disclosures and any medical certificates provided, you are wholly responsible for your own health, safety and wellbeing at all times during the retreat, including during all activities. 

You are free to stop or decline participating in any activity at any time for any reason. 

You must also ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel destinations and to ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. You should consult your doctor regarding health requirements for your destination and your suitability to participate in the activities provided. 

EARLY RETURN, ILLNESS OR ABSENCE 
Early return expenses are your responsibility. If you leave a retreat for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a retreat, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. This includes but is not limited to missed hotels, transfers, meals or optional retreat extensions and activities. We urge you to purchase travel insurance which covers such circumstances. 

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK 
You acknowledge that as is the case with any physical activity, the risk of injury, even serious or disabling, is always present and cannot be entirely eliminated. You acknowledge that there are significant risks involved in physical training, including but not limited to, the physical training inherent to all yoga and exercise activities, and that your participation in any such physical training program carries with it the potential for death, injury, and/or property damage. 

INDEMNIFICATION 
To the fullest extent permitted by law, by booking you hereby agree to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify Carla de Kretser (trading as Metta Rising) and our officers, employees, agents and representatives from any and all claims made by me arising from death, physical or mental injury or the coming into existence, the aggravation, acceleration or occurrence of any other condition, circumstance, activity or state of affairs that is or may be harmful or disadvantageous to you or that may result in harm or disadvantage to you due to your participation in the retreat. 

WAIVER OF LIABILITY 
To the fullest extent permitted by law by booking you hereby agree : 
You release us and our officers, employees, agents and representatives from any liability and expressly waive any claims you may have against us arising out of or in connection with your participation in a retreat; and Any condition or warranty, which would otherwise be implied by law into these Booking Conditions (Implied Warranty), is excluded. 
To the extent an Implied Warranty cannot be excluded, our liability in respect of the Implied Warranty is limited to (in our absolute discretion): (i) the provision of a similar retreat to an equivalent value; or (ii) a refund of the total amount received by us from you in connection with your booking. 
Any claim by you is excluded to the extent that it is for indirect or consequential loss, loss of profits or economic loss, however it arises, or for indirect, special, punitive or exemplary damages. 

VICARIOUS LIABILITY 
We shall not be held vicariously liable for the intentional or negligent acts of any persons not employed by us nor for any intentional or negligent acts of our employees, volunteers or representatives committed while off duty or outside the course and scope of their official capacity. 

PASSPORTS & VISAS 
You must ensure you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities for all locations forming part of your booking. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities are your sole responsibility. All travelers must have a valid passport for international travel. Many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of entry. You release and indemnify us from all responsibility and liability for any refusal of entry, detainment, or other action of immigration or other government authorities which may occur to you in connection with a retreat. 

TRAVEL 
It is your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all possible relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. (For up to date travel advice please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or visit their website at www.smarttraveller.gov.au ) 

BAGGAGE AND VALUABLES 
Participants should ensure that all baggage, valuables and other personal items are comprehensively insured. We shall not be liable for any loss or damage, of participant(s) baggage, valuables and/or person articles and valuables, the liability for which shall at all times remain solely with the passenger(s) and in this regard the participant(s) shall release and indemnify us from any claim or liability. 

PROGRAM VARIATION 
The right is reserved to add, withdraw or substitute presenters, activities, or events, and/or vary advertised programmes and event capacity. 

PRIVACY 
By booking with us you acknowledge that we will collect, use and disclosure your personal information (including to our third party service providers) as we reasonably require to provide the service to you, and for other reasons permitted under privacy laws (including direct marketing). We have photographers and videographers documenting each retreat and uses and posts content on social media and in marketing and publicity material during and after retreats. You acknowledge and irrevocably consent to us using photographs of you and/or statements made by you during and after the retreat without payment or attribution on social media and in marketing and publicity material. 

GOVERNING LAW 
These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia and the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the courts in Victoria, Australia. 

SEVERABILITY 
If any provision of these terms and conditions should be held to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the validity of all other provisions of these terms and conditions (and any part of the subject provision which is not held to be invalid or unenforceable) shall not be affected and shall remain in force. 

INTEGRATION 
I understand that these Booking Terms and Conditions are the entire agreement between me and Carla de Kretser (trading as Metta Rising). 

VARIATION 
Carla de Kretser(trading as Metta Rising), may make variations to these terms and conditions from time to time by notice to you. 

PARTICIPANT WAIVER 
You acknowledge that you will be required to complete and sign a separate Participant Waiver and Health Declaration prior to participating in the retreat. Failure to complete this waiver may result in your booking being cancelled and the Participant Cancellation policy applying.