Adventurous motorcycle trips without any risk do not exist. Even the most experienced and skillful motorcyclist sometimes falls or just manages to prevent an accident. The causes are many and varied, and fortunately, the damage is usually limited. Unfortunately, more serious accidents can also occur. We want to prevent this as much as it is possible.
To prevent accidents:
Advice to participants before the trip:
– Make an estimate of the difficulty of the trip and consider whether your fitness and riding skills are sufficient to participate in the trip with a safe feeling.
– If you have little or no off-road experience, follow an off-road training;
– Wear appropriate protective clothing; remember, however, that this clothing cannot really protect, but only helps to limit any personal injury.
– Take out travel insurance, inform yourself of the insurance conditions, and ensure that evacuation is covered for emergencies.
– If you wear contact lenses, bring both a pair of prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses as well.
– Wear a protective helmet, preferably an integral helmet with a visor.
During the trip, the tour guide:
– Keeps an eye on everyone as much as possible and offers instructions as necessary;
– Avoids driving in the dark;
– Off-road routes are discussed the day before or before departure on the day itself, and the difficulty of the route is outlined by the tour guide as clearly as possible. Based on this information, the participant can decide to ride the route or else to travel in the support vehicle during this route.
What you can do yourself during the trip:
– Check the motorcycle: are the lights, tires, brakes, and mirrors working well?
– Adapt your riding style to the country where you are riding; adjust your speed; keep a distance between each other, not too close together.
– Take good care of yourself; drink plenty of water, take regular breaks (indicate when you become tired); sleep enough, and do not drink so much alcohol at night that it might affect your driving skills the next day.
– Watch out for treacherous road conditions: road surface sand/gravel/mud/washboard road surfaces; dust/rain/fog; unlit tunnels; other traffic, driving on the left; animals/children crossing the road etc.
– Wait for each other at difficult obstacles, to help each other (and to take photographs, of course).
Experience shows that one’s riding skills can improve by leaps and bounds during the trip, in particular by sharing your experiences and giving each other advice/tips along the way and on arrival at the daily destination.
All Dragon Trails tour guides meet every year to discuss experiences concerning safety on the road. Based on this discussion, new guidelines are drawn up that can improve safety on the road and the provision of advanced information.
Last but not least, you are advised to read the page, Own Risk.
Liability and responsibility
Dragon Trails will try to guarantee the safety of the participants and limit the risk of accidents as much as it can. We offer good advice on the subject of protective clothing and oblige participants to adhere to this. We will also provide the best possible advice regarding driving in traffic. Finally, we try to match the level of difficulty of the off-road routes as much as possible to the level of the participants.
As the participants drive a vehicle themselves, Dragon Trails cannot be held responsible for any accidents or for any material or physical damage resulting from any such accidents. We also assume no liability for the driving behavior of local road users who may cause an accident in which participants become involved. Participation in the motorcycle trip is therefore entirely at your own risk. In order to make this liability limitation as clear as possible, Dragon Trails must be in possession of a signed ‘own risk’ statement before departure (see bottom of this page).
As you are personally responsible for (the consequences of) your own driving behavior, we will not oblige you to drive routes or to overcome obstacles that you personally do not feel safe about. In this event, please make this known to the tour guide. In consultation, if possible, an alternative route will be offered. If, which is often the case, an alternative route is not available or if the interests of the group will suffer from it, the tour guide will suggest that you ride in the support vehicle.
Medicines, illnesses and physical condition
If you are dependent on medicines (such as insulin) or if you have certain limitations due to your health, you should inform the tour guide of this at the beginning of the trip. If you are not sure whether you can carry out the trip in a responsible manner with a certain illness or health problem, contact your doctor well before departure. Keep in mind that the journeys can be physically and mentally strenuous and that this can be reinforced if the weather conditions or other external factors influence the journey. We expect each participant to be well-informed about the difficulty of the journey.
You must declare that you are in sufficient good health to complete the trip successfully and without any problems (see bottom of this page). Dragon Trails is not responsible for the consequences of your own health and physical condition during the trip. Of course, if possible we will assist you en route for long as possible, provided that the rest of the group does not suffer too much from this.
Weather conditions and natural influences
Our trips are planned as much as possible in the most favorable season. Nothing, however, is as unpredictable as the weather. Especially in the areas where Dragon Trails organizes trips, the weather is an important factor in the experience of the journey. The weather can force us to take alternative routes, to adapt the program or, in the event of a very bad weather forecast and in consultation with the participants, to end the trip prematurely. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also strongly influence the course of the trip. In this event, Dragon Trails will offer alternatives and put these into practice in consultation with the group. Dragon Trails is not in any way liable, however, for the consequences of these external influences on the trip. In such cases, Clause 9.5 of the General Terms and Conditions will come into effect.
Declaration of Own Risk:
“With regards to driving in traffic, I hereby declare that I participate in the Dragon Trails trip entirely at my own risk and that I will in no way hold the organization of this trip liable for damage resulting from accidents in which I might become involved. My participation on this trip is therefore completely at my own risk.
“I declare that I have a sufficiently good physical and mental condition to complete the trip, and in case of doubt that I will consult my doctor. I will not hold the organization of the trip responsible in any way for accidents or damage during the journey resulting from insufficient physical and/or mental condition. My participation in this trip is therefore entirely at my own risk.”
If you would like more information about this statement or if its content is not entirely clear, please contact us.
Article 1 – Establishment of the agreement
1.1 Registration for a trip takes place on receipt by Zebra Trails of a fully completed registration form via the Zebra Trails website
1.2 On receipt of the registration form, Zebra Trails will send a confirmation/invoice that includes a down payment of 500 euros per registered person together with the remainder of the cost to be paid for the trip.
1.3 The agreement comes into effect at the moment at which Zebra Trails sends the confirmation.
Article 2 – Payment
2.1 The down payment is part of the cost of the trip and must be credited to the Zebra Trails account no later than two weeks after the date of invoice. The remainder of the costs must be in the possession of Zebra Trails no later than six weeks before the start of the trip. In the case of late payment, the agreement is deemed to have been canceled as of the date of six weeks before departure. Zebra Trails retains the right to charge a cancellation fee. In this event, the provisions of Article 8 apply and any monies already paid will be deducted from the cancellation fee.
2.2 Upon registration within six weeks before the start of the trip, the full cost of the trip must be paid directly.
Article 3 – Cost of the trip
3.1 The cost of the trip is per person. The price includes only those services and conditions stated on the Zebra Trails website.
3.2 The cost of the trip is based on the prices, tariffs, exchange rates and taxes known by Zebra Trails at the time of signing the agreement.
3.3 In the event of a change to the established prices, tariffs, exchange rates and taxes, Zebra Trails reserves the right to alter the cost of the trip. This must be communicated to the participant as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days before departure. In the absence of any such communication, the agreed cost remains valid. If the change means an increase of more than 10% of the trip cost, the participant has the right to cancel the agreement – with a right to a refund of any monies already paid – up to a maximum of five days after receipt of the notification.
Article 4 – Insurances
4.1 The participant is obliged to take out travel, baggage and accident insurance for the duration of the trip. Trip cancellation insurance coverage is highly recommended.
4.2 If a trip cancellation insurance policy is taken out via Zebra Trails, the due premium must be paid together with the registration fee.
Article 5 – Documents
5.1 The participant must be in possession of a valid passport. This passport must be valid for at least half a year after the end of the trip and must contain sufficient empty pages for the required visas.
5.2 If the participant drives a vehicle during the trip, the participant must be in possession of a valid driving license and international driving license for the relevant vehicle category.
5.3 The traveler must be in possession of the necessary proof of vaccinations.
5.4 If the participant cannot join or complete a trip because of the lack of necessary documents, the participant is fully liable for all associated consequences.
Article 6 – Travel documents
6.1 In the case of group travel, the required travel documents will usually be given to the participant on the day of departure.
6.2 The required travel documents will be sent to the participant by email.
Article 7 – Changes by the Traveler
7.1 Up to six weeks before departure, the participant can request changes to the agreement which will be implemented insofar as these are possible on the condition that the participant agrees to the new travel price and any costs arising from changing the flight ticket.
7.2 In the revised travel price, the extra costs or refund of the altered travel items will be settled against the original costs plus an amount of EUR 50 per alteration and any administration costs.
Article 8 – Cancellation by the traveler
8.1 In the event that the participant cancels the trip, the participant is liable for cancellation costs. These cancellation costs cover reimbursement of any costs incurred by Zebra Trails on behalf of the participant, up to the moment of cancellation, for which Zebra Trails does not receive a refund. In the event of cancellation, each participant is liable for the following amounts:
- on cancellation up to 56 days before departure: the deposit
- on cancellation from 56 (incl.) to 28 days before the date of departure: 50% of the trip price.
- on cancellation from 28 (incl.) to 14 days before the day of departure: 75% of the trip price.
- on cancellation from 14 days (incl.) up until the date of departure or during the journey: 100% of the trip cost.
All cancellation costs are supplemented, as applicable, by the cancellation costs of any issued tickets.
8.2 Cancellation of the travel agreement by the participant must always be made in writing (by letter or email). We strongly advise you to take out a good travel cancellation insurance. This insurance will compensate the cancellation costs provided that the policy covers the cause of cancellation.
Article 9 – Cancellation and Changes by Zebra Trails
9.1 Zebra Trails only has the right to cancel or alter a trip in grave circumstances.
9.2 Grave circumstances are those that might adversely influence the quality, safety, or implementation of the trip. Insufficient participation is covered herewith.
9.3 Zebra Trails is obliged to notify the participant immediately of any important changes to or cancellation of the trip, informing them of the reasons. Cancellation due to insufficient participation will normally take place no later than four weeks before the planned start of the trip.
9.4 Notice of cancellation annuls the agreement. Upon cancellation, however, where possible, Zebra Trails will offer as near an equivalent alternative trip as possible. If this offer is not accepted, the fully or partially paid trip costs will be refunded.
9.5 In the case that grave circumstances arise during the trip, Zebra Trails is entitled to cancel the agreement for the remainder of the trip. Zebra Trails is obligated under such circumstances to arrange the return journey for the participant and to limit, as much as possible, any adverse consequences for the participant. If, as a result of the cancellation, Zebra Trails saves any monies that are covered by the cost of the trip, each participant is entitled to their share of the amount saved.
9.6 If part of the services to which the agreement relates cannot be delivered due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond the control of Zebra Trails, Zebra Trails will endeavor to provide as similar an alternative as possible under the existing conditions so that the trip can be continued.
Article 10 – Liability of Zebra Trails
10.1 Without prejudice to the provisions in the other articles, Zebra Trails is obliged to implement the agreement in accordance with the expectations that the participant may reasonably have based on this agreement.
10.2 Zebra Trails cannot be held liable for damage resulting from:
– not obtaining a visa for a participant for reasons outside the control of Zebra Trails;
– the participant not turning up on time at the agreed location;
– failure to comply with the travel conditions established by Zebra Trails or instructions given by the tour guide;
– possession of substances or items that violate the law of the countries visited during the trip. If such substances or items are found regardless, those in possession may be excluded from further participation in the trip. All consequences and costs associated with this are to be paid by the concerned participant;
– acts or events which do not conform to or else deviate from the agreements made herein, including any alternatives to the trip as referred to in Article 9, Paragraph 6;
– changes to and/or forced curtailment or prolonging of the trip which result from force majeure, such as mechanical defects, illness, natural and other disasters, political complications etcetera;
– damage, theft, loss or accident suffered by the participant, regardless of the cause or origin of negligence.
10.3 If Zebra Trails is liable for the damage suffered by the participant, its liability will be limited to or excluded in accordance with the applicable international conventions. Nor does it accept liability for damage for which a claim for reimbursement exists or would exist under a travel and/or cancellation insurance policy.
10.4 If Zebra Trails is liable to the participant for the diminishment of travel pleasure, the compensation will not exceed the cost of the trip.
10.5 Without prejudice to the provisions in the other paragraphs of this article and Article 12, the liability of Zebra Trails is, in all events, limited to a maximum of a single cost of the trip, unless there is intent or gross negligence on the part of Zebra Trails. In that case, its liability is limited to 10,000 euros.
10.6 Zebra Trails cannot be held liable for photos, brochures and other reference material, where these have been issued by third parties.
Article 11 – Liability of the Participant
11.1 The participant is obliged to comply with all instructions of Zebra Trails and any tour guidance it has engaged to promote the proper and safe implementation of the trip and is liable for all damage caused by unauthorized behavior.
11.2 Any participant who causes, or who threatens to cause, any nuisance, to the extent that a proper undertaking of the trip is severely hampered as a result thereof or else is made more difficult, can be excluded by Zebra Trails from (the continuation of) the trip. All resulting costs are the responsibility of the participant. In this event, no refund will be given on the cost of the trip.
11.3 The participant is obliged to be in a state of good health so as to be able to complete the trip, having assessed the severity of the trip and the risks thereof, without taking the risk of endangering their health. When in doubt about the expected severity of the trip, the participant should ask Zebra Trails accordingly. When in doubt about their own physical and/or mental condition, the participant will consult a doctor and will obtain a written declaration of good health, sufficient for participation in the trip. Zebra Trails is not liable for the consequences and/or risks of any poor health of the participant during the trip. The participant must sign a “health declaration” and return it to Zebra Trails, prior to departure. The relevant statement is attached to the end of this document.
Article 12 – Driving in traffic during the trip
12.1 Zebra Trails will take all reasonable care to prepare the participant as well as possible for safe participation in traffic abroad by means of offering clothing advice, giving tips and discussing the traffic situations in advance.
12.2 The participant takes part in traffic entirely at their own risk and Zebra Trails is in no way liable for any damage resulting from accidents involving the participant.
12.3 The participant is fully liable for any damage he inflicts on himself or on a third party.
12.4 The traveler is fully liable for any damage to the vehicles rented to him insofar as this is incurred during the rental period and is not covered by the (insurance of the) rental party or the insurance of a third party that caused the damage. The conditions of the vehicle insurance policies are published alongside details of the relevant trip.
12.5 The participant is not obliged to drive all the routes given in the program and/or changes that have been made to the program by the tour guide if the participant does not consider them safe. If, after careful consultation with the tour guide, the participant chooses to drive these particular routes, the participant is responsible for his/her driving skills and any consequences resulting from this.
12.6 The participant must sign a ‘declaration of own risk’ and return it to Zebra Trails before departure. The relevant statement is attached as an appendix to this document.
Article 13 – Help and assistance
13.1 Zebra Trails is required to provide help and assistance to the participant as necessary, depending on the attenuating circumstances.
- If the cause is attributable to Zebra Trails, the resultant costs will be borne by Zebra Trails.
- If the cause is attributable to the participant, Zebra Trails is only obliged to provide help and assistance to the extent that this can reasonably be required of them. In this case, any resultant costs are then the responsibility of the participant.
- If the cause is attributable to neither the participant nor to Zebra Trails, each person will bear responsibility for any injury sustained by them. For Zebra Trails, this includes any additional use of manpower; whereas for the participant, this includes any extra accommodation and repatriation costs.
Article 14 – Complaints
14.1 Any complaints about the execution of the trip should, insofar as this is possible, be submitted in writing to the representative of Zebra Trails at the place where the complaint arises. If the complaint is not resolved in a satisfactory manner, details in writing and with supporting evidence must be submitted to Zebra Trails no later than two weeks after the completion of the trip. If the trip has not taken place, then a period of two weeks starting from the original departure date will apply.
14.2 Claims on Zebra Trails expire six months after the end of the trip or the original departure date.
14.3 The expiry period for a claim is interrupted as soon as and if the participant has submitted their claim in writing.