Our Terms, Refund, and Cancellation Policy:

We sincerely appreciate your interest in our business and for taking the time to review our updated refund and cancellation policy. We've made this policy more flexible, easier to understand, and designed to accommodate customers wishing to cancel or postpone tours booked through our website. We are always happy to go the extra mile for our customers.

Key Terms, Refund, and Cancellation Policy

For your convenience,  fee free to click on any of the sections below to jump to the desired information:

Our Terms, Refund, and Cancellation Policy are as follows:

Term & Refund Policy

• 91% Refund: If you cancel your tour at least 16 business days prior to the scheduled tour date, we will refund 91% of the total amount to your credit card. The remaining 9% covers transaction fees (4.5% for booking and 4.5% for refund processing). Our policy is more generous than most other tour companies.
• 50% Refund: If you cancel at least 8 business days before the scheduled tour date, you will receive a 50% refund. (Weekends and holidays excluded.)
• 15% Refund: If you cancel at least 6 business days before the tour date, you will receive a 15% refund. (Weekends and holidays excluded.)
• No Refund: No refunds are provided for cancellations made within 5 business days of the scheduled tour date or in the event of a no-show. (Weekends and holidays excluded.

Exceptions to Cancellation Policy

All refunds are subject to credit card and merchant fees, which can range from 4.9% to 9.8%, depending on the type of card, issuing bank, and currency conversion fees. We reserve your tour dates specifically for you, declining other bookings for that time. When you cancel outside the permitted timeframe, we incur costs and lose business. Please be mindful when canceling or changing your booking, as we must also honor commitments to other customers. Since we specialize in private tours, all resources are dedicated to your party, resulting in higher expenses for us even in the event of a cancellation.

Holiday Non-Refund Policy for Multi-Day Tour Bookings

For all multi-day (overnight) tour packages scheduled during peak season (March through November, and December 15 through January 15) and major holiday periods:

• A written cancellation request must be submitted at least 29 business days prior to the scheduled departure date.
• Cancellations made within 28 business days of the tour departure date are final and non-refundable.
• Due to the significant planning and advance commitments required—including, but not limited to, securing hotel accommodations, allocating vehicles, arranging tour guides, coordinating with parks and lodging staff, and reserving other travel arrangements that are often subject to limited availability—these bookings are subject to stricter cancellation terms. We frequently decline other tour reservations to honor your booking for this high-demand destination, where hotels and tours are often reserved up to one year in advance.
• As a seasonal business, we incur significant costs when cancellations occur. All hotel accommodations and peak/holiday date reservations are non-refundable once confirmed, regardless of cancellation timing. In the event of cancellation, no refunds will be issued for these components under any circumstances.
• Still, as a small business, we strive to accommodate our valued clients whenever possible, including offering a one-time rescheduling option at no additional charge, subject to availability, other terms, and sufficient advance notice. We appreciate your understanding, as these measures allow us to maintain the quality and reliability of our tours while serving all clients fairly during high-demand periods.

Note: The above Exceptions & Holidays Special Conditions override the standard cancellation and refund policy outlined in this section.

We appreciate your understanding, as we reserve resources in advance and may decline other business opportunities to honor confirmed bookings during high-demand periods.

Specific Tours

• Tours involving air travel, hot air balloon rides, seaplanes, or train tours from April to October are non-refundable.
• All sales are final and non-refundable for certain tours, monuments, attractions, and park entrance fees—including, but not limited to, Alcatraz tickets, Bay Cruises, Hot Air Balloon rides, Muir Woods parking permits, Hearst Castle, Horseback Riding tours, Air/Seaplane tours, rafting trips, hotel reservations, Yosemite trips, and safari tours.

Tour Voucher Confirmation Terms

Most tours booked through our website are subject to specific terms and conditions detailed in the tour confirmation provided after booking.

Important Notes

Yosemite Non-US Resident Fee:
As of January 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Interior has imposed a $100 surcharge for all visitors who are not U.S. citizens or Green Card holders. Everyone over the age of 16 who does not have permanent residency (“Green Card”) or an accepted U.S. ID must pay this fee. This law applies to all tour companies operating in the park.

How to save money and avoid this fee:
Purchase the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass online at Recreation.gov for $250. It covers the pass holder plus up to three non-resident adults (16+) and is valid for one year at participating U.S. national parks

Do I Need Travel Insurance? 

Some customers confuse small businesses like ours with large travel and insurance companies. As a local business, we do not provide travel insurance and cannot accommodate cancellations due to medical or personal situations, or flight and travel disruptions.

We apologize in advance for not being able to assist with these matters, as our insurance policies do not permit us to do so. While we hope no one falls ill, we understand how inconvenient it can be if such situations arise.

Since medical travel insurance isn’t included in our services, we strongly recommend that you contact your bank, credit card company, travel agent, or a travel insurance provider to purchase coverage for your trip.

These companies offer a variety of insurance options, including trip cancellation, interruption insurance, flight insurance, and medical travel insurance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

General Terms

• Reservation and Confirmation
  When you book online, an automatic merchant receipt is generated and emailed to you. We will also send a confirmation email with a tour voucher or booking confirmation, including the date, tour, and pick-up time. This confirmation or voucher is valid only for the specific date(s) you reserved and for the names listed in the booking. You cannot change names or request a different date, as we have other tours to accommodate. Changes to the tour date are not allowed within 15 days of the scheduled tour, and no alternative dates will be offered under these circumstances.

  To ensure all tours are honored, we reserve the right to collaborate with other tour operators, freelancers, or sister companies. The exact name and contact information of your tour operator will be included in your voucher, and the trip confirmation will be issued after your transaction is approved.

  Reservation and Tour Availability
  All tours are subject to availability, even when transactions are approved, as we may receive multiple tour requests simultaneously. An approved payment transaction does not guarantee your tour until it is confirmed via email. We will inform you promptly whether your requested tour dates are available.

  Our tours are conducted in English unless otherwise stated in the email or tour voucher confirmation sent after your transaction is approved.

  We reserve the right to offer suitable substitutes or changes to your itinerary, tours, or services due to special events, weather conditions, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, unforeseen circumstances, unavailability, or last-minute reservations. We assume no responsibility for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control and cannot guarantee specific arrival or departure times. However, we will do our best to honor your tour itinerary and schedule

Declined Transactions

Please note that when transactions are declined, we do not receive any information. Your reservation is not confirmed unless you receive written confirmation. Please contact us as soon as possible, but be aware that we cannot honor your tour without an email confirmation and tour voucher from us.

If your booking was declined by your bank, it is often due to a mismatch between your bank information (such as the name on the credit card, zip/postal code, or billing address) and the information you provided on our website when placing your order. Transactions may also be declined due to insufficient funds. Your tour(s) will not be confirmed until a new transaction is approved by your bank. We apologize for the inconvenience, but these security measures are in place to prevent fraud and protect your credit card information.

Other Terms and Information

Wheelchair and Handicap Accessibility Issues:
We sincerely apologize, but our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access. There is limited space for a wheelchair, and only a small, foldable wheelchair may fit. Our main concern is customer safety, as well as the ability to easily load and unload the wheelchair, in addition to liability considerations.

Our 1-day tour lasts 12 hours, door-to-door, with a 4 to 5-hour drive each way, though this time frame can vary depending on weather and traffic conditions. If children, seniors, or wheelchair users are part of the tour, it may slow down the trip and result in overtime. Your credit card will be charged for each additional hour after the 12-hour tour: $189 per hour for van tours and $149 per hour for SUV tours. We offer a slight discount for cash payments.

Pets:
Pets are not allowed in our vehicles out of respect for passengers with allergies.

Smoking:
Our vehicles are non-smoking.

Clothing:
Please be prepared for cold weather, slippery roads, and hiking trails. Wear comfortable, waterproof hiking shoes, especially in winter and spring for walking on snow. This long day-tour can be challenging for children and seniors. We recommend our overnight tour package in these cases.

Park, Road, Monument, Attractions, and Site Closures:
We are not responsible or liable for road and weather conditions. State and national park closures can occur without prior notice. No refunds will be issued regardless of the reasons why the trip may not reach its destination. If you cancel or stop the tour for personal or medical reasons, no refund or change of tour dates will be offered.

Conditions often change unexpectedly and are out of our control. New laws and updates occur frequently at various parks, attractions, and roads, making it difficult to guarantee visits to all locations mentioned on our website when they become inaccessible to the public.

Guided Tours in Foreign Languages:
Tours in foreign languages are subject to extra fees to cover the costs of hiring tour guides or freelancers in the required language.

A Note About Gratuities

As you may  know, gratuity is not included in the tour price. In the United States, tipping is a customary way to recognize excellent service, and many guests choose to leave a gratuity if they feel their tour guide or driver provided an exceptional experience.

For private day tours, gratuities commonly range between 15% and 20% of the tour cost, although the amount is entirely at your discretion.

For multi-day private tours and vacation packages, gratuities are often approached differently, as these experiences typically include  hotel accommodation, park admissions, activities, and other travel-related expenses. As a result, suggested gratuity amounts for extended overnight tours are generally much lower than those associated with standard day tours.

To keep everything simple and transparent, we provide each guest with a detailed tour confirmation after booking. This includes optional gratuity guidelines tailored to the specific services and proportionally adjusted to your experience. These recommendations are offered solely as a helpful reference to assist with planning.

Above all, your enjoyment, comfort, and satisfaction are our highest priorities. While gratuities are always appreciated by our guides and drivers, they are never expected. Our commitment to providing exceptional service remains the same regardless, and we look forward to making your experience memorable from beginning to end.

Travel Agents & Third-Party Bookings

For reservations made through travel agents or third parties, gratuities are typically coordinated in advance. If not provided directly by the guest, a 20% service gratuity may be applied to ensure fair compensation for the driver or tour guide. We kindly request the guest’s full name and direct contact information to confirm all bookings and ensure smooth coordination. A credit card on file may be required to secure the reservation and cover any incidental or overtime charges if needed.

Book More Tours and Save Big!

Discounted private tours can be booked at any time, subject to availability. The discount applies only to tour pricing and does not include taxes, accommodation costs, or any additional third-party expenses, which are paid directly on your behalf.

We specialize in private and small-group experiences because we understand the limitations of large bus tours. With Golden Horizon Tours, you can expect a comfortable, fully customized, and truly unique travel experience designed around your needs.

Our reputation and customer reviews reflect our commitment to delivering unforgettable, world-class private tours.

Discount Policy & Terms

All discounts must be approved by our office and may not always be available.

The rates listed on our website are final and are the same prices applied at checkout when booking online.

Discounts are not available during peak season (March to November), weekends, or holidays.

Please note that private tours operate with very limited margins due to the high operational costs of providing premium private services in California.

Additional Terms & Tips for visitors and hikers

•  If you are prone to motion or altitude sickness, consult your doctor for recommended medication. Some visitors underestimate this and are only able to complete part of the tour due to frequent stops caused by discomfort. Please ensure you have the appropriate medication in advance.
• Consider leaving unnecessary luggage at your hotel to allow for more room in the vehicle.
• Wear clothing and shoes suitable for walking and hiking. Snowshoes are recommended in winter, and pack a swimsuit if you plan to enjoy the hotel’s pool and hot tub.
• Bring essentials like sunscreen, bug spray, extra memory cards, and batteries for your camera (if applicable).
• Dress in warm layers for cooler weather, and bring a raincoat for summer showers. Drink plenty of water due to the high altitude. Don’t hike alone; we offer fully guided tours.
• We are not responsible for injuries or accidents that occur during the trip, whether inside or outside Yosemite National Park. Please review our terms and conditions for more information.
• Expect rugged terrain, including narrow, steep, and curving trails. The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias trail, a popular 2.5-mile (4 km) round trip, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike and is recommended for all visitors, including kids.
• California Gold Country:
  When Tioga Pass Road is closed due to snow (usually from October to June or July), we drive through California Gold Country on day 2 or 3 of your tour. We may also start in Lake Tahoe before heading to Yosemite, depending on hotel availability, weather, and road conditions. You are welcome to book your own hotel or choose our ‘hotel included’ option.
• Hotel Reservation and Terms:
  To keep costs down, we offer three-star hotels in Yosemite, Redwoods National Park, Mammoth Lakes, and/or Lake Tahoe. Upgraded hotel options, such as casino hotels, are available based on availability.
• Yosemite Hotel Reservations:
  Yosemite hotels are limited and often sell out 10 to 12 months in advance. We typically secure reservations at small resorts or motels near Yosemite if booked closer to the tour date. If you prefer a higher standard of accommodation, we recommend booking directly with your preferred hotel, as we don’t work on commission.
• Alcatraz and Muir Woods:
  Alcatraz tickets must be booked at least 8 weeks in advance, as they sell out quickly due to high demand. In winter, Alcatraz departures are earlier, and there is no food service on the island, so bring a snack or eat before your visit. The temperature can drop on the island, so dress in layers. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to the many stairs and hills.
• Alcatraz tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please refer to our full terms and conditions, and feel free to contact us with any questions.
• The same applies to Muir Woods, air tours, and Hearst Castle. Muir Woods now requires advance reservations and special permits for access.

More Terms and Miscellaneous

• Meals and Gratuities: Customer meals and tour guide/driver gratuities are not included in our tour prices unless specified in the tour voucher or email confirmation. Tour prices also do not cover additional fees such as wine tasting, accommodations, or entry fees for attractions unless otherwise indicated.
• Non-Smoking Policy: All vehicles operated by Golden Horizon Travel, Inc., and its partners are non-smoking, as required by state and federal laws.
• Subcontractors: Golden Horizon Travel reserves the right to hire independent tour guides/drivers, subcontractors, and contractors to facilitate tours, shuttle services, and travel packages.
• Weather and Road Conditions: In cases where weather or road conditions prevent reaching a destination, we will attempt alternative routes but are not liable for these unforeseen conditions. No refunds will be issued for such circumstances.
• Photo, Video & Media Use Consent: By booking, participating in, or attending any of our tours, activities, or experiences, guests acknowledge and agree that photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, and other media content may be captured during the tour for promotional, advertising, marketing, social media, website, editorial, and other lawful business purposes. Guests grant the company, its affiliates, partners, agents, and representatives the unrestricted, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable right and permission to use, reproduce, publish, distribute, display, edit, modify, and otherwise utilize such media content in which they may appear, without compensation, notification, inspection, or further consent.
  Guests who do not wish to appear in photographs or video recordings are encouraged to notify the tour guide directly before or during the tour. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate such requests; however, guests acknowledge and agree that complete exclusion from incidental, crowd, group, background, or public-setting appearances cannot be guaranteed. No separate written notice or email submission is required to communicate such preferences. Parents or legal guardians are solely responsible for informing the tour guide regarding any minors who should not appear in photographs, videos, or related media content.
  By accepting these Terms & Conditions and participating in the tour, guests expressly acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of such media content as described herein.
• Non-Refundable Sales: All sales are final. No refunds or substitutions will be provided for unused parts of the tour, no-shows, or unused portions of the tour.
• Refund Processing: Refunds or voided transactions paid via credit/debit card or PayPal may take up to 2 weeks to process and reflect in your account.
• Contact Information: Please ensure that you provide your main email address and cell phone number, not a home telephone number, to avoid missed communications.
• Weight for Activities: For safety reasons, customers must provide their exact weight for activities like rafting, air-tours, and horseback riding.
• Vehicle Access Restrictions: Certain locations in San Francisco and other destinations on our website may restrict vehicle access, especially for vehicles carrying more than seven passengers. Please refer to the tour description on our website for details.
• Air-Tours and Balloon Rides: Weather can affect the operation of air-tours and hot-air balloon rides in the Bay Area. In such cases, a partial refund or alternative tour options may be offered. Hot-air balloon rides may depart from or land outside Napa Valley, depending on weather conditions. Last-minute cancellations due to weather are possible.
• Right to Refuse Service: We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who fails to comply with safety instructions, disrupts the itinerary, or poses a threat to customers or tour guide/drivers. Rude or discriminatory behavior towards staff, fellow passengers, or subcontractors will result in tour termination without a refund. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated under any circumstances

 Cancellation Due to Unforeseen Weather Conditions:
We reserve the right to offer alternate tours in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather-related issues (e.g., fires, landslides, road closures), vehicle breakdowns, employee or driver medical emergencies, or any other unexpected events beyond our control.

Modifications of Terms and Conditions:
Golden Horizon Travel and its affiliated websites or contractors reserve the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time. We may update our website content, terms, and privacy policy at our discretion without prior notice.

Last update 12/31/2025