Forest Tales and Trails Oy - General Terms & Conditions

Version: 2026-08-27 | These terms apply to all bookings made with Forest Tales and Trails Oy, hereinafter “FTT”.

1. GENERAL

1.1 These General Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern all bookings, services and activities provided by Forest Tales and Trails Oy (business ID 3640719-5), a company incorporated in Finland, with registered contact details: hello@foresttalesandtrails.com, +358 400 139 643.

1.2 By booking or participating in any FTT tour, excursion or related service, the customer (“you” or “the Client”) agrees to be bound by these Terms in their entirety. Please read them carefully before completing your booking.

1.3 These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and FTT.

1.4 FTT’s services are guided private or small group forest excursions and related nature experiences in Finland. Tours are conducted in English, French and Finnish. Group sizes are generally 1–4 persons, with a maximum of 6 persons per tour.

2. PRICING AND VALUE ADDED TAX

2.1 All prices published by FTT are indicative starting prices. The final confirmed price for your tour will be communicated to you following your booking inquiry, once the specific content, duration, group size and schedule of your tour have been agreed.

2.2 All prices include Finnish value added tax (VAT) at the applicable rate pursuant to Finnish taxation legislation.

2.3 FTT reserves the right to adjust the confirmed price only if you request material changes to the agreed tour content that result in additional costs. Any such price adjustment will be communicated to you in writing prior to the change taking effect, and you will have the right to cancel the booking at no additional charge if you do not accept the adjusted price, provided that such cancellation is made more than 7 (seven) days before the scheduled tour start date in accordance with clause 4.2(a). If the adjusted price is communicated to you 7 (seven) days or fewer before the scheduled tour start date, the cancellation policy set out in clause 4.2(b) shall apply.

3. BOOKING AND PAYMENT

3.1 Online Bookings. Bookings made through FTT’s website are confirmed upon receipt of a deposit or full payment. A booking confirmation and full tour details will be sent to you by email after payment has been processed. Payment for online bookings is accepted by credit card only via the third-party payment provider Mollie. Cash is not accepted.

3.2 Last-Minute Bookings (within 48 hours). For bookings made by telephone less than 48 hours before the scheduled tour start time, the contract between you and FTT is formed at the point when FTT confirms your booking in writing. Payment may be made by credit card upon meeting your guide on the day of the tour.

3.3 A binding contract between you and FTT is formed once: (a) for online bookings — payment has been received and a booking confirmation has been sent; or (b) for last-minute telephone bookings — FTT has confirmed the booking.

3.4 The preferred method of payment is credit or debit card. Payment on site may be accepted where separately agreed in writing between you and FTT in advance of the tour.

4. CANCELLATION AND CHANGES BY THE CLIENT

4.1 You may cancel your tour at any time. Cancellations must be submitted via your online booking confirmation portal or by contacting FTT in writing at hello@foresttalesandtrails.com, stating your reservation number and tour date.

4.2 The following cancellation policy applies to private tour bookings:

(a) Cancellations made more than 7 (seven) days before the scheduled tour start date (calculated in Eastern European Time, EET/GMT+2): you are entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid.

(b) Cancellations made 7 (seven) days or fewer before the scheduled tour start date: no refund is payable.

4.3 Notwithstanding clause 4.2(b), if you cancel within 7 days due to a sudden, serious illness or injury affecting you or an immediate family member, FTT encourages you to contact FTT as soon as possible to discuss the circumstances. FTT will consider such situations on a case-by-case basis, without prejudice to FTT’s contractual rights. Travel insurance covering cancellation is strongly recommended.

4.4 If you wish to change your tour (for example, the date, duration or itinerary), please contact FTT as early as possible at hello@foresttalesandtrails.com. FTT will use reasonable efforts to accommodate your request but cannot guarantee availability. Any confirmed changes will be communicated to you in writing by email.

4.5 If a change requested by you results in additional costs, the adjusted price will be communicated to you prior to confirming the change.

5. CANCELLATION AND CHANGES BY FTT

5.1 FTT reserves the right to cancel, postpone or modify any tour where this is necessary due to circumstances including but not limited to:

(a) severe or unsafe weather conditions; (b) guide illness or emergency; (c) safety concerns; (d) force majeure events (see clause 9); or (e) any other circumstance beyond FTT’s reasonable control.

5.2 If FTT cancels a tour, you will be entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid. FTT will notify you as promptly as possible in the event of a cancellation.

5.3 FTT will endeavour to offer you a rescheduled date where possible. Acceptance of a rescheduled date is entirely voluntary.

5.4 FTT operates tours in all weather conditions unless the guide determines that conditions are unsafe or unreasonably harsh. Some equipment such as rain gear and mosquito nets are available to borrow or purchase on the day.

6. GROUP SIZE AND SUITABILITY

6.1 Tours are generally suitable for groups of 1–4 persons. The maximum group size is 6 persons unless otherwise expressly agreed.

6.2 Suitability varies by tour. You are responsible for reviewing the individual tour description and for ensuring that the tour is appropriate for all members of your group prior to booking. FTT encourages you to contact FTT with any questions regarding suitability before confirming your booking.

6.3 The Client is responsible for ensuring that all members of their own group are physically capable of participating in the chosen tour. FTT shall not be liable for any consequences arising from a Client’s failure to assess the suitability of a tour for their group.

7. HEALTH, SAFETY AND CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

7.1 Disclosure of Health Information. Before booking, you must inform FTT of any food allergies, dietary requirements, medical conditions (including cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, respiratory conditions and similar), mobility limitations, pregnancy, or any other physical or mental health matter that may affect the planning, scheduling or safe execution of the tour. Failure to disclose relevant health information may affect FTT’s ability to deliver the tour safely and limit FTT’s liability for any resulting harm.

7.2 Risk Acknowledgement. You acknowledge that outdoor forest environments carry inherent natural risks in all seasons, including but not limited to: uneven or slippery terrain, falling, exposure to insects and animals, contact with poisonous plants, sudden changes in weather conditions, and physical exertion. By booking a tour, you confirm that you have considered these risks and that you accept them as a condition of participation.

7.3 Guide Instructions. You must follow all safety instructions and directions given by your guide at all times during the tour. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the tour without refund.

7.4 Intoxication and Incapacity. Participation in any FTT tour under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. FTT reserves the right to refuse participation to, or to remove from a tour, any person who:

(a) appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (b) is considered by the guide to pose a risk to themselves, other participants, the guide, or third parties; or (c) is in such poor physical or mental health as to be unable to participate safely. In such circumstances, no refund will be payable.

7.5 Hot Drinks. During tours, a hot drink may be served from a thermos. FTT is not responsible for injuries or damage to property caused by a Client drinking or spilling a hot beverage.

7.6 Foraging. Some tours may include foraging of wild berries or plants. You must pay attention to and follow your guide’s instructions at all times during any foraging activity. FTT is not responsible for bodily harm caused to any person who ingests plant matter in disregard of the guide’s instructions.

7.7 Equipment. You are responsible for your own personal belongings and valuables during the tour. If FTT lends you any equipment during the tour, you are responsible for that equipment. If any borrowed FTT equipment is damaged (whether intentionally or accidentally) or lost during the tour, FTT reserves the right to charge the cost of repair or replacement to you.

7.8 Timekeeping. You are responsible for adhering to the agreed schedule of the tour. The tour will end at the originally scheduled end time regardless of any late arrival or delay on your part; any time lost due to your late arrival or failure to keep to the timetable will not be added to the tour. If your failure to keep to the timetable causes additional costs to FTT (for example, additional guide time, transport costs, or venue access fees), FTT reserves the right to charge those additional costs to you.

Connecting Services and Luggage. Where a tour includes pick-up from or return to an airport, railway station or other transport hub, you are solely responsible for ensuring that sufficient time is allowed for check-in, boarding and any other procedures required by the relevant transport operator. FTT shall not be liable for any missed flights, trains or other third-party transport connections. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, FTT’s transport service is limited to the carriage of hand luggage only; FTT does not undertake the transport or storage of checked baggage or oversized items.

7.9 Extension of Tour Duration. If you wish to extend the duration of a tour while it is in progress, you may request this from your guide. Any extension is subject to the guide’s availability and prevailing conditions. If the guide agrees to extend the tour, an additional fee will apply at a rate of EUR 200 per commenced hour (including VAT). The guide will inform you of the applicable fee before the extension begins, and by agreeing to continue, you accept the obligation to pay the additional fee. Payment of the additional fee shall be made by credit card on the day or, where separately agreed in writing, by other means accepted by FTT.

7.10 Travel Insurance. Travel insurance covering cancellation, medical treatment, evacuation and personal liability is strongly recommended. FTT does not provide or arrange insurance on behalf of clients.

8. LIABILITY

8.1 FTT plans and delivers all tours in accordance with applicable Finnish law and regulations, exercising reasonable skill and care in doing so.

8.2 FTT is liable to you for personal injury and property damage caused by FTT’s negligence or the negligence of persons engaged by FTT in the delivery of the tour. You acknowledge that outdoor forest environments carry inherent natural risks (as described in clause 7.2); however, this acknowledgement does not limit FTT’s liability where FTT has failed to act professionally and with due care in identifying, communicating or managing those risks. FTT is not liable for loss or injury to the extent it is caused by:

(a) your own failure to follow the guide’s safety instructions or to disclose relevant health information as required by clause 7; or (b) circumstances beyond FTT’s reasonable control that do not result from FTT’s failure to perform the tour with reasonable skill and due care.

8.3 Your guide is First Aid certified and trained in outdoor safety. FTT maintains adequate safety standards for the delivery of its services.

8.4 Subject to what cannot lawfully be limited under Finnish law, FTT’s total liability to you for any claim arising out of or in connection with a tour shall not exceed the price paid by you for that specific tour.

9. FORCE MAJEURE

9.1 Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control (“Force Majeure Event”).

9.2 Force Majeure Events include, without limitation: acts of God, natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, pandemics or epidemics, fire, flood, governmental or public authority actions, civil unrest, terrorism, or any other event that could not reasonably have been anticipated or prevented.

9.3 In the event of a Force Majeure Event causing FTT to cancel a tour, FTT will notify you as soon as practicable and will offer either a full refund or a rescheduled tour date, at your election.

9.4 A Force Majeure Event does not affect your statutory consumer rights.

10. PHOTOGRAPHS AND MARKETING

10.1 FTT may take photographs and videos during tours for the purpose of marketing and promotional use, including but not limited to FTT’s website, social media, brochures, and publications.

10.2 Where any photograph or video depicts you in a clearly recognizable manner (i.e. your face is identifiable), FTT will seek your prior written consent before using such material for marketing purposes. Consent will be requested through a separate consent form which you may choose to sign or decline at the time of the tour.

10.3 If you decline to give consent, FTT will not use images in which you are recognizable for marketing or promotional purposes.

10.4 Where photographs or videos are used in which participants are not individually recognizable, no separate consent is required.

10.5 All photographs and video content produced or commissioned by FTT are protected by copyright and remain the intellectual property of FTT.

11. PERSONAL DATA AND GDPR

11.1 FTT processes your personal data in its capacity as a data controller in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), applicable Finnish data protection legislation and FTT’s data privacy policy, which is available on FTT’s website [LINK]. By booking a tour, you confirm that you have had the opportunity to review FTT’s data privacy policy.

12. APPLICABLE LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

12.1 These Terms and any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Finland.

12.2 In the event of a dispute, FTT and the Client shall first attempt to resolve the matter amicably through direct negotiation.

12.3 If the dispute cannot be resolved amicably within 30 days of written notice, you may refer the matter to the Finnish Consumer Disputes Board (Kuluttajariitalautakunta), which provides free dispute resolution for consumer disputes. Details are available at www.kuluttajariitalautakunta.fi.

12.4 Subject to clause 12.3, if the matter is not resolved through the Consumer Disputes Board, proceedings may be brought before the District Court of Helsinki (Helsingin käräjäoikeus). Nothing in this clause limits your right as a consumer.

13. MISCELLANEOUS

13.1 These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and FTT in relation to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior representations, agreements and understandings.

13.2 If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed severed and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

13.3 FTT reserves the right to amend these Terms from time to time. The Terms applicable to your booking are those in force at the time of your booking confirmation. Any amendments will be published on FTT’s website.