MORPHO INSTITUTE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (As of 9/1/25)
PLEASE NOTE: An electronic transmission (PDF or otherwise) of this document shall be the same as delivery of the original.
Registration: You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Accordingly, if accepted, you will be notified over email within 24 hours of submission. By registering you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. By making a booking or registering on behalf of others, you guarantee that you the authority to accept and do accept these Terms and Conditions on behalf of the other participants in your group. If you do not agree, please do not access and/or use our services or continue with these Terms and Conditions.
We reserve the right to change or modify any of the Terms and Conditions, at any time and in our sole discretion. Any changes or modification will be effective immediately, and you waive any right you may have to receive specific notice of such changes or modifications.
Limitation of Liability: The Morpho Institute disclaims all liability for property loss or damage and/or any other damages, loss, or claims resulting from death, illness (including but not limited to COVID-19) or personal injuries, including loss of services which may be sustained on account of, or arising out of, by reason of, in connection with, or while engaged on any trip, automobile, boat, vehicle, horseback, canopy riggings, inn, common carrier, aircraft, interaction with other participants, instructors, or third parties, or otherwise caused by, arising out of or in connection with any failure, delay, due to any cause whatsoever occurring during a tour under its management, sponsorship, suggestion, procurement or otherwise.
The Morpho Institute contracts with EcoTeach, who in turn contracts with service providers for transportation, hotels, meals, guides and tours. EcoTeach may have its own policies, procedures, and requirements relating to COVID-19 which could require you to be vaccinated, wear a mask, undergo testing for COVID-19, or other requirements. These services are not under the Morpho Institute’s control. The Morpho Institute is not liable for any delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense, or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence or actions of others or from causes beyond its reasonable control. The Morpho Institute does not accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or change in air services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, international or domestic travel requirements or restrictions issued by the United States, Peru, or any other country, or other causes beyond its reasonable control. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the participant. You agree that to the extent consistent with applicable law, the maximum amount of recovery to which you may be permitted to recover from Morpho Institute shall not exceed the paid Morpho Institute Program Fee. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, the Morpho Institute shall not be liable for any special, consequential, indirect, incidental, or other damages, including lost profits, whether such damages arise in contract, negligence, tort, under statute, in equity, at law, or otherwise, even if the Morpho Institute has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You expressly waive any right you may have to recover such damages.
Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Morpho Institute, its contractors, and their respective owners, directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising out of your use of our tour, including but not limited to your violation of these Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation: If you cancel the tour prior to the start of the tour, or leave a tour in progress, for any reason, it will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of a tour, including those that are the result of your removal from a tour and for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control.
Rescheduling: We will do our best to ensure that none of the contents of your tour have to be altered. However, as the arrangements are planned months in advance, sometimes changes may have to be made. In case of a change that will significantly alter the tours, you will be informed as soon as possible.
Insurance: We recommend the purchase of travel insurance covering trip interruptions, cancellation, luggage loss, medical assistance, coverage for accidents/life, evacuation, and other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or any other inconvenience. Participants agree to assume all costs of medical care and transportation.
Services Provided: The Morpho Institute Program Fee includes: program administration fees, program resource kit, postage for resource kit, six-week online pre-departure coursework and webinars, access to private on-line network for program participants, and donations to support our Indigenous community partners in the Amazon.
Costs not included in the Morpho Institute Program Fee include: COVID-19 testing, ground transportation, accommodations, hotels, naturalist/guides, meals and activities, departure taxes, tips for guides and drivers, additional equipment rentals, specified optional activities and expenses of a personal nature. If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to safety, weather, road conditions, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency or other causes beyond our reasonable control, all associated costs including any non-recoverable costs are not included in the trip rates or refunds.
Medical Treatment/Medical Proxy/Release: Participant gives the Morpho Institute and their contractors permission to arrange emergency medical treatment for participants if deemed necessary in the Morpho Institute’s sole discretion, and Participant agrees to hold the Morpho Institute harmless for the provision or non-provision of such services, and waives any and all claims for injury, illness or death arising from or related to this proxy other than those claims arising from the Morpho Institute’s willful misconduct or gross negligence.
Participants agree that neither they, nor any of their heirs, personal or legal representatives, or family members will bring suit or make a claim for illness, injury, loss or damage to property, or loss of life resulting from the negligence (but not the willful misconduct or fraudulent misconduct) of the Morpho Institute, its employees, directors, owners, officers, agents, contractors or affiliated organizations as a result of my participation in this trip. Participants also agree that they knowingly waive any and all claims of any nature they may have against the Morpho Institute other than those arising solely from Morpho Institute’s willful misconduct or fraudulent misconduct.
Photo and Media Release: Participants are often included in photos and other media we create during our trips or that are shared with us by other participants. Our purpose is to produce educational and outreach materials associated with the subject matter of our programs. By signing this Enrollment Form you are granting permission for discretionary use of your picture, recording, writing, or projects to be used in our educational resources, website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or other printed or electronic information related to our programs all without compensation to you. If you have questions or concerns regarding this release or would prefer not to grant permission for use of your image, you will need to contact the Morpho Institute directly at (913) 214-6126 or via email at director@morphoinstitute.org prior to your departure.
Submission: You acknowledge and agree that any feedback, questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, or other information or materials regarding the tour that are provided by you in the form of email or other submissions to us, or any postings, are non-confidential and shall become our sole property. Morpho Institute shall own exclusive rights, including all intellectual property rights, and shall be entitled to the unrestricted use and dissemination of these materials for any purpose without acknowledgment or compensation to you.
Responsibility: Participants are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and acceptable manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of other participants. If in our opinion or in the opinion of any person in authority, your behavior is causing or is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any of our other guests or any third party or damage to property, or to cause a delay or diversion, we reserve the right to terminate your participation immediately. In the event of such termination, our liability to you will cease and you will be required to leave the trip immediately. We will have no further obligations to you. No refunds for lost services will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of termination. You may also be required to pay for loss and/or damage caused by your actions and we will hold you individually liable for any damage or losses caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or losses must be paid directly to the supplier prior to the conclusion of the trip. If you fail to make payment, you will be responsible for meeting any claims (including legal costs) subsequently made against us as a result of your actions together with all costs we incur in pursuing any claim against you. We cannot be held responsible for the actions or behavior of other guests or individuals who have no connection with your trip or with us. Participants will be returned to their country of departure, at their expense, upon such termination.
Immunizations / Health: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on required and recommended vaccines and immunizations for international travel: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru.
The CDC website also offers advice on reducing risks associated with mosquitoes, sand flies, and other insect-borne illnesses and bite and provides recommendations on the use of insect repellent: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites.
By making a deposit with Morpho Institute or signing this form you certify that you have reviewed the CDC’s information regarding these issues.
Warnings: It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are healthy and fit enough to participate in the tour. Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of these active adventure trips. You may travel in rugged areas far removed from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all trips. By forwarding the deposit and/or this signed Enrollment Form, you certify that you do not have any physical or other conditions that would create a hazard for yourself or other travelers or affect other people’s enjoyment of the tour. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular or special treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, high altitude, heat, cold, other natural phenomenon, or particular foods, notifies the Morpho Institute in advance of travel. We suggest that you consult with your personal physician if you have any health-related problems, concerns or questions. Although the Morpho Institute stresses safety in all aspects of its program, PLEASE BE AWARE that travel of any type, and participation in the real and exciting activities of eco-tourism and cross-cultural studies, can be inherently dangerous and always involves the risk of serious injury, illness or death.
