Cancellation & Refund Policy
Operating pilgrimages and adventure rides in extreme high-altitude Himalayan border zones requires complex, non-refundable logistics preparation. Stays, helicopter allocations, domestic flights, inner line permits, and border vehicle rentals are booked and paid to stakeholders months in advance. Therefore, all cancellations are subject to the strict slabs detailed below.
1. Booking & Cancellation Slabs
In the event that you cancel your booking, the following charges are applicable based on the date we receive your written cancellation email request:
- 60+ Days Prior to Departure: 10% of the total yatra/expedition cost will be retained as booking coordination charges. The remaining 90% is refundable.
- 30–59 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of the total yatra/expedition cost will be charged as cancellation penalty.
- Less than 30 Days Prior to Departure: 100% of the total yatra/expedition cost will be charged as cancellation penalty. No refunds are allowed.
2. Force Majeure Exclusions
SereneTrails Adventures Pvt. Ltd. does not assume liability or offer refunds for cancellations, delays, or changes arising from events outside of our control (Force Majeure), which include but are not limited to:
- Landslides, avalanches, floods, cloudbursts, or severe weather conditions blocking high mountain passes.
- Sudden changes in Chinese government border regulations, visa restrictions, or military inner line permit cancellations.
- Political instability, curfews, strikes, pandemics, or civil unrest in transition countries (Nepal, Tibet, India).
- Operational flight/helicopter delays or groundings by civil aviation authorities due to safety conditions.
In such scenarios, we will coordinate and support itinerary adjustments or carry over credit to future dates where feasible, but extra costs incurred (extra hotel nights, re-routing transportation) will be borne by the traveler.
3. Mandatory Travel & Medical Insurance
Due to the remote wilderness and high-altitude risks up to 5,600m (Dolma La Pass), all pilgrims and riders **must** secure a comprehensive travel insurance policy. The policy must cover: high-altitude medical emergency treatments, helicopter evacuation and rescue, and trip cancellation/interruption risks.
4. Exit Rules & Penalties
If a traveler exits the group early for personal reasons, lack of physical fitness, or altitude illness, the unused days are non-refundable. Additionally, TTB (Tibet Tourism Bureau) regulations levy exit penalties (approx. USD 100 per day for early group exits) which must be covered directly by the traveler.