Terms & Conditions

1. Booking Confirmation & Contract

A booking is considered confirmed and a contract exists between you and Mother India Tour Travels only when:

• You have submitted a completed booking request (online, email, or phone).
• We have received the required advance payment (deposit).
• You have received a written confirmation from us via email or WhatsApp.

All correspondence regarding bookings, amendments, or cancellations must be directed to our official email or phone numbers as listed on our website.

2. Payment Terms

2.1 Advance Payment (Booking Deposit)

• A minimum advance payment of 30%–40% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking to confirm your reservation.
• Booking is confirmed only after receipt of the advance payment.
• For last-minute bookings (within 15 days of departure), 100% upfront payment may be required.

2.2 Balance Payment

• The remaining balance amount must be paid 7–15 days before tour departure or upon arrival in India before tour commencement, as mutually agreed.
• Failure to make timely payment may result in automatic cancellation of the booking with applicable cancellation charges.

2.3 Payment Methods

• We accept payments via: Bank Transfer (NEFT/RTGS/IMPS), UPI, Online Payment Gateway (Credit/Debit Cards), and Cash (as per government regulations).
• All bank transaction charges, if applicable, will be borne by the customer.
• Payments should be free and clear of any withholding tax or deductions. Any intermediary bank charges will be strictly borne by the payer.

3. Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be made in writing (email or WhatsApp) and acknowledged by us to be considered valid. Cancellation charges apply based on the timing of cancellation before the scheduled departure date:

• Flight/Train Tickets: All flight and train ticket purchases are non-refundable irrespective of the cancellation timeline, as per airline/railway policies.
• Hotel Bookings: Cancellation charges as per individual hotel policies may apply in addition to our policy.
• Helicopter Services: Only the printed fare mentioned on the ticket will be refunded. Service charges, convenience fees, and handling charges are non-refundable.
• Minimum 10% Service Charges: Irrespective of the cancellation slabs, a minimum 10% service charge will be applicable on all cancellations after booking confirmation.
• No refund will be made for any unused services (hotel accommodation, transportation, meals, sightseeing) due to changes in schedule made by the traveler while traveling.

4. Refund Policy

• Refund requests must be made in writing within 2 weeks of trip completion.
• Approved refunds will be processed within 7–21 working days after receiving the refund amount from suppliers (hotels, airlines, etc.).
• Refunds will be issued to the original payment method only.
• Bank charges, payment gateway fees, and transaction fees are non-refundable and will be deducted from the refund amount.
• No refund will be provided for any unused services or for delays/cancellations caused by weather, natural disasters, strikes, or other force majeure events.

5. Amendments & Changes

• By Traveler: Any changes to booking (dates, itinerary, number of travelers) are subject to availability and supplier approval. Amendment fees + fare/rate differences + service fees may apply. Certain bookings may be non-changeable.
• By Company: We reserve the right to alter or cancel any tour package due to unforeseen circumstances (weather, road conditions, political unrest, government restrictions, natural calamities, or operational requirements). In such cases, we will offer an alternative date, an alternative tour of equivalent value, or a full refund of payments made (excluding third-party non-refundable components).
• Tour itineraries are sample itineraries intended to give a general idea. Factors such as weather, road conditions, and physical ability may require adjustments. The tour guide/driver reserves the right to modify the itinerary for safety and well-being of passengers.

6. Travel Documents & Compliance

Travelers are solely responsible for ensuring they possess valid travel documents before departure:

• Indian Nationals: Valid Passport (for international travel), Voter ID, Driving License, or Aadhaar Card (for domestic travel).
• Foreign Nationals: Valid Passport + Valid Indian Visa (tourist/e-visa as applicable).
• NRI / OCI / PIO holders: Passport + OCI/PIO card.
• Vaccination certificates, permits for restricted areas (Inner Line Permits, Protected Area Permits), and other immigration requirements.

We are not responsible for any issues (boarding denial, entry refusal, fines, deportation) arising from invalid, expired, or missing travel documents. No refund will be provided in such cases.

7. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is MANDATORY for all travelers. We strongly advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance before departure, covering:

• Medical expenses, accidents, and emergency evacuation
• Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay
• Loss, theft, or damage of baggage and personal belongings
• Personal liability and legal expenses
• Flight delays and missed connections

We do not provide travel insurance and will not be responsible for any claims, costs, or losses incurred due to insufficient or lack of travel insurance.

8. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer

Mother India Tour Travels acts solely as an intermediary/facilitator between clients and third-party service providers including hotels, airlines, transport companies, railways, tour guides, and other vendors. We do not own, operate, or control these service providers.

We shall NOT be held liable or responsible for:

• Any accidents, injuries, illness, loss of life, or property damage during the tour.
• Loss, theft, or misplacement of personal belongings, baggage, or travel documents.
• Delays, cancellations, or changes in itinerary due to weather, natural disasters, strikes, riots, roadblocks, political unrest, government restrictions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
• Medical emergencies, health issues, or expenses incurred due to medical treatment during travel.
• Actions or omissions of third-party service providers (hotels, airlines, transport companies, guides).
• Any additional expenses incurred due to delays or cancellations of transportation.
• Hikes in monument entrance fees, taxes, fuel costs, or guide charges imposed by Government of India after finalization of tour cost. Such increases will be charged as extra.

Our maximum liability is limited to the total amount paid for the booking. We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, loss of enjoyment, or emotional distress.

9. Force Majeure

"Force Majeure" means any event beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, landslides, cyclones), acts of God, pandemics/epidemics, war, civil unrest, riots, strikes, labor disputes, government restrictions, travel bans, airline/railway strikes, weather conditions, road closures, political instability, terrorism, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

In case of cancellation or delay due to Force Majeure events, we shall not be liable for any refunds, compensation, or damages. However, we will use reasonable efforts to assist in rescheduling or provide a credit note for future travel, subject to supplier policies.

10. Traveler Responsibilities & Code of Conduct

You agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete passenger information at the time of booking.
• Review all booking details before confirmation and report any errors immediately.
• Respect local laws, customs, traditions, and cultural sensitivities of destinations visited.
• Follow safety instructions given by tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
• Be responsible for any damage caused to property, accommodation, or vehicles due to your negligence or misconduct.
• Not engage in unruly behavior, harassment, or violation of tour policies.
• Not consume illegal substances or engage in illegal activities during the tour.

Misconduct, unruly behavior, or violation of tour policies may result in immediate termination of the tour without any refund. You will be solely responsible for any costs, fines, or legal consequences arising from your actions.

11. Vehicle Usage & Driver Policy

• Vehicle usage is limited to the confirmed itinerary and agreed sightseeing.
• The default duty time of the driver is from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (except for airport/railway station pickup).
• Extra usage beyond these hours will be charged at ₹250 per hour (or as applicable).
• Vehicle type/class mentioned in the itinerary is subject to availability; we reserve the right to substitute with a comparable vehicle.
• Driver's decisions regarding road safety, weather conditions, and route adjustments shall be final.

12. Hotel & Accommodation

• Standard check-in time is 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, and check-out time is 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (varies by hotel policy).
• Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
• Hotels reserve the right to deny check-in based on their internal policies (e.g., local restrictions, unmarried couples, etc.).
• Special requests (e.g., adjoining rooms, honeymoon arrangements, dietary preferences) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
• No refunds for early check-out or unused hotel nights.

13. Pricing & Price Changes

All tour prices are quoted based on prevailing costs (fuel, hotel tariffs, taxes, entrance fees, guide charges, etc.) at the time of quotation. Prices are subject to change without prior notice due to:

• Increase in government taxes (GST, toll tax, etc.)
• Fuel price hikes
• Hotel tariff increases (especially during peak season/festivals)
• Monument entrance fee revisions by Government of India
• Currency exchange rate fluctuations (for international packages)

Any such increases will be communicated transparently, and the customer agrees to pay the differential amount before departure.

14. Data Protection & Privacy (DPDP Act 2023)

We collect, process, and store your personal data in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) and our Privacy Policy. By booking with us, you consent to:

• Collection of your personal data (name, contact details, passport, ID, payment information) for booking and travel purposes.
• Sharing your data with third-party service providers (airlines, hotels, transport companies, visa authorities) as necessary for service delivery.
• International transfer of data (where required for international travel) under Section 16 of the DPDP Act, 2023.
• Receiving marketing communications (you may opt out at any time).

You have the right to access, correct, erase, or withdraw consent for your data as per the DPDP Act. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for detailed information.

15. Website Usage & Intellectual Property

• All content on our website (text, images, logos, itineraries, graphics) is our intellectual property and may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without prior written consent.
• You agree to use our website only for lawful purposes and not to engage in any activity that disrupts or damages the website.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information on our website. Services, itineraries, and prices are subject to availability and may change without notice.

16. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of India. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms, your booking, or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in New Delhi, India.

For consumer disputes, you may also approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (District/State/National) as per applicable laws.

18. Amendments to These Terms

We reserve the right to amend, modify, or update these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates the latest revision. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.