Sujata Shah Tour Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
“Agreement” shall mean these terms and conditions and the Sujata Shah Tours Booking Agreement between Sujata Shah LLC and the Participant;
“Trip Participant” shall mean the client of or individual receiving Booking Services pursuant to this Agreement;
“Sujata Shah Tours” or “TC” shall mean Sujata Shah LLC, a company licensed to do, and doing business in the State of California.
“Sujata Shah Tours Booking Agreement” shall mean any agreement entered into by Sujata Shah LLC and the Participant that related to the provision of Booking Services by Sujata Shah Tours;
“Personnel” shall mean the members, employees, agents, and/or representatives of Sujata Shah LLC who are to be engaged in providing the Services;
2. Provision of Services
Sujata Shah Tours shall provide the Booking Services to the Trip Participant in accordance with the provisions of these Booking Terms and Conditions. All bookings are made directly with Sujata Shah LLC. By booking a trip with us, the Trip Participant agrees to these Booking Terms and Conditions. This document constitutes the entire agreement between the Trip Participant and Sujata Shah Tours, and your booking will be accepted on this basis.
Please read the following carefully:
a. Travel Insurance
Sujata Shah Tours requires comprehensive travel insurance for all Trip Participants. It is solely the responsibility of the Trip Participant to secure such coverage. Sujata Shah Tours recommends that travel insurance cover trip cancellations, trip interruptions, medical emergencies abroad, emergency evacuation, loss of baggage or personal items, and flight delays.
b. Passports and Visas
Each Trip Participant is required to carry a valid passport and obtain all required visas and/or permits. All passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your trip. For example, if the Trip Participant (departs/returns) on January 1, his/her passport must be valid until at least July 2. Sujata Shah Tours is not responsible for travel interruptions or cancellations due to the Trip Participant’s failure to obtain or secure proper travel documentation prior to departure.
*Note that India requires a visa to enter the country for the US passport holder. Please check with your local government for specifics. If travelling from the United States, you can find that information HERE.
c. Deposit Requirement
All trips require a non-refundable deposit of up to $1,000 to reserve and confirm the Trip Participant’s spot on the trip. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. If booking is within 60 days of departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.
d. Trip Payment
Sujata Shah Tours offers both incremental payment plans as well as the option to pay in full at the time of booking. If booking a trip more than 60 days prior to departure, all remaining payment is due at least 60 days from departure. If booking within 60 days of departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
e. Cancellations + Refunds
In the event that a Trip Participant wishes to cancel his/her Sujata Shah Tours Booking, the following terms and conditions shall apply:
The Trip Participant must notify Sujata Shah Tours, in writing, of his/her desire to cancel. The following conditions shall apply with respect to refunds for cancellations:
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If the Trip Participant cancels at least 60 days prior to departure, his/her non-refundable deposit is retained, but any other payments already made by the Trip Participant will be refunded in full;
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If the Trip Participant cancels within 60 days of departure, all payments made by the Trip Participant will not be refunded or credited.
Once the deposit is collected, all additional payments are due at least 60 days prior to departure. Sujata Shah Tours reserves the right to cancel participation resulting in the loss of all money collected if any outstanding payment is not received by 11:59 p.m. on the 60th day prior to departure.
If, for any reason, the Trip Participant leaves a trip once it has commenced, Sujata Shah Tours is not obliged to issue any refund, credit, or compensation.
If Sujata Shah Tours is forced to cancel or significantly alter your trip, we will notify the Trip Participant in writing as soon as possible. When a tour is cancelled for foreseeable reasons, Sujata Shah Tours will provide the Trip Participant the option for a full refund or full credit of trip payments made. This refund or credit will constitute full settlement of any claims the Trip Participant may have against Sujata Shah Tours or our suppliers.
In the rare event that Sujata Shah Tours is forced to cancel a trip for any unforeseen circumstance beyond the reasonable control of Sujata Shah Tours, such as, but not limited to, acts of nature, war, labor strikes, pandemics, earthquake, flooding, etc., Sujata Shah Tours will give the Trip Participant options for a full credit of payments made, or a refund of recoverable costs by the Sujata Shah Tours. Refunds will not include any unrecoverable costs, such as non-refundable deposits, in the unlikely event of occurrence.
Sujata Shah Tours reserves the right to cancel any workshop/trip at any time for any reason, including if there are too few participants, or if the quality of the trip or the safety of travelers is judged by Sujata Shah Tours to be compromised. In such cases, a refund of payment received by Sujata Shah Tours shall constitute full and final settlement.
Sujata Shah Tours is not responsible for any loss incurred on account of non-refundable or non-transferable air OR travel tickets.
Due to the foregoing cancellation and refund policy, Sujata Shah Tours requires that each Trip Participant purchase travel insurance.
In the event that the Participant cancels their booking, Sujata Shah Tours is not liable for any incidental costs, refunds or damages incurred by the Participant, such as but not limited to, airfare, passport and visa fees, vaccinations, hotel stays, etc.
Any complaint that arises as a result of the above cancellation and refund policy, should be directed to the group leader of the trip. If the issue is not resolved and further attention is required, a refund request must be directed to Sujata Shah Tours in writing within 30 days of the last day of the trip. Whether a Trip Participant is entitled to any refund, credit, or other form of compensation for his/her complaint, is within the sole discretion of Sujata Shah Tours.
f. Optional Activities
Throughout the course of each trip, there will be opportunities to participate in additional and optional activities including but not limited to hiking, participating in hands-on workshops, and guided walking tours. The dangers associated with these activities as well those generally inherent to the trip location are accepted by the Trip Participant at his/her own risk. Any assistance given by group leader or local representative in organizing these activities shall not result in any liability of Sujata Shah Tours for any bodily injury, illness, or death arising out of, resulting from, related to, and/or caused in whole or in part, by the Trip Participant’s involvement in these optional activities.
g. Health Requirement
Sujata Shah Tours’s trips are adventurous and can be physically demanding. It is the sole responsibility of the Trip Participant to choose a trip that fits his/her personal level of physical fitness, which requires awareness of any personal physical and mental limitations. Sujata Shah Tours strongly suggests that Trip Participants research or look into any and all pertinent information with respect to the latest health requirements and recommendations for the destination. This includes obtaining all necessary vaccinations, inoculations, and prescription medications as directed by a local doctor or clinic.
h. Photography
By agreeing to Sujata Shah Tours’s Booking Terms and Conditions, the Trip Participant gives Sujata Shah Tours permission to use photos taken of him/her during the trips for promotional purposes and in any other medium Sujata Shah Tours chooses.
i. Code of Conduct
Each of the Sujata Shah Tours destinations have cultural customs unique to each region, including attire, food, drink, and other social aspects. Though Sujata Shah Tours will provide cultural information on each location, it is recommended that Trip Participants research on his/her own as well to ensure their preparedness. Sujata Shah Tours does not tolerate illegal drug use and respectfully asks that each Trip Participant consume alcohol responsibly. Sujata Shah Tours reserves the right to remove a Trip Participant from a trip if he/she is found to be engaging in and/or using any illegal activity or drug and/or hazardous behavior. Such removal shall be at the Trip Participant’s own financial expense.
j. Acceptance of Risk
Sujata Shah Tours wants each traveler to experience an unforgettable adventure of discovery, both personal and cultural. Therefore, Sujata Shah Tours’s trips involve an inherent degree of personal risk based on cultural, political, and geographical attributes relevant to our destinations. Sujata Shah Tours gathers information from foreign departments and our own local contacts to make itinerary decisions; however, it is ultimately the Trip Participant’s responsibility to familiarize himself/herself with relevant travel advisories and information. Visit the U.S. State Department at www.travel.state.gov for updated travel warnings and advisories prior to departure.
By booking a trip with Sujata Shah Tours, the Trip Participant acknowledges that he/she is aware of associated risks with such unique travel and agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Sujata Shah Tours from any and all liability and responsibility arising out of, resulting from, related to, and/or caused in whole or in part, by bodily injury, illness, or death, whether such was the result of intentional or unintentional acts.
j. Forum and Governing Law
By agreeing to these Sujata Shah Tours Terms and Conditions, the Trip Participant acknowledges that he/she is contracting with a business incorporated in the state of California. Thus, any legal action that may arise from this Agreement shall be exclusively litigated in the state of California. This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed according to, and governed by, the laws of California, excluding any such state or international laws that might direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
k. Severability
Invalidity or unenforceability of one or more provisions of this Agreement shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement. If possible, any unenforceable provision within this Agreement will be modified to reflect the parties’ original intent.