Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Vaatalya. We believe in transparency. To ensure clarity, we have provided a "Plain English" summary at the start of each section, followed by the Official Legal Text.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE
By requesting an invite, making a booking, or staying at Vaatalya, you agree to be legally bound by these terms. This applies to every person named in the booking, regardless of where you are located in the world.
1. The Booking Contract & Payments
👍 In Simple Terms:
The Agreement: A deal is only "official" once we send you a confirmation email/invoice. Until then, prices or details might change.
Payment: You generally pay 50% now to hold your spot, and the remaining 50% is due 10 days before arrival. (Note: Specific workshops may have different payment timelines).
Who is responsible? The person booking is responsible for everyone in their group (including kids).
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: All persons wishing to make a booking have carefully read and understood the Terms and Conditions that follow. By making a booking with Vaatalya or its Agents, you accept on behalf of yourself and all those named on the booking including minors and persons under a disability to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when Vaatalya sends a confirmation invoice or email. It is at this point that a contract between Vaatalya and the Client comes into existence.
Before your booking is confirmed and a contract comes into force, Vaatalya reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. Vaatalya or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion. These Terms and Conditions shall constitute the entire agreement between Vaatalya and the Client relating to the subject matter herein, and shall constitute a binding agreement. There is no verbal or written representation, warranty, prior agreement, or description of services other than as expressed herein.
Reservations for Vaatalya are restricted within a period of 03 months from the day of making the guarantee reservation. No travellers can materialise reservations post 03 months from the date of booking.
2. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Refunds
👍 In Simple Terms:
No Refunds: If you cancel, arrive late, or leave early (voluntarily or involuntarily), we do not offer refunds.
Rescheduling: If you have a genuine medical emergency, we may allow you to reschedule (once) for a fee of INR 2,000 per person.
You must provide valid medical proof.
New dates must be within 2 months (subject to availability).
This does not apply during peak times (festivals, long weekends).
Date Changes: You can request a date change up to one week before arrival. In the last week, your payment is 100% non-refundable.
⚖️ The Official Legal Text:
Cancellation by Client: Date change is valid only one week prior to the reservation. In the last one week, your payable amount is Non-Refundable.
Emergency Rescheduling: In case of emergency cancellation, one-time rescheduling is available at a cost of INR 2,000 per person, subject to availability. Alternate dates must fall within two months of the originally scheduled arrival. Valid medical documentation/proof is required. This is not applicable on long weekends, festivals, or special events.
Unused Services: There will be no discounts or money refunded for missed or unused services, this includes voluntary or involuntary termination/departure from the tour, i.e., sickness, death of a family member etc., late arrival on the tour, or premature departure either voluntarily or involuntarily.
Cancellation by Vaatalya: Vaatalya reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason, but will not cancel a tour before departure, except for Force Majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside Vaatalya's control. Vaatalya is not responsible for incidental expenses (visas, flights, loss of earnings, etc.).
3. Medical & Health Advisory
👍 In Simple Terms:
High Altitude: We are at 6,368 ft. The terrain is rough and the air is thinner. You need to be fit.
Disclosure: You must tell us about any medical conditions (pregnancy over 24 weeks, heart issues, etc.) before you book. If you don't, and something goes wrong, it is on you.
Privacy: We keep your medical info private.
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: All Clients are obligated to review and acknowledge their medical condition as it relates to their trip. The Client must note that Vaatalya is situated at a height of 6368 feet above sea level and the nature of the trip may be highly adventurous due to unforeseen climatic conditions and terrain. Vaatalya cannot give advice of a medical nature. Those Clients with pre-existing medical conditions are strictly advised not to make reservations; if they do, it is at the Client's own risk.
The Client must notify Vaatalya in writing during the booking process of any medical conditions, pregnancy, disability, or any other mental/physical condition that affects their fitness to travel. Failure to notify Vaatalya may result in the Client being refused travel or full cancellation fees. Vaatalya reserves the right to deny any Client on reasonable medical grounds. Vaatalya makes no representations and gives no guarantee in relation to the standard of medical treatment in the district.
4. Children Policy
👍 In Simple Terms:
Age Limit: We do not encourage children under 10 due to the terrain.
Charges:
0-6 years: Free.
6-12 years: 50% charge (no extra bed).
12+ years: Full adult charge.
Guardians: If you aren't the parent, you need a signed consent form from the parent.
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: Vaatalya is located in mountainous terrain, and all reservations are at travellers' risk. For reasons of safety, it is not suitable for children below 10 years. Charges structure: One child 0-6 years (No Charges); 6-12 years (50% of per person charge, no extra bed); 12+ years (Extra bed full charge as adult). If the adult accompanying a child is not the child-parent, a "Parental Consent Guardianship Form" must be signed by the parent or legal guardian and received by Vaatalya before reservation is confirmed.
5. Acceptance of Risk & Liability
👍 In Simple Terms:
It's an Adventure: You are visiting a remote mountain area. There are risks (weather, terrain, infrastructure). By coming here, you accept those risks.
Third Parties: We don't control the taxi drivers, doctors, or outside vendors. If they cause an issue, Vaatalya is not liable.
Force Majeure: If a storm, strike, or "act of God" ruins plans, we aren't liable for refunds or compensation.
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: The Client acknowledges that the nature of the tour is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of personal risk. The Client hereby assumes all such risk and releases Vaatalya from all claims arising from damages, injuries, or death resulting from these inherent risks.
“I understand travelling/stay with Vaatalya may involve risks above and beyond those encountered on a more conventional holiday... I accept these risks, obligations and responsibility for any risks involved, and shall not hold Vaatalya liable for any kind of outcome including death.”
Vaatalya is not liable for independent contractors (taxi operators, medical personnel, etc.). Vaatalya makes no representation of any kind as to their performance. Client agrees that any liability for death, injury, or loss of property shall be the sole responsibility of the provider of such service.
6. Code of Conduct & Authority
👍 In Simple Terms:
House Rules: Respect the space. If you are rowdy, dangerous, or breaking laws (drugs, etc.), we can ask you to leave without a refund.
Environment: We have a strict "Leave No Trace" policy. If you litter or harm nature, your stay will be terminated immediately.
Identity: You must show a valid Government ID upon arrival (Passport/Visa for foreigners).
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: At all times the decision of Vaatalya Owners/Hosts or representative will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well being of the tour. If the Client fails to comply with laws, customs, drug regulations, or if their behavior causes danger/annoyance to others, Vaatalya may terminate the Client's travel arrangements without liability or refund.
Environment Policy: We expect you to respect and meet up the environmental standards. Any deviation shall lead to immediate termination of the stay/contract.
ID Proof: The Client is required to carry a valid government-approved photo ID (Indian National: Pan/Adhaar/Voter/DL; Foreign National: Passport & Visa) and produce it at check-in.
7. Privacy & Data
👍 In Simple Terms: We collect your data to manage your booking and for our own marketing/stats. We might share it with our partners, but we won't spam you unnecessarily.
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: The Client consents to Vaatalya collecting personal data (name, contact info, IP number, etc.) for the performance of the Contract, marketing, statistics, and product development. Vaatalya has the right to share your personal data with its partners for advertisement and promotion. As a customer, you agree to receive marketing information via mail, telephone, e-mail, and other digital channels.
8. Legal Jurisdiction
👍 In Simple Terms: If we have a legal dispute, it will be settled according to the laws of [Insert Your Local Jurisdiction, likely Solan/Himachal Pradesh Courts].
⚖️ The Official Legal Text: These Terms and Conditions shall constitute the entire agreement between Vaatalya and the Client. In the event that any term is unenforceable, it shall be severed from this Agreement, allowing the remaining terms to survive. Vaatalya reserves the right to update these terms at any time.
(Note: While your text didn't specify a court, it is highly recommended to add: "Any disputes arising under these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in [Your District/State].")