Terms & Conditions

• “Company,” “We,” “Us,” or “Our” refers to Rare Departures.
• “Client,” “Participant,” “You,” or “Traveller” refers to any individual booking, enquiring about, or participating in a trip offered by Rare Departures.
• “Trip” or “Achievement” refers to any fixed departure group itinerary, expedition, or travel package organized and managed by Rare Departures.

By booking, you confirm that you fall within the designated age bracket for the selected expedition unless otherwise expressly agreed upon in writing by Rare Departures.

• Reservation: A booking is considered secure and confirmed only upon receipt of the mandatory deposit or full payment as specified for the particular itinerary, followed by a formal booking confirmation issued by Rare Departures.
• Accuracy of Information: Travellers are solely responsible for providing accurate personal details, passport information, and contact details during booking. Rare Departures is not liable for any extra costs or disruptions arising from incorrect information provided by the participant.

• Payment Schedule: Payments must be made in accordance with the milestone schedule outlined for each specific trip. Failure to pay balances by the due dates may result in the cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of any deposits paid.
• Inclusions & Exclusions: Trip prices explicitly state what is included (e.g., specific accommodations, transport, meals, and guided activities) and excluded (e.g., international flights unless specified, travel insurance, personal shopping, visa fees, and optional excursions).
• Price Revisions: Prices are subject to change in the event of significant macroeconomic shifts, local tax increases, currency fluctuations, or vendor price hikes prior to final booking confirmation. Once a booking is fully paid and confirmed, trip prices are locked.

• All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@raredepartures.com.
• Cancellation charges are structured based on how far in advance the cancellation is made relative to the departure date. Standard non-refundable deposits apply upon booking.
• Refunds for flights, third-party permits, or specialized external bookings bundled into the trip are subject to the respective third-party provider or airline cancellation policies.

• We reserve the right to cancel or modify any trip due to insufficient group numbers, safety concerns, political instability, natural disasters, or force majeure events.
• In the event of a cancellation initiated by Rare Departures, travellers will be offered an alternative departure, credit voucher, or a refund of payments made directly to us (excluding any non-recoverable third-party costs).
• We are not responsible for independent expenses incurred by travellers, such as independently booked flights, personal gear, or private visa procurement fees.

• Passports & Visas: Each traveller is solely responsible for ensuring their passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of return, and for obtaining all necessary visas, permits, or entry clearances required for the destination country.
• Mandatory Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all participants joining Rare Departures. Your policy must adequately cover personal accident, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, and baggage loss. Proof of insurance must be provided prior to departure.

• Physical Fitness: Many of our trips involve active exploration, mountain terrains, or physical achievements. Travellers are responsible for assessing their own physical fitness against the requirements of the itinerary. Any pre-existing medical conditions must be disclosed at the time of booking.
• Group Dynamics & Conduct: Rare Departures curates shared group experiences. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive, disrespectful, or dangerous behavior that compromises the safety or enjoyment of the group or local communities. Expedition leaders reserve the right to remove any participant from the trip without refund if their conduct violates safety or behavioral guidelines.

• Rare Departures acts as a coordinator of travel experiences, partnering with independent ground operators, transport providers, hotels, and guides.
• We shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or irregularity caused by events beyond our reasonable control (Force Majeure), including but not limited to acts of God, adverse weather conditions, political unrest, mechanical breakdowns, strikes, or government restrictions.

• Proprietary Content: All content on the Rare Departures website, including itineraries, brand copy, logos, graphics, and design layouts, is the exclusive property of Rare Departures and protected under copyright laws.
• Group Media Rights: During group trips, photographs or videos may be captured by our team or fellow travellers for promotional use. By joining our trips, you grant Rare Departures the right to use such media unless you explicitly opt out in writing prior to departure.

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, and any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Rare Departures respects your privacy and treats all traveller records with complete confidentiality:

• Confidential Dossiers: Contact details, passport numbers, and medical notes are collected solely for booking arrangements, permit filings with national park authorities, and emergency logistics.
• Zero Commercialization: We never sell, lease, or monetize your personal information to third-party marketing companies.
• Media Opt-Out: Any participant who prefers complete anonymity in our post-expedition photo and video dispatches may notify us in writing before departure.