Maharajah Tours Ltd
India is a challenging visitor destination and can present multiple elements of risk to travelers. Our primary risk focus is on collective customer health and safety, followed closely by travel continuity and of course ensuring a fantastic experience.
These Booking Conditions you agree to when you make your booking apply to your trip.
Please take the time to read the terms and conditions prior to booking.
1. Our contract
All tour bookings are made with Maharajah Tours Ltd (us/we/our). By booking a trip with us you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
2. Privacy policy
Any personal information that we collect about you will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a trip. In making this booking you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons such as our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable us to operate the trip or, if permitted by any relevant spam laws, to send you marketing material in relation to our events and special offers. You agree that all photos taken while on tour by us remain our property and may be used in promotional campaigns.
You are responsible for reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically and informing yourself of any changes to this Privacy Policy.
3. Deposit requirement
A deposit equal to the cost of your international and domestic flights is required to confirm your booking.
The remaining portion of the trip fee is payable in full within 90 days of the departure date. (see refund conditions clauses 7 & 8)
4. Acceptance of booking and final payments
If we accept your booking, we will issue you with a written (email) flights deposit request. A contract will exist between you and us from the date you make payment. If you book within 60 days of departure the contract will exist when we accept your payment. Payment of the balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. If this balance is not paid on or before the due date we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and any cancellation charges outlined at clause 7 (Cancellation by You) will apply.
5. Prices and surcharges
Our trip prices are subject to variable and seasonal pricing, both of which are standard practice within the travel industry. This means our trip prices may vary at any time in accordance with demand, market conditions and availability. It is likely that different passengers on the same trip have been charged different prices. Your best option if you like the price you see is to book at that time. Any reduced pricing or discounts that may become available after you have paid your deposit will not apply. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, full cancellation conditions apply as set out below in clause 7 (Cancellation by You). The most up to date pricing is available on our website. We reserve the right to impose surcharges up to 90 days before departure due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, increases in transportation costs, increases in local operator costs, taxes, or if government action should require us to do so. In such instances we will be responsible for any amount up to 2% of the trip price and you will be responsible for the balance. If any surcharge results in an increase of more than 10% of the trip price you may cancel the booking within 14 days of notification of the surcharge and obtain a full refund. Please note that a 4% surcharge will be applied to purchases made by credit card
6. Your details
For us to confirm your travel arrangements, you must provide all requested details. Details include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. For more information about how we treat your personal information please refer to our Privacy Policy.
7. Cancellation by you
If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation sent to our email address - maharajahtours@xtra.co.nz.
If you cancel a trip:
(a) All flights (international and India domestic) are non-refundable from the time of confirmation and purchase. We strongly advise you purchase disruption insurance at the time of booking to protect your investment.
(b) between 31 and 89 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 30% of the total land booking costs, plus any unrecoverable costs.
(c) between 30 and 15 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 70% of the total land booking costs, plus any unrecoverable costs; or
(d) 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking costs.
You are strongly advised to take out cancellation/disruption insurance at the time of booking. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, we are NOT obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a trip, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made.
8. Cancellation by us
In the event that we cancel your trip prior to departure for reasons outside our control we will refund all monies paid, minus any unrecoverable costs.
If the cancellation is due to a Force Majeure Event we will refund any days that remain on your trip minus unrecoverable costs.
A “Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to: acts of God; war; civil commotion; riot; blockade or embargo; fire; explosion; breakdown; union dispute; earthquake; epidemic, pandemic or other health emergency; flood; windstorm or other extreme weather event; lack or failure of courses of supply; passage of any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand, requisition or requirement or any other act of any government authority, beyond the reasonable control of the parties, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue.
In the event of any cancellation, there will be no claim for damages by either party against the other and we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, accommodation or non-refundable flights.
In some cases service providers may offer credits for use in the future. We do not guarantee any future tours to redeem these credits, but we will work with you and the service provider to try and get the best resolution possible.
The best protection you have is to ensure your disruption insurance fully covers Force Majeure events.
9. Booking amendments
Transfers to a third party or an alternative trip are only permitted when operationally possible and, in the case of transferring to a third party, where the transferee meets all the requirements in relation to the trip. Certain fees may apply.
No amendments are permitted to your booking within 60 days of departure.
10. Inclusions
The Price of Your Trip Includes as Described in the Trip Information:
11. Exclusions
Your Trip Does Not Include:
12. Age & Health requirements
Maximum Age: We have no upper age limit though we remind you that our trips can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper medical advice to this effect.
13. Passport and visas
We will apply and pay for your entry visa but take no responsibility for denied visas. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months prior to travel.
It is your responsibility to have in your possession at all times the required documentation and identification required for entry. This includes a valid passport and all travel documents required by us and/or the relevant governmental authorities including all visas, permits and certificates (including but not limited to vaccination or medical certificates) and insurance policies.
You agree that you are responsible for the full amount of any loss or expense incurred by us that is a direct result of your failure to secure or be in possession of proper travel documentation.
14. Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travelers and must be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover.
We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects.
You must provide, in written form, your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without these details. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you rather than the bank's name and credit card details.
15. Change of itinerary
You acknowledge that the nature of this type of travel requires considerable flexibility and you should allow for alternatives. The itinerary provided for each trip is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances or events.
While we endeavor to operate all trips as described we reserve the right to change the trip itinerary.
After departure: We reserve the right to change an itinerary due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you.
Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of any change in itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable or non-changeable flights.
16. Authority on tour
Our trips are run by a Tour Director. The decision of the Tour Director is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveler or staff member participating in the trip.
If you fail to comply with a decision made by the Tour Director, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the Tour Director may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund.
You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of India.
17. Acceptance of risk
You acknowledge that the nature of the trip is adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You may be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in your daily life.
We use information from government foreign departments and reports from our own contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information, including applicable health risks and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability in relation to these additional risks.
18. Optional activities
Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance, recommendations or advice given by your Tour Director or local representative in arranging optional activities (including before or after a trip) does not render us liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider.
19. Claims & complaints
If you have a complaint about your trip please inform your Tour Director at the time so that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If you believe that your complaint has not been resolved through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to us within 30 days of the end of the trip.
20. Severability
In the event that any term or condition contained in these Booking Conditions is unenforceable or void by operation of law or as being against public policy or for any other reason then such term or condition shall be deemed to be severed from this contract or amended accordingly only to such extent necessary to allow all remaining terms and conditions to survive and continue as binding.
21. Applicable law
The laws of New Zealand govern these Booking Conditions to the fullest extent allowable. Nothing in these Booking Conditions, including this clause 21, affects your rights as a consumer to rely on any applicable local laws.
22. Promotional terms
From time to time, we may run promotions and special offers (Promotions) on our website which are subject to both these Booking Conditions and any additional promotion-specific terms which are incorporated into these Booking Conditions by reference. You should ensure that you read the specific conditions that apply to each Promotion.
Promotions are available for a limited time, as defined on our website. We reserve the right to cancel or change any Promotion at any time in our discretion. By purchasing a trip on a promotional basis, you agree and accept the terms that apply to the applicable Promotion. In the event of any inconsistencies between these Booking Conditions and the Promotional terms, the Promotional terms apply to your booking.
PRIVACY POLICY
Maharajah Tours Limited operates the Maharajah Tours brand and is an on-line and retail travel agency operating in New Zealand with its registered office in Hunterville, New Zealand. Maharajah Tours undertakes to use its best endeavors to safeguard the privacy of its users. Maharajah Tours has created this privacy statement to demonstrate our firm commitment to your privacy. The following discloses the information-gathering and dissemination practices for this web site. If you have any queries concerning your personal information or any questions relating to how we use the information, please email maharajahtours@xtra.co.nz.
What information do we collect?
When you register as a user or purchase any goods or services on our website we may collect the information necessary to provide the services required. Such information would at the very least include your name and an e-mail address. We will also collect information from you if you complete any other forms on our site or if you contact us with comments or specific requests.
What do we use personal information for?
Should it be necessary to send your details to any carefully selected third parties when collecting or processing your information, we will provide you with details of these parties in advance. We will also provide you with details of any other parties who wish to provide you with information and details of products and services relevant to your interests. Any registration forms will give you the opportunity to opt out of receiving such information.
What safeguards are in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of your information?
All information you provide to Maharajah Tours is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Your information is stored safely on our computer systems and with physical security devices. Your online payment transactions are processed through 128 bit SSL encryption using a Comodo certificate on our secure servers.
What other information should I know about my privacy?
The Maharajah Tours site contains links to other websites. Please note that when you click on one of these links, you are entering another website for which Maharajah Tours has no responsibility. We encourage you to read the privacy statements of all such sites as their policies may be materially different from Maharajah Tours Privacy Statement. Of course, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your passwords and any account information. Please be very careful, responsible, and alert with this information, especially when you're online. In addition to the circumstances described above, Maharajah Tours may disclose member information if required to do so by law, court order, as requested by other government or law enforcement authority, or in the good faith or belief that disclosure is otherwise necessary or advisable including, without limitation, to protect the rights or properties of Maharajah Tours Ltd or when we have reason to believe that disclosing the information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be causing interference with our rights or properties, whether intentionally or otherwise, or when anyone else could be harmed by such activities. Disclosure of member information by Maharajah Tours will be warranted but not limited to the enforcement of the Terms and Conditions when Maharajah Tours is required to do so by law and in the defence of Maharajah Tours in any action or protection of property.
E-mail messages
If you decide you would like to receive a weekly e-mail you will receive a summary of Maharajah Tours news. It is possible that this will be sponsored by third parties so their details will appear on the e-mail. To remove yourself from this e-mail list at any time, simply click on the link provided at the bottom of the received email and follow the instructions to be removed from the database.
Information to Improve our Site
We also collect information automatically about your visit to our site. This information is used to help us analyse browsing preferences so that we can regularly improve our website.
Cookies
We may use cookies in components of the website to allow us to personalise our service to you. If you do not want a cookie you can always set your browser to deny it. Choice/Opt-Out. Third party vendors, including Google, show our ads on sites on the internet. Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to your website. You can opt out of Google's use of cookies by visiting the Google advertising opt-out page. Alternatively to opt out of a third party vendor's use of cookies, visit the Network Advertising Initiative opt out page.
Photo and Video
When you are travelling with us on tour, as part of your experience a photo or video may be taken either by the Tour Leader or one of our partners or another passenger. Photos taken by Maharajah Tours staff or others may be used for marketing purposes without your prior knowledge. We care about your privacy so if you do not wish for your photograph to be taken at any time, or to be included in any video, please let your tour group leader or let the photographer know.
Whilst we take every precaution to protect your privacy, we are not responsible for passengers who may take your photograph or video you without our knowledge.
On some occasions, we may engage professional photographers to take and obtain photos to use in our marketing materials. We ensure that all of our customers are notified prior to travelling on our trips if a professional photographer is being engaged and you have the right to say no or opt-out of being included in any photos being taken for these purposes, including any subsequent content or images use.
Changes to this Policy
Any material changes in the way Maharajah Tours uses personal information will be described in future versions of this Privacy Statement. is at times a challenging visitor destination and can present multiple elements of risk to travelers. Our primary focus is on collective customer health and safety and these terms and conditions are un-apologetically explicit for that purpose.
Another aspect of that risk is travel continuity and the next most important section addresses this element.
The Booking Conditions you agree to when you make your booking apply to your trip.
Please take the time to read and understand the conditions of booking set out below prior to booking a trip with us. We strongly recommend that you also read the Essential Trip Information relating to your trip prior to booking to ensure that you understand the itinerary, style and physical demands of the trip you are undertaking.