Royal Expeditions is a first class Culture and Nature travel specialist founded in 1993 by Princess of Jodhpur. Providing personalized, high-quality, responsibly priced, tour service.Our staff are very knowledgeable of opportunities and attractions for visitors to any region of India, Nepal or Bhutan. We have a wide network and invaluable family connections. We develop itineraries that provide the optimum blend of professional, educational and environment friendly recreational experiences according to the goals and desires of each Individual or group.Our 100% focus in on making each tour a unique and special experience for every participant.

Our specialties include : Luxury cultural & adventure journeys, Wildlife – Tigers & Elephants, Study tours supporting conservation & research; Photography & film making – Tribal, fairs & festivals; Horse & Camel safaris; Jeep Safaris, Walking tours.

We are fully aware that the environment in our part of the world is fragile and many people are poor. We care deeply about the local people and the environment and are committed to responsible tourism. As most of our bookings are made by couples or small groups the environmental impact is kept to a minimum. We regularly contribute to the following organis

The Travel Operators for Tigers campaign (TOFT) is a travel industry platform, in cooperation with Global Tiger Patrol, that aims to advocate and support a more responsible and sustainable approach to tourism in South Asia’s wildlife reserves, together with aiding specific conservation programmes which benefit the local communities and wildlife. Royal Expeditions is one of the founder member of TOFT India programme and its India chapter operates our office.The Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF), is based at Bangalore, in south India and has been working to stem the rapidly declining natural landscape and biological diversity of India.Snow Leopard Conservancy, based in Ladakh in the Himalayas promotes community-based stewardship of the endangered snow leopard, its prey and habitat.In Delhi we support Adharshila that runs awareness and vocational programmes for slum communities. A visit to their centre during sightseeing in Delhi can be arranged on request. Carbon Off Set - Royal Expeditions can customise your holiday to reducing your impact on our environment by using eco friendly means of travel like Trains, Chauffer driven car running on compressed natural gas, Horse carriage, Camel carts, cycle rickshaw’s for your expedition to India. We will be happy to put you in touch with legitimate agencies involved in reforestation programmes, if you wish to contribute.

General Conditions

Trade Name: Royal Expeditions is a trading name of Royal Expeditions Private Limited (the company).

Before you book

The information presented in our E brochure was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, changes beyond our control may have occurred since then with respect to prices, itineraries, duration of holidays, standard of services, tour content, fares and airline schedules. Please check with your travel agent or the company to ascertain if there are any alterations to the tour you select before you book.

Booking Procedure/Security Deposit

The receipt of a security deposit will be taken as an understanding by the company that the participant has read, understands and agrees to abide by the conditions set out in this E brochure. To make a reservation please forward a non-refundable security deposit of USD 250 Per Person together with a completed Reservation Form (available from www.royalexpeditions.com )

Final Payment

Final Payment is due 65 days prior to Arrival in India, Nepal or Bhutan or more for some tours. If payment has not been received by the due date we reserve the right to treat the booking as a cancellation.

Special Security Deposit Requirements

Some tours require higher security deposits to meet the tour operator’s booking conditions.

Client Names – Exactly as per Passport.

For security reasons, airlines and the majority of our service providers require your name exactly as it appears in your passport. It is your responsibility to advise these details. If you or your Travel Agent do not advise the correct information and we have to re-issue airline tickets or other documentation, then we will bill you for all costs incurred, such as airline cancellation charges and courier fees, in addition to our own administration fee.

Indian Service Tax – It is included in the tour price for travel within India. The Indian Services Tax does not apply to international travel – Nepal & Bhutan and Part of India like Ladakh.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured for the full duration of your tour. Your policy must include emergency evacuation cover. It is advisable to insure expensive camera equipment separately. Insurance policies rarely cover for loss of cash. We strongly recommend that insurance be purchased at the time you pay your security deposit as our cancellation conditions will be strictly enforced. The choice ofinsurer is at the sole discretion of the client.

Cancellations and Refunds

If it is necessary to cancel your holiday, you should notify us immediately in writing and this will take effect the day it is received by us. All monies will be forfeited as follows:

Number of days before departure:

More than 65 days Loss of deposit
64 - 41 days 30 % of Tour Cost *
40 - 31 days 65% of Tour Cost
*30 days or less No refund**

Except those amounts that can be refunded, such as airfares (less those amounts forfeited under airline regulations and the companies loss of profit). Insurance premiums are non-refundable, but if the reason for your tour cancellation falls within the terms of the insurance cover, cancellation charges will normally be refunded by the insurance company. The non-issuance of an invoice or the non-payment and/or non-receipt of a security deposit or a major event such as a terrorist related incident or outbreak of a flu type epidemic will not exempt passengers from these cancellation and administration penalties. Cancellation fees are designed to cover the cancellationfees charged by overseas tour operators as well as Royal Expeditions Private Limited loss of profit.

Some of our tours may have higher cancellation fees. These will be advised with our quote email or letter. Please note that employees of our overseas Travel Agencies are not authorised to make any undertakings on behalf of the company regarding refunds or other matters.

After travel has commenced, additional costs incurred due to changes in your itinerary (eg due to airline schedule changes) must be settled directly by you and any requests for refunds must be made on your return.

Amendments

Due to the extra administrative costs, there will be an automatic minimum charge of USD $75 per amendment, in addition to any cancellation fees levied.

Deferring Travel

Normal cancellation fees apply if you wish to postpone your departure.

Late Bookings

Bookings made less than 30 days before Arrival must be accompanied by full payment

Minimum Stay

The company is a specialist tour operator and not a hotel booking service. We therefore will not normally accept reservations under 5 nights for any one booking. Exceptions may be made at our discretion and subject to a booking fee being charged.

Tour Costs

Tour costs are based on ground costs, airfares and exchange rates as at 1/08/2008 and the company cannot be held responsible for any changes which may occur. No surcharge will be made in respect of currency fluctuations once full payment has been received by the company. However, we reserve the right to amend your tour costs up to the date of departure should there be fluctuations in airfares, game park fees, departure taxes, hotel rates,government charges or other costs.

Airline Ticket Taxes & Surcharges

Clients will have to pay extra at the time of check in and sudden increase in taxes or surcharges like Fuel, Air Port tax etc. Which the airlines may levy after tickets have been purchased by us.Included in Trip Cost. Please note that our tour costs are generally per person and include transportation, accommodation with private facilities, sightseeing, park fees where applicable andservices of driver/guide. Where these items are not included we advise accordingly. Meals are not included unless specifically mentioned. Meals are indicated by:B= Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner.

Not included in the Tour cost

International and domestic airfares and airport/hotel transfers unless specifically stated. Passports, visas, passenger taxes, insurance, emergency evacuation costs, extra meals not shown in the itinerary, laundry, tips, items of a personal nature including medication and excess baggage charges.2009/20010

Prices

Prices are shown in United Sates Dollars (USD) and are generally valid from 1/10/09 - 30/4/10 although some tours and lodges have different periods of validity andwhere possible these are highlighted in the brochure.

Important Information

Pre-Arrival Information.

On receipt of your security deposit, a copy of our Pre-departure Information will be forwarded to you. Some of the more important details are shown below.PassportYou should be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay overseas.

Visa requirements

Mostly all Nationals require a visa for India, Nepal and Bhutan. All nationalities should check with us for their visa requirements. Nepal has visa on arrival facility. Indian visa must be obtained before arrival in India. Bhutan visa, we will apply on your behalf. Foreign nationals require a re-entry visa for India, which should be obtained before Arrival in India if they plan to visit Nepal or Bhutan via India. Royal Expeditions will not be held responsible for passengers travelling without the correct travel documents.

Vaccinations & Health

An anti-malarial prophylactic for India is recommended for certain areas. Please check with your doctor for advice on other vaccination precautions against typhoid, tetanus, polio & meningitis. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure he/she has the appropriate vaccinations and documentation.

Age Limits

Some of our tours have age limits, depending on the type of tour selected.

Responsibility

Royal Expeditions is the trading names of Royal Expeditions Private Limited (“the company” which expression includes its employees, subsidiaries and agents) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

1. A booking is accepted only after the receipt of the required security deposit, a Reservation Form and after the company issues a written confirmation account.
2. Final balance is due 65 days prior to departure, otherwise the company may treat the booking as being cancelled by the client.
3. The company is not itself a carrier or hotelier nor does it own aircraft, hotels or vehicles. The company exercises every care in the selection of carriers, hotels, touroperators and the suppliers of the travel services used in this brochure (all of which carriers, hotels, tour operators and other suppliers are called “the other suppliers”).
4. All bookings with the company are subject to the terms and conditions and limitations of liability imposed by the other suppliers some of whom limit or exclude liability in respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss of or damage to baggage and may require the participant to complete a release of indemnity form prior to commencing the arrangements.5. All tickets, vouchers and documents are issued subject to the terms and conditions under which the other suppliers provide their services and the company is not responsible for carrier caused delays. The terms of your contract are those terms and conditions under which the other suppliers provide their services.
6. The company is not liable in any way for the acts, omissions or default whether negligent or otherwise of the other suppliers pursuant to a contract between theother suppliers and you (which may be evidenced by a ticket, voucher or other document) because the company has no control over the other suppliers.
7. The participant is aware that the areas of travel may operate in remote or inaccessible areas, and that wild and potentially dangerous animals move freely in theareas where the tours are conducted.
8. The participant further acknowledges that where the tour is conducted in an area without proper medical services the company and its servants and agents areexpressly authorised to take such action as thought necessary for the provision of medical services and all associated costs are to be paid for by the participant.
9. Should the company or its other suppliers deem it desirable for political, climatic, overbooking of hotels/ lodges or other reasons to amend or vary any itineraryit may do so by shortening, varying or completely rerouting the trip in which case no objection or claim for compensation will be made by the participant. The companyadvises that it is compulsory to take out insurance against the above mentioned risks for your protection.
10. These terms and conditions are incapable of alteration or waiver by any servant agent or representative of the company or of any person providing services on the tour.