Booking Policies & Your Rights

Your privacy matters to us. We collect only the information genuinely required to plan, operate, and deliver your trip safely. We never sell your data to third parties, and we never use it for purposes beyond those described here.

Information We Collect

• Contact information — name, email address, phone number, nationality.
• Travel documents — passport number, expiry date, visa details (where required for permit applications).
• Health & emergency information — dietary requirements, medical conditions relevant to high-altitude participation, emergency contact details.
• Payment information — processed securely through bank transfer. We do not store card numbers.

How We Use Your Data

• To arrange your itinerary, permits, transport, accommodation, and guiding.
• To communicate trip updates, safety information, and departure logistics.
• To share with trusted local partners — hotels, guides, permit authorities — only where operationally necessary.
• To comply with legal obligations under Indian law (IT Act 2000), and to meet GDPR standards for EU clients.

Your Rights

At any time, you may request to access, update, or delete your personal data by writing to info@summitroutes.com. We will respond within 14 days. Data is deleted within 90 days of trip completion unless retention is required by law (e.g. permit records).

How Booking Works

Payment Terms

• All payments are made via secure international bank transfer. Bank details are provided on your booking confirmation.
• Prices are quoted in USD. Payment may be accepted in INR at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of payment.
• Your booking is confirmed only upon receipt of the deposit and signed booking form.
• Group bookings (6+ persons) may be subject to separate payment schedules — details provided in your proposal.

Client Cancellations

All cancellation requests must be made in writing to info@summitroutes.com. The date of cancellation is the date we receive your written notice. Refunds are calculated on the following schedule:

Cancellation by Summit Routes

Summit Routes reserves the right to cancel a trip in the following circumstances:

• Minimum numbers not met: Some departures require a minimum of 2 participants. If this threshold is not met by 30 days before departure, we will offer a rescheduled date or a full refund.
• Force majeure: Natural disasters, political unrest, government travel advisories, road closures, extreme weather, or other events beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will offer a rescheduled departure or, where rescheduling is not possible, a refund of recoverable costs.
• Safety concerns: Where our guides judge conditions to be unsafe for the planned itinerary, we reserve the right to modify or cancel without financial penalty beyond already-incurred costs.

Trip Postponement

If you wish to postpone rather than cancel, your deposit can be transferred to a future departure within 12 months at no additional fee, subject to availability. A second transfer request will incur a 10% administrative charge.

We welcome families on our heritage and cultural tours. Children are charged as a percentage of the adult trip price. The following rates apply to children sharing accommodation with parents or guardians:

Summit Routes is not liable for losses arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to: flight delays, border closures, permit denials, natural disasters, acts of government, or illness. Our liability is in all cases limited to the recoverable cost of the affected portion of your trip.

Valid travel insurance is a non-negotiable condition of participation on all Summit Routes programmes. Participation in any trip without valid insurance is not permitted — no exceptions.

Your Policy Must Cover

• Medical treatment, hospitalisation & emergency repatriation
• Emergency helicopter evacuation to at least USD 100,000
• High-altitude trekking or mountaineering to the trip’s maximum altitude
• Trip cancellation and curtailment
• Personal accident and accidental death
• Loss or theft of baggage and personal effects
• Personal liability coverage
• 24-hour emergency assistance contact

We do not recommend specific insurers, but your insurer must be reputable and able to authorise helicopter evacuation directly. Some insurers require you to call their emergency line before evacuation is authorised. Ensure your guide has this number before you leave for the mountain.

By confirming your booking, you acknowledge and accept the following:

• Adventure travel is inherently unpredictable. Mountain environments involve physical exertion, altitude exposure, variable weather, and terrain that can present genuine hazards including rockfall, crevasses, river crossings, and extreme cold.
• Altitude sickness is a real and serious risk above 3,000 metres and cannot be fully predicted regardless of prior experience or fitness. Every client is monitored by our guides; immediate descent is mandatory for serious symptoms.
• Summit success is never guaranteed. Weather, route conditions, and individual acclimatisation may prevent the objective from being reached. Our guides’ decision on whether to continue or descend is final and non-negotiable.
• You confirm you are physically fit to participate in the programme as described. Misrepresentation of fitness or medical history that leads to injury or evacuation costs will not be refunded. Our Himalayan training plan helps you prepare correctly for your specific route.
• Itineraries may be altered. Summit Routes reserves the right to modify routes, accommodation, or timing in the interests of safety or in response to conditions beyond our control, without financial liability beyond already-incurred costs.

Changes Requested by the Client

• Changes to dates, group size, or accommodation made before deposit payment are made without charge.
• Amendments requested after confirmation and within 30 days of departure may incur an administrative charge of USD 50 per change, plus any third-party costs resulting from the amendment.
• Amendments within 14 days of departure are subject to availability and full third-party cost recovery.

Changes Made by Summit Routes

• Minor changes — substitution of similar accommodation, minor route adjustments, timing changes — may be made without prior notice or compensation.
• Significant changes — departure date change of more than 48 hours, destination change, material downgrade in accommodation — will be communicated as early as possible. You will be offered an alternative or a full refund of affected costs.

On-the-ground changes made by your guide for safety or logistical reasons during the trip are not considered amendments under this policy and do not entitle the client to a refund.

Raising a Concern During Your Trip

If something is not as expected, please raise it with your guide or Summit Routes directly during the trip. Most issues can be resolved on the ground quickly. Contact our operations team at any time on +91 96222 44022 or info@summitroutes.com.

Post-Trip Complaints

• Written complaints must be submitted within 28 days of your return date to be eligible for consideration.
• We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and aim to provide a full response within 21 days.
• Complaints submitted beyond the 28-day window will not be processed.

Governing Law

These booking conditions are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Jammu & Kashmir.