C O S T & R E S E R V A T I O N — Magical Mystical Incredible India Tour — (Jan 2025)
[See our Covid-19 Updates for more information about Flexible Bookings, Credit Redemptions & other ways to protect your investment in Offbeat Photography Workshops & Tours.]
Sustainable Tourism —
Off Beat Photography Workshops & Tours for this India tour is totally committed to providing a professional photographic education and a culturally enriching tour that benefits both the traveller and the local people of the host country. The tourism we promote is designed to lessen the ecological impact on an environment and maximize sustainable human development and social equality within it.
Every tour fee is for direct costs, without a tour broker’s fee. All financial arrangements are personally transacted by us, ensuring that the fees you pay for a tour service goes directly to the people who provide that service. Since all tour arrangements are made through Mick’s personal contacts, there are no intermediary brokerage charges added to the tour cost. The Indian provider receives the full remuneration for the services they provide. Your cost for a tour service is exactly the cost for the provided services. The local people receive exactly the cost you are charged. It is this type of tourism model that we adhere to for two reasons: not only does it reduce the overall costs of the tour, but it also enhances the welfare of the local people and helps to protect their natural and cultural heritage.
The total cost for this tour is $4,800 for a standard room (double occupancy) or $5,628 for a deluxe room (single room). [Note that all participants during the Allahabad segment will have the same accommodations (Deluxe tent).]
To book your place, you are required to pay a reservation/deposit fee of $1000 US, by credit card or Paypal. The tour fee balance is payable 30 days before the start of the tour (Day 1). If you want to sign up for a tour within 30 days of the departure day (Day 1), then the full amount will be due at that time.
NOTES:
Fees are payable in US dollars and will be automatically converted to your local currency by your credit card company or PayPal.
The tour requires a minimum of five (5) participants (a maximum of 7) to be signed up in order to go ahead. We will let you know immediately when the tour has received the minimum reservations. However, please make sure that the tour has reached the minimum number of participants before you purchase any flights that require cancellations fees.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?
- Accommodations: Standard (double occupancy); Deluxe (single room) requires an additional supplemental fee of $920 US. [Note that all participants during the Allahabad segment will have the same accommodations (Deluxe tent).]
- Hotels: All breakfasts and dinners during the tour. Allahabad Camp: all meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner. Kolkata: Peerless Inn (4 stars); Varanasi: Hotel Madin (5 stars); Delhi: The Pride (5 stars).
- Transportation & assistance from the Kolkata airport to our hotel, and from our hotel in Delhi to the international airport.
- Entrance fees for all scenic spots listed on the itinerary.
- Overland transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle with same driver for all travel during the tour.
- Cultural tour guides throughout the tour to provide historical background information, enabling Mick to give full attention to the photographical needs and queries of the group.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?
- Airfare from Kolkata — Varanasi and Varanasi — Delhi: approximately $300 US/person.
- Any international flights or travel costs to the meeting points in Kolkata or back home from Delhi after the tour;
- All lunches during the tour when staying at the hotels (as noted in the Itinerary).
- Hotels while traveling prior to or following the tour;
- Personal Expenses: Beverages or additional items ordered during meal; room service; internet charge; laundry; faxes, telephone calls, camera fees in monuments, etc.
- Optional Activities not included on the itinerary.
Excess Baggage Charges.
Tipping: tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc. You can pay more or less depending on their services. Recommendations for tipping in India: $4-6/day for the driver and $3-5/day for the guide. It' not necessary to tip to our airport representatives. However, if the arrival in Kolkata is in the middle of the night we suggest $2.
TRIP CANCELLATION
If for some reason beyond your control you have to cancel a tour reservation, you will have the option to re-book your trip to a time that suits you. As long as you notify us at least 30 days before Day 1 of the photography tour, you can choose new travel dates or a totally different tour without any change-fee penalties. You are only required to pay the deposit until 30 days before your tour is scheduled to depart.
If it is necessary for you to cancel your tour completely and not re-schedule it, you can do this by notifying us in writing of the reason for your cancellation. When we receive this letter, we will refund your money according to the schedule below. Since this type of cancellation is usually for extreme circumstances (health issues, family responsibilities, etc.) we will try to re-sell your spot. If your place on the tour can be re-sold, then you can expect a full refund. However, since most people book their reservations several months in advance, cancelling your reservation near the departure date (Day 1) will make re-selling it very difficult. For this reason, we recommend that you get trip cancellation insurance (see Insurance below).
CANCELLATION POLICY/FEES
Reservation / Deposit Fee – If you have to cancel before 30 days of when the tour begins (Day 1), your reservation/deposit fee will be held as a credit towards a future booking. If you cancel within 29 days or less before the start of the tour (Day 1), we will refund your money according to the schedule below:
Tour Fees / Balance –
- If you cancel more than 30 days before the start of the tour (Day 1), your deposit/tour balance will be held as a credit towards a future tour;
- From 29 to 4 days before the start of the tour, cancellation fees are 50% of your paid balance (excluding the deposit); you will get 50% of your paid balance;
- From 3 days, or within 72 hours, before the start of the tour (Day 1), cancellation fees are 75% of your paid balance (excluding the deposit); you will get 25% of your paid balance;
- If the cancellation is due to you having Covid-19 or "flu-like symptoms," and it is supported by a medical certificate, we will hold 100% of the money you paid for this tour as a credit towards a future tour.
If you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of the tour (Day 1), you will not receive a refund. However, at any time before 3 days (72 hours) you can choose for us to hold all the money you paid as credit for a future tour. In order to exercise this option, you will need to notify us in writing prior to 3 days.
Notes on Cancellation Fees and Notification Timing
- Any transfer charges and transaction fees incurred on accepting and/or refunding any payments will be deducted from any refund amounts due;
- The number of days to tour start are calculated from 9am Japan Standard Time (JST). Email received after 6pm JST on the previous day will be calculated from 9am JST the following day.
INSURANCE
Travel Insurance — If you fall sick or have an accident during the course of the trip, you will miss part of your tour, and possibly incur hospital fees and other expenses that can mount up. We strongly advise you to take out travel insurance for yourself for the entire length of the trip in advance of departure. (Try Squaremouth.com for comparing prices.)
Cancellation Insurance — This is often included in your Travel Insurance, but if for any reason you have to cancel your tour, cancellation insurance can help you recover your costs. Note that travel and cancellation insurance usually has to be bought within 10 days of booking the tour or less. Please check on this as soon as you book.
Camera Equipment Insurance — We also suggest that you insure your photography equipment and belongings if not included in your home or travel insurance. If you already have your gear insured, double check that you are also covered for international travel.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you are interested in coming along, but want more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to seeing you in Nepal, for this unique cultural photography tour!