Terms & Conditions

Welcome to the website of Culture & Nature Expeditions Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. (“CNE”, “we”, “us” or “our”). CNE is a Destination Management Company providing travel planning, destination management, accommodation, transportation, experiences, tours and related ground-handling services across Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

These Terms & Conditions govern the use of our website and the provision of our travel and destination management services.

By accessing our website, submitting an enquiry, requesting a quotation, confirming a programme or engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Our Services

CNE provides destination management and travel-related services, including but not limited to:

• Bespoke and luxury travel programmes
• Hotel and accommodation arrangements
• Transportation and transfers
• Sightseeing and excursions
• Adventure and experiential travel
• Group and corporate movements
• Ground handling and destination support
• Guides and local experiences
• Special-interest and customised itineraries
• Related travel coordination and operational services

Services are subject to availability and confirmation from the respective suppliers.

CNE may use carefully selected third-party hotels, transport operators, guides, activity providers and other service partners to fulfil confirmed arrangements.

2. B2B Travel Partnerships

CNE primarily works with travel agencies, tour operators, travel designers, corporate travel companies and other professional travel partners.

Where a booking is made through a B2B partner, the partner remains responsible for communicating relevant booking conditions, payment terms, cancellation policies and other applicable information to the end traveller.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, CNE’s contractual relationship for a B2B booking is with the booking partner rather than directly with the end traveller.

CNE reserves the right to request appropriate company information, documentation or a signed partner agreement before accepting bookings or extending credit facilities.

3. Enquiries, Quotations and Proposals

All quotations and proposals issued by CNE are subject to availability and are not considered confirmed bookings unless expressly confirmed in writing by CNE.

Unless otherwise stated, quotations may be subject to change due to:

• Changes in hotel or supplier availability
• Changes in government taxes, fees or levies
• Changes in transportation costs
• Currency fluctuations
• Changes in itinerary or passenger requirements
• Supplier price revisions
• Special events, peak periods or seasonal pricing

A quotation becomes binding only once the applicable services have been confirmed in writing and the required payment or deposit has been received.

4. Booking Confirmation

A booking is considered confirmed only after CNE has issued written confirmation and the applicable payment requirements have been fulfilled.

Verbal discussions, provisional reservations or itinerary discussions do not constitute confirmation unless confirmed by CNE in writing.

Certain hotels, experiences and transportation services may have specific confirmation deadlines or non-refundable conditions.

5. Rates and Pricing

All rates are quoted in the currency specified in the proposal.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, rates may be subject to applicable taxes, government charges, permits, entry fees or other mandatory costs.

Any additional services requested after confirmation may incur additional charges.

Errors or omissions in quotations may be corrected by CNE, and the revised quotation will be communicated to the booking partner as soon as reasonably practicable.

6. Payments

Payment schedules and deadlines will be specified in the relevant quotation, invoice or booking confirmation.

Payments must be made through the payment method communicated by CNE.

Where payment is not received within the agreed period, CNE may release provisional reservations and may not be able to guarantee the originally quoted rates or availability.

For certain bookings, CNE may require full payment before arrival or before the commencement of services.

Any bank charges, transaction fees or other costs associated with remittances shall be borne by the party making the payment unless otherwise agreed.

7. Cancellation and Amendment

Cancellation and amendment conditions vary depending on the services booked and the applicable supplier policies.

The cancellation policy applicable to a confirmed booking will be communicated in the relevant quotation, confirmation or invoice.

Cancellation charges may include:

• Hotel cancellation charges
• Transportation cancellation charges
• Activity or experience cancellation charges
• Guide or manpower charges
• Supplier penalties
• Non-refundable deposits
• Administrative or other applicable costs

Where suppliers impose 100% cancellation charges, the same may be passed on to the booking partner.

Any amendment to passenger numbers, travel dates, accommodation, itinerary or services may result in revised pricing and availability.

8. No-Show and Unused Services

No refunds will ordinarily be provided for services that are unused, partially used or cancelled after the applicable cancellation deadline, including:

• Hotel nights not utilised
• Missed transfers
• Missed sightseeing
• Unused meals
• Unused activities
• Early departure
• Changes made during the trip
• No-show at the designated pickup point

Any exception will be subject to the relevant supplier’s policy and CNE’s discretion.

9. Hotels and Accommodation

Hotel images, descriptions, star classifications and facilities displayed on our website or in proposals are provided for general information.

Hotel rooms, views, bedding configurations, amenities and other facilities are subject to availability and may vary.

Hotels may change room categories or provide alternative accommodation where circumstances require. Where possible, CNE will seek to provide an equivalent or appropriate alternative.

Special requests such as connecting rooms, specific views, room locations, early check-in, late check-out or particular bedding arrangements are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in writing.

10. Transportation

Transportation is subject to vehicle availability, local regulations, weather, road conditions and operational circumstances.

Vehicle type and capacity will be as specified in the confirmed programme.

In mountainous and remote areas, travel times are estimates and may be affected by weather, traffic, road conditions, security restrictions, landslides, road closures, government regulations or other circumstances beyond CNE’s control.

Drivers are responsible for transportation and are not necessarily trained tour guides unless specifically contracted as such.

11. Itinerary Changes

CNE makes every reasonable effort to operate programmes as confirmed.

However, itineraries may need to be modified due to:

• Weather conditions
• Road or route closures
• Government restrictions
• Security considerations
• Natural events
• Operational requirements
• Supplier availability
• Local conditions
• Force majeure events

Where a change is necessary, CNE will endeavour to provide a suitable alternative while maintaining the overall character and quality of the programme wherever reasonably possible.

12. Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Certain activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to trekking, skiing, rafting, camping, mountain travel, high-altitude travel and other adventure experiences.

Participants are responsible for following safety instructions and informing CNE or the relevant service provider of any condition, limitation or requirement that may affect their ability to participate safely.

Certain activities may have age, fitness, experience, medical or other eligibility requirements.

CNE may refuse participation in an activity where it reasonably believes that doing so is necessary for the participant’s safety.

13. Travel Documents and Permits

Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they possess all required:

• Passports and identification documents
• Visas
• Permits
• Travel authorisations
• Government approvals
• Insurance documentation
• Other documents required for their journey

CNE may assist with certain permits or documentation where such services have been specifically agreed.

CNE shall not be responsible for costs, delays, denied entry or missed services resulting from inadequate or invalid travel documentation.

14. Travel Insurance

CNE strongly recommends that all travellers obtain comprehensive travel insurance appropriate to their itinerary.

Depending on the nature of the journey, insurance should ideally cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cancellation, curtailment, baggage loss, delays and adventure activities where applicable.

CNE is not an insurance provider and is not responsible for claims arising from circumstances that should reasonably be covered by travel insurance.

15. Special Requests and Dietary Requirements

CNE will communicate special requests to the relevant suppliers wherever possible.

Requests relating to dietary requirements, allergies, accessibility, celebrations, room preferences or other special arrangements should be communicated at the time of booking.

While reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate such requests, they cannot be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed in writing.

16. Guest Conduct

Travellers are expected to behave respectfully towards CNE employees, service providers, local communities, other guests and property.

CNE or its service partners may take reasonable action where a traveller’s conduct:

• Creates a safety risk
• Causes damage to property
• Harasses or threatens staff or other guests
• Violates local laws
• Significantly disrupts the programme

Any resulting costs, damages, penalties or cancellation charges may be charged to the booking partner or traveller, as applicable.

17. Personal Belongings

Travellers are responsible for their personal belongings, valuables, passports, electronics and luggage throughout the journey.

CNE will take reasonable care in coordinating services but shall not be responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings except where liability cannot legally be excluded.

18. Third-Party Suppliers

CNE works with independent hotels, transport providers, guides, restaurants, activity operators and other suppliers.

These suppliers are responsible for delivering their respective services in accordance with their own operational standards and applicable laws.

CNE will make reasonable efforts to select reliable suppliers and coordinate their services; however, CNE cannot guarantee the actions or omissions of independent third-party providers beyond its reasonable control.

19. Force Majeure

CNE shall not be liable for failure, delay or alteration of services resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• Natural disasters
• Severe weather
• Floods, landslides or avalanches
• Earthquakes
• Epidemics or pandemics
• War, conflict or civil disturbance
• Terrorism or security incidents
• Government restrictions
• Road or airport closures
• Strikes or industrial action
• Political events
• Changes in law or regulations
• Technical or infrastructure failures
• Other circumstances beyond reasonable control

In such circumstances, CNE will make reasonable efforts to assist the affected traveller or booking partner and, where possible, propose alternative arrangements.

Any refunds will remain subject to the policies and recoveries available from the relevant suppliers.

20. Liability

CNE will exercise reasonable care and professional diligence in arranging and managing its services.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, CNE shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or unforeseeable losses arising from circumstances outside its reasonable control.

Where CNE’s liability arises directly from its own proven failure to provide an agreed service, such liability shall be subject to applicable law and the specific terms of the confirmed booking.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions shall exclude or limit liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.

21. Website Information

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published on our website is accurate and current.

However, destination conditions, hotel facilities, transportation schedules, regulations, prices and availability may change without notice.

Website content is provided for general information and should not be treated as a guarantee of availability or a contractual offer unless expressly confirmed by CNE.

22. Intellectual Property

All content appearing on the CNE website, including text, photographs, graphics, logos, branding, designs and other materials, is owned by or licensed to CNE unless otherwise stated.

No material may be reproduced, copied, modified, distributed or commercially used without prior written permission from CNE.

23. Privacy

CNE respects the privacy of its website visitors, clients and business partners.

Personal information provided to us may be used for responding to enquiries, processing bookings, communicating with travellers and partners, delivering services and fulfilling applicable legal or operational requirements.

Use of personal information is subject to our Privacy Policy.

24. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of India.

Subject to applicable law and any mutually agreed dispute-resolution mechanism, the courts having appropriate jurisdiction in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir shall have jurisdiction over disputes arising in connection with these Terms & Conditions or CNE’s services.

25. Changes to These Terms

CNE reserves the right to amend or update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The updated version will be published on this website with the relevant revision date.

The terms applicable to a confirmed booking will be those communicated and accepted at the time of confirmation, subject to any mandatory changes required by law.

26. Contact Us

For questions regarding these Terms & Conditions, bookings or our services, please contact:

Culture & Nature Expeditions Tours & Travels Pvt. Ltd. (CNE)
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Website: cnetours.com
Email: info@cnetours.com
Phone: +91 90550 00888

CNE — Your trusted destination partner in Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh & Punjab.