Preparing your expedition…
Preparing your expedition…
Preparing your expedition…
Clear, transparent guidelines for bird photography tours and Himalayan birding expeditions organized by Valley Of Birds.
To confirm a booking under a cancellation/refund arrangement, 50% of the total tour fee must be paid as an advance. The remaining 50% balance is payable on the first day of the tour/arrival.
Once the advance payment is received, the booking is considered confirmed and arrangements such as accommodation, transportation, permits, hides, guides and other services may be reserved in advance.
Refund eligibility depends on the date your written cancellation is received relative to departure.
(Received ≥ 45 days before departure)
If the booking is cancelled within 5 calendar days from the date of booking, and the cancellation is received at least 45 days before the scheduled departure date, 90% of the advance amount paid will be refunded. The remaining 10% will be retained towards administrative and booking-related costs.
(Cancelled > 5 days after booking)
For cancellations made more than 5 days after booking but 45 or more days before the scheduled departure date, 50% of the advance amount paid will be refunded. By this stage, accommodation, bird hides, permits, transportation and other tour arrangements may already have been pre-booked, and the reserved dates may not be possible to resell.
(32–44 days prior to tour start)
For cancellations made 32 to 44 days before the scheduled departure date, 40% of the advance amount paid will be refunded.
(31 days or fewer prior to departure)
For cancellations made 31 days or less before the scheduled departure date, no refund will be applicable.
(Under 30 days before tour start)
No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 30 days of departure, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
Summary of the 5 official cancellation tiers
| Slab | Cancellation Timeline | Refund Applicable | Retained Amount / Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Within 5 days of booking (and ≥ 45 days before departure) | 90% of advance paid | 10% retained for admin & booking costs |
| 2 | 45 or more days before departure (> 5 days after booking) | 50% of advance paid | 50% retained (pre-booked services/arrangements) |
| 3 | 32 to 44 days before departure | 40% of advance paid | 60% retained |
| 4 | 31 days or less before departure | No refund applicable | 100% advance retained |
| 5 | Cancellation within 30 days | No refund provided | No refund regardless of reason for cancellation |
Please review the following binding contractual terms governing all bookings and cancellations with Valley Of Birds:
Refunds, where applicable, will be calculated only on the advance amount actually received, not on the total tour cost.
The refund policy applies to cancellations made by the guest/participant.
Any bank/payment gateway charges, transaction fees or non-refundable third-party charges may be deducted from the refundable amount.
The cancellation date will be considered the date on which the written cancellation request is received and acknowledged by Valley Of Birds.
No refund will be provided for unused services, late arrival, early departure, missed transport, or voluntarily leaving the tour after commencement.
Any change of dates will be treated as a cancellation and new booking unless otherwise agreed in writing by Valley Of Birds.
In circumstances beyond the control of Valley Of Birds—such as natural disasters, government restrictions, road closures, severe weather, strikes, civil disturbances or other events making the tour impossible—refunds, postponement or adjustment will be handled based on the actual recoverable amount from hotels, transport providers and other suppliers. A full refund is therefore not guaranteed in such circumstances.
“By making the advance payment, the participant confirms that they have read, understood and accepted this Cancellation & Refund Policy.”
As stated in the policy, the cancellation date is considered the date on which the written cancellation request is received and acknowledged by Valley Of Birds. Please communicate your booking details through either channel:
Official Email
✉️valleyofbird008@gmail.comRecommended for formal written cancellation requests and records.
Clear answers regarding payments, timelines, and policy execution.
Refunds, where applicable, are calculated solely on the 50% advance amount actually received by Valley Of Birds, not on the total expedition package cost.
To confirm your booking, 50% of the total tour fee must be paid as an advance. The remaining 50% balance is payable on the first day of the tour/arrival.
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via Email (valleyofbird008@gmail.com) or WhatsApp (+91 88812 35164). The effective cancellation date is considered the date on which the written cancellation request is received and acknowledged by Valley Of Birds.
Any change of dates will be treated as a cancellation and new booking unless otherwise agreed in writing by Valley Of Birds.
In circumstances beyond our control—such as natural disasters, government restrictions, road closures, severe weather, strikes, or civil disturbances—refunds, postponement or adjustment will be handled based on the actual recoverable amount from hotels, transport providers, and suppliers. A full refund is therefore not guaranteed in such circumstances.
Discover our guided small-group tours across Chopta, Tungnath, Mandal Valley, Kathgodam, Munsyari, and Mornaula with local master guides.