Effective date: 20 October 2026. For bookings, this revised document applies to new bookings made on or after that date when disclosed as part of the booking. Existing confirmed bookings and previously accepted booking terms remain unchanged.
1. Scope and agreement
India Beacons Sojourn (“IBS”) organises or arranges private pilgrimages, group departures, temple visits, transport, accommodation and related travel services through Shaktipeeth Darshan. Bookings through the website, IBS office and authorised email, telephone or WhatsApp are governed by these terms together with the accepted quotation, itinerary, written confirmation, any service-specific terms and any mutually accepted written booking revisions. Booking-specific terms take precedence where applicable, subject to law.
2. Enquiries and confirmation
Online prices, estimates, quotations and proforma invoices do not by themselves confirm availability of rooms, permits, vehicles, railway or flight seats, or departure dates. A booking is confirmed after IBS receives the prescribed payment, accepts the reservation and sends written confirmation. Guests must check names, ages, travel dates, guest numbers, accommodation, vehicle, itinerary and contact information; the lead guest must be authorised to provide details on behalf of other travellers.
3. Package prices and exclusions
The confirmed price is based on the accepted itinerary, guest count, accommodation, transport, services and optional extensions. Items not expressly included remain excluded. Personal shopping, tips, personal offerings, temple donations, entry charges, medical expenses and services outside the agreed package are ordinarily excluded. Purohit/Panda/Maharaj fees for personal pujas are excluded unless specifically included in writing.
Quotations are valid only for their stated period and are subject to availability until confirmation. After confirmation, a price change will be made only under an applicable agreed variation, guest-requested change or lawful statutory adjustment.
4. Payment terms
Booking advance: 50% of the confirmed Total Tour Cost. Balance: the remaining 50% must be paid at least 15 calendar days before departure. Bookings confirmed within 15 calendar days of departure require full payment at confirmation. The accepted quotation or booking confirmation will state the precise amount and due date.
Any different payment deadline expressly agreed in an existing confirmed booking continues to apply unless the parties lawfully agree in writing to change it. Payments must be made through official IBS payment channels only. Payment is considered received when it clears. Failure to pay after appropriate communication may result in cancellation or release of arrangements under the accepted cancellation terms.
5. Accommodation and hotels
A property named in a quotation is not guaranteed or blocked until confirmed with the supplier. Room categories, bedding, check-in and check-out, extra beds and accommodation services depend on the accepted booking. At remote pilgrimage destinations, basic facilities, electricity, heating, hot water, telephone reception and road access may be limited. Where a proposed property becomes unavailable, IBS will endeavour to arrange a comparable alternative and disclose material differences to the guest.
6. Vehicles, drivers and transport
The agreed transport class, seating capacity, rental basis and route will be stated in the booking confirmation. A specifically guaranteed vehicle model will not be substituted without agreement; otherwise an equivalent vehicle may be used where reasonably necessary. Drivers must follow legal and safety limits, and air-conditioning may be restricted on steep mountain roads. Any extra kilometres, hours, parking, tolls, permits, driver overnight expenses or deviations are charged only under disclosed and agreed terms.
7. Temples, treks and itinerary changes
Darshan, rituals, temple opening hours, special pujas, treks and access to sacred sites can be affected by temple authorities, crowds, weather, altitude, landslides, route closures, traffic, permissions and government directions. IBS may make reasonable safety or sequencing changes while endeavouring to preserve the essential confirmed tour scope. No particular darshan time, priority access, blessing or ritual result is guaranteed unless such a service was explicitly agreed and is within IBS’s control.
Guests should review the physical difficulty of proposed walks and treks and disclose relevant mobility or assistance needs. If a trek or activity cannot safely proceed, IBS will explain feasible alternatives and the lawful treatment of any unprovided service. Missed activities resulting from a guest’s voluntary withdrawal, late arrival or inability to participate do not automatically entitle the guest to a refund; applicable supplier recoveries, contractual arrangements and consumer rights remain relevant.
8. Fixed-departure group tours
Unless stated otherwise, a fixed departure requires a minimum of 10 paying guests. Where IBS cancels solely because the minimum number is not achieved, the guest may choose either transfer to the next available departure of the same tour without additional tour charge or administrative deduction, or a full refund of all money paid for that cancelled tour without cancellation or processing deductions. IBS will process the refund within seven (7) calendar days after the guest confirms the refund choice, or earlier if required by law. Neither a replacement departure nor a voucher will be imposed without consent.
9. Guest responsibilities and safety
Guests must possess valid travel documents, provide correct details, follow safety and religious-place instructions, observe responsible conduct, attend scheduled reporting points and safeguard personal valuables. Health, medical, emergency treatment, evacuation, oxygen, rescue and additional accommodation costs are ordinarily borne by the guest unless contracted otherwise or where IBS is legally responsible. Appropriate travel insurance is strongly recommended for trekking and high-altitude tours. IBS may reasonably suspend an activity where required for safety and will consider alternatives and applicable remedies.
10. Unavoidable events and third parties
Floods, cyclones, landslides, road closures, strikes, government restrictions and other events beyond reasonable control can require changes. IBS will endeavour to notify guests, provide practical assistance and assess refunds or substitutions fairly under the accepted booking and law. Hotels, transport providers, railways, airlines, ferry operators and permit authorities may impose separate disclosed lawful conditions. IBS remains accountable for its own contractual and statutory obligations.
11. Cancellations and documentation
The linked Cancellation & Refund Policy and the specific terms accepted at booking govern changes, cancellations and refunds. An accepted written revision may change tour value, scope and payment amounts; unless expressly agreed otherwise, the original booking date and cancellation deadlines remain unchanged. A proforma invoice is a commercial request for payment, not a GST tax invoice.
12. Complaints, rights and jurisdiction
Guests may raise customer grievances through info@shaktipeethdarshan.com or other official IBS contact channels with their booking reference, and IBS will attempt a fair resolution. Indian law governs the contract. Where legally permissible, competent ordinary civil courts at Kolkata, West Bengal have jurisdiction, without removing statutory consumer forum rights or other mandatory legal remedies.
13. Contact
India Beacons Sojourn, 1 Indra Roy Road (Opposite Indira Cinema), 1st Floor, Room No. 8, Bhowanipur, Kolkata 700025, India. Telephone: +91 9903295920. Please use the official Shaktipeeth Darshan contact page for communications.