Terms and Conditions
Company Name: Masala Chai Travel Oy (also referred to as Masala Chai Travel)
Company Email ID: contact@masalachaitravel.com
company Phone Numbers: (+358) 50554 5693 | (+358) 4048 97512
Business ID: 3587387-2
Booking terms and validity
Masala Chai Travel is registered as a travel organiser in Finland. Customer payments are protected under Finnish travel package regulations.
All bookings, changes, alterations, and cancellations must be made in writing. The prices include taxes and VAT.
Masala Chai Travel considers a booking confirmed from the client side only when it is made in writing (email) and the advance payment has been made. The services included in the price will be clearly mentioned in the invoice sent to the client. Any extra expenses incurred by the client during the tour, for example purchase of alcoholic beverages, use of additional services at the property, or any other services or payments made that are not mentioned in the itinerary etc. must be paid directly by the client to the hotel or other provider of such services at the time of purchase.
Changes or amendments to the packages
All the packages are subject to availability. Hence we advise all our clients to book their chosen package at the earliest. Masala Chai Travel reserves the right to agree to amendments on tours and share additional cost details on amendments.
Refunds and unused services
Travel arrangements cancelled within 24 hours of your departure or once travel has commenced will not qualify for any refunds, nor can services be substituted for alternative arrangements. The same goes for any unused services during the travel.
Pricing of the travel packages
Our starting/ base package prices are mentioned under each package for all our destinations. The final prices might vary based upon the season, number of travel days, number of people, transportation, the level of customization etc. These will be discussed during the package curation and the final price will be shared with you and locked in before you make the advance payment.
Booking Confirmation
On payment of the advance booking amount, Masala Chai Travel will provide the entire detailed travel itinerary which can then be used as supporting documents for your VISA application.
All our travel plans are custom made planned with our service partners based on individual client requirements. Hence we cannot share detailed itineraries/routes etc. on email, whatsapp or any other format before the advance payment. They are reserved for confirmed bookings only.
Accepted payment methods
We accept payments only through bank transfer with our registered corporate bank account. The invoices for the payments are sent to your email ID shared with us through our Contact Us form.
Advance payment regulations
We usually require an advance payment of 60% depending upon the experiences and stays you have opted for in your package. This payment is mandatory to confirm your booking with our partners and service providers. Once you have made the advance payment, you get your detailed travel itinerary with all bookings and information. You might also receive some emails from our partner service providers. We request you to make the remaining payment 1 month before your travel date.
The process from from the time you contact us for the first time till you receive your final itinerary.
Cancellation policies and charges
All cancellations need to be sent directly to – contact@masalachaitravel.com . The date of cancellation shall be the date on which Masala Chai Travel receive the information in writing on an email.
Cancellation charges:
- If made from the date of booking until 61 days before your arrival date – EUR 750 per person or 25% of package price;
whichever is higher - If made between 60 and 31 days before your arrival date – 50% of tour package
- If made between 30 and 15 days before your arrival date – 75% of the tour package cost
- If made between 14 and 2 days before your arrival date – 100% of the tour package cost
- Two days before start date or in case of NO SHOW (failing to avail tour package) – 100% of the tour package cost
In addition to the above, in case of cancellation of tour by either party, the amount spent by the Company on visas, medical insurance, Protector of Emigrants(POE) including administrative charges would be payable by the participant.
Cancellation from Masala Chai Travel
Due to reasons by act of God/nature, pandemic, war and reasons beyond our control, Masala Chai Travel reserves the right to cancel the tour. In this case, full amount paid to Masala Chai Travel will be refunded, but we will not be liable for any further claims.
Liability and Responsibilities of Masala Chai Travel
Masala Chai Travel has the obligation to choose all services carefully and prepare the tour in the best way possible. In the unlikely event that services are not fully carried out due to an error on our part, we reserve the right to provide equivalent services in compensation. In this case, further damage claims will not be accepted. Subject to this settlement, in case a breach of contract is committed by Masala Chai Travel, it becomes our direct liability to compensate for immediate loss or injury to the customer.
This liability becomes active provided that the breach was not caused by Force Majeure or the behavior of the client, and if it is a question of non-performance of a promised service or an alternative service that has less value than the service agreed upon in the original agreement. The amount of this liability is restricted by the sum of the agreed cost of the tour.
Partnering with outsourced service providers
Masala Chai Travel partners with multiple service providers for accomodation, food, services, local guides, and transport to organize the entire travel package.
The providers of the various services are personally liable to the clients. In case the services are not being carried out in a satisfying way or to their full extent, contrary to the expectations. The liability of the individual partners contracted with Masala Chai Travel depends on the appropriate laws of the general conditions of business, on the contract’s obligations and on common usage.
Any arising complaints must be directed to Masala Chai Travel immediately and confirmed in writing. In case complaints cannot be solved on the spot, they have to be directed to Masala Chai Travel in writing within 30 days after the termination of the tour. Later claims cannot be taken into consideration.
Activities
Some of our tour packages include activities such as husky rides, reindeer sledge, snowmobile safaris, cruise expeditions, hot air balloons, high temperature thermal baths and similar. In this relation Masala Chai Travel acts as an agent only for the activity providers, thus Masala Chai Travel will not under any circumstances be held liable for injury, damage, loss or accident caused by participation in or in connection with such activities.
What is not included in our travel packages?
- Flights tickets (international)
- Flight tickets (domestic – within Europe)
- Tourist visa application, processing, passport renewals, travel permits
- Payments related to fuel, toll, parking, fines
- Payments related to local guides taken outside our package deliverables
- Itinerary changes or revisions after delivery
- Lost item recovery or legal assistance
Passport, visas, customs, currency, and health regulations
Every traveller is responsible for providing his/her own travel documents (i.e., passport, visa, vaccination certificates etc.). We recommend a careful examination of the customs/duty regulations and currency regulations for the respective destination(s).
In case you need a VISA to travel to Finnish Lapland, Norway or Tuscany, we recommend you to apply at least 3 to 6 months before travel date.
Travel insurance
We recommend all our customers to have adequate travel insurance, also to include cancellation cover.
Masala Chai Travel cannot be held responsible for loss of luggage, or other personal possessions, for personal injury, accident, or illness. In the event of personal injury, accident, or illness, Masala Chai Travel cannot make any refunds should the tour be partially cancelled or fully cancelled.
VISA Application
Masala Chai Travel does not handle VISA application process for the guests. We provide a Booking Confirmation with a detailed Itinerary for your chosen travel package, which can be used for VISA Application process. Please note that “Proof of Travel” document for VISA application usually also requires confirmed round trip reservation from home country which Masala Chai Travel does not provide. We are not in anyway responsible for VISA acceptance or rejection.
Acceptance
By paying the deposit / advance payment, the customer has accepted the general terms and conditions listed in this document, as a part of the agreement between Masala Chai Travel and the customer.
FAQs
How far in advance should I start planning?
For the high seasons we recommended planning at least 6 months in advance since it offers a better chance of booking the properties and experiences that best match your desires. In the shoulder seasons at least 4 months is recommended.
Are your trips designed for everyone?
Yes. We design trips for couples, families, friends, and even solo travellers. The plans are curated keeping our client interests and choices in mind. However, some of the accommodations we offer are for adults/ couples only. So please inform us in the Contact Form if you will be travelling with child/ children. We will arrange you itinerary accordingly.
If I want to opt for a road trip, can I drive in Europe with ease?
Europe has right hand side driving, so if you are set in left hand driving, it might take you 1-2 hours to adjust. But it is not difficult as traffic rules are well followed all across Europe. Google maps work well almost everywhere in Europe. If your license is from outside EU/EEA, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). We can guide you with the IDP application process.
Are your road trips only for those who can drive?
No, of course not. We plan road trips for those who do not drive or do not want to drive in Europe. Our plans can include chauffeur driven cars.
Can you arrange special experiences for special days?
Yes, we can design special experiences for special days but that needs to be informed at the planning stage. Requests right before or during the travel might get challenging, though we always try our best.
How long a travel should I plan?
All our packages are designed for 4 nights 5 days by default. But of course we can customize it based on our clients’ preferred duration!
Can we travel to Norway and Finland together in the same holiday?
Yes, of course you can. We can build a curated stacked itinerary for you, based on your requirements!
