How to Cancel
We understand that travel plans can change. If you need to cancel your booking with Mountains Are Magical, please follow the steps below to ensure your cancellation is processed promptly and your refund (if applicable) is handled correctly:
- Send a cancellation request by email to info@mountainsaremagical.com with the subject line "Cancellation Request – [Your Booking Reference]"
- Alternatively, you may notify us via WhatsApp at +91 95963 54066; however, a follow-up email confirmation is required to make the cancellation official
- Your cancellation request must include: your booking reference number, the lead traveller's full name, your travel dates, and the reason for cancellation (optional but helpful for improving our service)
- The effective cancellation date is the date on which we receive your written notice — not the date you intend to cancel or the date of a phone call. Please allow one business day for acknowledgement.
- You will receive a written cancellation confirmation from us within 1 business day, along with a refund calculation based on the schedule below
Cancellation Charges
Cancellation charges are calculated as a percentage of the total confirmed booking value (including taxes and permit fees) based on how many days before your scheduled departure date we receive your written cancellation notice:
| Days Before Departure | Cancellation Charge | Refund to You |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days or more | 10% of total booking value | 90% refunded |
| 15 – 29 days before departure | 25% of total booking value | 75% refunded |
| 7 – 14 days before departure | 50% of total booking value | 50% refunded |
| 3 – 6 days before departure | 75% of total booking value | 25% refunded |
| Less than 3 days / No-show | 100% (no refund) | No refund |
Please note that the initial 30% deposit is non-refundable in all cases. The percentages above apply to the full booking value, not just the deposit. If you have paid only the deposit and cancel more than 30 days before departure, the deposit is forfeited and no further charge is applied.
Refund Process
Once your cancellation has been acknowledged and the applicable charge calculated, refunds are processed as follows:
- Eligible refunds are processed within 7–10 business days from the date of your written cancellation confirmation
- Refunds are returned to the original payment method used at the time of booking — bank transfer, UPI, or online payment gateway as applicable
- For international wire transfers, any intermediary bank or currency conversion fees incurred during the refund process will be deducted from the refund amount
- Payments made via Razorpay or other payment gateways may take an additional 3–5 business days to reflect in your account depending on your bank's processing time
- We will send you a refund confirmation email with the transaction reference once the refund has been initiated from our end
- If your refund has not been received within 15 business days, please contact us at info@mountainsaremagical.com with your cancellation reference and we will investigate immediately
Changes to Booking
We understand that circumstances change. Here is how we handle modification requests:
- Changes more than 30 days before departure: Date changes, destination upgrades, or group size adjustments are accommodated free of charge, subject to availability of the new dates or services. Any price difference due to seasonality or different package selection applies.
- Changes within 14 days of departure: Significant changes to dates or destination within this window are treated as a cancellation of the original booking (with applicable charges) and a new booking for the revised itinerary. We will endeavour to minimise your cost in such situations.
- Minor amendments (dietary changes, room-type preferences, activity additions) can be requested at any time and we will accommodate them wherever possible at no extra administrative fee.
- All change requests must be submitted in writing to info@mountainsaremagical.com with your booking reference number.
Force Majeure
Kashmir is a region of extraordinary natural beauty, and with that comes exposure to weather events and occasional administrative or security-related disruptions. The following constitute force majeure situations:
- Natural disasters including severe flooding, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, and extreme snowfall that render roads or accommodations inaccessible
- Government-imposed curfews, Section 144 orders, or travel advisories that prevent movement to or within your booked destination
- Strikes, civil unrest, or other events that make it impossible to deliver the confirmed services safely
- Global health emergencies declared by the Indian government or the World Health Organisation
In force majeure situations where we are unable to deliver your confirmed booking:
- We will first offer you a rescheduled trip to an alternative date within 12 months, with no change fee
- If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue a travel credit equal to 100% of the amount paid, valid for 24 months from the original departure date
- Cash refunds are not available for force majeure cancellations, as we will have incurred non-recoverable costs with our suppliers. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers force majeure events.
Our Cancellation Rights
In certain circumstances, Mountains Are Magical reserves the right to cancel a confirmed booking. We will exercise this right responsibly and with as much advance notice as possible:
- Minimum Group Size Not Met: Some group tour packages require a minimum number of participants to operate viably. If the minimum is not reached, we will notify you at least 7 days before departure and issue a full refund of all amounts paid. We will also offer alternative tour dates or a private tour upgrade at a revised price.
- Safety Concerns: If, in our professional judgment or based on government advisories, it becomes unsafe to operate your tour (active conflict, disease outbreak, natural disaster warning), we will cancel your booking with immediate effect and issue a full refund of all amounts paid within 10 business days.
- Misconduct: We reserve the right to remove any traveller from a tour — without refund — whose behaviour endangers fellow travellers, our staff, or local communities, or who fails to comply with lawful instructions from our guides.
Travel Insurance
Mountains Are Magical strongly recommends that all travellers purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy before confirming their booking. Given the unique nature of travel in Kashmir — including high-altitude terrain, remote valleys, and occasionally unpredictable weather — adequate insurance is not just advisable but essential.
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Covers your financial loss if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, injury, or family emergency
- Medical & Emergency Evacuation: Covers hospital treatment costs and, critically, helicopter or road evacuation from remote trekking areas
- Baggage & Personal Effects: Protects against loss or damage to your belongings during travel
- Force Majeure & Travel Disruption: Some policies cover trip cancellations due to natural disasters, government restrictions, or airline disruptions
We do not sell travel insurance directly but can recommend reputable insurance providers on request. Please contact us at info@mountainsaremagical.com and we will be happy to share options suitable for your trip.
Contact Us
For cancellation requests, refund enquiries, or any questions about this policy, please contact our team:
- Company: Mountains Are Magical
- Address: Kangan, Ganderbal, Kashmir — 191201, India
- Email:info@mountainsaremagical.com
- Phone / WhatsApp:+91 95963 54066
Our team is available Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM IST. For urgent matters related to an active booking, our 24/7 traveller support line is available through WhatsApp.
