Terms & Conditions

This website is operated by Gaia Tales and is intended to provide information about our wildlife expeditions, photography journeys, and travel services. It is also the primary channel through which prospective guests can submit enquiries and request bookings.

Nothing on this website constitutes a confirmed booking or a contractual offer unless expressly confirmed in writing by Gaia Tales.

We make every effort to ensure the information on this website is accurate and up to date. However, we cannot guarantee that all content is free from errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to correct any inaccuracies and update content at any time without prior notice.

Descriptions of destinations, wildlife, itineraries, and accommodation are provided in good faith and are intended to be representative. Actual conditions may vary, and specific sightings, routes, or arrangements cannot be guaranteed.

All content on this website — including photography, video, written text, logos, and design — is the property of Gaia Tales or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, publish, display, or use any content from this site for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

You may print or download content for personal, non-commercial use only, provided that you do not modify it and that you retain any copyright or other proprietary notices.

You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of others or restrict their use of the site. You must not use the site to transmit any content that is unlawful, harmful, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable, or to attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of our systems or infrastructure.

We reserve the right to restrict access to the website or any part of it at any time, at our sole discretion.

This website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience and information. We have no control over the content or practices of those sites and accept no responsibility for them or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them.

The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Gaia Tales of the linked site or its content.

All quotations provided by Gaia Tales are indicative and subject to availability. A quotation does not constitute a binding offer and may change at any time before a booking is confirmed. Pricing may vary based on group size, dates, accommodation preferences, and other factors.

A booking is confirmed only when you have received a written confirmation from Gaia Tales and we have received the required deposit. Until both conditions are met, no booking exists and no places are held.

A non-refundable advance payment of 25% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking to secure your place and confirm the reservation.

The remaining 75% balance is due no later than 60 days before the scheduled start of the tour. Bookings made within 60 days of departure require payment of the full tour cost at the time of booking.

All amounts are payable in the currency stated on your invoice. You are responsible for any bank charges, foreign exchange conversion costs, or taxes arising from the payment. Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking, in which case the cancellation terms set out in B4 will apply.

Each itinerary will clearly set out what is included in the quoted price. Unless explicitly stated, the following are generally included: accommodation as specified, meals as specified, park entry fees, game drives and guided activities, and the services of a Gaia Tales expedition leader or partner guide.

Unless explicitly stated, the following are generally not included: international or domestic flights, visa and permit fees, travel insurance, personal gratuities, laundry, beverages beyond those specified, optional activities, and any personal expenses. Gaia Tales is not responsible for costs arising from delays, cancellations, or changes caused by airlines or other third-party operators.

Cancellations must be notified to us in writing at explore@gaiatales.com. The cancellation date is the date on which written notification is received by Gaia Tales. The following cancellation charges apply:

Once a journey has begun, we cannot refund any unused portion of the itinerary, including early departures, missed activities, or accommodation not used. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance that covers cancellation for the full tour cost.

We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate changes to your booking — such as changes to dates, itinerary, or group composition — subject to availability and the terms of our suppliers. Requests to change must be made in writing. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee for any changes made after confirmation, in addition to any costs passed on to us by third-party suppliers.

A change of traveller name may be treated as a cancellation and re-booking if the change is made within 60 days of departure.

We occasionally need to make changes to itineraries before or during a trip due to circumstances such as weather, park closures, permit availability, or other factors outside our control. Minor changes — such as substituting a lodge of equivalent standard or adjusting a game drive route — will be made without notice and do not entitle you to a refund or compensation.

If we are required to make a significant change to your confirmed booking, or if we need to cancel the trip entirely, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you the choice of: accepting the changed arrangements; transferring to an alternative departure of equivalent or greater value; or a full refund of all monies paid to Gaia Tales. We are not liable for any costs you may incur, including flight or visa costs, as a result of a change or cancellation.

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe or unusual weather events, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, acts of government or regulatory authority, war, civil disturbance, terrorism, strikes, or industrial action.

In the event of force majeure, we will make every effort to provide alternative arrangements. Where a full refund is not possible due to costs already committed to third-party suppliers, we will provide you with a clear written account of any sums retained.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travel with Gaia Tales. Your policy must, at a minimum, cover: medical treatment and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and curtailment for the full tour cost, loss or damage to baggage and equipment, and personal liability.

We may request proof of your insurance cover prior to departure. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance, you do so at your own risk and Gaia Tales will not be responsible for any costs you incur as a result.

You are responsible for ensuring that you hold a valid passport and all visas, permits, and health certifications required for entry to the countries on your itinerary, including any transit countries. Requirements vary by nationality and destination and are subject to change at short notice.

We are happy to provide general guidance on standard requirements, but such information is offered as a courtesy only and does not constitute a guarantee of accuracy or a substitute for your own verification with the relevant embassies, consulates, and health authorities. Gaia Tales is not liable for any loss or cost arising from your failure to obtain correct documentation.

Many of our expeditions involve outdoor activity in remote environments that may include walking on uneven terrain, early morning starts, long vehicle transfers, and exposure to varying climatic conditions. You must be in good physical health and reasonably fit to participate.

You are responsible for consulting your doctor prior to travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition, are taking regular medication, or have any concerns about the demands of the itinerary. Please disclose any medical conditions that may affect your participation when making your booking. Gaia Tales reserves the right to decline a booking or ask a traveller to withdraw from a trip if, in our reasonable judgement, their health or fitness may put themselves or others at risk.

Wildlife expeditions take place in wild, unpredictable natural environments. Sightings of specific species — including flagship species such as tigers, leopards, and snow leopards — cannot be guaranteed. Animal behaviour, seasonal movements, weather, and park conditions are entirely outside our control.

We carefully select locations, guides, and timing to give you the best possible experience, but the absence of a specific sighting does not entitle you to any refund or compensation. We ask all guests to embrace the spirit of wild travel and the inherent unpredictability that makes it extraordinary.

All guests are expected to follow the instructions of their expedition leader, guide, or camp staff at all times, particularly in wildlife areas where safety and conservation protocols must be observed. Behaviour that disturbs or endangers wildlife, disrespects local communities, or endangers other guests will not be tolerated.

Gaia Tales reserves the right to ask any guest to leave an expedition if their conduct is deemed unacceptable. In such cases, no refund will be given, and the guest will be responsible for any additional costs incurred in arranging their departure.

Gaia Tales expeditions are designed with photography as a central purpose, and we make every effort to position guests for the best photographic opportunities. However, the welfare of wildlife and the natural environment always takes priority over photographic access. Guests must not use flash photography near animals, play audio to attract birds or mammals, leave vehicles in prohibited areas, or take any action that interferes with the natural behaviour of wildlife.

Any photographs taken during a Gaia Tales expedition remain the intellectual property of the photographer. However, by sharing images with Gaia Tales — whether for review, feedback, or promotional purposes — you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use those images in our marketing materials with appropriate attribution. If you do not wish your images to be used in this way, please inform us in writing.

Gaia Tales acts as a principal organiser and, in certain respects, as an agent for the third-party accommodation providers, transport operators, and guides that form part of your journey. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Gaia Tales is not liable for any loss, injury, delay, or damage caused by the acts or omissions of those third-party suppliers, or by circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Where liability cannot be excluded by law, our aggregate liability for any claim arising from or in connection with a Gaia Tales journey is limited to the total amount paid by you to Gaia Tales for that journey. We are not liable for any indirect, consequential, or special loss.

If you have a complaint during your trip, please raise it immediately with your expedition leader or guide so that we have the opportunity to resolve the issue at the time. Many concerns can be addressed quickly when brought to our attention on the ground.

If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction during the trip, please write to us at explore@gaiatales.com within 28 days of returning home, setting out the nature of your complaint and the outcome you are seeking. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and provide a substantive response within 28 days.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these terms or any booking made with Gaia Tales shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Gurugram, Haryana, unless otherwise required by applicable consumer law in your country of residence.

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices. The version that applies to your booking is the version in force on the date your booking was confirmed. We will not apply revised terms retrospectively to a confirmed booking without your express agreement.

The current version of these terms is always available on our website. We encourage you to review them before making a booking.