Cancellation & Refund Policy

We built ClearEast Trip around a simple idea: travel should be thoughtful. That extends to how we handle cancellations. Life happens — a health emergency, a work crisis, a family situation. We are not a company that hides behind fine print.

If your plans change, the first thing to do is message us on WhatsApp. We will always look for a way to reschedule, restructure, or find a solution before a cancellation becomes necessary.

Cancellations must be communicated in writing via WhatsApp or email to hello@cleareasttrip.com. The notice period is counted from the date we receive your written cancellation to your journey's departure date.

Refunds are processed within 7–10 working days to the original payment method.

Certain costs are paid to third parties at the time of booking and cannot be recovered regardless of notice period:

• Bhutan Tourism Levy (SDF) — paid to the Royal Government of Bhutan. Non-refundable once submitted.
• Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permits (ILP) — non-refundable once processed.
• Non-refundable hotel deposits — during peak season (October– December, March–April), some properties require non-refundable advance payments. We will inform you of these before you confirm.
• Festival-period bookings — Hornbill Festival (Nagaland, December) and Bhutan Tshechu bookings carry stricter terms due to limited availability. Specific terms are shared at the time of booking.

We prefer rescheduling over cancellation wherever possible. If you need to move your journey to a later date:

• One reschedule at 45+ days' notice: no penalty, your deposit carries over in full.
• Rescheduling at 15–44 days' notice: admin fee of ₹2,000 per person applies.
• Rescheduling under 15 days' notice: treated as a new booking; cancellation charges apply to the original.
• Non-refundable permit and hotel costs do not carry over to a rescheduled date.

In the rare event that we cancel your journey (due to natural disaster, government travel advisory, civil unrest, or other circumstances beyond our control):

• You will receive a full refund of all amounts paid to us.
• We will make every effort to offer an alternative date or destination at no additional cost.
• We are not liable for losses arising from third-party costs (flights, visas) booked independently.

Events outside anyone's control — pandemics, natural disasters, border closures, political situations — are handled case by case. Our commitment is to work with you, not against you. We will offer:

• Full travel credit valid for 18 months, or
• Reschedule to any available date at no change fee.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical emergencies, and curtailment. We are happy to advise on suitable policies.

We do not mandate travel insurance, but we strongly recommend it — especially for Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh where altitude, remote roads, and limited medical access create real risk. A good policy will cover cancellation, medical evacuation, and trip curtailment. Ask us and we will point you to suitable options.

For any queries about this policy or to initiate a cancellation or reschedule, contact us:

• WhatsApp: +91 90360 21836
• Email: hello@cleareasttrip.com