Cancellation & Refund Policy
We understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly. At Northern Shoveller Tour & Travel, we maintain a clear, transparent, and fair cancellation schedule that balances customer flexibility with our firm commitments to local Kashmir & Ladakh hotels, transporters, and guides.
10% retained as administrative processing fee. Full balance refunded promptly.
50% refunded; 50% retained towards advance supplier commitments.
100% cancellation charge applies due to non-refundable local commitments.
1. Cancellation Refund Schedule
The cancellation fee is determined based on the date and time when our central Srinagar office receives your formal written cancellation notice (via email or official WhatsApp):
| Cancellation Request Received | Refund to Guest | Cancellation Retention | Applicable Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 or more days Prior to Day 1 tour start | 90% of Total Price | 10% Administrative Fee | Covers banking transaction & voucher processing costs |
| 15 to 30 days Prior to Day 1 tour start | 50% of Total Price | 50% Tour Retention | Covers partial non-refundable hotel room & vehicle allocations |
| Less than 15 days Or No-Show on arrival | 0% (Non-refundable) | 100% of Tour Price | Full supplier lock-in (hotels, houseboat, driver fleet reserved) |
2. Non-Refundable Services & Third-Party Exceptions
Certain custom tour components are subject to third-party government regulations or airline ticketing rules and are strictly non-refundable regardless of the cancellation notice window:
- Gulmarg Gondola Tickets: Phase 1 and Phase 2 electronic cable car tickets are issued directly by the J&K Cable Car Corporation and are 100% non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable under state regulations.
- Airfare Tickets: Flights booked through Northern Shoveller as part of holiday packages follow the respective airline's commercial fare rules and cancellation penalty structures.
- Inner Line & Sanctuary Permits: Administrative fees paid to district magistrates or wildlife departments for high-altitude zones (e.g., Pangong Tso, Nubra, Tso Moriri, Gurez Valley) are non-refundable once processed.
- Peak Holiday Surcharges: Certain 5-star heritage hotels and boutique luxury houseboats enforce strict 100% cancellation clauses during peak dates (e.g. Christmas, New Year, Tulip Festival). These exceptions are explicitly highlighted on your booking voucher.
3. Refund Processing & Settlement
3.1 Processing Timeline
Once a cancellation request is formally verified and approved, refunds are processed within 7 to 14 business days.
3.2 Mode of Refund
All refunds are credited back to the original payment method used during booking (e.g., direct NEFT/RTGS bank transfer to the source account, original UPI ID, or credit/debit card).
3.3 Bank & Gateway Fees
Any payment gateway transaction charges (typically 2% for credit card payments) and inter-bank transmission fees are non-refundable and will be deducted from the eligible refund amount.
3.4 100% Value Travel Credit Voucher Option
4. Date Rescheduling & Tour Modification
We recognize that medical emergencies or unavoidable personal commitments may require moving travel dates rather than outright cancellation.
- Notice Required: Requests to reschedule tour dates must be submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to the original travel date.
- Rescheduling Fee: One date change is permitted complimentary if requested 30+ days in advance. Subsequent changes or changes requested 15–30 days prior may incur a nominal amendment fee of ₹1,500.
- Seasonal Rate Differences: If dates are shifted from an off-peak month to a peak holiday season (e.g., April Tulip season, June summer rush, or December snow season), any difference in hotel room rates or vehicle rates will be payable by the guest.
- Voucher Validity: Rescheduling credits must be utilized within 12 months from the original date of booking.
5. Force Majeure & Weather Disruptions
Kashmir and Ladakh are high-altitude mountain territories where extreme weather occasionally causes highway landslides, heavy snow blockages, or flight cancellations.
5.1 Road Closures (NH-44 / Zoji La Pass / Sinthan Top)
If a mountain pass or national highway is closed by traffic police or district administration due to snow or landslides, our local operations team will instantly organize alternative sightseeing or route diversions. While Northern Shoveller cannot issue cash refunds for itinerary alterations caused by road closures, we will make every effort to provide equivalent accommodations and sightseeing.
5.2 Flight Cancellations & Airport Closures
If your flight into Srinagar or Leh is cancelled due to dense fog, blizzards, or airline operational issues, please notify us immediately. We will coordinate with reserved hotels to reschedule room dates where possible. Any unused hotel nights where hoteliers enforce cancellation policies will be documented so you can claim reimbursement from your travel insurance provider.
6. How to Submit a Cancellation Request
To ensure full transparency and avoid discrepancies, cancellations are not accepted over verbal telephone calls. Please follow this step-by-step procedure:
Email your cancellation notice to info@northernshoveller.com or send an official message to our verified WhatsApp at +91 6005586411.
Include your Booking Voucher Number, Lead Traveler Name, scheduled tour start date, and the reason for cancellation.
The timestamp on our mail server or WhatsApp message history serves as the official cancellation timestamp for calculating refund eligibility.
Our finance team will calculate the eligible refund amount per the schedule above and process the bank settlement or credit voucher within 7–14 business days.
7. Cancellation Inquiries & Support
For urgent questions regarding tour modifications, emergency delays, or cancellation queries, contact our support desk:
Northern Shoveller Tour & Travel — Cancellation Desk
Address: Madina Complex, Shalteng, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190012
Direct Phone: +91 6005586411
WhatsApp (Fastest Response): +91 6005586411
Email: info@northernshoveller.com
Registration: J&K Tourism Reg JKTA00005922 | GSTIN: 01AAUFN3995M1ZI