PRICES
We strive to keep the prices as published, however since our tours are planned more than a year in advance, prices are subject to change due to increases in hotel rates and fuel costs. Prices for Europe and Africa trips may also be subject to change due to foreign currency fluctuations.
Our group tours are priced based on double occupancy and a stated minimum number of clients (usually four or six people) yet are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of two people. If a tour has less than the minimum required within 30 days of departure, a supplement fee is charged for smaller groups to cover the fixed costs of the trip. Certain India tour groups with less than four people will be operated as a private tour utlizing local professional guides in each city. Our local guides are of the highest level of education and travel industry training. However, if the booked travelers unanimously prefer, we can offer the accompanying escort at an additional fee.
Price inclusions vary and are listed on the detailed itinerary for each tour. Price does not include: international airfare, airport taxes, visa fees, any items of a personal nature, additional expenses resulting from the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, sickness or other causes beyond our reasonable control. Tipping your driver and guide at the end of the trip is normal, but entirely at your discretion.
If you are traveling solo and would like to share accommodations, we will match you with a roommate of the same gender if one is available. If you prefer a private room, a supplement fee is charged. If you request a roommate and we are unable to find you a match, we will charge you a modified supplement fee that is below our cost, provided you booked the tour a minimum 6 months in advance.
Transfers: Clients may transfer to other group tours offered by Original World for an administrative fee of $50 per person by notifying us no later than 90 days prior to the departure date of their booked trip. Price of chaned tour applies.
PRICES – CUSTOM TOURS
Designing a custom itinerary is time-consuming, therefore we request a $500 development fee which will be credited to your invoice. Should you decide not to book the tour, the itinerary—with details and current flight/train schedules—is yours to keep. The credit offer remains should you decide to book this itinerary with us at a later time. While there is no time limit, the original price quoted is subject to change.
Requested modifications to custom tours after booking are subject to a $150 administrative fee plus any penalties imposed by the hotels or airlines for cancellations or rescheduled dates.
RESERVATIONS
To make a reservation, call us at 888-367-6147. A $600 per person deposit is required to confirm your booking. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express and offer a 3% discount for payment by check. For credit card payment we now use paypal. It is easy and does not require that you have an account. You will receive an email for a request for payment via paypal. It will identify Original World and include a note to remind you what the request is for. You will complete the transaction by supplying for credit card information on their secure website. A reservation application is included with the brochure or we can send you one by mail or email. You may book the trip by phone to assure your space but please mail or fax the signed application.
Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation packet which will include: a detailed trip itinerary, information on preparing for your journey, insurance brochure application, and ID card with your local contacts. Your final trip briefing and hotel contact list will be sent out approximately three weeks prior to departure.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE, CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS
Deposit:
A non-refundable $600 deposit per person is due at time of booking to secure your space and confirm your booking. In addition, payment for flights within the tour are due within 14 days of booking. Should you need to cancel at any time, your deposit will be non-refundable. We will refund your internal airfare less any penalties levied by the airline.
Final Payment:
Final balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you need to cancel between 76 and 90 days prior to departure, we will refund 25% of your trip cost, as well as your internal airfare less any penalties levied by the airline.
Cancellation Within 75 Days:
If you need to cancel within 75 days of departure we will not be able to issue you a refund.
TRIP CANCELLATON INSURANCE
We have to pay our in-country vendors far in advance of your tour, and thus we are unable to make exceptions to our refund policy. For your protection, we highly recommend that you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance at the time of booking. We recommend Travelex. Cost varies according to your trip package. A brochure describing benefits and fees is included in your trip preparations packet.
CANCELLED TRIPS
Our tours are guaranteed with a minimum of two people. Original World reserves the right to cancel any trip due to inadequate sign ups, which makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate. Notification will be given at least 60 days prior to departure. A full refund will be given or you may choose to transfer to another tour. We have never cancelled a tour that had at least two people booked, however a supplement fee applies if the group size is less than the minimum listed for the tour price quote.
ITINERARY
Although it is our intention to follow the final printed itinerary, on occasion, it may be necessary to adjust the sequence of activities or hotels due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control such as weather, airline schedule change, political disturbances, road detours or changes in hotel management or rennovation work. Should adjustments be necesary we do our best to provide substitutions that are similar to the original itinerary.
BOOKING CONFIRMATION
Once your deposit is received, we will mail a trip booking confirmation packet with information to prepare for your journey including travel insurance, visa requirements, packing suggestions and general information about visiting your destination.
FINAL TOUR DOCUMENTS
A final trip packet will be mailed approximately 30 days prior to departure. This will include a final itinerary, hotel contact list, our in-country contact numbers and any final reminders.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Original World Inc, aka Spirit of India, its owners, agents and affiliated companies act only as agents for hotels, transportation companies, land operators and suppliers of travel services and assume no liability in connection with the operation or service of any transportation vehicle or hotel which may be used for services to Original World trip members. Original World and its operators and agents will assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, irregularity or additional costs resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following causes: weather, failure of any means of transportation to adhere to schedules, quarantines, strikes, civil disturbances, theft, government regulations, or changes in transport and lodging beyond our reasonable control. Original World reserves the right at any time, either prior to or after departure, to, in its good-faith discretion, change or reprice any tour, including but not limited to the right to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, to substitute hotels or leaders, or change any means of conveyance without notice and without allowance of refund, with the liability of increased costs – if any – to be borne by trip members. Original World reserves the right to change any itinerary at any time when it is deemed advisory for the safety of the group or to comply with government restrictions. We have never had to drastically change an itinerary in our 12 years of operation. On rare occasion minor logistical changes are needed due to changes in conditions.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Client acknowledges the risk and hazards of travel. By signing the reservation form, client accepts responsibility for his/her own welfare and waive future claims against Original World for liability to the maximum extent permitted by law. Client understands that Original World contracts with a network of operators around the world through affiliate tour operators. These third party service providers are deemed qualified and experienced to the best of Original World’s knowledge. Client understands, however, that Original World is Unable to fully supervise or guarantee the performance of such third parties. Therefore client fully releases and holds harmless Original World Inc from any and all liability for all their acts or omissions. Client agrees that this Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability statement shall be legally binding upon client, all minors under the age of 21 traveling with the client, client’s heirs, successors, and legal representatives. Client further agrees to fully indemnify Original World Inc from all and any liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law and for all its costs, expenses, damages, etc (including attorney’s fees) arising from or attributable to any claims or actions arising from client’s travel with Original World and which claims or actions are specifically released by client.
