Cancellation & Refund Policy

Last updated: February 2026

1. Cancellation Schedule

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to hello@curatedascents.com. The cancellation date is the date we receive your written notice. Refunds are calculated based on the number of days remaining before your scheduled departure:

60+ days before departure

Full refund minus a $250 USD administrative fee per person. The administrative fee covers permit applications, supplier reservation holds, and processing costs already incurred.

30 – 59 days before departure

50% refund of the total trip cost. Non-refundable supplier commitments (flights, permits, peak-season hotel deposits) are deducted before calculating the refund.

15 – 29 days before departure

25% refund of the total trip cost. At this stage, most supplier payments have been finalised and cannot be recovered.

Less than 15 days before departure

No refund. 100% of the trip cost is forfeited. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against late cancellations.

Refunds are processed within 14 business days of receiving your cancellation notice. Credit card refunds are returned to the original payment method. Bank transfer refunds are sent to the originating account (international transfer fees may apply).

2. Force Majeure

In the event of circumstances beyond reasonable control that make travel impossible or unsafe, CuratedAscents will offer affected travellers the choice of:

  • A full credit toward a future trip (valid for 18 months from the original departure date)
  • Rescheduling to alternative dates at no additional charge (subject to availability)
  • A refund minus any non-recoverable supplier costs already paid on your behalf

Force majeure events include, but are not limited to:

  • Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, avalanches)
  • Pandemics and government-imposed travel restrictions
  • Political unrest, civil disturbance, or armed conflict
  • Government border closures or airspace restrictions
  • Severe weather events that make travel routes impassable

CuratedAscents will communicate promptly with all affected travellers and work to find the best possible resolution. We will provide documentation of non-recoverable costs upon request to support your travel insurance claim.

3. Amendment Policy

We understand that plans evolve. The following amendments can be accommodated subject to availability and supplier terms:

Date Changes

  • 60+ days before departure: One date change is permitted free of charge. Subsequent changes incur a $150 USD processing fee.
  • 30–59 days before departure: Date changes are subject to a $250 USD rebooking fee plus any supplier price differences.
  • Less than 30 days: Date changes are treated as a cancellation and rebooking under the cancellation schedule above.

Itinerary Modifications

  • Room upgrades: Available subject to hotel availability; price difference applies
  • Route changes: Minor adjustments (e.g., adding a side trip) accommodated where possible at additional cost
  • Group size changes: Adding travellers is possible up to 30 days before departure; removing travellers follows the cancellation schedule
  • Service additions: Extra activities, helicopter flights, or spa services can be added at any time before departure

All amendments are confirmed in writing. We will always advise you of any cost implications before proceeding with changes.

4. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all CuratedAscents trips and is mandatory for treks above 3,000m. Travel insurance is not included in our trip pricing.

Your travel insurance policy should cover:

  • Trip cancellation and interruption (covering the full cost of your trip)
  • Medical expenses of at least $100,000 USD
  • Emergency helicopter evacuation and medical repatriation
  • High-altitude trekking coverage (up to your itinerary's maximum elevation)
  • Travel delays, baggage loss, and personal liability

We recommend purchasing insurance within 14 days of paying your deposit to access "cancel for any reason" provisions offered by many providers. Recommended providers include World Nomads, Global Rescue, and IMG Global — all of which offer plans designed for adventure travel in the Himalayas.

Proof of adequate travel insurance must be provided at least 30 days before your departure date. CuratedAscents reserves the right to decline participation to any traveller who cannot provide proof of adequate insurance coverage for their itinerary.

5. Deposits & Payment Protection

Your initial deposit (typically 30% of the total trip cost) secures your booking and initiates supplier reservations on your behalf. Payment is processed securely through Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor.

  • Credit card payments are protected by Stripe's buyer protection and your card issuer's dispute resolution process
  • Bank transfers (SWIFT) are confirmed by email receipt within 48 hours of funds clearing
  • Cash on arrival is available for the remaining balance (after deposit) and must be arranged at the time of booking

All prices are quoted in USD unless otherwise agreed. We do not charge additional processing fees for credit card payments. SWIFT transfer bank fees charged by intermediary banks are the responsibility of the traveller.

6. No-Show Policy

Travellers who fail to arrive at the designated meeting point at the scheduled departure time without prior written notice will be considered a no-show. No-shows are not eligible for any refund. We will make every reasonable effort to contact you in the event of a delayed arrival.

7. CuratedAscents-Initiated Cancellations

In rare circumstances, CuratedAscents may need to cancel a trip due to insufficient enrolment, safety concerns, or operational reasons. In such cases:

  • You will receive a full refund of all payments made
  • We will offer alternative dates or itineraries where possible
  • Notification will be provided at least 30 days before departure (except in emergencies)
  • CuratedAscents is not liable for incidental costs such as non-refundable airfares booked independently

8. Contact

For cancellation requests, amendments, or questions about this policy:

See also our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.