Terms and conditions

General Terms and Conditions of Sale

Shanti Travel SAS is a company registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register (RCS) under number 838682219, accredited by Atout France as a travel and tourism operator (registration number IM075190042). It holds a financial guarantee with APST ID96709 and professional liability insurance up to €3,000,000 provided by HELVETIA SWISS INSURANCE COMPANY (policy no. 92200405) located at 40 Dufourstrasse, 9001 Saint Gallen, Switzerland.

Shanti Travel SAS
14 rue de Tolbiac
75013 Paris (FRANCE)
contact@shantitravel.com
SIRET: 838682219 00020
VAT number: FR44838682219

Terms and Conditions of Sale
Shanti Travel SAS defines its terms of sale based on the specifics of its travel offers. Any purchase of a trip implies acceptance of these terms. In the event of discrepancies between the terms and conditions stated in detailed travel programs and those on the Shanti Travel SAS websites, the terms in the detailed programs shall prevail.

Table of Contents

1 – Registration and Payment

• 1.1 Registration
• 1.2 Payment terms for trip registration

2 – Travel Information

• 2.1 Administrative and health formalities
• 2.2 Security and health risks information

3 – Air Transport

• 3.1 Airline information
• 3.2 Transport conditions
• 3.3 Traveler’s own arrangements

4 – Changes Requested by the Traveler

5 – Transfer of Travel Contract

6 – Cancellation Terms and Fees

• 6.1 Cancellation conditions
• 6.2 Standard cancellation fees
• 6.3 Partial cancellation fees (for organized groups)
• 6.4 Refund policy

7 – Insurance

8 – Price Adjustments

• 8.1 Organized groups
• 8.2 “Tailor-made” and “Custom” trips
• 8.3 All travel packages

9 – Special Travel Arrangements

• 9.1 Departure and return days
• 9.2 Accommodation
• 9.3 Special conditions for high-altitude trips
• 9.4 Special conditions for risky activities
• 9.5 Organized groups
• 9.6 Shanti Travel’s liability and accessibility for people with reduced mobility

10 – Minors

11 – Liability

12 – Complaints and Mediation

13 – Personal Data

14 – Traveler’s Rights

1 – REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

1.1. Registration
Registration for our trips can be done through our advisors (via email or phone) or on our websites.
The registration becomes definitive only upon receipt of the deposit and the duly completed participant information form. In accordance with Article L.221-28 of the Consumer Code, you are not entitled to a withdrawal period for the purchase of travel services.
Registering for one of our trips implies full acceptance of our terms and conditions of sale.

1.2 Payment terms for trip registration The validity of your quotation is 7 days from the date of issue.
All rates indicated are based on the best price available on the day and are subject to change at the time of booking. Any quotation is subject to modification depending on availability, and prices may be adjusted due to currency exchange rate fluctuations and increases in government taxes. This may affect the total price.
Any additional costs incurred due to changes requested by the client will result in a price adjustment (e.g., non-refundable airline tickets, hotel changes, distant and unscheduled visits, or itinerary modifications).

1. The sales contract must be completed by the traveler and sent to Shanti Travel SAS via email.

2. Shanti Travel SAS will send you via email:

   • A registration confirmation (including the total trip cost), mentioning:
     • The deposit amount to be paid
     • A proforma invoice
     • Payment methods (bank transfer or credit card)
     • Our bank details
     • Our terms and conditions of sale

3. Payment terms for your deposit and balance

• For bookings made more than 45 days before departure:
  • 50% of the total trip cost must be paid to confirm the booking.
  • The balance is due no later than 45 days before the departure date.
• For bookings made less than 45 days before departure:
  • Full payment for the trip is required at the time of booking.
    Bank fees related to payment by transfer are the sole responsibility of the traveler.

4. The balance amount will be sent to you after receipt of the deposit (processing takes a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 8 days).
5. The trip balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date from the country of origin, respecting the chosen payment method.
   Shanti Travel SAS reserves the right, in case of non-compliance with the payment schedule for the deposit or balance, to cancel the contract and enforce cancellation penalties as outlined in Article 6 below without prior notice.

2 – TRAVEL INFORMATION

2.1. Administrative and health formalities
Before registering for your trip, you must ensure that each traveler has a valid passport or other document that meets the requirements for transit and/or entry into the destination country/countries.
Shanti Travel SAS provides information in its travel offer about customs and health formalities for French nationals. It is the responsibility of the French traveler to verify possession of the necessary administrative and health documents for the trip.
Travelers of other nationalities or dual nationals must inquire about the administrative (e.g., visas) and health (e.g., vaccinations) requirements from the relevant embassies and consulates before registering and undertaking their trip.

A traveler unable to board a flight due to a lack of police, customs, and/or health documents will not be entitled to a refund of the trip price.

Shanti Travel SAS cannot be held responsible for the consequences of a traveler’s failure to comply with police, customs, or health regulations before or during the trip (e.g., incorrect visa, loss of identity documents, or plane tickets).

2.2. Security and health risk information

• Security: Shanti Travel SAS advises checking the country information sheets provided by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your destination and transit countries on their website www.diplomatie.fr, under "Travel Advice," or by calling +33 (0)1 43 17 86 86 (monitoring unit). These sheets can also be provided upon request from Shanti Travel SAS.
• Health Risks: We invite you to consult information published by competent authorities on the health risks in your travel destinations and to follow the recommendations and measures to mitigate these risks, available on:
  1. The websites:
     • www.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr (Ministry of Solidarity and Health)
     • www.who.int (World Health Organization)
     • www.diplomatie.gouv.fr (France Diplomacy)
     • www.pasteur.fr (Pasteur Institute)
  2. Information is also available upon request from our advisors.

3 – AIR TRANSPORT

3.1. Airline
For air transport services included in the trip, Shanti Travel provides travelers, before concluding the contract, with the identity of the airline(s) that may operate the flights for each flight segment, along with information on schedules and any known stopovers as of that date.
As soon as it is known, the identity of the actual airline is communicated via email. This information is confirmed no later than eight days before the contractually scheduled date or at the time of contract conclusion if it occurs less than eight days before the start of the trip.
In the event of changes after the contract conclusion, Shanti Travel or the contractual carrier commits to informing the traveler of any modifications to the identity of the airline operating the flight segment(s) as soon as they become aware of them.
Please note that the European list of banned airlines can be consulted at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban_fr.

3.2. Transport conditions
In accordance with international air transport regulations, any airline may modify schedules and/or itineraries, as well as departure and destination airports, without notice.
In the event of modifications by the airline, due to technical, weather, or political incidents beyond Shanti Travel SAS's control, delays, cancellations, external strikes, additional stopovers, equipment changes, or political/climatic events, if the traveler decides to cancel the trip, the cancellation fees outlined in Article 6 below will apply.

Shanti Travel SAS will not reimburse costs (e.g., taxis, hotels, transportation, meals) when the traveler is under the airline's protection.
In cases of delays at departure or return, baggage damage or loss, boarding refusal, or flight cancellation by the airline, it is the traveler's responsibility to retain all original documents (tickets, boarding passes, baggage claim tickets, etc.) and request written proof from the airline in the event of disputes. The traveler should promptly send a complaint to the airline with copies of the evidence and keep the originals.

3.3. Traveler-arranged transportation
For travelers organizing their own transportation to the trip's starting location and back home after the trip, Shanti Travel recommends purchasing modifiable and/or refundable services (transport tickets) and scheduling reasonable transfer times between airports/stations.
Shanti Travel SAS is not liable for costs resulting from unforeseeable or unavoidable events caused by the traveler or a third party, leading to changes in the services booked with Shanti Travel SAS and/or modifications of services reserved by the traveler for their transportation.

4 – CHANGES REQUESTED BY THE TRAVELER

Any changes requested by the traveler(s) after the program validation, before or during the trip, will incur modification fees. These fees can amount to 100% of the trip cost depending on the extent of the requested changes, whether or not the trip has started (e.g., non-refundable airline tickets, last-minute hotel changes).
If the traveler wishes to depart earlier or return later than the originally scheduled dates, Shanti Travel SAS can accommodate these requests with tailored arrangements. These services will be billed according to the traveler's requested adjustments. A new proforma invoice will be sent via email 30 days before the traveler's arrival. All changes are subject to availability.
Any changes requested by the traveler(s) after quotation validation will incur a €50 agency modification fee. Refusal to pay this price adjustment will be treated as a cancellation, subject to the cancellation fees outlined in Article 6 below.

5 – TRANSFER OF THE TRAVEL CONTRACT

According to Article L.211-11 of the Tourism Code, the traveler may transfer their travel contract to another person meeting the same conditions for undertaking the trip, provided the contract has not taken effect and up to seven days before the start of the trip, by notifying Shanti Travel SAS using a method that provides acknowledgment of receipt.
The original traveler and the assignee are jointly liable for paying the trip's balance and any transfer fees, which will be communicated to them. To avoid inconvenience, the transferring traveler should inquire about the costs they may incur before transferring their contract.

6 – CANCELLATION TERMS AND FEES

6.1. Cancellation Conditions

6.1.1. Cancellation by the Traveler
If travelers are compelled to cancel their trip, they must notify their insurance company and Shanti Travel SAS in writing (using a method that provides acknowledgment of receipt) as soon as the event triggering the cancellation occurs. The date on the written notification will be used as the cancellation date for calculating cancellation fees.
Please note that the insurance company will assess the date of the triggering event based on the documents you submit and determine whether to reimburse your cancellation fees.

6.1.2. Partial Cancellation Due to Withdrawal of One or More Travelers
If one or more travelers cancel their participation in a trip that is still being maintained for other participants, the trip price for those continuing will be recalculated based on their number. Refusal by the remaining travelers to pay the adjusted price will be considered a cancellation, and cancellation fees outlined in Article 6.2 will apply.

6.1.3. Cancellation by Shanti Travel SAS for Minimum Participant Requirement Not Met
If the minimum number of participants required for a group trip is not reached, Shanti Travel SAS reserves the right to cancel the trip at no cost, provided the traveler is informed at least one month before departure or by the date specified in the contract. In this case, Shanti Travel SAS will refund all amounts paid by the traveler or propose an alternative trip on a later date.

6.2. Total Cancellation Fee Schedule

6.2.1. For Trips Except to Japan and France
If you cancel for any reason, standard cancellation fees will apply as follows:

• More than 45 days before departure: 25% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Between 45 and 31 days before departure: 35% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Between 30 and 15 days before departure: 50% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Less than 15 days before departure: 100% of the total trip cost will be retained.

6.2.2. For Trips to Japan and France
If you cancel for any reason, standard cancellation fees will apply as follows:

• More than 45 days before departure: 25% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Between 45 and 31 days before departure: 40% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Between 30 and 15 days before departure: 60% of the total trip cost will be retained.
• Less than 15 days before departure: 100% of the total trip cost will be retained.

Failure to show up on the day of departure, for any reason, does not entitle the traveler to a refund. Any trip interrupted or shortened by the traveler, for any reason, will not be refunded.

6.3. Partial Cancellation Fee Schedule (Organized Groups) If one or more travelers cancel their participation in a trip maintained for other participants, cancellation fees (as outlined in Article 6.2) will apply to the following:

• The cost of the non-consumed and non-transferable individual services at the cancellation date.
• The shared-cost portion of the trip (e.g., accommodations, rentals).

If multiple travelers are registered under the same booking, cancellation fees will be deducted from the total amount paid for the booking, regardless of who made the payment.

6.4. Refunds
In the event of cancellation, external expenses incurred by the traveler (e.g., transportation, visa fees, travel documents) will not be reimbursed by Shanti Travel SAS.
Before any reimbursement, Shanti Travel SAS requires a non-reimbursement letter from your personal insurance (travel insurance, liability insurance, credit card insurance, etc.).
Refunds take a minimum of 14 days after the contract resolution, provided Shanti Travel SAS has received the insurance's non-reimbursement letter.

7 – INSURANCE

Shanti Travel SAS holds professional liability insurance with HELVETIA COMPAGNIE SUISSE D’ASSURANCES, policy no. 92200405. This policy applies globally, but travelers are reminded to comply with local legal obligations requiring specific insurance. Travelers are advised to have personal liability coverage, including repatriation and specialized insurances such as mountain rescue or diving.

8 – PRICE REVISIONS

8.1. Organized Groups
Prices are based on a minimum number of participants, as specified in the offer. If the number falls below the minimum, a "small group" supplement may be applied up to 30 days before departure, and this will be refunded if additional participants join.

8.2. Custom and Tailor-Made Trips
Prices are quoted based on preferences and availability. Price adjustments may occur after booking, based on changes in flight costs or hotel availability.

8.3. General Conditions
All quotes are valid for seven days. After this period, quotes may be adjusted based on availability.

Prices may be revised to reflect changes in:

• Fuel or energy costs.
• Taxes or charges imposed by third parties.
• Exchange rates (e.g., USD/EUR).

Travelers will be informed of any increase exceeding 8%, with options to accept or decline within a reasonable timeframe.

9 – SPECIFIC TERMS OF OUR TRIPS

9.1. Departure and Return Days
We may not always know the exact schedules of the international flights you book at the time of your request or registration. Therefore, as a precaution, Shanti Travel SAS considers the first and last day of the trip as reserved for transportation, even if these days may include travel services (meals, visits, etc.).

9.2. Accommodation
All our trips (unless otherwise stated) include accommodations in double rooms (or double tents). Where possible, a single room can be requested from Shanti Travel SAS, subject to an additional charge.

9.3. Specific Conditions for High-Altitude Mountain Trips
The personnel selected by Shanti Travel SAS or its partners (high-mountain guides, mid-mountain guides, etc.) to accompany the group has sole discretion during the trip to modify the planned program in order to ensure the safety of travelers and the smooth running of the trip, and to address unforeseen circumstances. Depending on weather conditions, the peaks planned for ascent, and the physical condition of travelers, Shanti Travel SAS, through its representative, may propose an adjusted program and/or the presence of an additional guide. Any additional costs will be borne by the travelers. The interruption of the trip by a participant will not entitle them to any refund.

9.4. Specific Conditions for Risk Activities
For themed trips involving risk activities (e.g., trekking, diving, horseback riding, etc.), travelers must mandatorily subscribe to specific insurance covering these activities for the duration of the stay.

9.5. Organized Groups
Unless otherwise specified, the minimum group size for our trips is 2 people, and the maximum is 14 people. However, the maximum number may be exceeded by one participant if the last registrant wishes to travel with another person. The services provided will not be altered, and the conditions of your trip will remain the same.

9.6. Accessibility for Travelers with Reduced Mobility
We are aware of the specific needs of travelers with reduced mobility. While our trips are not systematically accessible to all, we can offer tailored options. We invite you to contact us to discuss details with our travel experts.

10 – MINORS

Shanti Travel SAS accepts bookings for travelers aged 18 and over. Registration requests for minors traveling without their parents or legal guardians must, subject to prior agreement from Shanti Travel SAS, be signed by the father, mother, or legal guardian and include the mention “agreement of the father, mother, or guardian.”

For minors residing in France, prior to the trip, they must have, in addition to the identity or police documents required for travel abroad, an authorization to leave French metropolitan territory: CERFA No. 15646*01, available at www.formulaires.modernisation.gouv.fr/gf/cerfa_15646.do.
For minors traveling with one parent, guardian, or other adult, ensure that you have the necessary documents for the accompanying minor (family record book and national ID card or passport and, where applicable, an authorization to leave the country). The minor traveler must also carry contact details (name, address, and phone numbers) of their parents at all times during the trip to establish direct contact with them if needed.

11 – LIABILITY

Shanti Travel SAS is responsible for the proper execution of the services provided in this contract and is obligated to assist travelers in difficulty.

In cases of liability due to service providers, the compensation limits resulting from international conventions under Article L.211-17-IV of the French Tourism Code will apply. Otherwise, and except for bodily injuries, intentional damages, or damages caused by negligence, potential compensation is limited to three times the total trip price.

Shanti Travel SAS shall not be held responsible for the consequences of external events, including:

• Loss or theft of travel tickets by the traveler, as airlines do not issue duplicates.
• Failure to present or presentation of expired or invalid identity and/or health documents (ID card, passport, visa, vaccination certificates, etc.) or non-compliance with the indications in the travel offer and registration form.
• Unforeseeable or unavoidable incidents caused by third parties, such as wars, political unrest, strikes outside Shanti Travel SAS, riots, technical or administrative incidents outside Shanti Travel SAS, flight cancellations, airspace congestion, weather disruptions, delays, or losses.
• Cancellations imposed by force majeure circumstances and/or reasons related to traveler safety and/or an administrative authority's injunction.

In cases where an itinerary is not feasible, Shanti Travel SAS will allocate unused funds to propose an alternative itinerary to the traveler. If additional costs arise, they will be borne by the traveler. Refusal of this itinerary or price adjustment by the traveler will be considered a cancellation, subject to the cancellation fees outlined in Article 6.

For online flight bookings: Shanti Travel SAS is not responsible for reservations made via airline websites, booking platforms, or price comparison tools. Any complaints should be addressed directly to the relevant site.

12 – CLAIMS AND MEDIATION

Barring force majeure and without prejudice to legal action, any complaint must be addressed to Shanti Travel SAS.

Complaints should be made on-site during the trip to allow the agency to resolve potential issues immediately. Complaints not reported during the trip to our representatives or via email will not be considered. Upon return, travelers have a 30-day period to submit a formal complaint to:

Shanti Travel SAS
14 rue de Tolbiac, 75013 Paris, FRANCE
By registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (RAR) or by email to contact@shantitravel.com, accompanied by any necessary supporting documents.

If no satisfactory response is received within 60 days, or if the traveler is unsatisfied with the response, they can contact the Tourism and Travel Mediation Service (MTV Médiation Tourisme Voyage) free of charge. Details are available at www.mtv.travel, or in writing to MTV Médiation Tourisme Voyage, BP 80 303, 75 823 Paris Cedex 17, France.

For online sales, travelers can use the platform available at https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/odr to resolve disputes.

13 – PERSONAL DATA

The data collected through registration forms is stored in a computerized file by Shanti Travel.
To enable the execution of your travel service order, your data may be shared with Shanti Travel SAS subsidiaries and partners (hoteliers, transport providers, etc.) or technical service providers (IT, hosting, email distribution, online payment, etc.), which may be located outside the European Union.

The data is retained for a period not exceeding what is necessary for the purposes for which it is collected:

• Trip booking: Data required to process your order will be kept for 5 years from the conclusion of the sales contract.
• Commercial relationship management: Data will be retained for 3 years following the end of the business relationship.

In accordance with applicable legislation, you have the right to access, rectify, delete, and port your personal data, as well as the right to object to its processing for legitimate reasons.
To exercise these rights, send an email to: contact@shantitravel.com

Additionally, you are informed about the existence of a telephone solicitation opt-out list called "Bloctel," where you can register at the following website: https://conso.bloctel.fr/

14 – TRAVELER RIGHTS

The combination of travel services offered to you constitutes a package as defined by Directive (EU) 2015/2302 and Article L.211-2 II of the French Tourism Code.
You will therefore benefit from all EU rights applicable to packages, as transposed into the French Tourism Code. Shanti Travel SAS will be fully responsible for the proper execution of the package as a whole.

Furthermore, as required by law, Shanti Travel SAS has protection in place to refund your payments and, if transportation is included in the package, to ensure your repatriation in case of insolvency.

Key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302 transposed into the French Tourism Code:

• Travelers will receive all essential information about the package before concluding the package travel contract.
• The organizer and retailer are responsible for the proper performance of all travel services included in the contract.
• Travelers are provided with an emergency phone number or contact details to reach the organizer or travel agent.
• Travelers may transfer their package to another person with reasonable notice and possibly subject to additional costs.
• The package price can only be increased if specific costs rise (e.g., fuel prices) and if this possibility is explicitly mentioned in the contract, and in any case, not less than 20 days before the start of the package. If the price increase exceeds 8% of the package price, the traveler can terminate the contract. If the organizer reserves the right to increase the price, the traveler is entitled to a price reduction if the corresponding costs decrease.
• Travelers can terminate the contract without paying a termination fee and receive a full refund if any essential aspect of the package, other than the price, is significantly changed. If the organizer cancels the package before the start of the package, travelers are entitled to a refund and compensation where appropriate.
• Travelers may terminate the contract without paying a termination fee before the start of the package in the event of exceptional circumstances, such as serious security problems at the destination likely to affect the package.
• Additionally, travelers may terminate the contract at any time before the start of the package upon payment of an appropriate and justifiable termination fee.
• If, after the start of the package, significant elements cannot be provided as agreed, suitable alternative arrangements must be offered to the traveler at no additional cost. Travelers can terminate the contract without paying a termination fee if the services are not performed according to the contract, this significantly disrupts the performance of the package, and the organizer fails to remedy the issue.
• Travelers are entitled to a price reduction and/or compensation for damages in the event of non-performance or improper performance of the travel services.
• The organizer or retailer must provide assistance if the traveler is in difficulty.
• If the organizer or retailer becomes insolvent, payments will be refunded. If insolvency occurs after the start of the package and transportation is included, travelers are guaranteed repatriation. Shanti Travel SAS has insolvency protection with APST. Travelers may contact this organization if services are denied due to Shanti Travel SAS's insolvency.

(Amendment: Assurance of insolvency coverage, in compliance with EU directives, consistent with English and German conditions.)

The text of Directive (EU) 2015/2302 as transposed in France is available on the Légifrance website at: www.legifrance.gouv.fr.