Participant
Terms & Conditions.

Before the Trek: Participation Happens in Two Stages

Acceptance into the 45-day preparatory programme does not guarantee a place on the Himalayan Expedition. Final expedition participation requires completion of the prescribed preparation, submission of required documents and reports, satisfaction of applicable fitness and medical criteria, final medical clearance, and a separate written expedition confirmation from Nirog Bhumi. Capacity and safety requirements also apply.

A participant may be asked to complete additional medical or fitness checks, obtain a certificate from a treating doctor, or satisfy Indiahikes requirements applicable to the participant's age or health profile. Unless Nirog Bhumi specifically confirms that a cost is included, the participant bears that cost.

1. Understanding the Risks of Trekking

I understand that high-altitude trekking is an adventure activity and that the Dayara Bugyal trek involves risks that cannot be completely eliminated, even when reasonable safety systems are followed.

The risks may include:

• Natural hazards such as sudden rain or snow, cloudbursts, flash floods, thunderstorms, lightning, extreme cold, high winds, landslides, earthquakes, avalanches, trail damage, falling rocks, wildlife encounters and other mountain hazards.
• Altitude-related illness and oxygen deprivation, including Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and hypoxia.
• Slips, falls, rough or uneven terrain, equipment-related accidents, sun or cold exposure, dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, injury, disability and other physical harm.
• Diabetes-related events, including hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, unexpected glucose variability, dehydration-related glucose changes and the possibility that illness, exertion, altitude, food intake or medication requirements may affect glucose control.
• Limited or delayed access to hospitals, clinics, specialists, diagnostic facilities or emergency services, and delays or difficulty in evacuation from remote terrain.
• Transport disruption, road closures, equipment failure, government restrictions, local unrest, disease outbreaks, natural disasters and other events outside the reasonable control of Nirog Bhumi or Indiahikes.

By participating, I acknowledge that I am aware of these risks, I am participating voluntarily, I will follow safety instructions, and I understand that no trek leader, guide, medical professional, Nirog Bhumi representative or Indiahikes representative can predict or prevent every risk with complete certainty. Safety is a shared responsibility.

2. Declaration of Fitness, Health and Medical Readiness

I accept responsibility for preparing physically and mentally for the trek and for meeting the preparation and fitness criteria communicated for this expedition.

I agree to provide complete and accurate information about my health history, diabetes status, medication, allergies, past medical events and any other information or reports requested for screening or safety. I will promptly inform Nirog Bhumi and, once on the trek, the trek leader or medical team if there is any material change in my health or medication.

I understand that final medical clearance is a safety decision based on the information available at that time. It is not a promise that I will remain well during the trek and does not eliminate the inherent risks of high-altitude trekking.

If Indiahikes requires an age-specific or health-specific investigation, including a treadmill test or other cardiovascular assessment, I will complete it within the communicated timeline. Failure to satisfy a required medical, fitness or documentation condition may result in my expedition place being withheld or withdrawn, with the financial consequences governed by the Cancellation, Refunds & Changes document.

The preparatory programme may provide health education, lifestyle guidance, yoga, fitness and readiness support. It does not replace my treating doctor. I will not stop, reduce, increase or otherwise change prescribed medication solely because of general programme content. Medication decisions must be discussed with the appropriately qualified treating professional.

3. Compensation for Harm or Loss Caused by the Participant

I am responsible for the way I use trek equipment and for my conduct towards other participants, staff, guides, local communities and property.

To the extent permitted by law, if my intentional, reckless or negligent act, or my misuse of equipment, directly causes injury to another person or loss or damage to property, I may be required to reimburse the reasonable direct repair, replacement, medical or other costs arising from that conduct.

This clause does not require me to compensate Nirog Bhumi or Indiahikes for liability arising from their own unlawful conduct, negligence or any liability that cannot legally be excluded or transferred.

4. Following and Abiding by Safety Protocols

I understand and agree that safety takes priority over reaching Dayara Top or completing the planned itinerary.

• The authorised Indiahikes trek leader, guide, designated medical professional or safety team may change the pace, stop an ascent, require me to rest, require me to descend, turn me around or remove me from the trek if they reasonably consider it necessary for my safety or the safety or functioning of the group.
• Indiahikes may conduct routine checks such as oxygen saturation, pulse and blood pressure. Nirog Bhumi or the designated medical team may also require glucose checks and other safety monitoring relevant to the expedition. I agree to cooperate with these checks.
• I may be stopped from climbing higher or required to descend if my vital signs, glucose status, symptoms, fitness, pace or overall condition are outside the safety parameters applied by the trek leader or medical team, or if I am unable to continue without disproportionate individual assistance.
• Smoking, alcohol and recreational or intoxicating drugs are prohibited during the trek and at Indiahikes basecamps/campsites, except lawful medication used as prescribed.
• I will bring the mandatory personal gear, prescribed medication, diabetes-monitoring supplies, glucose treatment supplies and other items listed in the Final Expedition Pack. Missing essential safety items may prevent me from starting or continuing the trek.
• No summit, viewpoint, campsite, route or completion outcome is guaranteed. The group may turn around for safety even if I personally wish to continue.

5. Voluntary Participation and Acceptance of These Terms

I confirm that I am choosing to participate voluntarily and that I have had a reasonable opportunity to read these terms, other policies, and the Indiahikes trek terms referred to below, and to ask questions before the expedition.

Electronic acceptance, including acceptance through a registration portal, electronic signature or other clearly recorded electronic method, may be treated as acceptance of these terms to the extent permitted by law. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

Nothing in these terms removes or limits any statutory or consumer right that cannot legally be excluded. These terms are governed by the laws of India, subject to the jurisdiction of Courts in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

6. Required Formal Documents and Personal Data

I am responsible for providing the identity, medical, fitness and other documents reasonably required for the expedition, including a valid government-issued identification document and any medical certificates or reports requested for screening, permits, insurance or safety.

I understand that failure to provide a required document, or providing materially inaccurate or incomplete information, may prevent or end my participation.

Personal and health information will be handled in accordance with Nirog Bhumi's applicable privacy/consent notices and law. Information reasonably necessary for identity verification, permits, medical screening, safety, insurance, trek operations or emergency response may be shared with Indiahikes, the designated medical team, insurers and relevant service providers or authorities as permitted by law.

Where a separate consent is required for photographs, testimonials, identifiable health stories, research or promotional use, that activity will be governed by the relevant separate consent and is not automatically authorised by these participant terms.

7. Payments, Cancellations, Refunds, Changes and Trek Suspensions

Participants pay Nirog Bhumi in accordance with the Programme Fee & Payments document. Nirog Bhumi, in turn, makes the relevant group or trek payments to Indiahikes and other service providers as applicable.

The detailed financial consequences of participant withdrawal, failure to obtain medical clearance, non-completion of preparation requirements, trek suspension, itinerary change, early descent, partner/vendor vouchers/refunds, Indiahikes Shield and other cancellation events are set out in the separate Cancellation, Refunds & Changes document. That document forms part of these Participant Terms & Conditions and should be read before payment.

Consistent with Indiahikes' current trek policy, a participant who comes down or is sent down after the trek has begun because of health, fitness, safety, misconduct or personal reasons should not assume that an unused portion of the trek fee will be refunded or converted into a voucher. Any entitlement will be determined only under the applicable Nirog Bhumi cancellation/refund document, Indiahikes policy and mandatory law.

If Indiahikes suspends the trek because of external circumstances, the treatment of the underlying Indiahikes trek fee may depend on Indiahikes' then-applicable suspension policy and whether Indiahikes Shield was purchased. Where the Nirog Bhumi cancellation/refund document provides for pass-through of an Indiahikes refund, Nirog Bhumi will reimburse the participant only to the extent and in the manner stated in that document.

8. Reasons Participation or the Trek May Be Terminated

Nirog Bhumi and/or Indiahikes may stop or terminate a participant's trek or expedition participation where reasonably necessary for safety, group functioning, legal compliance or serious misconduct. This includes, without limitation:

• Injury, illness or a medical condition that makes continued trekking unsafe.
• Insufficient fitness, inability to maintain the required group pace, or the need for exclusive assistance that materially affects the team.
• Blood pressure, oxygen saturation, glucose status or other relevant readings or symptoms outside acceptable safety parameters.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol or using recreational/intoxicating substances in breach of trek rules.
• Sexual misconduct, harassment, violence, threats, serious verbal or physical aggression, abusive conduct or deliberate intimidation.
• Repeated or serious refusal to follow trek rules, safety instructions, campsite rules or lawful instructions of the trek leader or authorised team.
• Illegal activity, serious disruptive behaviour, discriminatory abuse, deliberate damage, theft, or misuse of Indiahikes/Nirog Bhumi/shared equipment.

If participation is ended for misconduct, rule-breaking, personal withdrawal or a participant-specific health/fitness reason after expedition services have been committed or begun, there is no automatic right to a refund for unused services. The participant shall also bear reasonable additional costs of a separate vehicle, mule, guide, porter, accommodation, equipment repair/replacement or other return logistics, as detailed in the applicable policies and partner/vendor terms.

9. Mountain Plans, Travel, Property and Emergency Costs Can Change

The itinerary, route, campsite, timing, transport, accommodation or sequence of activities may be changed because of weather, road conditions, permits, government directions, safety concerns, trail conditions, health issues, local circumstances or logistics. Where reasonably possible, the team may use a safe alternative rather than cancel the entire experience.

Travel from the participant's home to Dehradun and from Dehradun back home is the participant's responsibility. Participants are strongly advised to book flexible or cancellable travel because mountain operations can change at short notice.

Neither Nirog Bhumi nor Indiahikes can guarantee that a trek will proceed or finish exactly as planned when circumstances beyond reasonable control make that unsafe or impracticable. This does not affect any refund, voucher or statutory right that applies under the separate cancellation/refund terms or law.

Emergency rescue, evacuation, medical treatment, hospitalisation, extra accommodation and separate return transport may create additional costs payable by the participant, depending on the circumstances and insurance or partner/vendor coverage. No particular method of evacuation, including helicopter evacuation, is promised or guaranteed.

The participant remains responsible for their personal belongings.

10. Indiahikes Terms Apply to the On-Ground Trek

Indiahikes is the on-ground trek partner/vendor for the Dayara Bugyal component of this expedition. In addition to the Nirog Bhumi policies, each participant must follow the Indiahikes trek terms, safety protocols, conduct rules, campsite rules and operational instructions applicable to the Dayara Bugyal trek and the relevant batch.

For on-ground safety and operational decisions during the trek, the directions of the authorised Indiahikes trek leader and designated medical/safety team take priority. Nirog Bhumi's documents govern the participant's relationship with Nirog Bhumi, including the preparatory programme, participant payments and any Nirog Bhumi-specific commitments.

The Indiahikes Dayara Bugyal page contains the trek-specific participation terms that are relevant to participants.

Current Indiahikes references

• Dayara Bugyal trek page, including trek-specific Terms & Conditions: indiahikes.com/dayara-bugyal-trek ↗
• Indiahikes Standard Cancellation Policy: indiahikes.com/blog/cancellation-policy ↗
• Indiahikes general website Terms & Conditions (supplementary): Indiahikes Terms & Conditions PDF ↗