Your safety, and the consent behind it.

01Assumption of Risk

High-altitude environments are inherently dangerous. You acknowledge that trekking, mountaineering, camping, and allied adventure activities carry risks including extreme weather, avalanches, rockfalls, river crossings, difficult terrain, wildlife, and remote locations with limited or delayed access to medical infrastructure. You voluntarily assume all such risks.

02Altitude Sickness — AMS, HAPE & HACE

Ascending to high altitude can cause altitude-related illness in anyone, regardless of fitness or experience. You acknowledge and accept the following conditions and their warning signs:

• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
• High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): Fluid in the lungs — breathlessness at rest, cough, chest tightness; life-threatening.
• High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): Fluid in the brain — confusion, loss of coordination, altered consciousness; life-threatening.

You agree to report any symptoms to the Trek Leader or Medical Team immediately and to follow their instructions without delay.

03Evacuation Consent

By booking, you provide your informed consent that:

• The Trek Leader, guide, or Medical Team may order your immediate descent or removal from the trek if they judge, in good faith, that continuing endangers your health or safety. This decision is final and binding.
• In an emergency where you are unable to give consent, we may arrange first aid, oxygen, medication, hospitalisation, ground evacuation, or helicopter rescue on your behalf.
• No refund is due for the remaining portion of a trek from which you are withdrawn or evacuated on medical or safety grounds.

04Emergency Helicopter & Medical Evacuation Costs

All costs of rescue and evacuation are borne by the participant or their travel insurance. This includes, without limitation:

• Helicopter rescue and air-lifting charges;
• Ground evacuation, porters, pack animals, and additional transport;
• Hospitalisation, doctors, medication, oxygen, and treatment;
• Any additional accommodation, food, or logistics arising from the evacuation.

Aarushi Adventures will assist in coordinating rescue and liaising with authorities and insurers, but assumes no financial liability for these costs.

05Mandatory Travel & Rescue Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for all high-altitude activities. Your policy must cover trekking / mountaineering up to your itinerary's maximum altitude, emergency medical treatment, helicopter evacuation, and repatriation. Proof of insurance must be submitted before departure. See our Terms & Conditions.

06Force Majeure & On-Field Disruption

If weather, landslides, snowfall, floods, road closures, government or forest restrictions, political disturbances, border closures, natural disasters, or a pandemic / epidemic force a trip to be altered, shortened, or cancelled, our safety-first decisions are final. Refund treatment in these cases is governed by our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

07Infectious Disease & Pandemic (Including COVID-19)

• Disclosure: You must inform us before departure if you have symptoms of, or recent exposure to, any infectious disease (including COVID-19).
• Compliance: You agree to follow all central, state, district, and Forest Department health regulations, testing, and quarantine requirements in force at the time of travel.
• Right to Refuse: For the safety of the group, the Trek Leader may deny participation or remove any participant showing symptoms of a contagious illness. No refund is due in such cases beyond the recoverable amount under the Cancellation & Refund Policy.
• Costs: Any testing, quarantine, treatment, or extended-stay costs arising from infectious disease are borne by the participant or their insurance.

08Guide Authority

Our Trek Leaders and mountain guides hold absolute authority on the field. Their decisions on route, pace, camp, turnaround, and evacuation are final and binding, and are made with participant safety as the highest priority.