Terms of Service

About Cairn

Cairn is a marketplace platform that connects travelers with vetted trekking operators in Nepal. We are not a trek provider or tour operator ourselves. Cairn facilitates introductions, handles initial inquiries, and manages payment processing, but the actual trek experience is provided by independent trekking operators.

Booking Terms

When you book a trek through Cairn:

• Direct Contract: Your booking creates a contract between you (the traveler) and the selected operator. Cairn is a facilitator, not a party to this contract.
• Operator Terms: Each operator has their own terms and conditions. You agree to review and accept the operator's specific terms before confirming your booking.
• Verification: Cairn has vetted all operators on our platform, but we recommend communicating directly with operators about your specific needs and expectations.

Payments

Payment terms work as follows:

• Deposits: Most treks require a non-refundable deposit (typically 25-50% of the total cost). This is collected via Stripe, our secure payment processor.
• Final Balance: The remaining balance is due before your trek begins. Payment instructions will be provided by your operator.
• Operator Payments: We pay operators via Wise (formerly TransferWise). Operators receive payment after confirming trek completion or as mutually agreed.
• Payment Security: All payment information is encrypted and never stored on Cairn servers.

Cancellations & Refunds

Cancellation policies vary by operator:

• Operator Policy: Each operator sets their own cancellation policy. Cairn does not set or override these policies.
• Changes: If you need to change your trek dates or preferences, contact your operator directly. We facilitate communication but cannot modify operator policies.
• Force Majeure: In cases of natural disasters, government restrictions, or severe weather, operators will work with you on rescheduling or partial refunds as permitted by their policy.

Liability & Risk

Please understand the risks associated with trekking in the Himalayas:

• Cairn is a Marketplace: We vet operators for safety and credibility, but we do not own or operate treks. Operators bear responsibility for trek execution.
• Travel Insurance Required: You must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation. This is non-negotiable. High-altitude treks in Nepal require insurance with altitude evacuation coverage.
• Health & Fitness: Trekking involves physical exertion and altitude exposure. You assume all risks related to your health and fitness for the trek you book.
• No Liability on Cairn: Cairn is not liable for injuries, illnesses, deaths, lost belongings, or trek cancellations due to weather, health, or operator actions.

Intellectual Property

All content on the Cairn website — including text, images, logos, and design — is owned by Cairn or our content partners. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use this content without permission.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. We'll notify you of significant changes via email or by updating the date at the top of this page. Your continued use of Cairn after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Contact

If you have questions about these terms, email us at hello@cairntreks.com. We'll respond within 24 hours.