Terms & Conditions

Health and person-related issues:

Participants should have full physical mobility. Accommodations and some activities may feature steps, steep hills, uneven pavement, and are not handicap accessible.

Participants are advised to bring their own medications for their personal needs.  The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat, The Team and Sanjeewan Vidyalaya, will not be responsible for supply of any medication.

All participants are expected to purchase trip/travel insurance before departure, at their own expense.

Participants are advised to check and comply with the CDC website for any medications they need to carry and for any immunizations they need to get before departure.

Transportation and accommodation provided by the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat:

  1. Transportation from Mumbai and Pune Airports to the Retreat
  2. Transportation within Panchgani for local sightseeing trips, during the retreat, at the discretion of the organizers
  3. Transportation from Panchgani to the Airports in Mumbai and Pune after the Retreat

The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat is not responsible for any travel other than that mentioned in this Agreement, or any expenses associated with the Participant’s travel outside the scope of the Retreat.

Participants arriving after midday on November 3rd, 2024, must arrange for their own transportation from the airport to the retreat at their own expense. These costs are not included in the package pricing and are at the participants’ own risk and expense and are not reimbursable.

Registration:

All participants will need to complete the registration form. All information given in the registration form by the participant will be taken as true. All correspondence, refunds (if any), will be made based on this information.

Rooms are reserved once reservation with deposit is received.
A Non-refundable Deposit of 400 USD is due with reservation by May 30, 2024 and should be made via PayPal, Bank Transfer’s or Zelle. Most major credit cards are accepted.

Cancellation:

All cancellations must be made in writing and must be made by July 30th, 2024. No pro-rata refunds will be made. Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receipt of notice of cancellation; deposits are non-refundable. Notwithstanding when the original payment was made, no refunds will be issued after this date. Participants may cancel a registration by sending a written notice to pwr@panchganiwritersretreat.com. Please ensure this cancellation request is sent from the same email used during registration. No further identity check will be done, and refunds will be done based on the information received in the email. Upon receipt of cancellation notice, a refund of the amount paid will be issued less $400.00 non-refundable deposit. Please note that travellers are encouraged to purchase full travel insurance to cover fees in case of cancellation. The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat reserves the right to cancel the Retreat for any reason. In the event of cancellation, a refund of all amounts paid prior to the cancellation will be made, and which will release The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat, and its coordinators/employees/ agents/ representatives from any liability, including consequential expenses you may have incurred in planning to attend.

The Writing Workshop:

The writing workshop during the Retreat is subject to change and an updated daily schedule will be provided upon arrival in Panchgani.

The schedule is flexible and never mandatory for any participant. However, no refunds are given for any meals, activities, accommodations, and transportation included in package price that are not utilized.

Panchgani Writers’ Retreat will provide three home-style vegetarian meals per day to all the participants. These will be standard meals for all participants. The participants will be responsible for making sure they don’t eat food they are allergic to. Alcohol is not permitted on the retreat campus.

Practicalities:

Money: Official currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR) and is available in all major airports. It is advisable to convert all required local currency (INR) required in Panchgani before departure from the participants’ home country. Should any Participant plan to spend more time visiting India, it is advisable to convert currency, traveller’s checks etc. at a bank in Mumbai or any city in India. This is only in the form of a suggestion and The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat is not responsible for any currency rates or conversion fees.

Cell phones: Check with your cell phone provider regarding networks and overseas data charges. Unlocked cell phones can be used and/or you can get a local SIM card (this may require registration with the Government of India).

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi availability is not guaranteed. Panchgani Writers’ Retreat will try and give one common space for use of Wi-Fi. However, this being a semi-rural setting, availability cannot be guaranteed.

Pictures: The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat will be taking photographs during the Writers’ retreat. Unless specifically requested, all photographs of Participants may be used for promotional purposes by The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat and the Sanjeeewan Vidyalaya Trust.

Waiver of liability:

Coordinators/employees/agents/representatives of The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat are not responsible for injuries, thefts, loss of personal property, food allergen reactions and/or illness, transportation incidents (including but not limited to tickets, arrest, accidents), or international legal and/or health complications that may arise before/during/after travel.

By remitting payment for deposit, the participant understands and agrees to assume all risk related to this trip and furthermore agrees that the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat, its coordinators/employees/agents/representatives/vendors will not be liable for any claims, demands or causes of action of any kind or nature, foreseen or unforeseen, arising out of any injury, illness or damage to or loss of property or any other event or occurrence, including but not limited to acts of God, war, terrorism, weather, strike, or other cause. In the event of the cancellation of the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat, the participants will be refunded the amount they have paid. The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat or their coordinators/employees/ agents/ representatives are not liable for any other expenses incurred by the participant like (but not limited to), airline tickets, hotel bookings, taxes etc. Participants further agree and understand that they are responsible for their own travel arrangement to/from India, as well as obtaining any necessary travel documents and medical clearance. All disputes will be subject to arbitration under the laws of the state of Maryland, U.S.A.

Please read carefully the terms and conditions, the cancellation policy and small print. By making a payment, the participant understands and accepts all the terms and conditions herein.