FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our average batch size is 12 – 14 people who are aged between 22 – 40. Our minimum batch size is 8 people and does not exceed 18.
While we do not have strict age criteria, we recommend a good level of fitness, as we will spend most of our time on expeditions enjoying the great outdoors.
Yes, it is definitely safe and also enjoyable. In fact, it is recommended! If you’re new to solo travel, we’d be happy to help you learn essential skills, such as using maps and making efficient plans, to ensure your trips (with us and on your own in the future) are smooth and confident. About 60-70% of our travelers are first-time solo adventurers!
Ensuring safety and providing timely support is always a priority at Tales and Trails. We support all genders and are strict about maintaining respect for everyone. Traveling with us is all about inclusiveness and willingness to embrace new adventures with new people in a safe environment.
Yes, absolutely!
We usually have a good mix of people from various professional backgrounds. We prefer to travel at a relaxed pace and spend the majority of our time enjoying the great outdoors. This means, we sometimes wake up early to catch magnificent sunrises and sometimes stay up late in the night to witness the magical aura of Northern Lights! Along the way, we engage in learning new skills in photography which is just an added bonus. You do not need to be a professional or an experienced photographer to join us. We will help you learn new skills on your phone as well!
Some of the best photographs on our adventures have been captured by amateurs who learnt a few skills with the group.
Don’t take our word for it. Check out tales from the trails in the words of our tripsters on each of the Expedition pages.
Most days of our adventures have a combination of an average of 3 – 5 hours of drive and 3 – 4 hours of moderate hiking. Having said that, you are the best judge of your own fitness levels. We recommend you to go through our itineraries carefully to judge your feasibility to do most of the activities on the trip. We have also given an indicative difficulty meter for each of our adventures.
Trust us, our adventures are great motivators to commence your fitness journey! If you have never hiked before, a month of simple and consistent workouts before the trip will prepare you well. On the trip, we will take care of you, do not worry. We balance out our day hikes with relaxation and fun in the evening.
Yes, Tales and Trails does provide you with assistance to book your visa appointment, accommodation documents, help you prepare your travel documents, and provide suggestions for booking cost-effective flights. Our tripsters have faced less rejections when they go through the visa process as advised by us. Once you have received your invite and have been added to our WhatsApp group, you can coordinate with your fellow travelers from the same location and make your own flight bookings!
You will find the list of inclusions on each of our Expedition pages.
In general, the cost is inclusive of:
- All accommodation for that trip.
- Domestic transportation at the location.
- All experiences at that destination, except those which are specifically highlighted in the Expedition page.
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
0%: Full refund if cancelled before 90 days before the trip.
70%: 70% refund if cancelled between 90-60 days of the trip.
30%: 30% refund if cancelled between 60-30 days of the trip.
0%: No refund within 30 days of the trip.
You can transfer your seat to any other person provided he/ she is interested to be part of the trip.
Alternatively you can also keep the funds parked and use it for another trip.
In case the trip gets cancelled/ postponed, participants will be given a full refund minus any cancellation charges on cars/ accommodation booked.
Sightseeing fun is always a bit unpredictable. Weather, road conditions, and group timing could lead us to shuffle or skip some locations depending on the day’s events.
We may adjust the itinerary as needed for weather, road, or other surprises. If we encounter road closures, we’ll find an alternate route and stay. Any extra costs in this regard will be your responsibility. Flexibility is key!
If you have medical conditions like high blood pressure or asthma, please consult your doctor before joining the tour.
Play nice and follow the rules, or you might have to get a one-way ticket home without any refunds.
Follow the guidelines from our local guides and partners, and remember that some areas will be camera-free.
If you decide to leave the tour early, there’s no refund.
Unused services are non-refundable.
We are serious about our sustainability goals. Please bring a sturdy steel water bottle and avoid single-use plastics.
Your luggage is your responsibility at all points in time during the trip. Keep your gear light and compact to fit in the car’s boot space.
We reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the expedition for any commercial or promotional use. By joining an expedition, you agree to such use of your photographs and videos. Copyright in all photographs, videos and related materials created by a participant shall belong to the participant.
In case of occurrence of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, Tales and Trails will not be liable for any changes or cancellations effected to your bookings. “Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” means war, threat of war, riot, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, pandemic, epidemic or any other situation that we deem to be unavoidable and extraordinary circumstance. However, we will endeavor to provide prompt assistance and, where possible, offer alternative arrangements or refunds as per our policies.
Enjoy your adventure with us, and let’s make some unforgettable memories!
Your ultimate adventure starts in 3… 2… 1…
EXCELLENTBased on 17 reviews
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Jay B6 April 2024As I reflect on my journey, memories flood back of the breathtaking displays of the northern lights, the pristine glacier water, the magical allure of the ice caves, and the exhilarating gusts of wind that threatened to whisk me away. And let's not forget the incredible culinary delights that Iceland had to offer. Arun's expertise in selecting our accommodations and destinations ensured that we experienced the full spectrum of Iceland's wonders. Arun is also incredibly patient with any photography-related questions. Over the course of our 10-day journey, I learned a plethora of skills, particularly in night photography and framing, which was incredibly rewarding as a beginner. There was a sense of family with the entire group and am fortunate to have met such lovely people!!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Madhura Mallya2 April 2024After returning from the Iceland trip, it feels as though I've returned from another world. Traveling with Arun was an incredible experience. He ensured we spent quality time at each destination during our 10-day journey, which seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. We encountered everything from extreme weather conditions like wind, sand, cold, and snow to delightful sunny days. Arun also introduced us to delicious Icelandic seafood at the best local restaurants. Alongside other photographers on the trip, Arun taught me valuable mobile photography techniques. Overall, my Iceland trip was immensely satisfying, made even better by Arun's guidance. I highly recommend!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Anindya Das2 April 2024A group trip ends succesfully when there are right kind of people and appropriate planning for the trip. Arun has been able to pull both in our Iceland March 2024 trip. He has used his experience in planning the trip as perfectly as it can be possible. We had an amazing time of 5 days of aurora, crazy sunsets, road trips, extra ordinary waterfalls, glaciers and what not. The stays were chosen very wisely and we had very comfortable stays in the trip. Overall we have enjoyed to the fullest, created lifelong memories and saw the extra ordinary beauty of Iceland.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Vasanth Ramesh Nayak2 April 2024I learnt about this trip via word of mouth and then going through the list of places being covered. The list gave me a sense of feeling that we are covering most of the places and at the same time not hurrying through the places just to cover them! Once we started the trip, we came to know each other and it felt like a closely knit group and we enjoyed the same. Learnt a bit about photography being a part of this . The places which were chosen to stay were also nice which were carefully chosen with major locations in vicinity as well as had all the amenities needed. It was a very enjoyable trip which was curated with love and care and will stay in my memory for a long time to come.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
pallavi kotha24 January 2024Highly recommend! Perfectly planned. Handpicked home-stays. Warm fun people. 10/10 Experience.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
VIVEK PONNAPPA21 January 2024Post pandemic I was unable to make time for travel due to my shift in priorities, but Tales and Trails ensured that I did not have to plan a lot to have a break. The experience was quite what i needed and Arun ensured that the group was engaged creating lasting memories and friendships. Looking forward to my next time with this firm for my next expedition.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Kalyan Sabareeshan19 January 2024Did my first trip with Takes & Trails in Dec 2023 to Spiti. It was an epic experience - met some amazing people who became like family and had some authentic local experiences along the way. If you're someone with the spirit of a wanderer who likes to embrace all kinds of experiences, then do sign up for a trip with T&T. You'll definitely have a memorable one! Here are some pictures from my trip...Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Suraj Krishnan19 January 2024Have been part of Spiti Winter and Summer expeditions. Had been a life changing experience to see the same terrain in different seasons