Booking Conditions

1. Subject

This contract aims to regulate the Terms and Conditions applicable to the Maharajas’ Express train reservation service through the website the-maharajas-express.com. 

The ownership of the website belongs to Nattivus Experience S.L., a travel agency located at Calle Teide No. 16, Fresno de Torote (C.P. 28815), Madrid, Spain, with CIF B-88014717 and CICMA 3462.  Nattivus Experience S.L. is TA IRCTC Affiliate for selling the packages of Maharajas’ Express.

Although you can book a trip on the Maharajas’ Express Train through the-maharajas-express.com, it is important to know that this service is provided by third-party companies (“Partners”), and that the-maharajas-express.com only offers a booking service for Maharajas’ Express Train through its website. We do not own or operate Maharajas’ Express train which is owned and operated by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.(IRCTC).

However, when making a booking via the-maharajas-express.com, you enter into a contract with Nattivus, establishing a direct contractual relationship between the user and Nattivus. Booking through the website does not establish a direct contractual relationship between the User and the Partners.

2. Acceptance of the conditions

Accessing the-maharajas-express.com and booking its services implies acquiring the status of user and the declaration that you have read, understood, and accepted these Booking Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use, which are integral parts of this Legal Notice.

3. Reservations

To make a reservation, you must follow the steps indicated in the “Reservations” section, which you can access by Clicking here

You can also contact us by one of the following ways:

WhatsApp: (+34) 644 750 590

E-mail: info@the-maharajas-express.com

You will receive a confirmation email immediately after completing the booking process and paying 25% of the total trip price via credit card or PayPal.

If you pay the 25% deposit via bank transfer, the booking confirmation will be issued within 24-48 hours after the transfer is made.

You have up to 65 days before the travel date to pay the remaining 75% of the total amount. If this second payment is not made within 65 days, the booking will be canceled, and a 25% penalty will apply.

In the exceptional case of unavailability on the selected date, we will offer you alternative dates or other services that may be of interest to you.

No compensation will be provided if the service is unavailable on the requested date.

4. Payment

Payments are accepted via Visa, Mastercard, and Amex cards, as well as PayPal and bank transfer. You can pay in euros, US dollars, British pounds, Mexican pesos, Argentine pesos, and Colombian pesos.

• First Payment: Upon making your reservation, you must pay 25% of the total trip amount (+ applicable taxes at the time of confirmation) via credit card or PayPal. If paying by bank transfer, you have 72 hours to complete the payment. If the payment is not received within this period, your reservation will be canceled.
• Second Payment: You must pay the remaining 75% up to 65 days before the travel date. If this payment is not completed within 65 days, the booking will be canceled, and a 25% penalty will apply to the total booking amount.

5. Cancellation policy

• Cancellation 60 days or more prior to the start date of the trip: 25% penalty. The remaining 75% will be refunded.
• Cancellation between 59 and 45 days prior to the start date of the trip: 50% penalty. The remaining 50% will be refunded.
• Cancellation less than 45 days prior to the start date of the trip: 100% penalty. No amount will be refunded.
• No-show on the day of the trip: 100% penalty. No amount will be refunded.

Notes:

• The penalty applies to the total trip cost.
• For any cancellation, days are counted excluding the departure date.
• Cancellation and/or assistance insurance policies purchased are non-refundable and non-cancelable under any circumstances.
• To cancel a confirmed booking, you must send a written request via email to info@the-maharajas-express.com.

6. Changes

a) Changes to the Travel Date:

• A date change is allowed up to 65 days before departure, subject to availability.
• Less than 65 days before departure, such changes will be considered cancellations.
• No refunds will be issued in case of a fare difference.
• Any fare difference must be paid if the new departure date has a higher fare.

b) Changes to Passenger Identity:

• Passenger name changes are allowed up to 65 days before departure.
• Less than 65 days before departure, such changes will be considered cancellations.

Notes:

• This change policy applies to individual passenger bookings, not to group bookings (14 or more passengers).
• Either a name change or a date change will be allowed, but not both.

7. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Special Travel Supplement

A $500 USD surcharge per person applies for New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve departures. This surcharge also applies to children aged 5 to 12. Additional charges may apply to certain special journeys.

8. Assistance and Cancellation Insurance

When booking your trip, we offer you the optional inclusion of an Assistance and Cancellation Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing this or a similar insurance to cover potential penalties for unexpected trip cancellations, as well as possible illnesses, death, accidents, loss of belongings, luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Our Multiasistencia Plus with Cancellation Insurance covers cancellations for up to 43 guaranteed reasons, ensuring protection against last-minute cancellations for any reason specified in the insurance policy’s general and specific conditions.

You can see the coverage summary and complete coverage detail here:

Coverage summary

Complete coverage

9. Changes and Cancellations Before Departure by our Partner

The operation of all journeys is subject to a minimum number of passengers. If the minimum number of passengers is not met, we reserve the right to offer you an alternative departure date, an alternative trip, or a refund. In the unlikely event that this occurs, notice will be given 30 days in advance, whenever possible. Refunds will be subject to the booking terms and conditions.

The following will be considered major changes:

(i) A change in the departure date, starting point, or destination (a change of station for embarkation or disembarkation within a city will not be considered a major change).

(ii) A part of the trip becoming unavailable for any reason.

(iii) Cancellation of a trip due to an insufficient number of bookings.

(iv) Changes due to force majeure events, including (but not limited to) security risks, strikes, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, extreme weather conditions, unavailability of locations, derailments, diversions, floods, fires along the route, etc.

In the event of cancellations or major changes before departure, we will offer the following options:

(i) Accept the proposed changes; or
(ii) Accept an alternative departure date; or
(iii) Cancel the booking and receive a refund in accordance with the booking terms and conditions.
(iv) No refunds will be issued for changes affecting only a portion of the journey due to force majeure.

10. Force Majeure

These conditions will not be considered breached if non-compliance results directly or indirectly from causes beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to war, declared or undeclared, riots, terrorism, industrial disputes, strikes, accidents, fires, earthquakes, floods, government actions, epidemics, pandemics, transportation embargoes, or any other cause beyond reasonable control.

11. Refunds

Our partner reserves the right to determine the refund amount in the event of cancellation or modifications. No refunds will be issued for unused services.

12. No-Show / Termination of Journey En Route

• In the event of a no-show or failure to arrive on time, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be provided.
• Termination of journey en route: If the passenger chooses to interrupt the journey, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be granted. Additionally, no refunds will be issued for any part of the itinerary that the passenger was unable to complete due to personal reasons.

13. Train Schedules and Flexibility

Please note that the train operates within the limitations of the Indian railway network and the schedules agreed upon by them. We kindly ask you to adhere to the schedules suggested by your guides, escorts, etc., to ensure compliance with the planned itinerary. Some departures may operate in reverse direction, with minor changes in schedules and destination flow.

14. Complaints and Issues During the Journey

If you have a complaint or encounter any issue during your journey, please immediately inform the onboard train staff so they can provide a prompt solution to rectify the problem during the trip. Failure to do so may result in the loss or reduction of any right to compensation you might have.

15. Liability

the-maharajas-express.com and its Partners will not be liable for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost, or claim arising from:

• The act and/or omission of the affected person or any member of their group.
• The act and/or omission of a third party unrelated to the arrangements, which was unforeseeable or unavoidable.
• Any service or facility not arranged by Maharajas as part of the contract.
• Force Majeure as defined in these conditions.

16. Child Policy

A) For Deluxe/Jr.Suite/Suite Cabins

• Children below 5 years shall be allowed free, subject to sharing of double bed with parents.This is subject to availability of double bed at the time of booking. Single child (5 years – 12 years) sharing cabin with adults – 50% of the adult fare, subject to sharing of double bed with two full paid adults.This is subject to availability of double bed at the time of booking. OR
• Single child (5 years – 12 years) in a separate cabin -50% of the(adult fare + Supplement charges) if requested in a separate cabin.
• Two child (5 years – 12 years) in a separate cabin – 50% of the adult fare for each child in a separate cabin on twin sharing basis. Three child (5 years – 12 years) in a separate cabin – 50% of the adult fare for each child subject to sharing of double bed. OR
• If third child request in a separate cabin – 50% of the (adult fare + Supplement charges). Single child (5 years – 12 years) + one adult in a separate cabin:- Two adults fare on twin sharing basis.
• Two child (5 years – 12 years) + one adult in a separate cabin:- One adult fare plus 50% of the adult fare for each child subject to sharing of double bed.

B) For presidential suite cabin

• Children below 5 years shall be allowed free, subject to sharing of double bed in PS.
• Single child (5 years – 12 years) sharing cabin with adults – 25% of the adult fare, subject to sharing with two/three/four full paid adults in PS.
• Two child(5 years – 12 years) in a separate cabin – 25% of the adult fare for each child in a separate sub cabin on twin sharing basis subject to sharing with two full paid adults in PS.
• Three child (5 years – 12 years) in a separate cabin – 25% of the adult fare for each child subject to sharing of with two/three full paid adults in PS.
• Single child (5 years – 12 years) + one adult in a separate cabin:- Two adults fare on twin sharing basis in PS.
• Two child (5 years – 12 years) + one adult in a separate cabin:- Two adults fare on twin sharing basis in PS + 25% of the adult fare for 2nd child.

Note :

•  Child booking if requested in a separate cabin is subject to travelling with the adults. It is to be noted that single child has to share guide/vehicle with adults travelling together in case of Suite & PS cabin booked pax. In case, a separate higher category vehicle is required then supplement will be levied
• Please note that we do not have the facility for interconnecting cabins except in the Presidential Suite Car.
• All applicable taxes will be charged extra.

Policy On Guide/Vehicle

I) Policy on Guide (PS & Suite Cabins):

We will provide a Local English/ Language speaking local guide at each destinations on complimentary basis.

Note :

• In case guests desire for accompanying English/ Language speaking accompanying guide throughout the tour, it will be provided on chargeable basis subject to availability.
• In some of the destinations language speaking local guides are not available. Whereas language speaking local guides at those locations will be tried but not guaranteed, we will provide English speaking local guides.

17. Policy On Guide/Vehicle

I) Policy on Guide (Presidential Suite & Suite Cabins):

We will provide a Local English/ Language speaking local guide at each destinations on complimentary basis.

Note :

• In case guests desire for accompanying English/ Language speaking accompanying guide throughout the tour, it will be provided on chargeable basis subject to availability.
• In some of the destinations language speaking local guides are not available. Whereas language speaking local guides at those locations will be tried but not guaranteed, we will provide English speaking local guides.

II) Policy on Guide with separate vehicle for Group Bookings:

In case, a group desires a separate vehicle/guide the policy will be followed as under:

• For a group (14+1 pax or more) an air-conditioned deluxe bus with local English/ language speaking local guide may be provided on complimentary basis but a Volvo Bus can be provided at supplement cost.
• For a group (28+2 pax or more) Volvo bus with local English /language speaking local guide may be provided on complimentary basis.

Note :

• In case guests desire for accompanying English/ Language speaking accompanying guide throughout the tour, it will be provided on chargeable basis subject to availability.
• In some of the destinations language speaking local guides are not available. Whereas language speaking local guides at those locations will be tried but not guaranteed, we will provide English speaking local guides.

III) Policy on Guide with separate vehicle for Full Train and charter Bookings:

• For Charter & full train booking the sightseeing shall be provided on sharing seat in coach basis and English Speaking/ Language Speaking Local Guides on complimentary basis.
• For Exclusive Vehicles or accompanying English/ Language Guides a supplement cost shall be charged.

18. Booking for Presidential Suite Cabin

A 50% reduction in the fare will be applied for the third and fourth guest in the Presidential Suite. Additionally, an extra 50% reduction on the already reduced fare will be offered for children accompanying two adults in the Presidential Suite during the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 seasons.

19. Law and Jurisdiction

Any disputes or other matters related to these legal conditions shall be interpreted in accordance with Spanish law, and the courts of Madrid, Spain, shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

The Judges and Courts of the city of Madrid shall be competent to resolve disputes arising from their use, interpretation or application of these conditions.