Terms and Conditions

Operating Entity: RIC Info Center LLP (hereinafter referred to as “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “RIC”)

Official Website: www.russinfo.in / www.russinfo.center

Exclusive Jurisdiction: Courts of Goa, India

1. Definitions & Contract Basis

  • “You” / “Client” / “Passenger” / “Agent”: The individual, travel agency, or B2B partner booking services on their own behalf or on behalf of third parties.

  • “Supplier” / “Independent Contractor”: Third-party service providers, including but not limited to hotels, airlines, railways (RZD), coach operators, cruise lines, restaurants, museums, and local sightseeing venues.

  • “Booking Documents”: Includes the Quote/Invoice, Itinerary, Payment Schedule, Service Vouchers, and these Terms & Conditions.

  • Binding Contract: A legally binding contract is formed upon receipt of the booking advance/payment and the Client’s acceptance (written, online click-wrap, or email confirmation) of the Booking Documents.

2. Scope of Services & Third-Party Disclaimers

  1. Role of the Company: RIC acts solely as a Destination Management Company (DMC) and travel organizer. RIC does not own, control, or operate any independent suppliers (airlines, hotels, transport providers, railways, etc.).

  2. Service Deficiency: RIC shall not be held liable for delays, service deficiencies, overbookings, accidents, injuries, or default caused by independent contractors or their personnel.

  3. Itinerary & Price Alterations: RIC reserves the right to alter, modify, or substitute itineraries, hotels, or schedules due to road closures, weather, major trade fairs, political events, or currency fluctuations. Any material cost increases resulting from supplier price changes shall be borne by the Client.

3. Client Responsibility, Personal Belongings & Theft Disclaimer

  1. Safekeeping of Valuables: The Client/Passenger carries full personal responsibility for all baggage, currency, passports, electronics, and personal effects throughout the duration of the tour.

  2. Limitation of Liability for Theft/Loss: RIC, its local managers, drivers, and guides shall NOT be responsible or liable under any circumstances for any loss, theft, robbery, damage, or misplacement of personal belongings from coaches, hotels, restaurants, venues, or public spaces.

  3. Emergency Assistance & Law Enforcement Protocol:

    • In the event of theft, loss, or emergency, local staff will assist in contacting local emergency services (e.g., calling 112 in Russia).

    • Mandatory Cooperation: Official investigations remain strictly under the jurisdiction of local police. If the Client refuses to proceed to the police station, file a formal police report, or cooperate with law enforcement on-site, RIC is fully discharged from any further duty, assistance, or follow-up regarding the incident.

4. Conduct, Safety & Local Compliance

  1. Compliance with Laws: Tour participants must comply strictly with the national and municipal laws, customs, and religious rules (e.g., dress codes at worship places) of the host country.

  2. Client Offenses & Third-Party Incidents: RIC holds zero liability for legal consequences, fines, or damages arising from offenses, altercations, or accidents caused by Clients against local citizens or property (e.g., traffic incidents, public disputes). All associated costs shall be paid directly by the Client.

  3. Misconduct & Termination: RIC reserves the absolute right to terminate the participation of any Client whose behavior causes distress, danger, or annoyance to others or violates local laws. In such cases, no refund or compensation will be issued, and return expenses shall be borne entirely by the Client.

5. Passports, Visas & Travel Documentation

  1. Documentation Responsibility: Clients must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the tour return date, along with all necessary visas, insurance, and clearances.

  2. Role as Facilitator: RIC acts merely as a facilitator for visa applications. Granting or rejecting visas is the exclusive prerogative of the respective sovereign embassies/consulates.

  3. Visa Rejection / Delay: Visa rejection or delay does not exempt the Client from cancellation fees. If a visa is rejected or delayed, standard Cancellation Policies (up to 100% non-refundable penalties) shall apply.

  4. Passport Transmission: RIC uses third-party couriers for passport transmission and shall not be liable for transit delays or losses caused by postal/courier services or consulate errors.

6. Payment Terms, Late Payments & Supplier Time-Limits

  1. Adherence to Payment Schedules: The Client/Agent is strictly required to make payments as per the schedule outlined in the Invoice or Booking Confirmation.

  2. Time-Limit Dependencies: Many third-party suppliers (hoteliers, railway systems/RZD, transport companies, and ticketed venues) impose strict automated cancellation time-limits for unpaid or partially paid bookings.

  3. Default / Late Payment Consequences: In the event that the Client/Agent fails to make timely payments by the stipulated deadline:

    • Service Suspension / Cancellation: RIC reserves the right to immediately cancel or suspend all booked services without prior notice, with 100% forfeiture of all funds previously paid.

    • Price Increases: If bookings are reinstated or held past a missed payment deadline, RIC reserves the right to re-quote and increase the total package price to reflect updated supplier rates and penalties.

    • RIC shall incur zero liability for any consequential losses, canceled reservations, or inconvenience resulting from payment delays on the Agent’s/Client’s part.

7. Cancellations & Refund Policy

A. Cancellation by Client

All cancellations must be submitted in writing via stamped/signed email to info@russinfo.in / sales@russinfo.in or delivered to our registered office on working days. Computation of notice starts from the time the written notice is officially received.

Standard Cancellation Charges (Eurasia / CIS / Island Packages):

  • 90+ Days Prior to Departure: INR 11,000 per person / group

  • 61 – 90 Days Prior: INR 27,000 per person / group

  • 46 – 60 Days Prior: 50% of Total Holiday Cost

  • 31 – 45 Days Prior: 70% of Total Holiday Cost

  • 16 – 30 Days Prior: 85% of Total Holiday Cost

  • 0 – 15 Days Prior / No-Show: 100% Non-Refundable

Note: Third-party components (e.g., cruises, peak-season 5-star hotels, train/bus tickets) carry independent cancellation terms 

B. Voluntary Early Departure / Unutilized Services

  • NO REFUND FOR UNUTILIZED SERVICES: There shall be no refund or financial compensation for unused or under-utilized services (transfers, guides, hotel nights, train tickets, attraction entries) whether due to voluntary early departure, late arrivals, illness, personal decision, or mid-tour cancellation by the Client.

  • Mid-Tour Cancellation: If a Client voluntarily discontinues the tour midway, the booking is treated as a No-Show for the remaining segment, and 100% non-refundable policies apply.

C. Refunds & Processing

  • Refunds (if applicable) are determined at RIC’s sole discretion based on non-recoverable supplier costs and force majeure conditions.

  • Foreign currency payments subject to refund will be calculated and disbursed strictly in Indian Rupees (INR) at the buying rate on the date of refund.

  • Refund processing takes a minimum of 60 days.

8. Special Terms for FAM / Promotional / B2B Trade Tours

  1. Subsidized Nature: Familiarization (FAM) and promotional trade tours are heavily subsidized by destination stakeholders and RIC. They are non-profit and non-refundable from the time of payment.

  2. Mandatory Attendance & Behavior: Participants must strictly follow the published itinerary. Missing any site visit, component, or scheduled meeting empowers the organizer/RIC to charge and recover the full retail commercial value of the tour from the participant on-site before departure.

9. Force Majeure

RIC shall not be held liable or responsible for any failure, delay, injury, damage, or cancellation caused by Force Majeure events beyond our reasonable control—including acts of God, war, civil unrest, terrorism, strikes, government restrictions, epidemics, extreme weather, airport/airspace closures, or supplier insolvencies.

10. Grievance Redressal & Strict Claim Timelines

  1. Immediate Notification: Any service grievance must be reported immediately to our local emergency contact or guide on-site, followed by an email to info@russinfo.in, allowing RIC the opportunity to rectify the issue immediately.

  2. Time Limit for Claims: Any formal complaint or claim must be submitted in writing prior to the end of the tour.

  3. Discharge of Liability: If no formal legal notice or suit is brought against the Company within 5 days from the final date of the tour, RIC shall be permanently discharged from all liabilities and claims arising from the contract.

11. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

  1. Governing Law: This Contract is governed exclusively by the laws of India.

  2. Exclusive Jurisdiction: The Client agrees that any legal dispute or difference arising out of this contract shall vest exclusively in the competent courts/tribunals of Goa, India.

  3. Mediation & Arbitration: In the event of a dispute, parties shall first attempt 30-day mediation appointed by RIC. Unresolved disputes shall be referred to a sole arbitrator appointed by RIC under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, in Goa.