FAQ
Booking, payments & policies
How to book, what happens after you pay, and what to expect if plans change.
How to Book Your Slot
3 easy steps
- 1
Pay Advance
Contact us on WhatsApp and pay the booking amount of ₹1,000.
- 2
Share Details
Send your payment screenshot, phone number and email ID on WhatsApp.
- 3
Get Confirmation
Your booking is confirmed only after payment is received and SO[u]LE MATES confirms the departure and required permissions.
Important Notes
- Advance payment is mandatory to book your trek slot.
- Your trek is confirmed only after payment confirmation and SO[u]LE MATES confirming the departure and required permissions.
- After payment, please send participant name, age, phone number and a government ID.
- The remaining balance must be paid at least 3 days before the trek.
- Forest access, route availability, weather, wildlife movement and government restrictions may affect departures.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Advance Payment
This ₹1,000 Booking Advance secures your booking request - it does not by itself guarantee forest access, which is controlled by the relevant authority. Final confirmation is issued after operational and permit verification. Non-refundable, as it blocks your slot - and non-transferable.
Organizer Cancellation
Full refund or a free reschedule if the trek is cancelled due to weather, safety, or forest department restrictions.
Guidelines
- Slots are limited and confirmed on a first-pay basis.
- All updates and meetup details are sent to your registered phone number.
- Slots are non-transferable.
- Please reach the meeting point on time.
- Follow trek leader instructions and Leave No Trace principles.
Questions? We're a message away.
More Questions
Is transportation to the trek included?
This varies by trek - check the specific trek's page for start point and transportation details.
What about food and accommodation?
Listed per trek on each trek's detail page under Food and Accommodation.
What fitness level do I need?
Every trek lists a fitness requirement (low, moderate, or high) - check this before booking.
Is there an age restriction?
It varies by trek - check the age range on each trek's page. As a general guide, most of our treks are open to ages 10-55, and participants above 50 need to share a valid medical fitness certificate with our team before the trek.
What's your group size?
Listed per trek - we cap group sizes deliberately rather than maximising headcount.
Do you offer insurance?
We don't provide trek insurance ourselves - we recommend arranging your own personal accident/travel insurance before the trek, especially for higher-altitude or multi-day routes.
What's your emergency procedure?
Every trek leader carries a first-aid kit and an evacuation plan appropriate to the terrain. Full emergency procedures are outlined in your pre-trek briefing.
Are forest permits required?
Many of our forest treks require permission from the relevant Forest Department. We do not take participants onto regulated routes without the required permissions.
Are guides mandatory?
On regulated Karnataka Forest Department trails, trekking is subject to the current Forest Department SOP and authorised/certified nature-guide requirements.
Can we trek alone?
We do not offer solo participation on regulated forest trails where guide support is mandatory.
Can we camp?
Camping is not a default SO[u]LE MATES offering. We only advertise overnight stays where they are currently permitted and operationally confirmed.
Can a trek be cancelled?
Yes. Weather, wildlife movement, forest closures, permit availability and safety conditions can require a trek to be postponed, modified or cancelled.
What happens if forest permission is unavailable?
We will not operate the trek without the required permission. We will provide the applicable reschedule, alternative or refund option according to the booking terms.