Participation Agreement & Waiver

EcoHikes / Soul Free Journeys

Draft for review by an advocate before use. To be signed (physically or digitally) by every participant before every experience; for minors, by the parent/legal guardian. Modelled on Indian adventure-industry practice (Ministry of Tourism / ATOAI guidance: waiver signed prior to activity, inherent risks clearly stated).

Experience: ______________________ Dates: ____________

Participant: ______________________ Age: ______ Phone: ______________

Emergency contact (name/relation/phone): ________________________________

1. I understand the nature of the activity

I am voluntarily joining an outdoor experience organised by EcoHikes ([legal entity], Visakhapatnam) which may include trekking, hiking, camping, river or waterfall visits, forest travel, high-altitude walking, travel in shared vehicles on hill roads, visits to remote villages, and stays in tents or basic accommodation, in terrain where medical help, mobile networks, and evacuation can be hours or days away.

2. I accept the inherent risks

I understand that outdoor and adventure activities carry inherent risks that remain even when the organisers take all reasonable care, including but not limited to: slips and falls on uneven, wet, or exposed terrain; falling rocks or trees; river currents and flash floods; extreme or fast-changing weather; landslides; wildlife, insects, snakes, and leeches; altitude sickness (AMS, HAPE, HACE) on high-altitude treks; hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and dehydration; vehicle travel on mountain roads; injuries ranging from minor to serious, permanent disability, or death.

I accept these inherent risks as my own. I am not relying on EcoHikes to eliminate them, and I understand no outdoor organisation can.

3. My declarations

1. I am medically fit for this experience at its stated intensity level, and I have truthfully disclosed all relevant medical conditions, medications, and allergies in the booking/medical form. I understand the leaders' safety decisions depend on this honesty, and that non-disclosure endangers me and the group.

2. I will follow the instructions of the trek leader, guides, and community hosts, including decisions to change route, turn around, or end the experience early. I accept their judgment on safety is final.

3. I will not consume alcohol or recreational drugs during the experience.

4. I will carry the mandatory gear list and personal medications.

5. I understand network coverage may be absent and have informed my emergency contact of the itinerary.

4. First aid, evacuation, and costs

I authorise EcoHikes staff to administer first aid and to arrange medical transport or evacuation if they judge it necessary, including when I am unable to consent. I understand and agree that costs of medical treatment, evacuation (including road transport, porter/stretcher, or helicopter where used), and onward/return travel are my responsibility, except to the extent covered by insurance included in the experience (if any, as stated on the experience page).

I understand personal travel/adventure insurance is strongly recommended and is my responsibility to arrange. (For experiences above [3,000 m]: insurance covering emergency evacuation is mandatory — verify before finalising.)

5. Release and limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by Indian law, I release EcoHikes, its founders, employees, trek leaders, guides, community hosts, and partners from claims arising out of the inherent risks described above, and from loss or damage to my personal belongings.

This release does not — and is not intended to — exclude liability arising from EcoHikes' own proven negligence, gross negligence, or wilful misconduct, which remains governed by Indian law. Nothing here takes away rights I cannot waive under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

6. Indemnity

I will indemnify EcoHikes against claims, penalties, or losses caused by my violation of law or forest regulations, my failure to follow safety instructions, my non-disclosure of medical conditions, or damage I cause to property, equipment, or the environment.

7. Photography and media (choose)

EcoHikes documents experiences through photos and video.

☐ I consent to EcoHikes using photos/videos in which I appear on its website, social media, and promotional material, without payment, with the right to withdraw this consent in future by writing to [privacy email].

☐ I do not consent to promotional use of identifiable images of me. (This does not affect my participation.)

8. For participants under 18

I, ______________________, am the parent/legal guardian of the participant named above. I have read this agreement, I consent to the minor's participation, I make the declarations in Section 3 on their behalf, and I accept Sections 2, 4, 5, and 6 on their behalf to the extent permitted by law.

Guardian signature: ____________ Date: ________

9. Governing law

This agreement is governed by the laws of India; subject to mandatory consumer-law rights, courts at Visakhapatnam have jurisdiction.

I have read this agreement, understood it, had the chance to ask questions, and sign it voluntarily.

Participant signature: ____________ Place & date: ____________

(Digital form note: render Sections 1–7 as required checkboxes with the media-consent choice explicit, capture typed name + timestamp + booking reference as signature. Keep a copy accessible to the participant.)