At Alpine Club of Himalaya Nepal, your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. We are committed to protecting your personal information and ensuring that it is handled with the highest standards of security and confidentiality. We understand that when you share personal details with us, you are entrusting us with sensitive information, and we are dedicated to safeguarding it.
This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information. By using our services or interacting with our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
To provide you with the best possible services, we collect a variety of personal information depending on the services you request. The type of information we collect includes, but is not limited to:
- Personal Identification Information: Name, address, email address, telephone number.
- Travel Information: Date of birth, gender, nationality, passport number (for booking flights, trekking permits, and other travel services).
- Booking Information: Travel dates, destination, and details of your trek or expedition.
- Payment Information: Credit card details (which are processed securely and not stored by us), insurance details, or payment method.
- Health Information: For certain trekking or expedition activities, we may request information related to your health, fitness, and medical conditions to ensure your safety.
- Other Information: Any additional information you may provide to us during the booking process or inquiring about our services.
2. How We Collect Your Information
We collect your personal information through various means, including:
- Online Forms: Booking forms, inquiry forms, and subscription forms on our website.
- Direct Communication: Via email, phone, or messaging apps.
- Social Media: Interactions through our social media channels.
- In-Person: When you visit our office or meet us for consultations.
- Third Parties: In certain cases, we may receive information from third-party partners for booking-related purposes (e.g., travel agencies, insurance providers).
3. How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is primarily used to provide and improve our services. We use your data for the following purposes:
- Booking and Reservation: To process your travel bookings, provide information about your trip, and ensure we can meet your travel requirements.
- Customer Service: To respond to your inquiries, provide support, and assist with any issues related to your trip or booking.
- Marketing and Communication: If you have opted to receive updates, promotions, or newsletters, we will use your email to send relevant information. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time.
- Payment Processing: To process payments securely for services you have booked.
- Safety and Health: To ensure that you are safe during your trek or expedition, especially in high-altitude regions where special medical considerations may apply.
- Legal Requirements: To comply with legal obligations, such as reporting or processing information for permits, insurance, or other legal requirements related to your trip.
4. How We Protect Your Information
We take the protection of your personal information seriously and have implemented several safeguards to ensure its security:
- Encryption: We use encryption technologies to protect sensitive information during online transactions.
- Secure Servers: Your information is stored on secure servers, protected by physical and electronic security measures.
- Limited Access: Access to personal information is restricted to authorized employees only, and credit card details are not stored in our database.
- Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits and review our policies to ensure that we are adhering to the highest standards of data protection.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies to enhance your user experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us improve the functionality and navigation of our site. For example, they help us remember your preferences, such as language settings or previously viewed pages.
- Session Cookies: These cookies are temporary and are deleted after you close your browser.
- Analytics Cookies: We may use third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to track website traffic and user behavior. This helps us improve our site and services.
- Cookie Control: You can adjust your browser settings to manage or block cookies. However, this may impact the functionality of some parts of the website.
6. Sharing Your Information
We respect your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, there are certain circumstances where we may need to share your information:
- Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in processing bookings, payments, or providing services related to your trip (e.g., insurance companies, local guides, accommodation providers).
- Legal Obligations: If required by law or legal process, we may disclose your information to authorities, regulators, or law enforcement agencies.
- Business Transfers: In the event that Alpine Club of Himalaya is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
7. Your Rights
You have several rights regarding the personal information we hold:
- Access: You can request access to the personal information we have collected about you.
- Correction: If any information is incorrect or incomplete, you can request corrections.
- Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal data, and we will comply unless we are legally obligated to retain it.
- Opt-Out: You can opt-out of receiving marketing emails and newsletters by clicking the unsubscribe link in the emails or contacting us directly.
- Data Portability: If applicable, you have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.
8. Choice to Reject
If you do not wish to share your personal information with Alpine Club of Himalaya or if you would like to stop receiving marketing communications from us, you have the option to reject or withdraw your consent. If you choose to withdraw your consent, we will no longer process your personal data for marketing purposes or, where applicable, any service you have opted into.
Additionally, you have the right to reject specific services or requests for information at any time by notifying us via the contact details provided below.
9. Correction and Update
If you believe the information we hold about you is incorrect or outdated, you can contact us to correct or update your personal details. We will make reasonable efforts to update or delete your information, as per your request, in a timely manner. If you wish to verify, update, or request the deletion of your data, please contact us directly.
10. Links to Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these websites before providing them with your personal data.
11. Legal Disclaimer
We may disclose your personal information if required by law to do so, or if we believe such action is necessary to comply with legal processes, protect our rights, property, or safety, or those of others.
12. Privacy Legislation
Alpine Club of Himalaya adheres to the Privacy Amendments (Private Sector) Act of Nepal and complies with privacy principles as introduced by the Act. Our practices are in line with the data protection regulations and privacy laws governing the handling of personal information in Nepal.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the updated policy will take effect immediately upon posting. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information.
14. Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may include links to third-party websites, services, or products that are not operated or controlled by Alpine Club of Himalaya. These third-party sites may have their own privacy policies, which may differ from ours. We encourage you to review their privacy policies when visiting these external sites. Alpine Club of Himalaya is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of any third-party websites and recommends that you read their privacy policies carefully before sharing any personal information.
15. Data Retention
We will retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including any legal, accounting, or reporting obligations. The duration for which we retain your data will depend on its type and purpose:
- Booking and Tour Information: We may retain your booking and tour details for up to 7 years, primarily for legal and financial purposes, such as tax and audit requirements.
- Marketing Preferences and Communications: If you opt in to receive marketing communications, we will retain your contact details until you unsubscribe or request that we delete your data.
- Health and Emergency Data: Any health or emergency contact information provided will be retained only for the duration of your trek. This data will be deleted once your journey is completed, unless you consent to its retention for future bookings or other purposes.
Once the applicable retention period has passed, we will securely delete or anonymize your personal information according to our internal data retention procedures.
16. Your Consent
By using our website, booking services, or providing personal information to Alpine Club of Himalaya, you agree to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy. We are committed to offering you exceptional trekking experiences while safeguarding your privacy and protecting your personal data.
17. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to exercise your rights regarding your personal information, please contact us at:
Alpine Club of Himalaya
Phone: +977 9851020731
Email: [email protected]
Address: Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to ensuring that your personal information remains secure and confidential.