Effective date: 8 September 2026

Eco-Safar is the community-based eco-tourism brand of the sub-project “Promoting Community-Based Tourism in the Northern Part of Bangladesh”, implemented by Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) as a Partner Organization under the Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) Project of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Eco-Safar website and all Eco-Safar services, packages, bookings and experiences. By using this website or booking any Eco-Safar service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. ABOUT US AND THIS PROJECT

1.1 Eco-Safar is operated by Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), a non-governmental organization registered in Bangladesh, as part of the sub-project "Promoting Community-Based Tourism in the Northern Part of Bangladesh" under the SMART Project of PKSF.

1.2 The sub-project works in the northern districts of Panchagarh and Thakurgaon, with its main field operations centred in Tetulia, Panchagarh. Its purpose is to promote community and agro-ecological tourism.

1.3 ESDO's head office address is: Collegepara (Gobindanagar), Thakurgaon-5100, Bangladesh. ESDO's website is www.esdo.net.bd.

1.4 Services offered under Eco-Safar are delivered with and through the community MEs of the sub-project. They include homestays, cottage tea experiences, tea garden and flower valley walks, guided tours by trained tourist guides/tour facilitators, hotel and restaurant experiences, street food, handicraft and souvenir shopping, and etc.

2. USE OF THE WEBSITE

2.1 You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, or restrict or inhibit the use of, this website by any third party.

2.2 You must not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the website, its server, or any connected system.

2.3 All content on this website - text, photographs, images, videos, logos and designs - belongs to SMART ESDO Eco-Tourism Project, and may not be reproduced or republished without prior written permission, except that you may download or print a reasonable number of copies for personal, non-commercial use.

3. BOOKINGS AND CONFIRMATION

3.1 Bookings for packages, homestays, tours and related services may be made through the contact channels shown on this website and its Contact page, through the eco-tourism information and booking centre at the project area, or through the digital homestay cluster booking platform under development under the sub-project.

3.2 A booking is confirmed only when we reply to you confirming availability, the service chosen, the dates and number of travelers, and (where applicable) you have completed any advance payment agreed with us.

3.3 You are responsible for providing accurate information at the time of booking, including the legal name(s) of travelers, contact details, dates, number of travelers, and any medical, dietary or accessibility needs relevant to your stay or visit.

3.4 We reserve the right to decline or cancel any booking at our reasonable discretion, including where the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate.

4. PRICES AND PAYMENTS

4.1 Prices, package inclusions and fares are as quoted to you at the time of booking, and may be revised from time to time.

4.2 The quoted price covers the services described in the package or agreement only. Personal expenses such as additional meals, transport beyond the itinerary, shopping and optional activities are not included unless stated otherwise.

4.3 Payment terms, including any advance amount, will be communicated at the time of booking. Payments are in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) unless otherwise agreed.

5. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

5.1 Cancellation and refund terms may vary by service and will be stated in the package description or communicated to you at the time of booking. Where no specific policy has been communicated, cancellation must be notified to us by phone or email, and any refund will be determined by our reasonable assessment of costs already incurred on your behalf.

5.2 We may cancel a tour, homestay stay or experience due to extreme weather, natural events, safety concerns, or circumstances beyond our control (including situations affecting the community hosts). In such cases we will offer you, at your choice, an alternative date, an alternative experience, or a refund of amounts paid for the affected services or the part of them not delivered.

5.3 No refund is payable for services not used because of your late arrival, early departure or non-attendance, except where we cancel in accordance with clause 5.2.

6. ITINERARIES AND ACTIVITIES

6.1 Itineraries are carefully designed but subject to change. Times, routes, attractions and stops may be adjusted because of weather, road conditions, community events, seasonal availability (for example the tea and flower seasons) or other operational reasons.

6.2 Experiences based on outdoor views - including the Kanchenjunga viewpoints and tea garden panoramas - depend on weather and visibility and cannot be guaranteed.

6.3 Our field activities are guided by the sub-project's Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) approach and its Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) commitments. You are expected to join experiences in a way that is consistent with these commitments (see clause 7).

7. GUEST RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONDUCT

7.1 SMART ESDO Eco-Tourism Project follows a low-impact, eco-conscious approach that prioritizes the protection of local ecosystems, cultural heritage and community wellbeing. You agree to behave responsibly and respectfully toward host families, community enterprises, guides, other travelers, local traditions and the environment.

7.2 You are expected to:

• follow waste-segregation and disposal practices at homestays and visitor sites;
• avoid littering, damaging crops, tea plants and flower beds, disturbing livestock or wildlife, and making excessive noise;
• use water thoughtfully, recognizing the WASH facilities at homestays are designed for sustainable use;
• respect local customs, dress and etiquette, including taking photographs only where appropriate and with permission.

7.3 Parents or guardians are responsible for their children at all times during any tour, homestay stay or activity.

7.4 You must follow the reasonable instructions of our guides, hosts and staff, including for safety, access and conduct.

8. SAFETY AND LIABILITY

8.1 Eco-tourism involves outdoor and rural activities, including walking on uneven ground, cycling, boat rides and time in natural environments. You take part at your own risk and should be in reasonable health to do so.

8.2 Please inform us before your trip of any pre-existing health conditions, allergies or mobility limitations relevant to your participation, so we can advise on suitability and make reasonable arrangements.

8.3 To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ESDO shall not be liable for indirect, incidental or consequential loss, or for damage or injury caused by your failure to follow instructions, by unforeseeable natural events, or by acts or omissions of third parties (including homestay hosts, guides and transport providers) outside our reasonable control.

8.4 Nothing in these Terms limits any liability that cannot be limited under the laws of Bangladesh.

9. DOCUMENTS AND IDENTIFICATION

9.1 For border-adjacent visits (for example the Banglabandha Zero Point area), please carry a valid national photo ID (e.g., NID) or passport. Foreign visitors must comply with Bangladesh immigration and visa requirements.

9.2 We keep visitor registers at certain sites, as required by the project's over-tourism management measures. You may be asked to sign in.

9.3 You are responsible for your own travel insurance arrangements and any medical costs you may incur during the trip.

10. CONTENT YOU SUBMIT

10.1 Reviews, comments, photos or other content you send us may be used by Eco-Safar for promotional, informational and record-keeping purposes. By submitting content you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce and display it in connection with our services and promotional activities.

10.2 You confirm that any content you submit is your own or that you have permission to submit it, and that it does not infringe the rights of any third party.

11. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

11.1 This website and our materials may link to external sites and services. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of those external sites, whose own terms and privacy policies apply.

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

12.1 "Eco-Safar", "PKSF", "SMART", "ESDO" and related logos and branding are used by us in connection with the sub-project. You may not use our names, logos or branding in any way that suggests endorsement by or affiliation with us without prior written consent.

13. GRIEVANCES AND COMPLAINTS

13.1 If you have a complaint about a service, a booking, or the conduct of any staff, guide, host or community member, please contact us through the Contact page or directly.

13.2 The sub-project operates a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and a complaint-handling mechanism (CRM). You may raise concerns through the ESCALATion channel below:

• Safeguarding, PSEAH and CRM Focal Person: Ayrin Akter
• Email: esdo.safeguarding2021@gmail.com

13.3 All complaints are treated seriously and confidentially, and are handled in accordance with ESDO's safeguarding policies.

14. APPLICABLE LAW

14.1 These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Any dispute shall first be referred to amicable negotiation, and if not resolved within a reasonable time, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Bangladesh.

15. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

15.1 We may update these Terms from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the website or services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

16. CONTACT US

16.1 For questions about these Terms, or about bookings, write to us through the Contact page of this website, or at:

ESDO Head Office:
Collegepara (Gobindanagar),
Thakurgaon-5100, Bangladesh

Safeguarding / Grievance / CRM:
esdo.safeguarding2021@gmail.com (Ayrin Akter)

ESDO website: www.esdo.net.bd

Your use of this website and our services is also subject to our Privacy Policy, available at https://eco-safar.esdo.net.bd/privacy-policy .

---

© 2026 SMART ESDO Eco-Tourism. All rights reserved.