Varkala.co.in respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share and protect your information when you visit or use Varkala.co.in, submit an enquiry, make a booking, contact us, subscribe to our communications or use any accommodation, activity, tour, sightseeing, transport or travel-related service offered or facilitated through our platform.

By accessing or using Varkala.co.in, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

Varkala.co.in is a travel and destination platform that helps travellers discover and access accommodation, activities, sightseeing experiences, tours, transfers and other travel-related services.

Depending on the service selected, we may directly coordinate a service or act as a platform that connects users with independent accommodation providers, activity operators, transport providers and other travel partners.

For any privacy-related questions, requests or concerns, please contact us using the contact details provided on our website.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information directly from you, automatically through your use of the website, or from service providers involved in fulfilling your booking.

The information we collect may include the following.

Personal and Contact Information

• Full name;
• Email address;
• Mobile or telephone number;
• Country or place of residence;
• Postal address, where required;
• Age or date of birth, where necessary for a booking or activity;
• Emergency contact details, where required.

Booking and Travel Information

When you make an enquiry or booking, we may collect information such as:

• Accommodation or activity selected;
• Travel dates;
• Number of guests;
• Guest names;
• Arrival and departure details;
• Flight or train information;
• Pickup and drop-off locations;
• Special requests;
• Information required to arrange your booking.

Payment Information

Payments may be processed through third-party payment gateways, banks or authorised payment service providers.

Depending on the payment method, we may receive limited information such as:

• Payment status;
• Transaction reference;
• Amount paid;
• Payment date;
• Partial payment information necessary to verify a transaction.

We do not intentionally store complete debit or credit card details unless specifically handled through a secure and authorised payment system.

Communications

We may retain information you provide when you:

• Contact us by email, telephone, messaging applications or social media;
• Submit an enquiry form;
• Request information;
• Provide feedback or a review;
• Contact customer support.

Website and Technical Information

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address;
• Browser type;
• Device type;
• Operating system;
• Approximate location based on IP address;
• Pages visited;
• Date and time of visits;
• Referring website or source;
• Website interactions and usage patterns.

This information may be collected using cookies, analytics tools and similar technologies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To respond to enquiries;
• To process and manage bookings;
• To confirm accommodation, activities, tours and transfers;
• To communicate booking updates;
• To arrange services with relevant travel partners;
• To process and verify payments;
• To provide customer support;
• To personalise your experience where appropriate;
• To improve our website and services;
• To understand website usage and visitor behaviour;
• To send relevant promotional communications where permitted;
• To prevent fraud, misuse or unauthorised transactions;
• To comply with legal, regulatory or accounting requirements;
• To protect the safety and security of guests, staff and service providers.

We will use personal information only where we have a legitimate purpose or other appropriate basis for doing so.

4. Information Shared With Service Providers

In order to fulfil a booking or provide a requested service, we may need to share relevant information with third parties.

These may include:

• Accommodation providers;
• Activity and adventure operators;
• Tour organisers;
• Transport and transfer providers;
• Payment service providers;
• Technology and website service providers;
• Marketing and communication platforms;
• Government authorities or law enforcement agencies where legally required.

We share only the information reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.

For example, an accommodation provider may require your name, arrival date and number of guests, while a transfer provider may require your name, contact number and arrival details.

Independent third-party providers may maintain their own privacy policies and practices. We encourage users to review those policies where applicable.

5. Accommodation and Third-Party Listings

Varkala.co.in may display accommodation, activities and experiences operated by independent businesses.

When you make a booking or enquiry for a third-party service, relevant personal information may be shared with that provider to confirm and deliver the requested service.

Once your information is shared with an independent provider for the purpose of fulfilling your booking, that provider may process your information according to its own privacy practices and legal obligations.

We encourage users to exercise reasonable care when sharing additional personal information directly with third-party providers.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Varkala.co.in may use cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality and understand how visitors use our website.

Cookies may be used to:

• Remember preferences;
• Maintain website functionality;
• Understand visitor behaviour;
• Analyse website traffic;
• Improve content and user experience;
• Measure marketing performance;
• Support relevant advertising, where applicable.

You may be able to manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality or performance of some parts of the website.

Where required by applicable law, we may provide additional cookie notices or consent options.

7. Analytics and Advertising

We may use third-party analytics and marketing tools to understand how visitors interact with our website and promotional campaigns.

These tools may collect information such as:

• Pages viewed;
• Device and browser information;
• Approximate location;
• Website interactions;
• Referral sources;
• Campaign performance.

We may use this information to improve our services, understand customer interests and measure the effectiveness of advertising.

Where third-party advertising or analytics technologies are used, those providers may process certain information according to their own privacy policies.

8. Marketing Communications

With your consent or where otherwise permitted by applicable law, we may send you information about:

• Travel experiences;
• Accommodation;
• Activities and tours;
• Special offers;
• Seasonal packages;
• New services;
• Destination updates.

You may opt out of promotional communications at any time by:

• Using the unsubscribe option provided in an email;
• Contacting us directly;
• Requesting removal from a marketing list.

Please note that even after opting out of marketing communications, we may still contact you regarding an existing booking, payment, service update or other essential operational matter.

9. Sensitive or Special Information

We do not request unnecessary sensitive personal information.

However, certain activities, accommodation arrangements or travel services may require information relevant to safety, accessibility or special requests.

Please provide only information that is reasonably necessary for the requested service.

If you voluntarily provide sensitive information, we may use it only for the purpose for which it was provided, subject to applicable legal requirements.

Where appropriate, we may request additional consent before collecting or processing such information.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Complete bookings and provide services;
• Respond to enquiries;
• Resolve disputes;
• Maintain business and accounting records;
• Meet legal and regulatory obligations;
• Prevent fraud or misuse;
• Enforce our agreements.

The length of time information is retained may vary depending on the nature of the information and the purpose for which it was collected.

When personal information is no longer reasonably required, we may delete, anonymise or securely dispose of it in accordance with applicable practices and legal requirements.

11. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, misuse, loss, alteration or disclosure.

These measures may include:

• Secure website technologies;
• Restricted access to relevant information;
• Appropriate access controls;
• Use of reputable payment providers;
• Internal procedures for handling customer information.

However, no method of transmitting or storing information online is completely secure. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Users are also responsible for protecting their own devices, accounts and communication channels.

12. International Users and Data Transfers

Varkala.co.in may be accessed by users from different countries.

If you access our services from outside India, your information may be collected, processed or stored in India or in other locations where our technology providers or service partners operate.

By using our services, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred or processed across geographical borders, subject to appropriate safeguards and applicable legal requirements.

13. Your Rights and Choices

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to certain personal information we hold about you;
• Request correction of inaccurate information;
• Request deletion of information where legally applicable;
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• Object to or restrict certain types of processing;
• Opt out of promotional communications;
• Request information about how your personal information is used.

To exercise a privacy-related right, please contact us through the details provided on our website.

We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

Some information may need to be retained where required for legal, accounting, fraud prevention or other legitimate purposes.

14. Children’s Privacy

Varkala.co.in is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate involvement or consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Where a booking involves a minor, the parent or legal guardian may be required to provide the necessary information and accept the relevant booking terms on behalf of the minor.

If you believe that a child has provided personal information without appropriate consent, please contact us so that we can review the matter.

15. Third-Party Websites and Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, booking systems, payment gateways or other external services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.

When you leave Varkala.co.in, we encourage you to review the privacy policy of the relevant website or service before providing personal information.

16. Social Media

If you interact with Varkala.co.in through social media platforms, we may receive information made available to us through that platform, depending on your account settings and permissions.

This may include your public profile information, messages, comments or other information you choose to share with us.

Your use of social media platforms is also governed by the privacy policies and terms of those platforms.

17. Reviews, Testimonials and User Content

If you voluntarily submit a review, testimonial, photograph, comment or other content, it may be displayed on our website or marketing channels where you have provided permission or where otherwise permitted.

Please avoid sharing confidential or unnecessary personal information in publicly visible reviews or comments.

We may remove or moderate content that is inappropriate, misleading, unlawful or unrelated to our services.

18. Legal Disclosure

We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws;
• Respond to valid legal requests;
• Protect our legal rights;
• Investigate suspected fraud or misuse;
• Protect the safety of users, staff or service providers;
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions.

Any disclosure will be limited to what is reasonably necessary or legally required.

19. Business Transfers

If Varkala.co.in undergoes a business restructuring, merger, acquisition, sale or transfer of assets, relevant personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable legal requirements and appropriate safeguards.

Where required, we will provide appropriate notice regarding such changes.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, business practices or legal requirements.

The revised version will be published on this page with an updated Last Updated date.

We encourage users to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Where a significant change is made and notification is required, we will take appropriate steps to inform affected users.

21. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the way we handle your personal information, please contact us using the contact details available on Varkala.co.in.

For faster assistance, please include:

• Your name;
• The email address or phone number used when contacting or booking with us;
• Details of your privacy-related request.

We will make reasonable efforts to review and respond to legitimate requests in accordance with applicable law.

Your Consent

By using Varkala.co.in, submitting an enquiry, making a booking or otherwise providing information to us, you acknowledge that your information may be collected and processed as described in this Privacy Policy.

Where specific consent is required by applicable law, we will request it separately.

If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our website or provide personal information through our services.