Lost & Found Policy

At Varanasi Excursion, we value the trust our travelers place in us. During any journey, it is possible that a personal item may be misplaced, forgotten, or accidentally left behind in a hotel, vehicle, or at a sightseeing location.
Our Lost & Found Policy outlines the process we follow to assist travelers in locating their belongings and the measures we take to handle such cases with fairness, honesty, and care.

This policy applies to all travelers who use our travel services, including transportation, accommodation, or guided tours arranged through Varanasi Excursion.

1. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide clear and transparent guidelines for reporting, locating, and recovering lost items during travel.
While Varanasi Excursion takes every possible step to assist travelers, we do not assume liability for items lost, damaged, or misplaced during the trip.

Our team works closely with drivers, hotels, and service partners to trace lost property promptly and return it whenever possible.

2. Definition of Lost Property

For this policy, lost property refers to any personal item belonging to a traveler that has been misplaced or left behind during a service provided by Varanasi Excursion.
Examples include:

• Bags, suitcases, or backpacks
• Electronic devices such as cameras, phones, or laptops
• Jewelry, watches, or personal accessories
• Documents like passports, ID cards, or tickets
• Clothing, footwear, or personal items

Any item found by our team or service partner is handled according to this policy and stored safely until the rightful owner is identified.

3. Reporting a Lost Item

If a traveler realizes that an item has been lost during the trip, they should report it immediately to:

• Their assigned tour representative or guide, or
• The Varanasi Excursion support team via phone or email

The traveler must provide the following details:

• Full name and contact information
• Date and location where the item was last seen
• Description of the item (size, color, brand, identifying marks)
• Booking reference number or tour details

Prompt reporting increases the chance of recovering the item successfully.

4. How We Handle Found Items

If our driver, guide, or staff finds an item after a trip or transfer, the following steps are taken:

1. The item is recorded in the Lost & Found Register with all available details.
2. A brief description and location of discovery are logged.
3. The item is stored safely at the local office or with the responsible staff member.
4. Our team attempts to contact the traveler using the booking details available.

We never discard or dispose of any found item without prior attempt to reach the owner.

5. Time Frame for Reporting and Claiming Items

Travelers should report missing items within seven (7) days of the incident.
Found items are generally held for 30 days from the date they are logged in our system.

After this period, if no claim is received, the item may be:

• Donated to a local charitable organization (for usable items), or
• Disposed of safely (for personal or unusable items)

Sensitive items such as IDs or passports are handed over to the appropriate authorities for safe return.

6. Retrieval and Return Process

Once a lost item is identified, the traveler can collect it in one of the following ways:

• In-person pickup: From our local office in Varanasi or another specified location.
• Courier delivery: The traveler may request shipment of the item to their address at their own cost.

For security reasons, travelers must provide proof of identity and describe the item accurately before collection or shipment.
Varanasi Excursion is not responsible for any damage or delay during postal delivery by courier services.

7. Responsibility and Limitations

While we make every effort to assist in recovery, Varanasi Excursion is not legally responsible for lost or misplaced personal belongings.
We cannot guarantee the retrieval of any item once a trip has concluded or if the service involved a third-party vendor such as a hotel or transport provider outside our direct management.

This limitation covers:

• Items lost due to personal negligence
• Valuables left unattended in vehicles or public areas
• Items misplaced in hotels, airports, or monuments not managed by Varanasi Excursion

Travelers are strongly encouraged to keep valuables safely stored and avoid leaving belongings unattended.

8. Items Found in Vehicles

If an item is found inside a vehicle used for local transfers or tours:

• The driver must immediately inform the operations team.
• The item will be kept securely in the vehicle office or with the local manager.
• Our support team will contact the traveler using the phone number or email associated with the booking.

If the traveler has already left the city, arrangements can be made for pickup or delivery at their request.

9. Items Found in Hotels or Partner Properties

If an item is left in a hotel or partner accommodation:

• The traveler should contact the hotel directly as soon as possible.
• Varanasi Excursion can assist in communication with the hotel management if needed.
• The hotel’s individual lost property policy may apply for storage and retrieval.

Our team will make every reasonable effort to coordinate between the traveler and hotel for item recovery.

10. Items Found During Group Tours

For group tours with multiple participants, any found item will be reported to the group leader or tour guide immediately.
A description of the found item will be announced discreetly to the group without disclosing personal details of the owner.
If no claim is made during the trip, the item will be handed over to our local office and stored according to policy.

11. High-Value and Sensitive Items

Special care is given to items such as:

• Passports, official documents, or credit cards
• Laptops, cameras, or mobile devices
• Cash or jewelry

Such items are stored in a secure area and handled only by authorized personnel.
Identification verification is mandatory before returning any high-value item.

12. Items That Cannot Be Accepted or Stored

For safety and hygiene reasons, the following items will not be stored in our Lost & Found system:

• Perishable goods or food items
• Medicines or personal care products
• Hazardous materials or sharp objects
• Opened liquids or flammable products

Such items, if found, may be safely disposed of immediately.

13. Third-Party Involvement

In cases where lost items are found or misplaced through third-party service providers (for example, airlines, taxis, trains, or independent hotels), Varanasi Excursion will:

• Provide relevant contact information to the traveler
• Assist in communication to the extent possible
• Not assume responsibility for recovery, delivery, or condition of the item

All third-party terms and conditions apply.

14. Data Privacy and Traveler Information

While tracing lost items, our team may use traveler data such as name, contact number, and booking ID solely for communication and verification.
This data is handled according to our Privacy Policy and is never shared with unauthorized persons.

15. Policy Revisions

Varanasi Excursion may update this Lost & Found Policy periodically to reflect improved procedures or compliance with new regulations.
Any changes will be published on our website and will apply from the date of posting.

16. Contact Information

For lost and found queries, travelers can contact our support team:

📧 info@varanasiexcursion.com
🌐 www.varanasiexcursion.com
📍 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Office Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (IST)
Emergency assistance is available for travelers on active tours.

Final Note

Varanasi Excursion believes that every traveler’s comfort and trust matter.
While personal belongings remain the responsibility of each guest, our team is always ready to assist with honesty, prompt communication, and care.
We handle every lost and found case with respect and effort, ensuring transparency and cooperation at every step.