Cancellation Policy
Last Updated: June 8, 2026
We know plans change. This page explains, in plain language, how our cancellation policy works, how much you can get back depending on when you cancel, and exactly how to cancel your booking.
For the full legal terms, please see our Terms & Conditions.
Free Cancellation Available
For most private tours, you can cancel 30 or more days before departure and receive a full refund of all monies paid, minus your deposit. Your deposit can be held as a credit toward a future trip.
This is our commitment to flexibility while protecting the dedicated guides and drivers who reserve their time for your tour.
Cancellation Timeline — How Much Can You Get Back?
The amount you can recover depends on how far in advance you let us know. The earlier you cancel, the more you get back.
Private Tours (Excluding Tibet)
More than 30 days before departure
Your deposit is forfeited
Everything else you have paid is fully refunded
Alternatively, your deposit can be held as a credit for a future LynxTravel trip (valid for 24 months)
15 to 29 days before departure
30% of the total tour price is forfeited
70% is refunded
7 to 14 days before departure
50% of the total tour price is forfeited
50% is refunded
3 to 6 days before departure
75% of the total tour price is forfeited
25% is refunded
2 days or less before departure, or no-show
100% of the total tour price is forfeited
No refund is available
Tibet Tours (Special Policy)
Tours that include Tibet require a Tibet Travel Permit, which involves non-refundable administrative costs. The cancellation policy is therefore more restrictive:
More than 45 days before departure
Your deposit (30% of total price) is forfeited
Everything else you have paid is fully refunded
Deposit credit option available (valid for 24 months)
30 to 44 days before departure
50% of the total tour price is forfeited
50% is refunded
15 to 29 days before departure
75% of the total tour price is forfeited
25% is refunded
14 days or less before departure, or no-show
100% of the total tour price is forfeited
No refund is available
Why These Deadlines?
We want to be as flexible as possible, but a few things happen behind the scenes as your departure date gets closer:
30+ days out: We have not yet reserved your hotels or paid permit fees. Cancellation has minimal cost to us.
15-29 days out: We begin reserving hotels and may have paid deposits to secure your rooms at preferred properties.
7-14 days out: Your guide and driver have cleared their schedules. Hotels are often non-refundable at this point. Trains or domestic flights may have been ticketed.
3-6 days out: Nearly all costs are locked in. Your guide and driver are fully committed to your dates.
Within 48 hours: Everything is finalized. Cancellation at this point means we cannot recover costs from our suppliers.
This is also why we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance — it protects you if you need to cancel for reasons beyond your control (illness, family emergency, etc.).
How to Cancel Your Booking
Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Please follow these steps:
Step 1: Send an email to our team at the contact address provided in your Booking Confirmation. If you do not have this information handy, contact us through our website.
Step 2: In your email, include:
Your full name (as it appears on the booking)
Your booking reference number
Your tour start date
The reason for cancellation (optional, but helps us improve)
Step 3: We will acknowledge your cancellation in writing, confirm the cancellation date (which determines your refund amount), and provide a refund timeline.
Important: A cancellation is not considered complete until we have sent you written confirmation. Simply not showing up for your tour ("no-show") results in 100% forfeiture with no refund.
Refund Processing Time
Once your cancellation is confirmed:
Refunds are processed within 20 working days of receiving your written cancellation notice
Refunds are issued to your original payment method whenever possible
Depending on your bank or card issuer, it may take an additional 3-10 business days for the refund to appear in your account
If you paid by bank transfer, please provide your bank details for the refund. Any bank transfer fees are your responsibility
Travel Credit — An Alternative to Refund
If you cancel 30 or more days before departure (or 45+ days for Tibet Tours), instead of receiving a refund of the amount beyond your deposit, you can choose to keep your deposit as a Travel Credit.
How it works:
Your forfeited deposit becomes a credit toward any future LynxTravel trip
The credit is valid for 24 months from the date of cancellation
The credit can be applied to a trip of equal or greater value
The credit is tied to your name and cannot be transferred to another person
The credit cannot be redeemed for cash
Many travelers use this option when they know they will rebook but are not yet sure of their dates.
If We Cancel Your Tour
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we have to cancel a tour. Here is what happens:
If we cancel for reasons within our control (such as not meeting minimum numbers for a small group tour, which does not apply to private custom tours):
You can choose an alternative tour of equivalent or higher value (you pay the difference if higher; we refund the difference if lower)
Or you can receive a full refund of all monies paid to LynxTravel
If we cancel due to Force Majeure (events beyond our reasonable control — see below):
You can choose a Travel Credit equal to 100% of all monies paid, valid for 24 months
Or you can receive a refund of all monies paid, less any costs we have already incurred that we cannot recover (such as non-refundable hotel deposits, prepaid train tickets, or permit fees). We will provide a detailed breakdown of these costs.
Force Majeure — What Happens If Something Unforeseeable Happens?
"Force Majeure" means events beyond anyone's reasonable control that make it impossible or unsafe to operate your tour. This includes:
Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, typhoons, wildfires)
Pandemic or epidemic outbreaks
War, civil unrest, or terrorism
Government actions (border closures, travel bans, states of emergency)
Airport or port closures
Any other event that could not reasonably have been foreseen
If a Force Majeure event affects your tour:
We will notify you as soon as possible
We will work with you to reschedule, if feasible
If rescheduling is not possible, you will have the option of a Travel Credit (100% of amounts paid, valid 24 months) or a refund minus any non-recoverable costs already incurred
We are not able to compensate for incidental costs you may have incurred, such as international airfares or visa fees. This is one of the reasons we strongly recommend travel insurance.
Partial Cancellations
If someone in your group cancels but the rest of the group continues with the tour:
The cancellation policy above applies to the canceling traveler's portion of the tour price
If the cancellation changes the per-person price for the remaining travelers (for example, if you had a group discount that no longer applies), you will be responsible for the price difference
Please let us know as early as possible if someone in your group may need to cancel, so we can advise on the impact to your overall booking.
Name Changes and Substitutions
If you need to change the name on a booking (for example, if someone cannot travel and another person will take their place):
Name changes are subject to approval and may not always be possible (particularly for train tickets and Tibet Travel Permits)
Any fees charged by airlines, train operators, or hotels for name changes will be passed on to you
An administrative fee of USD 30 per name change applies
It is always better to let us know as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel over the phone?
We strongly recommend submitting your cancellation in writing (by email) so that there is a clear record of the cancellation date. Phone cancellations can be accepted in urgent circumstances, but must be followed up with a written confirmation.
What if I get sick and cannot travel?
Our standard cancellation policy applies. However, if you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation due to illness, you can file a claim with your insurer. This is exactly why we recommend travel insurance.
Can I cancel just part of my tour?
Significant changes to your itinerary (such as removing destinations or days) may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation. Minor adjustments may be possible depending on timing.
What if my flight is canceled and I miss the start of my tour?
Our standard cancellation policy applies to no-shows. However, if you have travel insurance, this situation is typically covered. Contact us immediately if this happens — depending on the circumstances, we may be able to adjust your itinerary (additional costs may apply).
Can I get a refund if I am unhappy with the tour during the trip?
If you have a problem during your tour, you must inform your guide or contact our office immediately so we have the opportunity to resolve it on the spot. Complaints raised only after the tour is complete are much more difficult to address. Refunds are not automatically issued for dissatisfaction — we take all feedback seriously and will review each case individually.
Do you offer "cancel for any reason" coverage?
We do not offer cancel-for-any-reason coverage ourselves. However, some comprehensive travel insurance policies include a "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) upgrade that allows cancellation for any reason not otherwise covered. If this flexibility is important to you, look for a travel insurance policy that includes CFAR coverage.
How do I know exactly how much I will get back?
Contact us with your booking reference and intended cancellation date. We will calculate the exact refund amount for you, free of charge and with no obligation.
Still Have Questions?
We are here to help. If anything in this policy is unclear, or if you would like to discuss your specific booking:
Email: Contact us through the address provided in your Booking Confirmation, or through our website contact form
Response time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours during business days
This Cancellation Policy is a plain-language summary of the cancellation provisions in our Terms & Conditions. In the event of any inconsistency, the Terms & Conditions prevail.
Last updated: June 8, 2026
