Rope on Slope
Your Privacy Matters
We are committed to protecting the personal information of every trekker, expedition climber, and visitor who engages with Rope on Slope. Based in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, we operate under the legal framework of the Indian IT Act, 2000 and the IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011.
Introduction
Who We Are
Rope on Slope is a trekking and expedition company registered and operated from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India. We organise high-altitude treks, expeditions, and alpine logistics across the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas.
This privacy policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you visit our website, make a booking, contact us via phone, WhatsApp, or email, or participate in any trek or expedition organised by us.
By using our website or services, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.
Information We Collect
What Personal Data We Gather
We collect only the information necessary to deliver our trekking and expedition services safely and legally. This includes:
- Identity & Contact Data — Full name, phone number, email address, postal address, date of birth, and government-issued photo ID (required for forest department permits and high-altitude trek registrations under Uttarakhand government regulations).
- Medical & Fitness Data — Health declarations, medical history relevant to high-altitude trekking, emergency contact details, and insurance information. This data is essential for your safety and is collected with your explicit consent.
- Booking & Transaction Data — Trek or expedition selection, dates, group size, payment details processed through Razorpay (we do not store complete payment card information on our servers).
- Communication Data — Records of phone calls, WhatsApp messages, emails, and enquiry form submissions.
- Usage Data — Anonymous website analytics collected via Independent Analytics (no personal identifiers, no tracking cookies).
We do not collect sensitive data such as caste, religion, political opinions, or biometric information.
How We Use Your Information
Purpose of Data Processing
Your personal data is used exclusively for the following purposes:
- Processing trek and expedition bookings, including itinerary customisation and logistics coordination.
- Obtaining mandatory trekking permits from the Uttarakhand Forest Department and other regulatory authorities. Your ID proof is shared only to the extent required by law.
- Communicating trip details, safety briefings, weather updates, and itinerary changes before and during your journey.
- Coordinating emergency response and medical evacuation if required during a trek. Your emergency contact and medical data are shared only with our field staff and evacuation partners on a need-to-know basis.
- Improving our services through anonymised feedback analysis and trip reviews.
- Sending promotional communications only if you have explicitly opted in. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Legal Basis & Data Sharing
How We Share Your Data
We process your personal data under the following lawful bases as recognised by the Indian IT Act, 2000 and the upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023:
- Contractual necessity — to fulfil your booking and deliver trek services.
- Legal obligation — to comply with Uttarakhand Forest Department permit requirements, tax regulations, and Indian contract law.
- Consent — for medical data processing and marketing communications.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your data only with:
- Uttarakhand Forest Department and other government authorities — as mandated by law.
- Trusted trek partners and accommodation providers — only what is necessary for your trip logistics.
- Razorpay — for payment processing (subject to Razorpay's own privacy policy).
- Emergency evacuation and medical assistance providers — only during an actual emergency.
Data Security & Retention
How We Protect Your Data
We implement reasonable security practices as required under the IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011:
- All personal data is stored on secure servers with encrypted databases.
- Access to personal data is restricted to authorised personnel only on a need-to-know basis.
- Payment transactions are processed through Razorpay's PCI-DSS compliant gateway.
- Our website uses HTTPS encryption for all data transmissions.
We retain your personal data for three years from the date of your last interaction with us, as required by Indian contract law for maintaining records. After this period, your data is securely deleted or anonymised.
Your Rights
Access, Correction & Deletion
Under the Indian IT Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2011, you have the following rights regarding your personal data held by us:
- Right to Access — Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to Correction — Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to Deletion — Request deletion of your personal data, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain records.
- Right to Withdraw Consent — Withdraw your consent for marketing communications at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Grievance Officer using the details provided in the Contact section below. We will respond to your request within 30 days as mandated by the IT Rules, 2011.
Third-Party Services
Services We Rely On
Our website and operations use the following third-party services. Each has its own privacy policy governing data handling:
- Razorpay — Payment processing. Your card details are handled entirely by Razorpay; we never see or store full card numbers.
- Independent Analytics — Privacy-first website analytics hosted on our own server. No personal data leaves our infrastructure.
- WhatsApp — Customer communication. Messages are subject to Meta's privacy policy.
- FluentSMTP & WP Mail SMTP — Email delivery for booking confirmations and enquiries.
We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these providers for a complete understanding of how your data may be processed.
Changes to This Policy
When We Update This Document
We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. Updates will be published on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.
If we make material changes, we will notify you via a prominent notice on our website or by email if we have your contact information on record.
We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your data.
Contact & Grievance Officer
Get in Touch
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your personal data, or if you wish to lodge a grievance, please contact our designated Grievance Officer:
Head Office
Rope On Slope Near Bus Stand, Gangotri Dham Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand — 249135 IndiaBranch Office
Rope On Slope Near Bhatwari Bridge, Main Market Bhatwari, Uttarkashi Uttarakhand — 249135 IndiaReady to Explore
Your adventure starts with a conversation.
If you have questions about how we handle your data — or if you are ready to book your next Himalayan trek — reach out to our team.