Updated: 20 Feb 2012

Money/ Visas and other official matters.

• Duration: The arrival is the 8th of August in Delhi and we get back to Delhi on the 25th. Do not fly out from Delhi before Aug 27.
• Cost: EU1400 This is with the minimum of 5 people attending. The cost of the flights to Leh easily double or more when getting closer to the date. In fact is that if it's too extreme I'll have to ask those joining later to help with the added cost of the tickets. So don't wait too long... Pay in full before the end of April and it's EU1200.
  
  
• Included: All accommodation, food, travel, and any other collective expenses for the entire trip. The trip officially starts when we board the flight to Leh and ends when we land in Delhi. Natually the cost of the tour also helps to cover the organisers' expenses.
  
  
• Excluded: Visa for India, your ticket to and from Delhi and any personal expenses, including bottled water. Also expences in Delhi before we fly to Leh and after our return are not included. You can manage with as little as $200 as prices are still low in India. But bring more according to your spending habits...
  
  Definitely bring more if you plan to stay longer after the tour, or if you want to buy lots of presents, personal or commerce items. For those who want to visit Agra after the tour, be aware the entry fee to the Taj Mahal is around $25, the Agra Fort is also $25 and Fatipur Sikri $15. Most historic places in Delhi also charge nicely...
  
  
• Deposit & Payment:A EU350 deposit should be paid as soon as possible and latest by the end of March. This will help us to confirm with the agency that is helping us and to book the flight tickets from Delhi to Leh and back. Confirming late could mean that the cheaper seats are gone on the flight to Leh and back, you'd need to cover the difference if there is any. The minimum number of participants is 5, the maximum 11 (organisers not included)
  
  Full payment should be made before the middle of July.
  
  For sending your deposits and payments, there are several options. Click here for details.
  
• Minimum requirements: To be able to maintain a good flow, it's important that we all do the same spiritual practices. So if you are not yet initiated in Ananda Marga meditation, please find a Dada or Didi to teach you. It's good if you are at least familiar with the basics of our practices and have practised the meditation before you come. As India is already an intense experience, it's a bit much if the meditation is also completely new. If you really can't make it before, we can teach you on the tour but be prepared for a lot of good, but new, things. It is no problem if you are already practicing an other type of meditation as long as it's not interfering with others and as long as you are happy to join the chanting/kiirtan.
  
  You'll also need to be physically fit and healthy. Minimum age is 18; there is no maximum age limit, but realise we are trekking at high altitude so you need to be fit. You don't want to be the one to delay everyone else...
  
  
• Refunds: There will be no refunds as we are booking through a travel agency. In case we don't have the minimum number of people for the trip, whatever is received in the account will be refunded. This may mean that a small amount will be lost in transfer costs.
  
  
• Plane ticket: Plan to arrive in Delhi by the 7th of August 2012. One of the organisers will be there the day before to meet you in case you arrive early. Departure not before the Aug 27 but later is fine in case you want to visit the Taj Mahal or other places.
  
  We recommend that you wait to arrange your flight till we can confirm that the tour has the minimum number of people, or till you are given the green light by the organisers. If you can book without paying, go ahead, but most on-line sites require immediate payment and do not give refunds on the cheap flights, so, if that is the case it will be better to wait.
  
  
• Information we need: Please e-mail me (Dada Krpasundarananda) your:
  Name (both legal and if you have, Sanskrit)
  Name of your Acarya and year of initiation.
  Email of your Acarya
  Address and phone
  Passport details (Nationality and Number)
  Date of birth
  Exact details of your arrival & departure (Flight number and time)
  Any medical indications or dietary restrictions. (footnote 2)
  Also, please inform me when you make your deposit/payment as I often can't understand from the bank statement where the deposit has come from.
  
  
• Passport: Valid at least until mid 2013. Best check with the Indian embassies.
  
• Photos: Do bring four passport photos just in case. Please don't forget!
  
  
• Visas: Get a 1-6-months tourist visa for India. Apply by the beginning of July as in some countries it can take up to 3 weeks to get it. (check before applying whether the validity of the visa is counted from the day of issue or from the day of entry) Enquire at the nearest Indian Consulate for the latest information. I think in most countries you have to fill out the application on-line and then schedule an appointment for an interview. Make sure you do not mention Ananda Marga, it can create problems.
  
  
• Money belt: It is good idea to keep your valuables (money, passport) in a money belt worn on your body, UNDER your clothes at all times.
  
  
• Changing Money:Change your local currency into EU or US$ before leaving. In India you will get the best exchange rate for EU or US$ 50 / 100 notes. You can also bring Travellers Cheques for your personal expenses, but be aware that away from the main cities they are not always easy to encash. Probably British Pounds will also give a good exchange rate. Additionally: If bringing US currency, make sure they are the new bills. Old ones are not accepted in many places and if they are, you may get a much lower rate.
  
  
• Travel Insurance:We do not have group insurance and everyone is responsible for any extra personal expenses such as medical. So we strongly encourage you to make arrangements in this regard. Ours is not an 'official' group tour, so, as you can understand, we are not in the position to take legal responsibility, although naturally we'll try to do everything to help anyone in need and make minor adjustments to the schedule to accommodate the needs of sick people.
  We will ask you to give a signed waiver form on arrival.
  
  
• Agreements:
  1. Team spirit and participation in all activities.
  2. Rules and instructions presented at the tour by the tour organisers are to be followed otherwise in extreme case it could lead to the termination of your participation with all costs involved born by yourself.
  3. Alcohol, non prescription drugs, smoking of any type or tamasik foods are not permitted during the programme.
  4. Be respectful, polite, considerate to each other and your self. Adopt a playful, positive and fun attitude to fully enjoy the program.
  5. Participants should refrain from romantic and intimate behaviour during the tour. To prevent confusion... this means no hugging, kissing, massages or other physical contact between brothers and sisters. Feel free to ask me why but if this is a problem, please reconsider as the tour maybe not what you want.
  6. In case a (married) couple joins we also expect them to respect point 5 while with others. We can only give a room or tent together when this is practically possible, and the couple is officially married. This is our AM culture so no exceptions! Again if this is a problem, please reconsider as the tour maybe not what you want.
  
• Please carefully read both sides of the waiver form and bring a signed copy with you.
  

1. Although we will do our best, we may not be able to adjust to your special food needs. For example, many things in India use milk products so, a vegan diet may sometimes be hard for us to cater for. When cooking with one pot, we can not let the whole group adjust to the needs of one or two people. Again, naturally we will try to keep everyone happy with the food, but be prepared for the fact that sometimes it may not work out.