i. Travel Arrangements You are required to establish your own flight arrangements to and from India. We recommend arriving in Bangalore and departing from Sri Lanka International Airport, Columbo/Badaranaike International Airport.
ii. Passport and Visa A valid passport is required for all international travel. A tourist visa is required for travel in India. We will support you with your Visa processing. Your Passport needs to be valid through August 27, 2027. If your current passport expires before then, you must renew it prior to departure. Keep in mind that passport renewal can take up to 10 weeks (including mailing time), so plan accordingly.
Separate tourist visas are required for travel in India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, as of 2026, India now also requires all foreign visitors to complete Entry Documents 48 hours prior to arrival in the country. Our leadership team will work with you to help obtain your Visas and Entry Documents, but ultimately, it is your responsibility to obtain and maintain your travel documents.
iii. Money We recommend bringing one or two ATM cards. ATM cards with the Cirrus, Star or Link logos on the back will work. American dollars are also easy to change and we recommend bringing some cash in case of an emergency. • Travelers checks are also possible to change. • Credit cards are not always accepted. Do not rely on this as your sole means of payment.
iv. Travel Protection Plan & Policy Medical/emergency coverage is REQUIRED and is a condition of booking with us. The minimum requirement is $50,000 for medical/emergency coverage including emergency repatriation.
A Travel Protection Plan is designed to protect you around the world in the event of lost luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, an injury or an unavoidable yet costly flight delay. It covers trip cancellation for medical reasons; trip delay; medical expenses; accidental death; lost baggage; and medical evacuation. A Travel Insurance with a minimum of $50,000 in medical coverage is required. The name of the plan, and the policy number must be emailed to us prior to departure. We recommend MH Ross’ “Bridge Plan”. Or Allianz https://www.mhross.com/index.php/enrollment/ form/5227
v. Vaccinations Please talk to your doctor 8-12 weeks prior to departure about any vaccinations you may need. For information on current vaccinations visit: www.cdc.gov
vi. Phone / E-mail / Computers The easiest way to keep in contact during your trip is through an international plan on your cell phone or iPad. Wifiis gaining popularity but isn’t always reliable. Having a data roaming plan makes calling and emailing home more accessible. It is also easy to do e-mail at an internet cafe. If you wish to bring a laptop, that is also an option. Just take into consideration that one of the nicest parts about travel abroad is leaving technology behind to really soak in your surroundings. The more “connected” you are, the more “disconnected” you may become from your group members and overall experience.
During the tour, we will be using WhatsApp groups to communicate essential and timely information to group participants. All participants must carry a cell phone or cellular-enabled device with a calling and data plan that will function on the Indian cell phone network. Many carriers offer this functionality as a temporary upgrade. Consult with your provider for options. Your device must have What’sApp installed, and you must be able to receive and send messages via this platform. If you are having trouble installing and operating WhatsApp, the leadership team can help you, and walk you through the basics. vii. Laundry Laundry is very easy and inexpensive to have done in India. Virtually every hotel provides laundry service. It takes 24 hours so plan accordingly. We recommend not bringing clothes you love since discoloration and deterioration of materials may occur (especially with whites).
viii. Physical Requirements On all trips, yoga is part of the daily routine and prior yoga experience is helpful. Please make sure you are in good physical condition. Travel in India is challenging and can be tiring. There may be interruptions in travel on certain days, and in sometimes less than ideal conditions. Make sure you consult with your doctor before coming to obtain proper medication and bring plenty of electrolyes, vitamins, probiotics, etc. to stay in good health.
ix. Water and Sanitation Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, you should assume that no tap water during the tour is safe for drinking, cooking, or washing your toothbrush. Many of the places we stay may offer filtered water from designated filtration stations. Otherwise, plan to purchase bottled water or use a personal filter.
Hot showers may be available in some places, but do not assume they will always function like Western-style showers. Typical showers in India are fed by a 5 gallon hot water heater, and used in conjunction with a bucket. Tour leaders can show you how this works. The India we will visit is frequently off the main tourist track, and thus is not generally “sanitized for your protection.” This is real India, and you can expect that beds, bathrooms, and many other aspects of travel will be different from what you might expect from a Best Western or Holiday Inn. We guarantee a life-changing experience, not necessarily a relaxing vacation!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Do your tours include airfare? All domestic airfare is included in your trip price as well as flights from India to Sri Lanka. International airfare is not included. Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours and as such it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. If you live in Canada or the U.S.A our agent will be happy to help you arrange flights. You may also book these flights online. Our preferred site is www.kayak.com. If you choose to book on your own, please make sure to send us the flight information before purchasing so we can double check the schedule. Email the full proposed flight itinerary to [email protected]
2. Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?
Tips for porters are not included in the trip price. Some rupees per bag is recommended. If your bags
are particularly heavy, a bit extra tip is appreciated by the porter.
Local tour guide tips are not included in the tour price. Group driver tips are not included in the trip price.
Gratuities for your teachers are greatly appreciated as a gesture of thanks for their offerings. If you are
inclined to offer such, you can give this offering to Sarahjoy to provide to the teachers.
3. How many people are in a room? Our trips are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another traveler of the same sex. If you request a roommate, we will pair you with that person.
4. Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour? Yes. However, these arrangements are paid for separately from the trip. We can help you with the suggested arrangements.
5. Are airport transfers included? Our adventures include airport transfers to our lodging beginning on the first day of our scheduled trip. A driver will meet you at the airport with your name clearly written on a yellow card. As much as possible, we will pair you with other travelers arriving at or around the same time (within 30 mins). We will send all airport pick-up info 7 days prior to departure.
6. What type of ground transportation is used on your tours? In general, we combine public and private transportation. How you get there significantly influences the tone of your journey and public transportation allows face-to-face interaction with the local people. Private transportation can be more efficient so when time is of the essence, we opt for private transportation and domestic flights. We use tuktuks, taxis, traings, and hired buses for our group.
7. What is the meal arrangement? The trip price includes breakfast in most of our destinations. At the ashrams in Rishikesh, Varanasi, Madanapalle, and Sri Lanka, we will be provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. For travelers seeking a meal outside of the ashram, the cost will be their own. In many areas, lunches and dinners can easily be on your own (often we go in small groups). Recommendations will be made. This allows our travelers to enjoy interacting with the culture more. Expect mostly vegetarian meals with some chicken, fish, and mutton (goat) if you choose. In India, you will often hear the terms “veg” and “non-veg” and it is easy to be either. However, we have found it safer to choose veg.
8. What is the most appropriate type of luggage to bring? We strongly recommend bringing a wheeled suitcase with a handle. While roads can be bumpy, they work well. Keep in mind that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and up and down ashram staircases, so pack lightly! There are weight limits for suitcases on International Flights as well as the domestic flights in India. The weight limit for your checked bag on domestic flights in India is 15KG. Your carry on is limited to 7KG.
9. What clothing should I pack for one of your adventures? We always recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. You will need to wear white clothing at the ashram in Rishikesh.
10. What vaccinations are recommended for this adventure? We recommend being up to date with appropriate vaccines. Malaria medication is a personal preference and not normally needed. However, it’s important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. We recommend that you consult with a qualified medical professional.
11. What about Trip Interruption> In the event of a transit interruption, like a flight delay or cancellation resulting in having to spend a night somewhere not planned for added accommodations and travel costs will not be covered by the trip cost. Such an event is one reason for trip insurance, for which one would need to collect all receipts from expenses incurred, to file a claim with their trip insurance.
