Money/ Visas and other official matters.

Updated 31Jul08

• Duration: Arrival day 10 December in Delhi, the last day is around 24th January in Pokara. To get back to Delhi takes 2 days so better don't book your return before the 28th. If you like to see Katmandhu or other places add sufficient days.
  
  The only real option is to come for the whole tour but if you really want to come and due to time constraints you can't, we may be able to adjust. People who come full time will have preference and you are expected to adjust with the group as to minimise the impact of arriving late and or leaving early. (see footnote 1)
  
  
• Cost: EU 990 (EU 900 if paid in full before the end of September in Netherlands account).
  
  
• Minimum requirements: To be able to have a nice flow it's important that we all do the same 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 practiced the meditation. As India is already intense 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. You'll also need to be physically fit and healthy. Minimum age is 18 maximum 28. We do make exceptions if convinced you'll have no trouble getting along with the program. Also you need to speak sufficient English for basic communication.
  
  
• Further discounts: We like everyone to be able to come so in case this amount is a real problem please ask your Acarya to write on your behalf so we can see what to do. We do have to cover our tickets so exceptions only when possible and really needed. No bargaining please! We organise this tour for you and not for profit, however we do need to cover our own expence. There is no special discount for LFTs but in case they really help out, really help as one should expect of an LFT and clearly putting more than other participants there may be an extra discount in the form of a 10% refund at the end of the tour.
  
  
• Included: All accommodation, food, travel, DMS fee (if we can attend), and any other collective expenses (such as a Rafting day and Camel safari :-) for the entire trip. Naturally it also helps with Didi's and my expenses. To protect you from individual requests we also make some donations on behalf of the tour at the various projects we visit.
  
  
• Excluded: Visa for India, your flight ticket to and from Delhi and any personal expenses including bottled water. (We normally have a water purifyer for those ready to pump) You can manage with as little as EU200 as things are still cheap in India. But bring more according to your spending habits... Definitely bring more if you'll stay longer after the tour, if you want to bring lots of presents or buy personal or commerce items.
  
  Depending on which trek we will do in Nepal we may need an additional $60 to help with the flight back to Pokara. Agra is not really part of the tour but if everyone wants we can make a stop. To visit the Taj Mahal is $25, the Agra Ford also $25 and Fatipur Sikri $15 In case we go, these are on your own expence. You can also stay on after the tour and visit. All this may be included in the final price, as I am still working things out I put it in grey.
  
  
• Deposit & Payment: A EU250 deposit has to be paid before the middle of September. As this deposit secures you a place on the tour it's best not to wait till the last moment but to make the deposit once you have decided. For us it helps in organising, see that you are committed and know the tour can go ahead as we need minimum 6 people. Trains can be fully booked out even months in advance. So your deposit will also allow us to try to book ahead. We need to book all the tickets together so we sit in the same compartments.
  
  Unless you already paid in full the remaining amount should reach by the middle of November otherwise you can pay in cash on arrival in Delhi. (big denomination notes: EU50 or EU100 and no Traveler Checks)
  
  To receive your deposit and or payments I have several options, click here for details. A 10% discount applies if you pay in full before the end of September in the account in The Netherlands. I can extend it to any EU amount that reaches before that date. So the discount is only on the amount you deposit and the balance will not have a discount.
  
  
  
• Refunds: Only in very exceptional cases can there be a refund once the tour has started. In such case the refund will be 50% of the daily rate, minus the initial EU250 deposit. This is normal practice with any organised tour. And indeed it's needed as the viability of the tour depends on the number of people joining. It's also so you will think carefully as the tour is a commitment to yourself and the others in the group. What is exceptional, is completely up to the descretion of the organisers.
  
  
• Plane ticket: Book ticket so that you arrive in Delhi on 10 December 2008. In case some of you arrive earlier I’ll try to be there from 8th December. Naturally all expences before the tour are yours.
  Even if you are unsure as to whether you will be going yet, book your ticket immediately anyway, the cheaper flights are booked out months in advance. It is peak season and seats go very quickly! It's easier to cancel in case you'd change your mind...
  
  
• 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 inform when you are making your deposit/payment as I often can't from the bank statement where a deposit comes from.
  
  
• Passport: Valid at least until the end of 2009. Check with the embassies if in doubt.
  
  
• Photo's: Do bring four passport photo's for Nepal visa and trekking permits just in case. Please don't forget!
  
  
• Visas: Get a 6-month multiple entry tourist visa for India. Apply by the beginning of November as in some countries it can take up to 3 weeks to get it. (sometimes the 6 month are counted from the date of issue so don't apply too early either...) Enquire at the nearest Indian Consulate for the latest information. We get our visas for Nepal at the border. Check if you need a visa for any other countries you may have to travel through. Some places you need transit visa even if you don't leave the airport. Bring at least 4 passport photo's for Nepalese visa and trekking permit.
  
  
• Money belt: It is good idea to keep your valuables (money, passport) on your body and under your clothes at all times.
  
  
• Changing Money: Change your local currency into EU, US$ or BP before leaving. In India you will get the best exchange rate value for EU-US$ 50 / 100 note. You can also bring Travellers Checks for your personal expenses but realise that away from the main cities they are not always easy to cash. Additionally: If bringing US notes make sure they are the new ones. Old ones are mostly not accepted and if they are you'll get a much lower rate.
  
  
• Travel Insurance: We do not have a 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, as you can understand we are not in the position to take legal responsibility. Naturally we’ll try to do everything to help when anyone is in need, make minor adjustments the schedule if some need recover. We will ask you to sign a 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 it will lead to the termination of your participation with all costs involved born by the participant.
  3. Alcohol, non prescription drugs, smoking of any type or tamasik foods are not permitted at the program. It's appriciated if you also avoid Rajasik foods.
  4. Be respectful, polite, considerate to each other and your self. Adopt a playful, positive and fun attitude to fully enjoy and learn from our program.
  5. Participants should refrain from romantic and intimate behaviour during the tour. To prevent confusion... this means no hugging, massages or other physical contact between brothers and sisters. Feel free to ask me why. But if you feel 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. at least while with others. We can only give a room together when possible practible, and officially married. No exceptions! Again if this is a problem, please reconsider as the tour maybe not what you want.
  
  
• Please read the waiverform.

footnotes:

1. The three options:
   1) From 10 Dec till about 7th Jan when we go to the Himalayas.
   2) From Chrismas till the end; from 27 Dec till 24th Jan
   3) Other...
   
   In case you arrive late you are responsible to catch up with us. I will try to help with the travel arrangements. In case you leave early you'll have to make your own travel arrangements back to Delhi.
   
   The cost in EU will be: 1) 700, 2) 700, 3) to be calculated. Intentionally, the per day rate is more than when coming for the full tour.
   
   Naturally when you come shorter you'll miss out on some places, can't help it!
   
   When places are limited those who join longer have priority, also younger and newer margiis get preference as the tour is organised for them..
   
   
2. Though we will try 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 always let the whole group adjust to one or two people. Again, naturally we will try to make everyone happy with the food, just be prepared that sometimes it may not work out.
   
   The medication you need may not be available so also here be prepared, we can not take responsability.