Frequently Asked Questions

1) Which airport will we be leaving from and will we all be meeting there prior to departure? We will be departing from O'Hare in Chicago. We will be meeting there at the check-in counter prior to departure to travel as a group. We don't want anyone to have to worry about their travel plans-- so we'll be helping everyone with the check-in and departure process. We'll also have a Group Orientation in early summer (see Terms & Conditions for details, and more general information below) in order to answer any questions you may have about your travel to India, as well as to review the visa application process. We advise all Participants to have their passports up-to-date by the date of the Group Orientation meeting.

2) I don't live in the Milwaukee area, do I need to make separate flight arrangements?
IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE USA and are unable meet us at the Chicago O'Hare airport for our flight, then you will need to make separate flight arrangements to meet us in Delhi. Please contact us if you need assistance with travel schedules, as it will be important to meet us in Delhi so you don't miss our group's bus ride to Rishikesh. If you do book your own airfare to Delhi, your total Tour price will be reduced by $1000.

IF YOU LIVE IN THE USA, you have two options: OPTION ONE: You can arrange your own flight to India (we do not recommend this option-- see next note for explanation), in which case you will be on your own to assure that you arrive at our hotel destination (or ashram destination, should you miss connecting with the group upon our arrival). We can certainly give you reliable cab contacts to assist in your transportation once in India (should you miss connecting with our group), but be aware that travel and interactions in India can be challenging and difficult, especially if it is your first trip to India. OPTION TWO: You can make your arrangements to meet us at the Chicago O'Hare airport where we will be departing for India as a group. We HIGHLY recommend this option, as it will facilitate your connection with our group, and ease your transition to India. If you do not live in the Chicago area, you might even consider flying in a day early and staying overnight at a local hotel just to insure the flight connection with us to India. Once at the airport, we will plan to meet everyone at the American Airlines check-in counters. Note: Tour price only includes the Chicago to Delhi roundtrip flight and does not include any travel to Chicago. Flight details: We are departing on American Airlines flight #292 from Chicago to Delhi (departs in the evening), and returning on American Airlines flight #293 from Delhi to Chicago (departs very early morning). American Airlines has only one flight per day to India. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about flight arrangements.

3) If I make my own full flight arrangement to India, what is the Tour price? If you make your own full flight arrangements to Delhi, India and back, the total Tour price will be reduced by $1000. This option is NOT recommended for travelers from North America (see #2 above), but it is an option for participants who live in other countries. Please contact us for more information if you are planning to fly separately. We want to make sure to find us in India!

4) If I want to go on the Tour and will be scheduling my flights separately (or scheduling a flight to meet up with you in Chicago O'Hare), should I go ahead and book my airline ticket now? Our Tour groups are set to run with a minimum of 10 participants (conducting the Tour with less than the minimum number would eliminate our group discounts and greatly increase the cost of the Tour). If there are insufficient registrants for any year's Tour, the Tour will be cancelled on or shortly after the final payment due date, and all deposits/payments will be refunded to any participants who registered. Therefore, it is best to wait until after the final payment is due (and received by the Tour organizers) before you schedule any additional flights. (This will prevent you from being stuck with additional airfare tickets in the case that the Tour is cancelled due to insufficient registration.) If you are considering scheduling any additional flights, please contact us and we will assist you with these timings. If you are on an India Sacred Retreat Tour that requires separate flight arrangements and payments (that is, you are required to make your own flight arrangements through a recommended travel agent), you can discuss the best timings for airline ticket purchases with the travel agent.

5) I don't live in Milwaukee, do I have to attend the Group Orientation meeting? Group orientations are a practical and helpful way for us to provide orientation for the trip, to answer your questions, and to review the visa application process. If you live outside the Chicago/Milwaukee areas (and are thus unable to attend our group orientation meeting), please contact us and we will send you our Group Orientation summary notes. NOTE: If you live outside the Milwaukee area, you are responsible for contacting the Tour organizer PRIOR to the group orientation meetings in order to ensure that the materials and information reach you in a timely manner (checking the "I will not attend the Group Orientation" box on the registration form is sufficient.) If last minute changes prevent you from attending the Group Orienation meeting, YOU are responsible for notifying the Tour Organizer of those changes PRIOT TO THE MEETING and requesting the Group Orientation summary notes in advance. Tour organizer is not responsible for any failure on participant’s behalf to submit appropriate visa and/or passport application(s) in a timely manner. All participants who are unable to attend the group orientation meeting are responsible for reading Group Orientation summary notes and for contacting Tour organizer in a timely manner with any questions they may have regarding travel to India.

6) What is a visa? I've never applied for a visa before. Is that something everyone needs? Where do I get my visa? A visa or travel visa is an official document that gives someone permission to travel into a specific country, for a specific purpose, and to stay there for a set period of time. Visas are usually stamped or glued directly into a passport (by the issuing agent). The word "visa" is a shortening of the Latin phrase, carta visa, which means "the document has been given" [courtesy WiseGeek] Each Participant will need a visa to visit India. Each of us will need to apply for a six month Tourist Visa for this tour, and we'll be reviewing this application process in our Group Orientation meeting (just be sure to have a valid passport by the time of the meeting date and we'll show you the rest!) The Indian visa process has recently moved to an online process at India Visa Center, so you will need access to a computer and printer to be able to fill out and print your visa application. The process appears to be much more streamlined and smoother than in the past (we're grateful for that!), and we expect all our visa applications to go smoothly! If you do have any questions about this process, you can always contact us.

7) Can I pay the Tour deposit or make partial payments by credit card and make the rest of the payment by cash, cashier’s check, bank drafts, or money orders? Yes. You can pay any portion with credit card and/or cash, cashier's check, bank draft, or money orders. HOWEVER, the cash discount ONLY applies when the entire payment is made with cash, cashier’s check, bank drafts, or money order payments. No cash discount will be given for partial cash payments.

8) For Milwaukee area residents: Is there a bus that goes from Milwaukee to Chicago O'Hare airport? Though each participant is responsible for booking his/her own rides to the airport, most participants coming from the Milwaukee area usually use United Limo (bus service). This bus service costs around $26 one-way and $47 roundtrip from Milwaukee to O'Hare (roundtrip means you'll carry your tickets with you to India and back, of course). For tickets and more information, visit the United Limo website or call them at (877)3-AIRPORTS. And be sure to allow plenty of travel time to O'Hare airport, as there can be traffic troubles and rush hour difficulties (in the past we've been stuck on this bus for more than two hours in traffic!). And you don't want to miss your flight! Call the airlines (or check their website) to find out what time they recommend you arrive for check-in-- usually it's AT LEAST 3 HOURS prior to departure for international flights.

9) How are roommates selected for the accommodations in India? You are most welcome to choose your own roommate, or we can select one for you. If you know (or meet) someone coming on the Tour and wish to be his/her roommate, just let us know and we'll make arrangements. Roommates are not automatically assigned, so there is some flexibility, and if you meet a group member at the group meetings or on the flight to India and you would like to have them as a roommate, just let us know. If you do not know anyone on the Tour and do not have a roommate chosen, we will select another same-sex Tour member to be your roommate. If you decide at any point during the Tour that you'd like to change roommates, you can do so independently with other Tour members.

10) I have a slight knee problem, an arthritic condition. Will we be doing any strenuous climbing on the trip? There will be plenty of walking on the trip, and participants should be capable of walking at least two miles on uneven ground. The mountains will feel a little more strenuous due to the higher altitude, and we will be hiring horses for all participants for the longer treks to more remote areas that are inaccessible to cars and jeeps. We all will take things a little slower, as needed-- there is certainly no hurry in India!

11) What will the altitude be for this trip? I've never been to any high altitude-- is there anything I need to do to prepare myself? The approximate altitudes of the locations we'll be visiting (in order of our visits) are as follows:
Rishikesh - 1200 feet
Chopta - 9500 feet
Tungnath - 12,000 feet
Chandrasilla - little over 13,100 feet.
Deoriatal - 9200 feet.
Gaurikund - 6500 feet
Kedarnath - 11,800 feet.
It's always recommended that you spend some time working out or walking more prior to any tour experience, to be in better shape for the trip. We will have guides with us who are accustomed to these altitudes (and much higher!), and they are also accustomed to working with westerners and people who are new to these altitudes (and to treks in general). So you'll be in good hands! The mystical energy in these higher altitude places in India is powerful and worth the extra effort, as they are such beautiful places for meditation and spiritual rejuvenation!

12) How long is the flight, and will be be making any stops? What time are we leaving and what time do we arrive in India? We have made group discount reservations to fly on American Airlines to fly direct to India. All trans-Atlantic flights depart Chicago in the evening and arrive in Delhi, India on the following night. The flight is a total of 14-16 hours, and you'll have your own new release movies to watch throughout the flight. India is 10.5 hours ahead of Chicago CST time (see actual time in India now). The direct flight was specifically selected for our group, as we have traveled many times to India, and lost luggage is a terrible experience to have, especially in India, where many of the western accessories are not available. Taking a direct flight will nearly eliminate the experience of lost luggage for flight transfers, as there won't be any plane transfers on our trip. Inflight movies and meals will be provided to passengers, though it is recommended that you bring a few extra snacks, as well as earplugs and eyecovers for sleeping (see additional tips).

13) Do they serve meals on board the flights? While meals are served on board, we always recommend that participants carry extra snacks/food with them for their flights. Any special flight meals (i.e. vegetarian) need to be requested in advance with the Tour Organizer. We will assume that you do not need special meals for your travel unless you contact us. Special meals on American Airlines are listed on their website page >> We say "special" ironically, because, as many of you probably already know, airline food is really not so "special". But if you'd like something other than their standard fare, please let us know!

14) How many people can come on this Tour with you? What if you have too many registrants? We have 26 seats available on our Sacred Retreat Tours, and a minimum of 10. Once you send us the completed registration forms to us with deposit payment, we will reserve your seat. All Tour seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. As soon as we receive your completed registration/deposit, we will process your application and mail you a written confirmation.

15) How fast will you need to know about Tour reservations (i.e. Is the Tour already filling up?) This one is hard to predict, as reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are a limited number of seats on all of our India Sacred Retreat Tours. We've sold out in the past, and we expect to do so in the future. If you wish to know the most updated status of the tour, please contact us.

16) How will I know if you received my deposit and completed registration form? We will mail you a written confirmation within 48 hours of receiving your completed registration and deposit. We mail written confirmations for ALL payments you make to us. So once the full payment is made, you will receive an additional confirmation from us as well.

17) Are the daily yoga classes suitable for us non-yoga and inflexible folks? All classes will be gentle and for ALL levels, so you can certainly participate at your own level. No power yoga or hatha-jock classes on our tours! And for you hatha jocks who really want a power workout, we think you'll find some surprising advancements and improvements in the restrictions of your body with the practice of the techniques that will be shared with you in our daily yoga classes. And truthfully, if you want to learn from an authentic hatha yogi, you will find him working as the gardener at the ashram.

18) Will there be a place for me to check my e-mail messages or make phone calls? Yes, but with some difficulty once we are out of Delhi. The Oberoi hotel will surely have facilities for phone calls and checking e-mail messages; however, you will likely be charged a goodly sum of money at a 5-star hotel. Once we are in Rishikesh, there are locations called STD booths, where you can make phone calls to the US (and they usually don't cost too much). You have to look a little harder to find STD booths with internet connections (ones that work!) in order to check your e-mail. Usually that means having to take a separate trip into the town of Rishikesh. In Kedarnath, there will be minimal (if any!) access to phones, though our guides will have cell phone access for emergencies and ongoing contacts with their main office. Considering everything, we recommend that you contact your loved ones once you've made it safely to Delhi, and from then onward, let yourself enjoy the splendors of India without the troubles of phones and internet connections!

19) Will there be a way to do laundry at while we're in India? In the Rishikesh portion of our Tour, we'll have a dhobi (laundry man) come to the ashram several times during our group's visit (cost of laundry is not included in the tour price). You'll usually get your clothes returned 1-2 days after washing (they need to hang a day in the sun to dry). Be forewarned, however, that you should not send your fancy garments to the dhobi for cleaning, as they are bashed against the rocks and may come back with new tears or color stains in them. We've had several outfits ruined due to stains (when they stack your wet clothes next to someone's red pants, you get stains!). The dhobi is generally inexpensive, and a good way to get a few things laundered if you don't have the time to wash them by hand yourself and hang them to dry. When we are up in the mountains laundry will be more tricky. We'd recommend bringing a few changes in underwear (long underwear, etc.), and leaving the rest to be washed upon return to Rishikesh. At the Oberoi, of course, you will have optional laundry service, but it will likely cost an arm and leg! Any charges for laundry services are the responsibility of the participant.

20) Will the rooms to our accommodations be lockable? What about the hotel? I've stayed in India in the past and it was recommended to chain our luggage to the bed so the maids and porters wouldn't steal them. Is this recommended? Thieves can be anywhere, though we've stayed at 5-star hotels in the past (including the Oberoi), and we've never had a problem with stolen luggage. We haven't ever chained our luggage to the bed, though I suppose you are welcome to do so, should you feel the need. We do keep our luggage locked at all times when we are not in the room (and we do so in the US as well). The hotel rooms are lockable (of course), and the ashram rooms also have padlocks for the door. We (Tour Organizers) will be bringing special door locks for the ashram for everyone in our group, so that you each have your own key (the ones at the ashram only have one key, and the staff has the other key!). You will also have the option of leaving a third key with us, in case you get locked out of your room (no one else will have any keys for our locks, so they'll have to be cut off if you lose your keys). In the mountains, accommodations will not be as secure, so we recommend that you don't take many valuables with you for this portion of the Tour, that you lock your luggage when away for the day, and that you carry whatever valuables you do have (i.e. camera, passport, cash, etc.) with you at all times.

21) What are the beds and pillow like? Are there blanket and sheets? Do we need a sleeping bag? India is an incredible land of contrasts, and this Tour reflects some of those contrasts. That means that in Delhi, at the 5-star hotel, the beds and pillows are top notch, and you'll sleep like royalty, with big fluffy pillows. In the Rishikesh and the higher mountains, the accommodations are pleasant, but more rustic. Beds are firmer and with considerably less cushion. They provide plenty of blankets and a covers, so sleeping bags are not required on our tours, though we generally suggest that participants bring a thin compressible sleeping bag or silk-like liner for comfort in Rishikesh and the higher mountains. We enjoy having our own silk liners to crawl into after a good day's journey!

22) What are the bathrooms like? At the 5-star hotel, bathrooms are very western, fully equipped with hair dryers, shampoos, soaps, bath slippers, bath robes, etc. They are very nice! The ashram bathrooms are more rustic, and they do have western toilets (seats), with hot water showers (if you want a hot shower, you turn on a "geezer" which electrically heats up the water for you in about 15 minutes). The ashram bathrooms are shared by two double rooms. We usually recommend flip-flops for the ashram shower, as the cement floor can feel cold in the mornings. In our tented resorts the bathrooms are attached to each tented hut (there are western-style toilets that have running water facility), and there will be hot water bucket baths available. The guesthouses in the mountains will also have more rustic bathrooms.

23) Are there bugs in India? What about mosquitoes? Do I need a mosquito net? Yes, there are bugs. Just like here. But they can be a little bigger in India. Generally, we don't see a lot of bugs, especially in the cooler fall seasons. Winter is their dry season, and the bugs and mosquitoes are generally at their worst during the days following the monsoons and rains (June/July). So we like to avoid going to India during those times (unless we're headed to the mountains, where it's cooler). You are welcome to bring mosquito netting for Rishikesh, though in the past we've found that they take up a lot of luggage space, and ultimately ended up in our "wish we hadn't brought that" pile.

24) What's the weather like in India? Weather in India varies greatly depending upon what region you are visiting. March to June are generally the hottest months, and it can be unbearably hot and dusty! Many people head to the hills during these months for relief from the heat extremes of the lowlands. Monsoons (rainy season) comes generally from July through September, and there can be daily torrential downpours and high possibility of flooding in areas, making travel difficult at times. Though weather varies greatly from the lowlands to the foothills to the mountain regions, generally the fall and early winter months are some of the best times to visit India, as the weather is very pleasant, with minimal rainfall in most places. The higher mountains are best to visit during the September and October months, as the temperatures are still pleasant during the day and there is usually very little rain.

As far as expected temperatures, in mid-September, Delhi temperatures can rise into the high 90's during the day and cool into the 70's in the evening (we're only there for four nights, and our 5-star hotel has good air-conditioning). In Rishikesh, mid-Sept temperatures in the day can peak into the sunny 80's and go down to the 60's at night. In the mountains, we can expect sunny days with temperatures in the high 60's and 70's during the day, and temperatures in the high 40's or low 50's at night. At Kedarnath, the temperatures will range from low 50's during the day to low 40's during the night. It's a great time to visit India, as rainfall is minimal at this time of year (though you still want to carry some rain-protective clothing, just in case!)

25) What's the food like in India? Is it spicy? Is the food safe to eat? What about the water? We'll be eating variety of Indian vegetarian meals during our time in India. At the Oberoi 5-star hotel we'll have good selection of menu items. At the ashram we'll have simple, delicious vegetarian meals. And in the mountains, the company we hire is known for their delicious Indian meals, so we'll have plenty of great food to enjoy! All our meals are prepared as "mild" (with the exception of the Oberoi food, which may be requested as you wish), though if you wish to have a more spicy experience in India, there will be various "achar" or spicy pastes and pickles available that the Indians traditionally use to spice up their meals. We advise that participants eat only meals and foods prepared by our cooks and for our group. We also highly recommend that you avoid fresh salads and foods that would be washed in tap water and not cooked. It is best and safest to eat piping hot meals, cooked fresh, and to only eat fruits if you can peel them yourself. In addition, we strongly warn against eating ANY food off the streets of India, even if you see others doing so. It is not worth ruining an entire trip or exposing yourself to bacteria and parasites for the taste of one item off the street! As far as water, we provide good quality bottled water for the longer bus rides and travels through the mountains, and there are good quality filters at the ashram, so everyone will be able to refill their water bottles as needed and for day trips.

26) I don't speak Hindi. How will I communicate with people in India? Actually, the official language of India is English, though few people speak English in the smaller village areas of northern India (where we are going). We will have an English-speaking guide with us in Rishikesh and the mountains, and in Delhi you will find that many of the people in the larger hotels and stores speak English. No need to worry... we will be assuming that no one speaks Hindi on our Tour, and we will make sure you are well taken care of! :)

27) Trip insurance would cost extra, correct? Yes. We do not sell or provide trip insurance, so you would need to purchase it separately through a travel insurance company. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unforeseen emergencies or cancellations.

28) What should I bring to India? We have a few suggestions on our Travel Tips page, and once you send in your registration payment/deposit, you will receive your seat confirmation along with a list of suggested items to pack for your trip to India. We've also posted our personal list of packing items on this special page: Ragani & Dale's packing list.

29) Do you recommend Traveler's Checks or cash, or both? It's really up to you what you wish to take for the trip. We've usually carried a combination of both, though we prefer Traveler's Checks as they have the best exchange rates at the banks, and they have the extra safety feature if they were to be lost or stolen. Both cash and Traveler's Checks are easily exchanged at the banks and the 5-star hotels of India.

30) What are TSA-approved locks and where do I get them? While you are welcome to leave your suitcases unlocked in the airport, we highly recommend getting the TSA-approved luggage locks (see photos). They are a replacement for the old-style locks, and they allow the airline security personnel to open your luggage (they have special keys) and lock them again afterwards. Generally, it helps to discourage others from helping themselves to the goodies in your luggage! You can purchase these at luggage shops and generally at any place that you've previously purchased luggage locks.

31) What are recommended reading materials for this Tour? There are no required reading materials, though we recommend the following books (you can find them at your local library, or purchase them from places such as the Yoga Society of Milwaukee, Borders books, Amazon.com, etc.):

Swami Rama: Living with the Himalayan Masters (Himalayan Institute Press)

Paramahansa Yogananda: Autobiography of a Yogi (Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers)

 

Have more questions about our India Sacred Retreat Tour? Feel free to contact us!