• > Why go to North India (and Nepal/Tibet) with Djoser?
• > I will be joining a Dutch (International) group (for the 17-Day India Palace Tour ONLY). Will I have problems with language?
• > What kind of accommodations do you use?
• > Will we travel by public transportation in India?
• > Will I be on my own to find places to eat?
• > Will I be on my own to find activities?
• > Are the various sights convenient to visit?
• > What is the best time to travel on the trips to India, Nepal and Tibet?
• > How do I arrange for my visas?
• > Is it safe to eat in India?
• > What about other meals?
• > Nepal and Tibet are situated at a very high altitude. Does the altitude cause any inconvenience?
• > Do we see Mt. Everest?
• > Given the potential for both weather extremes, how do I pack?
• > Is it possible to extend this tour?

Why go to North India (and Nepal/Tibet) with Djoser?

Djoser offers an extensive number of trips to India, two of which are in combination with Nepal. We stay in tourist class hotels in double rooms with private showers and bathrooms. During the Palace adventures, which go through the breathtaking state of Rajasthan, we will spend the night in different colorful palaces and forts. We will travel by private, spacious bus and, for a change on various trips, we will cover a route by train or take a boat trip on the Ganges. Our local guides will accompany the trips in India, Nepal and Tibet. On the 17-day India Palace Trip, our Dutch guide will accompany the group and offer suggestions about the sights and restaurants in cooperation with our local expert to ensure a smooth trip. This trip will have international participants with a maximum of 22. On our 9-day India, 15-day India Palaces, 18-day India, Nepal, and our 27-day India, Nepal, and Tibet trip, we will use local, English-speaking guides. The participants will be North American with a maximum of 20. On the trips in combination with Nepal you will fly to Delhi from Kathmandu before returning home..

I will be joining a Dutch (International) group (for the 17-Day India Palace Tour ONLY). Will I have problems with language?

It is possible that you could be the only North American traveler on the this trip, made up of Dutch travelers from Djoser, Netherlands. Almost all travelers from the Netherlands have a wonderful command of English and are willing to socialize. Many fellow travelers are willing to help with translations. The Dutch tour leader (who is a trip coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group, first in Dutch. He/she will then repeat the important information to you in English. There is a breakfast meeting with the group and tour leader each day, which is a good time to review materials and to go over plans for the day. At some stops we may also have the assistance of a local country guide will address the group in English. While the tour leader will help you to assimilate, you will not get a word-for-word repeat of all that is said or written in Dutch.

The overwhelming majority of people who book these trips enjoy the international blend but frankly, it is not for everyone. It is inevitable that there will be times when your fellow travelers are speaking Dutch. If you have a travel partner, it is much easier to blend in to conversation, or at least to have a buffer for an English conversation. A flexible and easy-going nature are essential when joining an international group. Single travelers may feel a little isolated at the beginning, but this eases up as the group becomes acquainted. Before booking, you can check with us to see if another North American traveler has booked. Singles who adapt well on these trips are typically more independent type travelers and those who are comfortable with the concept that English will be the second language on the trip.

What kind of accommodations do you use?

We will use good tourist class hotels with private showers and bathrooms. In India, practically all hotels have air-conditioning. You will find that our hotels offer an oasis of peace and quiet in the Indian cities. In India several hotels have a swimming pool in the yard for a refreshing dive after a busy day in town. During the palace trips our travelers will overnight in several old forts and palaces that are remodeled into hotels. Every room in such a palace is decorated with objects from the time of the maharajahs. All hotels have good restaurants with an extensive menu. The hotels in Nepal and Tibet are also comfortable with private bathrooms.

Click on the following link to view some of our lodgings: http://www.djoserusa.com/asia/_acc/

Will we travel by public transportation in India?

In India we will always use a private bus with driver. We will have our own equipment in excellent condition. Traveling by private transportation has the advantage that we may stop regularly in the villages and places that we travel through, for example for a nice view or for a visit to a local market or other sights. In the warmer times of the year from April through August we will use an air-conditioned bus. As a change we will travel some routes by train.

Click on the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation/

Will I be on my own to find places to eat?

No. The group will usually have breakfast together at the hotels. The guide will suggest safe places to eat for other meals. You are free to join the guide and other group members at meals or you can explore on your own. He/she will give you safe recommendations. You will only pay for the meals that you eat so you have ultimate flexibility.

Will I be on my own to find activities?

The same applies as for meals. The guide will discuss suggested plans for the day with the group, first thing in the morning. Group members can either join the guide and other travelers for an activity, or they can explore on their own. Again, the guide will give fun suggestions for places to go on your own. Unless otherwise noted in the program, you will pay for your own entry fees for museums or sites, as you go. So you only pay for the things that you choose to do.

Are the various sights convenient to visit?

Very many sights may be visited conveniently on your own with a rickshaw or a taxi. Often they are even within walking distance of our hotel. Several activities will be included on these trips. During all trips in Northern India Djoser will include a boat tour on the Ganges in Varanasi at sunrise as well as a jungle hike in Chitwan National Park. Entrance fees are not included on these trips.

What is the best time to travel on the trips to India, Nepal and Tibet?

Northern India, Rajasthan and Nepal you may travel to all year round. The period of October to April has the most attractive temperatures and knows little to no precipitation. The nights may be pretty cool during this time. The months of May through September are warm with temperatures around and above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius). The rainy season is during the months of July and August. Those short rainfalls are rather refreshing in this warm season.

In Nepal you will always experience a broad range of temperatures so it is important to bring layered clothing. You can experience freezing temperatures at night and have summer days in the 80’s from April to October. April and October experience the least precipitation.

Because of severe weather conditions, we only travel to Tibet from April to October, as sometimes the roads are impassible.

How do I arrange for my visas?

For India - you need to apply for the visa for India at the Indian Embassy. Check the list below for the proper embassy for your state. U.S. citizens will be able to procure the Nepal visa upon arrival at the border (bring two passport photos). We will also secure your Tibet border documents on your behalf. You will pay $65 U.S. upon arrival (subject to change).

We will provide you with an itinerary and the name and contact information for our land agent in India. Contact the nearest India consulate to download the most current forms. You will need a single entry visa.

India Consulates (to download current visa forms for your jurisdiction)

Washington DC
http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/passport&visa.asp
Phone: (202) 939-9838/9806
Delaware, Washington DC, Kentucky, Maryland, North Caroline, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Chicago
http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Missouri.

New York
http://www.indiacgny.org/
212 774-0600
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands

San Francisco
http://www.cgisf.org/
415-668-0662
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Houston
http://www.cgihouston.org/
713-626-2148
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma

Is it safe to eat in India?

Traveling through India requires some adaptability of travelers. A major part of daily life in India happens on the streets, which have questionable sanitary conditions. It will be very important to pay close attention to what you eat. It is wise not to eat from street vendors. The accompanying guide may advise you where to eat safely and nicely. Of course you will also be able to eat well in the clean tourist class hotels where we will be spending the nights.

What about other meals?

In Nepal you will find local variations of most cuisines. Next to the local dhal bhat you will find Greek moussaka and Italian lasagna. Even the familiar hamburger can be ordered. Tea will be offered in all three countries, including the unique Tibetan yak butter tea!

Nepal and Tibet are situated at a very high altitude. Does the altitude cause any inconvenience?

When traveling to Tibet it is possible that the high altitude can cause you some inconvenience. The symptoms that sometimes arise are shortness of breath, headache and nausea. Most people experience some light complaints, after a few days you get used to the altitude and the symptoms disappear. It is important to take it easy upon arrival and to drink a lot of water during your stay in Tibet. The percentage of people who experience actual altitude sickness is really quite small. If you have asthma or heart problems it is recommended that you notify your primary care physician about your visit to Tibet.

Do we see Mt. Everest?

In Nepal the more adventurous travelers can go whitewater rafting or can take a hike up to the village of Nagarkot on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, from where the view extends all the way to Mount Everest. However, sometimes our view can be obstructed by the cloud cover. In Tibet, you will have an opportunity to go on a short ride in a small plane which circles the peak of Everest.

Given the potential for both weather extremes, how do I pack?

You will go from extremely hot temperatures in India, to possible freezing temperature in the evening in Nepal and Tibet to moderate-to-hot climate, by day. As the weather fluctuates so drastically in Nepal and Tibet, you are best off packing layers that you can add as the day goes on. You can also pick up some very cheap, heavy sweaters there, if you don’t want to carry lots of bulk. Take some silks or long johns for cold nights.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

When you book your trip you can request a layover. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. If you would like an extension you can request an extension when you book for $100 per extension (for flight deviation). Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend or layover. Neither hotels nor airport transfers are provided for layovers and extensions.