• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Djoser participants enjoy an active style of travel. On a Djoser tour, we do lots of walking. There are hearty nature walks and more strenuous hikes for the more energetic travelers. You can also forgo these activities for a more leisurely activity. Our hotels are often located so that you can walk to the nearby sites. Once in a city, we will only take transport to sites that are far away. You must be capable and willing to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel, as usually, there are no porters at most hotels. The lack of infrastructure in these countries, high altitudes, steep walks and stairways, and amount of walking that we do, may be too challenging for most older seniors.  

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Participants

This trip is available to be booked on a private basis for two or more travelers. Price reductions apply if you have a group of four or more.  If you book Land & Air with us, you may select the departure date of your choice, however, please be aware that there is an additional charge for flights departing Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Guides

We use local, English speakihng guides who are knowledgeable about the area and happy to share their knowledge. However, they are not lecturers. The will handle logistics for travel and lodgings. The guide organizes many meals and activities and will accompany many of them, but not all (on most days a 1/2 day activity and a lunch or dinner). The element of freedom is important on all Djoser trips. Your guide will recommend safe activities and restaurants for free time and exploration. You can generally expect a free day if you are spending a second day in a city. Again, the guide will outline options. For very small groups, you will have different guides in different cities. We also have experienced land agents stationed in each country who work with the tour leader and who can assist in case of an emergency.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Local Transportation

Travelers will be met at the airport in Delhi by a Djoser representative and taken to the hotel. In India, depending on the size of the group a local van or bus is at our disposal. During the months of April through August the bus is air-conditioned. Because of our small numbers, we can make stops where and when we want. Please keep in mind that roads are busy and the distances can be long. Conditions vary considerably so it is difficult to give exact travel times. From Agra to Varanasi we will use a night train where bunks are reserved in second class.

Accommodations

Some of our hotels have an atmosphere dating back to earlier times, and provide a pleasant retreat from the busy Indian street life. The hotels we use are centrally located, comfortable tourist-class hotels. Rooms have private bathrooms. Hotels are basic and some have a lovely characteristic atmosphere, like the former royal palace, which we use in Jaipur. Our hotels are always equipped with a good restaurant. In India all rooms are equipped with air-conditioning or ceiling fans. Most hotels in Northern India have a swimming pool for a refreshing swim or relaxed afternoon. We do not lodge in any American chain hotels. Do not expect the same amenities as in the States (ice-makers, candy machines, workout rooms, mini-bars, etc.). A flashlight is quite useful as electricity is not always reliable. We have made reservations for double rooms. Use the following link to view some of our lodgings:
http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

Unless you request a single room, you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. If you request a roommate, due to the limited number of participants on these trips, it may be difficult to match you with one. If we cannot match you, the single room charge, which is listed in the price summary, will apply. On our group trips with international groups, due to the greater number of participants, if we request a roommate but cannot match you, there will be no additional charge for the single room.

Meals

Meals are not included on the tour. This leaves you plenty of freedom to go out and look for restaurants of your choice, with the tour leader's assistance. In India, a “thali” could be your meal choice, which is a Hindi word, literally translated as “plate”. On it you find different types of food to be eaten with rice and bread. A special yogurt drink, lassie, sometimes mixed with fruit is surprisingly refreshing in warm weather. Good, cheap Indian meals are found in every place, but often pastas and pizza are on the menu. 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!

Climate

The weather in India and Nepal can vary greatly depending on the season. In winter, daytime temperatures are pleasant and nights can be refreshing, even cold. Temperatures in Nepal (except for the lowland, the Terai) are always lower than in India. In summer, temperatures can reach tropical highs, but humidity is low and the heat is surprisingly easy to bear. In summer it is wise to start the day early, take it easy around noon and go out again at the end of the day.  The monsoon season in India lasts from July to the end of August. Starting in the south, the monsoon reaches the north in the middle of July. Traveling in the rainy season does not have to adversely affect your holiday. The rains usually do not last long and nature flourishes. The Kathmandu  Valley is most wonderful at this time of year. Lightweight clothing is worn in Kathmandu from October to March with a warm coat for the evenings. In Tibet, spring and autumn are quite chilly, especially at night, so a winter coat is a must. Even in summer it is wise to bring a warm coat, though temperatures are usually pleasant. The rainy season in Tibet is also June, July and August, but the Himalayas shield Tibet from most of the rain coming from the Indian subcontinent.

Check the weather for your destination: Check temperature and rainfall for specific cities on your trip, during your month of travel at www.worldweather.org

Travel Documents

You will need passport and visas for entry to India, Nepal and Tibet. Over the last couple of years there have been frequent changes with embassies requiring fees and documentation requirements. Therefore we ask that you request your forms directly from the embassy so you can get the most up-to-date requirements. There are several Indian embassies in the U.S. You will need to contact the appropriate embassy for appropriate rates and forms needed depending on the state that you reside in. (See list below). You can get your visa for Nepal upon entry at the airport in Kathmandu. Your visa for Tibet will be arranged in Kathmandu with the assistance of our land agents in China and Nepal.

If you need rush service for your passport or India visa, we recommend a service called It’s Easy, located in New York. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport and visa requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet. Please indicate you were referred by Djoser, Inc for a 10% discount on the processing fee. They provide rush service for an additional fee.

It’s Easy  (Passport & Visa Service)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224

Website    http://www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail    mail@itseasypassport.com


INDIA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. citizens require a passport and visa to enter and exit India for any purpose. Visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, must obtain visas at an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad prior to entering the country. There are no provisions for visas upon arrival. Depending on your state of residence, you will need to contact the embassy for your region to get the proper forms. For further information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-9849 or 939-9806 or the Indian consulate in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, or Houston. The Internet address of the Embassy of India is www.indianembassy.org/. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Indian embassy or consulate. A list of Indian consulates and embassies can be found at http://passport.nic.in/missions.htm.

Type of Visa	For US Nationals*	For Other Nationals
Transit Visa (15 days – single/double entry) APPLY IN PERSON ONLY	$30	$10
Six months Tourist(T) / Entry(X) /Business (B) Visa - Multiple Entry	$60	$40

As of 1-10-06. Check with consulate for current rates before mailing in forms.

NEW YORK
Consular Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands. Address: 3 E 64th St, NY, NY 10021, Tel 212-774-0600, website: http://www.indiacgny.org, e-mail: passport@indiacgny.org

SAN FRANCISCO
Consular Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Address: 540 Arguello Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94118 Tel: (415) 668-0662, Fax: (415) 668-9764. Website: http://www.indianconsulate-sf.org/. General E-Mail: INFO@IndianConsulate-sf.org. Passport/Visa Inquires: VCPV@IndianConsulate-sf.org.

CHICAGO
Consular Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Address: 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, #850, Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A., Tel: (312) 595-0405, website: http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/.

HOUSTON
Consular Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Address: 1990 Post Oak Blvd. #600, 3 Post Oak Central, Houston, TX 77056, Tel: 713-626-2148/9, Fax: 713-626-2450, E-mail: cgi-hou@swbell.net, Website: http://www.cgihouston.org/.

NEPAL & TIBET ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
You will need visas for both. You will purchase both upon arrival in Kathmandu with the assistance of our land agent. You will pay in U.S. dollars $65 each (subject to change).  You will need to bring 2 passport photos with you.

Flights

We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times.

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the automated kiosks. If you check in at the E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

In India and Nepal, the currency is called the rupee (R’s). In Tibet, currency is called the renminbi (Rmb). In Tibet, foreigners however are given foreign exchanges (FECs) in exchange for their hard currency and are expected to use these during their stay. We recommend taking along traveler’s checks since they are insured against loss and theft. In addition it is very handy to bring a small amount of cash dollars in small denominations. In some places you can use your credit card to get cash from an ATM machine. Outside of the largest cities in Nepal and Tibet, you may not be able to use your credit card or traveler’s checks so make sure you have enough currency. In most large restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels, major credit cards are accepted. As mentioned in our literature the tour cost does not include meals and personal expenses. On the price chart, you will find the estimated amount that you should budget for meals, drinks, entry fees, souvenirs, and such. However, this is an average and depends on your spending patterns. It is always sensible to bring some extra cash for the unexpected.

Tipping  
It is customary in India, Nepal and Tibet to tip ten percent in large restaurants and only small change anywhere else. While tipping your driver and guides is not mandatory, it would be greatly appreciated. The amount is up to you. Some guides will collect a tip pot at the beginning of the trip to take care of the driver and other individuals who help the group along the way.

Health

It is not safe to drink tap water in these countries. Buy bottled water, avoid drinks with ice cubes and only eat well-cooked food. Vaccinations are not mandatory but are suggested. Contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention where you can get the latest update regarding recommended vaccinations. They can be reached at 404-639-3311. Their website is comprehensive with vaccine recommendations as well as helpful health precautions. Websites: India & Nepal www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm, For Tibet www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm. It is crucial that you consult with your doctor regarding necessary vaccines. Do not assume that you need everything listed below. Your doctor will advise you based on time of year, regions visited and your particular circumstances. At the time of this printing, the CDC recommendations were:

•    Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG)
•    Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health care workers) have sexual contact with the local people, or be exposed through medical treatment.
•    Typhoid vaccination
•    Tetanus-diphtheria and measles booster
•    One-time dose of polio for adults
•    Japanese encephalitis (usually limited to visits of 4 weeks or more to rural areas)
•    Rabies  (if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals)
•    It is also recommend that you take malaria tablets. (Inquire about possible side effects)

Luggage & Clothing

Do not forget to bring your hiking boots, a small alarm clock and a small backpack for day-tours. A sleeping bag is not necessary; however, a sleeping bag liner or long underwear is advised for colder seasons. Please try to limit your luggage to about thirty pounds. The storage compartments on the bus are limited so frameless backpacks or mid-sized bags are preferred. In Tibet, some tours will be driven with land cruisers if the road conditions so indicate and especially then, suitcases cause a problem. You will also want to bring a small daypack to carry water and essentials.

Resources

It is extremely useful to pick up a good travel guidebook. We highly recommend Lonely Planet. You will find a wealth of practical information regarding money issues, maps, local customs, history, activities, and much more. There are always great travel journals, historical and political books at your local bookstore as well. The internet is also invaluable for researching and finding great photos. Be sure to check out this trip’s Slide Show (see link above) to get a good feeling for the trip, lodgings and modes of travel.

Communication

With all the modern communications these days, you are very reachable throughout the world. We will also provide a list of phone numbers for the accomodations you will be staying in as well as Djoser’s emergency contact numbers while you are away. In most places you will find Internet cafés where, for a fee, you can send and receive emails. Mobile phone access is possible based on your phone instrument and provider.