india study tour travel guide final - elevate...
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AJWS STUDY TOUR TO INDIA TRAVEL GUIDE
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Contact Information ............................................................................................................................. 2
Emergency Contacts .................................................................................................................................... 3
Hotel Information ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Pre-Departure Information .................................................................................................................. 5
Visa ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
Passport ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Health & Immunizations .............................................................................................................................. 5
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) ................................................................................................. 5
Communication ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Cash and Cards ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Spending Money .......................................................................................................................................... 6
In-Country Information ........................................................................................................................ 7
Arrival ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Time ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Electricity ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Photography ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Personal Safety Precautions ........................................................................................................................ 8
Water & Food Safety .................................................................................................................................... 8
Local Cuisine ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Language ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Local Customs & Culture .............................................................................................................................. 9
Packing List .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Weather Conditions ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Luggage Restrictions .................................................................................................................................... 9
Essentials ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
Clothing ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Toiletries and Medical kit ........................................................................................................................... 10
Optional Extras ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Policies ............................................................................................................................................... 11
AJWS Giving Policy for Program Participants and Travelers ...................................................................... 11
Responsible Travel Policy ........................................................................................................................... 11
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CONTACT INFORMATIONIN-COUNTRY TOUR OPERATOR Yatrik Tours & Travel - Ajay Sharma
Tel: +91 9811120442 [email protected]
AJWS STAFF MEMBER ON THE TRIP
Neely Grobani
Tel: +1 646-842-1804
EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND EVACUATION PROVIDER
Global Rescue – primary contact for travelers in case of emergency in India International : 617-459-4200| Toll-free: 800-381-9754
24-HOUR U.S.-BASED AJWS CONTACTS
Program and travel contact
Stefanie Rubin Email: [email protected]
Work: 212-792-2938 | Cell: 201-606-3599
Primary contact - safety and security
Julie Reyburn
Email: [email protected] Work: 212-792-2914 | Cell: 917-208-5579
Secondary contact - safety and security
Andrea Hlopko Email: [email protected]
Work: 212-792-2881 | Cell: 607-725-8295
Tertiary contact - safety and security
Kristine Stallone
Email: [email protected] Work: 212-792-2815 | Cell: 646-724-2813
ELEVATE DESTINATIONS SUPPORT STAFF IN THE US Meredith Hauser
Tel: 617-475-0889 | WhatsApp: 860-966-6710
U.S. EMBASSY NEW DELHI
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 [email protected] | Tel: +(91) (11) 2419-8000
24/7 EMERGENCY CONTACTSNational Emergency Line: 112
Police: 100
HOSPITAL CONTACTS
MOOLCHAND HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI: Lajpat Nagar III, Near Moolchand Metro Station
New Delhi 110 024
Telephone: +91- 11- 4200- 0000
BELLE VUE CLINIC, CALCUTTA: 9, Dr. U. N. Brahmachari Street (Formerly Loudon Street)
Kolkata - 700 017, WB, India
Telephone: + 91 - 33- 2287-2321
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HOTEL INFORMATION
THE OBEROI NEW DELHI
Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Delhi, 110003
+91 11 2436 3030
INCLUSIONS :
Shampoo, soaps, hairdryer
In-room safe
Swimming pool / spa / gym
ATM and Cash Exchange
WiFi in lobby & rooms
Laundry services (at extra charge)
THE OBEROI GRAND KOLKATA
15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Calcutta, 700013
+91 33 2249 2323
INCLUSIONS :
Shampoo, soaps, hairdryer
In-room safe
Swimming pool / spa / gym
ATM and Cash Exchange
WiFi in lobby & rooms
Laundry services (at extra charge)
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PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION VISA
All U.S. citizens need a valid passport and valid Indian visa to enter and exit India for any purpose. Most travelers should qualify to apply for the e-Tourist Visa.
You may apply for your visa directly through your local Indian embassy or consulate, or through a visa processing company.
For the e-Tourist Visa (visa-on-arrival): Please note that travelers can apply for the e-tourist visa no less than four days and no more than 120 days before the date of travel. The one-month e-Tourist Visa is valid for 30 days from the date of arrival in India, with two entries permitted. One-year and five-year e-Tourist visas are valid for 365 days from the date the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is granted, with multiple entries. We recommend bringing a copy of your ETA form with you during your travel.
For the regular Tourist visa: You may apply for your visa directly through your local Indian embassy or consulate, or through a visa processing company. We recommend A1 Passport and Visa in Washington, DC, for their great customer service.
Indian visa regulations change frequently, often with little advance notice, and changes may be poorly advertised and inconsistently enforced. Travelers are urged to check the website of the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. State Department Website before any travel to India to review the most current information.
*Please note if the following items apply to you they may affect your visa application process: You or your spouse works in journalism -OR- You or your immediate family are of Pakistani descent.
*Please let us know if you have traveled to India in the last 6 months to India, or plan to travel again in the following 6 months after
your program. Your frequency of travel to India will affect the type of visa you will want to apply for. PASSPORT
Travelers should ensure that the validity of their passports extends at least six months beyond the end of their intended stay and have
a minimum of 2 blank (unstamped) pages to enter India. The last two amendment pages are not acceptable for immigration stamps.
HEALTH & IMMUNIZATIONS
Please be sure check the CDC Website for India for updated information about vaccinations and health concerns, and check with your medical provider or travel clinic about your individual requirements. In addition to being up-to-date on routine vaccinations 4-6 weeks before travel, the CDC recommends that most travelers be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. The CDC also recommends some travelers to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis Rabies, *Yellow Fever, and to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent Malaria. * The government of India requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP)
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the State
Department can keep you updated on important safety information and better assist you in case of an emergency.
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COMMUNICATIONS
WiFi: WiFi will be available in both of the hotels on this trip. Please note that the speed and reliability of the Internet service may vary.
Calls to the United States from India dial: 000 + 1 + [telephone number]
Calls to India from the United States dial: 011 + 91 + [telephone number]
Staying Connected
• Smart Phone apps: Apps such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber (when Wi-Fi is available) can be used for calling and messaging for
free. There is cellular coverage in certain areas and if your mobile phone is set up for international roaming you can make and receive calls. Please be sure to check with your provider about fees you may be charged, as receiving calls can be expensive.
• International calling packages: Setting up international coverage from your cell phone provider for the duration of your trip is
often the simplest option and the best way to avoid roaming charges.
• Calling from hotels: Please be advised that some hotels impose a surcharge that can be more than double the cost of
international calls. Be sure to check the hotel policy before placing an international call from a hotel.
CASH AND CARDS
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR), which has a variable exchange rate (as of May 2019, the rate is USD $1 = ₹69.51. Notes come in denominations of ₹5, ₹10, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500, and ₹2000. Cash Vs. Plastic **Please be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans, in case they view your activity as fraudulent and block your card. Credit/debit cards: Credit cards and debit cards (Visa preferred), are acceptable in larger establishments and at both hotels on this trip. Cash is more appropriate everywhere else. Most merchants will typically charge an additional fee for a credit card transaction. Cash: Local currency is recommended for most other places especially smaller stores and markets. Each hotel will have a currency exchange at the front desk. US dollars are accepted as means of exchange and your bills should be:
• New (printed in the last 5 years)
• In pristine condition (no rips, tears, smudges, markings, creases, etc.)
• Larger denominations ($50 and $100 bills will get the best exchange rate)
ATMs will be available at the hotels and authorized exchange facilities (banks and foreign exchange bureaus) will be accessible in both Delhi and Calcutta. We suggest exchanging only what you think you will spend during your trip and saving receipts from your currency exchange transactions. In general, local vendors will not accept large bills. SPENDING MONEY
The AJWS India Study Tour officially begins in the evening on Sunday, February 9th and ends in the early afternoon on Sunday, February 16th. Most expenses are covered in the cost of the program. See below for the full list of inclusions and exclusions.
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Inclusions: • Accommodations • Meals as noted • Transportation for all program
related activities • Domestic flight • Airport transfers • Local tour manager to accompany the group
throughout the trip • Gratuity (Guide, drivers, restaurants)
Exclusions: • International flights • Passport • Travel Insurance • Personal expenses (room service, shopping, laundry,
phone calls) • Alcohol
IN-COUNTRY INFORMATION ARRIVAL
Upon touching down in India, you will be met by a representative holding a sign with your name as soon as you de- board the aircraft. The rep will escort you through immigration, help you collect your bags and guide you out the terminal to meet your driver. From there
you will be driven directly to your hotel.
If you cannot locate the representative, please contact Ajay Sharma at +919811120442
TIME India follows GMT+5:30. Time in the locations of your visit will be 9.5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and 12.5 hours ahead of
Pacific Standard Time in the US.
At 12:00pm in New York City, it is 9:30pm in Delhi and Calcutta.
At 12:00pm in Los Angeles, it is 12:30am in Delhi and Calcutta.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in India is 230V, 60Hz and you’re most likely to find socket types C , D, and M (see photos). To keep your appliances up and running, we suggest purchasing a universal plug.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are interested in photographing AJWS grantee partners or community members, please check with an AJWS staff member to be
sure we have their approval. The AJWS staff will offer additional guidelines for ethical photography during orientation on Monday
morning in India. We will also be joined by a professional photographer who will capture your experience on the Study Tour. If at any
point you do not want to be photographed, please let AJWS staff or the photographer know. Finally, it is illegal to photograph airports,
government buildings and installations, or military and police personnel.
PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The places you will be traveling to are generally safe. When in the city, as in many metropolitan areas, it’s good practice to take precautions to safeguard against pick-pocketing. Please do not bring expensive or sentimentally valuable jewelry on this trip. Keep a
close watch on your belongings (purses zipped, nothing valuable in backpacks or back pockets) when you do go out and leave
electronics and valuables in the hotel safe or on the bus. WATER & FOOD SAFETY
It is strongly recommended not to drink tap water on this trip. Bottled water will be provided in the hotel rooms and on the vehicles
and it is cheap and easy to find in case you need extra in your room. We also recommend brushing your teeth with bottled water.
Avoid ice in your drinks, unless you know it was made from clean drinking water. Bottled water and soft drinks will be supplied at all
meals.
Similarly, we recommend travelers only eat foods that have been cooked. Fresh vegetables and fruits bear the risk of having been
washed in contaminated water. Fruits you can peel are usually safe (i.e. bananas and oranges).
LOCAL CUISINE
Indian food is incredibly regional and diverse. Throughout the country, most people eat their meals with rice and use their fingers to
eat. Fish, goat, mutton (goat meat) and chicken are commonly eaten across social strata; the only exception is beef, which if ever, is
restricted to Muslim communities. The kebab roll is a delicious Calcutta invention. A pungent mustard sauce called Kasundi is a popular dipping sauce. A host of gourds, roots and tubers, leafy greens, succulent stalks, lemons and limes, green and purple eggplants, red
onions, plantain, broad beans, okra, banana tree stems and flowers, green jackfruit and red pumpkins are to be found in the food.
LANGUAGE
The official languages in India are Hindi and English. India has 122 major languages and 1599 other languages. Here are some key
phrases to brush up on before your travels! When in doubt, never hesitate to ask your guide how to say something.
English phrase Hindi
Hello Namaste
Goodbye NamasteorAlvida
Sorry MaafKijiyega
Thank you Dhanyavad,Shukriya
Yes Haan
No Nahi
Excuse me MujheMaafKarein
My name is _____ MeraNaamHai
Pleased to meet you AapsemilkarkhushiHui
Where is the toilet? ShauchalayaKahanHai?(ToiletisacommonwordusedbyIndiansnormallysoitisalsookaytosay“ToiletKahanhai?”)
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Have a nice day AapkaDinShubhho
I don’t understand MujheSamajhNhiaaya
What is your name? AapkaNaamkyahai?
BARGAINING
Bargaining for curios and souvenirs at markets can be an enjoyable way to engage with locals while prices in hotels, restaurants and shops are generally fixed. Here are some bargaining tips:
• Be prepared to take your time in reaching a deal. You need not feel obliged to buy something.
• Ask for another item or two to be thrown in. This way you can often find a really good deal and the vendor gets to move more goods.
• Bargaining may be the only chance the vendor gets to have social interaction during a long day at the market. Remember to have fun!
PACKING LIST WEATHER CONDITIONS
In Delhi, you can expect
• Daily lows between 7 °C / 45 °F - 13 °C / 56 °F
• Daily highs between 14 °C / 57 °F - 24 °C / 75 °F.
You’ll find that Calcutta is slightly warmer with
• Daily lows between 15 °C / 59 °F - 20 °C / 68 °F
• Daily highs between 20 °C / 68 °F - 30 °C / 86 °F
Unseasonal weather can occur, so be sure to check the weather closer to departure and pack with a degree of flexibility in mind.
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
Please keep the following luggage weight restriction in mind for your flight from Delhi to Calcutta:
• Checked luggage: 25kg per person (55 pounds)
• Carry- on luggage: 7kg per person (15 pounds) ESSENTIALS
• Passport
• Cash
• Photocopy of passport, credit cards and insurance policy (email yourself a copy)
• Chargers for electronics
• Plug adaptor
• Headphones
• Glasses and/or contacts and a backup pair
• Medications you take regularly
CLOTHING
• Good walking shoes (a closed toed pair that you don’t
mind getting dirty)
• Cool, breathable clothing – layers will be your best
friend!
• Cool, long trousers and long-sleeved tops for evenings
• A “versatile, casual, yet nice” outfit
• Sun hat or cap
• A light sweater, jacket, or shawl (it can feel cold in the
evenings)
• Socks
• T-shirts
• Swimsuit
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Sleep wear
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** Note: Covering knees and shoulders is encouraged at grantee visit
TOILETRIES AND MEDICAL KIT
• Medications you are taking
• Antibacterial wet wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant with DEET
• Anti-malarial tablets (if advised)
• Re-hydration salts
• Anti-diarrheal, Pepto-Bismol for stomach upsets
• Pain killers
• Antiseptic cream, Band-Aids, sterile wipes
• Razor
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Lotion
• Lip balm
• Travel tissue / toilet paper
• Phone numbers for your medical provider
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
• Extra duffle bag to bring home your purchases
• Rain Jacket
• Book/magazines
• Notebook or journal and pens
• Camera & accessories
• Travel pillow
• Watch/alarm clock
• Small flashlight and batteries
• Snacks
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AJWS GIVING POLICY FOR TRAVELERS We expect that you will be moved by the tremendous challenges confronting the communities you visit in India. You may be inclined to
respond to the hardships of your hosts by offering gifts of money, clothing, household goods or medicine. We fully understand the desire,
echoed in Jewish tradition, to assist a person or a community in need. However, providing a one-time, ad hoc hand-out can result in
unintended consequences – fostering a sense of dependency that undermines long-term sustainability. Over time, gift-giving can create an
expectation that all visitors will provide gifts, which may result in tense encounters for future visitors. Furthermore, gifts distributed
unevenly can cause community-wide conflict. If one person receives a gift and a neighbor receives nothing, interpersonal tension can result.
To avoid these consequences, we ask all travelers to fully abide by the AJWS giving policy. We strongly believe that these guidelines will
minimize potential ambiguity and tension and support our goals of sustainable development. We thank you in advance for helping AJWS
maintain an ethical and sustainable relationship with our partner communities.
1. Please do not give gifts or loans of goods or money, during or after travel, to any individuals or organizations in the communities you
visit. This includes belongings that you may wish to leave behind after your travel experience.
2. Please exercise discretion in sharing personal contact information with people in the communities you visit. You may be asked to
share your contact information as a way of staying in touch with those you meet. In the past, some AJWS travelers who have chosen
to share their contact information have been solicited for financial support after their return home. While understandable, this might
put you in an uncomfortable position. If you are asked to share your contact information and you would prefer not to, feel free to
consult with an AJWS staff person for an appropriate response.
3. Please direct any post-trip fundraising to AJWS and not to the organizations you visit. There are important reasons for this:
a. You will be visiting only a few of the over 400 organizations that AJWS supports and each one of these organizations is doing
vital work to overcome significant human rights abuses. Unfortunately, not all AJWS grantees can host travelers because of
their location, capacity and safety risks. Often, AJWS grantees with the greatest need are unable to host travelers at all. By
giving to AJWS, you are ensuring that organizations like the ones you visit also benefit from your support.
b. AJWS grantmaking staff are experts in navigating many of the complications inherent in providing long-term, sustainable
support to community-based organizations. By supporting AJWS, you are enabling our staff to maintain accountable
relationships with our grantee partners, utilize their expertise in assisting the communities and organizations you visit, and to
make similar opportunities available to other organizations.
c. Please remember that aside from financial contributions, there are many additional ways to support a partner community. As
ambassadors for AJWS’s work, we hope you will educate your communities about the challenges facing the people you meet.
Telling others what you have seen, urging your elected officials to respond more effectively to these challenges and helping
to promote AJWS and its work are all great ways to support the people you have met during your experience.
We kindly ask you to refer to the policies above during your trip and after you return home. If you have any questions, please feel free to
discuss them with AJWS staff. We thank you, as always, for your support of this critical and powerful work and for partnering with AJWS in
our mission to repair the world.
ELEVATE DESTINATIONS RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICY Elevate Destinations takes pride in its leadership in the field of responsible travel. We take care in selecting our local partners that share our
environmental and social values and are avid supporters of locals working in the tourism industry as they are both the most impacted and
impactful players at the local-level. All your ground costs on this trip are carbon offset using Sustainable Travel International’s Carbon
Calculator, and we encourage you to offset your international flights as well.