Kaziranga,Nagaland,andtheHornbill Festival Pre-DepartureInformation Welcome! TRAVELINFORMATION Passport Visas Money SpecialDiets Tipping DepartureTax Communications Electricity MEDICALINFORMATION Inoculations MalariaPrevention StayingHealthy HELPFULINFORMATION Photography CulturalConsiderations BeingaConsiderateTraveler ReadingList PACKINGLIST TheEssentials WTGearStore Luggage WeightLimits NotesonClothing Clothing Equipment PersonalFirstAidSupplies OptionalItems We’redelightedtowelcomeyouonthisadventure!This bookletisdesignedtoguideyouinthepracticaldetailsfor preparingforyourtrip.Asyouread,ifanyquestionscometo mind,feelfreetogiveusacallorsendusanemail—we’re heretohelp. PLEASESENDUS TripApplication:Complete,sign,andreturnyourTrip Applicationformassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalready doneso. MedicalForm:Complete,sign,andreturnyourMedical Formassoonaspossibleifyouhavenotalreadydoneso. AirSchedule:SendusacopyofyourAirScheduleonce you'vemadeyourflightarrangements.RefertotheArrival& DeparturesectionoftheDetailedTripItineraryfor instructions.Pleasereviewyourproposedschedulewith WildernessTravelbeforepurchasingyourtickets. PassportPhotocopy:Scan*yourpassportphotopageand emailittousasaJPGorPDFattachment,orsendusahigh qualityphotocopybymail(immediatelyuponreservingyour trip). VisaPhotocopy:Onceyouhaveobtainedtherequiredvisa inyourpassport,pleasescan*acopyofyourvisaandemailit tousasaJPGorPDFattachment,orsendusahighquality photocopybymail. *Ifyouarescanningdocumentstoemail,wesuggesta maximumresolutionof300dpi. PLEASECAREFULLYREVIEW TravelDocuments&MedicalInformation: Carefully reviewtheTravelDocumentsandMedicalInformation sectionsofthisbooklettofamiliarizeyourselfwithPassport andVisaentryrequirementsforyourdestination,aswellas anyrecommendedinoculations. OptionalTravelInsurance:ReviewtheTripCancellation&TransferFeeSchedule includedintheDetailedItinerary.WerecommendthatalltripmemberspurchaseTravel Insurance. ExtraServices:RequestanyExtraServices(hotelnights,transfers,extensions)withyour WTofficecontactusingtheExtraServicesRequestFormsentwithyourconfirmationpacket. FinalDocuments:Approximatelythreeweeksbeforeyourtrip,wewillsendyoufinal departuredocuments,includinghotelandlocalcontactinformationandrendezvous instructions. QUESTIONS? Call:1-800-368-2794,gotoourwebsite:www.wildernesstravel.com,ore-mailusat: [email protected] TravelInformation PASSPORT Avalidpassportisrequiredforyourtrip.Besuretochecktheexpirationdate.Yourpassportmustbe validforsixmonthsafteryourdateofexitfromIndia.Inaddition,werecommendyourpassporthaveat leasttwocompletelyblankvisapagesforeverycountryyouwillbevisiting.Itisveryimportantthatthe blankpagessay“Visas”atthetop.Thelastfewpagesofyourpassport,whichsay“Amendmentsand Endorsements,”andthefinalpageofyourpassport,whichmaynothaveapagenumber,arenot consideredtobelegitimatevisapages.Youcanrequestanewpassportthroughavisaserviceagencyor theUSPassportServicesOffice(theserviceofaddingpagesforvisaswasdiscontinuedasofJanuary1, 2016).Besuretoallowsufficienttimetoacquirethisbeforeyourtrip. Itisagoodideatocarryphotocopiesofyourpassport’sphotopageandanyacquiredvisapagesforyour trip(ifapplicable)incaseyourpassportislostorasanadditionalpieceofidentification,aswellastwo extrapassportphotos. VISAS UScitizensneedavisaforIndia. Indianvisascannotbeobtainedattheairportuponarrival;you mustobtainanIndianvisainadvanceofyourdeparturefromtheUS.Wesuggestapplyingforyour Indianvisa2-3monthspriortotripdeparture,asvisaprocessingcantaketime. 1.Thee-Visa(electronicvisa)forIndiaisnowapplicablefor163countriesincludingtheUS.The validityofe-Visawillbe60daysfromthedateofarrivalinIndia.Thee-Visacanbeappliedfora maximumoftwotimesinonecalendaryear. Thee-Visaisnowvalidforentrythrough24designatedairportsbutvisitorshavetheflexibilityto depart/exitfromanyoftheauthorizedImmigrationCheckPosts(ICPs)inIndia.Formoredetailsonthe process,otherhighlightsandkeypointsonboththee-visaandrevisedfeesfortheregularvisaprocess, pleasevisittheofficialwebsiteoftheMinistryofHomeAffairsat https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html 2.Youcanalsoapplytogeta longer-stayvisastampedintoyourpassport throughCox&Kings GlobalServices(CKGS),theofficialvisaprocessingagentfortheIndianEmbassy.Completeinstructions areoutlinedontheCKGSwebsite . Visaapplicationsarebywalk-in(ifyoulivenearaCKGSApplicationCenter)orbypostalcourier.For applicationbypostalcourier,westronglyrecommendedusingFed-Exsothatyoucantrackyourpassport andapplication. YoushouldapplyforanIndiaTouristVisa.IfyouexpecttoreturntoIndiainthenearfuture,you maywanttoconsiderobtaininga5-or10-year,multiple-entryoption,ifavailabletoyourjurisdiction. PleasevisitCKGSformoredetails. Onthevisaapplicationform,youwillneedtolistthe"nameandaddressoftworeferences."Pleaseuse thefollowing: InIndia ExoticJourneys OfficeNo.7,2ndFloor LocalShoppingCentre B-7VasantArcade,VasantKunj NewDelhi,110070 India Phone:+91-11-2612-4069 Inapplicant'scountry WildernessTravel 1102NinthSt Berkeley,CA94710 USA Phone:1-510-558-2488 3.Youmayalsochoosetoobtainyourvisathroughourdesignatedvisaprocessingservice PassportVisas Express(PVE).PVEwillbeyourcontactwithCox&KingsGlobalServices.PleasecheckwithPVE directlyregardingtheirservicefees,processingtimeandIndianvisainformation.Althoughthereisan additionalfeefortheserviceprovidedbyPVE,theyareextremelyhelpfulinobtainingyourvisa,andpast WildernessTravelclientshavegreatlyenjoyedtheirservice. Allvisaregulationsaresubjecttochange. IfyouareacitizenofanycountryotherthantheUS,pleasecheckwithalocalconsulateforentry requirements. MONEY India’scurrencyistherupee.WesuggestyoubringyourfundsinUScash.Youcanexchangemoneyat theinternationalairportonarrivalandatourhotelsduringthetrip.Youwillbeissuedacurrency exchangeformeachtimeyouchangemoney;keeptheseformsasyouwillneedthemtochangerupees backintodollarsattheairportupondeparture. Creditcardsareacceptedinmostshops,hotels,andrestaurantsinIndia.Itisagoodideatohavesome smallUScash($1s)onhandforminorexpenses.ThereareATMsattheinternationalairports,andyou canusetheseuponarrivalinIndia.PleasenotethatthereareATMmachineselsewhereinIndia,butthey maynotbeconvenientlylocatednearthehotelsonourtrips. Youwillneedtobudgetspendingmoneyforgratuities,foranymealsnotincludedinthetripitinerary, andforpersonalitemssuchassnacks,phonecalls,etc.Agreatvarietyofcraftworksareavailablein India.Dependingonyourtaste,youcouldspendanythingfrom$100to$300ormuchmore. TouseanATMinternationally,youmusthaveafour-digitPIN.Ifyouplantouseyourcreditcards, informyourcreditcardcompanybeforeyourdeparturethatyouwillbeusingthecardabroad. SPECIALDIETS Wewilldoourbesttoaccommodatespecialdietaryneeds,however,pleasekeepinmindthatcertain culturaldifferencesorlimitationsduetologisticscanmakeitextremelydifficultandattimesimpossible toaccommodatedietaryrestrictions.Pleaseinformusatleasteightweeksbeforeyourtripifyouhavea restricteddiet.Itisimportanttobringaflexibleattitudeandsupplementalsnacks. TIPPING Tippingiscompletelydiscretionary,butovertheyears,clientshaveaskedusfortippingguidelinesto rewardoutstandingservice.Arangeofreferencewouldbe$120-$170pertripmemberfortheTrip Leaderand$50-$75pertripmemberforthelocalguides/drivers.Duringthetrip,theTripLeadertakes careoftipsforwaitersatrestaurantsandforportersforluggagehandling. DEPARTURETAX DeparturestaxesfromIndiaaregenerallyincludedinthecostofyourairticket.YourTripLeaderwill adviseyouofanyupdatesregardingdeparturetax. COMMUNICATIONS TimeZone Indiaisabout13.5hoursaheadofPacificStandardTime,and10.5hoursaheadofEasternStandardTime. DaylightSavingsTimeintheUSmayaffectthesetimes. Telephone TheinternationaldialingcodeforIndiais91.Pleasecontactyourcellphonecompanyforspecific instructionsforinternationaluse. Email&InternetAccess InternetandWiFifacilitiesareavailableinmanyofourhotels,exceptforDays3-7.Pleasenote:insome hotels,theinternetisavailableinthereceptionareaonly. ELECTRICITY Indiahas230-voltcurrentandeitherCorDplugtypes.Bringaconverterandplugadaptorkitfor applianceuse. MedicalInformation Thefollowingrecommendationsshouldbeusedasaguidelineonly;consultyourphysicianformedical advice.ItisvitalthatyouletWildernessTravelknowofanymedicalproblems,allergies,orphysical limitationsyoumayhave.Pleasefilloutandreturnthepersonalmedicalquestionnaire,andfeelfreeto consultusifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourabilitytoundertakethisparticulartrip. WildernessTravelisnotamedicalfacilityandhasnoexpertiseorresponsibilityregardingwhat medicationsorinoculationsyouandyourphysiciandecidearenecessaryforyoursafeparticipationinthe trip. Traveler'shealthinformationisavailablefromthe CentersforDiseaseControl.Medicaltravelproducts areavailablefromTravelHealthMedicineandfromMagellan'sTravelSupplies. INOCULATIONS Entryrequirementsaresubjecttochange;checkwiththeCentersforDiseaseControlforupdates.All shotsshouldbeenteredonyourInternationalHealthCard(yellowcard),whichisprovidedbythefacility givingtheshots.Keepitwithyourpassportwhiletraveling(however,thecardisnotrequiredtoenter India).Thisprovidesanimportantpersonalrecordforyoutorefertowhenmakingfuturetravelplans.We recommendyoudiscussthefollowingwithyourphysician: Polio Peoplewhohavereceivedtheprimaryseriesofatleastthreedosesofpoliovaccineareconsideredfully immunized.Peoplewhoareunsureoftheirstatusshouldreceivethevaccine(threedosesspacedat intervals). HepatitisA ThevaccinesHAVRIXandVAQTA(twoinjections,sixto18monthsapart)givelong-termprotection againstHepatitisAandareworthwhileifyoutravelregularlytodevelopingcountries. TetanusBooster Aboosterisstronglyrecommended(effectivefor10years). Typhoid TheCDCrecommendstheshotortheoralvaccine,VivotifBerna.Youmaynotbeabletotaketheoral vaccinesimultaneouslywithmefloquine(formalariaprevention). MALARIAPREVENTION Malariaisaseriousbutpreventablediseasespreadbythebiteofaninfectedmosquito.Pleasediscuss antimalarialmedicationwithyourdoctor,whowillexplainvariousantimalarialsandtheirsideeffectsand recommendaregimenforyou.Inadditiontomedication,afurtherprecautionagainstmalariaistowear longsleevesandlongpantsatdusk.Thinclothingshouldbesprayedwithinsectrepellent,especially aroundtheelbowsandankles.UserepellentcontainingDEET. If,afterreturningfromyourtrip,youhaveapersistentfeverwithchills,muscleaches,andheadache, reporttoyourdoctorthepossibilityofexposuretomalaria. Forfurthermalariainformation,consultyourdoctororthe CDCMalariaHotline:888-232-3228. STAYINGHEALTHY Inhotels,don’tbrushyourteethwithtapwater;usebottledwater.Don’tuseiceinyourdrinksunlessyou aresureitwasmadewithtreatedwater.Whenindoubt,askyourTripLeaderforguidelines. HelpfulInformation PHOTOGRAPHY Formostpeople,acompactdigitalcameraorevenacellphonewithafixedzoomlensworkswell,and newerpoint-and-shootsandphonescanproduceexcellentqualitypictures.Forhigherqualityimages, especiallyforprinting,andtheabilitytouselongertelephotolensesforcloserwildlifepictures,adigital SLRiswellworthwhile,thoughheavier.Lensesof200mmor300mm,withimagestabilization,allow youtohand-holdthecamerawithminimalcamerashake.Apolarizingfilterisuseful,especiallytoreduce reflectiononwatersurfacesandtodeepentheblueofthesky.Packyourequipmentwellanduseplastic bagstoprotectitfromdustormoisture.Bringwipesandadustblowertokeepyourlensesclean.Most digitalcamerasandphonesnowhavevideooptions,andyoumayevenwanttoconsiderbringinga GoPro.Alwayspracticeaheadoftimewithnewequipmentandbringyourmanualwithyou.Youmay wanttoconsiderinsuringyourequipment.CameraequipmentisavailableforrentfromBorrowLenses witha10%discountofferedtoWildernessTravelclients. Werecommendbringingatleasttwolargecapacitymemorycards.Ifyoutakealotofpicturesandsave thematahighresolution,itcanbehelpfultobringadigitalstorageunitorlaptopsoyoucandownload yourpicturesandfreeupyourmemorycardsforreuseonaregularbasis.Bringabackupbatteryorsetof batteriessooneisalwayschargedandreadytouse,andbringyourbatterycharger(andappropriateplug adapter).Ifyourcamerausesreplaceablebatteries,bringspareswithyou.Note:fortripswhereyoumay beawayfrompowersourcesformultipledays,considerlookingintoasolar-poweredbatterycharger. Whentakingpicturesoflocalpeople,beawareofculturalconsiderations.HeedyourTripLeader’s guidelinesforwhatisappropriate,andalwaysusegesturesorsimplephrasestoaskpermission.Ifpeople donotwishtobephotographed,pleasehonortheirrequests.Weurgetravelerstoavoidgivingmoneyin exchangeforphotoopportunities,whichonlymakesitharderforothertravelerstotakepicturesandto haveameaningfulpersonalinteractionwithlocalpeople. Wefindthatourclientscreatewonderfulimagesthatreallydefinetheuniqueaspectsofouradventures. Wewouldlovetomakeuseofyourimagesinourmarketingmaterialsandourphotoblog,andrequestthat yousendusasmallsampleofyourbestimagesandasimpleemailgivinguspermissiontousethe photos.Pleaseemailyourphotostowtphotoblog@gmail.com.Welookforwardtoreceivingthem! CULTURALCONSIDERATIONS InIndia,folkbeliefsandreligionmergeuntiltheybecomealmostindistinguishable.Itisdifficultfor travelersinIndiatocomprehendthetraditionsandritualsinvolvedineverydaylife.Asinalltravel situations,itisimportanttoobservethelocalpeoplecarefullyandusecommonsense.Forexample,ask permissionbeforetakingaphoto,enteringatemple,washingatatap,ortouchingababy.You'llalmost alwaysfindtheIndiansfriendlyandhelpful.Afewguidelinesareofferedbelow. BodyLanguage Whenseated,itisnotpolitetoshowthebottomsofthefeet,anditisespeciallyrudetopointthemin someoneelse'sdirection.Thereforeyoushouldnotstretchyourlegsoutorcrossthemwiththesoleturned uporout.Also,neverstepoveroronanypartofapersonasthisexposesthemtothebottomofyourfeet. Thepurityofthebodyisviewedasbeingthehighestatthehead,becomingprogressivelydirtierdownto thefeet.Thisalsomakespattingchildrenorotherpeopleontheheadill-mannered.Touchingapersonof theoppositesex,evenontheshoulderorhand,caneasilymisinterpretedandit'sbesttorefrainfrom doingso. Clothing BemodestinthewayyoudresswhilevisitingIndia.(SeeNotesonClothinginthisbooklet.)Women shouldwearskirtsfallingatleasttotheknee,orpants.Bathingsuits,haltertops,andtanktopsare consideredanunseemlydisplayinIndiaandwillembarrasslocalpeople.Especiallyinandaround temples,wearlongpantsoraskirt,andatopthatcoverstheshouldersandupperarms.Menmaywear shortsuptomid-thigh,butnoshorter.Itispermittedformentorestandsunbathewithoutashirt,butitis consideredextremelyrudeformentowalkaboutbare-chested. Water Springwaterisconsideredsacredandisprotectedbyritual.Riverandstreamwaterisnotsubjecttothese taboos.Manyvillageshaveonlysmallspringsfromwhichtodrawtheirwater.Donotcasuallytakewater fromthesesprings.Itisbesttoreceivepermissionfromalocalperson.Ifthereisnoonenearby,then followtheseguidelines:Useonlyaverycleanutensiltodrawwater.Donotdrinkdirectlyfromthis utensilorfromthespring.Donotbrushyourteethorwashanythingnearthespring.Carrywater20feet ormoreawayfromthespringbeforewashing.Ifthewatersourcebecomespollutedbycarelesspractice, theconsequencesforthevillagearedisastrous. Shrines Alongalmosteverystreetandtrailyouwillfindtemplesandshrinesofallsorts.Regardlessoftheirsize, theyarereveredwithgreatdevotion.Whenenteringatemple,askaboutorobservelocalpractice.Insome temples,shoesmustberemoved.Insomeitisforbiddentowearleatherofanykind(suchasaleather belt)ortoeat. Begging BeggingisatraditioninIndia,andcanbedifficultforwesternerstoconfront.Therearenoeasyanswers astowhethertogivesmallamountsofmoneytobeggars.Itisultimatelyuptoeachofyoutodecide. Childrenalongpopulartravelroutesoftenaskforcandy,pens,ormoney.Rewardingthisbehaviorsetsup abarrageofrequestsformore,adependencyonproductsnotlocallyavailable,andinthecaseofsweets, anincreasingdentalproblem.Wethereforeaskthatyoudonotgiveanythingtochildren:nocandy,pens, balloons,ormoney.Ifyoulike,youcanbringpens,crayons,largefelt-tippens,paper,maps,orpostcards todonatetoschoolswepassalongtheway. Homes Indiansareveryhospitableanditiscommonforthemtoinvitetravelersintotheirhomes.Ifyourhosts takeofftheirshoesbeforeenteringahouseholdorroom,dolikewise.Inside,cookingandeatingareas shouldbetreatedwithspecialrespect.Avoidgoingintothehearthunlessspecificallyinvitedthere;itis sacred,andhometoaguardianspirit.Donottouchthefireareaordryyourshoesbyit,anddonotpoint yourfeetatorburntrashinthefire.Donottouchfoodoreatingutensilsusedbylocalpeople.Also,many Hinduscannoteatfoodthathasbeentouchedbyaforeigner,sodon'tofferanythingfromyourplate. BEINGACONSIDERATETRAVELER Pleaseshowrespectforthecultureswearevisitingbyobservinglocalcustomsconcerningappropriate dress,particularlyinsacredplaces.YourTripLeaderisalwaysavailabletoansweranyquestionsthatyou mayhaveregardingthis.Ifitisnecessarytouseacellphoneduringthetrip,pleasedosoprivately. Smokingisrarelyanissuethesedays,butifyoudosmoke,pleasedosoonlyawayfromthegroup. READINGLIST Arecommendedreadinglistcanbefoundat LongitudeBooks. PackingList THEESSENTIALS Airtickets(orE-tickets) VisaforIndia Passport OneotherpictureID,suchasadriver’slicense Expensemoney WTGEARSTORE TohelpyouprepareforyournextWTadventure,we'veputtogetheragreatcollectionoftopbrands includingPatagonia,OutdoorResearch,EagleCreek,andmoreatourWTGearStore . LUGGAGE Standardhardorsoft-sidedsuitcase,withasmallpadlock(mustbeunlockedforairtravel).Rolling suitcaseshavebeenthepreferredchoiceofpasttravelers. Daypackforwaterbottle,camera,andotheritemsyouwantwithyouduringtheday Smallroll-upduffeltocarryhomepurchases WEIGHTLIMITS WeightlimitsforbaggageoninternalIndiaflightsis33poundsperpersonofcheckedbaggage.Carry-on baggagecanweighamaximumof11lbs.(5kilos).Pleaseremembertopackyourbatteries,liquids, pocketknife,orothersharpobjectsinyourcheckedluggage. NOTESONCLOTHING Werecommendyoubringcomfortable,lightweightclothingandshoesmadeforwalking.Indiaisstilla traditionalculture.Visitorsshouldtakecaretodressmodestly.Forwomen,longpants,skirts,orkneelengthhikingshortsarefine.Skimpyorrevealingtopsaregenerallyfrownedupon.Menshouldwear shirtswithsleevesandlongpantsorknee-lengthhikingshorts.Insometemples,shoesmustberemoved. Theclothinglistbelowisprovidedasaguidelineonly;weencourageyoutopackaslightlyaspossible. Laundryserviceisavailableatmostofthehotels. CLOTHING Lighttomedium-weightfleecejacketorsweaterforthedesert,wheretemperaturesbecoldatnightin thewintermonths Lightweightlong-sleevedshirts Short-sleevedshirtsorT-shirts(looseandmodest) Lightcottonorquick-dryingsyntheticpants Lightweightskirtsforwomen Knee-lengthhikingshorts(optional) Lightweightrainjacketand/orfoldingumbrella(umbrellascanalsobeusedforsun) Sturdywalkingshoesorrunningshoeswithgoodtraction Tevasorothersandals Underwear/socks.Syntheticsdryfaster. Shadehatwithwidebrim Sleepwear Bathingsuit(forhotelpools,whereavailable) Casualcity/hotelattire EQUIPMENT Personaltoiletries Goodqualitysunglasseswithcase Plasticbagstoorganizeitemsinluggage Flashlightorlightweightheadlamp,sparebatteries;blackoutsarepossible;keepaflashlighthandyin yourhotelroom PERSONALFIRSTAIDSUPPLIES Everytripmembershouldbringasmallkitforpersonaluse.Yourownexperiencewillinfluenceyour choices.\ SunscreenSPF#30orhigher,lipbalmwithsunscreen Aspirin,ibuprofen,orTylenolformusclepainorheadache. Topicalantibiotic(suchasNeosporin)forcuts,bites,orsores Insectrepellent.RepellentswithDEETarerecommended.DEETcontentofabout30-35percentis ideal(higherDEETcontentisnotrecommended).WipeDEEToffyourhandsbeforetouchingplastic surfaces(suchasbinoculars)becauseitcandamageplastic.Aerosolrepellentsareusefulforspraying onclothes. Blisterkit.Lookforthelong-lastinggel-typebandagesthatyoucanapplydirectlyonblisters,suchas Band-AidAdvancedHealingBandagesorCuradGelMulti-DayBandages.“Liquidband-aids,”suchas New-Skin,areusefulbecausetheydryrapidlytoformatoughprotectivecoveroverablister. Anti-bacterialgelforhandwashing AntihistaminesuchasBenadryl Pepto-Bismoltabletsforindigestionanddiarrhea Imodiumfordiarrhea.Ifyouwishtobringanantibioticfordiarrheaprophylaxis,pleaseconsultyour physician. Prescriptionmedicationsproperlylabeled Sparecontactlensesorspareprescriptionglasses OPTIONALITEMS Waterbottle(however,bottledwateriswidelyavailableonthetrip) Camera,sparebatteries,spareflashcards Reading/writingmaterial Voltageconverterandplugadaptorforapplianceuseinhotels.Indiahas230-voltcurrent.Plugshave twoorthreeroundedpins. Travelclock Moneybeltorneckpouch.Alwayscarryyourpassport,creditcards,andcashwithyouinamoney beltorneckpouchtuckeddowninsideyourshirtorblouse. Revised:May09,2017
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