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BACKGROUND FAQ
2009 Crow/USW Eco-Aromatic Activism Tour
AROMATIC & MEDICINAL PLANT WISDOM
FOR OUR HEALTH, ECOLOGY & ECONOMIES
- Udaipur, Rajasthan, November 7~21, 2009 -
Group Parameters
Minimum: 10 - This workshop tour requires a minimum of 10 participants to be viable.
Maximum: 18 - Due to travel logistics and the desired intimacy level, 18 participants is our upper limit.
We are publicizing this study program in herbalist, natural healing, and health activist circles in the USA, Japan, Russia, UK, Australia, Spain and India, and hope to attract a truly international, influential and talented crew. Hotel arrangements in Udaipur
All participants attending the first Aromatic and Medical Plants for Health, Ecology and Economy workshop/study tour (Nov 7-21, 2009) will be accommodated at the beautifully situated Royal Retreat art museum hotel. Please check their website: www.royalretreatudaipur.com We will also spend the night of Nov 15 at the historic Fort Dhariyavad Heritage Hotel near the Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary. Room arrangements at Royal Retreat and Fort Dhariyawad Heritage Hotel
Currently all participants are booked on a double occupancy basis. As you can see from the hotel website photos, these rooms are extremely large, airy and comfortable, but if you prefer a private room, please add $750/€538 to your travel budget.
TRAVEL ISSUES International flights to India from your home country.
Generally speaking, the earlier you reserve your international air tickets the cheaper they will be. Some commonly used international ticket agencies are:
www.orbitz.com
www.cheapoair.com
www.airgorilla.com
www.priceline.com Typical flight rates out of USA
Currently available round trip flight rates between New York and New Delhi: Aeroflot: ≈ USD $920/€660 including taxes; and Swiss International: ≈ USD $940/€672 including taxes.
See sample rates at http://www.edreams.com/
(Cheaper fares may be available from the other online ticket services listed above.)
Typical flight rates out of Japan
Currently available round trip flights between Tokyo and Delhi: Air China International with one stopover: ≈ USD $1,030/€745. including taxesSee sample rates at http://www.edreams.com/flights/tokyo-delhi/
(Cheaper fares may be available from the other online ticket services listed above.)
Typical flights rates out of Russia
Currently available round trip air flights between Moscow and Delhi: Qatar Airways: ≈ USD $585/€420. Swiss International: ≈ USD $587/€421 including taxes; Emirates Air: ≈ USD $597/€438 including taxes. See sample rates at http://www.edreams.com/flights/moscow-delhi/
(Cheaper fares may be available from the other online ticket services listed above.)
FINANCIALS Cost of Entire Workshop Study Program
USD $4299/€3082 per person for minimum of 10 guest group on twin sharing basis.
USD $3599/€2580 per person for minimum of 14 guest group on twin sharing basis NOTE: The tour will initially be booked at the 10-person USD $4299/€3082 rate and guests will be refunded the $699/€500 difference at the start of the tour if we attract 14 guests or more.
Booking & Registration
Please download, fill-out and send us one of the registration forms below and choose a suitable payment option. Registration Form in Microsoft Word .doc format
Registration Form in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format
Registration Form in Rich Text .rtf format
Although we prefer full payment at the time you register for the tour, the following installment schedule is also possible:
10% of the tour cost (USD $430/€310) as a registration deposit
20% of the tour cost (USD $860/€617) 50 days before start of tour
– by 18th Sept 2009
30% of the tour cost (USD $1290/€925 ) 40 days before start of tour
– by 28th Sept 2009
Entire balance must be paid at least 30 days before start of tour
– by 8th Oct 2009 Payment
Payments can either be sent by check or wire transfer to:
Big Medicine Foreign Project Account
Ocean Bank, PO Box 549, (3 Elm St).
Kennebunkport, Maine 04046. (207) 967-2000
Routing #: 011201432
Account #: 23024802 We also accept Paypal remittances.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be communicated in writing and will incur a minimum USD $150.00/€108 cancellation fee.
Cancelling 50 days or more before tour date: all money returned minus cancellation fee
- by 18th Sept 2009
Cancelling 40~49 days or more before tour date: all money returned minus registration deposit
- by 28th Sept 2009
Cancelling 30~39 days or more before tour date: all money returned minus 25% of total tour cost
- by 8th Oct 2009
Cancelling 25~29 days or more before tour date: all money returned minus 50% of total tour cost
- by 13th Oct 2009
Cancelling 24 days or less before tour date: no money returned
- by 13th Oct and beyond PLEASE NOTE: All cancellation charges are subject to the situations facing those arranging the itinerary. We will do everything in our power to minimize local cancellation charges and negotiate the lowest possible penalties, but the rates noted above now stand as realistic policy.
ANCILLARY EXPENSES Delhi or Mumbai hotel reservations during arrival or departure
If you need overnight accommodations in either Delhi or Mumbai on your way in or out of the country, please contact Mr. Niraj Shrimal, who is managing all the reservations for our study group in Udaipur. He has kindly offered to make the necessary entry and exit hotel reservations for anyone who contacts him from the study group, although these hotel reservations are not included in the cost of the study tour.
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Cell phone: 91-9928798383
Domestic Indian air or train tickets to and from Udaipur
If you need travel assistance to or from Udaipur, please contact Mr. Shrimal for help with this as well. The cost for travel to and from Udaipur is not included in the cost of the study tour
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Cell phone: 91-9928798383
Estimated ancillary costs
We would advise you budget about USD $800~1000 extra for exit/entry hotels & taxis, internal tickets (air or rail) to Udaipur, spending money for souvenirs, etc.
MISCELLANEOUS CONCERNS
Interpretation/Translation
We have engaged an expert English-speaking interpreter for the duration of this program, who will be at the service of participants during interactions in the villages and other situations involving Hindi speakers.
Please contact us if you wish to engage interpreters for any other languages. We can usually find appropriate translation talent for almost any major language, but you will have to cover their compensation as your own personal expense.
Forest Field Trips
Our forest field trips will be accompanied by Dr. Satish Sharma, a distinguished senior forest ecology expert from the Rajasthan Forest Department.
Electric Equipment & Travel Gear
The voltage supply in most hotels across India is 220~230 volts, 50Hz, and Indian wall plugs differ from those in most other countries. See this website for more detailed info and necessary adaptors.
We also recommend that you bring: a torch/flashlight, small padlocks, stainless thermos (for cold/hot drinks in the field), sun cream, a small sewing kit with safety pins, spare glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
Weather
Early November in Rajasthan is usually a dry warm season with temperatures averaging 26°C / 80°F in the daytime and 14°C / 56°F at night. Please pack accordingly.
Responsible Tourism
We strongly promote a responsible mindful approach during our travels, and try to minimize our use of plastics and other disposable materials. Globally we encourage our guests to offset their CO2 airline emissions with a responsible carbon offset agency. Locally we also request our guests to be extremely friendly and respectful to the staff of all the parks, farms, hotels and other facilities we shall visit and also to be aware of all behaviors - both personal and societal - that impact the plants & animals in the surrounding environment.
Shots & Vaccinations
We recommend that you consult your doctor 4 to 8 weeks before you travel to see if you require any precautionary shots or vaccinations for travel to India. Some people swear by gamma globulin shots, Echinacea and other immune system boosters before such adventures, but you are best advised to talk to your personal physician and check out travel advisories from your own government on shots they recommend or require for Indian tours.
Travel Docs: Passports
Foreign nationals entering India must possess a valid passport from their native country and a valid Indian visa.
Visas
India has no provisions for ‘Visas on Arrival' so you must have a valid Indian visa in hand before you board your plane. It is therefore EXTREMELY important that you check out Indian visa requirements and application procedures in your home country well before your travel date. The Indian Embassy websites in each country provide all the necessary information and should be consulted immediately as soon as you decide you are interested in this tour.
Under no circumstances can tour organizers be held responsible or liable if a participant's necessary visa requirements have not been fulfilled.
Please contact us immediately if you have any additional questions.
Thanking you
Sincerely,
Rita Dixit-Kubiak
Co-director, Big Medicine
Udaipur Shakti Works Project
1 Sajjangarh Rd
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India 313001
Tel:91-294-243-4721
Email:
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