RESOURCES
VACCINATIONS and HEALTH TIPS
No vaccinations are required for travel to India. We advise that you determine what is best for yourself and follow appropriate health precautions during travel.
We will be following strict hygiene during our trip, staying with people whom we know well, and in general living a very healthy lifestyle! The kitchens at Prshanti and the eco-lodge are meticulous in their food preparations and handling, therefore your chances of exposure to disease causing organisms is far, far less than it would be during general travel in India.
Travel to India invariably seems to raise a wide range of health concerns among travellers. Whether to vaccinate or take malaria prophylactics is a personal consideration. Regardless of your decision, it is important to follow good habits.
• Drink only bottled or boiled and filtered water. Both are easily available.
• Do not eat at any establishment which does not purify its own water supply.
• Do not eat meat unless it has been freshly repaired at a reputable establishment.
• Do not eat fruit or vegetables which cannot be peeled unless you know that they have been washed with purified water.
• New diet, unfamiliar spices, the rigours of travel, and inevitable contact with pathogens will almost surely result in minor, but uncomfortable, stomach ailments during the course of your trip. Remember, that even travellers to the United States from other countries often encounter such ailments due to the unfamiliar conditions. Plain rice, yogurt (curds), whey, and the water of tender coconuts are all friendly foods for the upset stomach--don’t disdain them!
• Medical care is never far away; doctors, pharmacies and clinics are all easily accessible. We also have access to our own medical personnel, either travelling with us, at the ashrams, or in the towns we are visiting.
• Malaria medications are readily available in India, very inexpensive, and can be acquired there for prophylactic use or for use if symptoms arise.
For further information check the CDC website. Remember that suggestions and warnings are given for general travel to India, assuming the worst case scenario for your accommodations, food, and exposure.
For further information: Centers for Disease Control travel page on India: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
AIR TRAVEL TICKETS
July and August are peak travel times to and from India, so I would recommend reserving space as soon in advance as is practical. Travel arrangements are your responsibility, however, we are happy to assist you in locating good fares. As we make our own travel arrangements I can pass on the name of our agent and refer you as a trip participant. We all need to arrive in Bangalore within the same time frame, so it would be very nice if we were on the same flight, or on flights arriving within a short time of one another. If you would like assistance with your airline ticketing, please let us know.
VACCINATIONS and HEALTH TIPS
No vaccinations are required for travel to India. We advise that you determine what is best for yourself and follow appropriate health precautions during travel.
We will be following strict hygiene during our trip, staying with people whom we know well, and in general living a very healthy lifestyle! The kitchens at Prshanti and the eco-lodge are meticulous in their food preparations and handling, therefore your chances of exposure to disease causing organisms is far, far less than it would be during general travel in India.
Travel to India invariably seems to raise a wide range of health concerns among travellers. Whether to vaccinate or take malaria prophylactics is a personal consideration. Regardless of your decision, it is important to follow good habits.
• Drink only bottled or boiled and filtered water. Both are easily available.
• Do not eat at any establishment which does not purify its own water supply.
• Do not eat meat unless it has been freshly repaired at a reputable establishment.
• Do not eat fruit or vegetables which cannot be peeled unless you know that they have been washed with purified water.
• New diet, unfamiliar spices, the rigours of travel, and inevitable contact with pathogens will almost surely result in minor, but uncomfortable, stomach ailments during the course of your trip. Remember, that even travellers to the United States from other countries often encounter such ailments due to the unfamiliar conditions. Plain rice, yogurt (curds), whey, and the water of tender coconuts are all friendly foods for the upset stomach--don’t disdain them!
• Medical care is never far away; doctors, pharmacies and clinics are all easily accessible. We also have access to our own medical personnel, either travelling with us, at the ashrams, or in the towns we are visiting.
• Malaria medications are readily available in India, very inexpensive, and can be acquired there for prophylactic use or for use if symptoms arise.
For further information check the CDC website. Remember that suggestions and warnings are given for general travel to India, assuming the worst case scenario for your accommodations, food, and exposure.
For further information: Centers for Disease Control travel page on India: http://www.cdc.gov/travel
AIR TRAVEL TICKETS
July and August are peak travel times to and from India, so I would recommend reserving space as soon in advance as is practical. Travel arrangements are your responsibility, however, we are happy to assist you in locating good fares. As we make our own travel arrangements I can pass on the name of our agent and refer you as a trip participant. We all need to arrive in Bangalore within the same time frame, so it would be very nice if we were on the same flight, or on flights arriving within a short time of one another. If you would like assistance with your airline ticketing, please let us know.
VISA
APPLICATIONS for US CITIZENS for TRAVEL to INDIA
US citizens are required to obtain a visa for travel to India prior to departure. You must have a US Passport valid for at least six months longer than the period of proposed stay in India. If you are not a US citizen check with the Embassy of India regarding visa requirements.
The Embassy and Consulates of India are extremely reliable and quick in issuing visas. Please note that they are very strict in enforcing that you apply to the correct consulate.
Residents of Florida, Apply to:
Consulate General of India
Houston, TX, USA
(Serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas)
Make Payment by Cashier’s cheque to: Consulate General of India, Houston
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
or apply to
Embassy of India
(Consular Wing)
2536 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008
(Make Payment by Cashier’s cheque to Consulate General of India)
• Be sure to leave adequate time prior to your departure from the country to obtain a valid passport and obtain the necessary visa from the Indian Consulate or Embassy.• Passports for US citizens can be applied for at any US Post Office.• Visa guidelines, Visa Fee Schedule, Return Mail Fee Charges and application forms are available for download online at http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/index.htm
WHAT TO BRING
We will be posting more detailed information in this space as we get closer to travel time. However here are two guidelines, perhaps sounding contradictory!
1. There will be no time for shopping prior to beginning the Clinical Yoga Intensive, so come prepared to jump right in. All clothing, toiletries, and sundries you need for daily living should arrive with you.
2. Less is More!!! Count the days of the trip and bring what you need and no extra. Additional baggage makes travel more difficult and less enjoyable. Also, we will have limited room for baggage on board our chartered bus as we travel to Mysore and Mudemallai. Finally, you will want to leave room in your bags to bring home treasures from India!
US citizens are required to obtain a visa for travel to India prior to departure. You must have a US Passport valid for at least six months longer than the period of proposed stay in India. If you are not a US citizen check with the Embassy of India regarding visa requirements.
The Embassy and Consulates of India are extremely reliable and quick in issuing visas. Please note that they are very strict in enforcing that you apply to the correct consulate.
Residents of Florida, Apply to:
Consulate General of India
Houston, TX, USA
(Serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas)
Make Payment by Cashier’s cheque to: Consulate General of India, Houston
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
or apply to
Embassy of India
(Consular Wing)
2536 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20008
(Make Payment by Cashier’s cheque to Consulate General of India)
• Be sure to leave adequate time prior to your departure from the country to obtain a valid passport and obtain the necessary visa from the Indian Consulate or Embassy.• Passports for US citizens can be applied for at any US Post Office.• Visa guidelines, Visa Fee Schedule, Return Mail Fee Charges and application forms are available for download online at http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/index.htm
WHAT TO BRING
We will be posting more detailed information in this space as we get closer to travel time. However here are two guidelines, perhaps sounding contradictory!
1. There will be no time for shopping prior to beginning the Clinical Yoga Intensive, so come prepared to jump right in. All clothing, toiletries, and sundries you need for daily living should arrive with you.
2. Less is More!!! Count the days of the trip and bring what you need and no extra. Additional baggage makes travel more difficult and less enjoyable. Also, we will have limited room for baggage on board our chartered bus as we travel to Mysore and Mudemallai. Finally, you will want to leave room in your bags to bring home treasures from India!