December 2014 Site Visit to Mumbai, Kolkata & Varanasi December 4th – 12th, 2014 (9 days) For 6 to 12 people Limit 2 people per party. Children under 15 years of age are not recommended. We are very excited to extend an invitation to our donors to accompany us on a visit to some of our grantees in December 2014. We are pleased to be partnering with Asia Transpacific Journeys (www.asiatranspacific.com) a US based travel company and a world leader in Asian Travel according to Travel & Leisure. The following itinerary offers day long visits with our grantees – taking us to parts of India few tourists ever have an opportunity to see and providing the opportunity to meet the amazing young women Shadhika is serving. The visit also includes time for sight seeing in three of India’s most interesting cities – Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi. We hope you will join us this December for what promises to be a profound experience as you see the impact of your support first-‐hand on the lives of the girls we serve through Shadhika. If you are interested in signing up or learning more, please contact Kim Burnett at [email protected] or 303-‐455-‐1819. Summary of Costs & Inclusions Total Custom land & internal air cost per person: $ 2,490.00 (based on double occupancy) + $1,000 tax-‐deductible donation in support of Shadhika* Single Supplement (if applicable): $ 740.00 * All donations made in 2014 prior to the date of final payment will be deducted from this amount, but a minimum of $1,000 donation per person is required. Donations must be for unrestricted support. Cost includes: • Accommodations in 4 star hotels • Economy class airfare between Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi • Breakfast and lunch each day • All transportation in air-‐conditioned, safe vehicle with English-‐speaking driver • 24/7 assistance by an English-‐speaking professional tour manager (will accompany us throughout) • Opening and Closing Ceremony dinner • Dinner at a family home in Kolkata • Full-‐day site-‐seeing in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi with guide • In-‐depth time with four Shadhika grantees, staff and content experts on issues relating to Shadhika’s mission 1 2 Trip Itinerary Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 Meals Provided: None Depart for India Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 Meals Provided: None Welcome to India! On arrival today first clear Immigration formalities and then collect your luggage. Upon clearing Customs into the Arrival Hall meet your waiting driver and transfer to our centrally located hotel for a much deserved night's rest. (NOTE: A professional, tour manager will accompany the group from December 4 -‐ 12, 2014 taking care of all group arrangements including hotel check-‐ins, touring and sightseeing, meals as listed, logistics and meetings, flight check-‐in, luggage and any assistance and services necessary to make the trip as successful as possible.) Overnight at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel (Superior Rooms) -‐ Mumbai Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 Meals Provided: B L D After breakfast depart on a full day exploration of Mumbai—a vibrant and bustling city with splendid colonial architecture, towering buildings and palatial mansions. Start the day by venturing across the road to the Gateway of India, the iconic symbol of the city and perhaps of all of India. Proceed to Churchgate to enjoy an unusual highlight—a visit to watch Mumbai’s dhabawallas at work. See the sorting of the tiffin boxes (tin lunch boxes) by the dhabawallas, who deliver lunch boxes from private homes to the work place. Visit the stations where the sorting and loading on the respective trains take place. This 100-‐year-‐old management system of collecting, sorting and delivering over a million tiffin boxes is flawlessly executed on a daily basis. You will also have the opportunity to explore the unique history and architecture of this area with visits to the Victoria Terminus Railway Station, High Court building, University building and a visit the bustling bazaar area around Crawford Market and the dhobi ghats—a huge open-‐air laundry where hundreds of dhobiwallahs vigorously thump and scrub the city's washing. Continuing along Marine Drive, one of India's most iconic and famous roads, end the day by exploring the Malabar Hill area. The area also contains the lovely and tranquil Hanging Gardens, an intimate, incense-‐filled Jain temple, and the Parsi Tower of Silence. These religions have coexisted peacefully for nearly 1,000 years here, a testament to the diversity and tolerance that characterizes this fascinating metropolis. Time and interest permitting, visit the Museum of Mahatma Gandhi for insights into his principle of satyagraha, a peaceful political force that would eventually bring the British Empire to its knees before returning to the hotel with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel followed by a much deserved night's rest. Overnight at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel (Superior Rooms) -‐ Mumbai Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 3 Meals Provided: B L Following breakfast spend the day visiting Shadhika’s newest grantee, VACHA (http://www.vacha.org.in). VACHA empowers young girls ages 10 -‐ 24 living in the Muslim ‘bastis’ (or slums) in and around Mumbai. Through after school tutoring, life skill training, and leadership development VACHA helps young women become leaders in their communities. Overnight at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel (Superior Rooms) -‐ Mumbai Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 Meals Provided: B Following a leisurely breakfast transfer to the airport for your midmorning flight to Kolkata. Fly Mumbai to Kolkata on Jet Airways 9W 5704, departing 12:25, arriving 15:00 Economy Class Issued By ATJ Travel On arrival we transfer to our centrally located hotel for check in. Later that evening, we will get a rare glimpse of daily life in Kolkata as dinner guests in at the family home of Shadhika’s founder. Overnight at the Oberoi Grand Hotel (Deluxe Rooms) – Kolkata For over 125 years, this “Grande Dame” of Kolkata has presided over Chowringhee with great dignity and is considered colonial-‐era gem. Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 Meals Provided: B L Following breakfast begin exploring Kolkata with a North Calcutta Heritage Building Walk. This walk takes visitors through the narrow alleys of the “Black Town” where a parallel culture to the British arose amongst the pioneering Bengali families whose fortunes grew as they assisted their colonial rulers in their quest to rule the subcontinent. The impressive mansions hold some rare treasures and interesting stories. The Marble Palace is perhaps the most bizarre of them all. End the day with a visit to Kumartuli, the “potters” market, where all the idols for religious festivals in the city are made. There is also a collection of four intriguing Jain and Hindu temples adorned with shimmering mirrors, ceramic tiles, and chandeliers brought to India by rich merchants from lands as far away as Persia, Japan and Europe. Enjoy lunch at a lovely, little Bengali Restaurant situated in the newly restored Star Theatre, where Bengali Theatre has its roots, along with much of the drama that initiated the freedom movement in Bengal, and later the rest of India. This afternoon, visit a textile factory. Rangeen is the weaving, dyeing and printing unit for Weavers Studio in Kolkata, famous for their high quality cotton and silk garments. We will have a chance to watch the artisans at work weaving at their looms, dyeing using diverse techniques such as tie and dye, batik, Japanese Shibori and African Adire, block printing and stenciling on fabric, as well as hand painting, mud and screen printing. The Resource Center also has a textile library and museum with a collection of antique fabric from around the world. The history of the world’s most popular natural dye, Indigo, 4 weaves its story into the visit as well. Indigo has a huge connection with the history of Bengal, and is thought to have played a major role in the start of the struggle for a free India. Overnight at the Oberoi Grand Hotel (Deluxe Rooms) -‐ Kolkata Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 Meals Provided: B L Following breakfast spend the day visiting Shadhika grantee, New Light (www.newlightindia.org). Located in the Kalighat Red Light District of Kolkata, New Light helps the children of prostitutes and formerly trafficked girls escape the cycle of poverty and violence. New Light was featured in the documentary “Half the Sky.” Overnight at the Oberoi Grand Hotel (Deluxe Rooms) -‐ Kolkata Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014 Meals Provided: B L Spend the morning and early afternoon visiting Shadhika grantee, Paripurnata (http://www.paripurnata.org). Established by Shadhika’s Founder over twenty years ago, Paripurnata is a half-‐way house for formerly homeless women who have suffered mental illness and domestic violence. After a late lunch transfer to the airport for the direct flight to Varanasi. Also known as Benares and Kashi, the "City of Light" is one of the oldest cities in the world. Fly Kolkata to Varanasi on Jet Airways 9W 2637, departing 15:05, arriving 16:50 Economy Class Issued By ATJ Travel On arrival in Varanasi transfer to the hotel for check-‐in. Varanasi is known to devout Hindus as Kashi, and said to have been founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe and destroyer of Evil. It is one of the oldest living cities in the world and also one of the most important pilgrimage sites in all of India. Its principal attraction is the long string of ghats (riverside steps) lining the west bank of the Ganges. Along the ghats, devout pilgrims take a dip in the river Ganges every morning and offer their morning prayers. This evening enjoy a guided walk through the old town and colorful market leading to the riverside to witness the aarti ceremony, an evening ritual performed on the steps of the Dasashwamedha Ghat. Overnight at the Gateway Ganges (Standard Rooms) -‐ Varanasi Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 Meals Provided: B L D Following breakfast spend the day visiting Shadhika grantee, Buddha’s Smile School (http://buddhas-‐
smile-‐school.org). Located in Sarnath, just outside of Varanasi, BSS operates a school for ‘dalit’ or untouchable children. This evening enjoy dinner and the closing ceremony for the donors visit to India. 5 Overnight at the Gateway Ganges (Standard Rooms) -‐ Varanasi Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 Meals Provided: B A ritual cleansing in the holy waters of the Ganges in Varanasi absolves the believer of all sins. It is the aspiration of every devout Hindu to die and be cremated at the ghats, thus ensuring release from the cycle of rebirth. On any given day, thousands flock to the river to perform ablutions. This morning before sunrise, depart the hotel with your guide for a visit to the bathing ghats of Varanasi. From a private boat cruising the river, witness the ritual cleansing in the waters so central to Hindus. The prosaic and the profound, and everything in between, jostle together at the edge of the sacred Ganges River. A cacophonous jumble of merchants, barbers, wandering ascetics and tea stall proprietors provide a backdrop for the surreal rites of life and death taking place on the sandstone steps. It's a sublime sight. Return to the hotel for breakfast and time to repack and prepare for your flights home before transferring to the airport for your flights to Delhi or Mumbai (flight not included in quoted cost). Should you wish you to add on travel before or after the above itinerary, this can be arranged through our travel agency. -‐-‐-‐-‐-‐ CUSTOM LAND COST INCLUDES: All meals as designated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); hotels as shown based on double occupancy; airport transfers as indicated; all transfers to and from hotels as indicated for planned activities and sightseeing tours-‐entrance fees, domestic permits; all applicable service charges and taxes (excluding some international or domestic airport departure taxes); pre-‐departure materials including a customized Travel Guide containing destination information, travel tips, and cultural primer; limited travel insurance coverage including emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $200,000 per person, and in-‐country emergency medical expenses up to $5,000 per person. CUSTOM LAND COST EXCLUDES: Any item not specifically included in your program including all snacks, extra personal beverages & bottled water, etc. other than during designated meals, alcoholic beverages; passport and visa fees, video fees, excess baggage fees, laundry, phone calls, internet and any other items of a personal nature not specifically indicated; tips for your guide, ground staff, drivers, hotel porters and other service staff; ADDITIONAL INSURANCE OF ANY KIND, including trip cancellation/interruption/delay, air ticket cancelation, additional medical, and lost baggage insurance; any and all expenses resulting from delays arising beyond our direct control due to bad weather, trail, river, sea, and/or road conditions, sickness, civil unrest, government action; or any other transportation delays for any reason beyond our direct control; optional activities, free-‐day activities, including any additional stopover arrangements not specifically included in the itinerary. We can make additional arrangements for you. Extra charges will apply. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE (not included): We highly recommend purchasing additional insurance, including trip cancellation. We recommend Travel Insurance Select (TIS). To be eligible for maximum benefits, you must purchase within 2 weeks of paying your initial deposit. Visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com/insurance to learn more. AIR COST INCLUDES*: 6 INTERNATIONAL AIR: There is no international air included in this trip cost. INTERNAL AIR: Mumbai -‐ Kolkata -‐ Varanasi on Jet Airways (9W) -‐ Economy class. * All airfare is subject to change until ticketed. We will always do our best to confirm the most desirable seats on internal and/or international air (if ticketed by Asia Transpacific Journeys). Confirmed seat assignments are never guaranteed and can be changed at the discretion of the airline. Often with minor schedule changes, seat assignments are cancelled by the airlines. Please feel free to contact the airlines on your own to check on your seat assignments If your itinerary includes airline tickets issued by Asia Transpacific Journeys you will be required to provide us with your first, middle and last names, as well as your birth date, exactly as it appears on your passport. Failure to provide us with the correct information may result in significant penalties and increased fares. In addition, Asia Transpacific Journeys will administer a $75 per person surcharge for any changes made after airline tickets have been booked. VISAS -‐ CUSTOM TRAVEL: VISA FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED in your trip cost. You are welcome to obtain the visa on your own or through our recommended service provider G3 Visas & Passports (visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com/visas for links to their site and select 'Asia Transpacific Journeys Custom Traveler' to print all required forms). We cannot assume financial responsibility for situations where a visa or entry permit for an individual is denied, restricted, or not obtained in a timely manner. We strongly urge you to confirm your visa arrangements and requirements with the appropriate embassy, consulate or reputable visa service prior to travel. Following are requirements for your program for U.S. citizens (different regulations may apply for other nationalities). All visa information is subject to change. • India -‐ Pre-‐arranged. India requires a visa to be pre-‐arranged. PROPOSED ITINERARY NOTE: The above is an ESTIMATE only. Actual availability and pricing have not yet been confirmed. Confirmation of arrangements will begin upon receipt of a $1,000 per person non-‐
refundable deposit for travel. All payments will be coordinated through Shadhika. The deposit is applied toward your final balance and is non-‐refundable unless we are unable to confirm your arrangements as outlined or confirm acceptable alternatives. Payment of your deposit indicates agreement to the attached Terms & Conditions (or view at http://www.asiatranspacific.com/Terms) and agreement to complete, sign and return our Application, Waiver and Release of Liability, which must be submitted to complete the sign up process. The sooner we receive your approval and deposit, the better your chances that we will be able to accommodate you on the above program at the estimated price. Airfare and Land Payments: Full airfare payment and 50% of the remaining land cost, per person, is due upon confirmation. Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. If your departure date is within 60 days, full payment must be paid at the time of confirmation in order to secure arrangements. All deposits and payments can be made by personal/cashier's check, wire transfer, American Express, Visa or Mastercard. 7 CANCELLATION POLICY -‐ CUSTOM TRAVEL: We cannot vary from our stated refund policy regardless of your situation. For this reason, we recommend that you buy travel insurance immediately upon booking your travel arrangements. Correspondence regarding land or air cancellation must be sent via email, mail or fax. For all travelers, land cost cancellation fees (per person) are as follows: • 60 days or more prior to departure: Your deposit or 25% of all land costs, whichever is greater* • 31-‐59 days prior to departure: 50% of land cost* • Less than 30 days prior to departure: 100% of land cost * There may be circumstances where non-‐refundable full payments or deposits have been made on your behalf for airfare, ship or other charters, hotel or other custom arrangements that will supersede the above policies. See more at: http://www.asiatranspacific.com/terms PAYMENT SCHEDULE: • $1,000 deposit to secure booking • Final payment due 90 days before departure -‐ September 4th, 2014 (this payment includes final travel costs per your itinerary and any balance remaining in the donation portion to Shadhika) 8