Travel Package
90 days prior to departure, you will receive a package that includes detailed information about your trip – pre- and post-trip hotel recommendations, a packing list and trip preparation schedule, passport and visa requirements, and a travel protection plan.

Tuition
We require a $500 deposit on all trips. This deposit ensures your spot on a trip. $150 of this is non-refundable administration fee. The remainder of your tuition is due 90 days prior to departure. You may pay by check or credit card. If paying by credit card, visit the online shopping cart on each trip page on our website.

Travel Arrangements
For assistance in arranging air transportation we recommend contacting our travel agent Nathan Parr or your own travel agent. Redback does not recommend the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets more than 90 days before a trip in case the trip gets cancelled. If you do purchase outside this window, we highly recommend purchasing our Travel Protection Plan. If you wish to make your own airline reservations, visit www.kayak.com. We recommend emailing your proposed itinerary to our logistics manager Anne, for review prior to purchase.

Passport / Visa
A valid passport is required for all international travel. Allow 4 weeks for delivery.

A tourist visa is required for travel in India. Obtain your Visa 4 weeks prior to departure. 

Visit www.travisa.com for all your visa requirements.

Tipping
Gratuities for leaders are greatly appreciated, and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and leadership during your vacation. Please take into consideration the amount of time and energy your leaders put in to make your experience a success. The amount is entirely a personal preference but the suggested donation is 5-10% of the trip cost per leader.

Money
• We recommend bring one or two ATM cards. ATM cards with the Cirrus, Star or Link logos on the back will work.
• American dollars are also easy to change and we recommend bringing some cash in case of an emergency.
• Travelers checks are also possible to change.
• Credit cards are not always accepted. Do not rely on this as your sole means of payment.

Travel Protection Plan
Redback Travels offers a Travel Protection Plan designed to protect you around the world in the event of lost luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, an injury or an unavoidable yet costly flight delay. Our plan covers trip cancellation for medical reasons; trip delay; medical expenses; accidental death; lost baggage; and medical evacuation. As a convenience to our guests, the cost is automatically added to your invoice. It’s effective on the day your designated travel protection plan payment or final trip payment is received by our office. Please note that deposits may not be applied toward your travel protection plan premium. Should you not be interested in our travel protection plan, simply deduct the amount from the invoice total at time of final payment.

If you choose not to use our plan, a Traveler’s Insurance Plan with medical coverage covering a minimum of $50,000 is required and must be emailed to us prior to departure.

For more information contact Please contact Nathan or call 503.807.8274.

Vaccinations
Please talk to your doctor 8 weeks prior to departure about any vaccinations you may need. We recommend having Typhoid, Hep A, and Tetanus shots current for all India/Burma trips. For Peru, Typhoid isn't necessary. For information on current vaccinations visit: www.cdc.gov 

Phone / E-mail / Computers
The easiest way to keep in contact during your trip is through an international plan on your cell phone or iPad. Wifi is gaining popularity but isn't always reliable. Having a data roaming plan makes calling and emailing home more accessible. It is also easy to do e-mail at an internet cafe. There are also phone booths everywhere to call the States for a very cheap price. Your leaders will have local cell phones in case of an emergency. If you wish to bring a laptop, that is also an option. Just take into consideration that one of the nicest parts about travel abroad is leaving technology behind to really soak in your surroundings. The more "connected" you are, the more "disconnected" you may become from your group members and overall experience. 

Laundry
Laundry is very easy and inexpensive to have taken care of in India. Virtually every hotel we stay at provides laundry service. It takes 24 hours so plan accordingly. We recommend not bringing clothes you love since their methods involving swatting the clothing on the ground. Also, some discoloration may occur (especially with whites). 

Physical Requirements
All Redback Travels spiritual adventures require some physical activity. On all trips, yoga is part of the daily routine and prior yoga experience is required. Please make sure you are in good physical condition and can walk for multiple hours over a several day span. Hiking in the Himalayas is at altitude and we will make sure to acclimatize accordingly. Travel in India is challenging and can be tiring. There are long travel days in sometimes less than ideal conditions. Make sure you consult with your doctor before coming to obtain proper medication and bring plenty of Emergen-C, vitamins, probiotics, etc. to stay in good health.

We guarantee a life-changing experience, not necessarily a relaxing vacation!

Yoga Information

• While prior yoga experience is necessary, beginners are welcome.
• Please try to attend at least 2 classes / week so that you are relatively comfortable with a regular asana practice.
• We will conduct yoga and meditation classes each morning as much as possible.
• Our classes will complement the group and the demands of the trip and we will adjust accordingly as we see necessary.

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins & Dominique Lapierre
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Lonely Planet India
The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama
Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rimpoche
In Search of Secret India by Paul Brunton
 
Recommended Movies:
The Namesake
Monsoon Wedding
Born into Brothels
City of Joy
Outsourced
Slumdog Millionaire
PBS Special - A History of India