Do you tours include airfare?
All domestic airfare is included in your trip price. International airfare is not included. Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours and as such it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. If you live in Canada or the U.S.A our agent will be happy to help you arrange flights. You may also book these flights online. Our preferred site is www.kayak.com. If you choose to book on your own, please make sure to send us your proposed itinerary before purchasing so we can double check the schedule.

Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?
Driver, porters, and restaurant tips are included in the trip price (unless otherwise indicated). Local and Redback leader tips are not included in the tour price. Gratuities are greatly appreciated, and at your discretion, as a gesture of thanks for their professionalism and leadership during your vacation.

How many people can join a tour?
We keep our group sizes low so you have the freedom to move around and get involved with your surroundings. Expect anywhere from 10-22 travelers on a trip. Group size is at the discretion of the yoga teacher. The ideal group size is 14-18.

Who are my traveling companions?
Amazing yogis and adventurers from around the globe! The majority of our guests are women but men make up about 15% of our clients. Ages range from 25-75 with the majority ranging in their 30s-50s.

How many people are in a room?
Our trips are based on double occupancy with private bath. If you are traveling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another Redback traveler of the same sex. If you request a roommate, we will pair you with that person.

I'm a single traveler, will I be charged a single supplement?
We have a limited number of single supplements on each trip for an additional fee. Occasionally, it is not possible to have your own room but we try to accommodate this request whenever possible. The cost and the details vary by trip, so please refer to each trip summary page for details. For most trips, requests for single rooms are confirmed at time of reservation. However, your single room request may not be confirmed until 30 days before trip departure. If no roommate is available, there is no additional charge if you sign up more than 60 days in advance. If you sign up within 60 days, a single occupancy supplement will apply. On some occasions, twin rooms consist of one bed and one roll-away or fold-out sleeper. On a few trips, twin room availability is limited; a single occupancy supplement applies if a twin room is not available, regardless of the number of days before departure.

Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour?
Redback Travels will provide a list of recommended hotels for pre- and post- trip nights that you may book on your own. If you would like us to book your hotel, we charge an additional $60.

Can you provide me with a list of the hotels we will be staying at?
Starting and ending hotels along with a list of emergency contact numbers will be sent to you one week before departure. If your family requires contact information, or in case of emergency, please have them call 503-708-7877 or email us.

When is my tuition due?
Full tuition is due 90 days prior to your trip departure date. If you book within 90 days, the entire amount of the tuition is due at that time.

Can I join a tour late or leave it early?
It is difficult but not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please consult Redback Travels before you book your adventure as each individual situation may vary.

Are airport transfers included?
Our adventures include airport transfers to your hotel. A driver will meet you at the airport with your name clearly written on a yellow card. As much as possible, we will pair you with other travelers arriving at or around the same time (within 30 mins). We will send all airport pick-up info 14 days prior to departure. Departure transfers are not included and can be locally arranged at additional cost from your finishing point hotel.

What type of ground transportation is used on your tours?
Trip specific information on transportation can be found on the trip summary page but in general, we combine public and private transportation. How you get there significantly influences the tone of your journey and public transportation allows face-to-face interaction with the local people. Private transportation can be more efficient so when time is of the essence, we opt for private transportation and domestic flights.

What is the meal arrangement?
The trip price includes 2 meals per day, breakfast and either lunch OR dinner (indicated on individual itinerary). This is subject to change according to the day's events. This allows our customers to enjoy one meal or snacks on their own in hopes of interacting with the culture more. We will provide a list of recommended (and safe) restaurants in each city. Expect mostly vegetarian meals with some chicken, fish (in the South), and mutton (goat) if you choose. In India, you will often hear the terms "veg" and "non-veg" and it is easy to be either. However, we have found it safer to choose veg. For large groups, we try to order ahead of time as much as possible to speed up the time spent in restaurants.

What is the most appropriate type of luggage to bring?
We strongly recommend bringing a wheeled suitcase with a handle. While roads can be bumpy, they work well. Keep in mind that you will normally have to carry your own luggage on and off buses and trains and up and down hotel staircases so pack lightly!

What clothing should I pack for one of your adventures?
We always recommend packing as light as possible however the specific requirements for your tour will vary widely depending on where and when you are traveling. We will mail you a packing list which may also be downloaded from each individual trip summary page.

Can you help arrange my travel visas?
A current visa is required for all travel to India. Although we are unable to arrange visas on your behalf we have provided links on our Before You Go page to websites that will help you determine how to get your visa.

What vaccinations are recommended for this adventure?
It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. Our Before You Go page has our recommendations but please consult with a qualified medical professional.