South Indian Sea and Safari

South Indian Sea and Safari

Day 1 (Wednesday)
You will depart the United States on the escorted group flight to India today.

Day 2 (Thursday)
Welcome to India! You will land in Delhi in the evening, and your trip leaders will be at the airport eagerly awaiting your arrival.  Once everyone has cleared customs and collected their baggage, you will head to the hotel for a relaxing evening and the chance to recover from jet lag.

Day 3 (Friday) 
Catch a morning flight from Delhi to Cochin, and marvel in the lush green beauty of the Southern state of India. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your beautiful homestay hotel after a couple long days of flights, then head to the beach to watch the sun set on the beautiful shores of the Arabian Sea. Enjoy dinner at a welcoming and friendly nearby restaurant known throughout India for its delicious Southern cuisine.

Day 4 (Saturday)
In the morning we’re off to visit a local crabbing farm. We’ll take traditional country boats to a small island – you will even get the opportunity to try your hand at rowing the huge boat yourself should you wish! Learn about the process of maintaining a crab farm, pull in a huge Chinese fishing net, and watch as local women turn goods from coconut trees into everything from roofs to huge braided ropes. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch, and then we’ll row our way back to the mainland. In the afternoon we’ll explore the town of Cochin and visit the local museums and church.

Day 5 (Sunday)
Today we’ll travel from Cochin to Munnar. We’ll drive through the amazing hillsides of Southern India and arrive to take a visit of the tea museum in the city. More than a museum, you’ll learn how tea is made from leaf to cup, and of course get a chance to sample what makes this area so famous! We will stay at a gorgeous hotel hideaway in what looks like the heart of an out-of-this-world jungle. In the evening you’ll have the option to get a massage – you’ll be in for a treat as Kerala is the birthplace of the ayuravedic massage and will definitely not disappoint!  

Day 6 (Monday)
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll take a private jeep safari through the hills and many tea plantations of the area. Keep your eyes peeled for wild elephants – they have a habit of roaming these hills and drinking from one of the many lakes you’ll pass. You’ll also pass hillside waterfalls and have the opportunity to go on a rowboat on one of the many lakes you’ll see. In the evening, we’ll return to our jungle hideaway for an evening barbeque as you listen to the forest birds fill the trees with their beautiful songs.

Day 7 (Tuesday)
Today we’re off to Chettuva which is home to a huge elephant preserve. This elephant preserve takes in abandoned or donated elephants and cares for them for an annual festival celebration at a local temple. You’ll learn how these trainers care for these magnificent creatures and even get the opportunity to help bathe one of these gentle giants!

Day 8 (Wednesday)
In the morning, we’ll visit a different area with only a few elephants where you will actually get the opportunity to ride one of these wonderful animals! Climb aboard, but hold on tight! You’ll be amazed at how you can literally feel the awesome power of these wonderful animals in the short trek you’ll take around the park. In the afternoon we’ll make the drive to Calicut, where you’ll have the chance to play in the crashing waves of the Arabian Sea before the sun sets. In the evening, watch a cooking demo and pick up a few skills on what it means to be a true Indian chef!

Day 9 (Thursday)
Today we’ll make the drive to Wayanad, where you will stay in a picturesque hotel the overlooks an endless horizon of huge forest trees. Spend the afternoon taking small hikes throughout the village and town or spend some time relaxing in a hammock on your way down to the riverside. Enjoy an evening bonfire where you can try and convince the local hotel staff (and your trip leaders) to join you in some off-key sing a longs or by practicing with some local Indian instruments.

Day 10 (Friday)
Wake up in the morning and head for the caves! We’ll explore some ancient, but really well preserved caves high atop one of the nearby mountains. After hiking to the top, see the ancient text scrolled on the side of cave walls and marvel at the beams of sunlight that stream in through the ceiling. In the evening have a veritable feast of Indian cuisine and western dishes that will fill your belly for days to come!

Day 11 (Saturday) 
We’re now off to Kannur! In the afternoon we’ll visit a rural village where you will get to take a tour of the village’s homes, meet some of the locals as they invite you in for a cup of chai, and even take your turn at having a village member teach you how to shoot a few arrows. In the early evening we’ll visit the huge local lake nestled into the hillside where we’ll take a speedboat adventure through the center of the lake! 

Day 12 (Sunday)
In the morning we will make our way to the town of Valiyaparamba and the Oyster Opera Hotel that is situated right on the edge of the Kerala backwaters. Every few students will share their own private hut, including their own hammock that sits between two palm trees right out your front door. Spend the day enjoying the facilities around the hotel – pick up a volleyball game with some locals, take a paddleboat venture around the lake, or take a canoe out for row out on the backwaters. For dinner, its another feast including fresh seafood dishes brought in from the day’s catch.

Day 13 (Monday)
In the morning we’ll follow a couple of local fisherman out to the backwaters and learn how they bring in their goods. Learn how to throw traditional fishing nets and how the flora and fauna of this area flourish. In the afternoon, we’ll take private boats to a secluded beach on the Arabian Sea. Huge stretches of beach property with nay a person to sea. We’ll spend the afternoon learning how to weave palm fronds on the beach, kicking around a soccer ball, and playing in the waves of the ocean!

Day 14 (Tuesday)
Today we’ll make our way to Mangalore for our final full day in India. In the big city of Mangalore we’ll have the opportunity to go shopping in the local markets and at the malls. The ladies will have the chance to get a sari tailored for them, while the boys can have a traditional lungi crafted for them. In the evening we’ll have the opportunity for more shopping or to see a Bollywood movie before turning in and preparing for an early flight tomorrow!

Day 15 (Wednesday)
We’ll wake up early to make it to the airport in Mangalore! Say your goodbyes to the beautiful green lands around you before boarding the flight back up to Delhi. After landing in Delhi, we’ll have our final meal together before you board your international flight back home.

Day 16 (Thursday)
Arrive back into the United States where you can tell your friends and family about your wonderful adventure! Thanks for sharing the summer with us in India! An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur

When packing, please be mindful of the conservative Indian culture and please leave skimpy clothing, sleeveless shirts, short shorts, and other revealing clothing behind.  Remember that part of being a good traveler is fitting in with your surroundings and clothing that is normal at home can be extremely suggestive and often times offensive in the areas we will travel to.  Most people in India rarely wear shorts, almost always wear pants or dresses, and keep their shoulders covered despite the sometimes high temperatures.  If you do not pack conservative clothing, our staff will request that you to purchase appropriate clothing upon arriving to India.

» Passport WITH MINIMUM 6-Month Multiple Entry India visa
» Airline Tickets
» Wallet with about $100
» 2 Photocopies of the front 2 pages of your passport
» 2 Photocopies of your Indian Visa
» T-shirt
» Comfortable pants or pajama bottoms
» Sunglasses
» Toothpaste (less than 3 oz tube though!)
» Toothbrush
» Journal and Pen
» Water Bottle (stay well hydrated on your flight, it helps with jet lag!)
» Snacks
» Deck of Cards
» Suggested reading:  Dalai Lama’s autobiography “Freedom in Exile” or Hermann Hesse’s classic “Siddhartha,” for Leh/Ladakh programs
>Camera and film (bring all of your film in your carry on and have it hand checked instead of putting it through the x-ray machines)

• Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large back pack work best - wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.  It is important that you try to keep your total luggage to one piece of checked luggage.  Often you will have to carry it through streets, so it should be easily manageable!

For all programs pack the following items in your checked luggage:
» Sleeping sack (can be purchased from www.rei.com item #627251 – cocoon cotton
  mummy liner)
» Lightweight long pants (3 pairs).  Ex Officio, REI, and Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) all make nice ones.  You will wear pants most of the time in India, as showing your knees is considered inappropriate and even men rarely wear shorts!  Women dress VERY conservatively in India, so please respect the local culture.
» Underwear (7 pairs)  (sink washable underwear like Patagonia and Ex Officio travelers underwear are recommended and you can bring only 3-4 if you wash in the sink.
» Socks (2 pairs)
» Swimsuit
» T-shirts with sleeves (5 t-shirts)
» Long sleeve t-shirts (2 long sleeves, it can get chilly at night)
» Lightweight rain jacket (this rain jacket should be waterproof, the rains can be heavy at times in northern India)
» One pair of shorts (modesty is important in Indian culture)
» Tennis shoes (something you can work in)
» Sandals that are strapped (Tevas or Chacos are recommended)
» Soap in a plastic dish (Versatile liquid soaps like “Camp Suds” or “Dr. Bronners” can be more convenient for travel and biodegradable.  These can be used to wash your own laundry and yourself!)
» Biodegradable shampoo (pack in a zip-lock bag)
» Personal First Aid Kit (optional, we carry first aid kids on all of our trips, but personal Tylenol, medications, band-aids, etc… can be convenient)
» Small bag for day trips (this can double as your carry-on bag)
» Sunscreen (pack in a zip-lock bag)
» Chapstick
» Aloe Vera (optional)
» Insect repellant (one heavy in DEET and one natural citronella- pack in a zip-lock bag)
» Hand sanitizer (1 small bottles packed in a zip-lock bag)
» Handiwipes or towlettes
» Small packs of Kleenex tissues for public toilets in India, toilet paper can be hard to find sometimes
» Sweatshirt
» Hat for sun
» Flashlight or headlamp with an extra battery
» One towel (not white, a travel towel works great and can be found at any outdoor store like REI)
» Laundry bag or pillowcase
» Medications.  Bring with you whatever medications you will need during your trip, and you must disclose to your staff during orientation all of the medications that you are carrying.
» Contacts and solution if necessary (packed in a zip-lock bag)
» Small photo album of your family and friends to show the locals
» Musical instruments are always appreciated if they can be easily carried
» Frisbee, hackysack, or other fun, easy-to-carry items

Don’t leave home without your sense of adventure!!  Incredible India awaits! 
Optional Items:

• Travel Pillow *a pillowcase can be a great dirty laundry bag or a comfortable pillow if you stuff it with a sweatshirt. So you could bring two pillowcases, one for each purpose

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
The group flight to India departs from EWR (Newark) to DEL (Delhi) is a 14 hour and 15 minute nonstop flight and the return flight from DEL to EWR is 15 hours and 15 minutes. Students only traveling on India programs will travel on this flight and depart on WEDNESDAY’S. Students traveling on India and other Asia programs will be departing on TUESDAY’S on our Singapore Airlines flights. For more information on flights, please visit www.rusticpathways.com/traveldesk.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
A flight leader escorts all Rustic Pathways group flights between the USA and India. You will receive more detailed information about where to meet your flight leader closer to your departure date, along with your flight information.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
YES! All students traveling to India are responsible for obtaining their own visa for India. You must obtain a minimum 6-month, multiple entry tourist visa. The information for obtaining the visa can be found at: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/

You will need a reference for your visa, which is provided to you or you can email india@rusticpathways.com for this information as well.

4 – What areas does this program travel to?
The South India Sea and Safari program will fly into Delhi, then the following day fly to Kerala. For more information on the day-to-day locations, please see the itinerary on the program page.

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. Rustic Pathways only requires an up-to-date tetanus shot for its participants.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
This program connects seamlessly with our other India programs. Students traveling in different regions of India will use Delhi as their hub, while students connecting between Kerala programs will remain in Kerala at the conclusion of their trip with a Rustic Pathways staff member and other students connecting to other Kerala programs. This program also easily connects with any of our other programs in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and China.

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
The climate during this time of year generally is hot and sometimes humid. During much of the year, temperatures in India can be in excess of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As a coastal region, there can also be sporadic rains, but they generally pass quickly during this time of year.

10- Will I receive community service hours on this program?
This trip does not offer a specific community service component in the areas that we travel. This program does however connect easily with a few of our other community service driven programs in India, as well as many of our other community service programs in other countries in Asia.

11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
This program is not very strenuous, but students should be able to hike short distances, and be in fairly good physical shape. Students with health concerns should contact our India staff at: india@rusticpathways.com

12- What costs are not included on this trip?
The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy souvenirs. Students should also bring extra money if they wish to purchase additional snacks or soda from the local grocery store, phone calls home, and internet access along the way. We generally recommend approximately $150 per week of travel to cover these costs, but ultimately it depends on a student’s spending habits.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
This program does not have optional activities that will require a student to spend extra money.

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
Most of the meals on this program will be in restaurants. We will also have packed lunches on many days of the trip.

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
India is extremely vegetarian friendly, however some special diets may be more difficult to cater to during parts of the trip. If a student has questions, they should contact india@rusticpathways.com or contact our administrative offices for more information.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
Students will either be given pre-packaged bottled water or water that has been filtered and purified prior to consumption.

17 - What will the accommodations on this trip be like?
Students will be staying in a mixture of comfortable guest houses and hotels.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
Public bathrooms in India are quite limited and often times, require students to use primitive bathroom facilities. Students should be prepared to use squat toilets throughout India that may not be up to the same levels of cleanliness as bathrooms at home. Sometimes this can be as simple as a hole in the ground. Don’t worry though, you’ll get used to it quickly! It is also recommended to carry some toilet paper with you during your travels. You can buy it here too! In most of our guest houses and hotels, students will have western style bathrooms with hot showers. Sometimes the hot water is limited.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
Our programs generally are between equal and sometimes leaning a little bit more to the female side of group balance at about 60% female and 40% male.

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
Depending on the program, we sometimes have a lower staff to student ratio, but with safety as our top priority, we maintain at least a 4 or 5 to 1 student to staff ratio.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have guides that are certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
During this program, students will be moving around a bit, so laundry will only be able to be done one or two times on the program. Students should keep in mind that they don’t need new outfits for each day and ‘rewearing’ clothing is perfectly fine! In fact, the less you pack, the happier of a traveler you’ll be. Many of your guides will be carrying just a small pack to travel with, you’d be amazed at how little you need! Laundry will be the equivalent of about US$10 per load generally.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
Students will have access to phones and internet throughout their travels and have the time to use them about every 2-3 days, but this can vary through the trip. Parents will receive safe arrival emails upon their student’s arrival and should also remember that many students get to India and to fully immerse themselves in their trip and new opportunities stay away from things like phone and internet which connect them back to their lives at home. This is completely normal and parents should remember that ‘no news is good news’ if they don’t hear from their child during the course of their trip.

22- What is the ratio of guides to students?
Depending on the program, we sometimes have a lower staff to student ratio, but with safety as our top priority, we maintain at least a 4 or 5 to 1 student to staff ratio.