Time lines

PASSPORTS
Check your passport and make sure it will remain valid for at least six months after your arrival in all destination countries. If you do not have one or if it expires within six months of arrival, you will need to renew your passport. Allow two months for this process. For more info, contact the US Passport Office: (800) 688-9889 or go to the Dept of State Website

VACCINATIONS & MEDICATIONS
You should check with your doctor about recommended vaccinations and medications for travel in India. Generally Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid are recommended and sometimes Malaria medication, depending on what area you are traveling in. You usually should get these vaccinations 4-6 weeks prior to your departure date but some vaccinations may require a series of shots so best to check with your doctor or travel clinic.

Ask your doctor to record your vaccinations in the yellow International Certificate of Vaccination booklet. Also be sure to ask them for any prescriptions refills. Also ask your doctor for advisability regarding a prescription for Cipro which is an antibiotic used for intestinal problems.

Note: check with your insurance company regarding what they will and will not cover. Many will not cover travel vaccinations.

For complete details on recommended vaccinations as well as great tips for staying healthy in India, see to the CDC website.

If you are a Kaiser member, they have a number of travel related services.

California Pacific Medical Center operates a Travel Clinic at 3801 Sacramento Street, in San Francisco at (415) 600-2356.

An alternate and excellent alternative to your doctor is the S.F. Dept of Health Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic at 101 Grove St, Rm 102. (415) 554-2625. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9-4; Tues 9-3. Open during lunch. Available even to non-S.F. residents. They may accept insurance; check with them. You need to set up an appointment for a travel consultation at which time they will make recommendations. You can purchase our medication there. Go to their website for costs and full info.

According to the Adult Immunization clinic, vaccinations are good for the following amount of years: Polio: 10 years; Typhoid: 2 years; Hepatitis A: 20 years; Hepatitis B: 10-12 years; Tetanus: 10 years.

Passport to Health operates a number of travel clinics throughout the Bay Area.

A list of local health clinics, some of which offer low fee or no fee vaccinations (Hep A & B, TDAP, but not typhoid) can be found here.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Check with your health insurance plan to get clear if/what they will cover during your travels.

Travel insurance is highly recommended; it can save alot of money if you run into problems. Different packages cover different things so read the fine print. Among the items that travel insurance may cover are: trip cancellation, loss and theft during your trip; sickness, injury during your trip, and emergency evacuation due to medical emergency.

The following are some well known companies. Be sure to read the fine print and compare coverages. Please note that cost of the insurance is based on the cost of your trip; if you tell them you don't want to be covered for the cost of the trip (due to cancellations), you'll save a lot of money.

Travelex: 800-228-9792
TravelGuard: 800-826-4919. America's #1 travel protection. Easily to navigate sight. Packaged plan.

Another place to obtain travel insurance is through your travel agent.

VISAS
You need to obtain a Tourist Visa to enter India.

You have two options in procuring a tourist visa.

1. You can obtain an e-tourist visa if you plan to be in India for less than 30 days. The visa cost is $61.50 plus service fees. The application is made online and you can apply for it no more than 30 days and no less than 5 days before your departure. To apply, go to: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html

2. If you are going to be in India for more than 30 days, you need to apply for a regular visa which is multiple entry, valid for 10 years, and costs $120 plus service fees. Your application can be mailed in or submitted in person. If mailed in, allow at least 2 weeks. The consulate of India has named Cox and Kings Global Services as their authorized agent. Their San Francisco Operations Center located at 225 Bush Street, First Floor, San Francisco, 94104, 516-206-1483. Click here for more information and to begin your application process. The application process is very extensive and takes about 2 hours! You need to fill out everything accurately or it will be rejected. To help you with the questions, download an information sheet.

When applying for a visa you will be asked for your contact information while India (name, address, phone). You can use the following:

For Ganeshpuri: Jeanetta Haley, Fire Mt Retreat Center, Ganeshpuri, District Thana, Maharastra, +91 963.787.0587

For Goa: Mukesh Kumar, Ashiyana Retreat Center, Mandrem Beach, Goa. +91-985 040 1714

Note: your passport must valid for at least six months after your arrival date in India. More information on Indian visas is also available on the Dept of State website.


MEDICAL AND DENTAL CHECKUPS
Since we'll be a long way from home, it's a good idea to get a physical and dental checkup before you go .

COMPLETE NEEDED VACCINATIONS AND MEDICATIONS
Complete needed vaccinations. Obtain prescriptions for medications you are currently taking as well as for Malaria and Cipro if your doctor recommends. Order/obtain Preventative Medicines.

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MAKE COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTION
To prevent a lot of hassle in the event that your documents are lost or stolen, make 3 photocopies of:

• the inside page of your passport (the page which contains your photo)
• your ticket
• the serial numbers of your traveler's checks.
• your credit card

Leave one copy at home with someone. Load a copy to the cloud or give to another person on the tour. Keep a third copy yourself.

NOTIFY YOUR BANK AND CREDIT CARD COMPANY
Notify your bank and credit card company of the dates you plan to be away and the countries you may use your ATM/Credit card. Otherwise you may find that transactions are blocked.

FLIGHT NEEDS
Contact your airlines if you have special needs such as meal or seat requests, etc. 

AIRPORT ARRIVAL
Arrive at the International Terminal at least three hours before departure. Be sure to bring your passport and ticket!

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