Ananda California

6–22 June 2011

Details

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Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation:

Ananda devotees in America are opening their hearts and homes, donating their resources and time, to make this visit possible. We plan to keep our group to under 20 people so we can stay in the homes of individual Ananda members at Ananda Village, Palo Alto, and Sacramento. For most pilgrims, this means 2 people sharing a room, and sharing bathrooms.

We'll hire 1 or 2 passenger vans for transportation. Most meals are at Ananda facilities. A few meals are in restaurants.

Flights from India

We can advise you in arranging your own flight, flying into Los Angeles and out of San Francisco or San José. Upon arrival, we'll meet your flight in Los Angeles if you arrive in the morning or early afternoon of 6 June. For departure, we'll take you to San Francisco or San José airport during the day on 22 June. India-California flights now cost about Rs. 60,000 but can increase dramatically closer to our departure, so booking early is best.

You can also arrive on your own in the US before the group, or remain longer in the US after the pilgrimage. Flights over the Atlantic, especially on a US carrier, may allow you to stop over on your own in other US cities.

Costs

Rs. 65.000 plus airfare from India, arriving in Los Angeles, and departing from San Francisco or San José.

Cost includes: shared (double) accommodations; 3 meals/day for 6 days; breakfast and 1 other meal for 10 days. Also included: ground transportation; airport transfers at the arrival and departure times indicated above; admission to events and shrines.

Not included: personal expenses; additional meals, snacks, and drinks (budget Rs. 5,000 to 10,000); personal travel and airport transfers outside indicated times.

Single-room accommodation in Los Angeles, if desired, is an additional Rs. 5,500.

Prices are estimates, based on participation of at least 10 pilgrims and no significant changes in the exchange rate or cost of petrol.

To Reserve Your Space

Read the Terms and Conditions. Contact us right away if you are interested.

Fill out and e-mail us your application.

Make a deposit as instructed below.

If you don't have a passport or visa, you must start that process now.

Payment

A deposit of Rs. 5,000 per person is needed to reserve your space. Payments by cheque or bank draft payable to "Ananda Sangha", or in person by cash. Your participation is confirmed only when we approve your application and receive deposit. Balance of fee due by 20 April 2011. In case of cancellation, Rs. 1,000 of fee is non-refundable. Cancellation close to date of departure may incur additional costs.

Preparation for Pilgrimage

Weather? What to pack? What to wear? Luggage restrictions?

We'll help you through all these questions and more by e-mail, with letters on preparation and answers to any individual questions.

Passport

If you do not have a valid passport, apply for one right away. The process can take weeks, and you must have a passport before requesting a visa. 

US Visa

This is the deciding factor for some would-be travellers. A visa is not easy for some people to obtain, and you must start the process now. Some applicants have had to miss this pilgrimage because they waited too long before applying for a visa. At present there is no more than a 2-week wait for a visa in Indian cities, but that can change quickly. We can advise you, and you will need the advice, so let us know if you need a visa.

Tour Leaders

This pilgrimage will be led by Keshava and Daya Taylor of Ananda Sangha India.

Next page: Application