Temperature : 70s Rain : None Difficulty Level : Moderate
  • Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • Booking
  • FAQ

Before booking the trip, please fill out the application. There is a screening process as India trip is not suitable for everyone. Application fees are refundable only if the application is rejected or the trip is cancelled. Please also look over the itinerary, what's included, what's not, and other important topics like what to expect and the cancellation policy in the FAQ.

Begin here: First, let us know that you are interested by clicking on this link, even before booking a trip.
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There will be one for sure, but if there is enough interest, we will organize both the trips.

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29 Dec 2024 - 11 Jan 2025
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Day 1 - Arrive in New Delhi

Day 2 - Visit Taj Mahal

Day 3 - Visit Jaipur palaces

Day 4 - Travel to Goa

Day 5 - Visit St. Francis Xavier's incorrupt body

Day 6 - Portuguese culture & beaches

Day 7 - Travel to Kerala

Day 8 - Visit the first Church built by St. Thomas the Apostle

Day 9 - Houseboat retreat

Day 10 - Visit Kochi

Day 11 - Travel to Calcutta

Day 12 - Visit Mother Teresa's Tomb

Day 13 - Visit Home for the Dying

Day 14 - Goodbye India

  • All Travels within India
  • Hotel Accommodations
  • Entry Tickets to the Tourist Sites (if applicable to this trip)
  • Breakfast
  • Tips
  • International Flights
  • Passport and Visa Fees
  • Vaccinations
  • Travel Insurance
  • Lunch and Dinner
  • Pocket Money
  • Incidentals, etc.
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Yes. And it should be valid for 6 more months from the date of departure.

Yes. If you apply a few months in advance, you will receive a visa for 10 years. You can visit as many times as you want but each trip should not last longer than 6 months. If you apply a few days before the trip, then it is valid only for a month.

If you work for the Church, you have to fill additional forms. If you have criminal background, even if it is from a long time ago, your visa application maybe rejected.

We will walk you through the application process.

No, no vaccinations are mandatory. But a few are highly recommended depending on the time of the year.

We will explain more in a video conference at the time of orientation.

No. But we highly recommend travel insurance.

We will make suggestions and give you referrals during the orientation.

As people will be joining us from all over the country, we usually meet in Los Angeles and fly from there. This will be confirmed at the time of booking of the trip.

Everyone is responsible to get there by themselves. However, we can assist in booking tickets for you from your Home City for a fee.

Most days, yes. Sundays and feast days, definitely. In Calcutta, everyday. Remaining days, when we travel, we will not get a chance to catch Mass but may find a Church for adoration.

Absolutely. But it is expected of you to respect our beliefs and attend our services.

$100. You can bring more if you want to shop more.

If you notify us in advance, we will help you with the currency exchange from dollars to rupees.

Your tour guide or his assistant will be with you the whole time. Communicating and navigating around in India is hard for foreigners. Which is why, we take care of that so you can enjoy admiring the beauty and serve the needy without difficulty or frustrations.

We will share a packing list at the time of orientation, along with the baggage allowance details.

Summer temperature is going to be in the 80s and 90s. Winter temperature is going to be in the 60s and 70s. It will increase by another 10 degrees in both the seasons as we go south. There will be some rain during our summer trips.

Casual wear is most ideal for the trips. Jeans, shorts (summer), t-shirts, polos, sweaters (winter), and dresses with shoulders and knees covered. Short shorts, mini skirts, and tank tops are not allowed on our trips. Some tourist attractions have strict entry regulations.

For feet, Chacos are the usual favorites. Flip flops and sandals are good too. Shoes are less convenient, as they are not allowed in most tourist sites. Whatever you wear, they will get very wet when you are volunteering.

Yes. You just need to bring every sentence down to 3 words to talk with most Indians on the streets. But you will find many students and working professionals who can converse with you for the most part. Just remember to talk slow (not loud) and not use the slang.

All meals are included in India, except for lunches in Calcutta. Prior to arriving in and again after departing from New Delhi/Calcutta, you are responsible for your own meals. However, international flights include meals.

Absolutely. India has many rice options. Most curries are gluten-free and every restaurant offers vegetarian dishes.

You must be at least 18 years old by the time of the trip. Youth between 13 & 17 must be accompanied by a family member or a chaperon.

Physically fit and active adults as well as teens with parents are welcome to join our trips. We usually have mostly young adults and some adults.

There will be 3-5 miles of walking everyday and some days even more. That on top of jetlag will be very difficult for children. And most places in India are not handicap accessible, therefore elderly need to discern our trips very carefully.

Yes. You do not have to worry about any violence. The cities we are visiting are very safe and tourist friendly. You just need to worry about bargaining. For that, we will give you enough tips.

Meals on the other hand can be tricky. Your guide will pick safe places to eat at and remind you not to drink local water or eat cold food. Bottled water is going to become your best friend.

Yes, you will share your hotel room with someone on the trip. We make sure men share rooms with men and women share rooms with women. Married couples and parents and children do not have to sorry about sharing their rooms with others.

If you are not interested in sharing your room, please let us know in advance and we will book a private room for you for an additional fee.

Yes, all the hotels will have WiFi and AC.

Those who signed up to go to Kerala, for the day that we will spend on a houseboat, you will not have WiFi.

In the event that you need to cancel the trip due to any reasons, the following charges will be applicable -

- 0% of the trip cost + the application fees, if intimated BEFORE the flights and hotels are booked.
- 25% of the trip cost + the application fees, if intimated AFTER the flights and hotels are booked.
- 50% of the trip cost + the application fees, if intimated 7 days prior to the trip.
- 75% of the trip cost + the application fees, if intimated 24 hours prior to the trip.

Ministry staff, students and unemployed can apply for scholarships. Contact us for more details.

Yes. We can help you through the process under a few terms and conditions. Contact us for more details.

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