Interested In India?

Please contact rmudd@hopechest.org if you are interested in this Vision Trip.

Purpose:

Vision trips are designed primarily for pastors, church or community leaders who are interested in the prospect of having their church or community sponsor an orphan community.  This is a great way to get to know India, HopeChest and the orphan communities available for sponsorship. These trips also enable you to visit various locations throughout the country and provide ministry to orphans and vulnerable children suffering through extreme poverty.

Dates:

June 20th – July 3rd
* This means you will depart the U.S. on the 20th of June and return to the U.S. on the 3rd of July.

Cost:

$900.00-1,000 (excluding passport) land costs which includes all lodging, on ground transportation, food, and travel insurance and a trip to the Taj Mahal.

Flights:

You will book and purchase your own flight; please do not book your flight until I send out our team leader’s flight itinerary, at which time you may either book on same flight or find a different flight, but you must arrive and depart the same airport at the same time as the trip leader.

Documents:

Passport and visa. You will need both a passport and a visa for India(approximate cost for visa $73.00).  All visitors to India will need a visa. Once you have your passport, apply for your Indian Visa at this website: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/homepage. Click: Online Application or “need an Indian Visa”, click here to get started”, then click “Apply by Mail” Select Tourist Visa. You will be taken through the process and asked for various information.  Here are some questions that we must give you the answers to:
* Type of visa: Tourist
* Places you plan to visit: New Delhi and Agra
* Period of Visa: 14 days
* Are you holding a valid “No objection to return to India” endorsement: No
* Object of Journey: To visit friends and see the sites of India
* Are you traveling on behalf of a company: No
* Port of Arrival: New Delhi, Delhi
* Name and address of reference in India: Dr Ananthi Jebasingh, 121 Mandakini Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110019
* Name and address of reference in applicant’s county: list a relative

Important: Follow the instructions given on the website. You will also need to provide 2 photos (same as passport from Post office or other passport photo location); a copy of your driver’s license and you MUST mail your passport with the application.

Medical:

Make sure you receive any needed vaccinations at least 3 weeks prior to departure. Keep a record of the vaccinations you receive.  To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–8 weeks before your trip.
Please check out the CDC’s travel website for India regarding immunizationshttp://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/india.aspx

Itinerary:

The Good Samaritan School in New Delhi, cultural shopping and site seeing in and around Delhi.

Deadlines:

April 25th
Paperwork due - signed CHC agreements, copy of your passport, and deposit of $400.00 (8 weeks out).
Payment Details - pay online @hopechest.org under the “give” tab – be sure to use the trip code IA100601T on all payments, check and online payments.  If you are sending a check, mail to Children’s HopeChest 9240 Explorer Drive Ste 202 Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

May 23rd
Remaining land fees due (4 weeks out).

Helpful Information

Accommodations
You will stay in an apartment at the Good Samaritan School.  The accommodations are modest, but each person will have a bed, there is running water and air conditioning.

Travel
You will be traveling in buses with a trusted driver.

Safety
Your safely is a high priority.  It is our practice to travel in groups and to arrive at our lodging (either guesthouse or hotel) each night by sundown.

Food
- Breakfast will usually be at our hotel or apartment
- Lunch will vary depending on schedule (sometimes sandwiches and sometimes restaurant meals)
- Dinner will usually be at restaurants or hotels
- Snacks/Drinks: gas stations will give you the opportunity to purchase snacks, chips, bars, drinks etc.

What to Pack:
- Passports, Visa and Vaccination Record
- Clothes: Men, shorts, pants, shirts, avoid shirts with sayings that could be offensive
- Women: Skirts, (at least knee length), Capris. Shirts – well covered and not see through, also please avoid any shirts with spaghetti straps. It is a good idea to pack a day or two of clothing in your carry on luggage, just in case.
- Laundry service may be available in some areas

Electronics
- Video camera (small ones only please)
- Still camera
- Laptop
- Memory card reader
- Adapters
- Unlocked cell phones (we will have one for emergencies)
- Backpack for travel (all electronics should fit and be light enough to carry)

Money:
Cash shopping and incidentals