Please read over these instructions and extra info.

Transcription

1 Rishis International Neelkanth Road, Khrekhal - Maral Tallai, Rishikesh info@rishisinternational.com (Europe) or stutsy@gmail.com (India) Please read over these instructions and extra info. At the footsteps of the Himalayas, near the holy river Ganga, Rishis international is situated close to Rishikesh: the yoga capital of India. At a walking distance from the famous Shiva Temple "Neelkanth", Rishis International provides you a royal Indian jungle experience along with magnificent stays in luxurious rooms and ecocottages. Rishis International welcomes you for yoga vacations and retreats. Holidays where you come home to a place where you can rejuvenate, meditate and to go deeper in silence. Waking up to the sound of waterfalls and singing birds, it is the perfect location to move away from the city life. Enjoy the silence of the hidden village in the tropical jungle, while still having the opportunity to explore the lively yoga city of Rishikesh with all it's rituals and Indian markets full of colours and beats. Reaching to Rishis International retreat center - transfers Rishis International is situated approximately 15 km from Rishikesh city and approximately 35 km from the nearest airport 'Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport'. There a several flights a day from New Delhi International Airport to Dehradun. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach there. We provide transfers for our guests from Dehradun Jolly Airport to the retreat centre. The one-way transfer is chargeable at 40,00 euros per vehicle. Please be informed that the fee of your transfers to and from Rishis International are not included in the fee of your retreat, but we will help you arrange it and will do our best to match you with another guest so you can share the ride. You will be picked up by our driver at the agreed point at the airport and dropped off at the resort, making your retreat fully hassle free. You will be provided with the contact information of Ms. Sadhana, one of your hosts at the retreat centre. She will schedule your transfers. Rishis International More Info - pg. 1

2 At the Jolly Grant airport, you will meet your driver at the main entrance. He will be holding a sign with ' Rishis International'. Please make sure to provide Sadhana with your fight number so that your transfer can be arranged accordingly and that we can be aware of any possible delays or cancellations. Any additional transfers to or from Rishikesh city that you may wish to use can be arranged as well. Please contact Sadhana, your main contact person at the retreat center to schedule your transportations. Due to the unique location of the retreat center, which is hidden away from the main road and based on a slightly higher level, please be informed that the last 300 meters will be covered by foot. We will provide you with guidance and luggage assistance. If you prefer to come to Rishikesh a day before or after retreats, you could spend one or several days in Rishikesh and then join us at Rishis International. We can arrange for your transport from the city to the resort. This transfer will be chargeable at 15,00 euros. Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking that you take out full travel insurance with worldwide coverage to cover cancellation and other eventualities. Passport and visa regulations Anyone travelling to India is required to purchase a tourist visa before entering the country. There are two options available: you can either apply for a digital tourist e-visa or regular tourist visa. These can be applied for from the following website: Please make sure to download the list of required documents and forms needed to complete the application. Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of 6 months and having at least 2 blank visa pages. Please bear in mind that the visa application process requires some time and that we advise you to prepare this at least 3 weeks in advance. Vaccinations Travelling in Asian tropical countries requires some extra health concern. In order to minimalize the risk of catching a tropical disease to which you are not resistant, vaccines offer you a solid protection. It is a condition of booking that you have taken these precautions and have received the required vaccinations before taken part in the retreat. Please make sure to schedule an appointment with your local public health service (GGD) preferably at least 4 weeks in advance to receive vaccinations and advice for your journey to India. Accommodation The retreat is based at our retreat centre Rishis International, located at the footsteps of the Himalayas, in a small well hidden valley near the city of Rishikesh, known as the Yoga capital of India. The retreat centre offers its guests comfortable dining and lounge areas overlooking the small mountain stream, as well as a beautiful large yoga-shala overlooking the rice fields and the tropical hills surrounding Rishis International. You will also find a small shop at the centre where you may purchase small items to enhance your stay, such as organic Indian soaps and shower gels, yoga mats and original hand crafted woollen shawls. Rishis International More Info - pg. 2

3 Rishis International provides accommodation with excellent quality, assuring that you will have a pleasant and comfortable stay. They offer luxurious rooms and cottages that are ultimately suitable for shared, double occupations. Rishis International will find someone of the same sex to share with or if you wish to book along with a friend you can mention this in your booking, so they can arrange for your shared accommodation. However, if you are a solo traveller and wish to have more privacy, single person supplements are also available for all rooms. For all types of accommodations bed linen and towels will be provided by Rishis International. Come early/ Stay longer? Space permitting, we may be able to accommodate you for a day early or a day later. Prices are inclusive food for one day, based on double occupancy. Zen or Zorba: 90 Single 100 Eco stone cottage: 75 Single 115 Deluxe stone-bamboo cottage: 85 Single 125 Service and optional extra cleaning fee's Your room will be serviced every 3 days by the staff of Rishis International. Your room and bathroom will be cleaned, your beds will be made-up and fresh towels will be provided. If you wish to use extra cleaning services these can be provided at an extra fee of 15 euros per time. Internet Connection In order to enhance the journey inwards and to protect you from the impulses and distractions from the outside world, the retreat center has no wi-fi connection. However, once every week a trip to Rishikesh is organised including a visit to a wi-fi-zone where you may connect with your friends and beloveds. Mobile Phones Due to the mountains, mobiles are out of range at Rishis International, although it is possible to receive and send text messages at a location on a five-minute walk from the retreat centre where there is a point where you can receive a signal to phone out. Guidelines on the property In respect of the local Indian culture and tradition, we ask you to wear clothing that does not expose yourself very much. As the retreat centre is located at an extra-ordinary location surrounded by dense Indian jungle, you are requested to remain on the premises after a mentioned time in the evening. Food Rishis International More Info - pg. 3

4 Food is an art to prepare and to receive. At our retreat, the food is based on Ayurvedic ingredients and is prepared with love and care and with high hygienic standards. We provide vegetarian Indian-based sattvic cuisine cooked in traditional style, enriched with several healthy, nutritious continental recipes. Food is a very important part of life so we try to offer a balanced menu, with dishes that give nourishment to your body and that are easy to digest, in order to keep you calm and help you to go deeper in meditation. Following the daily retreat program, the lunch will be the most nutritious meal of the day, whereas the dinner will include tasty, lighter meals. On our daily menu you may expect to %nd the following elements: Breakfast: milk-, soja- or almond-milk based porridge, fruit salad, multigrain toast, boiled and scrambled eggs. Accompanied by chai (Indian spiced milk tea), herbal tea and fresh fruit juices Lunch: dahl (nutritious and tasty Indian lentil soup), mixed vegetables in a rich curry sauce accompanied with chapatti's (Indian whole-wheat 0atbread), rice and salads Dinner: Khichry (lentils cooked along with rice and mild spices, composing a light and nutritious meal ultimately suitable for yogi's), dahl (Indian lentil soup) and fresh vegetable salad. Throughout the entire day filtered water and a selection of herbal teas will be provided free of cost. At Rishis International dining area, you may also purchase several tasty and nutritious snacks, bottled mineral water and a variety of other beverages. In our retreat, we share with you the knowledge of how to make a simple act such as eating into a meditative practise. Special Diets We can cater for people with food allergies or intolerances, although please note gluten free fours and bread are not yet available locally in India nor are the usual substitutes for dairy i.e. tofu and other soya 'dairy' products. Soya- and almond milk are available and can be provided for people with dairy intolerance, but we don't provide it simply as a preference. We suggest bringing gluten free bread or snacks, or any other specialities with you if you think you'll need them. We can keep any dietary items you may bring in the fridge if required. Wellness treatments and personal consultations (optional) Guests of our retreat are also offered the option to book personal Ayurvedic consultations and individual Ayurvedic massage sessions. We request you to give a sign in advance if you wish to receive such a treatment, so that all necessary arrangements can be made. Trips and excursions During our weekly program, there will be one day offered that you are completely free to either enjoy the silence and magnificent space of our retreat centre and it's surroundings or you may participate into the excursion that will be organised for that day. Rishis International More Info - pg. 4

5 The following optional excursions can be provided. Based upon the demand by our participants, one excursion will be selected each week and you will be invited to join. Excursion to Rishikesh, including visit to several temples, visits to selectively chosen organic cafes, and participation in the evening 'Arati' Ganga Pooja ritual at the banks of the Ganges. Fee including transportation and 1 joint dinner with a pre-set menu in a restaurant selected by the organization: 50 euros Tracking to magnificent waterfalls, small surrounding villages and local temples, pure and sacred places, unknown to tourists. Fee including transportation and 1 joint dinner with a pre-set menu in a restaurant selected by the organization: 50 euros Visit to the Raja National park with a guided tour to experience the majestic wild life of India. Fee including transportation and 1 joint dinner with a pre-set menu in a restaurant selected by the organization: 60 euros Extras at Rishis International and payments Extras at Rishis International include transfers, massage sessions, bar bills, excursions, and items from our shop. These are all paid for at the end of your stay. Your bill can be paid in Indian Rupees or euro but either cash only or by online bank transfer. We don t have credit card facilities. How much money will I need? Most people spend between of euro 100 euro 200 on extras per week, which include transfers, excursions, massage, visits to Rishikesh, drinks, or items from the shop. What to bring Please bring loose, comfortable clothing for practicing the yoga postures. Also, we recommend that you bring a shawl for meditation practice. Since the evenings may get a bit chilly, please bring a sweater with you as well. For the optional tracking outings, professional walking shoes or strong sandals are highly recommended. We have yoga mats at which you are more than welcome to use. If you prefer to bring your own mat please do. Please pack some sun cream and insect repellent. Also remember to bring your travel adaptor for your various charging needs. Our rooms and cottages provide electricity, nevertheless we strongly recommend that you bring a torch with you for your evening walks on the premises. We provide towels and bedsheets, and in the small shop you may purchase herbal shampoos and body wash and creams. You may want to toss in some earplugs - esp. if you're sharing a room! And of course: bring writing material. A sturdy notebook (we are not always writing on tables) and fast writing pens. Yes, more than one, in case you lose one. And bring a good book. Rishis International More Info - pg. 5