Visa:
Foreign Nationals coming into India are required to possess a valid passport of their country and a valid Indian Visa. You will need to apply for a visa at your local embassy or contact your travel agent.

To enter India your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. There is no provision of 'Visa on Arrival' in India and no fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. Foreign passengers should ensure that they are in possession of valid Indian Visa before they start their journey to India, except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan who do not require visa to enter India and nationals of Maldives who do not require visa for entry in India for a period up to 90 days. A separate Visa regime exists for diplomatic/official passport holders.

Special Permits:
Even with a valid visa, foreign nationals are not allowed everywhere in the country. Certain places require special additional permits, such as Spiti. If you are attending the retreat at Blue Mango in The Himalayas, this permit will be arranged by us.

Passport:
You must have a passport with you at all times, it is the most basic travel document. ensure it is valid for the entire duration of your stay here. If your passport is lost or stolen, immediately contact your country's representative.

Getting to India:
India has several main gateways for international flights, however if you are attending the retreat it is best to book a flight that lands directly in the capital city of New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. There are numerous options of cheap tickets that are available online, and the sooner you book, the higher the chances of getting a great deal.

Local Transport & Accommodation in Delhi:
Although the retreat package does not include airport transfers or accommodation in Delhi, once you have confirmed your participation, we will send you a list of preferred hotels that you can choose from. These will be in all budget categories. We recommend that you ask your hotel for airport transfers. The other option is to take a pre paid, government approved taxi that can be booked from inside the airport itself.

Health:
We highly recommend a full medical check up before your trip to ensure that you have a happy and healthy journey and stay here. Please let your doctor know that you are travelling to a high altitude region so the h/she can advise you for any specific health issues that you may have. People suffering from any anaemia, hypertension, heart or lung diseases must get a certificate from their doctor stating that they are fit for high altitude travel. Pregnant women and those with severe psychiatric disorders, liver and kidney diseases are advised against participating in the retreat.

If you take any regular medication, bring double your ordinary needs in case of loss or theft.
For further health advice, you can visit MD Travel Health. The site provides complete travel health recommendations for every country, and is updated daily.

Medial Facilities at the Retreat:
There will be a paramedic available at the retreat. In case an individual is unable to adjust to the altitude, s/he will be sent back to a lower altitude place.

Acclimatization:
Knowledge of what precautions should be taken is very useful for any change from one environment to another. Don't be afraid of high altitude, but be well informed and take precautions. Our experience of over many years dealing with high altitude disease will prove most useful to you.

Firstly, do not underestimate psychological factors. Exaggerated fear constitutes stress and therefore a great loss of energy. Don't waste your energy, it is fundamental for       adaptation.
Do not suddenly start walking fast or running or doing any very strenuous activity.

Drink plenty of water.
Stay well covered, especially when it gets windy, cloudy or when the temperature drops in the evening.
Take simple precautions of basic hygiene and eat light, especially for the first two days.
Tobacco products and alcohol should be avoided.
If your head feels heavy in the first 48 hours of arrival, have an analgesic, like aspirin, rest and keep yourself warm.
The retreat program is designed in such a manner that it allows your body to slowly acclimatize and meditation and breathing exercises taught are beneficial for your body.
A diuretic named DIAMOX is widely recommended to prevent acute illness. Many people take it one day before ascent to high altitude as a prophylactic, and continue it for the      next 2 days. However, you should consult a physician prior to its use.
Most importantly, just relax. Thousands of people travel to high altitude places and the experience is simply thrilling and spectacular. Don't be afraid of high altitude, have             knowledge of it, embrace it... And enjoy your stay in the lap of the Himalayas!!!
Health & Travel Insurance
It is a good idea to have a Travel and Health insurance to cover theft, loss and medical problems. You may prefer a policy that pays doctors or hospitals directly. Check that your policy covers ambulances and an emergency flight home. For travel insurance from the UK, look at Travel-quest's Travel Insurance Directory.

Vaccinations:
Specialised travel-medicine clinics are your best source of information; they stock all available vaccines and will be able to give specific recommendations for you and your trip. The doctors will take into account factors such as past vaccination history, the length of your trip, activities you may be undertaking and underlying medical conditions, such as pregnancy.

Most vaccines don't give immunity until at least two weeks after they're given, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the 'yellow booklet'), which will list all the vaccinations you've received.

The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if you have visited a country in the yellow fever zone within the six days prior to entering India. If you are travelling to India from Africa or South America, you should check to see if you require proof of vaccination.

Driving License:
If you are planning to drive in India, get an International Driving License from your national motoring organization. It is possible to hire motorcycles and cars by presenting this license and/or a copy of your passport.
Document Copies
It is strongly recommended that you to submit a copy of your important documents (passport data page, vias page, travel & health insurance, tickets, license etc. to the Guest Manager at Blue mango in The Himalayas. H/she will keep it as a backup for you in case you lose or misplace any of the above. Also keep a copy with you, separate from the originals and store one copy with you family or online. You can keep it in your own email inbox or in the Lonely Planet's password-protected Travel Vault:

Embassies & Consulates In India:
For a detailed list of embassies and consulates in India.
It is advisable to keep the contact details of your country's embassy/ consulate handy.

Money:
The official Indian currency is INR or Indian Rupee. The Indian rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise (p), but lower denomination coins are increasingly rare. Coins come in denominations of 25 and 50 paise, and Rs 1, 2, 5 and 10. Notes come in Rs 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 (this last bill can be hard to change outside banks). The Indian rupee is linked to a basket of currencies and its value is generally stable, however for the latest exchange rates.

The most commonly accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro and Plus. ATMs linked to international networks are common in most towns and cities in India. However, carry cash or travellers cheques as backup in case you lose or break your plastic. When travelling off the beaten track, always carry a decent stock of rupees. And do keep in mind that must present your passport whenever you change currency or travellers cheques.

Major currencies such as US dollars, UK Pounds and Euros are easy to change throughout India, though some bank branches insist on travellers cheques only. Whenever changing money, check every note. It's always a good idea to maintain a stock of smaller currency like Rs. 10, 20 and 50 notes. Private moneychangers are usually open for longer hours than banks, and they are found almost everywhere (many also double as internet cafés and travel agents). Compare rates with those at the bank, and check you are given the correct amount.

Telephone & Internet:
Only one government owned mobile service provider gets network in certain parts of Spiti. There is a public phone booth that's a short drive from the retreat and there is also one internet café in Kaza, but the service is quite patchy and unpredictable. However, participants are requested not to leave the retreat unless there is an emergency. A phone number will be provided to you in case you family or friends need to contact you in case of an emergency.