Adult and Family India Brochure

Adult and Family India Brochure

TRIPS

Meaningful Purposeful. Downright unforgettable.

Welcome to a truly unique kind of travel experience.

Travel.MEtoWE.com | [email protected] | 1.833.999.6393

We build better travel experiences.

Our expertise comes from our over 20-year history of working alongside communities around the world. With years of experience, on-the-ground knowledge and our passion for doing good, we offer a travel experience unlike any other.

Culturally immersive

Learn about the culture of the country from local community members. Join them and experience these traditional arts first hand.

Adventure & discovery

Our itineraries are designed to actively demonstrate the WE Villages sustainable development model. Guests can participate in new experiences, meet a community and get to know a new culture firsthand.

Meaningful Service We understand that each of our travelers are unique. That’s why our trips are customizable to meet your interests; however, activities such as school building

Local experience

and water walks are always included for a truly authentic, genuine experience.

Working side-by-side with community members, participants dive right into the local culture in the most authentic way.

Why we work in India We are inspired by every country we work with, but India in particular holds a special place in our hearts because it’s where our work first started with WE Charity. • More than a quarter of India’s population live below the poverty line. • Nearly half of all children in rural areas are underweight. • Thirty-five percent of women are illiterate. • Child labor impacts at least 12 percent of children. • Only half of girls attend secondary school.

POPULATION 1.27 billion

CURRENCY Indian rupees ( ₹ )

TIME India Standard Time (GMT/UTC plus 5½ hours)

LANGUAGE Hindi, English (official languages)

India

Our work in India We’re partnering with communities in the Rajasthan region to implement WE Charity’s five-pillar sustainable development model that includes projects like:

WATER 9 community wells rehabilitated

HEALTH 3,000+ people have been provided with medical care.

OPPORTUNITY 23 women’s groups have been established and over 725 goats have been distributed.

12 partner communities

India

Travelers from all over the world visit India for the vibrant colors, delicious delicacies and beautiful sights like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. On a ME to WE Corporate Trip, you not only get to experience everything that India has to offer, but we also bring you beyond the sights, onto the beaten path and into the communities that live there.

EDUCATION 100+

FOOD 200 farms participating in food programming

schoolrooms have been built including classrooms, teacher offices and libraries.

Trip highlights

Meet local artisans

Have the chance to learn about the origins of tie-dye and block printing as you try your hand at creating colorful masterpieces.

Get hands-on

Visit local projects, including schools and water wells—we can arrange for you to spend time contributing firsthand to these projects to give back to the places you’re visiting.

Local experience

Indian cooking class

Walk side-by-side with women as they fetch water, care for their goats and cows, and cook chapatti for their families—learning what it takes for a community to thrive.

Join our chefs to learn how to prepare traditional favorites like butter chicken and samosas.

Framed by the pink-hued Aravalli Mountains, Araveli makes the perfect retreat offering delightful spaces to recharge and refresh after a day of volunteering and exploring India’s vibrant culture. Accommodations: • Private cottages and luxury tents designed with authentic Indian décor and royal Rajasthani flair. • Modern conveniences including hot water, electricity and en suite bathrooms. • Nearby hiking trails in the marvelous mountain foothills. Food: Enjoy the rich flavors, aromas and spices of Indian cuisine, prepared fresh by our chefs. Savor each meal on our al fresco dining platform, which offers an incredible vista of the landscape below. Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

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Day 9

• Say alavida (goodbye) and indulge in a special farewell breakfast.

• Arrive in the evening into Delhi and settle into a hotel near the airport.

• Take a morning flight to Udaipur.

• Watch the sun rise over the nearby Aravalli Mountain Range with an optional yoga session.

• Join local women to share in their daily activities like

• Enjoy sunrise yoga.

• Volunteer on a community project.

• Say a farewell to the community.

• Take part in sunrise yoga.

• Take part in a community project.

collecting water, feeding animals and preparing chapatti.

• Travel to Araveli in the heart of rural Rajasthan, a two-hour drive northeast of Udaipur.

• Learn a few words of the local language, Hindi.

• Spend a leisurely afternoon at Araveli. Relax, reflect or play cricket or volleyball.

• Meet locals taking part in goat-rearing initiatives with WE Villages.

• Visit Kumbhalgarh Fort, which boasts the second-largest wall after the Great Wall of China. • Enjoy a “dinner cart extravaganza” meal, with a selection of colorful stalls at

• Meet the ME to WE guide.

• Experience a community welcome with local students and families.

• Try Bollywood dancing, then join local artisans for traditional crafts like tie- dye and block printing. • End the day with a colorful performance that will showcase local folk dance traditions.

• Try traditional Mewari painting.

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• Take part in a poja—a traditional Hindu prayer ceremony that marks the beginning of an auspicious event.

• Be welcomed to Araveli by our team.

• Take part in a community project.

• Settle in and enjoy a delicious dinner.

• Enjoy a lunch back at Araveli, followed by jhapki, which is Hindi for siesta.

Araveli serving some of India’s most amazing gastronomic dishes.

• Explore the nearby mountain foothills with a guide on an optional nature hike.

• End the day with a colorful performance from a local dance troupe.

*Please note that this is a sample trip itinerary and details are subject to change. We are happy to work with you to customize an adventure.

Trip Costs

From $3,995 USD PP Araveli Tented Camp: based on double occupancy

$500* USD PP

$500 USD PP Single supplement

Upgrade to Araveli Cottages: based on min three guests

INCLUSIONS

EXCLUSIONS

*Please inquire for exclusive cottage pricing. Please note that arrival and departure transfers are included in your trip cost. Pick-up time at the airport begins at 2:30 p.m. on your arrival day, to accommodate check-in at the hotel, which begins at 3:00 p.m. Should you decide to extend your stay by arriving earlier or departing later than the scheduled times of your ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip, airport pick-up and drop-offs can be arranged at an additional cost.

• All accommodations

• International airfare

• All meals and beverages

• Tourist visa

• All domestic transportation

• Travel insurance

• ME to WE professional guide

• Entrance fees to sights Delhi & Udaipur

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the weather like in India?

A: In July, monsoon season usually breaks—and brings with it a beautiful and transformative time in India. Because of the rains, the heat is usually more forgiving and the temperature hovers around 20–32°C (68–89°F) during the day, and 23–24°C (73–75°F) during the night. Make sure you bring your rain jacket for those sporadic rain showers in the mornings and evenings! Q: What time zone is India in? A: India is on IST (India Standard Time), and is 10 or 11 hours ahead of EST (Eastern Standard Time), depending on the time of year. Q: Can I bring a laptop, iPod, expensive camera, etc.? A: We suggest traveling as lightly as possible to minimize the risk of damage to or loss of your possessions. For essential items, Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp provides a small safe in every tent and cottage. Q: Is there filtered water? A: We provide filtered water for our guests to drink. We bring jugs of purified drinking water to the camp and then recycle them after each trip. We recommend bringing along a good reusable water bottle that you can fill up as you head from our lodge for your day trips to the community. Q: Will I have access to phone and internet while in India? A: Both phone and email communication is easily accessible in New Delhi. Internet and phone access are not readily available at Araveli. In Udaipur, you will be able to use your phone if it is activated for international use. Q: How is the food? A: Participants will have the opportunity to sample a range of traditional Indian and Asian cuisines. Participants enjoy their meals from local restaurants that are regularly visited by ME to WE and are pre-arranged by ME to WE facilitators, as well as meals prepared on site at Araveli. While staying at Araveli, guests will be treated to the culinary expertise of Chef KK, Araveli’s in-house chef. The majority of the food we will be eating in India is vegetarian, as it is the local custom. Don’t worry—there will be lots of protein options as well as Western favorites available at all times. Q: What is the electrical voltage in India? A: Electricity will be available in New Delhi and while in Rajasthan. The voltage in India is 230–240V/50Hz. There are two types of Indian-style plugs. The first has two circular metal pins while the other has two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin. Please make sure to bring a converter with you. Plugs C and D are used in India. Q: Can I bring gifts for the kids? A: We ask that you do not, as we work in solidarity with our partner communities. Put simply, your gift is your presence. We ask that our trip participants do not bring candy, toys or presents for community members, as we would like to promote fairness for all children. A portion of your trip cost goes to in-country communities to support their basic needs.

Customize Your Exper ience

FROM $1,095 USD PP Based on double occupancy

Taj Mahal Treat yourself to a unique excursion marked by authentic Indian hospitality. Explore the hidden wonders of Agra, made famous by the Taj Mahal. You’re in for a grand experience as you dive into the city’s surviving art, culture, architecture and royal cuisine of contemporary Agra.

Price subject to availability and occupancy.

Includes two nights full board accommodation, activities and all land transfers.

FROM $2,495 USD PP Based on double occupancy

Golden Triangle Discover the regal splendor of Jaipur and Northern India with magnificent forts, palaces and landscaped estates. From the aristocratic grandeur of Deogarh Mahal to the mighty ramparts of Amber Fort, royal Rajasthan will pamper you with hospitality and luxurious splendor. Top off your adventure with a visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal, a must-see on every traveler’s bucket list.

Price subject to availability and occupancy.

Includes four nights full board accommodation, activities and all domestic flights and land transfers.

Don’t worry about the details, our team is on call to provide:

International and domestic flights on world-class airlines Our ME to WE Travel Teammembers are experts at buying the best flights and finding you the top sales on international airfare. Whether you want to fly first class, or snag the most cost-effective deal, our team can book your travel from door-to-door. Travel insurance Whether it is medical, cancellation or lost baggage (or any combination of the above), we are able to create and purchase the plan that will give you and your family peace of mind. Passport and visa information If you are unsure on what is needed to enter India, we will walk you through any and all special requirements and make sure you have everything you need to begin your journey worry-free! Immunization information At ME to WE, our participants’ health is our top priority. We always recommend visiting a travel doctor a minimum of six weeks before your departure date. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, we are happy to recommend a travel doctor that is familiar with ME to WE Trips. On-ground transportation and local guide Once you arrive in India, we take care of all your transportation, so you can sit back and enjoy the bustling markets and rolling hills of rural India unfolding in front of you. Your experienced local guide will welcome you into the communities and be an invaluable resource for in-depth information about the places and people you visit. Travel recommendations FromRajasthan, you are at the perfect gateway to explore either Delhi and the Taj Mahal or Jaipur and Agra—both of which we are more than happy to arrange for you. Whatever you choose, we are more than happy to arrange the next leg of your journey!

Our signature service

Whether you’re preparing for your trip or experiencing the real deal on the ground, we take care of all the details! Leave the planning to us—including flight arrangements, packing lists and information about vaccines and visas. While in country, we encourage you to focus on what’s really important: being in the moment. That’s why we ensure every detail is accounted for— from world-class accommodations and meals, to in-country transportation and excursions with your local guide.

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NEW YEAR TRIP 2018-2019

Health & safety

Your safety is our top priority! We take care of all the details to ensure you stay safe and healthy throughout your trip including: • Airport arrival assistance • 24-hour security staff • Filtered water available at all times

“The water we will drink is filtered. The food is prepared by their own kitchen, their own chef. We have these wonderful facilitators around us that are fountains of knowledge, but they also make sure that everything is seamless.”

Donna MacFarlane ME to WE Immersive Volunteer Trip, 2013

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Join us! ME to WE Trips

[email protected] 1.833.999.6393