- Is this trip hard?
We have designed the trip to provide you with the maximum opportunity to engage
the culture and to have an opportunity to see as much as possible. The trip will
move along at a moderate pace with some days being faster than others. Most days
will require a fair amount of walking, and crowded conditions are normal. The
level of difficulty of our journeys is more closely linked to the cultural norms
and customs of the area than those of physical stress. Because of this, we encourage
all participants to focus on our Learning the Art of Travel Program which
helps you to assimilate the experiences and to travel in a more relaxed manner.
- Should I exercise beforehand?
Yes. If you consider yourself to be out of shape, you will definitely need
to prepare by conditioning yourself to walk several miles comfortably, carrying
your backpack or bag for up to a mile, and stretching before and after any activity.
You don’t need to be ready to run a marathon, but being in good cardiovascular
shape will make your journey infinitely more comfortable. If you are already in
reasonable shape, practice carrying your belongings anyway. It helps you decide
what to pack!
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What are the accommodations like?
The accommodations we have chosen for you are geared toward the budget traveler.
They are usually clean double rooms, neither luxurious nor bottom of the barrel
but a comfortable point in-between. We select our accommodations based on staff
friendliness and proximity to important sites. Most of our lodging choices provide
showers, air conditioning, and western sit-down toilets; however, this is not
the case at every location. Rest assured, we choose hotels and guesthouses we
personally feel comfortable staying in, and we will be staying there with you.
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What is the food like?
Indian and Thai foods are delicious, and two of the most popular ethnic foods
in North America. To a Western palate some dishes can be considered very spicy.
If you are not familiar with Indian or Thai food, we recommend you try a few dishes
before you head out. Food choices are very personal by nature; although we cannot
recommend specific dishes, we can recommend an adventurous spirit. (Vegetarian
food is readily available in both countries.) Your dining experiences will cover
the entire range from formal restaurants to street food stalls, from the use of
utensils to your bare hands. Cost of food not included in trip price.
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What is the weather like?
The majority of South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent have weather patterns
that vary significantly from North America. In most cases, it will be considerably
hotter than you may be used to, and depending on the time of year there may be
periods of torrential rain. For up to date information on the destination country,
please visit our Links page for access to international
weather patterns.
- What kind of people go on your trips?
Our trips tend to attract fun-loving people who may or may not have a lot
of travel experience but are interested in respectfully and actively learning
about another culture and its people.
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How do I sign up?
Go to the How To Register page.
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What about getting sick from the water or food?
Unfortunately, NSJ cannot guarantee you will not get sick. We will provide
you with as much of our traveling experience about how to keep healthy as we can.
Medical facilities are readily available along the route, and the guides are well
practiced at dealing with travel-related health issues.
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Is airfare included in the price?
Prices quoted for NSJ trips do not include airfare.
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Does NSJ book airfares?
We do not book airfare. Upon request, we will be happy to provide you with details about how we research and book our own arrangements in and out of Asia. For a copy of this information, email us at: info@northstarjourneys.com
