+What type of trip will be suitable for me?
Jvala has four types of themes. To find out which one ‘you’ will be interested in, visit Paths of Jvala.
+Will the Connoisseur’ theme be physically demanding?
Jvala’s trips will be unhurried with a lot of personal time to absorb and reflect on the day’s activity. Having said that, the heritage locations are open spaces which will involve some walking; but a day’s outing should be not more than 4-5 hours including travel time. The timings will be aligned to the hours that these public spaces will be available and open.
+Will the Yoga themes be physically challenging?
The yoga workshops will not involve complex or difficult goal poses. Workshops are designed for a specific experience. Simple asana-s will be chosen, modifications to suit various body types will be incorporated to keep the focus of the goal to achieve the ‘function of the pose’ over ‘form of the pose’. In identifying and addressing the function of a pose as the milestone, our belief is that the form: will be an eventual result.
+Should I be an art student to sign up for an art and culture experience?
An eye for beauty, inclination towards art and open-mindedness for culture qualifies you as an enthusiast. The experience contains knowledge modules which will help an enthusiast better appreciate the nuances in the art. We, at Jvala, are committed to making a connoisseur of you, if you are so inclined!
+Should I be a yoga practitioner to sign up for the Wellness’ theme?
No. Wellness themes are designed to help working people interested in escaping monotony and stress. Various tools of ashtanga will be used for designing a relaxation practice that will destress the body and mind and go a little further to know more about it.
+Should I be a yoga teacher or trainer to sign up for the Seeker’ theme?
Seekers’ themes are intellectual, thinking and reflective workshops. It is enough if you are a practitioner of mindful activity, like yoga or if you are an existential thinker enjoying general fitness. Focus is more on breaking mental conditionings required for inner transformations.
Traveling with family
+Will it be economically beneficial to travel as a couple?
The advantage of registering as a couple is that you are sure of your roommate, and the pricing may marginally drop when traveling as a couple.
+Are Jvala themes children friendly?
Jvala conducts camps and workshops for school students >12 years, catering to their energy levels, engaging them differently, suiting their age and mental capacity. Paths under Connoisseurs may suit some young adults interested in art and history, but paths of Seekers and Wellness are developed for a specific age to achieve a certain goal.
Traveling as a Group with Jvala
+Are there age restrictions for the experiences?
Yes. Each Jvala experience will have an entry age criteria that is mentioned. While some of our trips do not have a maximum age limit, a self-assessment form will be sent for passengers with medical conditions or above 60 years of age.
+Who are Jvala travellers?
Jvala travellers are usually individuals who are culturally tuned-in intellectual people. Everyone who signs up with Jvala, whether they are solo travelers or traveling as a Group, are thirsty for an experience, hungry for knowledge and thus share similar interests. Apart from that, each Jvala theme has a physical and cultural grading that will help decide if the trip is suitable for you.
+Who will be my group leader?
Jvala Experiences will have a resource person in the form of a culture expert or an expert yoga teacher acting as your host through the trip.
Solo traveling
+Is it safe for me to travel by myself?
Traveling by yourself can be liberating by itself. With Jvala, you will enjoy the best of two worlds: while you will be traveling alone, you will also not be alone. You will be in the company of like-minded people.
Trip Changes and Cancellations
+Can I upgrade my accommodation to Single Occupancy?
Yes you can. It will come at an additional cost. Please mention it at the time of booking.
+Can I make changes to the itinerary before, after or during the trip?
Jvala’s themes are curated for experiences to spark a desired goal. They are also designed keeping in mind the climate of the region. Having said that, for private group travels, experiences can be tailor made. Please get in touch.
+Can I add an extra night in the beginning or at the end of the trip?
Yes you can. Jvala experiences are scheduled close to a local festival or annual event for this reason. Please make your request at the time of booking.
+What if I hurt myself during the trip?
Our host will be traveling with a first aid kit. Besides, almost all hospitality partners have a doctor on call. If for any reason, you will need to cut your trip short, we will do whatever we can to get you home. But reimbursement for the unused parts of the trip will not be possible.
+Can I do just part of the trip?
Our host will be traveling with a first aid kit. Besides, almost all hospitality partners have a doctor on call. If for any reason, you will need to cut your trip short, we will do whatever we can to get you home. But reimbursement for the unused parts of the trip will not be possible.
+What happens if my trip gets canceled?
We never want a trip to be cancelled. However, if the trip is cancelled by us, you will be refunded. For more on this, please read the Refunds and Cancellations.
Disability and medical condition
+I have a disability – will I be able to sign up for Jvala experiences?
Experiences at Jvala are for elevating the inner sensibilities. If you are traveling with your own travel aid and can catch up on schedules, then there is no reason why a disability should stop you from experiencing a sublime experience. Jvala is, however, not in a position to offer full-time aid.
+I suffer from a medical condition, what is the emergency contingency plan?
Most places we will be staying are townships where emergency care is available. If admitted, Jvala will reach out to your emergency contact person; details of which will be collected immediately after your booking is complete. Jvala advises you to always have a minimum travel insurance plan that would cover the incidental medical expenses. Jvala will not be responsible for the cost of care.
Foreign nationals traveling in India
+Will the pricing vary for non-Indian passport holders?
Non-Indian passport holders are likely to attract more tariffs in certain hotels and accommodations. Please get in touch to get an accurate quote.
+Do I have to carry my ID all the time?
It is advisable to carry a digital copy at all times. Your original travel document, visas, travel insurance can remain in the place of stay.
+Will I be allowed to enter inside a Hindu temple?
Most temples that we will be visiting are either UNESCO Heritage monuments or ASI heritage sites where there will be no restrictions. In other places, where ritualistic traditions are active, if the dress code is followed as a show of respect to the cultural sentiments of the native people, you are likely to be welcomed warmly in the temple.
Food Drinks and Restrictions
+Will there be access to alcohol?
Many places that we will be visiting are sacred geographies. Hence, alcohol may not be consistently available during the journey.
+Can I consume alcohol during the trip?
The location, the company, and the hospitality should be enough to keep you in high spirits. However, if you must, we will not hold your indulgence as long as you are respecting the house rules of the Stay, and do not disrupt the travel schedules at any given time.
+What sort of food will be served during my trip?
Jvala commits to a continental breakfast and meals that are mentioned in each trip.
India being a country that offers a wide variety of vegetarian regional cuisines, we recommend our travellers to step out of their comfort to try some local food. Besides, many of Jvala’s destinations are sacred geographies where non-vegetarian food may not be always available. Wherever service is available, non-vegetarian meals will be offered.
+What are the drinking water arrangements during the trip?
Two packaged drinking water bottles of 1ltr for a room will be provided everyday. Similarly for every day’s outing, unlimited ‘packaged bottles’ will be available, however we recommend that you be judicious in the use of the water both from a wastage/scarcity perspective and the use of plastic.
Pricing variations
+What is the difference between Patron and Enthusiasts pricing?
Patrons are those who wish to avail the travel package completely including the accommodation, experience, knowledge transfer, logistics to the heritage sites and guided tours.
Enthusiasts are those who wish to avail only the experience which will include practice sessions or guided tours at the site based on the theme with knowledge transfer. Get in touch to know more.
Enthusiasts are those who wish to avail only the experience which will include practice sessions or guided tours at the site based on the theme with knowledge transfer. Get in touch to know more.
+Why is the price indicative?
The hospitality industry vary prices based on season. Jvala always tries to get the best deal from the hospitality partners, knowing the favourable time to travel considering climate, avoiding peak season rates and tourist traffic at every destination.
Before you depart
+Are there any special restrictions in the dress code?
Trips will involve walking or trekking, so comfortable footwear is recommended. It is culturally appropriate to blend in with local norms and given that our visit will predominantly be in and around traditional structures and heritage monuments with spiritual and religious significance, we strongly recommend that clothes such as leggings, shorts, short skirts, track pants, sleeveless tops/ tees/ dresses, spaghetti tops are avoided. A hat/ cap or visor is recommended to avoid the direct sunshine.
Where yoga is involved too we advise you to bring clothing that will facilitate practice.
+What should I bring?
Carry your medicines; travel documents; vaccination certificates; travel insurance with your personal essentials.
+What is the best way to carry money?
There are many options available today and it is always best to have options. Carry only minimum cash for miscellaneous expenses and tipping purposes. ATMs can be found in all tourist locations where credit and debit cards can be used to withdraw money. Activate the UPI payment gateway if possible while traveling in India as digital transactions are popular with all vendors and safe for travel too.
