Consider joining us on our special sponsor tour to East India. This time we will visit only our Compassion office in Kolkata and the partners in this area. Of course, the highlight is the one day you will spend with your sponsored child. Fun activities are planned for your family unit, which includes your own translator. This day will never be forgotten!

Days 1-3: The Tour Begins

Saturday-Monday, Nov. 15-17: Our late afternoon Lufthansa flight from Dulles International Airport takes us across the Atlantic to Frankfurt, Germany, and then our next flight into Kolkata, India. The first activity is to meet the dedicated Compassion staff in our East India office. What a welcome and orientation awaits us!

Days 4-6: Travel Outside Kolkata

Tuesday-Thursday, Nov. 18-20: We'll travel outside Kolkata into the Himalayan region to learn how our partnership with Compassion is releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. There will be plenty of time for interaction with the children as well as visiting some of their homes. We can't make the trip without enjoying the natural beauty of sunrise from Tiger Hill, the Teesta River, and visiting a tea garden to observe processing the tea.

Day 7: Experiencing Something New

Friday, Nov. 21: Today we learn about one of Compassion's newer programs, the Child Survival Program. How refreshing to join in activities with mothers and children and hear their testimonies.

Day 8: The Day You've Been Waiting For 

Saturday, Nov. 22: Today is the Big Day – the main reason you came all the way to East India! You spend a fun full day with your sponsored child at Nico Amusement Park. You'll have opportunity to exchange gifts but most importantly share your love and encouragement.

Day 9: Worshipping and Sharing

Sunday, Nov. 23: We travel to one of our partner churches and enjoy praise and worship Indian style. The people are so warm and gracious as we tour their child development center. After lunch we shop for those last souvenirs and gifts before returning to the hotel to pack. We also have time to start processing our experiences and the transition home.

Day 10: The Tour Comes Home

Monday, Nov. 24: Very early this morning our flight takes off to Frankfurt and then later back across the water to the United States. As we catch our separate connecting flights home we quickly realize we've been changed by our time in East India. Now to share that with those we come in contact with.

Tour Schedule Details:

The East India Sponsor Tour is scheduled for Nov. 15-24, 2008.

Registration: We suggest you respond quickly, even if you don't have a passport yet, because our trips fill up on a first-come basis. Once we have received your registration along with a deposit of $350, we will confirm your place on the tour and you may then purchase your domestic air ticket. The final payment of $3,630 is due no later than July 17, 2008. 

Please click on the Register Now button below to complete the registration form online. If you'd rather register by mail, click on the link to the printable Registration Form above right, below the photo.

Price: The cost of this tour is $3,980 per person for double occupancy. The single supplement cost is $355.  If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements to and from Kolkata, the Land Only cost is $2,405.

Included in our tour price are round-trip airfare between Washington/Dulles to Kolkata, lodging, all meals, travel within East India, tips, your child's travel, guides and translators during the tour, admission fees, departure tax, and administrative costs.

Costs not included in the tour price are transportation to and from Washington/Dulles, passport and incidentals such as snacks, additional beverages, laundry, phone calls, film and other personal items. You may want to bring extra spending money for shopping at the local markets.

Safety and Preparation: This tour will be moderate in difficulty because of impoverished conditions. Also, there will be some walking, rides on bumpy roads, and long days. We will have a work element in this tour.

Compassion constantly monitors the safety of our destination countries and will make any adjustments necessary to protect our tour participants, sponsored children and in-country staff. We believe it is important to provide safe, comfortable accommodations, traditional meals and reliable transportation so that your focus can be on what God is teaching you and the impact of the experience rather than concern for your personal safety and well-being.

Please read the Tour Conditions and General Information document before finalizing your decision.

RESERVATIONS should be made well in advance and require a nonrefundable deposit of $350 per person. Final payment of $3,630 is due no later than July 17, 2008.  Land Only Cost: $2,405. 

REFUNDS / CANCELLATION POLICY:

All deposits are nonrefundable.

50% of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 59-31 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

100% of the tour cost will be required for cancellations 30-0 days prior to the Sponsor Tour.

Only written cancellations accepted.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Air transportation as included in the tour is based on economy-class transportation and is subject to all rules and regulations governing these fares. IMPORTANT NOTICE: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to adjust or alter any travel program when necessary or desirable for the protection, safety, or improvement of said travel program, or when local conditions do not permit operation as published. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to accept or deny participants application at its sole discretion.
RESPONSIBILITY: COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL makes arrangements with airlines, hotels, and other independent parties to provide you with the travel services you purchase. These parties are independent suppliers over whom we have no direct control. In the absence of negligence on our part, we are not responsible for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of injury, accident or death; damage, loss or delay of baggage or other property; or delay, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether physical or mental, resulting from (1) the act or omission of any party other than COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL or its employees; (2) mechanical breakdown, government actions, weather, or other factors beyond our control; (3) failure to obtain documents, passports, visas and health certificates valid through the date of reentry, when required, in which case a cancellation charge will be assessed; (4) failure to follow instructions including but not limited to check-in and checkout times and baggage handling; (5) cancellation or change for any reason in the travel services offered; and (6) medical or health problems or physical disabilities. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL reserves the right to cancel or alter the travel services at its discretion, except as otherwise noted herein. In the event of change, COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will try to substitute comparable services; in the event of complete cancellation by COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL, we shall refund all monies paid to us. COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for any other cost incurred by participants.