For discounted prices on flights from US to India, please visit: http://www.travelsri.com/wcf2016

Yes, there are group and family discounts. Please click on:http://www.travelsri.com/wcf2016 and submit your information in the “Customized Travel & Tours” section on the left.
Star Alliance is offering up to a 20% discount on fares which you can use in Customized Travel as well. Ask to apply the meeting code AI01S16

You can alternatively book a flight online at: https://www.sumeruholidays.com/nav/holiday_package_search

Note: Airfaresfluctuate frequently and we recommend booking early to lock-in better prices and seats.

• If you are a first time visitor to India, we strongly recommend that you land in Delhi first and attend WCF 2016 before traveling to Bangalore for other events at the International Center in Bangalore
• There are several pre and post-event programs planned in Bangalore. Please refer to the Programs & Registration section of the FAQs for more details. All events are listed on: http://www.artofliving.org/world-culture-festival#/pre-post-events
• We also have some sightseeing packages that have been put together for your convenience on the Sumeru Travels Website on: sumeru travel website
• In general we recommend a day’s gap between your arrival to India and your first sightseeing trip or event, so you have time to recover from jet lag.

• Delhi to Bangalore is about a 2.5 hr flight. Flying is the best and fastest option.
• Train travel is possible. It can take up to 36 hours and can be very tiring if you are not used to train travel in India.
• You can buy air tickets for travel within India via Sumeru Travels: https://www.sumeruholidays.com/nav/flight_search
• Another option to buy air tickets within India is http://www.travelsri.com/wcf2016 (select customized travels and tours)

For additional questions, please send us an email at: wcf2016.travel@us.artofliving.org

The World Cultural Festival (WCF) packages include the hotel accommodation as part of the package. We recommend booking packages with hotels that have a 4 star rating or above.
If you want to book hotel alone, please go to: https://www.sumeruholidays.com/nav/hotel_search

Area-wise, please try to book in the Noida, Greater Noida areas and Patparganj. These areas in the suburbs of Delhi , on the same side as the venue (MayurVihar).

Some Hotels with a 4 star or above rating are (sorted by distance from the venue):
1. Savoy suites, greater NOIDA - 5 kilometers (kms)
2. Savoy suites, Noida, Sector 16 - 5 kms
3. Park Inn Radisson, Patparganj - 6 kms
4. Park Ascent Hotel, NOIDA - 6 kms

Most of the WCF packages include pickup and dropoff from the venue. If you book through the: sumeru travel website, transportation is included.

If you book through: sumeru travel website, breakfast is typically included. The WCF venue will have options for lunch and dinner.

• If you book packages or hotels through: sumeru travel website, airport pickups are typically included. Please check the package/hotel booking for exact details.
• Airport Taxis are available at both New Delhi and Bangalore airport. Always pay the meter fare. Do not accept fixed rates as you won’t know if you are getting a good deal. Check with your hotel if they provide transport to and from the hotel.
• For Delhi check: http://www.newdelhiairport.in/to-from-airport-tool.aspx
• For Bangalore, to get to the ashram from the airport you can take a taxi and use the following link for directions: http://www.artofliving.org/bangalore-ashram/how-reach-ashram
• The Bangalore ashram has its own taxi service, call: +91-9886019292 or email: taxi@sumerutravels.com

Yes, you can search for hotels on the sumeru travel website. You have the option to sort search results by Price, hotel star rating and Hotel name. On the left hand side of the Hotel web page, you also have the option to search by specific Hotel star rating, amenities and hotel category. To view results in USD, please select USD under “Display currency”.

Some hotels allow extra guests at no additional cost. Please check “More details” section under each Hotel result to check if they will allow extra guests for no additional cost.

You can complete your registration on Harmony: http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/program/137219

You can chose any of the following payment options:
International Enclosure - Free Seating: $0.00
Preferred Seating in Chair: $250.00
Preferred Seating on Stage by donation: $4,000.00
Preferred Seating on Sofa in the front of the Stage by donation: $1,000.00

We highly recommend attending Mahashivaratri at the International Ashram in Bangalore as well as WCF if you have the time. Packages are available that combine a silence course during Mahashivaratri along with registration for WCF.

Events at the Bangalore ashram prior to and after the WCF are listed here: http://www.artofliving.org/world-culture-festival#/pre-post-events

If you are a first time visitor to India, we recommend you visit the Bangalore Ashram after attending the WCF celebrations in Delhi.

We have following options for attending Silence retreats at the Bangalore Ashram:

Additional Program before WCF include

Go to: http://www.artofliving.org/us-en/world-culture-festival#/
Click on Pre and Post Events
> Click on International registration under the program you are interested in selecting (Note: this will direct you to the Bangalore Intl center website to complete the registration steps)
> Search for the program under drop down menu under "program type" or scroll down and click on the last page (the programs are listed in chronological order and between the last two pages you should be able to view all the Feb-March programs)
> Click on Register. You will need to create a new user login if you have never used signed up for a program at the Bangalore center and fill out the necessary info on the form
> Please note accommodation availability is displayed under details on the page where all programs are listed.

We highly recommend theMahashivaratri + WCF package. This allows you to participate in a 5-day art of silence program at the Bangalore Ashram, followed by MahaShivartri. It also includes 4 nights in New Delhi in a 4-star hotel, with breakfast, free Wi-Fi, WCF passes, and transportation from the hotel to the venue. The total cost of this package is only $710.The 5-star option costs $880.

Mahashivratri celebration programs will be held on March 7th and March 8th. March 9th will be a day to rest and relax in the ashram. You will be traveling from Bangalore to Delhi on March 10th.

Yes that is possible. However, please note it may not be possible for you to get accommodation at the Bangalore ashram as all housing will be booked for the Art of Silence course participants.

There is no separate link to register for just the Shivratri celebrations. Shivratri satsang starts at 5 PM on March 7th and celebrations will go on until late in the night and Rudra puja will be at 5 AM on March 8th.

You can visit sumeru travel website, to view all sightseeing packages specially customized for the best experience of US visitors.
https://www.sumeruholidays.com/nav/holiday_package_search_result_categor...

You can visit sumeru travel website, to view all sightseeing packages specially customized for the best experience of US visitors.

Travel Packages include:

(1) WCF Celebrations (Starts on 10th March) for 4 Nights 5 Days: New Delhi 4 Nights/5 Days

WCF Bronze: 3-star hotel with transport (AC) and breakfast Cost USD 220
WCF Silver: 4-star hotel with transport (Volvo) and breakfast Cost USD 281
WCF Gold: 5-star hotel with transport (Volvo) and breakfast Cost USD 351
WCF Diamond: 7-star hotel with transport (Volvo) and breakfast Cost USD 481

We recommend booking packages with hotels that have a 4 star rating or above.

(2)American-WCF+Agra, Delhi and Rishikesh 8 Nights 9 Days : New Delhi 5 Nights | Rishikesh 3 Nights - USD 742

(3) American-WCF+Panchbhoota 9 Nights 10 Days : Tiruchchirappalli 2 Nights | Chidambaram 1 Night | Kanchipuram 1 Night | Tirupathi 1 Night | New Delhi 4 Nights - USD 917

(4) American-Mahashivaratri AMP+WCF 10 Nights 11 Days : Bangalore 6 Nights | New Delhi 4 Nights - USD 711

(5) American- WCF+5 Days AMP10 Nights 11 Days : Bangalore 6 Nights | New Delhi 4 Nights - USD 711 (The silence course will be in Bangalore after WCF Celebrations in Delhi)

The download Tour PDF document specifies the inclusions for each package. However, in most packages: Hotel accommodation, WCF passes that allows seating in the international section, closer to the stage, breakfast and transport from hotel to WCF and back are included.

Please note that you will need to purchase your air tickets with a round-trip fare from US to India separately.

For US participants, 4 or 5 star rated hotels will be included in the packages. The participants will receive details on their hotel assignments in January as WCF is a big event and a lot of planning and logistics will be involved. US guests will be assigned to stay in the same hotel as much as possible to facilitate a comfortable and pleasant experience.

Yes

It depends on your travel dates. The WCF package will allow you enough time to attend the 3-days event. You may want to extend your trip by a few extra days to explore Delhi and adjoining areas. Alternately, you can sign up for one of the packages recommended for North India.

The travel packages include cost of domestic travel but not the international travel from US to India and back. You will need to purchase your tickets for a round trip fare separately.

Yes, we have a very exciting trip planned for college students. Please see details below:

Yesplus World Cultural Festival, Silence and Seva Trip: March 11 – 26, 2016

• New Delhi
• Bangalore, Karnataka
• Cuttack, Odisha

March 8/9: Depart from US
March 11-13: WCF, New Delhi
March 14/15: Explore New Delhi / Taj Mahal
March 15-20: Silence Course, Bangalore Ashram
March 20-25: Service Initiative, solar energy projects, rural Odisha
March 25: Sri Sri University
March 26/27: Depart to US

We have a small website for it as well: sevatrip.org. People can apply and register at this site.

Yes, we have a very exciting trip planned for college students. Please see details below:

Yesplus World Cultural Festival, Silence and Seva Trip: March 11 – 26, 2016
New Delhi
Bangalore, Karnataka
Cuttack, Odisha

March 8/9: Depart from US
March 11-13: WCF, New Delhi
March 14/15: Explore New Delhi / Taj Mahal
March 15-20: Silence Course, Bangalore Ashram
March 20-25: Service Initiative, solar energy projects, rural Odisha
March 25: Sri Sri University
March 26/27: Depart to US

We have a small website for it as well: sevatrip.org. People can apply and register at this site.