2008 Expedition Itinerary

The expedition is planned for the second and third weeks of November 2008, with two departures (depending on the number of participants).

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
indian city 224 (photo credit: Courtesy)
indian city 224
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Expedition Dates: 1. Meet in New Delhi on Monday, November 17, 2008 in the morning (for those leaving from Israel, departure on Sunday November 16, 2008) 2. End in New Delhi on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 including overnight (for those returning to Israel, return is on Thursday November 27, 2008) Expedition Route: After meeting in Delhi we'll depart by air to the northeast of the Indian subcontinent, to the city of Dimapur on the border of Nagaland and Assam. We'll travel to the mountains of Nagaland State, to the capital, Kohima, located at an altitude of 1,495m above sea level. We'll spend two days in the capital where we'll encounter the mountainous scenery and see the historic sites of one of the most remote communities of the Bnei Menashe. From Nagaland we'll travel by land to the border of Manipur, which we'll cross on a scenic mountainous road. On our way southward, we'll pass through an important Bnei Menashe center in Kangakupi, where we'll meet with the villagers in the synagogue and at the cemetery. As evening approaches we'll head for Imphal, the capital of Manipur State. We will devote three days to Imphal and its environs. We'll visit the sites of the city, Loktak Lake, Shachu Chiru Falls and the museums of the area. The jewel in the crown of our visit to this area will be Shabbat, which we will spend in the most important Bnei Menashe center in the entire region - in the town of Churachandpur. Spending Shabbat in the Shavei Israel center in the town, in the company of hundreds of the Bnei Menashe community - will undoubtedly be a truly lifelong unforgettable experience for all of us. Once we have completed our visit to Manipur we'll fly to the Indian city of Silchar in Assam State. From Silchar we'll travel via beautiful mountainous roads toward Mizoram State. Along the way we'll stop in at some villages where Bnei Menashe and Bnei Ephraim communities live - Varienta, Kolasib, Bualfoy and Shifir. By days' end we'll arrive to the capital of Mizoram State, Aizawl, which is located in the midst of an impressive and wild mountainous region. We will meet with numerous people in this picturesque mountain city, and with members of the Bnei Menashe and the Bnei Ephraim communities. We'll benefit from amazing views of the area, as we visit the ethnographic center at Reik, where we'll learn about the anthropological histories of the various members of the Chinlong tribe. From Aizawl we'll fly to Calcutta and change planes for New Delhi. This is where our expedition comes to an end. The next day, on November 27, 2008 we'll all start making our way back home to our various points of origin. Our office will be happy to organize onward tours for you to Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi, or any other destination in India. Cost of the Expedition in India: $3,200 per participant Cost of Expedition including international flights from Israel: $3950 Price Includes:
  • 11 days in India from the day of arrival, Monday, November 17, 2008 through day of departure, Thursday, November 27, 2008
  • Accommodation in hotels or hostels depending upon field conditions
  • Kosher half board (breakfast and dinner), plus supplies to prepare sandwich lunches
  • 5 domestic flights: Delhi-Calcutta-Dimapur; Imphal-Sichar; Aizawl-Calcutta-Delhi
  • Airport & fuel taxes for domestic flights in India
  • 2 English speaking Israeli guides
  • Accompanying Indian guide
  • Local Indian guides per state
  • Meetings with local scholars and researchers
  • Entrance to all the sites in the program The price does not include:
  • International flights to and from Delhi
  • Indian Visa ($90) and special entry permits to the states of Nagaland, Manipur & Mizoram (about $130)
  • Extra stays in Delhi (for those arriving early or remaining on afterwards)
  • Pre or Post-tours in India
  • Health and baggage Insurance
  • Personal expenses such as: drinks, telephone, laundry, shopping, etc. IMPORTANT: The Expedition Program The expedition program can change according to situations that may arise along the way: inclement weather, road works, permits issued by Indian authorities, unexpected developments arising from the meetings with the various communities, etc. The expedition staff will make the necessary decision on site and will inform the participants accordingly. Hotels In Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram accommodations are in basic tourist hotels, the best available, for a total of 8 nights. In Delhi and Calcutta accommodations are in first grade tourist hotels. In Churanchandpur we will spend Shabbat in the Shavei Israel Center of the local Bnei Menashe community. Accommodations are dormitory style and gender separated. Transportation The first part of the expedition, in the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Mizoram we will travel by buses that are used for public transportation. The best we can find locally. These are not the type of tourist buses that can be found in other parts of the world. In Calcutta, Lucknow, Agra and Delhi, we will travel by first grade touring coach. Selection of Participants The Ten Lost Tribes Challenge is a unique mission, undertaking a very special journey, under complicated conditions. This requires that participants be well suited to the aims of the expedition and its distinctive content, as well as to the intensity of the field conditions of the expedition. The adventure is very authentic and will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime for every participant. Therefore, in order to ensure that all participants are indeed suitable for the task, we will ask registrants to complete a detailed application form, which will enable us, the organizers, to choose well the team that will eventually undertake this expedition. Please examine the application form well and complete it as best you can. The number of participants per expedition is limited to 30 people. Registration Procedures Interested potential participants who have registered for the expedition and have been accepted to join one of the missions will pay a registration fee of $500. The remainder of the fee will be paid up to 45 days before departure to India, and not later than September 29, 2008. Please forward to our offices not less than 45 days before departure, and not later than September 29, 2008: 1. a Xerox copy of the picture page of your passport, PLUS 2. a copy of your visa for India, PLUS 3. 3 passport photos for the special entry permits for the states of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram Registration is at the offices of Shai Bar Ilan Geographical Tours, 1 Ha'Odem Street, Petach Tikva, Israel. Please forward completed registration forms and queries to: Ronit Sela, Ten Tribes Challenge Project Manager, Shai Bar Ilan Geographical Tours 1 Ha'Odem Street Petach Tikva 49170 Israel Tel: +972-3-922-4410 Mobile: +972-52-333-3503 US: 1-866-500-5864 UK: 0-800-404-9505 Fax: +972-3-921-9392 or at tentribeschallenge@gmail.com. JOIN US ON THE TEN LOST TRIBES CHALLENGE - AN EXPERIENCE THAT COMES BY ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
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