Hi!
Has anyone taken the smarTours India/Nepal group tour and would be willing nto share comments with me?
Is the area relatively safe in this world in which we live.
Will I need innoculations?
I have always wanted to go to India and realize that the 15 day tour can be nothing but extremely superficial, but it is a start.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you all.
Judy

Took Smartours to China. Highly recommend them. Amazing value for price. Did everything right. Many people have taken multiple tours with this company.

Hello Judy, I am going to India around the same time as you are!! I have received a bunch of vaccines already, holy moly...the only one I didn't get was the japanese echeplitis one. (can't remember the spelling ) Check with your local health department, some of them are offered there without an appointment, (MMR and DT) for $5. I got the list of vaccines needed from the CDC website, I think it's better to be safe than sorry, most everyone I talked to said I better get them and I have a prescription for the malaria pills. What kind of clothes are you taking? I'm still undecided about what to bring? I was thinking jeans, long dresses, cotton pants, I think it will be warm there--80's? Feel free to email me if you like, take care,

Beachik:
Hi! I stopped off at my internist's office and he again reiterated, along with several people at smarTours, and the Indian consulate that I don't need any innoculations. The samething happened to me last year when I went to Vietnam and Cambodia and I opted not to be innoculated and followed their advice. The only thing I got was a flu shot here.
I'm still divided.
Judy

I copied this down for you for India. It is recommended but not required so you will probably be fine, i'm just paranoid !!!

CDC recommends the following vaccines (as appropriate for age):

See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

At the passport center I went to--one thing that they did tell me is you have to be concerned about the people working even in the best hotels----besides food and water, now again.... they are making a mint off these vaccinces so I am sure the dangers could be exaggerated, my indian friend who I am visiting said the same thing--that he didn't think they were necessary, Good Luck to you and have fun !!

Beachik,
Thanks for going to the trouble for me!
The trip I am taking does not go to any of the danger zones mentioned. At my age, 66, I doubt whether I will take part in any mad orgies!
Have a wonderful time!
Judy