VISA INFORMATION:
Every foreign participant will need a valid visa for entry in India. Best option is to apply for the Tourist Visa.
Please check the e-VISA facility for your country at the below URL
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
Participant should apply for visa well in advance keeping in mind possible delays (which can vary from country to country) in visa processing.
NOTE: Chandigarh Airport will remain closed on every Sunday (10th December) for next months because of ongoing repair work of runway. For other days as well, airport will not be operational after 4 PM.
Recommendation to Reach Venue:
There is no Direct International Flight connected to Shimla. Different possible options to reach Shimla:
1) From Delhi to Chandigarh (by flight) and Chandigarh to Shimla (by Road)
a) From Delhi there are frequent flights (duration of about 1 Hr) to Chandigarh. If someone is arriving at any other International Airport in India i.e. Mumbai, Kolkatta; there are connection to Chandigarh from these cities as well however connection frequency is not as large as for Delhi-Chandigarh.
b) For Chandigarh to Shimla, Bus/taxi will be booked for 10th Dec and 15th Dec. There is still flexibility on the timing and the frequency of the bus. It will be best optimized once we get the actual travel plans. By road travel time from Chandigarh to Shimla is about 4 Hrs.
Due to arising situation with Chandigarh airport, now organizer will provide travel arrangement for 9th December as well as on 11th December.
On 11th Dec, if possible try to reach before 1 PM at Chandigarh airport.
On 15th Dec, again there will be multiple travel arrangements to accommodate with travel plans of participants. Last bus/taxi will leave at the end of session say 1 PM.
c) If someone can not accompany us in the bus, there are options of private taxi for travel from Chandigarh to Shimla. It will cost approximate Indian Rupees ~2500/-. Organizer can help in arranging private taxi if asked by any participant.
2) From Delhi to Shimla (by flight)
There is only one flight (AirIndia) every day connecting Delhi (DEL) to Shimla (SLV) with timings below:
a) 6:10 AM Departure from Delhi; 7:25 AM Arrival at Shimla
b) 7:45 AM Departure from Shimla; 8:50 AM Arrival at Delhi.
NOTE: Being a single flight to Shimla, it can cost high if not booked well in advance. As workshop is scheduled in Winter season so it is possible that this flight get delayed/cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
Shimla airport to Shimla city will be 1 Hour journey by taxi. It should cost approximate Indian Ruppes 2000/-.
3) International Connection to Chandigarh (by Flight) and Chandigarh to Shimla (by Road);
a) Chandigarh has direct connection with Dubai and Sharjah. One can explore to reach Chandigarh with stop-over in Dubai/Sharjah.
b) For Chandigarh to Shimla, We are planning to book bus which will leave Chandigarh at 4 pm on 10th December and will leave Shimla at 4 pm on 15th December. There is still flexibility on the timing and the frequency of the bus. It will be best optimized once we get the actual travel plans. By road travel time from Chandigarh to Shimla is about 4 Hrs.
c) If someone can not accompany us in the bus, there are option of private taxi for travel from Chandigarh to Shimla. It will cost approximate Indian Rupees ~2500/-. Organizer can help in arranging private taxi if asked by any participant.
