PDIB India 2013 - New Delhi, Agra, Bangalore and Mumbai, India (January 4 - 11, 2013)

India’s colossal economy is intrinsically dynamic and innovative. In today’s globalized and interdependent economy, innovation is recognized as an essential engine of growth and India is seen as a top global player. Despite the global slowdown, and although growth has slowed from last year, the economy is still expanding faster than most other countries. The program is designed for professionals and faculty interested in pursuing their interests in the Indian business environment. Participants will experience first hand how multinationals and leading Indian companies are riding the downfall, while simultaneously reshaping the Indian business environment resulting in a competitive INDIA INC. The program will take place in Delhi, Agra, Bangalore, and Mumbai. During the trip, participants will visit top multinational companies and historical sites that have shaped the culture of India.

• Agra, Deli, Bangalore and Mumbai
• January 4 -11, 2013

Program fee is $3,600 per participant and includes hotel accommodations (single occupancy) with daily breakfast, all ground transportation (including transportation between countries), entry to cultural activities (as specified on the itinerary), business visits, and some additional meals. International airfare is not included. Please see the International Travel Information section for additional information about international travel arrangements.

Double Occupancy may be available at a reduced fee of $2,750. This option is only available if there are other participants who wish to share hotel accommodations. In the event there are no other participants interested, then the participant would be required to pay the original program fee of $3,600 for a single occupancy room.

Spouses of participants may also participate in all cultural activities (excluding business visits) for $1,100. This fee includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy with the main participant) some included lunches, a welcome/farewell dinner, internal flights and ground transportation, and entry to all cultural activities as scheduled. Business visits, international airfare, visa or passport fees, and other costs are NOT included. Spouses will be required to register and submit all required documents.

Participants will be required to arrange their own international roundtrip airfare.

Please schedule your flight so that you will arrive in New Delhi, India on January 4, 2013. Most arrivals will be by the very early morning. Participants who wish to arrival earlier than the 4th of January may do so, but will be responsible for arranging their own accommodations. Hotel rooms have been booked from the previous night for immediate occupancy. Participants who arrive on the night of the 3rd of January will have their room covered, but will be responsible for arranging transportation to the hotel.

Departure should be from Mumbai, India on January 11, 2013 in the very late evening or early morning on January 12, 2013. The hotel room will have a late check out of 7:00 PM on January 11, 2013.

Participants who are looking for the most affordable international flight may wish to contact Panorama Travel: Panorama Travel Toll Free: 1-866-726-7262 E-mail: info@pantrav.com

 

This tentative itinerary is subject to change. Participants will receive more details on the planned itinerary as the program date approaches.

Day 1	January 2, 2012
	Depart from the U.S.
Day 2	January 4, 2013
	Arrive in in New Delhi (most arrivals will be early morning). Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums.
	After clearing customs and immigration formalities, proceed towards the arrival lounge of the airport where you will be welcomed with garlands and assisted by our representative.
	Transfer to hotel.
	Check in hotel (rooms have been booked in advance for immediate occupancy).
	Breakfast at the hotel
	You begin your India experience by traveling through the streets of New Delhi that takes you past the architecture of British India - the imposing President’s House, the North and South Blocks, the government offices and Parliament House.     Arrive at Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory, built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted in all these centuries. From Qutab, drive to the Tomb of Humayun - this magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture.
	Lunch at a local restaurant
	Business Visit (TBA)
	Return to the hotel
	Welcome Dinner at a specialty restaurant.
Day 3	January 5, 2013
	Early morning transfer to the New Delhi railway station to board train to Agra. Breakfast will be served on board the train.
	Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal.  The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564.  A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone, by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Assistance on arrival at the Railway Station and directly proceed for a visit to Agra Fort. Built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort is a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner.
	Lunch at a local restaurant.
	Afternoon proceed to the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble.  Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal, to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World.
	Return to New Delhi.
Day 4	January 6, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel
	Visit to Bandhwari Village
	Lunch at local restaurant
	Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Bangalore
	Bangalore, also known as the ‘Garden City’ and the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, is the capital of the modern state of Karnataka. The city was founded by Kempa Gauda, a local chieftain, in the 16th century. It became an important fortress city two centuries later, under the rulers of Karnataka - Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
Day 5	January 7, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel.
	Morning Business Visit (TBA).
	Lunch at a local restaurant.
	Afternoon Business Visit (TBA).
	Return to Hotel.
Day 6	January 8, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel.
	Morning Business Visit (TBA).
	Lunch at a local restaurant.
	Afternoon Business Visit (TBA).
Day 7	January 9, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel.
	Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai.
	Mumbai (Bombay) is the vibrant and pulsating capital of Maharashtra. For over a century, Mumbai has been a commercial and industrial centre of India with a magnificent harbour, imposing multi-storied buildings, crowded thoroughfares, busy markets, shopping centres and beautiful tourist spots. The British acquired Mumbai from the Portuguese in 1665 and handed it over to the East India company in 1671 for a handsome annual rent of Sterling Pounds 10 in Gold! Later, these seven islands were joined together by causeways and bridges in 1862.
	Check in at hotel
	Lunch at a local restaurant.
	Later proceed for your next business visit driving past the Marine Drive and the Victorian Gothic style buildings of the Fort area and Ballard estate. Stop for a while at the  Victoria Terminus Railway station (presently known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), another architectural brilliance of the British Era.
	Afternoon Business Visit (TBA).
	Later return to the hotel en route stopping at Crawford Market, the busy local vegetable and spice market. Reminiscent of Victorian London, this market was completed in 1867, and features an interesting blend of Gothic and Moorish architectural styles. You will be given time at the market to take photographs and walk around.
Day 8	January 10, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel.
	Morning Business Visit (TBA).
	Lunch at local restaurant.
	Afternoon Business Visit (TBA).
	Return to the hotel.
Day 9	January 11, 2013
	Breakfast at the hotel
	Excursion to the Elephant Caves
	The Elephanta Caves is 22 kms off the coast of Bombay and an hour’s ride by motor launch from the Gateway of India. The cave temples of Elephanta date back to the 7th century.  Four rows of massive columns cut into solid rock form three magnificent avenues, leading to the outstanding three-headed sculpture representing `Brahma the Creator’, `Vishnu the Preserver’ and `Shiva the Destroyer’. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these phenomenal sculptures, depicting the various manifestations of Shiva, is overpowering.
	Lunch at a local restaurant
	Return to hotel. The room has been reserved until 7:00 PM.
	Late evening transportation to airport for flight home.

Taj Mahal Number One Mansingh Road New Delhi - 110 011 India. Telephone: +91 11 23026162 Facsimile: +91 11 23026070
The Gateway Hotel 66, Residency Road Bangalore - 560 025, Karnataka, India Tel: 91 80 66604545 Fax: 91 80 66614542
Taj Mahal Palace Apollo Bunder Mumbai - 400 001 Maharashtra, India Telephone: +91 22 6665 3366 Facsimile: +91 22 6665 0300 /08/09

Participants are encouraged to purchase international travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. Participants may contact STA TRAVEL at 1-800-387-2427 or purchase online at www.statravel.com or any other International travel insurance company.

All participants will requires a visa for India, except citizens of neighboring Nepal and Bhutan. Participants must obtain their Indian visa before arriving in India. We recommend that participants apply for a tourist visa, which are generally issued for six months, depending on nationality. Most tourist visa allow for multiple entry. Ten year visas are obtainable from the United States. In addition, five year visas are available for people from 18 countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Vietnam. Visas requests for participants living in the United States are handled through Travisa Outsourcing. Travisa Outsourcing has 5 locations, each serving residents of different states. Your visa for India application can only be processed at the processing facility that services your state. Participants should plan for a minimum of 4 weeks processing time from Travisa Outsourcing for all India visa applications. Please apply for a tourist visa indicating that your visit is for cultural exploration only. Please do not mention this PDIB program, or any business visits during your stay in India, in order to prevent delays or confusion by the Embassy or Consulate of India. Processing Facility Servicing States Link Chicago, IL Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Link Houston, tx Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas Link new york, ny Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands Link san francisco, ca Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming Link washington, dc Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, American Samoa, Armed Forces Americas, Armed Forces Europe, Armed Forces Pacific, Bermuda, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas and Palau. Link

Participants will be responsible for any personal expenses, including (but not exclusive to) airport taxes, passport and visa expenses, faxes, local and international calls, room service, tips, transportation and meals (beyond that offered in the program), additional tours, etc.

Participants who wish to register for this program should complete the online application by clicking the "Register Now" button below. Once submitted, participants will receive a confirmation e-mail with additional information. Invoices for the program fee will be e-mailed to the participants shortly after registering.

Participants are also required to submit clear copies of the following documents to our office:

1. Copy of valid passport (color copies are preferred).
2. Copy of driver's license, or another form of identification.
3. Proof of health insurance (front and back).
4. Release and Assumption of Risk form
5. A half page updated biography.
6. International Travel Airfare Itinerary (Please submit at least two weeks prior to the start of the program).
7. Travel Visa (if applicable).

Unfortunately we cannot accept fax copies of these documents due to decipherability issues. Participants can e-mail color scanned copies to ciber@fiu.edu, mail to our mailing address below, or drop them off in our office.

Documents can be mailed to:

FIU CIBER
Florida International University
11200 S.W. 8th ST, RB 354b
Miami, FL 33199

The last day to enroll into this program is November 30, 2012. After this date, we will try to accommodate additional participants, but additional costs may be incurred.

Refund Policy/Cancellation Policy:

Written cancellations received by September 1, 2012 will receive a 100% refund. Written cancellations received after September 1, 2012 and before November 1, 2012 will receive a 50% refund. Written cancellations after November 1, 2012 will not be entitled to any refunds due to commitments to our vendors.

All cancellations must be made in writing to ciber@fiu.edu.

Sonia Verdu Associate Director Florida International University E-mail: Sonia.Verdu@fiu.edu

Robert Rodriguez Program Manager Florida International University Tel: (305) 348-1740 E-mail: Robert.Rodriguez3@fiu.edu

Dr. Sumit K. Kundu Professor of Intl' Business Florida International University Tel: 305-348-3251 E-mail: Sumit.Kundu@fiu.edu