Hoping to travel with young child - advice?

Hello All,

I just came upon this site so I am super new. I've fallen in love with a retreat being offered in Mcleod Ganj (Upper Dharamsala) in April 2011 and I want to bring my 3-year old. My husband can't come (has to work) so I am trying to get a friend to come along and co-caretake with me. I think I might be crazy wanting to take my 3-year old, but I'm not crazy enough to do it alone. Though if I can't find somebody to join us, maybe I just am...

I was in India two and half years ago - Amritsar and Rishikesh - and have been itching to get back ever since. My daughter was born in Vietnam (adopted) and I want her to see the world. She is a good traveler and very curious.

My main question is: Am I crazy?

Followed by: Is it safe for a little one with a less developed immune system?

I am quite afraid of Malaria - though ignorant at this early stage about its presence where we will be. I am not going to dress her in long sleeves if it is hot (that just wont fly). And I wont put Deet on her. Is there Malaria in Dharamsala/the Himalayas? (I don't remember using bug repellant when I was in Rishikesh or even thinking about mosquitoes or Malaria).

Hep A and Hep B? I suppose I will have to ask my doctor on this one...

And lastly, for now (perhaps these questions belong elsewhere, excuse me for my newbieness) -- Is it SAFE to FLY to Dharamsala? I mean, do these planes ever crash? As I said before, I've been to India -- I don't think a 12-hour bus ride on those roads, after a 14 hour plane ride is a good idea. Flying might be a better bet - but how safe is it??

The retreat is 18 days, and other than overnights in/near Delhi on first and last nights, I can't take any additional time off for visiting other places - so it's a quick trip, but I think since we are going to be in one place the whole time, it should be ok.

Thoughts? Any advice? Feedback?

I look forward to exploring more of this site.

THANKS!

Meherbani

mostly malaria is found every where but it is not common in places like dhramshala .now there is facility available for detection and treatment in every govt and private hospital . you should vaccinate your child with hep A and hep B vaccine along with rotavirus vaccines . i never heard any news regarding plane crash or plane accident in dharamshala .india has very strict control on aviation sector regarding safety. i think king fisher flight is there (please check)king fisher is a good carrier .

Do read this article re travel with yound children :
http://www.indiamike.com/india-artic...dia-with-kids/
also perhaps this http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle1449417/

While I encourage you to consult with your doctor (the standard disclaimer is that none of us our doctors) the travel clinics I have gone to in Canada have advised that most of HP is very low risk for malaria [I think primarly due to altitude]. There are non-deet based mosquito repelents with varying degree of effectiveness you could try if you are worried and you will likely find that in apil light cotton long sleeved tops are perfectly appriopriate for the weather. Even in May/June when I was there last I wore a light jacket or my limited supply of long sleeves most of the day save a few warm hours from later morning to mid-afternoon.

Make sure you very carefully address the visa issues etc - often you need a letter or other formal permission to take a child out of country when the other parent is not present.

Best of luck on your trip!

Are you able to have your three year old in the retreat? This would be one thing I would check first. Some retreats insist on absolute silence and this will be a difficulty. Check these things out first. (I know the Vipassana meditation retreat up there has strict rules like this.)

Thanks all so far! Great advice - esp. the taking child out of country without other parent - didn't think of that -yes, will need to attend to it! Especially also as we do not have same last name and she is Vietnamese!

Retreat is fine with child - first thing I did before anything was email the leader about appropriateness of a young child -- he's all for it!! And will help me find babysitters etc if need be during classes etc. It's a yoga, chanting, dancing, music retreat plus teaching English to Tibetans in the afternoons, plus 2 weekend yoga festivals. (Sounds good, no?).

Thanks so far for the feedback!!

Sat Nam, Meherbani

Hi
it is very safe place , you can fly , these planes dont crash at all all your child needs is you have planned alright , no more precaution needed .
April 11 is long away now but you may surely get some companion or do it alone it is ok .

The retreat does sound good, and good you can take your child too! To get up there quickly flying would be the way to go, otherwise there is an overnight train to Pathankot from Delhi. After that it is around a three to four hour taxi ride up to McLeod Ganj. The weather in April is warm, but not unpleasantly hot, and the nights always cool down.

Check with your doctor re malaria, advisable medications etc. for your child. But you will find in McLeod Ganj there are good doctors and medical attention there, so you should not worry too much. The risk of malaria at that altitude is very low.