The closest international airport to Gokulam Grand Resort is Cochin International Airport. If you're traveling internationally and don't see any direct flights from your closest airport to Cochin, Mumbai and Delhi are hubs and may be better options for you. If you're flying from the US, stops in European countries and Dubai are common. From Cochin International Airport, you can book an Uber or set up a hotel shuttle (in advance) to come pick you up.
If you're not an Indian citizen, you'll most likely need a visa. There is only one official visa site (and many websites saying that they are the official ones). Only move through the process on this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ You can apply for an Indian e-Tourist visa 120 days in advance of your arrival date for a one-year or five-year visa, or up to 30 days in advance for a 30-day visa. Once you navigate to the website, proceed by clicking the "For e-Visa by Bureau of Immigration, Apply here" button. On the next page, click the "Apply for e-visa" button towards the bottom of the page. Be warned - the website can be wonky. As you're moving through the application for the first time, we recommend that you copy and paste your written out responses in another document, just in case the website doesn't accept your application the first time. Keep trying! This is normal. Both times Isabel has applied, confirmation that the visa has been approved has come within a week (one time it came in 30-ish hours, but we do not don't recommend applying so late lol). You can also go onto the website and check your visa status using your application reference number. This is often updated prior to receiving emailed confirmation. Once your visa is approved, you need to print it out and carry it with you while you travel. You will be asked to show it (probably 2-3 times) throughout the trip at customs and immigration. Before you travel to India you should also fill out the e-Arrival form, which must be submitted 72 hours before arrival in India. You can fill it out here: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ If you have any questions, let us know and we'll do our best to support!
When we travel to India, we use an e-sim through a company called Airalo. This allows us access the internet from our phones without being on a local wifi network. We highly recommend this! If you'd like more information, check out this blog article on Airalo: https://www.airalo.com/blog/how-to-use-an-esim-to-simplify-your-phone-service-abroad You can check the pricing packages for an Indian e-sim here: https://www.airalo.com/india-esim
We recommend booking an extra night or two (at least!) at Gokulam Grand Resort. If you book on the 11th, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the resort on the 12th before the festivities begin that afternoon! If you book the day or two after the wedding, we'll be around to relax and enjoy fun activities together. To make a reservation for before or after the wedding days, email sales.kmk@gokulamhotels.com including: - your name - number of rooms / people - type of room - the day(s) that you would like to stay - and some sort of message explaining the following, "I'll be attending Isabel and Aayush's wedding from the 12th-13th and would like to extend my stay." An important note about extending: The resort charges a Peak Rate through January 10. If you check-in before January 11, you'll be subject to that rate. After January 11, if you extend your stay, you'll receive a special rate through the wedding. These are the types of rooms and their rates: Deluxe Room - ₹14,500 Superior Room - ₹ 15,500 Lake View Room - ₹ 20,000 Meandering Pool Room - ₹ 25,000 Lake View Villa - ₹ 26,000 Presidential Suite - ₹ 45,000
Based on what the internet is telling us, January sees the lowest amount of rain in Kumarakom. It will probably be sunny! In Fahrenheit, high temperatures land in the mid-80s while lows are in the low-70s. In Celsius, that's around 30 high and 23 low.
Indian weddings are opportunities for bright colors! Whatever format of clothing you decide to wear, more traditional Indian or not, let it be clothing you feel beautiful and comfortable in. For further details on suggested attire, check the 'Schedule and Events' tab. Some things to consider: - It's probably best to avoid wearing black to events. - It's going to be hot! Wear light, airy fabrics for the day events. - (For out-of-towners!) Depending on your travel schedule, you may be best off going shopping when you land in India.
We'll be gathering this information from each guest when we send out our formal RSVP. If you have any concerns that you'd like to get on our radar sooner rather than later, don't hesitate to reach out!
First, if you're able to join us in Kumarakom, we cannot express to you how grateful we are for the huge investment that requires. It means the world to us. You are the gift. You are an entire universe of enough. Second, we didn't know if we are going to have a formal registry. But we've been advised by wise people that it's helpful for guests and will keep us from having 10 sets of towels. You can navigate to the registry page if you are feeling particularly generous. We'll also have limited suitcase space, we'll have limited capacity to bring gifts that are gifted to us in-person home to Seattle! Just something to consider. More details to come soon :)