Question 1

Who else is going? Can I see the group before I commit?

Accepted Answer

Every edition is curated to 14–17 people across professions, cities, and stages of life — never 14 from the same industry. Once you confirm, you get an anonymized cohort snapshot covering roles, cities, and why each person is coming. The full WhatsApp group goes live around 30 days before departure. Median age is typically 28–38; gender ratio targets 50:50 within applicant-pool constraints. If a destination skews younger or older, the edition page says so.

Question 2

What's actually included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Stays, on-ground transfers, curated experiences, breakfast and one other meal a day, and the host being with you for the whole edition. Not included: flights, visa fees, alcohol, and meals on free evenings. The exact inclusions/exclusions split is in the two-column section on each edition page. No surprise add-ons at checkout.

Question 3

What happens to my money if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation outcomes depend on your edition's category and how close you are to departure. In the early window you receive 90% as ExCo Wallet credit (or 80% as a bank transfer if you've paid ₹50,000+); in the late window 50% wallet (or 40% bank). A flat ₹7,000 administration fee applies. ExCo Wallet credit is valid at full value for 12 months and is transferable to a friend or family member once. Wallet credit cannot be converted to cash. Insurance premiums and third-party costs already incurred remain non-refundable.

Question 4

How does the deposit and payment work?

Accepted Answer

A 10% deposit at booking locks your spot — this applies across all edition categories (Visa-Heavy, Mid-Adventure, and Easy-Visa / Domestic). The remaining balance is split into scheduled payments based on the category's payment timeline, with the final payment due before the edition's cut-off. The exact schedule is shown above the deposit button on each edition page. You can pay by UPI, bank transfer, debit card, or credit card.

Question 5

How do you actually pick people for an edition?

Accepted Answer

We're not picking the “best” applicants — we're building a room that works. Range across professions, life stages, and intent matters more than credentials. We read every application. The lens is simple: would this person make the group better, and would the group make this person's edition better.

Question 6

Can I bring my partner, friend, or sibling?

Accepted Answer

Yes — both of you go through the same curation flow. The group balance matters more than the headcount, so we apply the same lens to your plus-one. Often both get in. Sometimes only one of you is the right fit for that specific edition, in which case we'll recommend a different edition for the other. Spot transfers between friends or family aren't allowed directly — the original booking has to be cancelled first, and any wallet credit can then be used toward a new booking.

Question 7

Can I move my dates if I can't get leave approved in time?

Accepted Answer

Edition dates are fixed — the host, the cohort, and the on-ground vendors are all locked. Edition transfers are not permitted directly. If your plans change, you'll need to cancel your current booking and use any eligible ExCo Wallet credit toward a new booking. The credit is valid at full value for 12 months.

Question 8

How much does an edition cost? Is the price on the page final?

Accepted Answer

The number on the edition page is the all-in program fee for what's included — stays, on-ground transfers, curated experiences, breakfast and one other meal a day, and the host. Flights, visa fees, alcohol, and meals on free evenings are excluded. GST applies where relevant; checkout shows the final number. Editions priced in USD/EUR/JPY may convert at the prevailing rate when each scheduled payment is processed; once a payment has been processed it isn't retrospectively adjusted.

Question 9

India — Will I have WiFi and phone signal throughout the trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Jodhpur has solid 4G coverage across the city including the old town. If you're flying in from abroad, grab a local SIM (Airtel/Jio) at the airport, around INR 300-600 for a tourist data pack. Most cafes and your accommodation will have WiFi too, so staying connected won't be an issue.

Question 10

India — How do we get around Jodhpur during the trip?

Accepted Answer

Group transport is arranged for all scheduled activities and sessions. For personal exploring on free time, autos and app-based cabs (Ola/Uber work fine in Jodhpur) are cheap and easy — expect INR 100-300 for most short hops within the city. Airport transfers aren't included, so plan your own cab or share with fellow travelers landing around the same time.

Question 11

India — Is Jodhpur safe, and who do I contact in an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Jodhpur is one of the safer, more tourist-familiar cities in India, especially during RIFF when the city's buzzing with visitors. That said, your ExCo trip lead will share a local emergency contact card at check-in with numbers for our on-ground coordinator, the nearest hospital, and local police. Always keep your ID and this card on you during self-explore time.

Question 12

India — What should I pack that I might not think of?

Accepted Answer

Comfortable walking shoes (streets are cobbled and uneven), a light shawl/stole for cool evenings and fort visits, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, power bank, and a light jacket for late-night festival sessions. Modest clothing is appreciated at religious sites in the Blue Town. Don't over-pack — you'll want room for textile shopping.

Question 13

India — What's the weather like in Jodhpur in late October?

Accepted Answer

Pleasant, honestly one of the best times to visit. Daytime highs around 32-34°C, evenings cooling to 18-20°C. Pack light cottons for the day and a light jacket or shawl for evening sessions at RIFF, which often run outdoors at Mehrangarh Fort after sunset.

Question 14

India — How fit do I need to be for this? It's rated Activity Level 3.

Accepted Answer

Nothing extreme — Level 3 means moderate walking, mostly on the Blue Town Wanderings and Food Walking Tour, through Jodhpur's old city lanes which involve some uneven stone steps and inclines near Mehrangarh Fort. If you can comfortably walk 2-3 hours over a few days with breaks, you're set. Comfortable closed shoes are non-negotiable.

Question 15

India — What about alcohol — is it part of the trip?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol isn't included in any of the group meals or sessions. Rajasthan has state-run liquor stores and most decent restaurants/bars serve alcohol, so you can easily buy your own if you'd like a drink in the evenings. Just budget it separately — expect INR 300-600 for a beer at a casual spot.

Question 16

India — I'm vegetarian/vegan — will I survive in Jodhpur?

Accepted Answer

You'll thrive, honestly. Rajasthan is one of the most vegetarian-friendly regions in India — dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and ker sangri are all plant-based staples. Our Food Walking Tour and Lunch & Conversations sessions include vegetarian options by default, and vegan requests can be accommodated with advance notice — just flag it when you book.

Question 17

India — How much extra cash should I actually budget beyond the trip price?

Accepted Answer

Realistically, keep INR 6,000-10,000 aside for flights-adjacent costs (airport cabs run INR 400-700 in Jodhpur), a couple of personal dinners (INR 400-800 per meal at decent places), coffee, shopping at the famous Sardar Market for textiles or spices, and tips. Alcohol isn't included in group meals, so factor that separately if you drink.

Question 18

India — What's the edition price of INR 85,000 actually covering, and what's extra?

Accepted Answer

Included: all RIFF event & session access, the Food Walking Tour, Blue Town Wanderings, and Lunch & Conversations sessions. Not included: flights to/from Jodhpur, airport transfers, personal meals outside the listed ones, drinks, shopping, and any solo excursions you fancy on off-hours. Budget roughly INR 5,000-8,000 extra for the trip for personal spends.

Question 19

India — Do I need a visa for Jodhpur RIFF, and what will it cost me?

Accepted Answer

If you're an Indian passport holder, zero paperwork, zero cost — you're good to go. If you're travelling in from abroad, you'll need a standard Indian tourist e-visa, but since this edition is priced for domestic travel, please check with us directly for visa guidance based on your nationality before booking flights.

Question 20

What if I'm waiting on visa results when payment is due?

Accepted Answer

If you've confirmed for your edition and applied for your visa but are still waiting on results, you can make a partial payment of 30% and settle the balance once the visa is approved. If the visa is rejected, ExCo deducts 20% of the amount paid and the rest is credited to a future edition. If your visa status remains uncertain 31 days before the edition, you can either reschedule to a future edition free of charge, or hold your spot — in which case the 50% advance becomes non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Question 21

What if I have a prior visa rejection?

Accepted Answer

A prior rejection (US, UK, Schengen, or otherwise) doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it does mean we'll spend more time on documentation. Flag it during the application — our visa team has a separate intake for travellers with prior rejections so you get an honest read on your odds before you commit financially. Note: passports must remain valid for at least six months beyond the end of the edition.

Question 22

I'm coming solo — will it feel awkward?

Accepted Answer

About 70% of every edition comes solo. By the second dinner, no one remembers who arrived knowing whom. The whole format — shared villa, shared transport, anchor experiences — is built so groups form fast and naturally.

Jodhpur RIFF

Trip highlights

People you'll meet

What's included

Your Gameplan

Khammaghani, Jodhpur!

RIFF Takes the Stage - Stuff of Legends

The Grand Finale

Final Notes, Big Feels, and See You Soon!

Our Favourite Stay

Ranbanka Palace

Bucketlist

Common questions

Have questions?

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