Travel and Required Documents
Required Documents (for foreigners)
Anyone who is not a citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan or a Tibetan with an RC will be required to obtain an Indian Tourist Visa and a PAP (Protected Area Permit).
A PAP may be obtained by applying at this website: https://papvt.mha.gov.in/
When applying for a PAP, you may request up to one year of duration for your permit - this is advised in case there is another time you may want to visit Sera Jey in the future. You can also continuously keep an active PAP by re-applying each year. This eliminates any potential hassle about coming to the Tibetan protected areas.
There is no cost to obtain a PAP, and it typically takes 2-3 months for them to be processed. Please apply well in advance of any planned visits.
You also may want to apply for multiple locations. Occasionally there will be teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or another important event in one of the other monasteries in Karnataka. If you include Bylakuppe, Hunsur, and Mundgod on your application, you will be allowed to visit all the Tibetan monasteries in the region.
In addition to a PAP, you will need a Visa. You may visit the website of the Indian embassy of your country of citizenship for more information about Visas. Students of the Fall Debate School will not be eligible for student visas - instead, you will be able to get a Tourist Visa.
More information about how to obtain your PAP and your Tourist Visa will be sent by email after you register.
Travel to Bylakuppe and Sera Jey
Flights
If you are traveling from outside of Karnataka, you can fly into Bangalore Airport (Kempegowda International Airport, BLR) and from there take a bus or taxi to Sera. The drive from Bangalore to Sera typically takes 5-6 hours.
There is also an international airport in Mysore, which is only a two-hour trip from Sera. However, there are far fewer flights going to this airport. Likewise, there is an international aiport in Mangalore, which is 4-5 hours by road from Sera.
Buses from the Airport
The state bus service runs a special bus direct from the aiport to Mysore and Kushalnagar called the Flybus. It is fairly comfortable and runs several times per day to Mysore, and twice each day to Kushalnagar. Kushalnagar is the closest large town to Sera; it is only twenty minutes away by auto-rickshaw. These buses cost around rs1000 per ticket. You can purchase tickets online, via the KSRTC app, or directly at the Bangalore Airport (ask for directions to the buses and you will see a booth selling tickets for this bus). They do regularly fill up, so booking in advance is advised.
Taxis from the Airport
You may also book a taxi at the Bangalore airport, either through a ride-hailing app like Ola or from the airport taxi service.
Sera Jey will ask you if you want us to arrange a taxi for you before your flight, and we will coordinate with multiple students if possible. Taxis from the airport will cost roughly rs6000, which can be an economical way to travel with several passengers.
Buses and Trains from other Indian Locales
India hosts a wide range of bus and train services that connect the entire country, including vehicles with sleeping accommodations, air conditioning, on-board meal service, etc. The nearest train station is two hours away in Mysore. Many buses stop directly in Kushalnagar or even will let you off in Bylakuppe itself. Finding train/bus schedules and booking tickets is extremely convenient with apps such as Makemytrip or ConfirmTkt. Please contact us with any questions about traveling by train or bus.
More specific information about travel arrangements will be sent by email as we near the start of the course.
