The registration deadline is April 30 (or earlier if capacity is reached, at which point registration will be closed). A completed registration form and deposit of $1,000 USD per traveler is required to officially secure a spot in the tour group. The deposit LESS $250 per person is refundable until April 30. After the deadline or the early closing of registration, deposits shall become non-refundable. Participants who request to cancel their booking after the closing of registration will be given the option to apply their deposit to a Bayan tour within the next 12 months only.

An invoice for the balance due (reflecting any applicable discounts) will be emailed to registered participants. The remaining balance shall be due upon receipt of invoice. Timely payment must be received for us to confirm hotel rooms, coordinate transportation and complete related bookings. Balance payments received by us cannot be refunded, due to the payments being transmitted to our local partner agency for bookings (which cannot be recouped by Bayan Tours), nor can these funds be applied to a future tour. Participants who are uncertain about their ability to join a tour after having paid the deposit and balance must secure travel insurance should it become necessary to drop out for any reason and seek redress for airfare and tour costs through the policy.

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Abdul-Rehman Malik, an award-winning journalist, educator and cultural organizer, will be the guest faculty escort for the tour, supported by Bayan faculty and staff. He is Lecturer and Associate Research Scholar at the Yale Divinity School, and serves as Director of the Muslim Leadership Lab, an innovative student leadership program at the Dwight Hall Center of Social Justice at Yale. He has a lifetime of experience in community organizing, broadcasting and peacebuilding. His work has spanned the UK, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sudan, Mali, Singapore, Canada, Malaysia and beyond. Until 2018 regularly presented the popular Pause for Thought segment on BBC Radio 2 and Something Understood on BBC Radio 4. His radio documentary on the history of Islam and Coffee – “The Muhammadan Bean” – has won numerous awards. This tour is designed around the theme of coffee culture in Islamic civilization.

Our group size tends to be in the range of 20-30 participants from North America and beyond. However, the capacity for this tour is limited to 20 participants. Bayan’s tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring scholarly knowledge, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. Most tour groups are multi-generational and diverse in nature. In addition to historical and contemporary sites of interest, the itinerary includes visits to mosques and other places of worship to accommodate the religious needs of group members. Participants are able to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan’s mission as a non-profit educational institution.

This tour involves a combination of local public transportation in cities (subway trains, buses, taxis), private A/C coach for excursions, and inter-city high speed trains. In cities, we will walk from site to site and/or use the various forms of local transportation mentioned. In different cities and historical sites, there will be a fair amount of walking, including walking up and down inclines and flights of steps. The guides will take into account the differing abilities and health conditions of group members and regulate the pace and intensity of the tour accordingly. Participants should expect to walk roughly 8,000-10,000 steps (about 4-5 miles in aggregate) on several days, and fewer on some days. We will identify rest points and bathroom stops along the routes taken. Even so, this tour may not be suitable for those with knee, hip or foot pain that could be aggravated by the amount of walking involved, or other health challenges. Participants are encouraged to prepare for the tour by walking at least 5,000 steps per day in the weeks leading up to the tour.

Japan is renowned for its unique cuisine, which is appreciated worldwide. In designing this tour, we plan to frequent many restaurants and eateries that provide zabihah halal meat options, as well as seafood and vegetarian fare. In addition to sushi and sashimi, our goal is to enjoy halal versions of Japanese ramen, udon, soba (buckwheat noodles), curry, yakitori (skewered meat), wagyu steak and kobe beef, and more. We will also try baked goods, breads, and desserts made with halal ingredients, not to mention the viral egg sandwich sold at 7-11 shops. Beverages include green tea, matcha, fruit sodas, and yuzu lemonade, among others.

Yes, all participants who have completed their full payment will receive a detailed information packet that includes descriptions of the cities and sites to be visited, the daily schedule, currency exchange, local prayer times, electrical adapters, weather, what to pack, and more.

We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for all who are eligible to receive these shots. We will update participants regarding PCR or antigen testing requirements of Nepal, if applicable. At the time of our travel, it may be that fewer requirements will be in place. Given the low incidence of Covid in Nepal, we do not expect to mandate masking during the tour, but we encourage masking whenever possible and according to each individual’s comfort level. For example, when shopping in crowded areas, it would be best to wear a mask. General sanitary practices should be maintained at all times, such as washing hands with soap, using sanitizing gels and wipes, and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals.

Bayan Tours are open to participants who wish to join from anywhere in the world. However, the majority of participants tend to be from the United States. U.S. passport holders do not need to obtain a visa to enter Japan for tourism (up to 90 days). This is true for nationals of many other countries as well. Non-U.S. passport holders are encouraged to check requirements for their nationality and obtain a visa if required. We are unable to facilitate the acquisition of a visa for any participants from other nations for whom a visa is required.