India

India, a symphony of contrasts and harmonies, has long been a siren call to the wanderlust-stricken traveler. Its topography is a canvas painted with the stark whites of the Himalayan snows and the lush greens of its coastal fringes. The narrative of its rich history is woven into the very fabric of its majestic temples, formidable forts, and regal palaces—each a silent sentinel to the myriad of cultures that have thrived here through the millennia. The backwaters of Kerala, with their languid pace, offer a stark juxtaposition to the kinetic energy of Mumbai's urban sprawl, while the spiritual aura of Varanasi's ghats provides a serene counterpoint to Rajasthan's vibrant desert life. This diversity extends to the culinary arts, music, dance, and dialects, each region presenting a distinct flavor in the feast of experiences that is India.

The tourism tapestry of India is as vibrant as it is varied, contributing a significant thread to the economic fabric of the nation. It is a domain where the echoes of ancient traditions are not drowned out by the cacophony of modernity but instead create a melodious blend that resonates throughout the land. The calendar is a kaleidoscope of festivals, each more vivid than the last, and the wildlife is as varied as the geography it inhabits—from the majestic stride of the Bengal tiger to the underwater ballet of the Andaman's coral reefs.

For those with an intrepid spirit, the Indian Himalayas beckon with promises of trekking trails untrodden, peaks unclimbed, and rivers that rush with the thrill of rafting. The extensive coastline unfurls a playground for aqua adventurers. Yet, it is perhaps the spiritual quest that draws seekers to India's shores, with ashrams and retreats offering solace and enlightenment in the cradle of yoga and meditation.

India's pledge to safeguard its natural and cultural treasures is manifest in the mosaic of its national parks, wildlife sanctaries, and heritage sites. Tourism here is often intertwined with sustainability and community empowerment, ensuring that the splendors of India will continue to inspire awe and wonder for eons.

In essence, India is not just a destination; it is an experience that stirs the soul, a journey that transforms the traveler, and a story that unfolds with each step taken on its soil. It is a land that does not just satisfy the senses but also kindles the spirit, making every visit not just a passage through places, but a voyage through time and self.

Travel Tips for India

India is an enormous country with a unique environment and traditions. To ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible, it is beneficial to consider a few important facts before embarking on your holiday. For your convenience, we have provided links to sites where you can find more detailed information. The following information is accurate and reliable to the best of our knowledge. This advice is our sincere effort to make your stay enjoyable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any changes to the advice or information given.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase adequate trip cancellation and interruption, medical, and baggage insurance and carry the details of their coverage on tour. Initially, you may wish to check with your private insurance carrier regarding the terms of your coverage (or lack of coverage) outside your home country, including emergency medical evacuation.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to India, although it is strongly recommended that you protect yourself against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Cholera, and Malaria. We advise you to consult your doctor at least 4 weeks before the date of travel for all medical advice. Some areas, including Bhutan and Nepal, may be at high altitudes, so please check with us before confirming your itinerary. An inoculation against Yellow Fever is required if you have visited any infected areas within 5 days prior to your arrival in India.

Climate

India is a vast country with diverse seasonal and geographical variations in climate. Generally, the best time to visit is from October to April. The monsoon season starts in mid-May and continues through to the end of August, during which most game sanctuaries are closed. The summer months of May and June can be extremely hot, with the southern plains being humid and the northern desert areas being dry. Conversely, the hills and mountain regions offer a cooler refuge. For more detailed weather information for specific regions, please refer to the regional weather chart in the Booking Form or consult with our Tour Consultants.

What to Wear

To stay cool under the Indian sun, a good supply of cotton clothing is essential, along with a comfortable pair of open sandals. An effective pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will protect you from the strong rays, and it is advisable to use a high-factor sunscreen. In the cooler months, pack some warm clothes such as light sweaters, jackets, or shawls for the evenings. For mountain regions, warmer clothing is necessary. Since daytime temperatures can sometimes be warmer, layers are a practical option along with comfortable walking shoes. When visiting Game Parks, we recommend wearing light woollens and a windcheater for early morning excursions, and heavier clothing during the winter months of November to February. Khakis, browns, or olive greens are best for blending into the environment.

Visiting Temples

When visiting places of worship and mausoleums, certain religious customs must be observed. It is customary to remove your footwear before entering temples (a pair of light socks is useful if you prefer not to go barefoot), and dress should be conservative—shorts are generally not acceptable. In Jain and Hindu temples, leather goods such as belts, shoes, and bags are not permitted.

The Cities

Indian cities are bustling and exciting, and in most areas, quite safe. There is little danger of being mugged on the streets, but don't be offended if the locals stare at you—Indians are friendly, hospitable, and curious people. Most city dwellers speak and understand English, and you will find street and shop signs in English as well. If you get lost, local people are often so obliging that they may not only give you directions but walk you to your destination.

Photography

India is a kaleidoscope of color just waiting to be photographed, so be sure to carry your camera wherever you travel. With the exception of inside the Taj Mahal, airports, and other restricted areas, you may photograph to your heart's content, although many popular sites will levy an additional charge for the use of cameras or video cameras.

Cabs and Cars

In India, most hired cars are chauffeur-driven. Hiring a taxi is reliable and straightforward. To avoid any confusion over cost, settle the fare before you set off.

Gratuities & Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion, but the following guidelines may be helpful. If service is not included in the bill, a 10% tip is usually appropriate. Hotel and railway porters typically expect around 50 rupees for one piece of luggage and about 200 rupees for a trolley full. At the end of your stay, if you wish to tip your sightseeing guide and driver, a suitable amount for the guide is approximately 1000 rupees per day, and for the driver, it is between 200-400 rupees per day.

Currency

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques you can bring into India, provided you declare them in the currency declaration form given to arriving passengers. However, cash, banknotes, and travelers' cheques up to US $10,000 or equivalent do not need to be declared upon entry. For safety and convenience, we advise bringing the majority of your money in travelers' cheques. It is best to change your money through authorized banks and hotels. Hotels are often the most convenient option, as their exchange rates are only slightly poorer than those of banks. Always keep your receipts, as you will need them at the end of your trip to convert any remaining rupees back to your own currency. The units of Indian currency are the rupee and the paise, with 100 paise in a rupee. Paper money comes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 rupees, while coins are available in paise and rupee coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20. Most hotels, restaurants, and government shops accept all major credit cards and travelers' cheques in US dollars or Sterling.

Shopping

India is a shopper's paradise, offering excellent buys! However, always check the levels of import duty on items you wish to purchase. Local shopkeepers may claim that there is no duty, but this could be incorrect. Carry back all the goods you purchase with you to avoid storage charges. For major shopping, seek information and advice from customs authorities before your tour. When shopping for expensive items like precious stones or carpets, expert knowledge is essential to ascertain their true value despite shopkeepers' guarantees. For general shopping, we recommend reliable shops for quality and price. You will find a huge variety of goods, from fashion bags and shoes to Indian silks and handicrafts. Remember, items over 100 years old, ivory, crocodile skin, and other wildlife products are banned from export. We pride ourselves on the quality of our sightseeing guides, but if you ever feel pressured by them to purchase goods, please inform our local representatives. Bargaining is common in most establishments in India.

Travelling by Road

Seat Belts: It is mandatory for all passengers and guides to wear seat belts if seated in the front of a car.

Street Life

Indian cities are bustling and exciting, and in most areas, quite safe. Do not be offended if locals stare at you - Indians are friendly, hospitable, and curious. Almost all city-dwellers speak and understand English, and most street and shop signs are in English.

India is a developing country with a large and growing population. Social and economic development is ongoing, and tourism income plays a role, but you will likely encounter many signs of poverty, some of which may be shocking to western eyes. Beggars are often attracted to tour parties, but we ask that you do not give to them. Many operate professionally, and giving to them perpetuates the practice. Our ground staff in all locations will be happy to suggest a charitable institution if you wish to make a direct contribution.

Electricity

The electric current in India is 230-240V, and electricity is widely available in main towns, cities, and tourist destinations. Sockets are the three round-pinned variety, similar to European sockets but not identical. While European round pin plugs will fit into the sockets, the pins on Indian plugs are somewhat thicker, resulting in a loose fit and an unreliable connection. It is advisable to use a universal adapter for a secure connection.

Food & Drink

Where dinner is not included, budget for approximately $35/£20 per person for an evening meal without alcohol. Meals are generally good value for money with a broad choice of cuisine in most hotels (Western and Asian). In remote and outlying areas, you will mostly find local cuisine. It is suggested to order vegetarian food in these areas to reduce the risk of upset stomachs. Avoid eating highly spiced foods when you first arrive in India. Allow your system at least a day or two to adjust, introducing one Indian dish with each meal for the first couple of days. After that, stick with cooked foods and remember to peel fruit before eating it.

The best drinks to enjoy with your meals or to quench your thirst are bottled mineral waters, other bottled drinks, coffee, and tea. Indian beer is very good, as well as Indian gin and vodka. Indian wine is growing in reputation and can be quite palatable, especially in hotel restaurants. We recommend the 'Grover' and 'Sula' vineyards. Local whiskey requires an acquired taste, and imported scotch whiskey is very expensive, as is imported wine. Avoid drinking tap water at all costs! The jugs of water supplied in hotel rooms are purified but not guaranteed to be safe. Mineral water is very cheap and a far safer option for drinking and even cleaning your teeth. Always check that the seal on the bottle is intact.

Notes

The above information is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief and is current at the time of publication. We regret that we cannot accept any responsibility for any changes to the advice or information given. The advice provided is a genuine effort on our part to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Clothes

• Cotton trousers
• A pair of shorts
• Long cotton skirts for women
• Light-colored shirts and T-shirts (cotton)
• A hand towel
• Good number of cotton underwear
• Raincoat
• A hat
• A sweater for hill stations
• Sandals and easy slip-ins for frequent removals while visiting temples. Cotton socks to wear when you find the floor of such sites hot. Slippers for frequent long-distance train travels
• A pair of sneakers
• Swimming gear
• A set of formal clothing

General

• A small, handy, and effective torch to always carry along
• A multi-purpose knife set like Swiss Army knife
• Water purification tablets if visiting remote locations where mineral water is unavailable
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen lotions (High factor)
• A pair of binoculars
• A lightweight bed sheet
• Mosquito repellent or mosquito net (lightweight, permethrin-impregnated)
• Hands and face tissues
• An inflatable pillow. Neck-rest pillow for long bus journeys
• Ear plugs
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Lip balm
• Water bottle (handy)
• A small bag to tuck at back to carry essential things while sightseeing
• Air cushions for hard seating
• Bumbag
• Contact lens cleaning equipment
• Eye mask
• Shower gel
• Nail brush
• Short wave radio
• Spare batteries
• Umbrella
• Wipes
• Toilet paper
• Money belt

Medicines

• Your prescription medicines, if any, in labeled containers
• Medicine for diarrhea (Imodium, Lomotil) and an upset stomach (Gelusil)
• Medicine for cough and cold, such as pseudoephedrine tablets (Sudafed) and cough syrups (Tossex, Linctus Codeine)
• Pain-relieving medicines, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin (Crocin, Disprin)
• Decongestants and antihistamines (Avil, Benadryl) for treating allergies
• Antibiotic ointments (Neosporin), bandages, Band-Aids, surgical adhesive tape, sterile gauze, cotton-wool buds, corn pads
• Medicines for preventing motion sickness, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and anti-nausea drug promethazine (Phenergan)
• Anti-infective ointments like cetrimide
• Dusting powder for feet against fungal attack
• First Aid kit along with syringes, needles, disposable gloves, scissors, tweezers, nail clippers, pocket knife, thermometer, and mirror
• Chapsticks and Vaseline are useful for colder climates; and a steroid cream (Eumosome) is helpful to relieve the itching caused by insect bites
• Condoms and contraceptives

Documents

• Passport and VISA. Keep separate Photostat copies
• Confirmed air tickets for all sectors
• Clearly filled-up vouchers of your tour operator with all service details
• Contact persons' names and round-the-clock numbers
• All confirmed hotels' names and addresses
• Confirmation faxes/letters/e-mails from tour operator, hotels, and other service providers already booked
• Complete information on itinerary, sights, and important places of assistance
• Spare passport-size photographs
• International driving license
• All permits, Indrail passes, and other documents if applicable