Passport, Visa and Vaccination

Passport

A valid passport (usually valid for 6 months after your trip) and valid visa is required for entry.

Visa

India offers an electronic tourist visa on arrival (TVoA) for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years. Applicants of the eligible countries may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. For more information, please visit
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html.

Vaccination

Immunizations are not required to visit India. (Except: if you are traveling from an area infected with Yellow Fever, you must have a vaccination certificate). However, it is advisable to check the latest travel health advisories from your national health center.

Airport and Baggage

For Airport

The security regulations at airports in India require you to show a copy of your E-Tickets along with a Photo-ID when entering the airport. For a hassle-free check-in, we recommend you carry a printed copy of your E-Tickets and also a Photo-ID along with you, for the flights.

Baggage

Hand baggage: The hand baggage allowance for most airlines in India permit one carry-on bag per passenger. Dimensions: 55cm (22 inches) x 40cm (16 inches) x 20cm (8 inches). The weight of the carry-on bag should not exceed 7 Kg. In addition a ladies purse or a laptop bag is allowed on board.

Check In baggage: Baggage that exceeds the size and specifications of hand baggage will need to be checked in. Most airlines in India allow only 15 kg, 1pc (domestic), 20 kg (Kathmandu) per passenger for checked-in baggage.

* Except Air India, that has allowance of 8 kg for hand baggage and 25 kg for checked-in baggage, per passenger.

Baggage Tip

Considering the weight restrictions of checked-in baggage on Economy Class travel in India, it would be a good idea to fit everything into a single piece of checked-in luggage. In addition you may bring a carry-on or a backpack.

E-cigarettes in any form are completely prohibited in India. The airport security does not allow e-cigarettes to carry along. At the same time, travellers can’t keep e-cigarettes into the check-in baggage at all else their bags will not arrive at the destination.

Climate and Clothing

Climate

The weather in India varies according to regions and season. Much of India is warmer in the days and cooler in the evenings.
Summer: March – May, Monsoon: June – September, Autumn: October – November. Winter: December – February

Clothing

When packing for travel to India, we suggest you select a wardrobe that is adaptable. As a rule of thumb, plain cotton, linen or cotton blend clothing is the most practical and is the coolest in summer. Generally speaking, India is a conservative country, therefore, modesty in dress is recommended, especially in non-urban areas as clothing that is too short, tight, or revealing not only attract more attention than you’d like but can sometimes be shocking for the local people. A head cover may be required for women and men at certain sacred sites and places of worship.

It is a good idea to carry comfortable shoes and backpack, for day-long excursions. It can also be quite warm during sightseeing, but using sun protection, wearing a hat and sunglasses and staying hydrated at all times can help minimize the impact of the weather.

We advise you to carry high performance mosquito repellent on your trip to India.

Considering the weight restrictions of checked-in baggage on economy class travel in India, it would be a good idea to fit everything into a single piece of checked-in luggage.

Getting Around

Travel Insurance and Medical

We recommend that travelers obtain international travel health insurance, having medical insurance is highly advisable in order to obtain the best services and healthcare during your trip, should you need any. Medical facilities in most big Indian cities are of a good standard. Most hotels have a doctor on call to attend to your immediate medical needs.

Money

The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (Rs). You can exchange International currency for Indian Rupees on arrival at the airports or at the cash desk at your hotel. You must present your passport whenever you change currency or travelers checks. Please retain a copy of the exchange certificate, as you will need it to convert Rupees back to your home currency. When exchanging currency, do not accept torn or faded Rupee, as the notes may not be accepted by other merchants during future transactions.

If you are bringing foreign currency over US $ 10,000, it must be declared at the Indian Custom authorities at the airport upon arrival into the country.

Modern 24-hour ATMs are found in most large towns and cities. You can withdraw up to Rs 10,000 per day, subject to cash availability at ATMs. Most retail shops, restaurants and hotels accept major credit and debit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Away from major towns, be prepared to pay cash at small shops and local markets.

Staying connected

India’s network operates on a GSM protocol. You can expect mobile phone coverage, except in very remote rural areas. Internet cafes abound in urban areas and many hotels offer WIFI services to their guests. However, only select hotels offer complimentary WIFI in public areas and that most hotels provide internet on a chargeable basis. You can purchase a local prepaid local number/SIM card on arrival at the airport or from local mobile phone stores against an identity proof – a photocopy of passport and passport size photo. Recharge facilities are easily available across the country.

India’s country code is +91.
India’s time zone is GMT+5:30.

Nepal’s country code is +977.
Nepal’s time zone is GMT+5:45.

Charging your device

The hotels in India use 220-230v, 50 Hz, alternating current as power source. Plug types with 2 round pins (type C) or 3 round pins (type D), are the most common. If you bring electrical devices that do not meet these standards, you may need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters.

Shopping

India is a shopping heaven as colours, cultures and curious buys greet you at every turn. There’s a wide range of options, from state emporiums that offer quality ensured goods to privately owned boutiques and stores for unique collection of artifacts. Larger items, such as carpets and furniture, can usually be shipped to your home country, but the items may be subject to any applicable import duties. Please ask for estimates before buying. Shopping suggestions for individual cities are available upon request. If you do not want to shop, you are welcome to inform your guide accordingly. For any further assistance, your guide will always be at your disposal. One can bargain in most privately run shops, especially at local markets.

Please beware of touts who approach you to try and sell something with a verbal guarantee of quality or an “amazing price.

Safety

India is generally a safe country as long as all precautions are taken to avoid any inconvenience. As with any international travel, visitors should be aware of their surroundings and vigilant of personal belongings, especially in crowded areas.

Food and Drink

If there’s one catch-all characteristic of Indian cuisine, it’s complexity. The food culture of the country has been influenced by the diversity that varies with every region, state, community, culture and even religion – food in India is a vibrant assortment of uncountable dishes. The staple meal of India, has, at its core, roti (whole-wheat flatbread) or rice, and dal, a lentil-based stew. To make a full meal, these basic elements are usually accompanied by any combination of vegetable dishes, sometimes a meat, chicken, fish or seafood-based dish; and an array of condiments and garnishes. While many traditional dishes are spicy for the average western palate, much of the cuisine is very spicy, but not necessarily hot, just flavorful. Desserts tend to be very sweet. We make every effort to include reliable, reputed restaurants that follow high standards of hygiene in your itinerary. If travelers have sensitive stomachs, it is advisable to acquire the help of your local guide when deciding on a dish.

Tap water in India is not recommended. It is safer to drink the bottled water and it is advisable to refrain from ice. To help aid plastic waste, we would encourage travelers to opt for reusable filter bottles. Tea (cha-i) is popular in the north, while those in the south more often enjoy coffee (with condensed milk). The rules governing alcohol vary from state to state. In particular, some hotels in the southern states do not hold a license to sell alcohol. Also, dry days are specific days when the sale of alcohol is banned. National holidays are usually dry days throughout India.

Gratuities

Tipping is always at your discretion, although it is a common practice in most holiday destinations. It is a way of saying thank you to someone who has given good service or for a job well done. It is also an important source of income for people working in the tourism industry, whether it is the driver, local guide, porter, hotel staff or in local bars and restaurants as well as anyone who provides a direct service. We can give you a guideline to help you determine how much and when to be prepared to tip.

People

India is home to over a billion people, accommodating incredible cultural diversity between languages, geographic regions, religious traditions and social stratifications. Indians are friendly and exceptionally hospitable.

In India, public and private spaces are often densely populated. This influences how the idea of privacy is understood, there is a very large cultural tolerance for crowding. Several generations often live under one roof, and it is not uncommon to find animals such as cows or dogs freely roaming in public areas.

Language

English is widely spoken in India, especially in areas that are used to tourists, though accents and grammar may vary considerably. Hindi is the most widely spoken language in the country, but it also has regional variations and accents. There are 22 major languages & 544 dialects spoken in India in addition to English.

Religion

Religion has historically influenced Indian society on a political, cultural and economic level. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism all emerged out of India. Moreover, while a majority of people in India identify as Hindu (79.8%), the medley of religions that exist within the country continually impact contemporary society.

General Etiquette

Traditionally, women don’t touch men in India when meeting and greeting them. A handshake, which is a standard western gesture, can be misinterpreted as something more intimate if coming from a woman. The same goes for touching a man, even just briefly on the arm, while speaking to him. Greeting with ‘Namaste’ (placing both hands together with a slight bow) is appreciated and shows respect for Indian customs.

Modesty in dress is recommended, particularly in rural areas. Don’t wear tight or revealing clothing.

Public display of affection is considered in bad taste in many parts of the country.

It is customary to remove your shoes when entering a private home in addition to places of worship. Some religious sites may also require either females (Muslim mosques) or both genders (Sikh gurdwaras) to cover their head, exposed legs or shoulder.

People wash their hands thoroughly prior to dining and often eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean and is generally not used to eat or to handle food and money.

The soles of one’s feet should never be pointed at another person, towards a temple or towards a deity.

Indians tend to be inquisitive – don’t be offended by odd or sometimes even intrusive questions from a complete stranger, these are considered polite conversations.

It’s polite to ask permission if taking pictures of the locals.

It is common to be offered a cup of chai (spiced tea) when visiting someone’s home or occasionally when visiting a shop. 

Sightseeing

Most religious sites prefer that you dress modestly. As a cultural norm, you may need to remove your footwear, leather belts, pouches and sometimes advised to cover your head, exposed legs or shoulders depending on your attire.

Public toilet, facilities at monuments and sites are not always up to western standards. Please take advantage of facilities in your hotel or restaurants along your trip.

Photography and Videography

Some religious sites prohibit the use of cameras for photography / videography. Others, charge a fee for using still or video cameras. Your guide will help you with procuring tickets for using cameras.

Local transport

Travelling around India is relatively easy by road, train and air.

Buses, cycle-rickshaws, auto rickshaws, e-rickshaws, tempos, taxis, horse-drawn carts (Tonga), metros and urban trains provide transport around Indian cities.

Taxis in India are affordable, but you’ll have to bargain a fare. Ola and Uber are the most popular ride-sharing apps for local transport. Seat belts are not common in local transport.

Distances between sites and cities in India can be extensive. The sheer density of traffic mean than some journeys can be much longer that you would expect of a similar length journey in your home country.

Travelling by train is a quintessential Indian experience but train journeys can be challenging, from crowded stations to unpleasant restrooms. However they do offer a truly unique look at life in India. We highly recommend using our transfer representative to safely navigate entering/exiting the station. There are generally three classes of seating: 1st class A/C, 2nd class (A/C or non-A/C), and 3rd class non – A/C. Trains are available for both day and overnight journeys and we only recommend air-conditioned coaches, for convenience and comfort. If you are particularly discerning, train travel can be a sensory overload.

There are no trolleys at most train stations, and luggage is carried by yourself or a porter.