Dear Traveler, Namaste!
Visa
Foreign Nationals visiting India are required to
possess a valid
Indian Visa with validity
Best Time to Visit
Although India is a 365 days
destination still it is
best to visit Indian plains during cooler months from October to March and mountainous
regions of India during the months of April to September. But the traveler with less budget
can plan trip to india in summers as hotel / transporters offers good discount during
summers.
Domestic Flight Luggage
Prior to boarding your domestic
flights in India
as you leave the main terminal, please ensure that you "identify your checked baggage". To
do so, ask the airline representative where you need to actually identify the baggage that
you have checked for your specific flight. Failure may mean that your checked baggage will
not be put on the flight. Unfortunately, this process is not followed by all airlines and at
all departure points, so make it a good and safe practice to ask for where you should
identify your checked luggage just prior to boarding any flight.
Food and Health
It is advisable to drink only mineral
water (bottled
water). Indian cuisine is a tad too spicy hence indulge in the gastronomical delights only
if you have the stomach for it. Also, there are plenty of non-spicy cuisines and delicacies
to choose from. You may occasionally need insect repellent cream. If you are allergic to
dust, be sure to carry medication with you. Sunscreen is another must-have.
Clothes
If you are planning to wear full length clothes
during your
walking tours, then make sure that they do not drag on the floor since streets can be dirty
and wet. You should not wear clothes that are very loose because they can get caught in
protruding stones and surrounding bushes. Bring light rain gear. Consider bringing, as a
minimum, one "Tee" shirt, one "heavy" flannel type shirt and one light jacket. This will
allow you to wear layered clothing for a variety of ambient temperatures.
Shoes
When you visit places of worship, you will need to
take off your
shoes prior to entry. You are free to wear your socks, but may find that the floor is wet,
thus it may be prudent to take off your socks also. Make sure that you bring comfortable and
well supporting walking shoes. You will be walking a lot in the ruins of old temples and
forts, and they normally do not have a clean and clear path with upturned stones, and steep
narrow and broken steps.
Accessories
Consider bringing your swimming trunks, air
brush to clean
the dust from your cameras and lens, a telephoto lens if your camera supports one, lots of
clean wipes for your face and hands because of the dust. Traditional 35 mm film is available
in plentiful, however the new Advantix type is not freely available.
Document Safety
Prior to start of your journey, send
yourself an e-mail
with all important passport and other numbers. Thus should you loose any documentation, then
you can retrieve your mail and have all necessary information
Smart Shopping
Bargaining is the norm in local bazaars
selling products
without a written price. Resist the urge to buy without comparing prices from shops selling
similar stuff. Be aware of roadside peddlers trying to sell you semi-precious and precious
gems and jewelry. Trading in ivory, fur, animal skins, antiquities and the like is illegal.
If you must have it, obtain a certificate of legitimate sale and permission for export
before leaving the country.
Special Permits
Even with a visa foreign nationals are
not allowed
everywhere in India. Check with us if you are planning to journey on your own.
Social Decorum
Public display of affection is not
appreciated and neither
is public nudity unless perhaps one is at a beach. One is expected to cover the head before
entering a religious place such as a temple or mosque. Photography is not always permissible
.Ask for permission before clicking pictures of women and religious complexes. Some places
charge for taking pictures while it is prohibited at a few places
Important Note
As per the directive by the government of
India, all
Indian / Foreign Nationals are required to produce photo-identity on or before arrival.
Valid Identification documents are as below :-
Foreign nationals Passport alongwith valid Visa,
Indian National Passport, Current Driving License, voter's ID card or PAN Card
Additional Information
If you are happy with some
services and would like
to reward in that case you can tip according to your will. It is not compulsory but totally
by your discretion. In India, public toilet facilities are few and far between. Take every
opportunity you can to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Make
this a habit wherever you go.