:: Travel Insurance ::

It is essential to have an adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.

Make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover. Make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year). Make sure it covers you for all activities Disclose pre-existing medical conditions. Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency number with you.

If you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer.


:: Passport and Visa ::

All travellers to India require a valid Passport and visa for entry into the country. Visa should be obtained from the Indian Embassy or High Commission of your country of residence. It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documents for travel to India.


:: Weather ::

India is a destination for all seasons. Nothing can justify it more than the huge variations in its weather which gives ample opportunities to a tourist to explore India throughout the year depending on the choice of places one makes.

Best time to Visit: Throughout the year depending on the places you choose.

September to March: Pleasant weather, perfect to roam around and it also happens to be the peak tourist season for the Inbound travelers to India. Though December and January can be a bit chilling in North India and Hills, South India hardly experiences winters. April to July: Scorching heat in the plains & South India. Good times to head for hills and summer retreats like Kashmir, Himachal, Uttaranchal etc, where it is cooler and more scenic. July & August: Monsoon covers India during this time. Heavy rains can be enjoyed in plains & south India. This period is best for authentic Ayurvedic treatments up in the Himalayas and in South India.

:: Dress ::

India is a conservative but tolerant country, and visitors should dress accordingly. When visiting religious sites both men and women should have shoulders and knees covered. Visitors should be prepared to remove footwear when entering any religious building. Leather in not permitted in Jain temples, & in some Hindu temples.


:: Electricity ::

Voltage in most places is 220 Volts AC. We recommend that you check the voltage before using electric appliances. Socket sizes vary so it is advisable to take a plug adapter.


:: Medical and Health ::

Please consult your doctor about inoculation and any other medical requirements. Advice about inoculations vary, but you should at least be protected against typhoid and tetanus. You will also need protection against malaria. Depending on personal factors, other precautions may be appropriate.

India has an undeserved reputation for health problems! As in any different environment, some simple precautions will greatly reduce the likelihood of distress. Most of these are common sense.

Keep clean. Most bugs are transferred by touch, so always wash before eating. Avoid food that could be contaminated. Do not eat food that has been left lying around. Do not eat fruit unless you can peel it or wash it thoroughly. Avoid salads. Avoid ice cream and fruit salad — this is a difficult one because it is a favourite in many hotels. Never drink tap or unbottled water (bottled water is always available) and always check the seal on the bottle. If the weather is hot, drink lots, and take reasonable precaution against the sun. By its nature Indian food produces a freer bowel than Western food. This is generally healthier, and no "remedy" should be sought. If you do get upset stomach the best treatment is simply not to eat for 24 hours. This is usually more effective than proprietary diarrhea treatments. Good medical facilities are available in Indian cities, although not always up to Western expectations. Participants should carry appropriate medical insurance.

:: Money and Shopping ::

The unit of India currency is the Rupee. There are between 68 to 74 rupees to the UK£ and 47 to 50 rupees to the US$. 100 rupees is written as Rs 100. There are 100 paise to the rupee.

There are 24 hours banking facilities at International airports. Travellers cheques are exchangeable at most hotels, but sometimes there can be shortage of currency for exchange in out of the way places. Travellers cheques are acceptable in sterling or American dollars. There is something of a market for US dollars on the street, but it is illegal to exchange money except through authorised channels.

Prices vary widely. Hotels for foreigners are often priced in US dollars, as are many of the more expensive souvenirs. Hotel shops usually have high quality goods, but with prices to match. Even in such "fixed price", some negotiation is appropriate. In the bazaars and smaller shops bargaining is part of the shopping experience. There is an art to this, and the unwritten rules often evade foreigners. The more touristy a place, the higher its asking prices will be, and the greater its price flexibility. Vendors can be very persistent and persuasive, which can become weary. In a transaction, take account of the economic distance between you and the vendor.


:: Tipping ::

Tipping is part of the tourism industry. Anyone offering you a service will expect a tip. These include your driver, guide, hotel porters etc. In a restaurant a 10% tip will be expected. When visiting temples and other religious places, a small offering is usually made. An enthusiastic priest might suggest you donate Rs100, but you will see that most worshippers give coins or small notes.


:: Luggage ::

If you are tempted to bring things for every eventuality, try to cull your luggage before you come. You will probably need a lot less than you think. Hotel laundries are very efficient, and you can nearly always buy anything you find you need. Participants should be responsible for their own hand luggage at all times, but we will arrange group porterage for suitcases etc. It is a good idea to have lockable luggage. Travel light!


:: Customs and Etiquette ::

Indian people are remarkably tolerant. But there are some easily observed rules of conduct that will help avoid some of the worst faux pas.

Never hold food with your left hand. If passing it to someone else, try to avoid touching it and always use your right hand to pass a plate. In country places try to avoid putting used dishes near clean ones. Men should avoid physical contact with women. Namaste, traditional greeting is much preferred.

Conversations can be surprising. You will often be asked what appear to be rather impertinent questions about your financial or family circumstances. These are not meant to be rude. Do not forget that Indians reveal a lot about themselves to each other simply by their names and the way they dress. You do not automatically give that information, and if people are interested they will ask.


:: Do ::

Exchange money only through authorized banks or money changers. Insist on a receipt when exchanging money. Retain all receipts to facilitate re-conversion of unspent money on departure from India. Shopping is recommended from Government Emporia. The exportation of most wildlife and their products is either banned or strictly regulated. Export of the few permissible items even as passenger's personal luggage is allowed only under an exportation permit. Avoid the touts and brokers of shopkeepers. It is obligatory to cover your head before entering Sikh shrines. Leave copies of important information with family and friends. A copy of your passport and details of your next of kin. A copy of your insurance document plus the 24-hour emergency number. A copy of your ticket details. A copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail.

:: Do Not ::

Get lured by shopping bargains on the street. Exchange money with unauthorised money changers. Encourage beggars by giving them money or other articles. Buy silver, ivory articles or peacock feathers in bulk. Purchase any wildlife products and antiques more than 100 years old. Photograph airports, bridges, military installations and soldiers in uniform. Bring back more than you need.

:: Suggested Readings ::

Guidebooks India: A Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet India: The Rough Guide. Rough Guide

Travel and General India: A Million Mutinies Now, by V.S. Naipaul, Minerva, 1990 Indian: A Wounded Civilisation, by V.S. Naipaul The Discovery of India, by Jawahar Lal Nehru Travels Through Sacred India, by Roger Housden. Harper Collins, 1996 Culture Shock India, by Gitanjali Kolanad. Times, 1994 Chasing the Monsoon, by Alexander Frater. Penguin, 1990

Literature/Fiction Rabindranath Tagore: Plays, poems and stories Premchand: Various collections of stories R.K. Narayan: stories Vikram Seth: A Suitable Boy