Travel Guide

Exploring the world can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, planning a trip can be extremely frustrating, especially when one doesn't know where to start. We understand the travel needs of all and deliver the best through meticulous planning. Below, please find some information to help you in planning your India travel:

DESTINATION FOR ALL SEASONS

India has three major seasons: winter, summer, and the monsoon. The winter months (November-March) are pleasant throughout India with bright sunny days. In the northern plains, the minimum temperature at times drops steeply, and there is snowfall in the hills. In southern and eastern India, however, December and January are pleasantly cool, never really cold.

During the summer months (April-June), hill resorts such as Shimla, Kashmir valley, Darjeeling, and Mount Abu provide cool retreats.

The southwest monsoon usually breaks at the beginning of June on the west coast and reaches elsewhere later. With the exception of the southeastern areas, India receives the major share of its rainfall between June and September. The southeastern areas receive most of the rainfall from the northeast monsoon between mid-October and the end of December.

Traditionally, India has been most popular in the winter months. However, with the easy availability of air-conditioned hotels, transport, and leisure facilities (such as dining and shopping), the summer months have become equally popular.

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

When selecting a suitable wardrobe for your travel to India, we suggest choosing clothing that is adaptable to the Indian climate. For summers and monsoons, a mix of plain cotton and blended cotton is practical. These materials are the coolest in summers. It is advisable to avoid synthetic fabrics that do not "breathe," as these may not be comfortable. A hat with a wide brim comes in handy in protecting you from the harsh sun. During monsoons, a collapsible umbrella is advisable, as there can be sudden, unexpected showers. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are a must.

It is preferable (especially for ladies) to dress modestly. We strongly advise against wearing shorts, mini-skirts, or tank tops, particularly in smaller towns and cities where people are conservative. Most Indians dress modestly.

When visiting places of worship, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders, short pants, or short skirts. We recommend wearing a long skirt, dress, or slacks. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if women are wearing a sleeveless top. It is not necessary to cover your head. Men should also dress suitably when visiting holy places. Shorts are discouraged. All visitors will be required to remove their footwear before entering the precincts of temples and mosques.

For dinner at the hotels, we recommend smart casuals to suit a tropical climate.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Any person can bring foreign exchange into India without any limit. However, a declaration of foreign exchange/currency is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form in the following cases:

• Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US$ 5000 or equivalent.
• Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveler checks, etc.) exceeds US$ 10,000 or its equivalent.

CURRENCY

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers cheques you may bring into India, provided a declaration is made in the Currency Declaration Form upon arrival. This will enable the exchange of the currency brought in and allow for taking the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes, and travelers cheques up to US$ 10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry.

Any money in the form of travelers cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. in convertible currencies, which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency, should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks. They will issue a receipt (called an encashment certificate) required at the time of reconversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Please refer to the latest Foreign Exchange Regulations at the time of your travel, as government policies frequently change.

CUISINES OF INDIA

Visitors who imagine that Indian food consists of rice and curry are in for a few surprises. Rice, which is the staple diet in only a part of the country, forms but a fraction of a meal in any restaurant. As for the word 'curry,' it is largely unintelligible to most Indians, being a term coined in the West. Certainly, gravy-based dishes are prominent throughout India, but they are far from being similar to one another. Of the score or so of commonly used spices in an Indian kitchen, only fresh green and dried red chillies are pungent. Request a restaurant to omit this ingredient, and you have authentic Indian food without the pungence. And that’s the way many Indians like their food – with no chillies.

Just as there is no single style of Indian cooking, there is no one national dish. Styles of cooking and commonly used ingredients differ not only from region to region but from one household to another.

HEALTH

For inoculation, please consult your physician or use the CDC website for health information. Minor stomach ailments are the most common affliction of visitors to India. However, if you succumb to a stomach ailment, you may want to try the following remedies to alleviate your discomfort:

• Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the symptoms persist.
• Drink lassi (preferably only those available in tetra packs) to help tone down the bacteria.
• Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi – an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
• Drink plenty of coconut water. It is cooling, naturally sterilized, and easily available.

BAGGAGE

Airlines have strict policies for size and weight limits of your luggage. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even the risk of being left behind.

The check-in baggage limit for Business is 35 kgs or 77 lbs, and Coach is 25 kgs or 55 lbs per passenger (with 2 bags permitted per passenger). Additionally, they allow one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding 7 kgs in weight per passenger. Since airlines frequently revise luggage policies without notice, we cannot be held liable for the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check the airline’s website before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. You may contact Jet Airways' United States toll-free number (1-877-835-9538) if you have any issues.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities are not compulsory but generally expected. The amount is determined by your satisfaction with the services provided. Where your driver or guide remains the same for two or three days, you may tip them every day or only at the end. It is completely your choice. For the remaining services, you may tip every day.

To help you know the general rates of tips per couple, some guidelines are given below. However, the range may be determined by your satisfaction with the services provided. People in India strongly prefer Indian currency.

• Driver / Guide for a half-day assignment: Rs. 350 - Rs. 500
• Driver / Guide for a full-day assignment: Rs. 550 - Rs. 700
• Escorts on group tours: the same as local guides (per couple)
• Escorts on custom tours: 25 to 50% more than local guides
• Bell boys at the hotel: Rs. 30 - Rs. 50 per trip per bag
• Waiters in a restaurant: Rs. 100 - Rs. 300 per meal (average 8 to 10% of the bill) unless there is a service charge.

ELECTRICITY

In India, electricity runs on 220/240 volts. Therefore, if you are traveling with electrical appliances, bring along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs. These are available from better electrical and hardware stores in the U.S. and Canada.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera fees (still & video) are not included in your tour itinerary during monument visits. We recommend bringing all photographic equipment with you, including an ample supply of films. International brands of films are widely available in India, though the quality cannot be guaranteed. When photographing people, always ask permission and offer a small fee for taking their picture, which your tour guide will advise you on. The exception is when taking a general picture of crowds and scenes. Photography at airports is strictly forbidden.

INTERNET & PHONES

Most hotels in India offer WIFI for a price; they also have business centers with PCs. Wireless phones can be arranged with prior notice for hire.