We are listing few of the important things to be considered
before or while travelling to India, these may come useful
to you while travelling in India , which is bounded by
its culture , tradition and religion.
General
Information :
Do some background reading before visiting India, so
that your visit becomes a great experience, something
you had never dream could happen to you.
Don’t be concerned about living conditions in
India. Our 5-star and 4-star hotels, are of international
standards and the comforts and cuisine they provide
compare with any in the world. The deluxe and palace
hotels are a world apart and many have been accorded
‘Leading hotels of the World’ status. The
3-star hotels are there for the medium budget traveller,
and 1-star and 2-star hotels, Travellers lodges, Tourist
Bungalows, Holiday Homes, Youth hostels, Homestay are
for those with small budgets. Your travel arrangements
should be made well in advance.
If travelling by air, you should include one or more
trips by rail or road so that you can experience rural
India. When planning your trip, ask your travel agent
to include an Indian
fair or festival in your itinerary. Witnessing the colour
and gaiety of these events is a great experience.
At each city you visit, try and attend a folkloric or
classical music, dance or drama program. Information
on programs can be obtained from any India tourist office.
English is spoken at almost all tourist centers, but
you can also request us to book / Government-trained
and approved guides who also speak German, French, Spanish,
Japanese, Italian or Russian. Tour guides will help
you not only in your sightseeing, but also help you
understand India better.
Indians are hospitable and friendly people, if they
stare at you, do not consider it rude, it is only a
matter of curiosity. A tourist need never be lost in
India, most people are more than willing to go out of
their way to guide you to your destination.
If you want to meet Indians or go to an Indian home,
contact us. We will arrange a visit.
As with any foreign destination, the tourist is advised
to drink bottled water, bottled drinks, coffee or tea.
Most premier hotels have their own filtration system.
Avoid eating spicy food all at one time soon after you
arrive in India. Take one Indian dish only with each
meal and ask the waiter to cut down on the chillies.
Within a few days your system will get used to Indian
food, one of the most delicious of world cuisine. It
is advisable to stick to only cooked foods and to eat
fresh fruits whose skin you can peel off or remove.
Bring your own medicines, since all medications in India
are locally manufactured and you may not find the same
brand names. There are very good druggists and doctors
everywhere, and they can advise on substitutes. If the
necessity arises, ask your hotel to recommend a doctor.
Do not forget to remove your footwear when visiting
a place of worship or mausoleum. Also some temples do
not permit any leather articles at all on their premises.
Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.
Travel with a camera and a colour film. India is a land
of sunshine and colour, begging to be photographed.
Most type of films are available in India.
Most cities have Beggar Homes to look after indigent
persons and to teach them a trade, but professional
beggars find begging more lucrative. If you wish to
help them, do so through a recognized charitable organization,
not by giving them alms.
It is safe to travel in India, as you will find out
for yourself. Even if you read of some trouble in any
town or region, do not be discouraged, since most of
India is safe at all times.
Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site
Museums, those near archaeological monuments, on Fridays.
However, please check with us for timings.
The electric current in India is 220/ 250 volts and
50 cycles. It is AC practically everywhere.
India is a shoppers dream. Shopping is recommended from
Government Emporium and suggested shops by us. Most
of the large stores will ship your purchases for you,
though, for convenience and to avoid postal delays,
it is advisable to carry your shopping with you or to
book it as baggage.
Do not crowd too many places into your itinerary. Make
sure that you get an occasional free half-day for rest,
shopping or exploring on your own.
If you wish to visit any restricted areas, as in the
north- eastern region, check with the nearest India
Tourist Office as to the permits needed.
Photography:
For amateur photography of national monuments, there are
no restrictions on taking photographs with a still camera
(with flash inside the camera synchronized with exposure)
or an 8mm.movie camera. It is prohibited to photograph
places of military importance, i.e. airports, bridges,
sensitive border regions. Certain temples may prohibit
interior or exterior photography. Charges may be levied
to photograph some monuments, forts or temples. Inside
museums, or when photographing art works, flash cameras
are prohibited. Photography inside grave compound of Taj
Mahal is prohibited. If tripods or other outside aids
such as props or floodlights are used, or for professional
and commercial photograph, special permission must be
obtained from the Archaeological Survey of India. Similar
permission must be obtained for movie cameras other than
8mm and for video cameras.
Visa :
Citizens of all countries, except Nepal and Bhutan, require
a valid national passport or valid travel documents and
a valid visa granted by Missions abroad for entering India.
Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens need no passport or visa
but should carry suitable documents for their identification
when proceeding from their respective countries. Tourist
visas are currently valid for 120 days stay in India.
If planning to visit a neighboring country such as Nepal
and then re - entering India, a double/multiple visa should
be obtained. Special permits for Sikkim can be obtained
in Delhi. For latest regulations with regard to Indian
visa please check with your nearest Indian Consulate.
Customs :
The duty free allowance for passengers is INR 12,000 for
Indian residents or foreigners residing in India if the
stay abroad is more than 3 days (INR 4,000 for tourists
of foreign origin, nil for tourists of Nepalese or Bhutanese
origin coming from their respective countries) for bonafide
baggage (i.e. for personal use or giving as gifts). The
allowance is INR 6,000 if the stay abroad is upto 3 days.
These include 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms.
tobacco) and liquor and wines upto 1 litre. You can also
bring in articles for your personal use including cameras
with 5 rolls of film, a reasonable quantity of jewellery,
one pair of binoculars, one portable musical instrument,
one radio set, one tape recorder, one portable typewriter,
one perambulator and professional equipment, on the undertaking
that you will take them back with you. The duty rate beyond
the free baggage allowance is 61.4 per cent. Drugs and
narcotics and the import of firearms is prohibited.
Health Regulations :
A valid yellow fever certificate is mandatory for all
persons (including infants) who have been, even in transit,
in Africa or South America or Papua New Guinea in the
last six days. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after
vaccination. India does not require immunization against
Small Pox and Cholera. A person arriving in India, who
is required to possess a yellow fever vaccination certificate
in accordance with these requirements will, in the absence
of a valid vaccination certificate be guaranteed for a
period upto 6 days, without exception.
Banks
:
Most are open from Monday to Friday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Central Bank in Ashoka
Hotel as well as State Bank of India & Thomas Cook
at Delhi International Airport is open round the clock.
Credit Cards :
Major credit cards are generally accepted by large establishments,
including hotels, shops and airlines. |
Traveler
Tips 