India Trips & Tours

Most international flights to India land in the capital, New Delhi in the north (DEL) or in Mumbai in the west (BOM). Other airports you can fly to include Calcutta/Kolkata in the east (CCU) and Cochin in the south (COK).

The area in India that you plan to travel to, will determine which airport you fly to. If you are continuing on to an area within India where international flights are unable to land, you will need to board an internal flight unless you choose to travel by road with a guide.

Please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin, your travel itinerary and previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines.

Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, Cholera, Japanese Encephalitus, Rabies and Tetanus.

Yellow Fever
A Yellow Fever vaccination and the relevant certification is required for travellers who are arriving from or have transited through countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission.

Recommended vaccines for all travellers: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid.
Some travellers are also advised to be vaccinated for Cholera, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitus and Rabies.

Money
The currency of India is the Rupee but major currencies including USD, GBP and EUR can be
changed easily throughout the country. There are ATMs widely available, but it’s good to
carry cash (in moderate amounts), especially in more remote areas. If you’re planning to pay by card, remember to notify your bank before your trip to avoid having it blocked while you are away.

At most shops and markets, expect to see bargaining for goods and be
prepared to get involved as this is a way of life in India. If possible, don’t accept damaged bank notes as these won’t be accepted by other shops or people.


Gratuities
This is just a guideline as tipping is discretionary and the amount you give is up to you.

Private drivers: Rs 500 per day
Train or airport porters: Rs 100 per bag
Trekking (National Parks): Guides/naturalists: Rs 1000 & porters: Rs 300 - 400
Tour Guides: 200 - Rs 500 per day
Restaurants and hotels: service fees are automatically added to bills. If this is not the case, 10% tip of the total amount is reasonable.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

Compulsory Insurance:
a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home and bring another set with you, which we recommend you place in a location separate from your originals.

Generally speaking, most nationalities will require a tourist visa to enter India.

E-Visas are available for more than 150 nationalities and are valid for up to 60 days. These need to be applied for a minimum of 4 days and a maximum of 120 days before entering India. The e-visa is valid from the day of arrival into India and is a double-entry visa. You can apply for an e-visa here: www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa.

Longer trips require a standard 6-month tourist visa, which is valid from the date of issue (not the date of arrival) and is a double-entry visa as well. You can apply for a 6-month visa at your nearest Indian Embassy, Consulate or here: www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa.

Climate
India is famously large and it has a varied climate to match with each region differing in its version of the best time to go. India has three distinctive seasons - winter between October and March; summer between March and May and the notorious monsoon season that blows into town at the end of May when most national parks close. Of course, most of India is rather sunny for large parts of the year, but it’s winter that many regard as the best time to visit as the rains cease and the air is cool. The southern and central regions reach the highest temperatures so make the most of the beaches!

Dress Code
Across the board, India is a country that values dressing modestly, specifically in the smaller towns and villages. In the larger cities fashion is a bit more free, but wearing loose-fitting outfits that cover more skin is a good idea. The dress code differs between religions but some rules include covering your head, knees and shoulders; removing your shoes on entry and in some temples, leather isn’t allowed. If you book a safari, light layers of clothing in neutral colours are the best items to bring with you, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the colder evenings. A hat is also a must have!


What to pack
One of the hard and fast rules for travelling to India is not to overpack - you don’t want to have too much baggage to worry about if you do a little region-hopping and you can easily buy most essentials in the larger towns. What follows is by no means an exhaustive list but is designed to point you in the right direction.

• Lightweight, airy clothing including a scarf or two & long-sleeved items
• Warm items for chilly evenings
• Shorts & bathing suits if you’re visiting the coast
• Sun hat
• Sturdy sandals and closed in shoes for longer walks
• Ear plugs if you’re visiting the cities
• Small torch
• Water bottle
• Reading material for passing the time on a train ride or reading by the pool
• Plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent and hand sanitiser
• Toiletries
• Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
• Rucksack / bag for your essentials

Most lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis..


Luggage
Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.

Electricity
In India, appliances run on on a 230V supply voltage and there are three associated plug types - C, D and M, which are fairly standard two or three-pin models. If the standard voltage in your country is in a different category, you will need a voltage converter.