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 traveler, and 1-star
and 2-star hotels, Travelers lodges, Tourist Bungalows,
Holiday Homes, Youth hostels, YM/ YWCA’s are for
those with small budgets.
Your travel arrangements
should be made well in advance, especially if you are
traveling between October-March (high tourist season)
and May-June, the Indian holiday season. Travel facilities
are limited in relation to demand so prior bookings
are a must.
If traveling 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
fairs or festivals in your itinerary. Witnessing
the color 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 chilies. 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 re
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 color film. India is a land of sunshine and color,
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 Emporia
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 the Taj Mahal is prohibited but prior permission can be requested
from the Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi, 110 001.
We at SITA will assist you with same. 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.
Tipping
Some hotels include
service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not
necessary. Where this is not done, at tip of 10% is customary.
If you are in a big group and the food bill is high, the tip
on the total can come down to 5%. The porter who takes your
baggage to your room is usually tipped Rs.5 per bag or Rs.10
to Rs.20 per trolley. (These estimates are for 5
and 4-star hotels and are proportionately less in 1, 2
or 3 star hotels.) Tipping of taxi drivers is not customary.
Currency
The units of Indian currency are the
Rupee and Paisa (100Paisa equal 1 Rupee). Paper money is in denominations
of Rupees 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Coins are in denominations
of Rupees 1, 2 and 5.
There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers’ checks
a tourist may import, provided a Declaration form is completed on arrival. This
will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent
currency on departure.Cash, bank notes and traveler’s checks up to US
$ 10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry.
Any money in
the form of traveler’s checks, drafts, bills, checks, etc., which tourists
wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized
money- changers.
Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only
illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To exchange
foreign money other than through banks or authorized money- changers is an offence.
Please note that no Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported, except
for Rupee travelers’ checks. Banks abroad to keep Rupee balances with their
agents in India and are able to draw upon these balances to issue Rupee travelers’ checks
to intending tourists.
There are 24- hour exchange facilities available at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and
Chennai international airports.
