Indian Travel Packages
Indian Travel Guide / Destination Information
Home / india travel guide destination information Essential information on Travel to India, including information regarding Visa’s, Currency, Health requirements, Safety etc. Our travel guide to India (below) covers a lot of common questions, that almost all travelers to India seek answers for.
Visa Requirements & Departure Taxes(Updated Travel Information):
All foreign tourists to India, except nationals of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, must possess a valid visa. Visas are NOT issued on arrival, EXCEPT to the Nationals of Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
A tourist visa is valid for 3 to six months.For this you will require a completed application form with two passport photos and your passport.Passports need to be valid for a minimum of 6 months. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to arrival in India. Feel free to email us, for any other Visa / travel information on India, that you may require.
Arrival Instructions
If you have pre-arranged an Airport arrival transfer in India, you will find a representative from Trans India Holidays waiting to meet you outside the Customs Hall. Please look for a Trans India Holidays sign, with your name on it (not a hotel sign). The Airport arrival area tends to get crowded with lots of people holding signs, so you may need to look carefully for your transfer Representative. In the unlikely event, that you are unable to find our Airport Representative with your name, please call the relevant contact numbers.
Insurance
We strongly recomend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy prior to your India trip . Insurance should include coverage for personal accident, medical expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. You must have adequate insurance, to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling.
Money/Currency
The currency in India is known as the Indian Rupee (INR). Approximate exchange rates as of 01 July’2012 are as follows:
- 1 GBP = Inr 85
- 1 USD = Inr 55
- 1 EURO = Inr 67
You are advised to carry a mix of cash and Travellers Cheques (US$ are preferable outside of the main cities). Traveller cheques can be exchanged at most major hotels. It is a good idea to keep the exchange receipts, as you may need these if you want to change the Indian currency back to your local currency at the end of your trip. Credit cards can be used at almost all the hotels and in most shops and restaurants in major cities; however they are not widely accepted in more rural areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted amongst Credit / Charge cards. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at most Bank branches, using your passport. ATM access is available in almost all cities.
Climate: India has 3 main seasons - winter, summer and monsoon. The winter months, November to March, are usually pleasant all over India with day time temperatures in North India averaging around 20-25 degrees Celcius.. December and January can get very cold in Northern India, particularly in Rajasthan , in the desert region and in Delhi. Evening / Night time temperatures during Winter would average between 8-12 Celcius. Lightweight warm clothing or jackets may be necessary during this period. Around the Christmas period in Northern India, there is often fog, which can disrupt some flight or train schedules.
The summer months from April to June are increasingly hot almost everywhere in the country. During May and June daytime temperatures are routinely upto 40 Celcius.
The South West monsoon starts around the beginning of June on the West coast and with the exception of parts of South East India, India receives the majority of her rainfall between the months of June and September.
In the mountain areas of Southern India such as Munnar and Periyar National Park, the climate is temperate and evenings can be cool year round. Air conditioning is not necessary here and it may also be advisable to bring some lightweight warm clothing.
The peak tourist season in India runs from October to April , the cooler months ... but, travelling to India during the Summers does have the advantage of lower prices , fewer crowds and better Animal sightings in the National parks.
Baggage & Clothing: Baggage allowance on domestic flights in India is 25 kgs for Economy class passengers and 35 kgs for Business Class.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates . Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive.
Electricity: The electric current in India operates on 220 volts. Electric plug types come in at least two sizes and vary throughout the country, the rounded two or three pronged plug is most commonly used.
Food & Water: Indian food is well known throughout the world and is one of the things to savour on your holiday . Each region of India specialises in its own cuisine.Our representatives will be happy to give you a list of recomended restaraunts in each city . Breakfast is included each day on most of our tours and is usually a buffet with both Western and Indian dishes.
Drinking local tap water is NOT recommended. Bottled water is cheap and readily available throughout India and infact we recomend you use that for brushing as well.
Tipping : If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across the Indian Sub-continent. As a general guide, if you are happy with the services provided , you should tip between Usd 4-5 daily to your driver and a similar amount to your local guides daily. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide or driver or tour leader, please let us know straightaway , so corrective action can be taken.
Safety & Security: These have become essential parts of travel information about India now, an information on safety and security, is often required by Travellers. India is generally a safe country, however petty street crime does occur, especially in some cities. In larger cities we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and make sure your spending money is kept in a secure place close to your body. We also recommended you take taxis, rather than walk at night. Taxis are mostly metered and inexpensive, but make sure the driver activates the meter and is clear on your destination - carry a hotel card, so your taxi driver knows where to take you. Only take essentials out with you on the streets. Leave valuables (passport, credit cards, excess cash, jewellery) in hotel safety deposit boxes where available. It would also be advisable to make photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and keep a record of your travellers cheques. These documents should be kept in a safe place separate from the originals. When travelling on trains, clients may wish to take extra precautions with their finances by using money belts.
Mail & Communication: International direct dial is available from most hotels but it is rather expensive .It can cost upwards of INR 200 per minute to make an international call from a Hotel.Cheap international calls can be made from local shops with an STD/PCO/ISD sign outside. Most hotels also offer internet and email services which are convenient . Internet cafes are also present in most important tourist places. Mobile / GSM phone coverage in India is excellent, and your GSM phone with International roaming, will function almost throughout the country.
Other Information: Should you require any other information regarding travel to India, feel free to email us at: sales@deeholidays.com