Before You Go
Documentations
Passports
Check your passport
It is a standard requirement for entry into almost any country that you have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you complete your travels. If your passport has only a few months' validity or only a few pages remaining, it may be wise to apply for a new one before you
set off. Bear in mind that visas, plus entry and exit stamps, can be large – some even take up a whole page. If you need to apply for a new passport, make sure you do this well in advance of your travel date. In many countries you will need to show your passport when checking in to
hotels, buying airline tickets or changing money.
Visas
All nationalities require a visa to enter India. Regulations and costs change frequently and differ according to nationality. Visas are usually valid for either 3 months or 6 months from the date of issue and are valid for multiple entry regardless of whether you intend staying that
long or re-entering the country. Only 6 months Tourist visas can be extended.
Note: Be wary of applying for your visa too soon as all visas are valid from the date of issue, not the date of entry to India.
Special entry permit
Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to
visit that region only. Passengers are advised to check with Indiatourism for up-to-date information before departure. The following states are subject to some restrictions: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Port Blair, Mizoram, Nagaland and Mundgod.
Travel Documents & Vouchers
When you book a tour you will be issued with a Confirmation Invoice. Please ensure that all the services which you have booked and paid for are shown on your travel documents and that all names have been spelled correctly. If you have booked additional services like extra nights'
accommodation, transfers or excursions, please make sure that these are shown on your Confirmation Invoice and that you have been issued with a voucher for these services. (Vouchers are generally sent online, please remember to take a print out prior to departure.)
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Health & Vaccinations
It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. Please consult your doctor or nearest vaccination centre to see if any of the listed
vaccinations are required. This list is by no means complete and only your doctor or vaccination centre can provide you with the latest up-to-date information.
Typhoid
Polio
Tetanus
Gamma Globulin or Havrix (against Hepatitis A)
Hepatitis B
Smallpox
Malaria
Some lower lying parts of India are subject to malaria so please be aware that your first line of defence should be to avoid getting bitten. Please consult your doctor for further information.
Carry your certificate
You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination for each vaccination. Always carry these with you on your travels; they could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling.
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General Info
Time
GMT +5.30
Telephone
The international dialing code for India is +91.
Electricity
If you are bringing along any plug-in appliances you should take an international adaptor with you.
In India, voltage is 230V/50 cycles. A variety of electrical plugs can be found in India, so a good al-round adaptor set is recommended. Round three-pin plugs are the most common type. Power cuts are common in more remote regions and occur occasionally in major cities too
Weather Info
Due to its size and varied topography, India experiences great extremes of climate. Most of the country experiences three seasons:
Cool – North India's cool season is from October to April and South India's cool season is from November to March, however cool does not necessarily mean cold. Daytime temperatures are still quite high - the sky is clear but it is not blisteringly hot. Evenings are cooler, and
nights can be surprisingly cold. Warm clothing is recommended during this period. This is the most pleasant time to travel in sub-Himalayan India.
Hot – From April to June the whole country experiences a hot and humid climate by day and night.
Wet – The monsoon falls on North India from July to September and in the South from July to October. During this time the climate is humid and wet by day and night.
The main exception to the above is far North India (Himachal Pradesh and Punjab). From October to April the nights are VERY COLD and from Dec to Feb daytime temperatures can also fall considerably – don’t forget to pack for this!
The following shows average daytime temperatures (in degrees celcius):
City / Temp Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mumbai 28 28 30 32 33 32 29 29 29 32 32
31
Delhi 21 24 31 36 41 39 36 34 34
34 29 23
Chennai 29 31 33 35 38 38 36 35 34 32 29
29
Shimla 8 9 14 18 22 23 21 19 19
17 14 11
Money
Local Currency
The monetary unit in India is the India Rupee (INR). Approximate exchange rates (as at May 2008) are as follows:
It is not possible to buy India Rupees overseas as it is not permitted to take India Rupees into or out of India. However, India Rupees are widely accepted in Nepal even though in theory it is illegal to export them from India.
Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs
Banks can be found in most cities and sizable towns where it is possible to exchange cash and travelers cheques. Many hotels also offer currency exchange and may offer a faster service at similar rates. ATM's can be found in most major cities (i.e. Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur,
Cohin, Mysore, Madurai, Kolkota, Mumbai). Credit cards are usually only accepted in larger shops and more expensive hotels and restaurants. We recommend that you take either US$ or GB£ currency and travelers cheques, however it is possible to exchange other major currencies. Most major
currencies can be changed into rupees in India, but please remember to bring the local payment amount in USD or INR cash. Left over India Rupees can be exchanged before leaving India on production of your original encashment receipt. It is not possible to change back more than is shown on
your encashment receipt.
Transport
Travel in India is not always easy. Buses and trains are often late and at times they can be overcrowded. A good deal of patience is required to get the most out of your journey. Travelling by road and rail is an excellent opportunity to meet the locals and can be a rewarding experience.
Generally, on our tours overnight train travel is in air-conditioned sleeper class which offers three tier sleeping berths and bedding is supplied. For day journeys we use air-conditioned Chair car or second class seats. There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways. Toilet
facilities on Indian trains are also quite basic. Travelling on the roads in India is also quite an experience. Road rules are not always followed and traffic in some of the larger cities has to be experienced to be believed. Particular care should be taken when crossing roads.
Communications
Email
Internet cafes can now be found in most cities and sizable towns. Finding a café is not usually a problem, but speed can be. Connection times are often painfully slow although this does vary from city to city. The average cost for an hour is approx. US$ 1.5.
Phone
The Indian phone system is fairly good. Look out for shops/booths labelled with a yellow "PCO-STD-ISD" sign which can be found almost everywhere (except in remote areas). A 3 minute call (to the UK) will cost approx. US$10 from a hotel and approx. US$5 from a shop/booth. There
is no such thing as international or pre paid phonecards in India.
Post
The postal service is fairly good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp will cost approx. US$0.20. or INR 8
Religious Holidays
All of the worlds’ major religions are represented in India. Here are some of the more important holidays:
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Holi (Hindu spring festival) - Feb/ March
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Diwali (Hindu New Year) - Oct/ Nov
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Eid (Muslim end of Ramadan) - Dec
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Christmas Holiday - Dec
National Holidays
Tourist festivals
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Pushkar Camel Fair - Nov 6-14 ,2008
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Chandrabhaga Fair – Nov 12- 14, 2008
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Jaiselmer Desert Festival- Jan 10 – 11, 2009
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Laddakhi New year- Losar
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Shillong Hornbill Festival
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Bastar Dusherra
Background Reading
Slowly Down the Ganges-Eric Newby
A Season in Heaven: True Tales from the Road to Kathmandu-David Tomoroy
Bullet up the Grand Trunk Road-Jonathon Gregson
Chasing the Monsoon-Alexander Frater
City of Joy-Dominique Lapierre
Freedom at Midnight-Dominique Lapierre
A Passage to India-E. M. Forster
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Arrival Complications
India's major international airports are Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras); there are other international airports at Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore and Kochi, although these service far fewer international flights. Delhi is one of the cheapest places to buy
air tickets in India, as are Kolkata and Mumbai. International flights to neighbouring countries can be good value, especially between Kolkata and Dhaka (Bangladesh), Delhi and Karachi (Pakistan) and Tiruchirappalli and Colombo (Sri Lanka). Departure tax is included in 99% of all tickets.
Arrival
Arrival Transfers
Upon arrival, please look for our representative who will be holding an Escape Tour sign. He should be waiting for you outside the Arrivals Hall (i.e. after exiting the arrival terminal). Although in general Indians are very laid back, taxi drivers seeking business at the airport exit may
try to whisk you away to your meeting point hotel before you have a chance to locate our ‘transfer man’. Please take your time to establish that you have met our transfer person and not just a taxi driver with your name plank.
Making Your Own Way
The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers. A complete list of all meeting point hotels can also be found at http://www.escapevoyages.com/joininginstruction
It is a relatively simple matter to make your own way to the meeting point if you are not being transferred. At all International Airports in India you will find, either inside or immediately outside the arrival terminal, a ‘pre-paid taxi booth’. At this booth you give your destination,
pay the fare and are given a receipt with the taxi number on it. Simply give the receipt to the driver when you reach your destination (not before!). It is recommended that you avoid privately run travel agencies as their charges are much higher.
Approximate taxi fares (All prices are per taxi) and distances from the airport to our hotels are:
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Delhi (10km) - US$10
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Mumbai (20km) - US$15
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Cochin( 12Km) – US$10
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Kolkotta ( 15Km) – US$15
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Kovalam (10km) - US$10
Departure Transfers
We do offer the option of booking a departure transfer at the end of your trip, but realistically this will cost more than you arranging it yourself. By the end of the tour you will probably feel comfortable enough to arrange your own transport to the airport. If you require any
assistance the Tour Leader will be happy to advise you.
Prior to Departure
In order to be able to meet you at the airport, we need to be informed of your flight arrival details well in advance. Please ensure that we have the following information at least 1 month prior to your arrival in order to avoid payment of an administration fee:
If we do not have this information we cannot meet you. We will not chase you for this information, so please make sure that you or your travel agent provide it in good time.
What if I am not met?
If you have not made contact with our representative 20 minutes after clearing Customs & Immigration, we advise you to take a taxi to the Meeting Point hotel , where you should inform your Tour Leader that you were not met.
We regret that we cannot guarantee to meet you if your flight is rescheduled or heavily delayed.
Hotel check in/out
Generally, your room will be available on Day 1 from around midday. Sometimes it may be available mid-morning but this is in no way guaranteed. If your flight is scheduled to arrive in the early morning you may have to wait until your room becomes available. Alternatively you can book one
night's 'pre-tour accommodation' which will ensure that your room is ready whenever you arrive.
Rooms must generally be vacated by 12 noon on your final day unless you have made prior arrangements with the hotel Reception. If you want to keep your room for longer you may have to pay an additional charge. Most hotels have a store-room should you wish to store your luggage after
check-out.
Pre- and Post-Tour Accommodation
If you require extra nights' accommodation before or after your tour, we will be happy to organise this for you. The rates for this service are shown in the Extra Services section in the back of our brochure. They can also be provided by your travel agent. Our pre- and post-tour
accommodation rates include the cost of a hotel room along with local taxes, booking services and administration expenses. It is therefore likely that hotel rates available locally will be lower than those offered in our brochure. It is NOT compulsory for you to book your pre- or
post-tour accommodation through Escape Voyages.
Lost Luggage
Should you discover upon arrival that your luggage is missing or has been damaged, you should report this immediately to the information desk in the baggage hall. The staff will be able to tell you what the procedure is for reclaiming your luggage and advise you on any forms that may need
to be filled in and stamped. If you experience any problems in dealing with airport officials your Tour Leader/ Transfer representative will be happy to assist you. However, please remember that lost luggage is a matter between you and the airline / airport authority and the recovery of
your luggage is your own responsibility and at your own expense.
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Working out your budget !
Although most trips include entrance fees to all sites specified in your itinerary there are additional sights that you may like to visit. Many sites also levy additional camera fees (these charges vary but are rarely more than US$3 for cameras, US$7 for videos) and these are not included
on our tour. The average entrance fee is approx US$3, although a handful of sites cost considerably more than this, these are detailed below. (The most expensive is the Taj Mahal at US$15)
Please note all prices are subject to overnight change.
Optional Excursions
All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on ( Adventurer trips generally have more than Diccovery). If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the
possibilities in each area. The cost for these optional activities are not covered in your tour price. Please allow addition USD 70- 100 if you wish to participate in wide range of optional activities availble on each tour.
Local Food & Drink
Food
The basis of any Indian meal is grain - rice in the south and wheat in the form of bread (roti) in the north. These are generally eaten with lentils (dhal), vegetables (sabzi) and chutney (chatni). Common meat dishes will be either mutton, chicken or fish - never beef. There is a huge
range of restaurants, both local and international in the major cities, and the regions provide for many differing tastes. Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:
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Simple snack - US$1-2
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Light meal - US$2-5
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Fancy restaurant - US$10-20
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Bottle of Water- US$ 0.5 – 1
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Airrated soft drinks/juices US$ 1
Drinks
Tea – known as Chai – is available everywhere. It consists more of milk and sugar than tea, and often contains spices such as cardamom or ginger. Coffee is more common in South India. All tap water should be considerd as undrinkable , However package drinking water and other wide
range of soft drinks such as Pepsi, Coca Cola, Sprite and Fanta or Mirinda and canned fruit juices are available throughout India. A variety of surprisingly good and strong local beers are available, all of a light, lager type. Local spirits are also available and some of them are very
good. Imported wines are available in the larger cities but can be expensive.
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Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
Toilets
All the hotels we use have clean and funtional toilets. However in general the public toilet network is very disappointing.
Water
In some parts of India (particularly Rajasthan) water is in extremely short supply. Poor monsoons over the past few years have led to major water shortages and you may notice rivers and lakes which are completely dry. Please bear this in mind when washing and showering and try to limit
your water usage as much as possible.
Religion
Travellers should respect that religion is an inherent part of Indian life. We encourage travellers to experience religious festivals and visit temples and shrines but ask that you follow religious rules such as removing your shoes and refraining from taking photographs at certain sites.
At Hindu temples, non-Hindus are not usually permitted to enter the inner sanctum – look for signs or ask for advice. We will be on hand to advise you of local sensitivities.
Etiquette & Customs
In most cases we will brief you on etiquette; however there are a couple of good points which are worth noting. For most rural Indians cutlery is an alien concept and all food is eaten with the right hand (as the left is associated with washing after visiting the toilet).
Therefore you should remember to use your right hand for giving, receiving, shaking hands or eating (if there is no cutlery). You should also note that public displays of affection (such as kissing and holding hands) are generally not acceptable even though you will see Indian men holding
hands (this is a sign of friendship rather than sexuality). You should also avoid pointing the soles of your feet at anyone.
Safety
Please take great care with your passport, airline tickets and monies. Most accommodation will have safety deposit facilities which you are strongly urged to use. Do not carry more cash than required. A money belt worn under your clothing is suggested. If you are buying something, you
should not flash large amounts of money around. Please clearly mark all your baggage with your name and address. Please attach baggage tags to your luggage . These help our Tour Leaders to identify bags. Common sense and awareness will greatly reduce the unlikely misfortune of loss or
theft. We also suggest you carry small padlocks for your luggage.
Photography
India is one of the best places for people photography and most people are happy to have their photo taken. You should, however, be respectful of people's right to privacy, and of cultural differences. Women in Muslim cultures are often unwilling to have their picture taken. You
should always ask permission before photographing. If somebody objects, respect their wishes. If in doubt as to whether you should photograph something, consult your Tour Leader.
Film & Digital
Film may not always be available locally and can be of variable quality, so you should bring plenty with you. If you use digital, ensure you have an adequate supply of memory cards. Many internet cafés or photo shops can burn memory cards onto CD, but do not delete any images from the
card until you have seen the CD on a different computer. Take spare batteries, especially if they are of an unusual size. Two sets of rechargables are best so one set is always full. Don't forget to take the charger as well as a travel plug adapter.
Begging
Begging is a way of life in India. Ultimately donations are a travellers personal choice, however in line with initiatives and government policy in many of our destinations, our recommendation is NOT to give money, pens, gifts or sweets as this encourages a begging mentality and is
largely ineffectual. If you do want to help it is probably better to give to a recognised charity. If you choose not to give simply say no with a smile and keep on walking. If you learn nothing else of the local language, learn to say ‘no thank you’!
Haggling
Haggling is also a way of life in India. In the shops there is no fixed price so the shop keeper will start with a high price which you are then expected to haggle down until you reach a fair price. Haggling should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun – you will find most shop
owners are very friendly and will probably invite you in for a cup of tea to break the ice before the haggling starts!
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Shopping
Each region has its own specialties, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork and antiques, India is a shopper’s paradise. Bargaining is expected, and the visitor can check for reasonable prices at
state-run emporia.
Fabrics: One of India’s main industries is textiles. Of the silks, the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous. Rajasthan cotton with its distinctive ‘tie and dye’ and Block print designs are usually brilliantly colourful, while Chennai cotton is
known for its attractive ‘bleeding’ effect after a few washes. The himroo cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns, may be found throughout the country. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens, particularly shawls.
Carpets: India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries. Each region will have its own speciality, good quality,brightly coloured rugs, available mainly in cities of Varanasi, Jaipur and Darjeeling.
Clothes: Clothes are cheap, and can be quickly tailor-made in some shops. Cloth includes silks, cottons, himroos, brocades and chiffons.
Jewellery: This is traditionally heavy and elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems include diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarines. Jaipur and Hyderabad are leading jewel centre in India.
Handicrafts and leatherwork: Each area has its speciality; the range includes bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Woven rugs and papier mâché(some decorated in gold leaf) are a characteristic Kashmir product. Inlaid marble and alabaster are
specialities of Agra. Rajasthan is known for its colourful fabrics and silks. Leatherwork includes open Indian sandals and slippers.
Woodwork: Sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Chennai (Madras).
Other goods: Pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards and musical instruments.
Shopping hours:
Mon-Sat 0930-1700 in most large stores.
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What to Pack
What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags
which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for our Adventures trips! Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on
sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. On trip which involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping , we usually provide Bedding otherwise you have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need
instead of bringing them with you.
Clothing
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In India's hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. In the winter months (Dec-Feb) North India (including Rajsthan and central
Indian ) can get very cold so you should bring plenty of warm clothing. Furthermore most part of India do face extreeme climate and the differeance between day and night temprartures are very substantial. We advice you to carry a fleese.
Our Recommendation:
You should bear in mind that India has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote areas. Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and also more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an
invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs). In certain areas and religious sites we will be ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader’s advice at all times.
Footwear
Almost all our tours involve some walking or hiking so it is important to bring footwear that is suitable and also comfortable. The question of whether to bring hiking boots is a tricky one to answer. You should consult your Trip Dossier for a detailed description of any hiking and
trekking on the tour and then decide on what you think you will be most comfortable in. This may be hiking boots, cross trainers or some other trusty footwear.
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Lightweight hiking boots
If you decide to take hiking boots, it is vital that you wear them in before you travel. You should also bring spare laces.
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Comfortable shoes
Deck shoes, cross trainers, desert boots etc. for everyday use (a good idea if you also bring hiking boots).
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Checklist
Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travellers cheques
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
Escape Voyages copy of trip and country dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Day pack for daily personal items
Lock for all bags
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Travel adaptor
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Water bottle and Plastic mug for train journeys
Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Money belt
Shorts
Long trousers
Hiking pants/track pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for November-February. Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves
Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
Camera and film
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
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