Before Setting Off

 

Suggested Books To Read

 

 We would recommend the following books to read for a feel of the Indian way of life:

 

• India, the Ultimate Sights, Palaces and Experiences by Abraham Eraly, Yasmin Khan,    George Michell and Mitala Saranwhich.

 

• A Princess Remembers by Gatyatri Devi.

 

• Snakes and Ladders by Gita Mehta.

 

• No Full Stops in India by Mark Tully.

 

Visa

 

You will need a valid passport and visa to enter India, Nepal or Sri Lanka. Please contact the necessary Consulate or Embassy closest to you to apply for a visa. Foreign nationals arriving in India on long term multiple visas are required to register with the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Officer within 14 days of arrival. Over-stayers will be fined and may be prosecuted.

 

Passport and visa must be obtained in advance. Each guest is responsible for determining specific passport and visa requirements in their country of origin and for obtaining the necessary documents prior to departure.

 

Medical Information

 

If you have diabetes, allergies, asthma or any condition that may require emergency care, always carry some identification (tag, bracelet or card) indicating so and prescriptions of the medicines. Preferably also carry a letter from your physician.

 

Bring personal medicines, especially if you have diabetes, asthma, allergies, or other disorders that require a regular intake of medicines.

 

Insect repellent: Take something DEET (dimethylphtalaat or n, n-diethylmetatoluamide) based, like the Swedish "Jungle Olja."

 

Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Do not eat fruits and vegetables that are cut and raw. Use bottled water even for brushing your teeth.

 

Inoculations For Travelers To India, Nepal Or Sri Lanka

 

No compulsory Inoculations are required if you are arriving from the United States, Canada or Europe. If you entering from Africa or parts of Latin America, certification of Yellow Fever Inoculation is required.

 

Although no vaccinations are required to go to India, Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended. Also Anti Malarial Medication, Tetanus Gamma ­ Globulin Viral Meningitis For further information contacts your local physician or travel clinic

 

Malaria is a preventable infection. Prevent infection by taking prescription anti malarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Take mefloquine to prevent malaria.

There is no risk for yellow fever in the Indian Subcontinent.

 

Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent other insect borne diseases. . Some kind of antibiotic from your medical doctor, and, Dysentery Tablets could form a part of your medical kit.

 

Baggage Allowance and Handling

 

Please contact your travel agent or airline for international baggage restrictions and allowance. Most international airlines allow 2 pieces of baggage. Neither bag should exceed 62 inches or 70 lb. A carry on bag may also be allowed provided that it fits underneath the seat on the aircraft.

 

On domestic flights within India and Nepal, 15 kilos or 44 pounds are allowed. For checked luggage and one carry on bag is allowed, weighing 05 kilos or 6.6 pounds. This bag should be tagged with a hand baggage tag provided by the airlines and checked by security.

 

Domestic Indian airlines require all check-in baggage to be locked, as airlines will not be responsible for loss of any item in unlocked bags. The Tour Organizers are not responsible or liable for any lost or damaged baggage or personal effects.

 

Travel Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance in the event that you have to cancel your trip. Also, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

 

It is advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as canceled flights etc. Guests are advised to consult the following non-profit informational web site:

http://www.insuremytrip.com/

 

Trinetra Tours Pvt. Ltd provides no insurance whatsoever.

 

Clothing

 

Visitors should respect local codes of dress and behavior.

 

Dress informally while on tour; carry lightweight clothes that can be laundered easily. During winter, you will need light woolens, sweaters, a light jacket or wool wrap. Dress in layers, so that you can strip down during the warmer days. In summer, light cotton clothes will do everywhere except in the mountain regions, where it will be cold at night. Bring a warm jacket and be prepared for temperatures in the 30s F.

 

In South India, It is advisable to wear light cotton clothes throughout the year, as the climate is hot and humid. In North India prepare for hot, sunny days and cool nights. Temperatures in North India range from the 30s to the high 80s Fahrenheit. Be prepared for cooler weather in higher altitude. Temperatures in South India range from the 50s to the 90s Fahrenheit. In winter during the days the temperature is rather warm, however, at night it can get cold. Therefore, both warm and cold weather clothing is required. This is likewise for the Himalayan foothills, even though it is cold there, while hiking you will get hot and sweaty.

 

It is fine for women to wear long pants or skirts to the ankles. You may also choose to wear Indian outfits as Salwar Kameeze or saris. Shorts and sleeveless dresses are fine too. For evening wear, smart casuals should be OK. 

 

Other Recommended Clothing accessories:-

• Good walking shoes with grip and preferable ankle support if trekking.

 

• Slippers or open toed sandals.

 

• Warm jacket or coat, if winter, or if traveling to the Himalayas/ wildlife parks (In the winters).

  

• Gloves, if winter, or if traveling to the Himalayas/ wildlife parks (in the winters).

 

• Underwear.

 

• Extra pairs of cotton Socks, (synthetic or wool for trekking.)

 

• Sweater for cooler climates and regions.

 

• Bathing suit for hotels with swimming pools,

 

• Sunglasses.

 

• Large hat (preferably the fold-up kind).

 

Useful Items to Bring

• Personal toiletries.
• Medications.
• Flashlight.
• Camera.
• Insect repellent.
• Facial tissues.
• Sunscreen.
• Alarm clock.
• 220-volt transformer so you can use your 110-volt electrical appliances, such as razor, hair dryer, travel iron, etc.
• Money belt: The flat type that you can wear under clothing.
• Back pack or fanny pack for carrying water, camera, etc.
• Calculator: If you want to convert rupees to another currency.
• Compass: Some people like to know the direction in which they sleep.
• Travel diary and pens: For journaling or memory-recording.
• Any dried food that you like and can't get in India.
• First aid kit.
• Moleskin or Band-Aids to treat foot blisters.
• Face Masks if you have asthma or allergies.

Luggage

 

It is best to keep luggage to a minimum. When traveling, you will regret bringing large unwieldy luggage. A small backpack or a fanny pack will be useful on short walks or shopping. While touring and hiking, you can leave your luggage in the hotel, so you don't have to carry more than necessary.

 

For the Himalayan Pilgrimages, please bring soft-side luggage or a duffel bag so it can be packed on a pony. For other tours, it's fine to bring any kind of locked luggage.

 

Airline luggage requirements are listed above.

  

 

Official Papers

 

Make photocopies of all your travel documents, especially your passport. It saves you lots of trouble in case the originals get stolen. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

• Insurance papers
• Passport
• Personal medical information
• Personal medicine prescriptions
• Vaccination information
• Travelers checks

 

 

While You Are In India!!

 

 

Arrival in India

 

On your arrival in India, you will be met by our local representatives. You will be assisted with your check in at the hotel. If you have any special request, please check with the representative.

 

Luggage arriving in Delhi could sometimes be delayed. If your luggage is delayed, go to the airline counter and fill out a lost luggage form. Then, either the Airline would deliver the delayed luggage to your hotel, or, you will most likely have to return to the airport to pick up the bags once they arrive - probably the following day. Be sure to get a lost luggage insurance policy before you leave your home country.

 

Airline Flights

 

Should any flight delays or changes occur, our local offices / agents will do everything in their power to minimize the inconvenience caused, as we do not have control over airline schedules.

 

Confirm your return tickets as soon as possible after your arrival.

 

Our 24x7 Helpline Numbers

 

Mr. Tapas Banerjee - 9810261373

Mr. Mahendra Pal - 9899009034

Mr. Rahul Gaur - 9015493496

 

(Please prefix ‘0’ if calling from India, but, from outside Delhi. If calling from outside India, just dial the India code + 91 followed by the above numbers)

 

 

 

Currency Exchange and Regulations

 

In India, the unit of currency is the Rupee (Rs) divided into 100 paise (P). Change money with AUTHORIZED MONEY CHANGERS (at the airport, most banks, hotels and certain large shops) and insist on a receipt as it will help you reconvert unused rupees into the original foreign currency at the time of departure. Avoid any people on the street who offer to change your money at a temptingly high rate of exchange.

 

You can exchange currency at most hotels in the major cities and the international airports. Major credit cards are accepted at the city hotels and the wildlife lodges accept cash only. Small denominations should be purchased for tips etc.

 

Banks: Open 10 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to noon on Saturday. Central Bank in Ashok Hotel (Tel. 60-1848) and State Bank of India at the Airport are open round the clock. Banks in residential areas generally observe the weekly holiday of the area.

 

Credit Cards: American Express, Masters Charge Visa and Diners Club Credit Cards are generally accepted by large establishments, including hotels, shops and airlines.

 

Food

 

Every IndianState has its own history, culture and food. Try some of the regional specialties. Keep a diet of fresh cooked vegetables, rice and Indian breads. In coastal areas, try fresh tender coconut water it is safe, cooling and delicious. India has an amazing variety of non-vegetarian and vegetarian cuisine. Contrary to what you may have heard, all Indian food is not hot and spicy. Most dishes are only richly garnished to provide an exciting flavor.

 

You will find excellent restaurants that serve Indian, Chinese, Continental and other cuisine.

 

Liquor is available freely in wine shops. It is also served in bars and restaurants in all major hotels.

 

Electricity

 

Voltage in most places is 220 A/50 cycles. A few areas however have DC current.

 

Please check the voltage before using any electric appliance. Most American Appliances need a step up converter and special rounded plug points.

 

Health Precautions

 

Avoid ice and drink only bottled water. Eat cooked meals, avoid green salads.

 

Do not buy food at the street stalls. Eat fruits that you can peel yourself.

  

Altitude Concerns

 

If you visit the HimalayanMountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness.

 

Drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness. In addition, use sun block rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes.

 

Theft and Loss Precautions

 

Carry your valuables in two places. Put the money you expect to use during the day in a visible wallet hanging around your neck or in an obvious money belt around your waist, and keep the rest of your money and your documents hidden in a money belt under your clothes.

 

Use traveler's checks so that if they are stolen, you can recover them. Keep traveler's checks in the locked safe in the hotel or in a money belt hidden under your clothes. Keep a record of your traveler's check numbers in a separate place from the checks.

 

Theft of valuables - especially passports - is a particular risk.

 

Illegal Drugs

 

Penalties for possession of even small amounts of narcotic substances are severe (a minimum of 10 years imprisonment).

 

The slow judicial process means that lengthy pre-trial detention is the norm.

 

Shopping

 

Shops and offices are generally open from 1000 hrs to 2000 hrs with a lunch break Monday to Saturday.

 

India is a shopper's paradise. Of particular interest are carpets, handicrafts, jewelry, ready-made garments and leather goods. It's best to buy goods only from the more established shops and official Indian government approved outlets.

 

Time Difference

Indian Standard Time (IST) is the same throughout the country and is 10 1/2 hours ahead of New York, 5 1/2 hours ahead of London, 4 1/2 hours ahead of Paris, 3 1/2 hours behind Tokyo and 4 1/2 hours behind Sydney.

 

Tips / Gratuities

 

Tipping is generally expected at hotels and restaurants. Ten percent of the bill is in order. With regards to gratuities we have outlined a suggested guideline. For exemplary service please tip at your discretion. Tips are only customary and not mandatory. The guidelines may also be altered to each individual’s discretion. 

• Porters: Rs. 50.00 per bag (Railway Stations/Airports)
• Local Representative coordinating your tour: Rs. 500.00 at departure.
• Drivers: Rs. 300.00 per day.
• Bell Boys: Rs. 50.00 per bag.
• Guides: Rs. 500  per city
• Restaurants: 10% - 15% depending on service.

Language

 

Languages spoken in India are different in each state. The national language is Hindi. Most people in bigger cities speak English. Our guides speak fluent English. We can arrange for foreign language speaking guides in certain cities.

 

India Do's and Don'ts - Summarizing

 

DO'S

• Exchange money only through authorized banks or money changers.
• Insist on a receipt when exchanging money.
• Retain all receipts to facilitate re-conversion of unspent money on departure from India.
• Export of most wildlife and their products is either banned or strictly regulated. Export of the few permissible items even as passengers' personal luggage is allowed only under an export permit.
• Insist on getting a certificate for the legitimate sale of a particular animal product and permission for its export to avoid inconvenience on departure.
• Avoid the touts and brokers of shopkeepers.
• It is obligatory to cover your head before entering Sikh shrines.
• In case of any difficulty contact us at our 24x7 helpline numbers.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food and vegetables, or fruits you have peeled yourself.

 

DONT'S

• Don't injest anything but bottled water, even to brush your teeth.
• Don't injest any drinks with ice cubes.
• Don't get lured by shopping bargains on the street.
• Don't exchange money except with an authorized money changer.
• Don’t purchase travels related services through unverified strangers.
• Don't encourage beggars by giving them money or other articles.
• Don't buy silver/ivory articles or peacock feathers in bulk.
• Don't wear any footwear inside Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Jain places of worship. Some temples do not permit leather articles to be taken in.
• Don't wear shorts, sleeveless tops or revealing clothes in places of public worship.
• Don't wear revealing clothing to bathe in the Ganges if you are female. Instead, cover your full body.
• Don't get involved with drugs of any kind.
• Don't eat food purchased from street vendors unless the food is cooked before you.
• Don't drink beverages with ice.
• Don't eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurized.
• Don't share needles with anyone.
• Don't handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites.