BEFORE YOU GO

On Your India Tour

Passport Requirements for India Tours
A passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of your trip is required for U.S. citizens to enter and depart the country. Please ensure that the name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued. If this is not the case, please contact us immediately.
Please make a photocopy of your passport’s identification page and keep it separate from your original. It’s also a good idea to leave a digital copy with someone at home. This may speed up the replacement process should you lose your passport.
Visa Requirements for India Tours
Visa is required for travel to India. An Indian visa is valid from the day it is issued, not the date of entry. For example, a 6-month visa issued on January 1 will expire on June 30, regardless of your date of entry.. Make sure to check maximum duration per visit with your local embassy.

For more visa information please visit:
Indian Visa Online
Insurance Recommendations for India Tours
Cancelation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended as it can safeguard against the expenses associated with in-country medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage and emergency cancelation or interruption of your trip. Please ensure your policy will provide you with upfront medical coverage so that you are not responsible for a hefty doctor’s bill while away. Insurance can be purchased through us.
Vaccination Requirements for India Tours
No vaccinations are required to enter India. Some vaccines require more than one dose or a major length of time to be effective. For that reason, it is recommended to see your doctor or health provider at least 6 to 8 weeks before your trip. For all vaccinations and health requirements, you can also refer to the recommendations from:
World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov.
Medication Requirements for India Tours
If there are any medical items essential to your health, such as prescription drugs or corrective eye wear, bring duplicates and divide them between your checked bags and hand luggage. While non-prescription drugs such as aspirin are generally available, it is difficult to replace prescription items.

Other recommended Items:
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), after-sun lotion, lip balm, sunglasses
- Insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET (at least 30 percent)
- Basic medicine kit (painkillers, band-aids, antiseptic cream, etc.)
- Digestive aids such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol. Also, re-hydration salts and anti-diarrhea preparations.
- Hydrocortisone tablets or cream for allergic skin reactions and bites
- Anti-nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness
Weather, Seasons and Climate in India
India’s climate is mainly hot most of the year with significant variations from region to region. The coolest weather lasts from around the end of November to the beginning of March, with fresh mornings and evenings, and mostly sunny days. The hot weather, when it is dry and dusty, is between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer anywhere between June and early October.

For up-to-date forecasts, check www.weather.com.
Clothing and Essential Items for India Travel
What clothes to wear depends on the season you travel and what kind of activities you are taking part in on your trip. Clothing stores are readily available throughout India, but sizes may vary to that of North America. Aside from big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc., India is very traditional and it is recommended to dress conservatively. Short tops, skirts, shorts or any clothing that is equally revealing should be avoided. Full-sleeved clothes are ideal protection against the sun and mosquito bites. Indian summers (March to June) are very hot – for comfort, opt for light and loose cotton clothing rather than synthetic. Pack warm layers if you’re planning on traveling during the winter (October to February). Northern India and locations in higher elevations can be quite cold, especially during the night. While visiting places of worship, women must wear long skirts or trousers and have covered shoulders. Also, don’t forget to remove your footwear before entering any religious place.

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Video camera, camera with zoom lens in a dust-resistant case, sufficient memory cards, a spare camera battery and charger. Photography is not allowed in certain religious buildings, especially temples. So be sure to ask permission before you take a photo.
Electricity, Phone and Internet in India Electricity: Electricity supply in all tourist areas and big cities is standard 220 Volt, 50 Hz. Only a few remote parts of Northern India still use DC. During the summer months the voltage can fluctuate wildly, so avoid plugging in delicate systems directly, without the use of a voltage stabilizer. Power failures are also common, so it is recommended to take plenty of spare batteries especially 9V batteries as they can be difficult to obtain.

Phone: Roaming charges vary between carriers, but tend to be quite costly. Consult your phone provider prior to departure to discuss overseas rates and international package options.

Internet: Internet kiosks are everywhere nowadays and they charge as low as as 10-20 per hour (the cost being a compromise for speed). Beware of using your credit cards online as many cases have come forward regarding credit cards thefts using keyloggers. More reliable chains include Reliance World (formerly Reliance Web World) and Sify iWay.

Calling overseas is also very cheap if you use the many booths that advertise Net2Phone service. The quality ranges from tolerable to excellent, and the price is very good, with calls to the USA ranging from 2-5 per minute.

Wifi hotspots in India are, for most part, limited. The major airports and stations do offer paid wifi at around 60-100 an hour. Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai are the only cities with decent wifi coverage.
Currency in India
The currency used in India is the rupee (INR), Be sure to bring lots of small bills for porters, wait staff and housekeeping (not obligatory and based on your satisfaction). We recommend that you get local currency from your bank before you leave home or from a bank machine in-country which is much cheaper than an exchange service at the airport or in tourist areas. Your bank card may work, but Visa or MasterCard are more widely accepted. You will need a 4-digit PIN to be able to use your cards.
For current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com
Quick Facts for a India Tour
Capital: New Delhi
Language: Hindi
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Jain
Time Zone: GMT +5.5
Electricity: 220 Volt, 50 Hz
Telephone: Country code for calling is 91
Calling North America: Dial 001 plus area code and your 7-digit number
Emergency numbers in India: Police: 100, Fire: 101, Ambulance: 102. In Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kochi and several other cities throughout India, you can dial 108 for all emergencies.

The Sights and Sounds of Beautiful India

India is an eclectic mix of color, interspersed with outstanding ancient and colonial architecture, including the beautiful Taj Mahal and the historic, beautiful pink city of Jaipur. Both old and new structures blend seamlessly, and give the country uniqueness, both in terms of the diversity of its landscapes and its vibrant culture.

The country is incredibly atmospheric, and walking amongst the locals is a great way to soak up the rich atmosphere – there are an abundance of markets and interesting sites at every twist and turn. From the fragrant and aromatic scent of spices, to the decorated saris that add a splash of magnificent color, this country is full of surprises.

With an estimated population of over one billion, each area of India is unique and different to the last. Whilst its increasingly powerful economy continues to blossom, India still remains a poor country with many people living below the poverty line.