Airline Allowances
Please check on your tickets for same as this varies with the class of travel and the airline and also between International and domestic flights.
Tag your bags for easy identification
Travel Light
Extra care to be taken of your baggage in crowded places
Don’t leave your baggage unattended

October to March is the most pleasant time to travel throughout India. The mountainous regions in the North are slightly cold during this period.
The dry hot weather is from April through mid July before monsoon begins.
We will assist you with more detailed weather information depending on the season and the specific destinations you choose to visit.

Travel light & pack as per climatic conditions carrying suitable wear in accordance.
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunglasses.
Dress comfortably. Guests to the metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore will find that Western clothing is acceptable and is worn. However, in many popular tourist destinations like Rajasthan modesty in dress is strongly encouraged. Long skirts, long sleeves, a shawl/scarf to cover the head in holy places, higher necklines & pants for men are all recommended

Plug sockets
The standardized voltage used in India is 230V, 50 Hz with a tolerance varying from 216V to 253V. The electrical sockets conform to British norms. European and American plugs will not work in the sockets in India and therefore, it is advisable to buy a converter or adaptor.
Mobile phones
There is mobile phone coverage throughout the country, except in remote rural areas. India’s country code is +91.
We can assist you with local mobile SIM card for use in India. These are readily available and usually take 24- 48 hours to activate from the time you arrive in India. You will need to bring a photocopy of your passport and two passport size photographs to get a SIM card in India. It is advisable to purchase a SIM card on the first day of your arrival as this will make it easier for you to communicate with us during your trip.
Internet Connectivity
Many modern/business hotels, airports offer wi-fi services to their guests.

Official Indian Currency are 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, 5 and 10 (100 Paisas equal 1 Rupee). The exchange rate may vary.

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 which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized money- changers. We can assist you with this.

Accessing Money
Credit/Debt Cards
Inform your bank that you are traveling to India to avoid any trouble accessing money using your credit/debit cards when you are abroad.
Modern 24-hour ATMs are found in most large towns and cities. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro and Plus. Credit cards are accepted at growing numbers of shops, up-market restaurants, and mid- range and top-end hotels.
Away from major towns, always carry cash or travelers checks as backup. Always check in advance whether your card can access banking networks in India and ask for details of charges.
Always keep the emergency lost-and-stolen numbers for your credit/debit cards in a safe place, separate from your cards, and report any loss or theft immediately.
Cash
Major currencies such as US Dollar, British Pound and Euros are easy to change throughout India. Whenever changing money, check every note. Do not accept any ripped notes, as these may not be accepted as payment. Remember, you must present your passport whenever you change currency or travelers checks. Make an effort to keep a good amount of small notes (10, 20 rupees) on hand, as they can make smaller, street vendor transactions much easier.
International Transfers
International transfers can be received via moneychangers affiliated with Moneygram or Western Union. Please note that a hefty fee is often added to the transaction. To collect cash, you will need your passport and the name and reference number of the person who sent the funds
Traveler’s Checks
All major brands are accepted in India, but some banks may only accept checks from Amex and Thomas Cook. Charges for changing travelers checks vary from place to place and bank to bank. Always keep a record of the checks’ serial numbers separate from your checks, along with the proof-of-purchase slips, and encashment vouchers. To replace lost travelers checks, you need the proof-of-purchase slip and the numbers of the missing checks (some places require a photocopy of the police report and a passport photo).

Drinking and smoking is prohibited in most of the public places in India

Indian food, one of the most delicious of world cuisine. However avoid eating too much spicy food soon after you arrive in India. Take one Indian dish only with each meal and ask the waiter to cut down on the chillies till your system get used to it and eat fresh fruits whose skin you can peel off or remove.

The guests are advised to drink bottled water, bottled drinks, coffee or tea. Most premier hotels have their own filtration system.

Should you want to have a sumchous meal at an Indian home do let us know and we will arrange a visit.

It is advisable to check the latest travel health advisories from your national health centers before travel to India. The US government for instance does not specify any required vaccines for travel to India, but recommends the following: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria (anti-malaria drug), Rabies, Typhoid and booster doses for Tetanus-diphtheria. We advise you to bring your own medicines, since all medications in India are locally manufactured and you may not find the same brand names. There are very good drug stores and doctors everywhere, and they can advise on substitute medication. If the necessity arises, ask your hotel to recommend a doctor. Do keep a mosquito repellent handy.

Hindi is our official language. However English is widely spoken at almost all tourist places. 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.

Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators. Leave this to your travel agent to organize. Its better to be safe than sorry.

While shopping or sightseeing avoid touts & brokers. Be aware of unscrupulous shopkeepers. If you feel that you are being abused do not hesitate to contact authorities

Passport Validity

Please go through Terms and Condition of your booking with our organisation.

Carry all your documents safely.All valuables, cash etcshould be carried in yourhandbag at all times

Pleaseensurethatyoucarryatleast2photocopiesofallthedocumentsi.e.CreditCards.Incaseofloss/theft/ damageit willbeeasier totakecareof thematter.

Photocopies of your passport and visa

Acopyof theentiresetshould alsobeleftbehind withrelatives/ friends.

Few passport size photographs

We highly recommend you to have It is extremely important for you to be in possession of valid Travel Insurance for the duration of your holiday.  We can assist you with this.

All visitors to India require a valid Tourist Visa, which may be obtained from your nearest Indian consulate depending on which country you reside in. When you book your holiday in India with us, we will send you this information.

For any amendments in travel, please call local emergency numbers at least one day before schedule.

* Do not keep all your money, credit cards in one wallet or purse. Disperse them

* Do notget into any unnecessary quarrelor
contradictionswith the locals

* Do notvisit dancebarsetc.

* Do notleave your valuables open in your hotelroom

* Do notconsume alcoholduring the sightseeing tours

* Do not-try to break queues, bargain in fixed priceshops, littering, jay walking and misusing hotel amenities.

Time Zone
EST plus 10hrs 30min’ in winter, EST plus 9hrs 30min’ in summer.

Banks
From 1000 to 1400 hrs Monday through Friday.
1000 to 1230 hrs Saturdays. The hotels and all

Post Office
From 1000 to 1630 hours Monday through Friday
0930 to 1230hrs on Saturdays

Administrative Services
0930 to 1700 hours Monday through Friday,
0930 to 1230 hours on Saturdays

Normal Official Check-in time is  1400 hours and check-out time is 1200 hours (unless specified)
Request for early check-in or late check-out is subject to hotel availability.
Take care of the hotel property to avoid penalty, which can be very harsh. When using the hotel services and room amenities, please keep in mind that the beverages that you use from the mini bar; telephone calls and laundry are all extra charges to be paid by you.

Upon arrival, after completing your immigration formalities proceed to the exit gate where you will be met by our representative with your name signage card

Please carry water while sight-seeing. Apply sunscreen lotion, as the weather can get hot during the day &carry mosquito repellant.
Camera
Travel with a camera. India is a land of history, culture, sunshine and color. For amateur photography of national monuments, there are no restrictions on taking photographs with a still camera 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.

Faith & Religion
Respect for others beliefs – whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist or other – is shown by speaking with tact and sensitivity on these subjects and by observing codes of dress such as removing shoes and covering the head in places of worship. Also some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.

Keep in mind that modest behavior will also be appreciated as public displays of affection, even between spouses are considered bad taste in much of the country.
Indians are warm, hospitable, kind and helpful and curious by nature. They will go all out to make you feel comfortable.
Tips & Gratitude
Tipping is not mandatory but it is a custom, expected and appreciated. Some hotels & restaurants the bill includes include service charges. In such cases tipping is not necessary. The porter who takes your baggage to your room is usually tipped Rs.10 to Rs.20 per trolley.
Charity
Don’t give to street beggars, no matter how hard it might be. Criminal mafias who profit from their misery enslave most beggars. If you wish to help them, do so through a recognized charitable organization.

Local Rest rooms
It is best to avoid public restrooms in India.  Carry toilet paper or tissues and hand sanitizer with you and use hotel and restaurant facilities.

For all transfers and sightseeing tours please wait at the Bell Captain or Concierge Counter at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. DO NOT WAIT IN YOUR ROOM OR IN HOTEL’S RESTAURANTS/COFFEE HOUSE. Please be punctual as most hotels do not allow waiting in the driveway for security reasons.