FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Weather

India is a large country, and there are considerable variations in weather across the country. Basically, however, there are three seasons – winter, summer and monsoon. The winter lasts from about October /November to end February, when it begins to warm up for the summer. The hottest months are April and May (The average maximum temperature in Delhi in May is 40° Centigrade). The monsoon reaches different parts of India at different times, but generally July and August are the wetter months, with rain continuing longer in the South. The best time to come to India is between October and March, but due to peak season, prices are high too. To take advantage of better rates trips can be planned between July and September when the weather is not too hot. But we would recommend umbrellas and raincoats.

Dress

While there are not strict dress codes, India is a conservative country and nudity is illegal. Though mostly casual clothes are fine, while visiting monument, temples or old parts of any city, it is better to wear full sleeves and pants. Clothes are cheap in India – and everything from flea market wear to designer labels are available at a lower cost.

Food

Food in India is spicy, not always chilly hot, but due to the fact that tourism is very developed, different food is available to suit every taste. It is a vegetarian’s paradise. Each region of India has its own distinctive cuisine. Consumption of uncooked food & vegetable is not advisable. Drinking water is available in sealed water bottles.

Money

The unit of Indian currency is the rupee. 100 rupees is written as Rs100/-. There are 100 paise to the rupee. Exchange currency at authorized Forex changers only. These are available in all airports, most hotels and large shopping areas.

Credit Cards

All major credit card companies have a strong presence in India and payments can be made through their cards.

(Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diner Club)

Banks & ATM’s

All major banks have branches and ATM’s in cities around India and definitely in or close to cities of tourist interest. A list of all these could be found on your banks official website.

Trip Insurance

We request you to inform you clients that they should arrange for travel insurance in their country.

Hospitals. India has top-of-the-line medical facilities in all its major cities, run and operated by private organizations. Government hospitals though by no means as well equipped, are present even in the smallest of places, provide basic health care.

Tourist Office in India and Abroad

Visit http://www.incredibleindia.org/tourofficesindia.htm for India Tourism Officials and

http://www.incredibleindia.org/tourofficesabroad.htm for Indian tourist offices abroad.

Indian Embassies

For a comprehensive list of Indian Embassies abroad, please visit: http://indiaimage.nic.in/embassies.htm

Foreign Missions in Indian

For a comprehensive list of foreign missions in India, please visit:

http://indiaimage.nic.in/missions.htm

Visa Requirements

1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months

2. Correct visa fee

3. Two passport size photographs (5 photographs in case of Pakistani Nationals)

4. Supporting documents, where necessary

5. Duly completed application form (Pakistani and Bangladeshi Nationals need to apply on special

application forms)

Tourists wishing to visit India will normally be granted tourist Visa, effective from the date of issue. Tourist Visa are non-extendible and non-convertible. Travel Agents who have to visit India frequently may be granted tourist Visa for a longer duration.

For more information on Visas please visit http://passport.nic.in

Tipping

Tipping is a part of life in India. It is impossible to generalize but 05 - 10% is the thumb rule.