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Travelling Tips
  • -Credit Card acceptance
    Credit cards are accepted at growing numbers of shops, up market restaurants, and midrange and top-end hotels. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted cards. American express card is also accepted by many merchants but Master and Visa cards are preferred. Having said this, it is usually recommended that members carry cash in form of currency or travelers cheques in case the card is not accepted for any reason/s.

    All major TC brands are accepted in India, but some banks may only accept cheques from American Express and Thomas Cook. Pounds sterling, Euro and US dollars are the safest currencies, especially in smaller towns. Charges for changing travelers cheques vary from place to place and bank to bank. You may note money changer's offer much better rates then banks and hotels.
  • -Shopping
    India is generally called a Shopper's paradise. A lot is being exported to the western countries. One can shop for Carpets, Textiles (including block printing), Antiques, Furniture, Leather, spices / tea, Jewelry, linen, handicrafts, etc, etc. The list goes on.
  • -Weather and clothing
    India is geographically varied; therefore the climate also varies from place to place. Always be aware of the weather before you travel to a region. Always make sure you carry the appropriate clothing to keep yourself comfortable so you can enjoy your trip.
  • -Currency denomination
    The Indian rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise (p), but paise coins are increasingly rare. Coins come in denominations of 50 p, 1, 2, 5 & 10, and notes come in Rs 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. The Indian rupee is linked to a basket of currencies and its value is generally stable. ATMs linked to international networks are common in most towns and cities in India
  • -Cuisine
    Buffet meals at hotels are a mix of Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes. The spreads are quite elaborate.

    There are also many international and Indian cuisine specialty restaurants.
  • -Hotel Accommodation
    India offers world class accomodatio0n. We have three hotels that have been on the number 1 position in the world at different point of time. We also have world class palace hotels to name a few, we have the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur where Elizabeth Hurley got married a few years ago, we have Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur where the James Bond movie Octopussy was shot. Then we have the Ram Bagh Palace in Jaipur that has hosted numerous celebrities across the world including Prince Charles.
  • -Baggage rules / charges for Jet Airways
    Baggage allowance on domestic routes in India is 15 kg per person and on international sector it can vary from airline to airline and sector to sector.
  • -General points
    a. You will be required to remove your footwear and cover your head with a handkerchief or a scarf when visiting a place of worship or mausoleum. Also some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. It is also important for the group members to wear full length pants (no shorts) or full length dresses for ladies visiting any mosques / temples in India as this is their requirement. Ladies will anyhow be required to wear gowns while visiting mosques and these can be obtained at the mosque itself.

    b. A photocopy of passport and visa will be required at each hotel during check-in. This is mandatory. Therefore it is recommended to carry four sets of both of them.

    c. It is not recommended to eat off the street due to hygiene concerns.

    d. Have photocopies of all the important documents like passport, visas, travel insurance, credit cards and any other important documents, just in case it is lost, it is a wise way to ensure you at least have a copy.

    e. It is recommended to carry emergency numbers at all times.

    f. Mobile chips are easily available at airports, shops, malls etc. One would require a passport photocopy, one passport size photograph and required cash amount in rupees.

    g. Hiring taxis from prepaid booths or availing of services of registered cabs is always safer. If you do travel by local transport, insist on going by the meter or fix the fare in advance to avoid being over charged.

    h. On the whole, India is a safe country. But all visitors should exercise the usual levels of vigilance.

    i. Always drink bottled water or packaged mineral water.

    j. Avoid spicy food, especially if you're not used to it.

    k. Beware of touts; be assertive and confident and don't give them the impression that you are unfamiliar with India.

    l. Familiarizing yourself with a couple of commonly used words or phrases in the local language will help you while shopping or talking to the local people.

    m. India is a commonwealth country and English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country. However, interpreters and guides for other languages are also easy to book.

    n. Indians are fairly friendly and helpful.

    o. One can find all basic food / amenities conforming to international quality and standards in terms of variety, hygiene and safety.

    p. All banks in India function from Monday to Saturday. There are many ATMs from which one can withdraw cash 24x7.

    q. All post offices in India are open from Monday to Saturday.

    r.Don't carry your important documents e.g., passports etc at all times unless necessary. It is recommended to leave them in hotel safes.
  • -Travel tips for Nepal
    You may note the following points,

    1. One should not carry Indian rupees of 500 & 1000 denomination to Kathmandu as these are banned by the authorities in Nepal. Travellers should either carry Indian currency of Rs. 100 denomination (or lower) or they should change the money in Kathmandu.

    2. Indian rupees are acceptable in Kathmandu. The exchange rate between Indian rupees v/s Nepalese rupees is as under, INR 100 = NPR 160

    3. Foreign travelers seeking Nepalese visa on arrival in Kathmandu need to carry exact change of USD 25 for the Nepalese visa. The reason being sometimes the authorities do not have a change and the excess amount may not be returned. The visa fee is subject to change without prior notice.

    4. In order to obtain the visa, tourists should carry the following though this is subject to change,
    a. Exact change of USD 25

    b. Two photographs

    c. Visa form which is available on arrival.

    General: You will be required to remove your footwear and cover your head with a handkerchief or a scarf when visiting a place of worship or mausoleum. Also some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. It is also important for the group members to wear full length pants (no shorts) or full length dresses for ladies while visiting temples and places of worship.

    Photocopy of passport and visa will be required at each hotel during check-in. This is mandatory. Therefore it is recommended to carry four sets of both of them.