
Namaskar
and welcome to Incredible India, where culture echoes, tradition speaks,
beauty enthrals and diversity delights.
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From
the smoky mangroves of the Sunderbans to the steaming Thar Desert, sizzling
cities like Mumbai and Delhi to the scintillating
villages
of Khajuraho and Hampi, from the heights of the Himalayas to the deep blue
waters around the Andamans, India is a travel
haven
– a tour package that frustrates and delights, as demanding as it is rewarding.
It demands that the traveller be prepared for its
own
strange forms of tourism offerings - the crowds at Pushkar, for pushy mendicants
at Haridwar, for high commercialism at spiritual
retreats.
But equally, it means that he be prepared for an overwhelming warmth in
the people, ease of conversation, and to be stunned
into
speechlessness by the beauty, sometimes the manmade and often the natural.
But
what exactly is it that gets two and a half million people to pack their
bags, book their tickets, buy industrial size cans of suntan
lotion
and enough toilet paper to supply the entire population of Liechtenstein
for a month, and wing their way to India? Given that this
is
the land of the Taj, granted too that tea, tobacco, tempestuous democracy
and terrific travel are a great combination but surely that's
not
reason enough. There must be more because between truisms and half-truths,
India has inspired more than any one place's fair share
of
travel lore. And, perhaps that's what it is - the legends of India - that's
what inspires people from far and near to travel here, to sort
out
for themselves what's true and what's just a whole lot of tourism pamphlet
hype. If that's what you're going to be doing, here's a bit
of
India tourism mantra to help you on your way: Expect Nothing and Everything
will be Yours.
A
country of staggering topographical variations whose rich and incredibly
diverse cultural heritage has been shaped by 5000 yrs of
history.
A land where the ancient and the contemporary exists side by side, where
thousands of brilliant images fill the soul with wonder
and
where quaint and startling contradictions juxtapose to lend an extraordinary
vitality, texture and poetry of life. The history of India is replete with
mythology, archaeology and cultural heritage in its variegated manifestations.
India is as luxurious as it is squalid, some places
as
featureless as some absolutely spectacular. Yet with its vast diversity
it has unity. Covering more than three million square kilometers,
India
is home to masses of humanity — 1 billion people at last count — and a
bewildering pantheon of gods and monsters. Temples and shrines are around
every corner, and throughout the year there are hundreds of religious festivals.
Here, religion is an intrinsic part of life. Religious rules influence
the people's daily chores, clothing, food, marriage, education, and politics.
About 80% of the population are Hindu and 11 percent are Muslim. Although
India is rich with tradition,the country and its people are not trapped
in the past. India has a thriving computer software industry and is the
world's second-largest software exporter. Indians are also avid movie producers;
the Indian film
industry
Bollywood, is the largest in the world, producing about three times as
many full-length feature films as Holywood
From
the deserts of Rajasthan to the tropical forests of Kerala,
India is a great destination for anybody with an adventurous spirit.
India
has 59 national parks and more than 250 wildlife reserves, housing many
animals that are unique to the area. In this overpopulated country with
underdeveloped roads & developing infrastructure, leaving the cars
and buses behind trekking and camel safaris are
great
ways to get from place to place not forgetting the costly option of flying.
Click
on Map to see the Tourist
Map of India
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CLIMATE
Few
countries encompass as richly varied a landscape as India's, watered by
the monsoon and burnished by the sun. The southwest monsoon dominates from
late June to end of September, bringing high humidity and heavy rain. As
these winds retreat in October, the land dries out and humidity levels
fall. The southeastern coasts however, get rain and cyclonic squalls until
January. During November, with the strength of the sun diminishing, the
winter season starts in the northern plains. Until February the weather
remains cold 41Dgrees F in the Himalayas and its foothills, where skiing
is possible, pleasant in the plains and warm in South India, except in
cooler uplands. India's summer, which runs from March to May, is hot and
dry, with flurries of wind raising a dusty curtain over the northern plain
and max daytime temperature averaging 40 degrees C. South India is
sultry and hot but temperatures are usually bearable between 80 to 84 degree
F. April is one month which is pleasant
DOCUMENTATION
Visa exemptions include:
1) Bhutanese
and Nepalese visitors who are staying for less than 3 months
2) Nationals
from the Maldives, if they are staying for a maximum of 90 days (this includes
any periods they may have spent in India up to 6 months prior to the visit
in question),
3) Transit
passengers who have a follow-on ticket within 72 hours of arrival as long
as they are not going to leave the airport.
4) Special
restrictions apply to Pakistani and Afghan nationals.
5) Via
on Arrival -15 countries awating final approval from the cabinet. Likely
to be implemented by 2010.
Its always
wise to check updated visa requirements prior to travel
SPECIAL
INNER LINE PERMITS Travellers require permits from the
Indian government to visit the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Mizoram and Nagaland in the northeast. In the Indian Himalayan parts of
Kullu District, the Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, and areas of Uttar
Pradesh & South India (Lakshwadeep) also require authorization.Tourists
of foreign origin or Indian origin (other than tourists of Nepalese / Bhutanese
origin arriving from Nepal / Bhutan respectively) are treated as tourists
for the purpose of duty free allowance under Baggage Rules. A foreign passenger
not normally resident in India and coming to India as a tourist can stay
in India only for a period of six months. However, he/ she can extend
the stay by seeking permission from Foreigners Registration Officer, usually
situated in the office of Commissioner of Police. This process is not very
complicated. If the visa, for stay in India is for more than 180 days,a
Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from
the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office within 15 days of arrival.
04 photographs are required for registration.
/CUSTOMS-
One
is advised to report to the appropriate channel for custom clearance, which
are two in number. The Green Channel is for passengers carrying non dutiable
goods and the Red Channel for those with dutiable items. Currency over
the value
of USD 10,000 has to be declared.
Duty
Free Items
(A)
Personal
effects like clothing and other articles new or used, which one may reasonably
require, excluding merchandise for commercial purposes. These items should
be taken back on final departure from the country
(B)
Travel
souvenirs up to a total value of Rs 5000/-. Gifts may be brought in free
of duty by tourists visiting India for a stay of
over
24 hours
(C)
Cigarettes,
Cigars, Tobacco and Alcoholic beverages subject to 200 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 250gms Tabacco and 1 litter each
of wine
and spirits
Baggage
Rules and Declaration All
items brought into or taken out of India are subject to exchange management
and customs duties are imposed at the specified rates. Similarly, importers
/ exporters are required to obtain a license or Customs Clearance Permit
(CCP) to import/ export goods into/out of India. They are also required
to obtain Import Export Code (IEC) Number.
If you
are above 17 years you may import the following in without attracting duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, a litre of alcoholic
drink, 250 ml perfume, gifts up to a value of Rupees 4000 (foreign passport
holders), gifts up to a value of Rupees 6000 (Indian passport holders)
and articles of personal use. But its best to check with the authorities
for the specific details. It is illegal to bring in drugs, gold and silver
bullion, plants and coins that have gone out of use.
FOREIGN
EXCHANGE Indian currency is not permitted to be brought
in or taken out of the country without
prior
permission from the Reserve Bank of India. Foreign Currency/ Exchange brought
into the country must be declared at Customs where the value of currency
notes exceeds US$ 2500/- or the aggregate value of exchange including
currency notes exceeds US$10,000/- or its equivalent. Money changing
facilities are available at the airport - 24 hours. Also through
banks
and authorized
money changers in the city. Foreign Travel Tax at time of departurei levied
@ Rs 350/- for travel to neighboring countries and Rs 700/-
for travel to all other countries, which is now a days incorporated in
your air ticket price at time of purchase.
EXPORT REGULATIONSProhibited
Items
Animals
Export
of all forms of wild animals including their parts and products is banned
Plant
Export
of all wild plants,
seeds
or parts is banned.
Antiquities
Export
is banned on all items over100 yrs old Click
on Map for Tourist Map of
India
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For climbers and mountaineers: look out for symptoms of altitude sickness/acute mountain sickness. If you ascend above 3500 meters too fast you might feel nauseous, sleepless, and your head may ache. In this case your body is telling you that you’re having acclimatisation problems so let’s descend, buddy. Jokes aside, this is a very serious situation to be in and the only thing to do is to descend. Also carry sunscreen with minimum SPF 20 to escape sunburn.
The quality
of health services is not consistent. Urban centres, particularly metros,
have good hospitals, well stocked late night/
all night
chemists, highly competent doctors and top of the line medical services.
Conversely, rural and semi-rural areas have very limited facilities. Stick
to the larger cities if you are anticipating trouble. Medicines are fairly
cheap in India. Though chemist shops in the cities are well stocked, it
is always a good idea to take along prescription drugs. Travellers from
yellow fever areas are required to have an inoculation certificate. Prior
inoculation for poliomyelitis is recommended.
Vaccinations
Foreign
tourists should be in possession of Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
conforming to International Health Regulations, if they are originating
or transitting through Africa or South America. The validity of this certificate
is for a period of
10 years.
No other vaccination certificate is needed, but for personal protection,
inoculation is recommended for cholera, typhoid, malaria and hepatitis.
You may contact your local Indian Embassy for further information. As a
precautionary measure vaccination against Hepatitis B is recommended, if
staying for a longer duration
Health Precautions Foreign tourists should be in possession of their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulation, if they are originating or transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries.
Health
Certificate
Citizens and travellers coming from the United States,
Canada, United Kingdom & ECU countries do not
require
any vaccination certificate or inoculations. Others check with nearest
Indian Mission or Embassy in your country
Precautionary
Measures To avoid Malaria, Dengue, carrying mosquito repellents, nets,
clothes covering the body and using sprays against insects in rooms is
sufficient. A first aid kit carrying adhesive bandages, thermometer, water-purification
tablets, antibiotics, antiseptic creams and mosquito repellents is advisable.
Drinking only mineral or boiled water curbs down the chances of stomach
ailments, thus whenever going out carrying a bottle always comes handy.
At Eating Joints, though sticking to a vegetarian diet is recommended,
eating only thoroughly cooked meat is advisable. Avoid Pork products, fried
food from vendors and excessive oil
/CUISINE
The
Indian Cuisine shows big variation and with great local specialties.
Punjabi, Bengali, South Indian, and North indian food are just to mention
a few. Generally the Indian food is spicy, but you can also get non spicy
food. If you like food, India is a great place.
It's
quite amazing how a indian woman with a few basic ingredients can turn
out the must exquisite and tasty meal. If you want to have a little taste
of indian food take a look at indian cuisine tour
How to eat Before eating remember, never eat with left hand, it's very impolite, sit on it if you can't remember it ! Even when eating south and north are different. North Indian's eat with their fingertips while south Indian use the whole palm of the hand to make a ball of rice
Where to Eat Don't worry about not being able to find a place. No matter how small a city, there will always be a place to eat. You have the MNC's churning out junk food and you have street side Dhaba's selling exotic delicacies. Street places Don't miss them, some can be really good. And you'll be able to see how it's prepared. Indian lodges is the place where the Indians eat. Serves basic meals and is very cheap. Restaurants Category above lodges. Good value, often the best food is served here. Up Market Restaurants - Besides being expensive, they offer no extra. Trains The food is good & hygienic
SAFETY
India
is a reasonably a safe travel destination. Political disruption is usually
localised and everyone’s aware of there being potential trouble days ahead.
Areas that may be avoided are Jammu & Kashmir and parts of the Northeast,
which in any case have restricted tourist activity. Cases of mugging, theft
and worse aren’t completely unheard of but by and large serious crimes
against travellers are few and far between.
BASIC
PRECAUTIONS <>HANDY & MUST FOLLOW TIPS FOR TOURISTS
Never
leave an unlocked suitcase in a hotel room
Never
leave baggage unattended at airports or train stations.
Women
travelling alone should never get into a taxi or rickshaw if there's a
second man accompanying the driver.
Women
should also chain lock their door when they are in their hotel room
Everyone
should be alert in crowds for pickpockets
Keep
your money and travel documents close to your body (perhaps in a pouch
slung around your neck, tucked out of
sight
under your shirt) AND Do not put all your money in one place
One
should be careful while using his or her credit cards
Always
be alert of tricksters & beggers
Keep
your money and travel documents close to your body (perhaps in a pouch
slung around your neck, tucked out
of sight
under your shirt)
Keep
several photocopies of your passport, insurance, travellers’ cheques etc.
scattered through your luggage,
If
you are travelling alone, do not advertise it.
If you lose your passport lodge a First Information Report at the local
police station and contact your embassy.
1) C'MORE advises to be extremely vigilent and alert in the dark. One of the things that protect travellers to India is the vast crowds in any place. The multitudes however, disappear into their homes at night, and you go from having a huge thick safety quilt to a flimsy sheet! Try your best to be in a familiar area when it gets dark. If you are not, at least know how you can get to that area from wherever it is that you happen to be. Many women travellers wear the long tunic and loose pyjama dress of Indian women called the salwar-kameez and find that it substantially dissuades unwanted male attention.
2) C'MORE
advises
that travelers avoid Gujarat and the Ayodhya area of Uttar Pradesh. We
also advise against visiting the
western
part of Jammu & Kashmir state or Kishtwar in the Zanskar region. Foreign
travelers in this area have been targeted by Kashmiri separatist groups
and several have been kidnapped or killed. Official sources also encourage
putting off non-essential travel to the states of Assam, Nagaland,Tripura
and Manipur, and due caution should be exercised if traveling in Arunachal
Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram. Parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also
considered dangerous due to local banditry.
FESTIVALS
& RELGION
The Indian
calendar is one long procession of festivals. These are as varied in origin
as they are large in number. There are innumerable national, regional,
local, religious, seasonal and social festivities. This is not surprising
considering the fact that
India
is the land of gods, goddesses, saints, gurus and prophets.
Mail
us
for dates of particular festivals


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