TRAVEL TIPS TO INDIA

Useful Tips
Collect or exchange as much small Indian change as practical (10, 20 and 50 Rupee notes), as very few people seem to have change, especially in rural areas.
In general, cash is better than traveller’s checks. Cash can be easier and quicker to exchange and command a higher rate or the commission can be lower. In some places, the larger the denomination of bills, the better the exchange rate. Many merchants will take dollars and their rate of exchange can be higher than the “official” rate.
Refer to your guide book on the existence of any black market for currency exchange and whether to or how to use it. Some countries are more tolerant of black markets than others.
When you exchange money, exchange as much as you think you will need for some time as it can be a real time consuming task or the banks will have odd (and short) hours. You may not be able to exchange money at all in small towns or in the countryside. Money can also be exchanged in many hotels.
Take a personal check and an American Express card. If you need more money, you can go into an American Express office with your card and write a check for traveller’s checks. Cash machines are also more common now in large cities.
Keep money and valuables in a money belt or pouch under your clothes. If you carry a bag for guide books, maps, brochures, etc., use one with a zipper and hang on to it. Leave your wallet and purse at home. Crimes that take place are usually crimes of opportunity, like pickpockets, as opposed to violent crime (unlike in the U.S. According to FBI statistics from more than 80 other countries, only the Bahamas has a higher than the U.S. per capita frequency of robberies and violent thefts).
Unless you have an audience with the head of state, leave all jewelry (and engagement ring) at home.
ALWAYS keep your passport, flight ticket, money and camera with you.
If something doesn’t go right, smile and be persistent in what you want. Getting mad, yelling or fist pounding will only be met with resistance.
As soon as you arrive someplace, arrange your way on to your next stop. Trains/Flight/ (“First Class”) luxury busses tend to get booked up in advance. Travel agencies can usually get reservations for you as they book blocks of seats well in advance.
Arrive early and get aboard early any bus/train/plane etc. They can be oversold and/or fill up in a hurry.
When travelling by regular bus, try to get seated close to the front as they will keep packing people in until there is no room left inside. Additional people then hang on the outside and climb on the roof, when travelling in an ordinary bus.
Always settle on a fare before climbing into an un-metered taxi. If metered, make sure the driver will go by the meter or decide on a price. Make sure the price includes everyone in your party. In some countries, the meters can’t be readjusted as fast as the rate of inflation so the fare may be the meter price plus X%. Check your guide book or ask someone if the driver won’t go by the meter. Rates are often higher in the middle of the night and between an airport and town.
Reconfirm all airline flights along the way. It is possible to show up for a flight and not have a reservation because you did not reconfirm.
Every time you check in at the airport, check your tickets afterwards and make sure that the agent did not tear out more tickets than she/ he was supposed to.
When you step out the door of an airport, be prepared to become the focal point of dozens of taxi drivers and kids drumming up business for busses. Know what you want to do before stepping through the door. Check your travel guide or ask someone in the airport how much a ride to town should cost and what the choices are.
When you step off the bus or whatever in a new town and need a place to stay, and some kids come up and offer to show you a place, go ahead and use them. You can always take a look and say no. They are just trying to drum up business for someplace and/or a commission for themselves.
When asking directions to someplace, ask several people, and keep asking as you go.
Use a travel alarm clock to wake you up in time for that early morning bus/train/plane.
Medicines of all kinds are usually available in local pharmacies with no prescription necessary. Check expiration dates.
Unless you are in an expensive restaurant, you will be charged for any bread, butter, jam, cheese, olives, etc. on your table that you eat.
If you wear shoes that can be polished, watch for kids who will sneak up to you, slap some polish on your shoes, and then offer to finish the job. Settle on a price first if you decide to proceed.
If you hand out coins to children or beggars in the street, you are likely to start a parade.


Baggage and Packing:
Smart Packing: The lighter the bag, the lesser you sag! Nothing new to say here except 'Travel Light'. Yet, in your enthusiasm to have a weightless bag, do not throw out the essentials. However use strong suitcases/baggage, as mishandling is common at airports/stations.
Clothes: Cottons or synthetic blends are most practical for Indian summers. Don't get synthetics that don't 'breathe' - they'll make you what else but breathless! Delicate fabrics will get the care and attention they need only at a 5 stars’ laundry room. If you aren’t staying at one, think twice before carrying them. It is better for women to avoid tank tops or short skirts / shorts. The best outfit, especially during the hot summers, is a T-shirt worn with loose cotton trousers. You can purchase them anywhere in India, at very reasonable rates, at any of the shops. Adventurous ladies can try wearing the Indian 'salwar-kameez'. It is comfortable and free sized.
Travel Essentials: Carry a sewing kit, pre-moistened napkins, pocket knife with can opener, lock and key for each duffel or bag, impact-resistant flashlight, spare batteries (unless they're a popular size). A blow-up neck pillow is excellent for buses and trains. Eye patches add to comfort. If train traveling, a bike chain is a must to lock your packs up on trains. A good first aid kit and mosquito repellent cream you should have too.
Sun Screen: Sun screen lotion (lots of it) should be a permanent part of your bag. The sun will usually be glaring at you most of the day. So a wide brimmed hat and sun glasses are a must.
Winters: Winters can be chilly. Come armed with sweaters and light jackets.
Monsoon: A collapsible umbrella will help you stay dry during the sometimes-sudden, sometimes-continuous rain during the monsoons.
Adventure: Sports enthusiasts should bring their own tennis or golf balls – these are expensive in India. If you are hiking or a trekker, bring a day pack that will hold some essentials like sweater, camera, water bottle etc.

Health Precautions:
Always drink bottled water.
For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled water.
Eat fruit you can peel.
Always wash fruit well before eating it.
Wash your hands before and after eating.
Always keep a tube of mosquito repellent with you.
Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever, etc. Also, band aids and an antiseptic ointment.
If you do catch a bug, do not panic. It will go away in a few days - but try the following tips to keep it down:
a. Drink lassi - a yoghurt drink. It will help tone down the bacteria.
b. Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi - an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
c. Drink plenty of coconut water. It's cooling, and naturally sterilized!
d. Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the bug persists.
Most Important Keynotes for a flawless Trip to India:
As you may have noticed, India has endless

DO AND DON'TS
Do's In India
Do take care of your documentation. Take a note of all the important phone numbers of places you might plan to visit. Important phone numbers like ambulance, local police station, embassy's number etc should always be with you.
India is a conservative country especially in the countryside. Do dress modestly if you are female. Indian dresses are colorful and cover the whole body but very awkward for the first timer. So stick to western clothing but avoid skimpy dresses.
Do study up on the places you wish to visit – it will not only bring knowledge but also an appetizer for future travel. To know the intricate details of the place, do talk to strangers in airport, hotels, stations, and streets. Unlike normal notion Indians are less threatening.
Do prepare yourself at the earliest. Indian traffic and roads are hapless.If you desire to make any changes in your itinerary or to domestic tickets in India, do consult your travel agent for the best advice.
Do greet people with big smile. Handshake with ladies especially in rural areas should be avoided.
If possible do cover yourself with travel insurance and medi - claim.
While traveling in the train, do take care of your luggage even at the first class compartment.
Street smartness is indispensable on Indian streets. Crook can easily pick the scapegoat. So do not act puzzled and terrified.
Money exchange should always be done from trusted financial institutions like Banks of India or exchange your money via your travel partner or hotel.
Do immunize yourself against various diseases like typhoid, malaria, hepatitis and tetanus that are prevalent in India.If you are on medication, please do remember to have adequate supply of both prescriptions and medicines. Carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with customs procedures and also with local doctors.
Accumulate of locale information on India and destinations that you are scheduling to visit are a perfect idea. It will help you to learn the code and customs of that place.
Staying in India is not a big problem. There are a number of 4-star and 5-star hotels in India, measuring up to the international standards. They will provide you the comfort and luxury comparable to any other in the world.
Foreigners are required to pay all their dues regarding the hotel bills in foreign currency only, in the form of cash, traveler's checks or credit cards. Even concessional tickets like Youth fares, Discover India Fares and Air Fares are to be paid for in foreign exchange only.
In case of taxis and auto-rickshaws, try to hire them from the pre-paid booths, if possible. Otherwise, insist on going by the meter and check the readings regularly to ensure that the fare is correct. In case there are no meters or the meters are dysfunctional, set a fare in advance to avoid being fleeced later on.
Make travel arrangements well in advance, especially if you are traveling in the peak season (between Octobers to March).
English is spoken at almost tourist destination in India these days. However, if you want, you may hire Government-trained and approved guides who also speak German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian.
It is advisable for you to carry your own medicines. Almost all medicines in India are locally manufactured and you may not find the same brand names. However, you may easily set substitute products here. But take the advice of reputed druggists or doctors for the purpose.
The electric current in India is 220/ 250 volts and 50 cycles. It is AC practically everywhere. Carry converters if you have some electric equipment with you.

Dont's In India
Don’t display overt affection in public places with the member of opposite sexes.
Do not carry much cash with you. In every nook of a town you’ll find ATMs.
Street smartness is indispensable on Indian streets. Crook can easily pick the scapegoat. So do not act puzzled and terrified.
Never ever purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators, also known as touts. They are not at all reliable. Buy tickets from the authorized centers only.
It is advisable not to hire any type of transportation from unlicensed operators.
Indian people are quite hospitable and friendly. Do not feel offended if they stare at you. It is just curiosity on their part. Most of the people will also go out of the way to help tourists and properly guide them.
Make sure to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship or mausoleum. Some temples in India will not even allow you to carry leather articles inside. You can deposit them in the temple cloakroom and collect it on your way out.
It is not entirely unsafe to travel in India. You just have to take some precautions like avoiding isolated places, not going out after it’s too late, etc.
Don't feel offended if Indians ask you some personal questions like how much do you earn, are you married, do you have kids, etc. They are just a little curious and mean no offence. It is just their way of getting friendly.
Do not try to explore Indian roads by your own. Mazy streets are often very puzzling. Indian hotels and tour agents have excellent arrangement of cars or you can easily book a private car or hire a taxi, which are available.

bargain tips for shopping in India
Don’t show your enthusiasm, pretend you are just looking
Make sure you haggle, ask the price and offer half of the quotation; work on it
Just take it easy as many stores have fixed prices, know when to haggle and when not to
Watch and observe how the Indians do it
Enjoy, just have fun



SAFETY FEATURES
You must advise us in writing, at or prior to booking, of any physical, emotional or mental condition which may require professional attention during the trip or the use of special equipment.
You must provide your own small, collapsible wheelchair if it is a necessity through your journey, please note not all of our trips are wheelchair-accessible. Besides, we cannot guarantee any wheelchair assistance or accessibility in international destinations.
We cannot accommodate women who are 6 month or longer pregnant.
You should take into account all international travel risks and health requirements applicable to the areas you intend to visit.
You are solely responsible for checking the governmental safety and security conditions, vaccination, and other health requirements in countries you are going to visit or transit.
Namaskar India Tour reserves the right to decline any trip participant whose condition, in our opinion, may affect the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants.
Our car rental services includes comprehensive range of safety features. Entire vehicle offered by Journeys Through India covers following features-
Auto seat belts for all seats
Facility of roll over protection bar and bull bar
Fire extinguisher facility
First Aid kit
Equipped with tool box and spare parts
Luggage nets to manage excess luggage
Driver with mobile phone
Safety induction with passenger before starting the tour
Emergency response plan

Professional and trained drivers of Journeys Through India deliver following driving safety features-

Our drivers are trained in defensive driving organized by 4WD India Training program.
Our drivers can have good command over English language.
All drivers of Journyes Through India have valid driving license.
Left hand side driving pattern vehicle to reduce risk.
Advanced training is provided to follow country road laws.
Seat belts will be worn strictly.
The vehicle will not run over the speed of 100km/hr on National highway (2way) and 70 km/h on State highway.
1 hours break will be taken after every 2 hrs journey.
Won't drive at high speed near villages/town or intersections.


VISA FOR INDIA
e-TOURIST VISA (eTV)
e-Tourist Visa Facility is available for holders of passport of following countries:
Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Island,Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand,Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands,SriLanka,Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Vietnam.
Eligibility
International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
Not available to International Travel Document Holders.

Tipping in India:
Check your guidebook for taxi and restaurant tipping guidelines. In some places the service is included, others it is not, and in still others there is a combination of included service charges and tipping. For tipping 10% of the bill amount is good.
Don't tip unreasonably and unnecessarily in a hotel. The NEWS soon spreads in the hotel and by the time you checkout there will be a group of them saluting you to expect something. Make note of the below pointers:
In hotels and restaurants, tips are not normally included in the bill.
Some hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not compulsory, but this is normal courtesy of the guest to pay those people who provide best services.
The standard tip is 5- 10%, depends on the figure of bill.
In hotels, porters and room service attendants are normally tipped at the end of the stay, though an early tip is likely to get you better service.
Tipping of taxi drivers is not necessary at all. Just pay by the fixed charges or as per meter reading. If you hire an individual car, end of the services paying the driver would be ideal. You can pay $ 10 to $ 25 per day. Depend how much you are satisfied with him.
At hotels don’t pay individual to the room service boy. Call them up once you leave the pay to one of them and ask to share the tip amount. Else paying individually to service boy will be complicated. You can pay INR 500 to 2000 at each hotel.
You can pay INR 100 TO 500 to bell boys, And if you are quite happy with the food you can pay the chief cook 300 to 1000 depends of the category of the hotels you stay.

Above all, use common sense!!!