India is a land filled with contrasts and contradictions, from some of the wettest regions in the world in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas to the high-altitude deserts of Ladakh in the north. The vibrant history and chaotic cities of the Indian subcontinent contrast with its incomparable wilderness areas.
Surfing through our site, will answer most of your questions. If you have not found exactly what you are looking for, you will probably find the answers to your questions here.
I would love to visit India. India is so big; I don’t know where to start?
Very true indeed. Just click the section on Where? “Destination India” You have a wide choice from our selection of holiday destinations. You will definitely have an answer to what you desire.
I can’t face the hassles
You don’t need to. Just click on to our “Contact US”. We can customize programmes which gives complete freedom, better than any ”fixed departure brochure group tours” where you are treated like run-on the-mill.
I would love to visit India, but it would be an expensive destination.
A. It is erroneous. We price our tours according to your budget. If total luxury is not your style, we will offer quality hotels at affordable price. After all, we are better judge as we know the local products to make your stay comfortable and yet affordable.
Is India a good family destination?
India is a country full of adventure, where children are warmly welcomed, making it a unique and memorable adventure destination for families. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the pristine beaches of Goa and Kerala in the south, and plenty of lively Indian cities in between, India is a remarkable place for families to share the journey of a lifetime.
When to visit India?
A. India has such a wide range of climatic factors that it is impossible to pen down the best season. With the Tropic of Cancer running right through the center of India, we have five district season> Broadly speaking October to March tend to be the most pleasant months over much of the country, with cool, fresh, crisp Morning and Evening and dry, sunny days.
Winter – November to February
Spring – March
Summer – April to June
Monsoon – July to September
Autumn – October to Mid November
If you are particularly planning to visit Darjeeling, Sikkim and North Eastern States including Bhutan, the ideal weather is between March to September.
The mountain regions of the North – western Himalayan foot hills are more easily accessible from May to October, which is also the prime trekking season, though this varies widely depending on the trek, altitude and regional climate conditions. The Ski – season is between January and March. Wildlife park – open from Mid October to June Only.
Will I face a language problem in India?
English
is very widely spoken all over India, evening small towns, language will not be
a barrier. Besides, the metropolitan cities also offer expert language guides
who speak Spanish, Italian, German, French, Russian, Japanese and Chinese: so
you are in safe hands.
Is it safe to
travel in private transport (taxi/auto) and what is the payment system ?
Yes, it is safe to travel in the local taxies
in the city. Try to hire the taxies from the prepaid taxi and three wheeler
auto booths in the city. Almost all the hotels have attached taxi service. They
are reliable and the charges are as per the meter reading.
Will I get ill when I visit India? Food hygiene doesn’t seem to be very good.
This is probably the most common concern for first time visitors to India, as unfortunately the country does have a bad reputation for making people ill. However India is home to some of the world’s greatest cuisine and there really is a wonderful range of delicious dishes on offer. Of course travellers must be careful about what they eat and we would warn people about eating shellfish and raw vegetables and salads that may have been washed in tap water. It is also important to stick to bottled water for drinking and also for brushing your teeth, and to wash your hands throughly before eating.
Should I take our travel insurance before travelling to India?
Procurement of comprehensive travel and cancellation insurance is advised before embarking on any of our tours. You must ensure that you have all necessary insurance coverage to cover costs in the unfortunate event of cancellation of tour, medical cost, repatriation and cost of air evacuation should sickness or injury.
While delivering and briefing of Travel
documents
Whom to give the hotel vouchers and to
whom the services vouchers ?
You must sign the hotel voucher and present it to the cashiers at the time
of check out. You do not pay for the services listed out on the voucher the
rest you pay directly to hotel. The service voucher must be signed and given to
the local agent or their representative at the time of departure or at the time
when the services listed on the voucher have been provided for.
Where the guide
will meet the guests ?
The car & the guide will report at the
hotel well before the pick up time for the sightseeing or will meet at the
monument if the sightseeing is to be provided for an en-route monument. Our
local agent, the guide and the drivers are informed and briefed by us before
the start of the tour about the pick up time and the meeting place for the
sightseeing etc. The drivers also carry a list of agents and the hotel and the
itinerary of the tour, although they know the hotels and their addresses.
Who will inform / brief the guests about
his further program at the destination?
Our local agent
or their representative or the guides will inform the guest’s of their further
program at the destinations.
How much tips to be given to the
porters, drivers and the guests ?
Tips are dependent of the services provided. A small amount of money can be
given at each service to insure prompt and reliable service. For guides it
depends on how informative, knowledgeable and, helpful they are.
Whether it is good and cheap to eat outside the hotel (restaurants) ?
Some of the restaurants are cheaper and frequently visited by the local people. So sometimes yes, it is a good experience to eat outside the hotels and get to meet the local population.
If the drivers at all places can communicate in English and whether the same driver used on arrival transfer will be with them throughout ?
Most of our drivers understand English if spoken slowly and clearly. We always try to send the same driver who has done the arrival transfer. If the same driver is not available then we send another driver.What will be the standard and quality of the car/coach in the program?
Looking at the condition of the roads in India we have a fairly reliable and a sturdy fleet of transport. To make sure our guest’s comfort all our vehicles are air-conditioned with recline-able seats.
While collecting the money
About the mode of payment? Credit Card, Traveler Cheque etc.
India Travel Planners can collect the payment by Travelers cheque, Cash, Master, Visa or American Express credit cards.
About the rate of exchange?
The rate of exchange is governed by the Reserve Bank of India and we get a copy of the rates provided by the RBI on day to day basis. We honour the rates given by the R B I.
About the bank processing charges ?
Bank Processing charges are levied on the payment collected on or through the credit cards. It is usually 3% of the total amount to be collected or of the invoice raised by us.
Packing Tips
:: Travelling Light
Be it a suitcase, or a backpack, when in India it is advisable to travel light.
:: Clothes
Make sure to pack some woolens if you’re traveling to North India, as it gets particularly cold in the mountains even at the height of summers. Carry hats and full-sleeved shirts for protection against sun in the plains.
:: Eco-Tourism
Avoid plastic. While plastic has been officially banned, its use is widespread in the country. Also, remember to responsibly dispose off the waste when on a trek.
:: Health
Carry a basic medical kit with you. It may include Aspirin or Paracetamol for pain or fever, antihistamines for allergies, antibiotics, antifungal creams, bandages etc. Before coming to India get immunized for Diphtheria, tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Meningitis and Tuberculosis.
:: Shopping
Avoid touts as you may get fleeced. Shopping in India can be extremely rewarding experience as long as you buy from authentic places. Also, while buy from local markets, try the power of bargaining.
:: Permits
Some places in North & North East India will need special permits for traveling. Find out about these places and complete the paperwork necessary to travel to such places. Most of the permits are easy to obtain.
:: Accommodation
In India you’ll find a host of hotels and home stays that offer a wide range of accommodation to suit your budget. You can especially look for heritage hotels in places like Rajasthan as they recreate the historical ambience.
Social etiquette, conventions and dress
Here are some guidelines to take into consideration when travelling around India to avoid offending the local people…
- Scant, tight clothing will draw unwanted attention and offend local sensibilities. Indians are generally conservative and it’s important that women are modestly dressed. Adopting local dress is an easy solution, or wear a long scarf or tunic.
- Displays of intimacy are not considered acceptable in public. Although it is common for Indian men to hold hands as a symbol of friendship, it does not mean they’re gay. Homosexuality is technically a criminal act under the penal code, but there is a growing tolerance in major cities.
- Visitors to all religious places must be dressed in clean, modest clothes. Always remove shoes before entering a temple or mosque. It’s a good idea to carry a pair of socks to wear on hot stone floors.
- Smoking is banned in all public areas, including bars and restaurants in hotels.
- India is very photogenic, but always ask permission from people before taking their photo to avoid offending them.
- Handshakes are common amongst Indian men however it is considered rude to touch an Indian woman and they may feel uncomfortable. Never use your left hand, it is considered unclean. It is customary to remove your footwear upon entering Indian homes.
- The headshake: Nod up and down to signify yes and side-to-side for no, in India the most famous gesture is a rotational headshake. This can be very confusing as it can mean yes, maybe or I’ve no idea!