India - Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go INDIA

Introduction The anticipation of your holiday should give you enormous pleasure. In order to ensure you are fully prepared for your next trip we have put together this document which contains essential information about the country you are soon to visit.

We know that visa requirements and electrical currents are not the most scintillating of topics but we also know that being forewarned is forearmed and we would hate for you to come back from your holiday, thinking “if only Steppes had told me that!” Travelling should be inspirational but above anything else it should be fun. We hope this information takes care of the more mundane matters of planning a trip so that you can then focus on building up excitement levels pre-travel, safe in the knowledge you’ve got everything covered.

DID YOU KNOW? “Every twelve years, the Maha Kumbh Mela happens in Allahabad. This is the largest religious gathering in the world, an estimated 30 million pople visit it.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How long is the flight to India?

The major arrival destinations into India are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. The flight duration from London to Delhi is approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes.

What is the time Zone in India?

India is 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT. What is the International dialling code for India? + 91.

When is the best time to travel to India?

The best time for travel to India is from late October following the end of the Monsoon rains, to mid March before the daytime temperatures begin to climb in April and May. What clothing should I take?

When visiting any country it is important to respect their dress code. Women should avoid wearing sleeveless and tight-fitting clothing and dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and religious monuments. Short dresses and skirts should also be avoided, loose trousers and long skirts being more favourable and cooler in the heat. If travelling during the winter months or in the north of the country, we advise a jumper for the evenings and early mornings when it can be quite chilly, and of course comfortable footwear for days out and about.

Can I eat food from street markets and stalls?

One of the attractions of India is the tempting array of foods available. We recommend eating at stalls where there are more people and where you can see your food being prepared in front of you ensuring it is fresh. Avoid eating at buffets and where food has been left on display.

Will I be able to access the internet during my trip?

Internet in India is now widespread and readily available throughout all the hotels. If you are going more off the beaten path it may be slower and harder to access, but this is all part of the adventure!

Do I need to take Malaria tablets?

For any medical advice we always recommend checking with your local GP or Travel Clinic about which medication may be required for your trip.

Is there an etiquette to photographing people?

When photographing people in India, we always advise to ask the person you would like to photograph beforehand out of politeness. In most cases people are happy to have the picture taken, especially children who will readily pose for several! If photography is prohibited, this is usually clearly marked.

Where can I find updates on the weather before my trip?

Worldwide weather information is available: www.onlineweather.com or www.bbc.co.uk/weather

LANGUAGE We feel that it is important to try to learn the native language, even if it is only the words for hello and goodbye, as this will be hugely appreciated by the locals who will no doubt help you along!

ENGLISH

HINDI

Hello/Goodbye

Namaste

How are you?

Aap kaise hain?

Thank you

Dhanyavad

Please

Kripaya

Yes

Jee (respectful) or Haan

No

Nahin

Sorry

Mujhe maaf kijiye

My name is...

Mera naam ... hai

How much?

Kitna hain?

Excuse me

Maaf Keejiye

FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE In a working with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Please visit the Foreign Office website for any updates: www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

VISA REQUIREMENTS Visas are required for British Nationals for travel to India for a stay of up to 6 months.

Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages side by side for your visa and must be valid for at least 180 days at the time of your visa application. Other nationals please check with the respective embassies or representatives. There are four methods of obtaining a tourist visa for India: 1/ Applications by mail directly to VFS Global - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ 2/ Application made in person at a regional centre a prior appointment is essential and can be made at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ 3/ Steppes recommends applying for a visa through CIBT visa services -

www.cibt.com/steppestravel

TRAVEL INSURANCE For your safety and peace of mind, comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with Steppes Travel. We suggest the specialist travel insurance brokers Campbell Irvine. To arrange cover you can speak to our specialists or call Campbell Irvine on 020 7938 1734.

If you already have travel insurance then we require confirmation that your policy provides adequate cover for the duration of your trip, covers the full value of your invoice, is sufficient for the destination(s) you are visiting and includes medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. Please send your travel consultant the insurers name, policy number and emergency contact number.

4/ Online e-Tourist visa good for last minute travel plans. Please note that not all entry points into India have the technology to process e-visas -

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html Please note that it remains your responsibility to organise visas when required although we are more than happy to help and provide the relevant supporting documentation.

VACCINATIONS

HEALTH & SAFETY

A yellow fever certificate will be required if arriving from an endemic area. We advise making an appointment with your local GP/ travel clinic regarding what vaccinations or

Travelling with Steppes Travel is a wonderful chance to experience a stunning array of cultures, landscapes, ecosystems and activities. At the heart of this experience are the differences between our respective ways of life. You should understand that this means that standards of health and safety will not be the same as in the UK and may often be lower. Please refer to our full health and safety information on our website under Travellers Code.

and Typhoid. Other vaccines that may be considered are Cholera, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.

Pre-existing conditions If you have specific medical requirements, please consult your doctor prior to departure to obtain adequate supplies of any necessary medication that may be required whilst on holiday. Please carry personal medication with you in your hand luggage (in line with current airline regulations), remembering to keep a copy of your prescription or the usage guidelines with you as well.

AIRPORT & FLIGHT INFORMATION    

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While travelling, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months.

Have appropriate visa for your destination and transit points.

Please note the date, time of your flight and also the time to arrive at the airport. Please be on time.

Please advise if you have a special meal requests (fasting, vegetarian, medical, halal/kosher buying your ticket.

Food items are not allowed to be carried in the cabin or inside the hand baggage.

Please affix your name and address label on the baggage. It is also recommended to put the label in side of your checked in baggage to help us identify the bag in case the baggage tag/label attached outside is detached & lost.

Please do not put valuable items such as money, jewellery, cameras and other expensive electronic items in your check-in baggage.

If hand baggage is collected at the check-in counter or at the gate due to its size being above the allowed limit, the airline will not be liable for the damage and loss of valuable items in the baggage.

Do not carry liquids or gels of over 100ml, toy or replica guns, razor blades, household cutlery, knives, scissors, knitting needles etc. in your hand baggage.

For your own and the flight's safety and security, please do not accept any item from anyone as you will be held responsible & accountable for the contents of any of the items found in your custody.

SHELF IMPROVEMENT

ETIQUETTE & CULTURE

We have put together a small list of books that are set around India. Both fiction and non-fiction, they will help you establish an understanding and feel for the country.

India is a melting pot of different religions, traditions and cultures. Hindi is the national language followed by English being widely spoken throughout the country. There are just under 20 officially recognised languages spoken and a huge number of regional and minor dialects, especially in the more rural areas.

When arriving in this vibrant country you will soon find out that its people are warm, welcoming and that a smile goes a long way!

Author

Title

Kim

Rudyard Kipling

The Tiger, Soul of India

Valmik Thapar

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy

White Tiger

Aravind Adiga

The Last Mughal

William Dalrymple

In Spite Of The Gods

Edward Luce

Chasing the Monsoon

Alexander Frater

A Suitable Boy

Vikram Seth

The Jungle Book

Rudyard Kipling

ELECTRICITY Electric current in India is 230v AC, 50Hz. Round pin plugs are used, so we suggest that you take an international travel adaptor with you.

An important tip to remember is when giving or receiving a gift or object, always do so with your right hand, which also applies to eating as well (Indians traditionally eat with their fingers). It is also considered an insult to point your feet at someone, or touch them or their belongings with your feet. If this does happen accidently do try to apologise straight away.

Please be aware that you are travelling in a country where services and transport structures are very different from our own western viewpoints.

CLIMATE

FOOD & DRINK Indian cuisine is vibrant, diverse and exciting, just like the country itself. There is something for everyone, with flavours and techniques varying from state to state. Street food is part of everyday life for Indian cooking and a trip is never complete without trying some of the tasty snacks on offer. To avoid falling foul of any food related illness, ask your guide where the best places to try what is on offer are as they are sure to know.

Being such a vast country, the climate in India is generally divided into 3 different seasons: Hot, wet and cool. Monsoon rains move across the country from May to September, affecting north and central states during this time, with Southern India seeing their rains die out in October.The best time generally to visit the country is from October through to March, when the temperature is not as hot as April and May, making sightseeing more comfortable during this time.

It is very important that you drink plenty of bottled water especially, during the warmer months and when out and about during the day. Bottled water is readily available and it is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration.

We want your holiday to be unspoilt by food and drink related health problems, please‌ Avoid buffets in warm climates, and stick to dishes that have been freshly cooked and served, and not left hanging around in the warm.

Do not buy food from roadside stalls unless you have seen it cooked in front of you.

Stick to bottled water and make sure the seal is unbroken.

Make sure that all fruit and vegetables eaten raw, are washed in boiled or bottled water before eating.

Avoid ice in your drinks, and salads which may have been washed in contaminated water.

MONEY Indian Rupee (INR) is the national currency, which is divided into 100 paise. Major currencies such as US Dollars and Pound Sterling are easy to change throughout the country, but your passport may be asked for during the transaction. We advise checking notes are in good condition and that you keep hold of your receipts from the exchange as these may be required to convert your Indian to date currency rate of conversion for where you are travelling to, log on to: www.xe.com/ucc or use the XE app.

Credit cards lable in major towns and cities with the most commonly accepted cards being Visa and MasterCard.

Tipping

In India, tipping is very common and expected, but there are no fixed rules for the amount of the tip. If someone is providing an extra service or favor for you, a tip would be expected and welcome.

The expectations are quite high when they see a foreigner. Waiters, roomservice attendants, housekeepers, porters, and doormen all expect to receive one. You should tip with the amount that you feel comfortable with. We are providing you some tipping guidelines that should help get you started.

Hotels/Small Hotels/Lodges/ Camps Local Guides Porters (Airports & Rail Stations) Transfer driver/guides

Rs.100-200 (Approx. US $ 2 to 5) to a bell-boy carrying luggage would be appropriate.

Rs.300-500 (US $ 6 10) per day Rs.100 to Rs.200 (Approx. US $ 2 or 4) to carry luggage to a car parking area.

Rs.500 to 800 per day (Approx. US $ 10 to 16)

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Just because we believe travel should be of benefit to both traveller and the host

In return we ask you: 

the local people, wildlife a Our policy is that we endeavour:  

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To work with privately owned companies and hotels rather than state owned or foreign companies in the countries that you visit.

To support a number of charities which promote a wide range of education programmes together with environmental and community projects in the countries we visit. When possible, we encourage you to visit these initiatives.

To encourage travellers to visit unspoilt areas of the world where low impact tourism can have a hugely beneficial effect.

To take you beyond the ordinary, to local markets or community craft schemes rather than large corporation tourist shops so that your money benefits those who need it most.

Responsible practice is exercised in our office with various measures put in place aimed at reducing, re-using and recycling resources where possible.

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To be sympathetic to local customs, traditions and idiosyncrasies, which to us might seem strange.

To be aware of local resources, particularly water and its purity, and treat them with care.

To be generous in relation to local monetary values, but do not over tip To give money where it is needed and not to hordes of children. Handing out gifts creates an air of expectancy and exacerbates the problem. Far better to give items such as pens to teachers.

To not buy goods that will have a detrimental effect on either wildlife or the environment however beautiful or plentiful they may seem. It only encourages others.

You are encouraged to report back on your experience and on the behaviour and awareness of our agents and local guides on your return.

Only in this way can we improve and ensure our demands are being met.

We are committed to developing our Policy of Responsible Practice even further in the future. Our aim is to continually incorporate new responsible practices into our business at all levels and encourage our suppliers to do the same.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

British High Commission

British High Commission New Delhi Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110021 India

+91 (11) 2419 2100 (24 hrs a day)

web.newdelhi@fco.gov.uk

Health and Vaccinations Malaria Hotspots Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice Fit for travel

0845 8502829

www.malariahotspots.co.uk www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

The Visa Service

0870 8900185

www.cibtvisas.co.uk

Identity and Passport Service

0870 210410

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office

Heathrow Airport

0870 0002468

www.heathrowairport.com

Gatwick Airport

0870 0002468

www.gatwickairport.com

Passport and Visa requirements

Airports

Flights

Airline information

www.airlinequality.com

Currency Currency converter

www.xe.com/ucc/

WHAT TO PACK You will have your own ideas from past experiences regarding your personal list of and favourite items, so the following are our suggestions to supplement your own packing list.

Important Stuff

Essentials 

Soft bag between 45-70 litres

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20-litre daypack, for keeping everyday items handy

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Field Guides/pocket language guide

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Good quality sunglasses, preferably polarised

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Camera, memory cards, cleaning materials, spare batteries

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Diary, note pad, pens, reading material

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Passport and photocopy (keep photocopies separate)

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Itinerary & Airline reference number

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Copy of insurance policy

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Credit cards/cash

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Torch with spare batteries and bulb

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Emergency contact numbers

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Waterbottle

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International vaccination card where relevant (i.e Yellow Fever Certificate)

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Camera Bag

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Wash-kit

*Please keep your photocopies separate from your originals.

Clothing         

Base-layer: T-shirts and vests Outer-layer: wind/waterproof jacket Comfortable walking boots or trainers Long trousers suitable for walking. Pockets helpful 2/3 Long-sleeved shirts Wide-brimmed sun hat Socks / underwear Mid layer: Fleece or jumper Walking sandals

1 ltr

Medical equipment       

Personal medical travel kit Personal prescription medicines Insect repellent Lip salve Spare prescription glasses Contact lens & cleaners Sunscreen

Please remember that the early mornings and evenings can be cool, so please ensure you pack some warm clothes if travelling during the winter months or if visiting the north of the country.

USEFUL TRAVEL APPS

XE Currency Know how

Google translate Translates between 64 languages, with audio too.

Weather Pro

Evernote Food Document recipes you love as you travel.

Map My Walk Calculate your duration, distance, pace and speed.

Pin Drop .

Weather reports for up to two million locations.

Flight Track

Travel Smart

Follow detailed paths of thousands of flights.

Access to emergency services & health advice.

Prizmo

Trip Journal

A pocket scanner for all your important documents.

Tipulator Nifty tip calculator, also helps to split bills easily.

Flashlight Simple gadget, always handy for travelling.

Packing Pro Packing suggestions based on your destination. nandion and

Virtual scrapbook, geotagging pictures & videos.

WhatsApp Messenger Free to send pictures, videos & sound clips over wifi

Viber International calls and messaging for free.

Triposo Pocket Wikitravel, internet connection not required.

THE STEPPES TRAVEL GROUP 51 CASTLE STREET CIRENCESTER GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL7 1QD

T +44 (0)1285 880 980 F +44 (0)1285 885 888 ENQUIRY@STEPPESTRAVEL.COM WWW.STEPPESTRAVEL.COM