Travel Tips

• Indians are hospitable and friendly people. A tourist need never be lost in India; most people are more than willing to go out of their way to guide you to your destination.
• As with any foreign destination, the tourist is advised to drink bottled water, bottled drinks, coffee or tea. Most premier hotels have their own filtration system.
• Avoid eating spicy food all at one time soon after you arrive in India. Take one Indian dish only with each meal and ask the waiter to cut down on the chilies. Within a few days your system will get used to Indian food, one of the most delicious of world cuisine. It is advisable to stick to only cooked foods and to eat fresh fruits whose skin you can peel off or remove.
• Bring your own medicines, since all medications in India are locally manufactured and you may not find the same brand names. There are very good druggists and doctors everywhere, and they can advise on substitutes. If the necessity arises, ask your hotel to recommend a doctor.
• Do not forget to remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship or mausoleum. Also some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.
• Travel with a camera and a color film. Most type of films are available in India.
• Most cities have Beggar Homes to look after indigent persons and to teach them a trade, but professional beggars find begging more lucrative. If you wish to help them, do so through a recognized charitable organization, not by giving them alms.
• It is safe to travel in India, as you will find out for yourself. Even if you read of some trouble in any town or region, do not be discouraged, since most of India is safe at all times. Please contact us for any assistance or information that you may require.
• Most museums in India are closed on Mondays and Site Museums, those near archaeological monuments, on Fridays. However, please check with us for timings.
• The electric current in India is 220/ 250 volts and 50 cycles. It is AC practically everywhere. India is a shoppers dream. Shopping is recommended from Government Emporia and suggested shops by us. Most of the large stores will ship your purchases for you, though, for convenience and to avoid postal delays, it is advisable to carry your shopping with you or to book it as baggage.

Photography

For amateur photography of national monuments, there are no restrictions on taking photographs with a still camera (with flash inside the camera synchronized with exposure) or an 8mm.movie camera. It is prohibited to photograph places of military importance, i.e. airports, bridges, sensitive border regions. Certain temples may prohibit interior or exterior photography. Charges may be levied to photograph some monuments, forts or temples. Inside museums, or when photographing art works, flash cameras are prohibited.

Tipping

Some hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary. Where this is not done, at tip of 10% is customary. If you are in a big group and the food bill is high, the tip on the total can come down to 5%.

Currency

The units of Indian currency are the Rupee and Paisa (100 Paisa equal 1 Rupee). Paper money is in denominations of Rupees 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 2000. Coins are in denominations of Rupees 1, 2 and 5, 10, 50.

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers’ checks a tourist may import, provided a Declaration form is completed on arrival. This will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent currency on departure. Cash, bank notes and traveler’s checks up to US $ 10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of traveler’s checks, drafts, bills, checks, etc., which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through the authorized money exchange.

Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To exchange foreign money other than through banks or authorized money- changers is an offence. Please note that no Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported, except for Rupee travelers’ checks. Banks abroad to keep Rupee balances with their agents in India and are able to draw upon these balances to issue Rupee travelers’ checks to intending tourists.

There are 24- hour exchange facilities available at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai international airports.

• You are requested to please always coordinate with our local representative office of the city of your visit for any assistance. It is also advisable to please crosscheck the pick-up timing for the transfers or sightseeing as per your programme, from your friendly representative who is always there to assist you.
• In case you require any assistance or information please do not hesitate to call the Director (s) at the contact nos. 0120-2453406 (after hours) and mobile no. 09810356126, 09810372424

We wish you a memorable visit
Always at your service

“Special Holidays Team”