|
Health
Tips
Avoid drinking water from an unknown
source. When in doubt ask for "Bisleri,
Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya, etc"
mineral water(check the seal). As
a further precaution bring water
purifying tablets.
Pharmacies or chemists are available
in every little town and village
and you can buy medication. In case
you need to see a doctor for a specific
condition, ask for help from your
hotel (most have doctors on call)
or your tour operator. The cost
of visiting a doctor is fairly low(less
than a dollar) compared to western
countries.
Do remember to bring some insect
repellent, mosquito coils or even
an electronic repellent. Mosquitoes
in India can be fierce.
Food
Eating at small restaurants or roadside
cafes can be risky because of unhygienic
cooking environments. Food poisoning
is common when eating at unreliable
places. Drinking water can also
be a health hazard. It is best to
carry mineral water bottles bought
from a reliable store. In summer
the extreme heat can cause heat
strokes and dehydration. Taking
enough fluids is an absolute must.
Do not accept any type of food from
strangers while traveling by trains
or busses. Always buy water bottles
from a reputable store.
Train
Tips
The image of the Indian Railways
is rated poor with common complaints
being making reservations is difficult
or that the signage is only in Hindi.
But the screaming need is for cleaning
up the place or that it is just
too dirty for comfort. Avoid traveling
in the Second Class.
Safety
There have been many cases of tricksters
cheating foreign tourists of their
medical insurance. Some touts have
even offered a commission on the
insurance money. It is therefore
advisable only to go for medical
emergencies to the large hospitals.
Tourists coming alone should avoid
late night outings and lonely places.
Female tourists should avoid befriending
or going with local peoples (few
bad people spoils the name of full
country but i am interested in your
safety).
Money
The local currency is the rupee
(INR), which is divided into 100
paise.
Notes are available in denominations
of INR1.00, 2.00, 5.00, 10.00, 20.00,
50.00, 100.00 and 500.00. Coins
come in 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paise,
and INR1.00, 2.00 and 5.00 (although
the latter is very rare).
Be careful not to accept torn notes
from anyone as no-one else will
accept them, making them quite useless.
Change is often in short supply,
so try not to carry large denominations.
Visitors are not allowed to bring
Indian currency into India or take
it out of the country. However,
you may bring an unlimited amount
of foreign currency or traveler's
cheques with you. Note that any
amount exceeding USD2,500.00 must
be declared on arrival in India.
Most foreign currencies and traveler's
cheques can be changed in the big
cities.
If you've been in India for more
than 180 days, you must obtain a
tax clearance certificate before
leaving the country.
These are available at the foreigners'
section of any income tax department
in larger cities. You'll need to
produce bank receipts ('encashment
certificates') to show that you
have changed money legally.
An easy currencyconverter is
available online.
You can check the value of your
money right away.
All popular credit cards are easily
accepted in most metropolitans of
India.
Visas
Passports: All travellers to
India must possess a valid passport.
It is advisable to carry your passport
on your person all the while in
India for possible identification
requirements. Citizens of Nepal
and Bhutan can travel without passport
but they have to carry some special
permits.
Visas: All foreign tourists
to India must possess a valid visas.
Visas are not issued on arrival.
the cost of Visa is US$ 30 for up
to six months. US$ 50 for up to
one year and US$ 100 for more than
one year. Contact the Indian embassy
or consulate in your country for
issuing of visas. A tourist visa
is valid for three to six months.
Tourist visas allow multiple entry
to simplify visits to neighbouring
countries. You will be required
to fill in a disembarkation card
on your way to India which will
have to be submitted at the Immigration
counters at the entry airport.
Do’s
and Dont’s
Make travel arrangements well in
advance, especially if you are traveling
in the peak season (between October
to March).
Drink bottled or mineral water only
as water related diseases may be
acquired through unhygienic intake
of water or food.
Do not encourage beggars. Be careful
of small time pickpockets, chain
/ purse-snatchers who take advantage
of the crowds.
While shopping - it is better to
check with a local friend or your
hotel staff for reliable places
and approximate prices - to avoid
getting fleeced.
A special police force called Tourist
Police is posted at all important
places frequented by tourists for
providing assistance to tourists
to prevent them from being cheated,
harassed, etc. This force is headed
by a Superintendent of Police, designated
as Deputy Director Tourism (Enforcement)
and is stationed in the Tourist
Reception Centre.
As in any location, there are those
who steal from others, so follow
the same rules of safety that you
follow traveling anywhere else with
respect to using hotel lock boxes,
and keeping travel documents safe.
When in public places, keep them
in your hotel, or with you all the
time when moving about.
Don't carry a traditional wallet
with you
Avoid keeping valuables in a purse,
which can be easily snatched off
your shoulder.
Wash fruits before eating them.
Do carry sunglasses, sunscreen and
a hat.
Always respect religious shrines
and places of worship, Some places
require visitors to observe a decent
dress code. Take care not to violate
any taboos in a mosque or a temple.
Change currency only from official
moneychangers. Remember to retain
the currency Exchange receipts after
each transaction. You will need
them for re-exchange on departure.
Besides the originals, a copy of
your passport, travel visas, airline
tickets and travel documents. A
list of any charge or credit cards
you are carrying. Remember to keep
the copies separate from the originals.
Consider purchasing special Travel
insurance and medical evaluation
plan programmes.
The voltage used is 220 volts (the
U.S. uses 120 volts). You can purchase
a converter at most hardware stores
for appliances that do not switch
to 220V.
Current Spikes are common in india
so use a spike buster
Tipping is a matter of personal
discretion. Although bills normally
include a service charge, it is
customary to tip in restaurants
and other places that cater to tourists.
ln case of complaints against taxi
or auto rickshaw for overcharging
or cheating, note down the number
of the vehicle and lodge a report
with Deputy Commissioner of Police
(Traffic). you can get the Contact
Phone Nos in Telephone Directory.
Time
Zone
India Time Standard Time is 5.5
hours (5 hours 30 minutes) ahead
of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5.5).
|
