Make your travel arrangements well in advance, especially if you
are traveling between October-March (high tourist season). The Christmas-New
Year period from 15 December to 15 January are popular months. Beach
resorts especially at Goa and Kovalam get sold out early. Flights,
trains and hotels are limited in relation to demand so prior bookings
are a must.
Do not cram too many places into your itinerary. It is better to
visit a few places in depth than to skim through several destinations
and at the end of the day, everything is a blur. Nothing like an
occasional free half-day for leisure, to use the swimming pool,
explore the bazaars on your own or enjoy a cup of chai (tea) in
the local restaurants.
If you wish to visit any prohibited or restricted areas, as in the
north- eastern region, check with the nearest India Tourist Office
as to the permits needed and to ascertain details of the formalities
required.
While it makes sense to cover long distances by flight, especially
if you have a limited number of days to visit, you should include
a few trips by road and one or more journeys by rail so that you
can see the countryside. When planning your trip, if an Indian fair
or festival can be included in your itinerary, there is nothing
like it. To witness or better still, participate in the color and
gaiety of these events is a fabulous experiences.
During your visits, do try and attend a folkloric or classical music,
dance or drama program. Information and tickets to the programs
can be obtained from our local representatives while on the tour
or from the hotel front desk.
English is spoken at almost all cities, but you can also request
us to book Government-trained and approved guides who also speak
German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian. Tour guides
will help you not only in your sightseeing, but also acquaint you
with the myths, folklore and cultural complexities of the Indian
way of life.
Carry your passport, tickets and your money separately. Place a
photocopy of your passport in each and every checked-in bag that
you hand in at the airport. This is of help in case of lost baggage.
It's not a good idea to travel with too much cash. Travelers' cheques
are more secure. Do not change your money in the hotel or shops
as far as possible. They usually offer to change money at rates
that are slightly less attractive than those offered by airport
exchange counters / banks and authorized dealers. Insist on a receipt
when exchanging money. Retain all receipts to facilitate reconversion
of unspent money on departure from India.
Reconfirm your onward return tickets at least 72 hours prior to
departure. You could hand over the tickets details to our representative
for reconfirmation, immediately upon arrival into the country
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