Domestic
flight luggage:
Prior to boarding your domestic flights in India as you leave
the main terminal, please ensure that you "identify your
checked baggage". To do so, ask the airline representative
where you need to actually identify the baggage that you have
checked for your specific flight. Failure may mean that your checked
baggage will not be put on the flight. Unfortunately, this process
is not followed by all airlines and at all departure points, so
make it a good and safe practice to ask for where you should identify
your checked luggage just prior to boarding any flight. Please
be aware of this procedure, but it is not followed everywhere
and everytime.
Currency
and Exchange Rate: The local currency in India is a Rupee
abbreviated as Re. or Rs. The Rupee is further divided into 100
paisa, but since the value of the paisa is so small, it is hardly
ever used. Internationally, within currency transactions, it is
also abbreviated as INR. The exchange rates floats and continuously
varies. Best go to www.XE.com to check
on current exchange rate.
Clothes:
If you are planning to wear full length clothes during your walking
tours, then make sure that they do not drag on the floor since
streets can be dirty and wet. You should not wear clothes that
are very loose because they can get caught in protruding stones
and surrounding bushes. Bring light rain gear. Consider bringing,
as a minimum, one "Tee" shirt, one "heavy"
flannel type shirt and one light jacket. This will allow you to
wear layered clothing for a variety of ambient temperatures.
Shoes:
When you visit places of worship, you will need to take
off your shoes prior to entry. You are free to wear your socks,
but may find that the floor is wet, thus it may be prudent to
take off your socks also. Make sure that you bring comfortable
and well supporting walking shoes. You will be walking a lot in
the ruins of old temples and forts, and they normally do not have
a clean and clear path with upturned stones, and steep narrow
and broken steps.
Telephones:
It is best to make local, national and International telephone
calls from manned public booths, marked “STD/ISTD”, and all identified
with a right yellow sign. Amount payable is presented in an electronic
form. You would pay cash (any denomination, since it is not a
machine) at these locations. Do not make phone
calls from your hotel as they have exorbitant phone-call rates.
The country code for making calls into
India is +91. If you decide to bring your own phone, then read
Telephones in India.
Leather-wear:
There are some Hindu temples that demand that you do not take
any leather goods such as belts, wallets and leather bags inside
the temple. Therefore it is customary to take off ones belt and
certainly not wear a leather jacket.
Gurudwaras:
Both men and women will need to cover their heads prior to entering
a Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship).
Such covering can be in the form of a large handkerchief for men
or a shawl for women. As a mark of respect it is NOT advised to
cover ones head with a cap or a hat.
Accessories:
Consider bringing your swimming trunks, air brush to
clean the dust from your cameras and lens, a telephoto lens if
your camera supports one, lots of clean wipes for your face and
hands because of the dust. Traditional 35 mm film is available
in plentiful, however you are advised to bring your memory cards
for your camera, as these might not be freely available.
Document
safety: Prior to start of your journey, send yourself
an e-mail with all important passport and other numbers. Thus
should you loose any documentation, then you can retrieve your
mail and have all necessary information.
Batteries:
Due to security reasons, you are not allowed to carry batteries
in your hand luggage on flights. All batteries that you need should
be in your booked luggage, otherwise, security officials will
confiscate them and you may or may not get them back.
Electricity:
The electrical supply is 220/240V, 50Hz. The connectors are similar
to the European (not British) round pin.
Camera
Fee: You will have to pay a fee for using a still and/or
a video camera in most monuments, national parks and game sanctuaries.
This fee, which ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 500, depending on the
place and the type of camera used, is payable at the entrance
gate. Please ensure you carry sufficient funds with you to cover
this charge, as this is NOT included in the tour price.