The land of Incredible Surprises

Introduction to

With 29 years of experience in tourism industry, we would like to share the most important information about India for travellers.

Welcome to India

Know India• India is a land of rich cultural heritage and geographical beauty. • The culture, history and religion find their true meaning in India. • There are many places of tourist interests in India and every year many

foreign tourists from different parts of the world come to explore the Incredible India. • Foreign nationals planning to visit India for holidays or business should

check the travel advisory bulletins of their respective countries.

Arrival InformationArrive at any of the international airports in India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kolkata, Panaji… and the list is endless)

Valid VISA is necessary to travel in India.

• Foreign Nationals from 50 countries are issued Visa on Arrival in prime Indian cities.

• Documents required for Tourist Visa on Arrival are – • Passport with minimum six months validity• An assured financial standing with a return ticket and amount

available for spending in India• 4 Passport size photos with white background• VISA charges vary upon requirement

Visa on Arrival

CustomsBaggage must be

declared and cleared through customs on arrival at entry point

Get a clearance through Red Channel

Immigration Form On any international flight to India, filling an

Immigration form is necessary. Upon form filling, present it to the immigration

department. This clearance is MANDATORY

Security Banned Items

Scissors   Knives

Arms & Ammunitio

nAxes &

hatchets

Baggage Tips• Make sure you know your free checked baggage allowance.• Don’t pack any valuables in your checked baggage.• Any items over your allowance will be charged as excess baggage.• Label your bags correctly with your name and address and remove tags and

labels left over from previous flights.• Make sure you know your hand baggage allowance and the latest restrictions

on carriage of certain items in your hand baggage.• Make sure you take medication, important documents, valuable items and

cash in your hand baggage.• Do not carry packages with unidentified contents on behalf of other people.

Neither do accept any packets from unknown persons.

• Do not leave baggage unattended at any time, especially within airport area. Unattended baggage may be removed by Airport Security Staff as an object of suspicion.

• Make sure you declare before checking-in, if carrying any arms or explosive substances. Concealment is an offence under the Aircraft Act and Rules.

• Battery cells in any electrical / electronic items are permissible now & will now not be removed at the security point. Loose battery cells / dry cells carried in the hand baggage are liable to be removed and the airline would not be in a position to hand over the same at the destination. Please carry the same in the checked baggage.

• Before approaching the check-in counters, you may be required to pass all your pieces of baggage to be checked in through the X-ray machines operated by security personnel.

Baggage Tips

Foreign Currency • Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants.(For credit card transactions, there may be additional charges, which cannot be avoided). • Remember to keep your foreign exchange encashment receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Rupees. • ATM is widely in use in all major cities.• Major banks, hotels and exchange counters at International Airports provide services for exchanging foreign currency. • Exchange rates may vary. • Indian currency notes are found in denominations of Rupees 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of Rupees 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Communication• Mobile phone services are available in India.• Network covers major cities and towns of India • Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, BSNL, Uninor, Aircel are the network providers.• Local sim cards are available at airports outlets for foreign tourists. • Hotels and private communication centers also provide long distance telephone and fax facilities.• To call India from other countries: 00 + country code (+91) + city code + telephone number

Internet ServicesInternet is widely accessible in Metros and Cities. There are countless Internet cafes and communication centers around the country.

Wi-Fi services are also provided at

various hotels and restaurants.

Electricity220 Watts. It is advisable to carry a universal adaptor.

Socket sizes vary so it always helps to carry a set of plug adaptors.

Other Essentials

Spring: February –

March

Summer: April – June

Monsoon: July - August

Autumn: September –

October

Winter: November-February

Climate

India is the destination of extremes. This is visible in climate as

well.

Climate varies as per the destination – You can’t expect it to snow

in Kerala..

Check with travel agent the weather & climate of the destination you

are visiting

Climate

• Be flexible and enjoy travelling in India• Advise restaurants to put less spices in food or you may share your taste inclinations with your travel agent• Saying a ‘Namaste’, an Indian form of greeting is an easy ice-breaker that works with every Indian. • Follow the law of the land. Dress modestly, especially at religious places• Do your research. India is massive, diverse and full of incredible features.

Do’s in India

• Research on the prospective Indian states and destinations prepares you understand India’s cultural roots and enjoy the richness and variety of the country in the anticipated way. • Do prepare yourself to leave early for travel or sightseeing later traffic gets hapless• Greet people with smile (avoid handshake.) Be confident and assertive. • Plan your travel and return back in the early evening time. • Cover yourself with the travel insurance.• Exchange money through Bank or Authorized dealer• Immunize yourself against various diseases.• Do bargain half price, especially with roadside hawkers.• At worship place, remove shoes.

Do’s in India

• Cover your head at religious places, especially Gurudwara, Dargahs and Mosques. • Carry proper maps of places you visit. • Drink only bottled water.• Keep copies of your passport and other documents in separate places. Also, send a scanned copy by email to your travel agent, in case of an emergency• Always have mobile phone with you for safety and convenience. Start making false call in case you feel problem.• You can get Indian prepaid mobile number at mobile outlets / airports by producing a copy of your passport and Indian Visa, and a passport sized photo.

Do’s in India

• Keep all important and emergency numbers with you such as police, women helpline, etc. Do not offer to shake hand with a person of opposite sex. • Do not walk over books / papers since they are seen with a lot of respect and religious reverence.• Do not use same hand for eating and taking food from serving dish• Do not wear shoes / slippers at worship place• Do not exchange your foreign currency through roadside vendors • Do not touch anyone or receive and give from left hand• Do not drink alcohol / or smoke in public areas• Do not hunt as it is prohibited criminal offense

Don’ts in India

Don’ts in India• Do not do any public preaching• Do not give or talk about religious salvation• Do not buy food from road side• Do not eat fruit that you cannot peel• Do not explore Indian roads on your own• Do not hire car / auto from unauthorized person. Try to hire prepaid autos / taxis and note down the Vehicle no.• Do not discuss religion in public or comment of ridicule or disrespect towards society or religion• Do not talk about political or controversial issues in public

• Do not purchase Air / Train Tickets through strangers or unauthorized people. If you intend to purchase them at short notice, buy them only from recognized counter. • Do not encourage beggars and street urchins by giving money or things• Do not take pictures of deities in temples• Do not show personal affection in public• Do not photograph people without permission, especially ladies.

Don’ts in India

Looking Forward to Welcome You

in India

Top Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd. L-3, Samrat Bhawan, Ranjeet Nagar,

Commercial Complex, New Delhi - 110 008 (India).Tel :+91-11- 43677777 (100 Lines).

E-mail :info@incredibleindiatour.netWebsites : www.incredibleindiatour.net