Classically Indian Travel Tips

Welcome to your trip of India. As your Travel Operator we are looking forward to organising your trip. I hope this information may anticipate some of your questions and provide you with some useful tips as well.

MONEY - Exchange rates £1 = 73 INR

$1US = 49 INR

$1AUS = 32 INR

100 INR = 160NPR These are approx at 12 April 09

Foreign currency- a big challenge to work out how much it is worth! The Indian Rupee comes in 1, 2 and 5 rupee coins and 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 notes and occasional 1000 notes. It’s a good idea to build up a stock of small notes as on occasion a shop or vendor or rickshaw driver will not have change for your larger notes. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the notes as the 100 can be confused with the 500.

Credit/Debit cards - a great way to get local currency by using an ATM, if you can remember your pin code! The limit can vary depending on how the machine is feeling. This is only really possible in large towns see city sheets for more info. It is possible in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Please make a note of the 24 hr emergency number to phone in case your card is lost or stolen.

Travellers cheques - It is possible to change Travellers cheques in most large towns but only cash in some other places, travellers cheques become the same as cash once they have been signed twice. They should always be kept away from your passport and the receipt. In theory they can also be replaced once lost or stolen, however this is always more difficult than it sounds.

YOUR PASSPORT is your most important document. Without it, you will have great difficulty to do anything. Always keep it safe, in an inside pocket or in a safe pocket. Thieves are more interested in your money; however losing a passport can be a major inconvenience. Having a photocopy can in some cases assist in having a replacement made. Certainly never leave it inside your rucksack or your day sack. Keep a copy of your Indian visa as it is easier to replace if you have a copy.

SAFETY OF PERSONAL belongings, where ever travellers’ go, they are targets for petty theft even in your home country. Your personal effects are a target at all times, whilst on your person, in your room or on transport. Travel with an open mind and heart but also bear in mind you may have something stolen. While on trains please use a lock to secure to a leg of the seat. When on buses please be sure your rucksack is lockable. Don’t leave small bags visible in cars and never put it down when shopping.

TELEPHONES AND EMAIL, It is possible to make local and international telephone calls and use email at kiosks, which are generally, marked by very large STD (National) PCO (Local) ISD (International) signs. The kiosks consist of telephones in small cubicles sometimes they will dial the number for you on other occasions you dial yourself be guided by the vendor.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY, neither are a guarantee. Some hotels have special times for hot water; other hotels have a lot of trouble getting any. Sometimes you need to run the water for a while for it to get to your room please use this water wisely. Outside hotel rooms there is often a master switch that controls all power in the room. This is to conserve electricity, please bear it in mind. As a rule our hotels have generators but hot water and A/C cannot be powered by it and not all electric.

SHOPPING, this is an adventure not to be missed the sights the sounds and smells will blow you away. As a rule anything that isn’t marked with a price MRP can’t be haggled for. Provision stores and bakeries have fixed prices, as do most government emporiums. Most shops are open between 10am and 8pm. It is often a good idea to visit a large emporium to get an idea of the maximum cost of an item and then shop at a smaller place. Our company representative will help you with choices of shops to visit. Please remember you will never find top quality in a local market. It is a good idea to look around before you buy to get an idea of quality and price range. At any tourist site the cost of items will be at least double.

HAGGLING, this is an important part of the culture. It is a way of establishing the best possible price for both parties. Never offer a price if you are not prepared to buy at that price. Don’t put the seller into a position of loosing face by accepting your price to quickly. Think of it as a game. Make it light hearted. When entering a shop show interest in something for which you are not interested ask how much then put it back down, as you search for your desired piece keep going back to it. You will get a much better price for something if you don’t appear too keen. After asking how much your best price, decide what you want to pay and half it. Offer this price work up slowly if you are close to the amount you want to pay and the vendor will not move, accept the price remember that small amount of money to you may feed his family. A price may drastically reduce if you walk out of the shop.

TOUTS, travel in India would be so much nicer without them. Please remember however that they are only trying to make a living. It does at times however become a game of intimidation for them. So do not become flustered or irritated by them. The 100% best way to get rid of them is to pay them no attention at all, no eye contact and no answers or responses they will realise that you are too strong for them. Never quicken your pace to avoid them it will become a chase if anything slow down so they will get bored. Try not to stand in one place for too long or you will become surrounded.

PHOTOGRAPHY, at many of the sites you have the opportunity to visit they make an extra charge for cameras this can be anything from 25 - 200 rupees. Videos are generally quite expensive if they are charged for and allowed inside.

DRINKING WATER, as a rule if you want to stay well don’t drink the water. Don’t even brush your teeth with it. If possible filter or sterilise or boil your water. If not buy-bottled water, which can be bought everywhere some good brands are Bisleri and Baileys. Make sure it is properly sealed. Drink plenty of water if it is particularly hot drink approx 3-4 ltr per day. In fact dehydration is the largest cause of stomach problems in India not food.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD the time you spend eating will be an adventure not to miss. Please do not be shy, be as adventurous as possible. When first entering an eating-house it is customary to wash your hands, then to eat with your right hand. Please see the food supplement for advice of the great delights. Please however stick to the rules, if its not cooked, peeled or soaked in iodine please don’t risk it as it may spoil your holiday. It is a good idea to avoid ice. When ordering, dishes generally don’t come with rice or bread you choose each separately.

FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND It is a good idea to keep a hotel card or hotel list with you at all times in case you are out and about on your own. Also take the telephone number of your driver and/or company representative.

A BIT OF CULTURE FOR YOU VULTURES. REMEMBERING THIS IS GREAT RT.

DRESS CODE FOR INDIA Shoulders and knees must be covered at all times. Shorts are not acceptable dress in India. Swimming outside of hotel pools must be done fully clothed.

PUBLIC SHOWS OF AFFECTION between opposite sexes is frowned upon in India, so no holding hands or kissing in public.

TOILET PAPER AND THE LEFT HAND if during your stay in India you are not able to live with out toilet paper please make sure you do not at any time put it down the toilet in public toilets, please put in bins most of which are provided. The plumbing system is not able to deal with the extra work this is demonstrated by the fact that every western toilet in every railway station waiting room is blocked. It is customary in India to use soap and water and the left hand. So whether you use toilet paper or not do not pass anything or touch anyone with your left hand.

HEAD AND FEET In Asia the head is the seat of the soul and so touching others heads especially children’s is a grave insult. The feet are the unclean part of the body; it is an insult to point at or touch anyone or anything with your feet. On the other hand if a person touches your feet they are showing you great respect.

TIPPING As a general rule in Asia tipping is known as Baksheesh it is the oil that works the system and covers a multitude of things. You normally are not rewarding good service but paying to get things done.

This is a minimum guide if you would like to give a bit more feel free. Some hotels have tipping boxes. Those that don’t it is better to give directly to the person you intend it to go too.

Bags taken to room – 10 INR per bag.

Hotel room boys – 30 INR PP per night

Afternoon sightseeing driver - 50 INR

Dropping to station or airport - 50 INR

Guides all sites on top of the guiding fee. 1-4 pax 50-100 INR, 5-10 pax 100-150 INR, 11-15 pax 150-200 INR

Train station porter - 30 – 50INR per bag.

Restaurant - 10% to max 300 INR in fancy restaurants.

Driver (per 1 medium day driving) – 100-200 INR

Toilet lady/man – 5 INR

Company rep -

It is not necessary to tip rickshaw riders simply pay the amount agreed.

PHOTOGRAPHY Please be respectful of other people ask before photographing them you should avoid giving money as it encourages a begging society. It is disrespectful to take photos of people bathing.

BEGGING, this is something you will see a lot of, you will have to make your own mind up on how you feel, but as a rule please don’t give to beggars when the whole group is around. Please bear in mind that begging in India is organised. Children are sent out to beg and people are even maimed to increase their earning power. In towns where tourists don’t visit, children don’t ask for pens and chocolate or 1 rupee they are happy and excited to meet you.

Now go make some memories…..

India Travel Tips