Exploring the world can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. However, planning a trip can be extremely frustrating especially when one does'nt know where to start. We understand travel needs of all and deliver the best through meticulous planning. Given below please find some information which will help you in planning your India travel:

DESTINATION FOR ALL SEASONS

India has three major seasons: winter, summer and the monsoon. The winter months (November-March) are pleasant throughout India with bright sunny days. In the northern plains, the minimum temperature at times drops steeply and there is snowfall in the hills. In southern and eastern India, however, December and January are pleasantly cool, never really cold.

It is during the summer months (April-June) that hill resorts such as Shimla, Kashmir valley, Darjeeling and Mount Abu provide cool retreats.

The south-west monsoon usually breaks about the beginning of June on the west coast and reaches elsewhere later. With the exception of the south-eastern areas, India receives the major share of its rainfall between June and September. The south-eastern areas receive most of the rainfall from the north-east monsoon between mid-October and December-end.

Traditionally, India has been most popular in the winter months. However, with easy availability of air-conditioned hotels, transport and leisure facilities (such as dining and shopping, the summer months have become equally popular.

CLOTHING ACCESSORIES

While selecting a suitable wardrobe prior to your travel to India, we suggest that you choose clothing that is adaptable to the Indian climate. For summers and monsoons, the most practical would be a judicious mix of plain cotton and blended cotton. They are the coolest in summers. It is advisable to avoid synthetic fabrics that do not “breathe" as these may not be comfortable. A hat with a wide brim comes in handy in protecting you from the harsh sun. During monsoons, a collapsible umbrella is advisable, as there can be sudden, unexpected showers. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are a must.

It is preferable (especially for ladies) to dress modestly. We strongly advise you not to wear shorts, mini-skirts or tank tops, particularly in the smaller towns and cities as people here are conservative. Most Indians dress in a modest manner.

When visiting places of worship, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders, short pants or short skirts and we recommend wearing a long skirt, dress or slacks. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if women are wearing a sleeveless top and it is not necessary to cover your head. Men should also be suitably dressed when visiting a holy place. Shorts are discouraged. All visitors will be required to remove their footwear before entering the precincts of the temples and the mosques.

For dinner at the hotels, we recommend smart casuals to suit a tropical climate.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Any person can bring into India from abroad foreign exchange without any limit. However, declaration of foreign exchange/currency is required to be made in the prescribed Currency Declaration Form in the following cases:-

(a) Where the value of foreign currency notes exceeds US$ 5000/- or equivalent.

(b) Where the aggregate value of foreign exchange (in the form of currency notes, bank notes, traveler checks etc) exceeds US$ 10,000/- or its equivalent.

CURRENCY

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers cheques you may bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency brought in but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes and travelers cheques up to US$ 10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry.

Any money in the form of travelers cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. in convertible currencies which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks who will issue an receipt (called encashment certificate) that is required at the time of reconversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Please refer to latest Foreign Exchange Regulations at time of your travel as Government Policies keep on changing quite frequently).

CUISINES OF INDIA

The visitor who imagines that Indian food consists of rice and curry is in for a few surprises. For rice, which is the staple diet in only a part of the country, forms but a fraction of a meal in any restaurant, and as for the word 'curry', it is largely unintelligible to most Indians, being a term coined in the West. Certainly, gravy based dishes are prominent throughout India but they are far from being similar to one another. And, of the score or so of commonly used spices in an Indian Kitchen, only fresh green and dried red chillies are pungent. Request a restaurant to omit this ingredient, and you have authentic Indian foood without the pungence. And that's the way many Indians like their food – with no chillies.

Just as there are no single style of Indian cooking, there is no one national dish. Styles of cooking and commonly used ingredients differ not only from region to region, but from one household to another.

HEALTH

For inoculation please consult your physician or you can use CDC website for health information. Minor stomach ailments are the most common affliction of visitors to India. However, if you succumb to a stomach ailment, you may want to try the following remedies to alleviate your discomfort:

• Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the symptoms persist.
• Drink lassi (preferably only those available in tetra packs) to help tone down the bacteria.
• Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi-an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
• Drink plenty of coconut water. It is cooling, naturally sterilized and easily available.

BAGGAGE

Airlines have strict policies for size and weight limits of your luggage. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, hurried re-packing at the ticket counter or even the risk of being left behind may not be overruled.

Check in baggage limit for Business is 35 kgs or 77 lbs and Coach is 25 kgs or 55 lbs per passenger (with 2 bags permitted per passenger). In addition they allow one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding 7 kgs in weight per passenger. Since airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check the airlines’ website link before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. You may contact United States toll free number to contact Jet Airways (1-877-835-9538) in case you have any issue.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities are not compulsory but generally expected. The amount is determined by your satisfaction of the services provided. Where your driver or guide remains the same for two or three days you may tip them everyday or only at the end. It is completely your choice. For the remaining services you may tip everyday.

In order to help you know the general rates of tips per couple, some guidelines are given below. However the range may be determined by your satisfaction of the services provided. People in India strongly prefer Indian currency.

Driver / Guide for a half day assignment: Rs. 200 - Rs. 350

Driver / Guide for a full day assignment: Rs. 400 - Rs. 700

Escorts on group tours: the same as local guides (per couple)

Escorts on custom tours: 25 to 50% more than local guides

Bell boys at the hotel: Rs 20 - Rs 30 per trip per bag

Waiters in a restaurant: Rs 50 - Rs 300 per meal (average 8 to 10% of the bill) unless there is a service charge.

ELECTRICITY

In India electricity runs on 220/240 volts. Therefore if you are traveling with electrical appliances bring along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs. These are available from better electrical and hardware stores in the U.S. and Canada.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Camera fees (still & video) are not included in your tour itinerary during monument visit. We recommend that you bring all photographic equipment with you including an ample supply of films. International brands of films are widely available in India, though the quality cannot be guaranteed. When photographing people, always ask permission and offer a small fee for taking their picture which your tour guide will advise you. The exception is when taking a general picture of crowds and scenes. Photography at airports is strictly forbidden.

INTERNET & PHONES

Most of the hotels in India offer WIFI for a price; they also have business centers with PCs. Wireless phones can be arranged with prior notice for hire.