Travel tips for India
Please consult a reputable travel guide site or book such as Lonely Planet for current information!
Wifi/ Internet Our hotels will provide internet access, although not all will do so for free. Our guide will provide a portable wifi hub while we are in the sight seeing van, so you can conduct normal email business, upload photos, etc. Please purchase a short term International Data plan from your provider- many sell a month or less one time travel service. |
Electricity and Electronics
US appliances require a Voltage converter or transformer AND a plug adapter-- one two prong and one three prong as both are in use in India.
Try not to bring fast-heating devices such as a curling iron, flat iron or hair dryer unless they are dual-voltage (you flip a switch on the appliance.) You can purchase dual voltage items in the US, such as hair dryers, if needed. I recall our hotels all providing a hair dryer, but some of the new hotels will be new to me.
Be aware many electrical plugs are situated half way up a wall, and the voltage converter can be heavy. By the time you use an American plug, a converter and then an Indian plug the whole gizmo will hang out of the wall precariously and may not charge phones or computers as well as you'd hoped. Please consult this site below for more information.
US appliances require a Voltage converter or transformer AND a plug adapter-- one two prong and one three prong as both are in use in India.
Try not to bring fast-heating devices such as a curling iron, flat iron or hair dryer unless they are dual-voltage (you flip a switch on the appliance.) You can purchase dual voltage items in the US, such as hair dryers, if needed. I recall our hotels all providing a hair dryer, but some of the new hotels will be new to me.
Be aware many electrical plugs are situated half way up a wall, and the voltage converter can be heavy. By the time you use an American plug, a converter and then an Indian plug the whole gizmo will hang out of the wall precariously and may not charge phones or computers as well as you'd hoped. Please consult this site below for more information.
Battery Chargers
Bring extra cables and battery chargers with you! Once we leave the major
airports there is no guarantee we can find exactly what you need.
Bring extra cables and battery chargers with you! Once we leave the major
airports there is no guarantee we can find exactly what you need.
Money and Gratuities
Exchanging US dollars at the Airport:
You will receive the best exchange rates at banks, but be aware many banks in India will not exchange money unless you hold an account there. Credit card purchases and some ATM machines give excellent exchange rates. ATMs will charge a fee, so plan on minimal trips to the ATM and withdraw enough at one time so you aren’t paying multiple fees. We will visit reputable ATMs along the way, recommended by our India travel partners. Many large Indian stores take US credit cards, smaller vendors and street vendors do not. They also cannot give change for larger Indian Rupee bills, so make sure to have a good number of small bills on hand.
Please exchange enough money to get started at the airport, and use reputable exchangers only, such as Thomas Cook or American Express.
You will need cash for tipping and small purchases, such as lunch-on-the-go.
India is currently phasing out its very large denomination Rupee bills (500 and 1000RP) These will no longer be accepted in daily transactions,
Bills issued before 2005 are no longer be accepted as of Jan 1, 2015.
Please consult Travel India Smart http://www.travelindiasmart.com/currencyexchange.php for up to the moment information.
Guides and Drivers Tipping Information:
The Indian tourist economy is driven entirely on the tipping system. There will be some small tips or fees along the way each day. For instance, most museums and historical sites require CAMERA FEES for SLR style cameras (camera phones are exempt.) Religious sites and some historical sites require you to check your shoes at the door in return for a tip, and mosques require women to rent a wrap tie Kameez. These rentals cost just a few rupees. You may want to consider keeping 200- 300 Rupees (or $3- $5) per day for such small amenities. For the 3 touring days in Jaipur, begin with 600- 1000 Rupees of WAM. (Holly’s term for Walking-Around- Money)
We as a group are expected to pay our National and Local Tour Guides and Drivers. Tips are calculated on a daily rate, but we will pay that amount only when each finishes their services. We will split the cost evenly and gather the cash for one payment. Tipping rates and estimates are:
For the 3 days of the Pre Tour be sure to have approximately 1165 Rupees (worth about $17.00) IN CASH for our tip at the end of the Pre-Tour. Holly will inform everyone and collect tips accordingly as we go. Some cities may require specifically trained or local guides.
For 9 days of the Main Tour, the group is expected to pay the tip at the conclusion of each location. Rough Estimates are--
In other words, for the entire trip, please make sure to budget and hold cash in reserve for about 3495 Rupees (worth about US $50.00) IN CASH for tipping all our guides and drivers.
General Tipping Information:
Tips for incidentals can be confusing in India, just as it is in the US with unwritten rules the norm. In general, tips of 10-30 Rupees are standard.
For more information on this please visit the Lonely Planet India guide or visit this site IndiaSomeday
Exchanging US dollars at the Airport:
You will receive the best exchange rates at banks, but be aware many banks in India will not exchange money unless you hold an account there. Credit card purchases and some ATM machines give excellent exchange rates. ATMs will charge a fee, so plan on minimal trips to the ATM and withdraw enough at one time so you aren’t paying multiple fees. We will visit reputable ATMs along the way, recommended by our India travel partners. Many large Indian stores take US credit cards, smaller vendors and street vendors do not. They also cannot give change for larger Indian Rupee bills, so make sure to have a good number of small bills on hand.
Please exchange enough money to get started at the airport, and use reputable exchangers only, such as Thomas Cook or American Express.
You will need cash for tipping and small purchases, such as lunch-on-the-go.
India is currently phasing out its very large denomination Rupee bills (500 and 1000RP) These will no longer be accepted in daily transactions,
Bills issued before 2005 are no longer be accepted as of Jan 1, 2015.
Please consult Travel India Smart http://www.travelindiasmart.com/currencyexchange.php for up to the moment information.
Guides and Drivers Tipping Information:
The Indian tourist economy is driven entirely on the tipping system. There will be some small tips or fees along the way each day. For instance, most museums and historical sites require CAMERA FEES for SLR style cameras (camera phones are exempt.) Religious sites and some historical sites require you to check your shoes at the door in return for a tip, and mosques require women to rent a wrap tie Kameez. These rentals cost just a few rupees. You may want to consider keeping 200- 300 Rupees (or $3- $5) per day for such small amenities. For the 3 touring days in Jaipur, begin with 600- 1000 Rupees of WAM. (Holly’s term for Walking-Around- Money)
We as a group are expected to pay our National and Local Tour Guides and Drivers. Tips are calculated on a daily rate, but we will pay that amount only when each finishes their services. We will split the cost evenly and gather the cash for one payment. Tipping rates and estimates are:
- 2000 Rupees per day for a Guide (worth about US $30/day total for all of us—about $3 per person)
- 1000 Rupees per day for a Driver (worth about US $15/day total for all of us—about $ 1.50 per person)
- 500 Rupees per day for extra Helpers (worth about US $7.50/day total for all of us—about 85 cents per person)
- Each day’s approximate total 3500 Rupees per day or about $53 for the entire group /9 = US $5.88 pp
For the 3 days of the Pre Tour be sure to have approximately 1165 Rupees (worth about $17.00) IN CASH for our tip at the end of the Pre-Tour. Holly will inform everyone and collect tips accordingly as we go. Some cities may require specifically trained or local guides.
For 9 days of the Main Tour, the group is expected to pay the tip at the conclusion of each location. Rough Estimates are--
- Delhi 3 Days: Guide, Driver and Helper 10,500 Rupees (about US $153 total for all of us-about $17 per person)
- Cochin/Trissur 3 Days: Guide, Driver and Helper 10,500 Rupees (about US $153 total for all of us-or $17 pp)
- Mumbai 3 Days: Guide, Driver and Helper 10,500 Rupees (about US $153 total for all of us-or $17 pp)
In other words, for the entire trip, please make sure to budget and hold cash in reserve for about 3495 Rupees (worth about US $50.00) IN CASH for tipping all our guides and drivers.
General Tipping Information:
Tips for incidentals can be confusing in India, just as it is in the US with unwritten rules the norm. In general, tips of 10-30 Rupees are standard.
For more information on this please visit the Lonely Planet India guide or visit this site IndiaSomeday
Personal Comfort- Items to make your explorations more pleasant
- Shoes that are washable or you can wipe down the outsides. We will walk through very dusty and dirty spots.
- Ziplock baggies to isolate damp bathing suits or dirty street shoes inside your suitcase
- Small handbag or messenger bag to hold just your vital needs while we tour, especially something that can be worn over one shoulder.
- Money Belt or other secure holder for pass ports, credit cards, etc. Some people use RFID proof bags or sleeves for credit cards, but some experts say this is not necessary. If you wish to read more, visit this site.
- Large utility bag to hold all your daily needs while we tour all day- travel book, snacks, cords. You can leave this in the van while we explore.
- Toilet Paper in small portable containers. You can purchase these through camping suppliers, or you can make your own supply
- Hand/Surface Wipes and hand sanitizers
- Scarf for ladies, in long rectangular style that can cover your head or shoulders in religious sites, protect from sun and wind, etc
- Snacks such as trail mix in individually wrapped containers or snack bars. Exploring is hard work and we may find ourselves a long way from a snack
- Tea bags if you have a favorite flavor that might not be available on the breakfast buffet Some of our rooms will provide an electric tea kettle if you like a cuppa in the evening
- Anti-diarrhea medication - over the counter varieties will work, Just in case you experience a bout of "Delhi Belly"
- Anti-bacterial medication - prescription medication, just in case you ingest harmful microbes or fall into a river. My doctor prescribed a "golden bullet" dosage of Cipro
Cautions
- Due to India's proximity to Pakistan and a few unfortunate terror incidents, we will be subjected to personal pat-down searches at every airport and many western hotels. Ladies will always have a female security guard- this procedure is much more respectful than here in the US. Nonetheless, if you have any wearable medical devices that may cause constant scrutiny or discussion it is wise to bring a letter from your doctor.
- Do not use flasher bag charms. luggage tags or purse handle additions with flashing lights or LED powered decorations. This may be mistaken for bomb detonators and may result in you being subjected to grave scrutiny. Ask me how I know....
- Pay attention to luggage size requirements in our travel packets. Domestic Indian airlines do not have luxurious overhead luggage compartments. Air India's baggage limitations are 33 lbs for checked bags and 15 lbs for cabin carry on bags. NOTE- this is less than the international airlines that fly you to India. Pack for the domestic limitations.
- Protect your valuables. Like anywhere in the world that attracts throngs of tourists, Indian historic sites will also attract thieves. Carry a small bag that hugs your body or invest in a money belt or men, use trousers with zippered inside pockets
- Wear modest attire on the street and in hotel hallways. India is a fairly modest society and it is a matter of respect to dress as if you honor your hosts. Mumbai and Delhi are both very cosmopolitan and conservative at the same time and you will see every kind of dress. Err on the side of caution.
What to Wear in India
Traveling in India means traveling through multiple climate zones, just like we would in the USA, The distances are great-- traveling from Agra in the North to Kerala in the South is the same as traveling from the northern Montana/Canada border to the middle of Mexico. We will experience inland desert and coastal humidity.
Click here For a general guide to tourist dressing from USA Today. Just a reminder, you will be removing your shoes to enter many interiors with few places to sit down to do so- wear shoe styles with easy closures or slip on/off styles.
Ladies, please click on the image at left to visit a good discussion on packing.
Traveling in India means traveling through multiple climate zones, just like we would in the USA, The distances are great-- traveling from Agra in the North to Kerala in the South is the same as traveling from the northern Montana/Canada border to the middle of Mexico. We will experience inland desert and coastal humidity.
Click here For a general guide to tourist dressing from USA Today. Just a reminder, you will be removing your shoes to enter many interiors with few places to sit down to do so- wear shoe styles with easy closures or slip on/off styles.
Ladies, please click on the image at left to visit a good discussion on packing.