Ready, Set, Go to India

Each of us can be a good traveler. How can you do it? Just by paying attention to the world and to the people inhabiting it. You will also need to follow a very simple set of rules of good behavior before, during, and after the trip.

Before traveling: Do research about the country you are going to visit. Learn about its culture, nature, customs, religion, etc. It’s important to understand and respect the country’s social and cultural norms and etiquette.

During travel: Try to adapt yourself to the customs of the country without imposing your own habits or lifestyle. We are privileged to be tourists in another country. We are their guests.
Leave stereotypes and prejudices at home, and approach local people with friendliness, respect, and sensitivity. Open your mind to accept “other truths,” and to benefiting from having these vastly different experiences

After traveling: Take your time to reflect on everything you’ve seen and discovered. Keep any promises you have made with local people. Stay in contact with us: you can learn about sustainable tourism and responsible travel in our workshops.

India is a place where multiple realities and stark contrasts converge. According to the World Bank, India boasts one of the top five largest economies on earth – and also one of the highest poverty rates. India has both a deeply traditional, religious culture and a modern, urban scene that rivals anything in the western world. The old and new, ancient and modern, spiritual and material collide in India – the seventh largest country on earth with the second highest population. India is a secular, democratic, republic with a parliamentary system of government.

More than 1.2 billion people call India home, from every religion. In fact, four of the world’s major religions were born in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. The majority are Hindu (more than 80%), but there are a lot of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of many other religions in India.

The most important thing to know about India is its diversity. From state to state, the cultures change as much as from one European country to the next. The landscape also changes dramatically from the highest mountain peaks in the Himalayas to the lush rainforests of the Western Ghats, and from the dry desert of Rajasthan to the tropical beaches of South India.

India will overwhelm your senses and stir your soul. It’s a kaleidoscope of vivid colours, strong scents, awe-inspiring splendor, and heart-breaking moments. Unraveling India is an experience that few forget.

Language

There are about 23 official languages in India and hundreds of dialects. English is essentially the “lingua franca” of India, and Hindi is common in the north.

Local hour

India has one time zone, IST. The local hour is UTC +5:30.

Currency

The currency in India is the rupee. 100 rupees is approximately the following amounts at the time of writing:

• $1.55 USD
• $2.00 CDN
• 1.2 GBP
• 1.38 EURO
• $2.00 AUD

How much does it cost

Almost everything in India is cheaper after changing currencies:

• A bottle of water: 15 rupees
• A 0.5L soda: 25 rupees
• Breakfast: 60 rupees
• Lunch of dal (lentils) with rice and vegetables: 200 rupees
• Chai: 10 to 15 rupees
• Train tickets: from Agra to Delhi is about 1,200 rupees

Weather and temperature

The climate of India changes dramatically from place to place, and season to season. Winter (December and January) can be very cool in the north, including Delhi, and very foggy. In the mountains, it will be very cold. The hottest two months are May and June – unbearable in the desert and on the central plains. In summer, the monsoon hits south and central India. Spring (February to April) and Fall (October and November) are the best times to visit most of India.

Useful information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A month before flying to India, we will be sending you a dossier plenty of advice for clothing, luggage, airport links, medical kits… anything you need for the trip and even suggestions on recommended books and films about India.

Safety in India has been a concern over the last few years, in the wake of several high-profile rapes. We believe it is advisable to be cautious, to wear modest clothing, and to be respectful of the cultural norms, religious sensitivities, and social etiquette. However, we do not believe India is a particularly dangerous or unsafe place to travel. Crime against tourists is very rare. The worst thing most tourists have to cope with are con men who over-charge, aggressive beggars, and staring. Women especially have to deal with unwanted attention. However, most of the time, people are just curious, and not threatening.

After safety, health is the biggest concern people have about travel in India. At most, you might get a case of “Delhi Belly,” which will be uncomfortable for about a day or two. That is usually the worst illness travelers in India contend with, and it is usually resolved by taking ORS (oral rehydration salts) and a day of bed rest.

We advise being very careful about the water you drink, including ice and in sauces. Drink only bottled water or water that has been through an RO (reverse osmosis) filter. You might also want to brush your teeth with bottled water. Avoid raw food and follow the “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it” rule.

Most nationalities need a Visa to enter India. You can typically get a six-month, multiple entry tourist Visa from your local Indian consulate. Or you can apply online for an e-Visa, which is single entry and good for 30 days. We can help you with your Visa.

There are no mandatory vaccinations to enter India, however there are recommended ones vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, etc. You should check with a local travel health clinic to find out their list of recommended vaccines and precautions.

There is no vaccine for malaria, though there is medicine you can take to help prevent it. It’s always a good idea to avoid mosquito bites, as they can transmit malaria as well as other diseases such as dengue fever. In the cities we will be visiting, there isn’t a big risk of malaria, however, this is a decision you will need to take. Your local travel health clinic will explain the secondary effects of malaria medicine and they will prescribe any needed medications.

Travel insurance is mandatory and on some tours, it isn’t included in the total price. Look in the terms and conditions for the “does include/does not include” section. If you still have any doubts, you can always contact us.

In case you need to contract travel assurance insurance, we will recommend you one that can be transacted. These insurances include travel and cancellation assurance. However, if you already have of travel insurance, you must send us a copy of the policy before we leave out.

We organize the trips for people of all ages, provided they are legal adults. In case of children, they need to be accompanied by their parents or guardians. We have traveled with people of many different ages, ranging from 25 to 68 years – in fact, age is not important at all.

You are also welcome to travel with us as a single. Many people have decided to come on our trips alone. Because we limit the size of groups, people tend to bond, and get along very well.

It’s not important whether you come alone or what age you are – what matters is your attitude during the trip to India.

After the reservation and the first payment is made, there may be charges if you decide to cancel your trip. Sometimes these charges equal to 100% of the trip price, either for penalty or management costs. These costs are dependent on the details of the cancellation and the amount of the trip.

Because of this, we advise you to take cancellation insurance that may cover you for anything unexpected. If you decide to contract any of the insurance services we offer you, cancellation services will be included.

Please keep in mind that cancellation insurance is only effective from the second payment until the moment the trip starts. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.