FAQ

India is not just a country; it is a subcontinent. Home to the majestic Himalayas in the North, the sun swept beaches and rich cultural heritage of the South, breathtaking monuments like “The Taj Mahal” (one of the seven wonders of the world), bustling bazaars, and the Tigers that populate its many national parks, India offers a wealth of unique experiences and activities.

The visa requirements for India will vary depending on the country from which you hold a passport. You may check with your local embassay or consulate.

Mid-September to end April would be the best time of the year to visit India. May is a very hot and humid month and the monsoons commence in June until mid-September.

We would have to say that there is no single best place to visit in India. This would depend on what you are looking to experience and gain out of your trip. Our destinations expert, Roma Satara, will help you to tailor-make a trip based on your unique preferences.

Although this would be somewhat dependent on your specific destination and season of travel, India tends to have a climate on the warmer side. Some places may be cooler in the evenings, and would require a light jacket or shawl. Furthermore, if you are visiting any temples or sacred religious sites, a headcover may be required for women. Lastly, we strongly recommend that you pack shoes that are comfortable for walking in.

We recommend that you visit your general practitioner for health advice based on your individual health record. In general, a cholera/typhoid inoculation is recommended, as is a course of malaria tablets. Most hotels have a doctor on call but most minor upsets such as stomach upsets and insect bites can be avoided by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid eating foods sold by roadside vendors, undercooked meat, or unpeeled fruit or vegetable. Avoid drinking tap water or having ice in drinks outside the hotel.
• It would be advisable to carry sunscreen lotion, insect repellents and medication for stomach upset or indigestion. Also it would be advisable to drink bottled mineral water.
• Be careful about mosquitoes when outside in the evenings - use an insect repellent.

The Indian Rupee is the national currency of India and readily availabe at foreign exchange counters at the airport upon arrival. However there are ATMs even in remote locations and credit cards are widely accepted. If you are curious to know the exchange rate of your local currency, you may do so by using any online exchange rate calculator.

Hindi is the official language of India but almost every region hosts a unique local language. English is also widely spoken throughout India.

Indian food is as varied as the country itself, with every region having its own mouth-watering specialities. It therefore, does not always have to be “hot” nor can any one dish be labeled a “curry”. Most dishes with a gravy are normally called curries but are prepared with a different ‘masala’ or combination of spices containing among other things: coriander, cumin, garlic, onions ginger, turmeric. Additional seasoning which adds to the flavour and richness of meat dishes is called “garam masala” and is made from different combinations of a variety of spices like cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, cloves cinnamon, bayleaves, saffron, mace and nutmeg.

A traditional meal all over India is usually served in large metal plate called a ‘Thali’, with a number of small bowls used to hold the gravy dishes. The meal is normally accompanied by Indian bread (which varies from region to region) and rice.

All good hotels in India provide continental meals for those who are looking for a respite from spicy Indian cuisine. Many hotels and restaurants, at least in the major cities, specialise in specific international cuisine like Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai, Japanese etc.

For an Indian, a drink with a meal usually means water. Imported wines and liquors are now available, though not in great variety. The quality of Indian wine is improving steadily. Indian beer and rum are considered excellent, while gins and vodkas are good and the Indian whisky is an acquired taste!