AIRPORTS
Our representatives will meet you as soon as you leave the baggage clearance area at the airport. They are easily identifiable by the white ‘Routes2India’ paging boards they hold up for you to see.
During your tour you may be using several airports. A few of them are relatively basic and awaiting or undergoing upgradation and we will ask you to be prepared for any inconvenience.
Should your itinerary include international flights to neighbouring countries you will have to complete Immigration and Customs formalities on departure and when you re-enter India.
Airport departure taxes, payable in local currency, apply at different levels for neighbouring and other countries that may not be included in your tour costs. Lately, however, many airlines are including this tax in the cost you may already have paid for your international air ticket. This will be specified during your tour briefing and again prior to your international departure.
For domestic flights, there are only check in and security formalities. These include x-ray scanning of all checked baggage that must be done prior to reporting at the check in counter. With enhanced airport security now having become the standard practice, you may be required to open all items of checked baggage and get them physically examined by airport security personnel prior to check in. At certain airports you may be asked to personally identify your checked baggage before boarding the aircraft. On arrival at some airports, such as in Srinagar and Leh, you will be required to complete registration formalities in the arrival hall at each of these airports. Airport security staff will direct you to the appropriate desk.
On most other domestic carriers, the free baggage allowance is 25 Kgs./55 lb. per person. Should you be booked in business class where available on these flights, this baggage allowance is 40 Kgs./88 lb. per person. The free checked hand baggage allowance is 10 Kgs./22 lb. Since a combination of domestic carriers is used for most itineraries, we usually recommend planning on a 20 Kgs./44 lb. per person free baggage allowance, and reflect the same in our tour proposals. Only one piece of hand baggage per person is permitted. Kindly ensure that any scissors, sharp implements, canned food and batteries including camera batteries are carried without exception in your checked baggage. All checked baggage should be securely locked. Only one carry-on bag s permitted and this will be checked at several points before you board the aircraft. No liquid items, gels, paste, lipstick, or items of similar consistency are allowed in ones hand baggage or on the person of a passenger. A body search may also be conducted at one or more of these checks.
Some airports have electronic/electrical scanners, which are not safe for photographic films. Please request the security officer to have your camera and film carried around the x-ray machine.
All airports are now 'non-smoking' areas – smoking is no longer permitted at airports or on domestic flights. Also, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on any internal carrier.
RAILWAY STATIONS
Most railway stations are extremely crowded and you may feel disoriented when disembarking at the end of a train journey.
If you are not accompanied by an escort, we request you to wait at the disembarkation point where your train carriage comes to a halt until such time that our staff member or local representative can establish contact with you. This will normally be within five to ten minutes of your alighting from the train.
At some train stations, however, such as Agra, our representatives are not allowed on to the platform. In such cases we would urge that after waiting for a while at the disembarkation point to let the crowds recede, you move on to wait outside the exit gate where you will definitely find our representative waiting for you.
ROAD TRAVEL
Most cars used are of local manufacture, and while some of them may appear to be antiquated they are comfortable and ideally suited to the local road conditions, with spare parts readily available.
Coaches are also principally locally made and while not of the standard of an American or European touring coach they are comfortable and well maintained. Air-conditioned coaches are available at almost all places except in the northern hill region and some locations in southern India.
BAGGAGE SAFETY
When travelling on internal flights and trains always ensure that your baggage is securely locked. Indian Railways will not accept any unlocked baggage in their baggage vans. Baggage left in hotel storage facilities must also always be locked.
Please take care to ensure that your baggage is not left unattended at airports, railway stations, hotels and sites visited during excursions.
PHOTOGRAPHY
VCR equipment may now be used at most monuments provided you are not filming for commercial purposes. However, specific areas at some monuments may be off limits for still photography and video recording. Restrictions may also apply on the use of tripods and lighting equipment.
Please note that photography is strictly prohibited inside and outside airports, railway stations, bridges and certain government buildings. Please do not photograph defence and police establishments or personnel in uniform. Our staff member, representatives and guides will be at hand to direct you in case of any doubts.
CURRENCY
It is not necessary to purchase local currency prior to your arrival in India or another neighbouring country featuring on your tour. Virtually all hotels we use exchange foreign currency and may be the best place for you to exchange money. Rates here are fairly similar to those prevalent at banks. Hotels obtain up to date exchange rates from banks on a daily basis. You can also purchase local currency at the airport when you first arrive. However, please exchange money through authorised channels only.
When you have exchanged money into Indian Rupees, please retain the Encashment Certificate provided for each transaction as these will be required to convert any unused Indian Rupees back into foreign exchange at the end of your journey. We recommend you obtain low denominations for use as tips or for small purchases.
All major credit cards are accepted at city hotels used on your tour itinerary. Exchange facilities are not available in remote areas and at hotels in places like Manali, Nainital, Rishikesh, Leh or other remote locations such as wildlife parks. Credit cards and travellers cheques are also usually not accepted in such places.
When exchanging money or collecting change, take care to ensure that local currency notes you obtain are not partly torn or otherwise damaged. It may be virtually impossible to make any transaction with such currency notes or even re-exchange them at a bank.
All metropolitan cities now have ATMs where you can withdraw Indian Rupees in cash with Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards.
The import and export of Indian Rupees is strictly prohibited.
CREDIT CARD FRAUD
While most credit cards are accepted at larger establishments in major towns and cities, a few regrettable incidents of fraud have come to light. When making a purchase we would caution you against allowing your credit card to be handled outside your direct visual supervision and recommend that you double check your charge slip entries and amounts.
HOTELS
We do all that is possible to ensure the best available accommodation in places you are visiting during your journey. They have been chosen for their comfort, service and ambience. However, standards do vary from city to city.
DRINKING WATER / MEALS
Most hotels ensure and maintain the strictest norms of hygiene. The flask of water in your room is treated and filtered. However, if you are not easily adaptable to a change of water, we suggest you use sealed bottled mineral water.
Many of the hotels you will be using offer a choice of cuisine within their restaurants - European, as well as Indian and Oriental. In the metropolitan cities we would be pleased to recommend suitable restaurants outside your hotel. Meals in remote areas and wildlife parks will invariably be Indian, table d'hôte. We suggest that in these areas you request vegetarian fare since it tends to reduce the risk of stomach upsets. Also, avoid uncooked vegetables or fruit that cannot be peeled.
DRINKS / BEVERAGES
All beverage bills will be on your own account unless specified otherwise. Imported wines and spirits can be very expensive and we will ask you to ascertain such costs and local taxes - including surcharges - from the hotel wine list before confirming your order. In some places the taxes are nearly as high as 50% to 95% of published rates.
PROHIBITION
Certain Indian States, such as Gujarat, practice prohibition. The possession, consumption and transit/transportation of alcoholic beverages within the borders of these states are totally banned. We would ask that you please refrain from carrying any duty free, or other liquor supplies with you while travelling to these states, whether you are journeying by road, by train or by air. Our staff and local representatives will be at hand to advise should you need any clarifications.
PORTERAGE
Should you be approached by porters for a consideration for baggage handled, please decline, incase services of porters are required at the airport or railways stations you may fix up the charges for their services in advance with the help of our representative.
TOUR PROGRAMME
During your journey, our staff members and representatives will brief you regularly on day-to-day activities. Internal air tickets will be collected on your arrival in each city for reconfirmation of your onward flight. Domestic flight schedules are subject to change without notice and should such an instance occur during your journey, we will endeavour to maintain your planned tour schedule.
SIGHTSEEING / EXCURSIONS
Sightseeing programmes are normally accompanied by local English speaking guides whose fee will always be included in your tour costs. At some locations guides proficient in other foreign languages are subject to availability.
Guides are not employees of ‘Routes2India’ but work on a freelance basis and are chosen from a panel provided by the Government of India, Department of Tourism.
Places of worship do not permit visitors to enter with their shoes on. Canvas shoe covers are provided at some locations while at others you will be asked to remove your shoes. Your local guide will be at hand to advise you appropriately. We would advise you to wear a pair of robust socks in order to keep your feet from scorching on hot pavements or getting soiled at various mosques and temples. Tips for the safe keeping of your shoes or for providing shoe covers are always to be taken into account and may sometimes be included in your tour costs - details will be provided during your tour briefing.
Bottled water and soft drinks during sightseeing excursions and long drives may sometimes be included in some arrangements and you will be advised of details during your tour briefing.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Please ensure safe custody of your internal flight and train tickets. No refunds are possible against lost domestic tickets.
POVERTY AND BEGGARS
It is an inescapable fact that some of the destinations that you visit have areas of extreme poverty. Some of these areas are close to cultural or religious sites and may be shocking to the western viewpoint.
India has a large number of beggars because Indians give alms for religious reasons. Many beggars close to the visitor sites are professionals. We ask that you try to accept poverty and begging as a part of the Indian social fabric. You may be moved by sights of poverty but we request you not to offer alms.
Should you wish to help we can advise on a number of worthwhile charities in India. |
