If you are carrying prescription medication, we request that you carry a recently made out prescription from your physician. Most vaccine guidelines are just recommendations not requirements. Please consult your physician for any travel medical advice or refer to the World Health Organization’s website.

We request all travellers to obtain travel protection insurance from your home country that covers for medical expenses and evacuation in case of health situations and unforeseen baggage loss/flight cancellation/ trip cancellation. This must be obtained prior to departure from your home country. You may consult your travel insurance provider for further assistance on the matter.

India is rapidly growing into a center for fine gastronomic experiences. Chefs today are fusing Indian cuisine with Western and Oriental cuisines to create some interesting fusion cuisine. With a wide range of dining out options, Footprint Holidays is happy to offer you personalised restaurant recommendations and make table reservations for you during your trip.

Though Indian food could be a tad too spicy for the western palates, most restaurants tend to tone down the spices if requested. Most fine dining restaurants have a continental section on their menus and the western and oriental cuisines are also good alternatives when you’d like something more familiar to your taste buds.

We advise you to use packaged drinking water across India. Hotels are increasingly turning eco-friendly and as part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, they might provide safer alternatives to bottled water such as re-usable metal water bottles with safe drinking water. We do not recommend consumption of tap water.

While travelling to India you can carry foreign exchange without any limit provided if foreign currency notes or travellers’ cheques exceed USD 10,000 or its equivalent and/or the value of foreign currency exceeds USD 5,000 or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs Authorities at the Airport in the Currency Declaration Form (CDF), on arrival in India.

Currency across India is Indian Rupee INR; USD or Euros or any other form of currency will not be accepted anywhere. ATM kiosks are abundantly available all over the country including tier two cities and townships. However, interior rural areas and very small villages as well as forest lodges may not always have ATMS, for which we recommend that you carry cash.

The weather in India is as varied as its people and food. India is comprised of eight climatic zones and therefore the weather can change considerably throughout the journey. Click here to know more

While innocuous begging may be rampant, we request that you refrain from entertaining them. We strongly advise you from hiring ‘local guides’ that are not qualified at places of interest. As with any country, pickpockets abound sightseeing areas and we request you to be careful with your belongings.

Persistent hawkers can be a nuisance at times, and are best avoided by nodding and saying NO.

SIM CARDS: There are kiosks at the airports that sell pre-paid SIM cards (+ talk time credit) against an identity proof (a photocopy of your passport would be ideal) and 2 passport sized photos. Recharge facilities are easily available across the country.

INTERNET: Most hotels provide Wi-Fi internet connectivity which may be complimentary or at an additional charge. Please do check with the front desk staff at the time of check-in.

Tips always supplement incomes in any industry, particularly in the service industry in India, where people are ready to serve with a smile. Tipping is not included in your trip costs nor is it included in your hotel room cost, or for your chauffeurs, local guides or trip leaders. Though tipping is always at your discretion and is based on your satisfaction levels of the service, we are outlining the following information simply as a guideline:

• Local porters / baggage handlers: INR 100 per suitcase
• If a hotel has a common tipping policy: INR 2000 – 3000 per stay
• Restaurants: Most restaurants charge a 10% service charge included in your bill, in which case you are not obliged to tip over and above it, unless you have been wowed by the service. However, where a service charge is not already included in the bill, 5 to 10 % of the total bill of your meal is a good norm to go by.
• Local guides: INR 1000-1500 per day
• Drivers: INR 500-700 per day
• The above could be used as a guideline by individual travellers. For individuals travelling in a group, your host escorts will brief you on the tipping guidelines prior to commencement of the trip.

Indians are known to be very hospitable and friendly people. However, there may be social habits that seem uncomfortable and intrusive. In a land with a population over a billion, the concept of personal space is ill-understood. While it is possible to request space when queuing up at certain locations, crowds at festivals and other cultural gatherings will seem like a tight squeeze. Perhaps knowing that this is a cultural difference and it is not necessarily threatening would help you relax and accept it as a part of your experience.

In most parts of India, especially rural areas, locals are very fascinated by foreign visitors. You may attract a fair deal of attention, and sometimes you may also be approached for photographs. If you are comfortable, it could be as much as a story for you to carry home with you, as it would be a souvenir for the locals. If not, please feel free to say NO.

It is completely acceptable to ask for directions on the streets, as people are warm, friendly and eager to help (often so helpful, that they would point you in a direction whether they understood what you’re looking for or know its exact location).

As the sight-seeing circuits in India would include visiting religious monuments, there are a few points to note:

Most religious places suggest that you dress modestly. You may have to remove your footwear, leather belts or pouches, and sometimes will be advised to cover your head, legs or shoulders.

Some religious sites like temples/mosques prohibit the use of cameras for photography / filming. Some monuments charge a fee for using video cameras. Your local host will help you with procuring tickets for using video cameras. Also note that use of video cameras may be permitted only in certain areas of the monument or shrine.

Carrying tripods requires prior permission and additional fee. Hence it is not recommended to carry tripods into monuments such as Taj Mahal, Red Fort or any other monuments under the regulation of Archaeological Survey of India.

Public toilet facilities in monuments and religious sites are not always up to the western standards and expectations. Take advantage of facilities in your hotel and the nicer restaurants along your trip as and when you can.

When you want to click pictures with native locals, children, local artisans, priests or monks, please do ask politely if they wouldn’t mind. (Word of caution - some of them voluntarily pose and later might scam you into paying them!).

India’s handicrafts, spices and other unique goods have made this country a shopping haven. There’s a wide range of options from the state emporiums that offer quality-ensured goods to privately owned boutiques and stores for one-of-a-kind artefacts. Footprint Holidays offers personalised shopping suggestions for individual cities for each and every client based on their interest.

At open markets and bazaars, vendors always mark up their wares as they know you will bargain. A firm, resolute attitude will help you get a fair, reasonable price. Government emporiums and private boutiques offer fixed prices but often fairly steep, and while bargaining may or may not be an option here, you can be assured of better quality than on streets.

Larger items such as carpets and furniture can usually be shipped to your home country but the items will be subject to any applicable import duties or VAT. Please ask for estimates before buying. If you do not want to shop, you are welcome to inform your local guide accordingly. For any further help and information, your guide will always be at your disposal. The guide can also tailor your shopping experience based on your preferences.

The lighter you travel the better. Same-day laundry services are available at most of the 5-star deluxe hotels. In addition to your basic clothing needs, some other items you may want to carry are

• Copies of all important documents – including passport and page in which VISA is stamped
• A few copies of passport photos
• A good pair of walking shoes
• Swim Wear
• Raincoat or umbrella (seasonal; or you can always buy an umbrella in India)
• Hand sanitizer
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen, straw hat, lip balm and a good pair of sunglasses
• Power adapter
• Camera, binoculars, memory cards, batteries, chargers
• Money belt
• Backpack for excursions

When deciding what to bring with you on the trip, you are advised to consider inside and outside temperatures as well as cultural norms. While you do not have to adapt to the local style of clothing, please note that sleeveless or low cut shirts, skirts or shorts might be disallowed in places of worship and tombs.

Smart casuals are good for evening attire. You may carry a light cotton or linen jacket for the evening. Some restaurants and lounge bars insist on covered shoes and smart casuals. A shawl or a wraparound will always be handy in an air-conditioned environment. Please consult us for specific clothing recommendations depending on the season in which you are travelling.

For those requiring special assistance, we can arrange for pick up at the aircraft gate assisting with the immigration and baggage claims.

While most monuments and sights may not be wheelchair friendly, we have partners who will assist is setting up temporary ramps to facilitate unhindered movement, wherever possible.

We will secure adapted hotel rooms as well as custom made wheelchair accessible transfer vehicles that come with wheelchair stow area to ensure a hassle free holiday.

Carers or qualified medical assistants can be organised on request at an extra cost. They would be English speaking and we will clue them in on your personal preferences.