General Info - Visa & Customs
Indian visas are available from Indian Consular Offices around the world, on payment of visa fee.

Applications for multiple and single entry visas are accepted.

Indian visas are necessary for all foreigners visiting India.

There are several kinds of visas including Entry Visa, Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Long Terms Visa(upto 5 years with multiple entry facilities) etc. are available.

Also Collective Landing Permits are available for foreign tourists in groups.


Visa Extensions:

Tourists visas are available for a maximum period of 180 days. No charge are levied for visa extension within the maximum period of 180 days.

Identical passport photographs are required. However, in case of an extension beyond 180 days, which is allowed only in exceptional cases, an extension fee is charged.

Tourists from other countries are advised to check current applicable visa fee/visa extension fees with government of India Tourist Offices or Indian Consular Offices located in their respective countries.

Click Here to download Visa application form.


CUSTOMS FORMALITIES AND REGULATIONS :

The usual duty free regulations of one bottle of whisky, i.e. 950 ml or less and 200 cigarettes apply for India.

If the tourist brings in more than $ 1000 in cash or in traveler's cheques, it must be declared by completion of currency declaration form.

While small items like perfumes, cosmetics etc., are allowed into the country, larger items like video cameras are likely to be entered on a "Tourist Baggage Re-export' form to ensure that the article is taken away on departure.

The TBRE form should be re-submitted on departure.

Goods brought in excess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing law.

INCOME TAX CLEARANCE :

If a person not domiciled in India intends to say in the country for more than 120 days, an "Income Tax Clearance" certificate is required in order to leave the country.

This document will prove that the person's stay in India was financed by his own money and not by working or selling his goods.

The foreign section of the Income Tax Department at Delhi, Calcutta, Madras and Bombay issues these certificates on being shown the person's passport, visa extension form and the currency exchange receipts which have been used by the person.

FOREIGN TRAVEL TAX:

For international travel from Indian airports Airport Travel Tax must be paid for travel to all other countries. This tax is also applicable to infants who may not be occupying seats.

General Info - Money
India's currency is the Rupee, abbreviated as Rs. One Rupee is equal to 100 Paise.

Coins are in denominations of 10, 25 & 50 Paise & l, 2 & 5 Rupees. Notes are in denominations of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100,500 and 1000.

Foreign Currency :

It is advisable to carry a mix of cash and travellers cheques to guard against any situation. US Dollars are the easiest currency to change with pounds sterling coming a close second. Other hard currencies such as Yen, French Francs, Deutsche Mark can also be changed in tourist areas and big cities.

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travellers’ cheques a tourist may import, provided a Declaration Form is completed on arrival by the tourists if they enter the country with US$10,000 or its equivalent in any other currency.

This will facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as the export of unspent currency on departure or for tax clearance certificates. Cash, bank notes and travelers’ cheques up to US$2.500 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry.

Any money in the form of travellers’ cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc. which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorised money changers.

Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorised persons is not only illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To exchange foreign money other than through banks or authorised money changers is an offence.

Please note that no Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported, except for Rupee travellers’ cheques. Banks abroad do keep Rupee balances with their agents in India and are able to draw upon these balances to issue Rupee traveller's cheques to intending tourists.

There are 24 hour exchange facilities available at all big cites and international airports. Banking hours in India are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) and from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays. One can also wire money into India.

These services are offered by foreign banks with branches in India and also with Indian banks with branches abroad such as the State Bank of India, Bank of India and Bank of Baroda

Most branches of State Bank of India and all major nationalized banks have special foreign exchange counters.

All Credit cards (like Master, VISA, Diners, American Express & others ) are widely accepted in India.

General Info - Food & Drinks
Food

India offers you a wide range of Food Choices. India offers you a large number of vegetarian & non-vegetarian meals. Larger & Medium cities offer a wide range of eatables, whereas in smaller cities you are left with a very few choices.

In Large & Medium Cities, you can find all kind of Indian as well as Western choices. In smaller cities, the western food may not be very good & upto your expectations & is always advisable to stick to the basic Indian Food in such cases.

Vegetarian Food is quite common in India & usually comprises Rice, Bread, Dhal (Pulses), Vegetables, Curd, Pickle & other add ons. So many times it also include some sweets.

Non- vegetarian Indian Food is also very much popular & is easy to get even in smaller cities. However, it is advisable to ckeck the cleanliness of preparation.


Drinks:

Non- Alcoholic Drinks:

Tea & Coffee: It is one of the favourites of Indians across the country. Be it Railway Station, Airports, Small Restaurants, you will always find people having Tea & Coffee. Tea is relatively more popular in North whereas Coffee is more popular in South.

Water: Water is safe & clorinated in large cities but it is always suggest to carry one bottle of mineral water with yourself. Mineral Water is normally safe to drink & is easily available throughout India.

Soft Drinks: There are also good number of options for Soft Drinks in India. Majors like Coke & Pepsi offer various brands & tastes.

Juices & Other Drinks: Popular juices like Apple & Orange juices are easily availble & a safe alternate to normal water. Coconut Milk is also a popular drink in India.

Alcoholic Drinks :

Alcohol is normally expensive in India. Indian Beers are also very popular as alcoholic drinks and normally being sold for Rs. 25 to 160 depending upon the Restaurant & its facilities.

Indian imitation of popular brands are also available but it is advisable to stick to your brand.

General Info - Post & Communications
Fax / Telex / Telegram: International 24-hours service from large hotels and telegraph offices in major cities.


Telephone: Telephone calls to most countries are now direct. There are telephone facilities between most of the cities and towns. The international direct dialing code for India is +91

General Info - Things to Buy
The Indian craftsman has been perfecting his art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from generation to generation.

Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular skills. The results is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern aesthetics.

Silks, spices, jewellery and many other Indian products have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would travel thousands of miles, willingly enduring the hardships and privations of the long journey in other to make their purchases.

Nowadays, the marketplaces of the subcontinent are only 9 hours away, and for fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, antiques the list is endless India is a shopping paradise. Goods are exotic, attractive, beautiful hand-crafted and excellent value for money. Half the fun when buying goods in the bazaars is the bargaining, and you can always check for reasonable prices at state-run emporiums. Below are some of the best buys, either for the souvenir hunter or the connoisseur.

FABRICS:
One of India’s main industries, silks, cottons, and wools rank amongst the best in the world. Of the silks the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous variety; other major centres include Patna, Murshidabad,Surat and Kanchipuram. Rajasthan cotton with its famous "tie and die" design is usually brillantly colourful, while Madras cotton is known for its attractive "bleeding" effect after a few washes. Throughout the country may be found the "himroo" cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens particularly shawls.

CARPETS:
India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries, and many examples of her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout the world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced by the Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely made, and can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one would pay in the west. Each region will have its own specialty; such as the distinctive, bright coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.

CLOTHES:
Clothes are very cheap to buy, and can be tailor made in some shops, usually very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons, himroos, brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks of silver and gold thread, set with sequins or semi-precious gems .

JEWELLERY:
Particularly of Rajasthan (Kundan), is traditionally heavy and stunningly elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems can be bought and mounted. Beautiful gems such as diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarine can be bought from reputed jewlers. As a matter of interest, Hyderabad is one of the world’s leading centres for pearls.

HANDICRAFTS AND LEATHERWORK:
Once again, each area will have its own specialty; the vast range includes fine bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Papier Mache is a characteristic Kashmir product, some decorated with gold leaf. Marble and alabaster inlay work, such as chess sets and ornamental plates, are a specialty of Agra. Good leatherwork buys include open Indian sandals and slippers.

WOODWORK:
Sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Madras, Indian walnut from Kashmir. These are often exquisite and make excellent presents

OTHER BUYS:
Foods such as pickles, spices and Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards, musical instruments- anything that takes your fancy.

NOTE: It is forbidden to export antiques and art objects over 100 years old, animal skins or objects made from skins.

General Info - Women Traveler
Women travelers are requested to take reasonable precautions & care if traveling alone. Women Travelers have certain advantages as well as certain disadvantages & discomfort also.

Women are regarded & occupy a distinct position in Indian Society. This is reflected while traveling in India. Women are given privileges & advantages. These include special coaches/ berths in Rail/ Bus Travel & additional queue for tickets/ banks etc.

At the same time, there are certain anti-social elements also. They intend to take advantage of lonely foreign women travelers. They assume the foreigners to be more free & easy. There are certain instances where single woman has been treated in a bad manner by these kind of people.

We request proper dressing when at a public place. Women Travelers are requested to maintain proper dressing & adopt a decent dress. This not only minimizes the risk of getting involved into dangers but also is healthy for a Country like India.

Getting involved with men is also not suggested. Try to shorten the conversation. Also don't respond to any kind of staring or undue attention to men.



When traveling alone, take help of families, elder people or Police as per the situation. Families & Elderly people are very cooperative & helpful in any kind of situations.

General Info - Senior Traveler
India has always witness very good number of Senior Travelers across the globe. This is mainly because of the available infrastructure & facilities.

Senior Travellers enjoy the cultural heritage of India. Senior Travelers normally prefer destinations like Rajasthan, Delhi, Mumbai, Kranataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. They also prefer Ayurveda, Yoga & Meditation Tours in Kerala.

Senior Travellers can always take help of families & elder people whenever & wherever required.

Senior Travelers are also requested to take certain precautions like traveling with too much of cash or goods as these may land them to certain problems. They should also avoid wearing expensive jewellery & other expensive ornaments. They are also supposed to take care of their travel documents & passport.

Senior Travellers should also discourage undue attention or advances towards them by certain anti-social elements. They should take help of people or inform the nearest Police Station/ Booth in case of any requirements


However, traveling in india is considered as safe as being at home.

General Info - Disabled Traveler
India as a Tourist Destination has always been favourite to Disabled & Senior Travelers. This is because of the fact that India is itself a poor country with a large number of disabled locals because of poverty & lack of cheap health facility for the locals.

Disabled Travelers are suggested to hire a private vehicle with a driver in order to avoid any transport related problems. This also helps when mobility is a problem for these people.

Hiring a full- time Help in India is extremely cheap because of the huge population & high exchange rate of Dollar versus Rupee. If you hire a local help for your travel, it reduces the problems which you could face because of your restricted mobility. It also helps in smooth movement in heavily crowded places.

We suggest Disabled Travelers to carefully recruit any Personal Help/ Driver. Also they should be careful enough not to carry too much of cash/ jewellery with themselves. These kinds of object draw the attention of certain anti- social elements who may create some probles

We also suggest Disabled Travelers to carry their travel documents/ passports in order to avoid any mis-happenings.

With some care & attentions, India is a Destination where you can enjoy it to the fullest without spending good amount of money.

General Info - Fairs & Festivals
India is a rich land which has attracted invaders from Central Europe and Asia who left their imprint on this land, its religions and its lifestyles over 40 centuries. The Greeks , under Al-exander the great, travelled as far down as the lower Indus River which they mis pronounced as the "Hindu River" Consequently, all the various in vaders, with their conflicting faiths, who inhabited the land of the Indus River were called Hindus and their land, Hindustan. It was shortened to "HIND", then "IND" and finally INDIA.


Festivals in India are determined by the Solar & Lunar positions & they may fall in a different month as specified here.


January
Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal, Thai Pusam, Float Festival, National Kite Festival, Kerela Village Fair, Bikaner Festival, Pattadakal Dance Festival, Id-ul-Fittr, Vasant Panchami

February
Mahashivratri, Goa Carnival, Desert Festival, Nagaur Fair, International Yoga Week, Elephant Festival, Deccan Festival, Taj Mahotsav, Surajkund Crafts Mela, Chapchar Kut, Islands Tourism Festival

March
Holi, Gangaur, Jamshed-e-Navroz, Ramnavami, id-ul-Zuha, Mahavir Jayanti, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Elephant Festival, Hoysala Mahotsava, Ellora Festival,

April
Good Friday, Easter, Baisakhi, Gudi Padva or Ugadi, Pooram, Maharram, Buddha Purnima, Mewar

May
Urs

June
Ganga Dussehra, Hemis Festival,

July
Rathyatra, Guru Purnima

August
Janmashtami, Onam, Nag Panchami, Rakshabandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi

September
Tarnetar Mela

October
Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Marwar Festival

November
Sharad Purnima, Diwali, Guu Purab, Ka Pomblang Nongrem, Sonepur Fair, Pushkar Fair, Hampi Festival

December
Christmas, Konark Dance Festival
General Info - Restricted Areas
Assam
Restricted Areas:
Kaziranga National Park,Manas Bird Sanctuary,Guwahati City and Kamakhya Temple, Sibsagar, Jatinga Bird Sanctuary.
Individual tourists not permitted, 10 days allowed.

For Permission:
Ministry of Home Affairs and all FRROs, all Indian missions, AssamGovt, New Delhi and Trade Advisor Govt of Assam a Assam,Calcutta.


Arunachal Pradesh
Restricted Areas:
Itanagar, Ziro, Along, Pasighat, Miao, and Namdapha.
Individual tourists not permitted, 10 days allowed.

For Permissions:
HomeCommissionor, (Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar), all FRROs (at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta), Chief Immigration Officer Chennai; all Indian Missions abroad.


Andaman and Nicobar
Restricted Areas:
Municipal Area, Port Blair, Havelock Island, Long, NeilIsland, Mayabunder, Diglipur and Rangat, Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Mount Harriet and Madhuban.
Individual tourist not permitted, 30 days allowed.
For Permissions:
Ministry of Home Affairs and All FRROs,all Indian Missions abroad, Immigration Officer, Port Blair.


Himachal Pradesh
Restricted Areas:
Poo-Khab-Sumdho-Dhankar-Tabo, Gompa-Kaza, orang-Dabling.
Individual tourists not permitted.
For Permissions:
Ministry of Home Affairs /Govt of Himachal Pradesh/ District Magistrate/ Sub- Divisional Magistrate -Concerned/ ITBP. Spl.Commissioner Resident Commissioner, Govt of Himachal Pradesh, New Delhi, DG of Police, H.P.Shimla.


Lakshadweep
Restricted Areas:
Bangaram.
Individual tourists not permitted, 7 days allowed.
For Permissions:
Administrator, Lakshadweep; Ministry of Home Affairs, Cochin Office.


Meghalaya
Restricted Areas:
Shillong, Barapani, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Jakern, Ranikor, Thadlaskein, Nartiang, Tura, Siju.
Individual tourist not permitted, 10 days allowed.
For Permissions:
Ministry of Home Affairs and All FRROs, All Indian Missions abroad, Home Commissionor, Meghalaya.


Mizoram
Restricted Areas:
Vairangte, Thingdawl and Aizwal. Individual tourists not permitted,10 days allowed.HomeCommr. For Permissions:
Govt of Mizoram, Aizwal, all FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta, Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai and all Indian Missions abroad.


Sikkim
Restricted Areas:
i) Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang, Pemayangtse.
For Permissions:
MHA, all FRROs, All Indian Missions abroad and Immigration Officers at airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi.Chief Secretary/ Home Secretary/ Secretary(Tourism) Govt of Sikkim, Gangtok, I.G. Govt of Sikkim, Siliguri, Dy. Directors(Tourism), Sikkim Govt, New Delhi, Asst. Resident Commissionor, Govt of Sikkim, Calcutta, Tourism Officer, Rangpo, Dy. Commissionor, Darjeeling, Dy.Secy/ Under Secy., Home Deptt., Govt of West Bengal,
Calcutta.
Individual tourists not permitted,15 days allowed.

Restricted Areas:
ii)Zongri in West Sikkim.
For Permissions:
Ministry of Home Affairs, and all issuing authorities of Govt of Sikkim and its representatives at Calcutta,Siliguri and Rangpo.
Individual tourists not permitted, 15 days allowed.

Restricted Areas:
iii)Tsangu (Chhngu) lake in East Sikkim.
For Permissions:
Home Secy.,Govt of Sikkim Gangtok,Secretary(Tourism)Govt of Sikkim.
Individual not permitted,Day visit only.

Restricted Areas:
iv)Mangan, Tong, Singhik,Chungthang,Lachung and Yumthang.
For Permissions:
Home Secy., Govt of Sikkim Secretary (Tourism) Govt of Sikkim.
Individual tourists not permitted, 5 days allowed.

Restricted Areas:
v) Gangtok, Rumtek, Rhongdong.
For Permissions:
Home Secy., Govt of Sikkim Secretary(Tourism) Govt of Sikkim.
Individual tourists not permitted, 15 days allowed.


Uttar Pradesh
Restricted Areas:
Nanda Devi Sanctuary,Niti Ghati and Kalindi Khal in Chamoli, Uttar Kashi districts. Adjoining areas of Milam Glacier.
For Permissions:
MHA/ Govt of U.P./DM/SDM concerned/ITBP.Individual tourists not permitted.

General Info - Export of Antiques
Antiquities include sculpture, painting or other works of art and craftsmanship, illustrative of science, art, crafts, religion of bygone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years.

Also manuscripts, or other documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy five years- art-treasures-not necessarily antiquities but having regard to the artistic and aesthetic value cannot be exported out of India.

For Further clarification on the antiquity of an artefact, the tourists can contact the following authorities and get information on the Acts & Rules governing Antiquities & Art Treasures Act, 1972.

New Delhi
Director General, Archaeological Survey of India,
Janpath, New Delhi 110 011
Tel: 301 9451, 301 8848
Telex: 031- 66242 ASI- IN


Mumbai (Bombay)
Superitending Archaeologist, Antiquities,
Archaeological Survey of India
Sion Fort, Sion
Mumbai- 400 022
Tel: 407 1102

Chennai (Madas)
Superitending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Madras Circle,
Fort St. George,
Madras 600 009


Calcutta (Kolkatta)
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Calcutta Circle,
27, Biplabi Trailokya Maharaj Sarani,
Narayani Building,
Calcutta - 700 001
Tel: 261 933 ,
Telex : 021-5340 ASCC IN


Bangalore
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle,
No. 364, 16th Main, 4th T. Block,
Jayanagar,
Bangalore - 560 041.
Tel: 645901,
Telex : 0845-8845 ARCH IN


Bhubaneswar
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India. Bhubaneswar Circle,
Old Town,
Bhubaneswar - 751 002
Tel: 56575 ,
Telex : 0675-393 ODRA IN


Srinagar
Superintending Archaeologist,
Archaeological Survey of India,
Srinagar Circle,
Mintoo Building,
Raj Bagh,
Srinagar
Tel : 32758,
Telex : 0375-349 ASOI IN

General Info - Export of Articles Made from Animal etc.
Restrictions Pertaining to Export of Articles Made from Animals etc.

Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered and rare fauna. With this view, export of all wild animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed animals like skin, pelts, furs, ivory, fhino horns, trophies etc., have been totally banned.

Tourists are also advised to acquaints themselves with the provisions of Convention on International 'Trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora.

All the member countries of the convention allow import of the articles covered by convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the country of origin.

For further information, the tourists can contact the following authorities.

General Info - Climate
Hot tropical weather with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from November to mid-March, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between April and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Western Himalayas:
Srinagar best from March to October. July to August can be unpleasant; cold and damp in winter. Shimla is higher and therefore colder in v inter and places like Pahalgam. Gulmarg and Manali under several feet of snow (December to March) and temperatures in Ladakh can be extremly cold. The road to Leh is open from June to October.

Required clothing:
Lightweight to medium weights from March to October. Warmer wear for winter. Weather can change rapidly in mountains and it is therefore important to be suitably equipped.


Northern Plains:
Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers hot with monsoons between June and September.

Required clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing essential during monsoons.


Central India:
Madhya Pradesh State escapes very worst of hot season but monsoons are heavy between July and September. Temperatures fall at night during winter.

Required clothing:
Lightweights most of the year with warmer clothes during evenings particularly in winter. Waterproofing during monsoon rains.


Western India:
November to February is most comfortable, although evenings can be cold. Summers can be extremely hot with monsoon rainfall between mid-June and mid-September.

Required clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linen most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler winter and waterproofing essential in monsoon.


Southwest India:
The most pleasant weather is from November to March. Monsoon rains between late April and July. Summer temperatures hot as high as Northern India although humidity is extreme. Cooling breezes on coast . Inland, Mysore and Bijapur have pleasant climates with relatively low rainfall.

General Info - Transport
In India, All Modes of Transport Facilities are there : 


Air Travel Facilities

Rail Travel Facilities

Roads Travel Facilities

Sea Travel Facilities


JOURNEY TIMES:

Approximate Journey Times between two Major Cities in India is as follows depending upon the mode of Transport