What is the normal voltage and type of Adaptors used in India?
220 volts as compared to 110 in the USA. We use 2 pin and 3 pin “D" type (round pin) plugs. If you are bringing flat pin appliances please bring an adapter along.
Is Air-Conditioning available at all places visited?
All the hotels we use are air-conditioned but not the camp, buses don't have heating, only cooling.
What about the availability of ATMs?Are credit cards easily acceptable at all places?
They are available all over except at the tiger reserve and the camp. You can only get Rupees from ATMs. Checking account is called current account here. No ATMs inside the hotels. All major credit cards are accepted through the country. Please inform your bank before departure that you will be in India and will be using your card. Currently(August 2013), the exchange rate is around Rs.62 to $1. Hotels offer reasonably good exchange rates.
Is bug spray required?
You will need a good bug spray, at least 30% Deet (Not available in India). Please remember to pack it in your checked bag lest airlines remove it from your carry on / hand baggage.
How is the Cell phone connectivity in India?
Depending on the cell phone company you use, you may get coverage almost everywhere in India. Please inform your cell phone company before leaving the USA. It may be very expensive though.
What kind of Buses are used?
We use large (35 seats) air-conditioned buses, with reclining seats, a tough suspension designed for bad roads. No toilets on board and no heating during the winter months. It is absolutely safe to leave your belongings (except cash) on board. Excellent drivers, with an assistant to serve you water, load & unload your luggage, look after your belongings while you are sight seeing and keep the bus clean.
How are the Camps that will be visited on the trip?
Our camp has walk-in tents with an attached bath and toilet, with running hot and cold water during fixed hours. There is no internet, no TV, no mosquito nets, but an electric bug repellent. no telephone, no room service, no doctors for miles, though good food and beverages. Electricity back up is through diesel generator. No problem for people using CPAP machine. During festival departures, there is no electricity back up.
What kind of clothing is acceptable?
Wearing shorts, half sleeves or sleeveless shirts is not a problem. Skirts and leather items are acceptable. There is no dress code for home visits.
How is the internet connectivity?
There are several in big cities and towns. But slow connections, at all hotels for $3 to $5 for 30 minutes except at New Delhi hotels where it is minimum 2 hours for 12$. Free Wi-Fi is available during last 4 days and at the tiger reserve. Its could be slow and choppy.
What system of distance measurement is used in India?
In India we use the Metric system. All distances are mentioned in Kilometres. 8 kilometres make 5 miles. 20 Km=12 Miles, 32 KM= 20Miles, 50 KM= 30Miles.
How readily are doctors available for checkups?
Doctors are available all over except at the camp. Medical facilities at Khajuraho also are for namesake. Delhi and Jaipur offer good medical facilities.
Medicines are inexpensive in India and most prescription medicine can be bought across the counter without any prescription.
Are there any basic etiquette that are to be followed?
When anyone gives you anything, please accept it in your right hand.
Please don't put your feet or shoes on top of a chair or table or bed.
Please don't put books or food on the floor unless it is being discarded.
Please don't put your feet or shoes on top of books or food.
Indians don't like conversations while eating.
Please do not click pictures of funerals, handicapped persons and cremations.
Please don’t ask people what caste they belong to.
Are there any flights during the trip?
We have 3 flights in the base program. Baggage limit is 15 Kilos/33 lbs (internal flights). You may check 2 bags per person as long as the combined weight is less than 15 kilos (33 lbs) and have a carry on( 7 kilos/ 15.4 lbs) too. For baggage over the defined limit, travelers have to pay extra (INR 300 per extra kilo).
What kind of food is served?
As our restaurants don’t serve Beef or Pork, there will be a lot of chicken, goat meat, beans, lentils and seasonal vegetables, mostly flavored with mildly hot curry. If you can't handle curry and the spices, let your trip leader know and mild food will be arranged for you. Its a good idea to bring some snacks with you for long bus rides and because generally we will have late lunches. If you are vegetarian, India is a heaven for you. In India, vegetarians eat dairy products but don’t eat eggs or fish.
Is there a facility of Gymnasium at the hotels?
All our hotels have gyms except at the Tiger reserve and of course the Camp. Some are nice and useful while others are there to be just a part of the inventory.
Do we need to carry hats and walking sticks?
We will be out in the sun a lot. Bring your hats as we spend a lot of time outdoors. Some sites that we visit don't have ramps and steps may be steep (e.g. the Ganges river). You may want to bring one walking stick( only if you really think it helps you). The paths are not uneven.
It is a good idea to bring a small flash light along. Often we have outages and it will be very useful to have one.
What about laundry?
Laundry facilities are available at all hotels but not at the camp.
Do we have lockers available?
All our hotels have lockers except at the Camp. Tents are totally safe to leave your valuables.
Does Indian cuisine use MSG?
Indian cuisine doesn't use MSG, if you are allergic to it please let the trip leader know because we sometimes serve some Chinese dishes which might contain MSG (Ajinomoto)
Is Photography allowed everywhere?
India is a photographer’s paradise.You may photograph everyone and everything except: Temple interiors, Dead persons, Funerals, Burials, cremations, destitute persons,invalids, lepers, beggars, naked sadhus ( wanderers). In some places you have to pay a small fee for using your camera and video camera.
What safety measures do we need to take?
It’s absolutely safe to travel in India. We have very little street crime but pick pocketing is common in some areas. We advise our lady guests to not venture outdoors after dark, un-escorted.
When do we get to go for Shopping?
India is full of handicrafts. Wooden carvings, bronze, Silk and woolen rugs, textiles, silk brocade, marble in-lay work, miniature paintings on silk, paper, wood or marble, hand block printed textiles, shawls, scarves...the list is endless. For your shopping needs, we will visit some shops as an integral part of our sightseeing tours.You will also have free time to roam around in markets/ bazaars.
How do we obtain stamps?
Stamps are available at bell desks in all the hotels. It costs 15 Rs to send a post card to USA. It takes about a week or ten days to reach USA.
What about the transportation? Do we find taxis easily?
Taxis are easy to find and inexpensive. You also have the option of 3 wheelers or auto rickshaws and they are cheaper. They all have taximeters.
Our train is air-conditioned and we have reserved seats. It has western and Indian style toilets . You will be served some cookies, tea, coffee and bottled water.
What are the rates for telephone communications?
Calling from hotels is very expensive. Even collect calls are expensive. The most convenient way to call is to use a STD (Subscriber’s Trunk Dialling) booth. No coins or card is required. The person in-charge of the booth will collect money afterwards.It is approx. Rs 15 a minute for USA.
How is the temperature like? What is the condition of monsoons?
There is a big variation in temperatures from mornings to afternoons. We suggest you wear layers if you are visiting between Dec. and Feb. Some mornings can be really really cold. Monsoons are over by mid September. There are some rains in January and February which cause the temperatures to drop.
What about Tipping?
It is customary but not obligatory. Approximately 5-10% at restaurants. Please refer to the guidelines in your “Green Hand Book” mailed by OAT
Credit : Krish Sharma, Trip Leader, HOI Base
220 volts as compared to 110 in the USA. We use 2 pin and 3 pin “D" type (round pin) plugs. If you are bringing flat pin appliances please bring an adapter along.
Is Air-Conditioning available at all places visited?
All the hotels we use are air-conditioned but not the camp, buses don't have heating, only cooling.
What about the availability of ATMs?Are credit cards easily acceptable at all places?
They are available all over except at the tiger reserve and the camp. You can only get Rupees from ATMs. Checking account is called current account here. No ATMs inside the hotels. All major credit cards are accepted through the country. Please inform your bank before departure that you will be in India and will be using your card. Currently(August 2013), the exchange rate is around Rs.62 to $1. Hotels offer reasonably good exchange rates.
Is bug spray required?
You will need a good bug spray, at least 30% Deet (Not available in India). Please remember to pack it in your checked bag lest airlines remove it from your carry on / hand baggage.
How is the Cell phone connectivity in India?
Depending on the cell phone company you use, you may get coverage almost everywhere in India. Please inform your cell phone company before leaving the USA. It may be very expensive though.
What kind of Buses are used?
We use large (35 seats) air-conditioned buses, with reclining seats, a tough suspension designed for bad roads. No toilets on board and no heating during the winter months. It is absolutely safe to leave your belongings (except cash) on board. Excellent drivers, with an assistant to serve you water, load & unload your luggage, look after your belongings while you are sight seeing and keep the bus clean.
How are the Camps that will be visited on the trip?
Our camp has walk-in tents with an attached bath and toilet, with running hot and cold water during fixed hours. There is no internet, no TV, no mosquito nets, but an electric bug repellent. no telephone, no room service, no doctors for miles, though good food and beverages. Electricity back up is through diesel generator. No problem for people using CPAP machine. During festival departures, there is no electricity back up.
What kind of clothing is acceptable?
Wearing shorts, half sleeves or sleeveless shirts is not a problem. Skirts and leather items are acceptable. There is no dress code for home visits.
How is the internet connectivity?
There are several in big cities and towns. But slow connections, at all hotels for $3 to $5 for 30 minutes except at New Delhi hotels where it is minimum 2 hours for 12$. Free Wi-Fi is available during last 4 days and at the tiger reserve. Its could be slow and choppy.
What system of distance measurement is used in India?
In India we use the Metric system. All distances are mentioned in Kilometres. 8 kilometres make 5 miles. 20 Km=12 Miles, 32 KM= 20Miles, 50 KM= 30Miles.
How readily are doctors available for checkups?
Doctors are available all over except at the camp. Medical facilities at Khajuraho also are for namesake. Delhi and Jaipur offer good medical facilities.
Medicines are inexpensive in India and most prescription medicine can be bought across the counter without any prescription.
Are there any basic etiquette that are to be followed?
When anyone gives you anything, please accept it in your right hand.
Please don't put your feet or shoes on top of a chair or table or bed.
Please don't put books or food on the floor unless it is being discarded.
Please don't put your feet or shoes on top of books or food.
Indians don't like conversations while eating.
Please do not click pictures of funerals, handicapped persons and cremations.
Please don’t ask people what caste they belong to.
Are there any flights during the trip?
We have 3 flights in the base program. Baggage limit is 15 Kilos/33 lbs (internal flights). You may check 2 bags per person as long as the combined weight is less than 15 kilos (33 lbs) and have a carry on( 7 kilos/ 15.4 lbs) too. For baggage over the defined limit, travelers have to pay extra (INR 300 per extra kilo).
What kind of food is served?
As our restaurants don’t serve Beef or Pork, there will be a lot of chicken, goat meat, beans, lentils and seasonal vegetables, mostly flavored with mildly hot curry. If you can't handle curry and the spices, let your trip leader know and mild food will be arranged for you. Its a good idea to bring some snacks with you for long bus rides and because generally we will have late lunches. If you are vegetarian, India is a heaven for you. In India, vegetarians eat dairy products but don’t eat eggs or fish.
Is there a facility of Gymnasium at the hotels?
All our hotels have gyms except at the Tiger reserve and of course the Camp. Some are nice and useful while others are there to be just a part of the inventory.
Do we need to carry hats and walking sticks?
We will be out in the sun a lot. Bring your hats as we spend a lot of time outdoors. Some sites that we visit don't have ramps and steps may be steep (e.g. the Ganges river). You may want to bring one walking stick( only if you really think it helps you). The paths are not uneven.
It is a good idea to bring a small flash light along. Often we have outages and it will be very useful to have one.
What about laundry?
Laundry facilities are available at all hotels but not at the camp.
Do we have lockers available?
All our hotels have lockers except at the Camp. Tents are totally safe to leave your valuables.
Does Indian cuisine use MSG?
Indian cuisine doesn't use MSG, if you are allergic to it please let the trip leader know because we sometimes serve some Chinese dishes which might contain MSG (Ajinomoto)
Is Photography allowed everywhere?
India is a photographer’s paradise.You may photograph everyone and everything except: Temple interiors, Dead persons, Funerals, Burials, cremations, destitute persons,invalids, lepers, beggars, naked sadhus ( wanderers). In some places you have to pay a small fee for using your camera and video camera.
What safety measures do we need to take?
It’s absolutely safe to travel in India. We have very little street crime but pick pocketing is common in some areas. We advise our lady guests to not venture outdoors after dark, un-escorted.
When do we get to go for Shopping?
India is full of handicrafts. Wooden carvings, bronze, Silk and woolen rugs, textiles, silk brocade, marble in-lay work, miniature paintings on silk, paper, wood or marble, hand block printed textiles, shawls, scarves...the list is endless. For your shopping needs, we will visit some shops as an integral part of our sightseeing tours.You will also have free time to roam around in markets/ bazaars.
How do we obtain stamps?
Stamps are available at bell desks in all the hotels. It costs 15 Rs to send a post card to USA. It takes about a week or ten days to reach USA.
What about the transportation? Do we find taxis easily?
Taxis are easy to find and inexpensive. You also have the option of 3 wheelers or auto rickshaws and they are cheaper. They all have taximeters.
Our train is air-conditioned and we have reserved seats. It has western and Indian style toilets . You will be served some cookies, tea, coffee and bottled water.
What are the rates for telephone communications?
Calling from hotels is very expensive. Even collect calls are expensive. The most convenient way to call is to use a STD (Subscriber’s Trunk Dialling) booth. No coins or card is required. The person in-charge of the booth will collect money afterwards.It is approx. Rs 15 a minute for USA.
How is the temperature like? What is the condition of monsoons?
There is a big variation in temperatures from mornings to afternoons. We suggest you wear layers if you are visiting between Dec. and Feb. Some mornings can be really really cold. Monsoons are over by mid September. There are some rains in January and February which cause the temperatures to drop.
What about Tipping?
It is customary but not obligatory. Approximately 5-10% at restaurants. Please refer to the guidelines in your “Green Hand Book” mailed by OAT
Credit : Krish Sharma, Trip Leader, HOI Base