India Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of India

Former Name

Capital City

New Delhi

Government Type

Federal Republic

Area Size

3,287,590 sq km 1,269,338 sq miles

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +5:30 hours

Climate

The climate of India varies from tropical in the south to more temperate in the Himalayan north, where elevated regions receive sustained winter snowfall. India's climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The Himalayas, along with the Hindu Kush mountains, prevent cold Central Asian katabatic winds from blowing in. This keeps the bulk of the Indian subcontinent warmer than most locations at similar latitudes. The Thar Desert is responsible for attracting the moisture-laden summer monsoon winds that, between June and September, provide most of India's rainfall.

Geography

Being the seventh largest country in the world, India constitutes the major portion of the Indian subcontinent, which sits atop the Indian Plate and the north-westerly portion of the Indo-Australian Plate. India's northern and north-eastern states are partially situated in the Himalayan Range. The rest of northern, central, and eastern India consists of the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain. In the west, bordering south-eastern Pakistan, lies the Thar Desert. Southern India is almost entirely composed of the peninsular Deccan plateau, which is flanked by two hilly coastal ranges, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. I

Languages

English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marat

Culture

India's culture is marked by a high degree of syncretism and cultural pluralism. It has managed to preserve established traditions while absorbing new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders and immigrants; multicultural concerns have long informed India’s history and traditions, constitution and political arrangements. Many Indian cultural practices, languages, customs, and monuments are examples of this co-mingling over centuries. Notable architectural creations, such as the Taj Mahal and other examples of Mughal architecture, examples of Dravidian architecture are the result of traditions that combined elements from several parts of the country and abroad. The vernacular architecture displays notable regional variation. Indian music is highly diversified. Classical music is mainly split between the North Indian Hindustani and South Indian Carnatic traditions. Highly regionalised forms of popular music include filmi and folk music like bhangra. Many classical dance forms exist, including bharatanatyam, kathakali, kathak, kuchipudi, manipuri, odissi and yakshagana. They often have a narrative form and are usually infused with devotional and spiritual elements.

History

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.

Travel Information

The national airline is Air India (AI). The other national airline is Indian Airlines . There are also new commercial airlines adding international destinations to their schedules including Jet Airways and Air Sahara. New Delhi (DEL) (Indira Gandhi International)Airport is 23km south of the city (journey time - 45 minutes). There are coach, bus and taxi services to the city. Airport facilities are Duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, post office, restaurants and car hire. Mumbai (BOM) (Chhatrapati Shivaji International)Airport is 35km north of the city (journey time - 50 to 75 minutes). Taxi and bus services go to the city. There is also a railway system connecting with the Metro rail system. Airport facilities are Bank/bureau de change, post office, restaurant and shops. Kolkata (Calcutta) (CCU) (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International)Airport is 20km northeast of the city (journey time - 40 to 70 minutes).There is a 24-hour coach service to Indian Airlines' city office and major hotels. Taxi services go to the city. Airport facilities are Post office, bank, bars, duty-free shops and restaurants. Chennai (MAA) (Madras International) Airport is 14km southwest of the city (travel time - 20 minutes). Buses and taxis are available. There is a train regularly throughout the day. Airport facilities are money exchange facilities, tourist information offices and hotel reservation services. Main ports: Calicut, Kochi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Panaji (Goa) and Rameswaram. Indian ports are also served by several international shipping companies and several cruise lines. Departure tax: Seaports levy the following departure tax: Rp500 (for journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka); Rp750 (all other destinations). There are major overland routes to neighbouring countries (where frontiers are open); in most cases these will involve road as well as rail travel. Details should be checked with Indiatourism as they may be subject to change. The overland route from Europe to India has become very popular, but travellers should have accurate information about border crossings, visa requirements and political situations en route. The most popular border crossings into India are Sunauli (for Delhi and northwest India), Birganj (for Kolkata (Calcutta) and east India) and Kakarbhitta (for Darjeeling). Several adventure holiday companies arrange overland tours and buses to India. A bus service operates between Lahore (Pakistan) and New Delhi. The journey takes roughly 10 hours. For information on this and other overland routes to neighbouring countries, contact the India tourism office (see Contact Addresses).

Accommodation

Modern Western-style hotels are available in all large cities and at popular tourist centres. Usually they offer a choice of first-class Western and Indian cuisine. The well-known Taj Group offers accommodation in its grand luxe hotels and business hotels as well as in several beach resorts, palace hotels, garden retreats and hotels in areas of cultural significance. Hotel bills may be subject to a 10 % expenditure tax, 7 to 15% luxury tax and a variable service charge.

Visa Requirements

Visas required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA. Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to above. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. Passengers are advised to check with Indiatourism for up-to-date information before departure. The following states are subject to some restrictions: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Port Blair, Mizoram, Nagaland and Mundgod. The following prices are for UK nationals only; prices for other nationals vary. Tourist: £30 (six months). Business: £30 (six months); £50 (one year); £90 (two years). Transit: £8 (single/double-entry). Student: £55 (irrespective of duration). Non-UK nationals applying in the UK need to pay an additional £10 unless holding proof of at least one-year residence in the UK. A £1 fee may be required for postal applications, depending on consulate. Apply to Embassy or high commission or consular section at embassy or high commission.

Getting Around

The state domestic airline is Indian Airlines. The network connects over 70 cities. Other domestic airlines include Alliance Air, Jet Airways and Air Sahara. Departure Tax £8. There are ships from Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras) to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. There are also services from Kochi and Calicut to the Lakshadweep Islands. Services are often seasonal, and are generally suspended during the monsoon. There is a catamaran service from Mumbai (Bombay) to Goa. One particularly attractive boat journey is the ‘backwaters' excursion in the vicinity of Kochi in Kerala. Several local tours are available. The Indian internal railway system is state-run by Indian Railways. The Palace on Wheels is an Edwardian-style luxury steam train with 14 coaches. Modern amenities include air conditioning. Tariff includes cost of travel, full catering and conducted sightseeing tours. Royal Orient Express: This luxury train journeys through Gujarat and Rajasthan taking in the sights of Chittargarh, Udaipur, Palitana, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The trip takes eight days and accommodation is in furnished carriages with lounge, minibar and kitchenette. Multi-cuisine restaurants are also available. The Fairy Queen is the oldest steam engine in the world. The journey is a two-day round trip from Delhi to Alwar. Guests are taken to Sariska Tiger Reserve for a jeep safari and stay overnight in a hotel. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway operates from Newjalpaiguri to Darjeeling. It climbs 5,000ft (1,525m). Hill Trains: Narrow-gauge rail lines completed in the 19th century link numerous hill stations. For example, the Kolkata (Calcutta)-Darjeeling route takes eight hours. The Rajdhani Express trains are deluxe super-fast trains connecting Delhi with Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubhaneswar, Guwahati, Jammu Tawi, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Ajmer and many others. Shatabdi Express: Super-fast trains connecting major and secondary city centres. Snacks and meals are provided. Konkan Express: This route is Mumbai-Goa-Mangalore. Traffic drives on the left. Outside the major cities main roads and other routes are poorly maintained and congested with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. An extensive network of bus services connects all parts of the country, and is particularly useful for the mountainous regions where there are no rail services. However, public transport is often crowded and can be uncomfortable. There are a large number of chauffeur-driven tourist cars available in the main tourist centres. These unmetered tourist cars run at a slightly higher rate than the ordinary taxis, and are approved by Indiatourism. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in large cities and fares should be charged by the kilometre. They do not always have meters but, where they do, visitors should insist on the meter being flagged in their presence. Fares change from time to time and therefore do not always conform to the reading on the meter, but drivers should always have a copy of the latest fare chart available for inspection. Kolkata (Calcutta) has a 16.5km (10-mile) underground railway.

Health & Safety

There are a number of health risks associated with travel to India, including malaria and dengue fever, and travellers should take medical advice on vaccinations at least three weeks before departure. Outbreaks of dengue fever and Chikungunya virus occur, both transmitted by mosquitoes. Those travelling from an infected area should hold a yellow fever certificate. Food poisoning is a major risk in India; all water and ice should be regarded as contaminated and visitors should drink only bottled water. Meat and fish should be regarded as suspect in all but the best restaurants and should always be well cooked and served hot. Salads and unpeeled fruit should be avoided. Health facilities are adequate in the larger cities but limited in rural areas. Travellers are advised to take out medical insurance. The vast majority of visits to India are trouble-free, however in light of the dispute with Pakistan most governments advise against all travel to the Jammu (except Jammu City) and Kashmir regions, all but essential travel to Srinagar (fatal attacks continue), and anywhere near the border with Pakistan, with the exception of Ladakh via Manali or by air to Leh, as well as to Jaisalmer and Amritsar. Crime is an issue at major tourist spots and visitors are advised to keep an eye of their valuables and, in particular, passports.

National Holidays

1 Jan - Idu'l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice). 20 Jan - Muharram (Islamic New Year). 26 Jan - Republic Day. 16 Feb - Mahashivratri. 31 Mar - Mahavir Jayanthi. 1 Apr - Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 6 Apr - Good Friday. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 2 May - Buddha Purnima. 15 Aug - Independence Day. 4 Sep - Janmashtami. 2 Oct - Mahatma Ghandi's Birthday. 13 Oct - Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan). 21 Oct - Dussehra (Vijaya Fashami). 9 Nov - Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights). 24 Nov - Guru Nanak's Birthday. 25 Dec - Christmas Day. 26 Dec - Boxing Day.

Currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700, Sat 0930-1300.

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance: 102, Fire: 101, Police: 100