Frequently Asked Questions about India
What is the best time to travel?
Both the spring (February, March and April) and the autumn (middle of September until December) are the ideal times to travel to northern India. The best time to travel to southern India is from October to March.What are the best festivals and when do they take place?
There are many festivals in India. Here are a few examples of the best festivals:
February: Shivaratri is the festival held in honour of Shivam during full moon in the month of phalgun.
February/March: Holi is a popular festival, especially amongst the lower castes. During Holi, everybody splashes each other with water and colourful powder paint. Holi marks the beginning of the spring.
August: Onam is celebrated with spectacular boat races in Allepey on the second Saturday in August. The long narrow boats carry dragonheads and are manned by hundreds of oarsmen.
End of October/beginning of November: Diwali, the Festival of Light, is celebrated. It is marked by the illumination of thousands of lights, fireworks, baking cakes and making sand patterns outside the front door of each home.When does the tour start?
All of our tours start at 12:00 midday at the hotel where we spend our first night. Your room will be available to check-in from this time. If you arrive later, don't worry, your tour leader will meet up with you at some point to brief you.Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?
We are unable to offer airport transfers but we do have the option to book pre-tour/post-tour nights if you have chosen to arrive earlier/leave later. Prices for these extra nights are available on the tour information page.
What about my passport?
You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.Do I need a visa?
UK citizens need a visa for India, but these things can change. So please click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality. Make sure you find out if you need a visa at least a month before departure so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact unless you use a visa service. Shoestring does not organize your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialized visa agency like www.travcour.com. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it provides much more detail on exceptions etc.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Please
click here for questions regarding vaccinations or malaria tablets for this country and then contact your GP or a specialised health clinic to make an appointment to get your injections and pills. Please make sure that you arrange this at least six weeks before your tour departs. Two weeks should suffice for people who have already had a few injections. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.
What is the recommended currency for India?
The currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at banks and authorised bureaux de change. It is currently impossible to obtain rupees outside India but no matter what time you arrive in India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. Major credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs are not widely available.What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?
In India men should wear long trousers and a shirt and women should wear tops with covered shoulders and a skirt that at the very least covers the knees. A coat and a good pair of shoes and flip flops, good hiking socks, underwear, a pair of long trousers, shirts, a windcheater, a rucksack, a waterproof jacket, a cap as protection from the sun, sunglasses, sun cream, a sleeping bag, toiletries, plasters, a hand towel, soap, toilet paper, a small emergency food supply, a first-aid kit, any prescription medicine, a (video) camera with enough film, spare batteries, a torch, a pen knife, a lighter, an alarm clock, writing equipment, books, your passport and visa, copies of your passport and visa, all necessary travel insurance documents and details, a set of passport photos, a diary with important contact numbers/addresses and the booking papers for this trip, binoculars and maps.
What kind of luggage should I take?
It is best that you carry your luggage in a smallish bag or backpack as opposed to a hard suitcase, as these are difficult to transport. In addition to this, a shoulder bag or another small backpack is useful for daily hand luggage. A thin money belt worn under your clothing is recommended for storage of valuables and important documents. Don’t bring too much luggage. In our experience, any more than 12 kg is an unnecessary hindrance.Electricity
Please
click here to check what voltage and plugs are used in India. You may also consider taking a universal electric plug.
Travel guides and maps
If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on
Lonely Planet.What is the accommodation like?
Accommodation will be provided in mid-range hotels in twin rooms with en-suite facilities .
How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?
If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller unless you have booked a single room. Sometimes this may mean that you have to share your room with someone of the opposite sex.Do I need a sleeping mat or sleeping bag?
No, these will not be necessary on this tour.Do I need to take a mosquito net?
A mosquito net is not really necessary. Good-quality mosquito repellents are available in India.Do they cater for vegetarians in India?
Vegetarians are well catered for in India. Thalis are served in many restaurants and there is always a choice between veg and non-veg dishes. Indians also prepare a good deal of delicious dishes using only vegetables (and sometimes eggs). Traditionally, both Hindus and Buddhists were vegetarian. Even now, a large part of the population is strictly vegetarian. Indeed, even in meat dishes the amount of meat used is minimal compared to what Europeans are used to.
What kind of transportation is used?
We will provide transport in private (mini)buses and there will also be train journeys.Can you travel with children?
Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.
Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.
The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).
Is India dangerous?
In many ways, India is a safe country. Mugging and other forms of physical violence against tourists occur only sporadically. Still, in the eyes of the local population, each ‘white nose’ is a millionaire and those who come into contact with you will make numerous efforts to share in your infinite wealth in some way. In almost all cases this will take the form of begging or ripping you off. This relative security does not mean, however, that you can afford to be careless with money, valuables and luggage. Cash and travel documents are best worn underneath your clothing. Do not leave anything valuable in your hotel room: it is better not to invite theft. In each hotel, you can leave your valuables at reception in exchange for a token.
If you are interested in what the Foreign Office has to say, please
click here.What local customs do I need to keep in mind?
Here you have some points to take into account:
- Yes or No: Maybe the most confusing cultural difference is the use of yes and no in India. No is a word Indians do not like to say too often.
- Courtesy rules: Indians traditionally greet with a namasté: palms pressed together and held upright in front of the face. The higher you hold your hands, the more respect you express.
- Left and right: The right hand is used to eat. Do not eat or touch anyone with your left hand.
- Dress: Adult men wearing shorts are seen as ridiculous by Indians, and women wearing shorts as outrageous. Swimming naked or topless is prohibited.
- Privacy: staring is not perceived as impolite and most Indians do not have a sense of personal space as we know it.
- Men and women: contact between the two sexes is governed by very different rules to what we are used to.
Are there opportunities to swim?
Yes. You can swim in Kovalam, the popular beach resort in India. Goa has many hotels and resorts with swimming pools and beaches. Kerala also has some of India's best coastal resorts.What other activities and sports could I do?
Other activities include hiking, watersports, shopping, listening to the sounds of Indian music, watching the variety of dance forms and golf.Mobile phone, email and snail mail
The international access code for India is +91. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are used for Delhi e.g. (0)11. International calls can be quite expensive and there are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use a calling card. Alternatively, there are telephone agencies in most towns which are identifiable by the letters STD for long distance internal calls and ISD for international communication. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main cities and resorts.
Time difference with the UK
Please check the
world clock in order to find out the exact time difference between India and the UK.
Please note that the time can change depending on whether the UK is on daylight saving time or not.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nepal
What is the best time to travel?
The best time to visit Nepal depends on what you wish to do there. The best months for walking in the mountains are April, May, October and November. The weather is good during the day and the temperatures do not drop as rapidly during the night. After the monsoon, the air is clear, leaving the spectacular snow-covered mountain tops clearly visible. The monsoon season (July and August) is not suitable for hiking in the mountains, as the paths become muddy and slippery and the mountains become almost impossible to see. From October until the middle of March, it is dry and sunny. It can be cold during the night, but as soon as the sun comes up it quickly becomes pleasantly warm again.What is the best time to see wildlife?
Chitwan National Park in the centre of Nepal is the best place to see wildlife (it has rhinos, tigers, crocodiles, parrots, an elephant breeding centre and much more). The best time to visit the park is from October to May.What are the best festivals and when do they take place?
April/May: Bisket is the Nepalese New Year. Statues of Hindu gods are paraded through the cities on trailers, and everyone is given the day off.
September/October: Durga Puja or Dasain is the largest festival in Nepal. It lasts for about 10 days and is celebrated everywhere. It honours the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo-demon Mahisha. Kite-flying competitions are held, as are parades and processions in the valley.
End of October/November: Diwali or Tihar, the Festival of Light, is celebrated. Thousands of lights are lit, fireworks are set off, sweet treats are prepared and sand patterns are made outside the front door. This festival is held to welcome the god Rama back from his long exile in the jungle. The festival in honour of the goddess Lakshmi is held simultaneously.
When does the tour start?
All of our tours start at 12:00 midday at the hotel where we spend our first night. Your room will be available to check-in from this time. If you arrive later, don't worry, your tour leader will meet up with you at a later time to brief you.Can I pre-book transfers and extra nights?
We are unable to offer airport transfers but we do have the option to book pre-tour/post-tour nights if you have chosen to arrive earlier/leave later. Prices for these extra nights are available on the tour information page.
What about my passport?
You need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel.Do I need a visa?
UK citizens need a visa for Nepal, but this can usually be sorted out when you arrive at the border. However, these things can change so please
click here and check out the current situation. You can also check on that website if a visa is required for any other nationality. Make sure you find out whether or not you need a visa at least a month before departure so you do not run out of time.
If you need a visa, please
click here to find details of the embassy you need to contact (unless you use a visa service). Shoestring does not organise your visa. You are responsible for having a valid passport and visa when you travel. You can also obtain the visa through a specialised visa agency like
http://www.travcour.com/. It is a good idea to visit this website in any case, as it provides much more detail on exceptions etc.
Do I need vaccinations or malaria tablets?
Please
click here for questions regarding vaccinations and malaria tablets for this country and then contact your GP or a specialised health centre to make an appointment to get your injections and pills. Please make sure that you arrange this at least six weeks beofre your departure to allow time for a full program of injections. Two weeks should suffice for people who have already had a few vaccinations. You are responsible for having the right protection when going on tour.
What is the recommended currency for Nepal?
The Nepalese Rupee is the local currency in Nepal. At the time of writing, there are approximately 130 Rupees to the pound. It is best to take US dollars or Pounds Sterling travellers cheques and exchange locally in hotels, banks or at the airport.What kind of clothing and other stuff is practical to take?
For your trip to Nepal, we advise that you bring a pair of good, worn in walking shoes/hiking boots and a pair of sandals. Summer clothes plus a warm jumper for the cool evenings should be sufficient for the months of November, December, March, April and May. The winter months can bring cold evenings, nights and mornings. If it is misty, it can be very cold for the whole day, and most of the accommodation has no heating. A warm coat is certainly advisable, as is a thick jumper, thick socks and thermal underwear. Warm clothing is available cheaply in Nepal, and many items such as rainwear can be rented. Other important items include sunglasses, sun cream, toiletries, a first-aid kit, an umbrella, a camera and sufficient film, spare batteries, a torch (power cuts are frequent), a pen/pocket knife (make sure you do not carry this in your hand luggage during the flight), a lighter, a small supply of snacks, an alarm clock, writing equipment, books, your (valid) passport and visa, copies of your passport and visa, sufficient money and/or travellers cheques, a list of numbers of your travellers’ cheques and their receipts (store these separately), your flight tickets, all relevant travel insurance details and documents, a diary with important addresses/phone numbers and your booking papers for this trip. You may also wish to bring binoculars, maps or travel games.What kind of luggage should I take?
Pack everything into a weekend bag or backpack, but do not use a hard suitcase, as this will prove difficult to transport. In addition, you should also bring a small backpack or shoulder bag for daily hand luggage. For storing valuables and important documents, we advise that you buy a thin money belt to be worn under your clothing. Do not bring too much baggage with you. Clothing in particular can be bought for next to nothing, so it is much better to bring too little than too much. More than 12 kg of luggage is rarely necessary and only hinders travel in Nepal.Electricity
Please
click here to check what voltage and plugs are in use in Nepal. You could also consider taking a universal electric plug adaptor.
Travel guides and maps
If you want to take a travel guide or map, we suggest you click on
Lonely Planet.
What is the accommodation like?
We stay in hotels with en-suite facilities except during the trek when there will not be ensuite facilities.How is accommodation arranged if I book alone?
If you book alone you will share your room with a fellow traveller unless you have booked a single room. Sometimes this means sharing your room with someone of the opposite sex. If there is camping involved in your tour and you would prefer not to share a tent you can bring your own one-man tent. There may be (very small) extra charge for this at campsites.Do I need to take a mosquito net?
You may consider bringing a mosquito net but insect repellent is usually sufficient.Do they cater for vegetarians in Nepal?
Vegetarians will find that they are catered for adequately as the local cuisine is mainly made up of rice, porridge and a wide range of vegetable dishes. Much of the Nepalese population is Hindu and does not eat meat anyway.What kind of transportation is used?
Transportation is in minibuses or on public transport.Can you travel with children?
Yes, children can travel with their families on a Shoestring tour. We recommend the easiest tours which are listed as ‘Category A’ where the distances covered are short and there is a slow traveling speed. But please check with our friendly sales team if you are unsure.
We would define a child as being under the age of 18. They would only be allowed to travel provided they do so with an adult family member or close relative.
Children under the age of 8 we recommend not to travel as they simply would not be old enough to enjoy the experience nor cope with the nature of travel that we provide.
The tour prices are the same for both adults and children however there will be a reduction on the child airfare which will vary depending on the flight selected (Please use the ‘search flights’ facility on the website to check the up-to-date prices).
Is Nepal dangerous?
Nepal is a relatively safe country, where people are friendly and honest. However, tourists in the cities are being increasingly targeted by pickpockets and thieves. Do not leave valuable items in your hotel rooms: either bring them with you or leave them in the hotel safe.
If you are interested in what the Foreign Office has to say, please
click here.
What local customs do I need to keep in mind?
There are many local customs in Nepal which can appear quite strange to Westerners.
For example: When visiting sacred sites, you must be bare-headed and barefoot, even if the site is little more than ruins. As long as you adhere to this rule, the faithful worshippers will not bother you, even during ceremonies. Women must be covered up to a certain degree. The bare minimum that women can wear is a blouse with short sleeves and a dress/skirt that covers the knees. The Nepalese greet each other simply with a namaste, which involves placing the palms of the hand together in front of the face and saying ‘Namastay’. Physical greetings, such as hugging or kissing are unusual to the Nepalese and are not appreciated by the locals.
What other activities and sports could I do?
You can visit the stupas and temples in Kathmandu, swim, row or walk around the beautiful mountain lake in Pokhara, climb the peaks of Annapurna South or search for rhinos and tigers in the Chitwan National Park.Mobile phone, email and snail mail
Mobile coverage in Nepal is sporadic and variable. Internet facilities are available in hotels and in cafes in Kathmandu and Pokhara.Time difference with the UK
Please check the
world clock in order to find out the exact time difference between Nepal and the UK.
Please bear in mind that the difference can change depending on whether or not the UK is on daylight saving time or not.