Clothing

• Women should avoid tank tops or short skirts or shorts.

• During summer, the best outfit is a T-shirt with loose cotton trousers. These wears are easily available anywhere in India, at very reasonable rates.

• Ladies those who are adventurous can try wearing the Indian comfortable, flexible and free sized cloth “Salwar-Kameez”.

• If you are traveling in summer, then Cotton cloths are best to wear.

• You can also wear Synthetic cloths. But don't get synthetics that don't 'breathe' - they'll make you what else but breathless!

• Always wear Cap or a wide brimmed Hat and Sun Glasses because usually the sun will be glaring at you most of the day.

• Especially in northern, northeast, central, and northwest is very chilly in winters. It is advisable to come armed with sweaters and light jackets.

• As such there is no consistency in Monsoon, sometimes-sudden, sometimes-continuous rain during the monsoons season. Better to keep a collapsible umbrella will help you stay dry during these days.

• It is advisable to keep Sun screen lotion (of a good brand), a swing kit, pre-moistened towels, pocket knife with can opener, lock and key for each duffel or bag, impact-resistant flashlight, spare batteries should be a permanent part of your bag.

Travel Safety

• While traveling by bus or train, it is better to keep a blow-up neck pillow to avoid any stress.

• Always carry Bike Chain if traveling by train, is must for locking your bags.

• Always keep a good FIRST AID KIT in case of any health related emergency.

• We strongly advice you not to purchase railway tickets or air tickets or booking rooms in a hotel through any TOUTS. Keep away from all such logistical hassles. Please TRY US to book through the authorized agent list.

• In peak season, book your domestic tickets in advance and save your precious energy and time.

• Keep you cash in INNER MONEY BELT especially when you are at crowded places like airports, railway station, market, Shopping Malls or tourist spots. Don't keep in pickpockets.

• Don't relay on meter reading fairs of Taxis and Auto-rickshaws because the fair changes frequently. Better if you can ask for the latest official fare-conversion tariff-card from Pre paid counters or Auto Rickshaws counter.

• Railway is the cheaper option to travel in Indian for long distances, which saves you overnight accommodation expenses and other expenses. Even it is a lot of fun to travel by train in India. Its a great chance to see the countryside and mingle with the local people.Remember, never leave your bags or suitcase unlocked in a hotel room or wherever you are staying or an unattended one on airports and railway stations.

Eating and Health

• Always drink packed bottled water of popular brands, usually available at all the places.

• Always eat non-vegetarian food only in good restaurants. The meat in cheaper and available at small places can be of dubious quality.

• Vegetarian food of good quality is easily available at all the places in India.

• Avoid giving tips to waiters in hotels and restaurants; generally tips are included in the bill as service charge. Therefore, in such cases tipping is not necessary.

• Make sure, if you are willing to give tip, then it should not more then 10% of your bill.

Other Important Tips

• Taking snapshots or Photographs could be an issue at some places. For places of military importance like railway stations, bridges, airports, defense installations and sensitive border regions, you would require to take official permission from the authorities concerned officer.

• The Archaeological Survey of India issues special permits for shooting at monuments with tripods and artificial lights. Yet, Indians even some foreign visitors like posing for a snapshot.

• Take care before focusing your lens on girls or ladies before taking any photos.

• Public toilet facilities are few and far between. If you want to use toilets, make habit wherever you go to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants.

• Beggars may be hassle for you at some places, do not encourage them by giving money or any assets.

• India is a religious country. There are lots of temples and different places of worship. Some of the temples do not permit any leather articles on their premises. Even certain temples are not open for Non-Hindus. Please check with the local tourist information office. So, please follow the rules of such temples.

• Smoking is strictly prohibitate at public places. Especially, trains and railway stations are strictly non-smoking zones with stiff penalties for violations.

• English is common language and it is spoken at almost all tourist centres, but you have any difficulty about any language, you can request trained guides who speak or can translate German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian approved by government of India.

• Most important - always Keep spare photocopies of your relevant pages of your passport or any other document for your identity and photographs. This will be required for Indian permits and also required for filling forms at various places (if necessary).

• In most of the cities you can change major foreign currencies and brands of traveller’s cheques.

• Almost all the cities in India have national and international banks and ATM’s, which accept Visa and Mastercard as well as American Express.