|
India Holidays, Flights & Travel Guide
India travel guide - India
holidays, holiday packages & India hotels.
|
!
Search & Compare Discount on India Hotels
and Holiday Packages to India
|
Top destination guides for India
holidays;
Delhi Holidays
|
Ahmedabad Holidays
| Amritsar Holidays
| Bangalore Holidays
| Calcutta Holidays
Calicut Holidays
| Chandigarh Holidays
| Cochin Holidays
| Coimbatore Holidays
Gaya Holidays
| Goa Holidays
| Jaipur Holidays
| Chennai Holidays
Mumbai Holidays
| Poona Holidays
| Trivandrum Holidays
|
India Holidays, India Holiday
Packages Overview
From the snow-capped Himalayas in
the north to the sun drenched coastal villages of the south, India
unfolds like an ancient tapestry. At times threadbare and fading,
the land stretches from desert dunes and scattered slums to the
rich embroidery of ancient, jewelled palaces, and the majestic
domes of forgotten empires. Since the first
civilisations rose on the banks of the Indus River almost 5,000
years ago, India has given birth to Buddhism and Hinduism, been
touched by the Empire of Alexander the Great, seen the ancient
empires of the Mauryas and Guptas rise and fall, and has traded
with Pharaohs and Caesars. An invasion by the
white Huns scattered its people until the sweeping hand of Islam
saw new kingdoms rise, heralding the era of the Sultans. Defeat
came again as the Mogul Emperors marched over the mountains and
into the Punjab. The decline of the Mogul Empire gave way to the
Marathas, who consolidated control of India just in time for the
arrival of the British. The sun finally set on the British Empire
as India reclaimed independence in 1947, heralding a new age of
democracy. India is a feast for the senses;
where the air is heavy with the scent of jasmine and dancers trail
frenetic melodies in colourful silk saris. Its cooks compose dishes
from a palette of exotic spices that may leave a lingering taste of
saffron or aniseed. In India's cities, the stench of slum living
competes with the cacophony of seemingly endless traffic and a
myriad of other textures, colours and movements all jostling for
your attention.
Tourist Offices - Indian Tourist Office, New Delhi: +91
(0)11 332 0342 or www.incredibleindia.org
Search for a Holiday deal.
There are options for all India holidays,
India Flights and India travel with the
multi-search
booking engine.
Entry Requirements
for India Holidays & India Travel
A valid passport and visa is required by
all for entry to India, unless they hold a PIO (Person of Indian
Origin) Card. Some parts of the country are restricted areas and
require a special permit. Travellers planning to go to the far
northwest of the country or to the islands should check with India
Tourism for the latest information.
- For Australians -
Australians require a valid passport and a
visa.
- New Zealand citizens require a valid passport and a
visa.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport and
a visa.
- United States citizens must have a valid passport and
a visa.
- British citizens must have a valid passport and a
visa.
India Holidays - Currency of India
The currency is the Rupee (INR), which is divided
into 100 paisa. Major currencies can be changed at banks, and
authorised bureaux de change. It is 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. It is illegal to
exchange money through the black market and it is advisable to
refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart from the
National Bank. It is best to change money into small denominations.
Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted,
particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs are not
generally available.
India
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
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 in use,
e.g. (0)11 for Delhi. 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 the
international service. 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.
India
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Travellers to India over 17 years do not have
to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; one
bottle of alcohol; medicine in reasonable amounts; 59ml of perfume
and 250ml eau de toilette; and goods for personal use. Prohibited
items include livestock, bird and pig meat
products.
India
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped, however
all other services expect small tips, including porters, guides,
hotel staff, and waiters in small establishments. In tourist
restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills.
Baksheesh is common in India, it is more a bribe than a tip and
will ensure better service; it is given before rather than after
the service.
|
