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WEATHER
 WINTER
: The Winter season begins around the month of November, with
temperatures dropping quite steeply, specially, in the Northern
and North-Eastern parts of the country. There is heavy snowfall
in the Himalayas during this time.In Southern and in Eastern parts
of India, however, these months are pleasantly cool, never extremely
cold. The winter months are considered to be the ideal time to be
travelling to India.
SUMMER
: The Summer season starts around the month of April and goes on
till September. The temperatures in the northern plains and central
India are generally high. The hill stations, towards the Himalayas,
experience very comfortable weather. The Southern parts of the country,
the summer season is not that long and also the temperatures are
not very high, though the humidity level is quite high in these
parts of the country.
MONSOON
: The Monsoon rains usually begin around the month of June, and
reaches elsewhere later. With the exception of the South-Eastern
areas, India receives the major share of its rainfall between June
and September. The South-Eastern areas receive most of the rainfall
from the North-East monsoon between mid October and December end.
Traditionally,
India has been most popular in the Winter months. However, with
easy availability of airconditioned hotels, transport and leisure
facilities, the Summer months have become equally popular, and lean
months have narrowed down.
CUSTOMS
Visitors
are generally required to make an oral declaration in respect of
their baggage and foreign currency in their possession. Visitors
in possession of more than US $10,000 or equivalent thereof as in
the form of travelers' cheques, bank notes, currency notes are required
to obtain a Currency Declaration Form before leaving Customs. They
should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the
airline during the course of the flight.
There are two channels for Customs clearance:
•Green Channel:
For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied
baggage.
•Red Channel:
For passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or
high value articles to be entered on the Tourist Baggage Re-Export
Form.
PASSPORT
Citizens of all countries require a valid national passport or valid
travel documents and valid visa granted by Indian Missions abroad
for entering India except Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens who when
proceeding from their respective countries need no passport or visa
but should posses suitable documents for their identification.
REGISTRATION
OF FOREIGNERS
If the visa for stay in India is for more than 180 days, a Registration
Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest
Foreigners' Registration Office within 15 days of arrival. All persons
including Indian nationals are required to fill in a Disembarkation
Card, at the time of arrival. Four photographs are also required
for registration. The foreigners registered at Foreigners' Registration
Office are required to report change of their address.
DEPARTURE
FROM INDIA
All persons except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan leaving by air,
road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of
departure.
EXIT
FORMALITIES
Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India should
surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration
Officer of the place where he is registered or of the place from
where he intends to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the
Post/Checkpost of exit from India.
RESTRICTIONS
ON EXPORT OF ARTICLES
The Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its
endangered and rare fauna. Keeping this in mind, export of all wild
animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed
animals like skins, pelts, furs, ivory, rhino horns, trophies etc.,
have been totally banned.
These include all forms of wild animals including their parts and
products, except peacock tail feathers and handicrafts made from
them and those made from articles and shavings of antler, cheetals
and sambars which are subject to conditions specified. Export of
exotic birds is also not allowed.
It also includes wood and wood products including logs, timber,
stumps, roots, bark, chips, powder, flakes, dust, pulp and charcoal.
However, sawn timber made exclusively out of imported logs teak/timber
are exempted subject to conditions. Also, export of sandalwood in
any form, excluding finished handicrafts and machine-finished products,
is prohibited.
Export of furs of domestic animals, excluding lamb fur, hides and
skins.
Tourists are also advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions
of the Convention on International Trade of endangered species of
wild fauna and flora. All the member countries of the Convention
allow the import of articles covered by the convention on the strength
of a certificate of export from the country of origin.
FOREIGN
TRAVEL TAX
Passengers embarking on journeys to any place outside India from
a Customs airport/seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax
(FTT) of Rs. 300 and Rs. 150 on journeys to Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. No tax
is payable on journeys by ship from Rameswaram to Talaimanar and
in case of transit passengers, provided they do not leave the Customs
barrier. Transit passengers travelling by air who have to leave
the airport on account of mechanical trouble provided they continue
their journey by the same aircraft and flight number by which they
arrive are also exempt from FTT. Transit sea passengers leaving
the ship for sightseeing, shopping etc., during the ship's call
at any of the Indian ports will not be required to pay FTT.
INLAND
AIR TRAVEL TAX
An Inland Air Travel Tax is leviable at 10 per cent of the basic
fare on all passengers embarking on an inland air journey. However,
those passengers paying their air fare in foreign exchange will
be exempted from payment of this tax. In addition infants, cancer
patients, blind persons and invalids (those on stretchers) are also
exempted after fulfilling certain conditions stipulated in the relevant
notifications.
GUIDES
Trained English speaking guides are available at fixed charges at
all important tourist centres. The Government of India Tourist Offices
can be contacted by tourists for these. French, Italian, Spanish,
German, Russian and Japanese speaking guides are available at some
cities. Please consult the nearest Government of India Tourist Office.
HEALTH
REGULATIONS
Foreign tourists should be in possession of the Yellow Fever Vaccination
Certificate conforming to International Health Regulations, if they
are originating or transmitting through Yellow Fever endemic countries.
AIRPORTS
The international airports in the metro cities offer a range of
services ensuring that the traveller on business can continue working
while waiting to board an international connection, or when transferring
between international flights. These include restaurants, business
centres, rest rooms and handy telephone booths. Business centres
are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including word processors
and telefax.
Airport also provide the tourist with such facilities for leisure
as duty-free and handicrafts shopping, informal snack bars, nursery
and baby-care rooms, and even an art gallery. Duty free prices in
the airport shops are very competitive, offering you bargains on
international merchandise.
VISA
•Requirement of Visa:
Foreigners desirous of visiting Indian can do so after obtaining
a visa from the Indian Mission in the country of their residence.
They should possess a valid National Passport - except in the case
of nationals of Bhutan and Nepal, who may carry only suitable means
of identification
.•Tourist
Visa:
Usually, a multi-entry visa, valid for a period of 180 days, is
granted for the purpose of tourism. The visa is valid for entry
into India within six months from the date of issue.
•Collective Visa:
The facility also exists for the issue of collective visas to group
tours consisting of not less than four members and sponsored by
a travel agency recognised by the Government of Indian Such groups
may split into smaller groups for visiting different places in India
after obtaining a collective `licence to travel' from the Immigration
authorities in India. However, they must reassemble and depart as
the original group.
•Transit
Visa:
These are granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum period
of 15 days
•Exemption from Registration:
Foreigners coming to Indian on tourist visas for 180 days or a shorter
period are not required to register themselves with any authority
in India. They can move about freely in the country, except to restricted/protected
areas and prohibited places.
•Nationals of Bangladesh are exempted from registration up
to six months. If the stay is more than six months, they have to
register themselves. Individuals without nationality or of undetermined
nationality (stateless persons: IRO refugees, persons receiving
legal or political protection, holders of Nansen passport, etc.)
should have valid passport, identity documents or shorn affidavits
along with the visa for which they should apply at least two months
in advance.
•Family
passports issued by other governments are recognised without discrimination.
•Landing
Permit Facility: Tourists may note that no Landing Permit Facility
is available to any foreign tourist landing without a visa. A limited
facility exists only for group tours consisting of four or more
members and sponsored by a travel agency recognised by the Government
of India.
•Children
below the age of 12 of foreigners of Indian origin may be granted
a landing permit by the Immigration authorities up to a period of
90 days to see their relatives, in case they happen to come without
a visa.
•Tourist Groups:
A tourist group arriving by air, ship, chartered or scheduled flight
may be granted a collective landing permit for a period upto 30
days by the Immigration authorities on landing, provided the group
is sponsored by a recognised travel agency, a pre-drawn itinerary
is presented along with details of passport etc. of the members
and the travel agency gives an undertaking to conduct the group
together.
•Extension of Visa:
•This facility exists for an extension of a tourist visa, making
a total stay in India of six months. In such a case, however, the
foreigner is required to register himself with any Foreigners' Registration
Officer throughout the country and obtain an extension of visa from
him. All formalities of registration under the law will have to
be fulfilled.
•No extension beyond six months is provided as a rule.
•In case a foreign tourist has obtained extension beyond three
months of stay in India, he will have to surrender his Certificate
of Registration and residential permit before leaving India.
•Other Types of Visas:
If a foreigner wishes to come to India for a purpose other than
tourism, he should come after obtaining an appropriate visa out
of the following:
•Business Visa:
A foreigner can obtain from an Indian Embassy abroad a multiple
entry business visa valid for 5 years provided he wishes to come
for some business. •Foreigners of Indian origin can obtain
a five-year multiple entry visa for business, to meet their relatives
etc.
•Student
Visa:
A student visa can be obtained from the Indian Embassy on the production
of proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India, etc.
The visa is valid for one year but is extended in India for the
duration of the course.
•Conference Visa:
Delegates coming to attend International Conferences in India can
be granted Conference Visas to cover the conference as well as for
tourism in India. Delegates are advised to apply to the Indian Embassies
well in advance.
•Sports:
Sports teams or individual sportsmen wishing to participate in international
sports events being held in India.
•Journalists/Media:
Foreign journalists, media men, documentary and feature film-makers
may obtain necessary visas after due formalities from the Indian
Embassy.
•Yoga, Vedic culture, Dance, Music etc:
(Visa for study of yoga, Vedic culture, dance, music, etc.) Foreigners
wishing to come to India to study these subjects are required to
apply well in advance with all necessary particulars. The Indian
Embassies may grant visas upto a period of five years.
•Employment Visa:
Foreigners desirous of coming to India for taking up employment
should apply for an Employment Visa issued by Indian Missions abroad.
Initially granted for a period of one year, it can be extended in
India upto the period of contract.
INTERNATIONAL
AIRLINES
Major internal airlines connect Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai (Madras)
and Mumbai with most countries of the world. Listed below are the
names of international airlines.
Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air Lanka, Air France, Air India, Alitalia,
Ariana Afghan Airlines, Bangladesh Biman, British Airways, Delta
Airlines, El-A1, Ethopian, Emirates, Gulf Air, Iraqi Airways, KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines,
Pakistan International Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Royal
Brunei, Royal Nepal Airlines, SAS, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Swissair,
South African Airways, Syrian Arab Airlines, Thai Airways International.
INLAND
TRAVEL
Indian Airlines:
Indian Airlines commands a large and modern fleet of A300, A320
and B737 aircraft.
The Indian Airlines (IA) network, spanning the country's 3,000 km
from Leh in the north to Trivandrum in the south, about the same
from east to west, covers all important places of tourist interest
linking 54 cities in India and 14 in 11 neighbouring countries including
Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Kuwait, UAE, Oman and Malaysia.
Fares:
IA offers a variety of special fares aimed at encouraging tourist
travel within the country. These include:
•Discover India: US $ 500, permits unlimited travel within
India for 21 days. •India Wonderfares: US$ 200, permits unlimited
travel in one of the North, South, East or West India regions for
7 days. •South India Excursion: 30 per cent discount on US
Dollar tariff for group travel on specified south Indian sectors.
•Youth Fare: 25 per cent off on US Dollar tariff for all tourists
between the ages of 12 and 30. All the year round.
Reservations:
•Reservations on IA can be made from anywhere abroad in a matter
of minutes through the SITA Airlines Communications System which
is linked to the airline's Real Time Computer Reservation System.
•Indian Airlines' reservation system is also linked to all
the major CRS system such as SABRE, Galileo, Amadeus, Abacus etc
making it possible for passengers to get instant reservation from
anywhere in the world. •IA has inter-line agreements with over
110 airlines worldwide and the offices of any of these airlines
or their agents have been enabled to issue tickets on IA flights.
•To facilitate group tourists in obtaining reservations, IA
is guaranteeing confirmed seats to all foreign tour groups of 10
or more passengers provided booking is requested more than 60 days
in advance on all sectors except to/from Leh, Port Blair and the
North-East.
Private Air Taxis/Domestic Airlines:
The passenger today has a choice of private airlines to important
cities in the country. The airlines have already caught on for efficiency
and inflight services. They are operating between metro cities and
also to tourist destinations.
INDIA
BY RAIL
•The Indrail Pass:
Indian Railways have introduced the facility of Indrail Passes which
offer all budget visitors the facility to travel as they like over
the entire Indian railway system without any route restriction and
within the period of validity of validity (1/2 day - 90 days) of
the ticket. Indrail passes are sold only to foreign nationals and
Indians residing abroad holding valid passports. Payment is accepted
only in US Dollars and Pound Sterling.
•The Palace on Wheels:
The Palace on Wheels is a unique experience offered by the Indian
Railways. Running between September to April, the train leaves from
Delhi Cantonment, halting at some of the `royal' cities in the area,
including Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra. The tariff for the Palace on Wheels
is US $ 425 per person per night on single occupancy, US $ 300 per
person per night on triple sharing basis. Bookings are confirmed
against a 10 per cent deposit. Accommodation is mainly in coupes,
with each carriage having a lounge, a mini-bar, kitchenette and
modern toilets.
•The Royal Orient Express:
The Royal Orient Express is a unique experience offered by the Indian
Railways. Operational between September to April, the train leaves
from Delhi Cantonment, halting at some of the `royal' cities in
the country, including Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Palitana, Veraval,
Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The tariff for the Royal Orient express is
US $ 350 per person per night on single occupancy, US $ 200 per
person per night on twin sharing basis, and US $ 175 per person
per night on triple-sharing basis. Bookings are confirmed against
a 10 per cent deposit. Accommodation is mainly in coupes, and each
carriage has a lounge, a mini-bar, kitchenette and modern toilets.
•Tourist Trains:
Special mention must be made of the ten Rajdhani train services
that link the capital New Delhi with Mumbai in the West and Calcutta
and Guwahati in the East, with departures scheduled for the evening
and arrivals timed for a working morning. Other Rajdhani trains
operate between Delhi and Bangalore, Delhi and Bhubaneshwar, Delhi
and Jammu Tawi and Delhi and chennai (Madras).
From Delhi, there is a fast Shatabdi Express train that connects
with Agra (two hours), Gwalior, Jhansi and Bhopal, returning the
same day. Shatabdi trains also operate between Delhi and Lucknow,
Delhi and Kalka, Delhi and Amritsar, Delhi and Ajmer, Delhi and
Dehradun, Chennai (Madras) and Mysore, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Calcutta
and Bokaro, Calcutta and Rourkela, Chennai (Madras) and Coimbatore,
Bangalore and Hubli and also between Delhi and Chandigarh.
The Taj Express too provides a fast link to Agra, and the Pink City
Express to Jaipur. Both trains return to Delhi the same day. Comfortable,
air-conditioned travel is available on a number of other train services
too, while it is an experience to travel by any of the `toy' hill
trains up to Darjeeling in the East. Shimla and Kangra in Himachal
Pradesh in the North, and the Nilgiris in the South and the Western
Ghats.
The Indian Railways also runs special charter trains on demand.
•International Tourist Bureau:
The International Tourist Bureau (ITB), operated by the Indian Railways,
plays a vital role in disseminating information, providing booking
facilities and other services to travelers.
INDIA
BY ROAD
Next to the railways, motor transport is the chief means of travel
within and between the cities.
Taxis are available in large cities and fares are charged on a kilometer
basis. In Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai (Madras) and other major
cities metered taxis as well as luxury cars without meters are available
on hire. Regular bus services operate in large cities.
There are organised conducted tours in most tourist centres between
popular tourist destinations; comfortable air-conditioned coaches
ply, making travel on short routes easy as well as attractive.
RENT-A-CAR
India offers rent-a-car services, with prominent international companies
tying up with Indian firm to provide these services. Counters at
airport provide the facility of hiring chauffeur-driven cars. Your
travel agent can assist you in hiring a car.
PACKAGED TOURS
Leading international tour operators offer India tour packages that
include a variety of options for a holiday. Contact your nearest
travel agent or the India Tourist Office.
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