India Travel Information
The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. India is bounded on the north by Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan; on the east by Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; on the south by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separates it from Sri Lanka) and the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Arabian Sea and Pakistan. India is divided into 28 states (three of which are recently formed) and 7 Union Territories. New Delhi is the capital of India and one of its largest cities. India is the largest democracy in the world, the seventh largest country and the second most populous. India is a picture of diversity seen in her people, culture, colorful festivals, dress and costumes, religions, flora and fauna and varying landscapes. India is a enormous country and logistics are an important factor for travelers. Traveling in India is a haven of tourism delights, a civilization to tour through .Travel to India for its wealth of sights, cultural exuberance, diversity of terrain and in search of that special something, an extra punch that only India promises and delivers for unforgettable life time Journeys!
India, long considered only a "cultural" destination, is in addition the ultimate "outdoor" destination as well, with wide ranging options for adventure travelers / trekkers and mountaineers. Traveling in India offers superb adventure package trip, trekking, mountaineering, wildlife safari adventures tour, walking and hiking holidays, cultural and religious tour, sightseeing tours for adventure traveler and enthusiastic. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm fringed beaches . Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local tradition. Thus, the towering temples of south India, easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, are associated with a great many crafts and performing arts of the region. From the smoky mangroves of the Sunderbans to the steaming Thar Desert, sizzling cities like Mumbai and Delhi to the scintillating villages of Khajuraho and Hampi, from the heights of the Himalayas to the deep blue waters around the Andamans, India is a travel haven – a tour package that frustrates and delights, as demanding as it is rewarding. For India traveling, there are several options by overland journey with its bordered country Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Srilanka or by flight to India all over the world. Apex Nepal Adventure will arrange the all type of the overland transportation and flight ticket for India travelers for their safety adventure travel to India.
India Travel General information:
Visa:
Passport valid for at least 190 days required by all nationals British, American, Australian, Canadian and European citizens.Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorization. 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. An additional form must be completed. Passengers are advised to check with the tourist board for
up-to-date information before departure.
Getting Around by Air:
The state domestic airline is Indian Airlines has network connects over 70 cities. Other domestic airlines include Alliance Air (3A), a subsidiary of Indian Airlines, Jet Airways (9W)and Air Sahara (S2)
Getting Around by Water:
There are ships from Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras) to Port Blair in the Andaman 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.
Getting Around by Rail:
The Indian internal railway system is state-run by Indian Railways There are six classes of travel: first-class air conditioned, first-class sleeper, second-class air conditioned, second-class sleeper, third-class air conditioned and air conditioned chair car. Major trains carry restaurant cars.
Bus: 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. Details of routes may be obtained from the local tourist office.
Tourist cars: There are a large number of chauffeur-driven tourist cars (some air conditioned) 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. Travellers should ask drivers to maintain a safe speed and wear a seat belt where available.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in large cities and fares should be charged by the kilometer. 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. A metro system opened in Delhi in 2004; the remaining sections are due to be completed in 2008.
Health
The entire Indian sub continent has the same health hazards so one line of defense should cover you on all territories. The major risks to your health from the armies of mosquitoes are malaria, encephalitis, kalazar and dengue. Cover your arms and legs; be liberal with the repellent and in problem areas sleep under a mosquito net. Traveler's diarrhea is another running problem and year after year traveler after traveler gets the 'loosies'. Ensure it's nothing nastier by avoiding green salads, uncooked food, and water that you haven't sanitized by dropping an iodine pill into.
Safety
India is a reasonably safe travel destination. Political disruption is usually localized and everyone's aware of there being potential trouble days ahead. Areas that may be avoided are Jammu & Kashmir and parts of the Northeast, which in any case have restricted tourist activity. Cases of mugging, theft and worse aren't completely unheard of but by and large serious crimes against travelers are few and far between.
Customs & Duties
If you are above 17 years you may import the following in without attracting duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, a litre of alcoholic drink, 250 ml perfume, gifts up to a value of Rupees 4000 (foreign passport holders), gifts up to a value of Rupees 6000 (Indian passport holders) and articles of personal use. But its best to check with the authorities for the specific details.
Post & Communications
Postal services in India are quite efficient. Letters overseas must be marked "Air Mail" or "Par Avion". It takes a week to 10 days for letters to reach the UK and the US from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and other major cities. Have letters for you (surname first) addressed to the GPO (General Post Office) of the city, 'Poste Restante'. The post offices hold letters for 30 days, and you'll have to show them your passport for identification.
English Language Media
No matter where you are in India it is never going to be difficult to find an English language newspaper. All the major dailies, and there are many in this country where the fourth estate is startlingly independent and strong, have multiple editions with at least one from every region and one on the net. There are two major weekly newsmagazines and both are easily available at kiosks all over. Even international fashion glossies have an edition coming out of India now though these are available only in the bigger cities.
