frequently asked questions

When to visit India?
India has such a wide range of climatic factors that it is impossible to pen down the best season. With the Tropic of Cancer running right through the center of India, we have five district season> Broadly speaking October to March tend to be the most pleasant months over much of the country, with cool, fresh, crisp Morning and Evening and dry, sunny days.

Winter – November to February
Spring - March
Summer – April to June
Monsoon – July to September
Autumn – October to Mid November

If you are particularly planning to visit Darjeeling, Sikkim and North Eastern States including Bhutan, the ideal weather is between March to September.

The mountain regions of the North – western Himalayan foot hills are more easily accessible from May to October, which is also the prime trekking season, though this varies widely depending on the trek, altitude and regional climate conditions. The Ski – season is between January and March. Wildlife park – open from Mid October to June Only.

Currency
All major foreign currency is acceptable in the major metropolitan cities. However it is best to carry US Dollars or Sterling Pound, both of which are widely acceptable.

Credit Cards
Amex, Visa and Master cards

ATM – Machines
Commonly available in all touristic cities.

Insurance
It is advisable and recommended to have insurance coverage for health travel and baggage.

Voltage
The line voltage for electricity is 230 to 240 AC, 50hz. Most hotels provide 110 voltage AC for electric shavers and hair dryers

Indian currency – Rupee & Paisa
Available as currency notes in valuation of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5. Coins available in denomination of 5, 2, 1, 50 paisa.

Time
GMT plus 5 hours and 30 minutes

Important – Hindi words

If you are on a short visit no need to sweat it out by cramming to learn. The “ Lonely Planet” travel guide to India will enlist “ useful Hindi Phrases. Few common ones are

1. What is your name? Aap ka nam kiya hae.
2. How much does this cost? Is ka kimat kitna hae.
3. Good morning, afternoon, evening?
The common world is Namaste ( which actually means greetings in reverence)
4. Where is so and so places ? eg. Where is Hotel Taj Palace?
Hotel Taj Palace kahan hae?
5. Where is ? Kahan hae? ( n is silent with just a nasal tone).
6. How much? Kitna hae
7. Food – Khana
8. Water - Pani
9. I want to wash my hand. Mere ko haat dhona hae
10. Set menu food in small restaurants are very popular and quickest meals ?
“ Thali” - consists of rice, bread ( chapatti) vegetables ( sabji) lentil ( dal) yogurt (dahi) popodam (papad) pickle ( achar).

11. Fruits / food
Banana - Kela
Orange / tangarine – santra
Gauva – amrood
Mango – aam
Grapes – Angoor
Pinapple – ananas
Lime / lemon – nimboo
Rice – Chawal
Lentil - dal
Curry – Sabji
Cottage chesae – paneer
Gram (lentin) – channa
Kidney beans – rajma
Mutton ( Lamb) – mutton OR ghost
Chicken – chicken OR murga
Fish – Machli
Eggs – anda
Bread ( bakery) – double roti

12. Animals
Cow - gae
Horse - ghora
Elephant – hathi
Dog – kut-ta
Cat – bil-ly
Rat – chu-ha
Snake – Saa(n)p = n is silent with a nasal accent
Mosquito – Mach-char
Tiger – bag
Lion – Sher

13. Crockery / cutlery
Commonly used as plate, glass, spoon ( Cham-mach) fork (kanta) knife (choori)

14. Local Information
Mose decent hotels rooms have a local city guide for each fort night. eg. Delhi Diary, Mumbai – city look, Chennai – Madras Today. You can even pickup a copy of the local newspaper.

15. Local Tipping
A smart restaurant generally levies a 10 percent service charge, in which case there, the tipping is your option. While traveling through India it is customary to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers. An absolute done thing even by local domestic traveler.

16. Can buy mobile phone in India?
Yes, and of international quality from most shops selling house hold electronics appliances or a departmental store. Mobile phone are a common necessity in India these days.

17. Entertainment – Discos / Pubs
The metro cities and big town are fast growing into the snazzy night life. Most 4 and 5 star hotels have international standard discos, pubs with state-of –the-art music and sound equipment. Trained DJ’s to provide the no one global chart busters. Smart restaurants also provide live band with a dance floors. It is not conventional to ask a single – lady diner to the dance floor. You may try a “ pot – luck” by sending a small note through the Stewart on duty, if she grolws, don’t say we did not warn you. Cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore have cocktail pubs and even coffee bars. The crowd is more trendy and it is easier to pick up a conversation on a bar stool.

Discos however levy a small coverage charge. If you are a resident of the hotel, access is normally free by showing the room key and check-in card.

18. Blend as you travel
It is not easy to use the public transport system in a new country. Most local bus drivers and conductors do not speak English. In big cities it would be easy to inter-act with the locals. In smaller towns it is all smiles and curious looks. Women can buy the typical India “ Salwar-Kameez ( comfortable and loose fitting pyjamas and long shirt with a scarf).

Men can even sport a “ Khadi Pyjama and Kurta” – very cool and light weight with a pair of Kolapuri Sandals. India dresses will make you blend easier with the local folks.

“ Namaste” from India Calling – Delhi head Quarters.

YOUR COMMENTS . OUR ANSWERS

Q. I would love to visit India. India is so big; I don’t know where to start?

A. Very true indeed. Just click the section on Where? Product Spectrum”
You have a wide choice from our selection of holiday destinations. You
will definitely have an answer to what you desire.

Q I can’t face the hassles

A. You don’t need to. Just click on to our “Spectrum of Expertise”. We
can customize programmes which gives complete freedom, better
than any ”fixed departure brochure group tours” where you are treated
like run-on the-mill.

Q. I would love to visit India, but it would be an expensive destination.

A. It is erroneous. We price our tours according to your budget. If total
luxury is not your style, we will offer quality hotels at affordable price.
After all, we are better the judge as we know the local products to
make your stay comfortable and yet affordable.

Q. The airfare to India is high?

A. Not if you travel with us. We have listed names of our Passenger Sales
Agents who assist in getting the best deals in airfares.

Q. Will I face a language problem in India?

A English is very widely spoken all over India, evening small towns, language will not be a barrier. Besides, the metropolitan cities also offer expert language guides who speak Spanish, Italian, German, French, Russian, Japanese and Chinese: so you are in safe hands.

COME, INDIA BECKONS You, Again And Again

 

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