Travel tips:
Greet people with a ‘NAMASTE’ (hands pressed together at chest level as if in prayer). You will be appreciated for using the Indian style of greeting.
Do not purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators.
Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators. Leave this to us to organize. Self- drive cars are available for hire from recognized International firms.
Taxi and auto-rickshaws fares keep changing, therefore, they do not always conform to readings on meters. Incase the driver refuses to cooperate, seek the assistance of a policeman. Where there are no meters, ask assistance at your hotel and agree on the tax fare in advance.
Dress codes for religious places can include covering your head, being barefoot etc. Ask, so that you don’t unwillingly give offence. Some temples do not permit any leather articles at all on their premises. Certain areas of temples are not open to Non-Hindus.
English is spoken at almost all tourist centres, but you can also request Government-trained and Approved guides who also speak German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Italian or Russian.
In tourist restaurants or hotels a 10% service charge is often added to bills. In smaller places, where tipping is optional, you need only tip a few rupees, not a percentage of your bill for waiters, room service boys, housekeepers, porters, and doormen all expect to be tipped.
If you hire a car with a driver, tip him according your days of travelling. Depending on the distance & Duration travelled.
Precautions:
- Always drink bottled Mineral water.
- For the first few days it might be advisable to clean your teeth in bottled water.
- Eat fruit you can peel. Always wash fruit well before eating it.
- Always keep a tube/spray of mosquito repellent with you.
- Drink lassi – a yogurt drink. It will help tone down the bacteria.
- Drink plenty of coconut water. Its cooling, and naturally sterilized! & Fresh Lime water.
- The sun is strong. Remember to use sunscreen on exposed parts of the body. Wear sunglasses to screen out harmful rays.
- Do not let beggars to hassle you, and do not encourage them by giving them money. Avoid eye contact.