India

India, stretching from the freezing peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical trees of Kerala; is a land filled with a vast range of landscapes, cultures, and people. India is one of those quintessential backpacking spots. India is chaotic yet bamboozling, intoxicating yet beautiful, and exasperating yet wonderful. At first, India can be a menace due to the overwhelming chaotic environment and adapting to the vibes of the busy life can be difficult. But as you travel around India, the beauty unfolds. You will witness the diverse cultures, historic relics, and exotic landscapes of India. For first-timers, India can be an intricate puzzle to understand. Nevertheless, by indulging yourself into the beauty of this country; you will get the experience of a lifetime. With beautiful ancient temples, humbling religious sites, and a wealth of diverse and charismatic people, India is one of those must-visit places.

Visa information

Almost all foreigners travelling to India require a visa to enter this nation. But through the years, this process has been made easier with the availability of online applications. For citizens of UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many other countries: visitors can apply online for e-Tourist Visas which allows them a visit duration of one month. The information for issues regarding Indian visa acquirement can be obtained at the websites of Bureau of Immigration at and Indian Visa Online. Indian visas are issued by the local embassies or consulates in the respective countries of the travellers. E-visas are also available and valid for 60 days, but can’t be renewed. The two-month visa will cost you $75.

How to reach India

The typical way to get to India is by flight. After you get your visas and tickets ready, you can depart for your awaited tour of India without any disturbance. Flights from UK and some from North America and Australia also deliver nonstop flight services to passengers. Your fares for these flights depend on the season of travel. As usual, the best seasons have the most expensive prices, which is during the months of November to March.  The prices are lowest during April to May and August to early October. The short span of time during June and July have the best prices as these are considered the ‘low seasons’. The price reaches its peak during the Diwali season as Indians all over the world will be seeking to travel to India to celebrate this festival. Overland transport via Nepal is the most popular option whereas it is also possible to enter India from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan via land. Having said that, air travel is easier and more preferred than travelling by land.

The popular destinations to visit

India is a very large country and is impossible to cover all of it in a single visit. But there definitely is a list of the most popular destinations you must explore while you are here. If you have done a little bit of surfing on the internet, you will have definitely come across the term the ‘Golden Triangle’. Located in the north, the Golden Triangle comprises Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan. This is where you find mesmerizing monuments and landscapes of India. To explore the ancient Indian religious traditions, you can head to the holy city of Varanasi in the east. Heading north towards Himachal, you can witness the overflowing natural beauty of the mountains, lakes and the Tibetan/Buddhist culture. In the south, you can visit Kerala, an exotic hill stations where you meet the backwaters. Towards the west, you can relax on the beaches of Goa. Some more popular destinations are Leh-Ladakh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Andaman etc.

Things to do in India

Going on a perfect route, you can get the best out of your India trip! First and foremost, explore the religious and historical sites of India. You can come across remarkable temples in Amritsar, Rajasthan, Ajanta, and Elephant Island etc. Explore the Mughal history while observing the Islamic architecture in Delhi and Qutab Minar. You can head out for a relaxing holiday in India’s finest beaches: Goa, Kerala, Kashmir etc. You may also engage in some adventurous activities such as trekking, wildlife explorations, water/amusement parks etc. Popular destinations to visit are: national parks in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, mountainous trails of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh or you can find yourself just the right amusement park to acquire the adrenaline rush you need. And while you do so, you can find plenty of accommodation services which range according to the budget you are prepared to allocate. Hotels, lodges, and teahouses are normally the ones in operation throughout India.

People/ Food/ Culture

India accommodates over a billion people! There is a vast diversity of culture that brings you different kinds of people and a range of mind-blowing food varieties. There are thousands of small ethnic and tribal groups populating India. Keep in mind as a foreigner; you must pay attention to certain habits that might be normal to you but offensive or inappropriate to the locals. Some etiquettes you must follow are taking shoes off in religious sites, wardrobes for women, eating etiquettes, physical contact with partners etc. Cooking in India is considered an art. Indian food consists of a range of species that give them a remarkable taste. Indian cuisine has built its reputation in the international scene through its unique recipes.

Electricity

The power supply is 230 volts AC electricity. Power sockets are two- or three-pronged round plugs (type C, D, or M). If you’re from Europe, you shouldn’t need an adaptor, but Americans will. To avoid the problem of buying a new adapter for everywhere you go, we recommend picking up a Universal Travel Adapter before you leave.

Banking, ATM’s and Money in India

India’s unit currency is the rupees. Notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2000 are available.  You must be aware of the fact that it is illegal to take Indian currency in or out of India thus you are required to exchange currency only upon arrival and departure. Banks and licensed currency exchange bureau will exchange your foreign currency to the Indian rupees. Make sure your money is intact and not damaged. Also, do not fall prey to unauthorized bodies and sources which might offer less than fair exchange rates for money exchange. Nobody accepts damaged notes except the Banks. Also for your own convenience, carry around small denominations as shopkeepers tend to be short in supply for a change. You will find ATMs widely available. You can be charged a foreign transaction fee and ATMs usually limit the amount of withdrawal around 10,000–20,000 Rupees. You can also use credit cards (Visa, American Express etc.) to pay your bills at established hotels, restaurants and shops.

Internet and communication in India

It is best to acquire a SIM card when you reach India. These are easily available in cell phone shops and network outlets. Activating an Indian SIM can take up to 48 hours. To acquire a SIM card you must provide your passport detail, fill a registration form, and pay a fee of about Rs50-Rs250. Some of the largest network providers are Airtel, Idea, and Vodafone give you a wide coverage. Wi-Fi is available at almost all established hotels and restaurants. You can also use the cellular network by activating it on your SIM card. Always carry enough top-up balance on your cell phone. You can make international calls through your Indian SIM card but the charge can vary according to the nation. Internet and communication in India are easily accessible and available at a reasonable rate too.

Travelling alone in India

Traveling alone anywhere can be risky in a few ways. Yet you have your own freedom and space. But you have to take an extra step towards being careful as you might not have anyone beside you when you need help. Thus a few tips of travelling alone in India can get you through your trip in ease. Travelling around India requires you to be patient. Not everything is going to go the way you organize: slow down and relax! Amidst the bustling mayhem try and avoid crowded locations to keep the chances of theft and robbery to a minimum. Find yourself some space and stay focused. Stay healthy: eat and drink from hygienic sources, avoid falling sick! If you pay attention to these small details, you can make your way through India.

Safety and Security

Your safety includes your health too. It is advised that you check the latest country-specific health advice to prevent any possible health issues. Air pollution in cities and some viral infections are common in India. Following a healthy practice in India can get you running for as long as you stay in the country. In case of any medical emergency, you can call 102 for medical assistance. As a tourist, you are definitely prone to pocket thieves. Your major threat is losing your belongings so, you will have to be aware of crowded locations of pickpockets and never leave your belongings unattended. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and issues like this are somewhat common in India, so keep your wits about you. If in any case you are robbed, immediately report this to the local police. You may not get back your belongings but you will get a report that will make you eligible to claim travel insurance. If you’re a woman and if you are travelling alone then, take care to dress appropriately and use caution when walking alone or at night.  Also, letting your close ones and authorized bodies know your travel destination and the route can be a great way to ensure your safety.

Weather Information of India

The average temperature of India (New Delhi) ranges from 8°C to 40°C. . For more details and recent updates regarding India’s weather, you can also visit the official website of India Meteorological Department; of Government of India. The monthly average temperature of India is:

Best time to visit India

Winter (October – March)

The best time to visit India is between October and March when the weather is warm, sunny, and dry. And favourable weather, as well as temperature, always makes it ideal for sightseeing, city breaks and other outdoor activities. During this season, the northern view and side offer clear blue skies. However, December and January are much colder, with potential fog and higher Himalaya can be very cold, but with clearer mountain views.

Summers (April – June)

Summer in India is perfect for yoga, meditation as well as adventure sports in North India. This is also the best time for a honeymoon in North India and the North East. Northern plains and South India are very hot and humid with temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Increasing temperatures in April and May can result in excellent value trips, but you can also expect high humidity and thunderstorms in this season. Hill stations and beach destinations are ideal for this time.

Monsoon (July – September)

Monsoon arrives in South India in early July covering the entire country by the end of July. At this time high-altitude regions can be avoided because of chances of landslides. Rains bring down the high temperatures, offering respite from the heat. Monsoon is the best time for exploring Kerala, increasing its lush greenery to manifolds. Periyar National Park in Thekkady, Kerala is one of the best places to visit in monsoon for boat safaris.

How to Book

A memorable and enjoyable trip begins with making an informed decision, and booking your trip can be one of the most exciting parts of the process. It’s the commitment to the adventure, to known, and unknown dreams, and a multitude of possibilities. But knowing exactly what you’re getting does not have to be a surprise after the booking process has been finished. So, before booking your trip please read carefully the full itinerary and if you have any questions concerning your trek, please reach out to our customer care specialists who are standing by to help with any queries. You can contact us either by email or call us at +977-9841365230. We request you also become familiar with our terms and conditions before booking your trip.

To begin your booking:

Please, select trip that you want to buy from us as we have plenty of activities that you can do here at Bhutan at Nepal Social Treks and proceed for booking by filling up the necessary details on the form. And if you cannot find the program that you need or want to customize the program then do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected] or contact +977-9841365230 with your requirement then we will offer you suitable program and we will communicate through email and once both parties agree then we will suggest you how to book and make payment.

If you are looking for a group tour or join any other existing groups then find your program and select the date you want to travel and click on Book now and add the number of People for the trip, then you will be redirected to the booking form. Fill the form carefully and click on confirm and book and continue. Then you will get the Online payment form and Pay online as you are required to make the 20% payment in advance in order to confirm the Tour and once you pay the amount then you will receive the Invoice for your payment then we will communicate through email for the further steps.

Once you finish booking any trip:

1. You need to send us a passport copy of all the travellers of the group.
2. You need to send us your flight arrival details.
3. You will need to pay 20% of the total amount as advance payment to secure your spot if you haven’t done yet.

Mode of payment

Bank Transfer (Wire Transfer):

You can pay the deposit through the Bank transfer, our bank detail is given below for the Bank Transfer.
Beneficiary Name: Nepal Social Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd
USD Account No: 01905822690019
Bank Name: Himalayan Bank Ltd.
Bank Address: Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.
SWIFT Code: HIMANPKA

Credit card payment

You are able to make an online payment now to book your trip in Nepal and you are required to make the 20% down payment in order to confirm the trip. After making the payment your trip booking confirmation will be sent to you via email.