Your India questions answered
by The Adventure People on 25th September 2018
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Do I need a visa?
You do need a visa to visit India. Apply for one here Indian High Commission website Your visa is usually valid for 60 days from the day you enter India and get your passport stamped. Your passport must be valid for 180 days to get a visa.
If you over stay you may be fined and / or detained so it’s not worth the risk!
As always we recommend checking the latest country entry requirements with your national foreign travel office, for UK citizens this is the Foreign Travel Advice section of www.gov.co.uk, please click here to view to India page.
When is the best time to go?
Because of the country’s size, when to go is highly dependable on where you are going.
In general the “monsoon” season is in May – June. Flooding during these months is common, and the Himalayas can have landslides. The winter is mostly dry but can get chilly. Spring time is the hottest, often reaching mid 30s and with temperatures peaking in May and June.
Most of the country is at its most comfortable in November to March, and for trekking in the Himalayas, the peak time is August and September.
Do I need vaccinations before going to India?
Yes most likely you will need some vaccinations, pending where you are going, when and what you’re doing. Standard and correct advice is to check with your GP before travelling as they’ll have the up to date information. We recommend going to check which vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before departing in case you need to take several doses.
Also, goes without saying we’d advise taking out travel insurance before travelling.
How do I get there from the UK?
Unless you’ve visited bordering Nepal on your way to India, you will most likely need to fly here. There are many non-stop options from the UK, usually to New Delhi or Mumbai but a few smaller cities have direct flights as well, including Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Prices are usually higher during peak season, which is November to March. Cheapest fares are in June and July.
If you’re after a good flight deal it might be best to avoid the Diwali holiday, when Indians travel home and prices go way up!
Flights from the UK are about 8-11 hours.
Is India safe to visit?
The vast majority of trips are trouble free. Indians are very hospitable and helpful people, but as with any trip it’s important to be vigilant and take any regular precaution. The British Government recommends:
- use a hotel safe for your valuables
- minimise the items you carry with you. If you carry a bag, make sure the strap is over your shoulder, away from the road to deter thieves on motorbikes from snatching it
- take extra care at night and in isolated areas
- be particularly vigilant travelling at night by bicycle or motorcycle, especially if you’re alone. Stick to well-used, well-lit roads and carry a personal alarm if possible
- avoid placing bags in the front basket of bicycles
- be wary of pickpockets, especially on public transport and in crowded areas
The emergency number is 112.
What is the accommodation like?
This very much varies depending on where you are going and every tour is different. On most of our tours you will stay most nights in hotels and some nights in overnight trains. Don't expect luxury, part of the experience is getting to know the local culture. Since the accommodations differ so from tour to tour, please send us an email if you're wondering about a specific tour and we'll give more details.
