Closure
Days of Monuments in India
Hereunder are the days when
various monuments are closed for its weekly maintenance :-
| Taj
Mahal, Agra |
Friday |
| Ellora
Caves, Aurangabad |
Tuesday |
| Ajanta
Caves, Aurangabad |
Monday |
| Elephanta
Caves, Mumbai |
Monday |
| Sarnath,
Varanasi |
Friday |
| Trivandrum
(All Closed) |
Monday |
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Tipping
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Some
hotels include service charges on their bills. In such
cases tipping is not necessary. Where this is not done, at
tip of 7% on food bills for individuals may be offered by
clients but it is your prerogative right. If you are in a
big group and the food bill is high, the tip on the total
can come down to 5%. The porter who takes your baggage
upto your room may be tipped Rs.5 per bag or Rs.10 to
Rs.20 per trolley. (These estimates are for 5 and 4-star
hotels and are proportionately less in 1, 2 or 3 star
hotels.) Tipping of taxi drivers is not customary.
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The units
of Indian currency are the Rupee and Paisa (100 Paisa
equal 1 Rupee). Paper money is in denominations of Rupees
1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Coins are in
denominations of Rupees 1, 2 and 5. There are no
restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or
travelers’ cheques a tourist may import, provided a
Declaration form is completed on arrival. This will
facilitate the exchange of imported currency as well as
the export of unspent currency on departure. Cash, bank
notes and traveler’s cheques up to US $ 10,000 or
equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. Any
money in the form of traveler’s cheques, drafts, bills,
cheques, etc., which tourists wish to convert into Indian
currency should be exchanged only through authorized
money- changers. Tourists are warned that changing money
through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also
involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. To
exchange foreign money other than through banks or
authorized money- changers is an offence. Please note that
no Indian currency whatsoever can be imported or exported,
except for Rupee travelers’ checks. Banks abroad to keep
Rupee balances with their agents in India and are able to
draw upon these balances to issue Rupee travelers’
cheques to intending tourists. There are 24- hour exchange
facilities available at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and
Chennai international airports.
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Visa
:
Citizens of
all countries, except Nepal and Bhutan, require a valid
national passport or valid travel documents and a valid
visa granted by Missions abroad for entering India.
Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens need no passport or visa
but should carry suitable documents for their
identification when proceeding from their respective
countries. Tourist visas are currently valid for 120 days
stay in India. If planning to visit a neighboring country
such as Nepal and then re - entering India, a
double/multiple visa should be obtained. Special permits
for Sikkim can be obtained in Delhi. For latest
regulations with regard to Indian visa please check with
your nearest Indian Consulate.
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Customs
:
The duty free allowance for passengers is INR
12,000 for Indian residents or foreigners residing in
India if the stay abroad is more than 3 days (INR 4,000
for tourists of foreign origin, nil for tourists of
Nepalese or Bhutanese origin coming from their respective
countries) for bonafide baggage (i.e. for personal use or
giving as gifts). The allowance is INR 6,000 if the stay
abroad is upto 3 days. These include 200 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 250 gms. tobacco) and liquor and wines upto 1
litre. You can also bring in articles for your personal
use including cameras with 5 rolls of film, a reasonable
quantity of jewellery, one pair of binoculars, one
portable musical instrument, one radio set, one tape
recorder, one portable typewriter, one perambulator and
professional equipment, on the undertaking that you will
take them back with you. The duty rate beyond the free
baggage allowance is 61.4 per cent. Drugs and narcotics
and the import of firearms is prohibited.
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Health
Regulations :
A valid
yellow fever certificate is mandatory for all persons
(including infants) who have been, even in transit, in
Africa or South America or Papua New Guinea in the last
six days. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after
vaccination. India does not require immunization against
Small Pox and Cholera. A person arriving in India, who is
required to possess a yellow fever vaccination certificate
in accordance with these requirements will, in the absence
of a valid vaccination certificate be guaranteed for a
period upto 6 days, without exception.
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Banks
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Most are
open from Monday to Friday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and
Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Central Bank in Ashoka Hotel
as well as State Bank of India & Thomas Cook at Delhi
International Airport is open round the clock.
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Credit
Cards :
Major credit cards are generally accepted by
large establishments, including hotels, shops and
airlines.
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Foreign
Travel Tax :
Government of India levies Airport tax of Rs. 150
per person on departure by air from India for neighboring
countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma,
Maldives Island, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for
returning passengers. Airport Tax on departure for other
countries is Rs. 500/- per person.
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Rates :
All rates will be offered for non-air-conditioned
cars/coaches. Loading factor in cars is based on 1 to 3
persons whereas the coach capacity ranges from 10 to 35
persons. Supplement rates for air-conditioned vehicles
will be supplied on request. Sightseeing & excursions
rates will include local guide charges and Entrance
fees at monuments. Transfer rates include services of our
Representative. Our net rates will be quoted in U.S.
Dollars and payments are required to be made to us through
official banking channels.
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