Travel Notes

Airport

Always ready your passport id and air-ticket (in smartphone or as hardcopy) prior to entering the airport. Security official will check at entry gate of every airport. Incase you cannot find your ticket, in emergency you can retrieve the same thru check-in counter team. But you will need to take special permission from security official to enter the airport without a ticket. 

Domestic Airports

Will close flight check-in counter 45 Min before departure time. Considering traffic, distance, peak hour rush/ques, we suggest to reach airport apx. 2 Hr prior to departure time. If you have already online checked-in then reach 1 1/2 Hr prior.

International Airport

Will close flight check-in counter 60 Min before departure time. Considering traffic, distance, peak hour rush/queues, we suggest to reach airport apx. 3 Hr prior to departure time. If you have already done online check-in then reach 2 Hr prior.

Departure Tax

All India Airport departure taxes are usually included in your international flight ticket.

Baggage

At Domestic Airport: ECONOMY class baggage is usually 15Kg check-in (may vary as per your airlines). One 7Kg carry-on allowed. Extra baggage can be purchased only upon check-in at airport. Usually INR 400-500 is charged per Kg (may vary as per airline policy) (for our cruise groups baggage may vary).

At International Airport: ECONOMY class baggage is usually between 20-30Kg check-in (may vary as per your airlines) with One 7Kg carry-on allowed. 

BUSINESS class baggage is usually between 30-40 Kg check-in (may vary as per your airlines) with Two 7 Kg carry-on is allowed. 

Language

The ethnologies lists 415 living languages for India. India has 23 constitutionally recognized official languages. English and Hindi are the official languages of India also used by the Central Government. State governments use respective official languages. To help you get the most out of your contact with local people in the northern states where Hindi is widely used.

Clothing

India is a diverse country. Not only it has diverse culture but also diverse style of traditional dressing. For instance, South Indians look and dress different from North Indians. So feel free to dress informally while on tour; carry lightweight clothes that can be laundered easily. (We suggest nothing above knee length or sleeveless)

During winter, you will need light woollens, sweaters, a light jacket or wool wrap. In summer, light cotton clothes will do everywhere except in the mountain regions, where it will be cold at night. In South India, It is advisable to wear light cotton clothes throughout the year, as the climate is hot and humid. In North India prepare for hot, sunny days and cool nights. Along with slippers or sandals you can pack a good walking shoes with grip, and preferable ankle support for trekking.

Also to remember, if you are going to the Ganges or any holy river for bathing. Women have to be fully clothed when they bathe in the Ganges. They will not be allowed to wear swimsuits.

Going inside religious places will require you to cover your hair and no shoes or socks.

Laundry services: are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. 

Cuisine

Hinduism is believed to have multi Gods & Goddesses. And Hindus believe different animals represent different gods and carry their messages. Hence Indians being majority Hindu’s believe killing animal is sin. Thus India is a perfect place for Vegetarians. Even though majority of population is vegetarian still there are various dishes that are a non-vegetarians delight. Traditional Indian cuisine has been widely appreciated for its fabulous use of herbs and spices. Indian cuisine is known for its large assortment of dishes. The cooking style varies from region to region and is largely divided into South, East, West & North Indian. The staple food in India includes wheat, rice and pulses being the most important one. India is quite famous for its diverse multi cuisine as under;

  • Bengali Food : is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavours. 
  • Gujarati Food : is primarily vegetarian and has a high nutritional value. 
  • Kashmiri Food : influenced by the food of local pundits, also adopted in Central Asia & Persia.
  • Mughlai Cuisine : is one of the most popular Indian cuisines (eg. Butter Chicken, Naan, Kebabs, Mutton or Fish Curry etc). Its origin trace back to Mughal Empire times. 
  • Punjabi Food : The cuisine of Punjab state is renowned for high spice level. 
  • Rajasthani Food : is primarily vegetarian. Spice content is quite high in comparison to others. 
  • South Indian Cuisine : is known for its light, low calorie appetizing dishes. Mainly rice and coconut based, hence S. India is best for gluten free diet. Famed for freshwater seafood and rice. 
  • Goan Cuisine : High in spice level and famed for its fish curry dishes. 

Major festivals

Every festival is unique in its way. Celebrating them while you pay a visit to the country is a great chance to explore the prosperity of Indian culture and heritage (dates may vary as per lunar calendar). 

  • January 26th – Republic Day / Nationally
  • January mid – Makar Sankranti Kite festival / Gujarat, and Lohri bon-fire rituals / Punjab
  • January mid – Pongal Harvest festival / South India
  • January end – Basant Panchami / Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, Assam
  • January mid-end – Kumbh Mela pilgrim festival / Uttar Pradesh
  • February end – Losar- Tibetan New Year / Ladakh
  • February end – Maha Shivratri / Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
  • February end – The Goa carnival / Goa
  • March beginning – Holi festival of colors / Nationally
  • May beginning – Buddha Jayanti / East India
  • May mid – Mango season & festival / Nationally
  • June end – Rath Yatra Chariot festival / Odisha
  • August beginning – Rakshabandhan siblings festival / Nationally
  • August mid – Janmashtami birth of Krishna / Nationally
  • August 15th– Independence Day / Nationally
  • August mid – Nowruz-Parsi New Year / Maharashtra
  • August mid – Ganesh Chaturthi birth of Ganesh / Maharashtra
  • September beginning – Onam harvest festival / Kerala
  • October early – Gandhi Jayanti / Nationally
  • October end –Durga Puja rituals / West & North India
  • October end – Navratri cultural dances / West & North India
  • October end – Dussehra carnival / Nationally
  • November beginning – Diwali festival of lights / Nationally
  • November mid – Gurupurab sikh festival / Punjab 
  • November mid – Dev Deepawali festival of lights / North India
  • November & December –Pushkar & Camel Desert Fairs / Rajasthan
  • December – Marriage Season for big fat weddings / Nationally
  • November to February – Rann Utsav Kutch Festival / Gujarat
  • December beginning –Hornbill Festival / Nagaland

** Namaste, Bon Voyage and see you again **

Email Enquiry

Tell us what you’re planning and let our experts help you with your holiday

YOUR TRAVEL PLANS