Clothes: In India, delicate fabrics do not stand up well to laundering facilities except at deluxe hotels. Plain cottons or cotton/synthetic blends are the most practical and the coolest in summer. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are required. Trekkers and travelers going on any outdoor adventure should bring a day pack that will hold a sweater, camera, a water bottle. A good pair of binoculars and sunglasses that block out ultraviolet rays are advised. Also carry strong sun-block, sewing kit, pre-moistened towelettes, pocket knife with can opener, lock and key for each bag, high-power impact-resistant flashlight. If you are planning to wear full length clothes during your walking tours, then make sure that they do not drag on the floor since streets can be dirty and wet. You should not wear clothes that are very loose because they can get caught in protruding stones and surrounding bushes.

Insurance: Do take adequate insurance while undertaking a trip to India. There are many local agents in your country which can help you in this regard as also online travel insurance firms which can sense your requirements and recommend a suitable insurance alternative with a few clicks.

Footwear: When you visit places of worship, you will need to take off your shoes prior to entry. You are free to wear your socks, but may find that the floor is wet, thus it may be prudent to take off your socks also. Make sure that you bring comfortable and well supporting walking shoes. You will be walking a lot in the ruins of old temples and forts, and they normally do not have a clean and clear path with upturned stones, and steep narrow and broken steps.

Domestic flights: Prior to boarding your domestic flights in India as you leave the main terminal, please ensure that you identify your checked baggage. To do so, ask the airline representative where you need to actually identify the baggage that you have checked for your specific flight. Failure may mean that your checked baggage will not be put on the flight.

Leather-wear: There are some Hindu temples that demand that you do not take any leather goods such as belts, wallets and leather bags inside the temple. Therefore it is customary to take off ones belt and certainly not wear a leather jacket. Both men and women will need to cover their heads prior to entering a Sikh place of worship.

Accessories: Consider bringing your swimming trunks, air brush to clean the dust from your cameras and lens, a telephoto lens if your camera supports one, lots of clean wipes for your face and hands because of the dust.

Document safety: Prior to the start of your journey, send yourself an e-mail with all important passport and other numbers. Thus should you loose any documentation, you can retrieve your mail and have all necessary information.

Batteries: Due to security reasons, you are not allowed to carry batteries in your hand luggage on flights. All batteries that you need should be in your booked luggage, otherwise, security people will confiscate them and you may or may not get them back.

Electricity: The electrical supply is 220/240V, 50Hz. The connectors are similar to the European (not British) round pin.

Camera Fee: You will have to pay a fee for using a still and/or a video camera in most monuments, national parks and game sanctuaries. This fee, which ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 500, depending on the place and the type of camera used, is payable at the entrance gate. Please ensure you carry sufficient funds with you to cover this charge, as this is NOT included in the tour price.

Special Permits: Even with a visa foreign nationals are not allowed everywhere in India. Check with us if you are planning to journey on your own.

Time: Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT and 10 ½ hours ahead of American EST.

Hotel Paymants: All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash, traveler's checks or credit cards.Credit cards are widely accepted in Indian cities and larger towns, particularly American Express, Diners Club, master card and Visa. Credit cards can also be used to get cash advances in rupees.

Travelers Cheques: While one may get the best rate from a bank, banks have limited opening hours and one will find the process time consuming and laborious. You will find that your hotel will encash your checks and the rate, which is government controlled, is within reasonable norms.