The Seasons

India’s seasons are; Winter (Dec to Mar), Summer (Apr to early Jul), Monsoon (late Jul, Aug, early Sep), and Post-monsoon (late Sep, Oct and Nov).

In the colder months of Dec, Jan and early Feb, we recommend a winter jacket for early mornings and evenings. Layered clothing that can you can quickly put on or take off is great, as the temperature tends to fluctuate. In Mar, late Sept, Oct and Nov, we suggest casual summer clothing such as Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt. You can consider a light jacket.

For Apr, May, Jun and early Jul, we recommend loose-fitting pieces in natural fabrics; perhaps a breezy cotton maxi-skirt or a linen shirt. For late Jul, Aug and early Sept, pack a light waterproof jacket in addition to loose-fitting pieces in natural fabrics, comfortable for humidity.

The Climate

These figures are averages for the time of year.

• Jan (10/23°C or 50/75°F)
• Feb (12/26°C or 55/80°F)
• Mar (15/30°C or 60/85°F)
• Apr (21/37°C or 70/100°F)
• May (26/43°C or 80/110°F)
• Jun (26/43°C or 80/110°F)
• Jul (26/35C or 80/95°F)
• Aug (24/38°C or 75/100°F)
• Sept (24/35°C or 75/95°F)
• Oct (18/35°C or 65/95°F)
• Nov (12/30°C or 55/85)
• Dec (10/23°C or 50/75°F)

Dec and Jan can be foggy in the early morning; this usually clears up by noon. Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct and Nov are dry and sunny. Jul through Sept are wet and humid.

Packing for Ladies

Whilst it’s not expected for tourists to adhere to India’s conservative sense of dress, it would be culturally appropriate to avoid anything tight or revealing. Skirts, shorts or dresses are no problem provided they fall below the knee. For your upper half, it would be recommended to avoid exposing the shoulders or chest area. Bare arms are fine though very thin spaghetti straps are best avoided. You may like to consider pairing a loose tunic with leggings, or a t-shirt with a maxi-skirt. When at your hotel, you should feel comfortable to wear anything you like, including your bathing suit. It’s only when out and about in busy markets etc that we recommend modest dress. A shawl comes in very handy to a multitude of uses: you can drape it over your shoulders when entering a place of worship; wrap it round your shoulders if its breezy, to protect you from the sun, or evening mosquitos. That being said, there are a number of beautiful scarves to buy in India so you may like to wait until you arrive.

Packing for Gents

There’s no real cultural norms to note. However, if a Jain temple is on your itinerary (such as the one in Ranakpur, or those in Jaisalmer) we recommend covering up with long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Leather items are not permitted in Jain temples, including belts, wallets and shoes. You may keep in mind that fancier restaurants ask men to avoid wearing shorts or open-toed shoes whilst dining. A dinner jacket is not required.

Useful items to bring

We suggest you bring with you…

• Your passport, with two blank pages and at least six months validity from the date of arrival;
• Your tourist visa. If applying for an e-Tourist visa, please remember to carry a printed copy of your e-Tourist visa authorisation. If applying for a regular visa it would have already been stamped in your passport;
• A printed or digital copy of your flight ticket home or to your onward destination. This may be asked for by immigration when you arrive, though nonetheless would be required to enter the airport on your departure. All airports in India are restricted to passengers only and tickets are checked with ID on entry.
• Sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses
• Toiletries (a hairdryer is not required as this will be available at your hotels)
• Hand sanitiser bottles and packets of tissue paper
• Comfortable, sturdy shoes for sightseeing in; Flip-flops for the pool; Sports shoes if you intend on embarking on a sports activity sometimes on offer at hotels, such as horse riding or cycling. Men should ensure they have a pair of closed-toe shoes (some restaurants require men do); Ladies, we recommend avoiding heels in the day time. The ground is often uneven so flat shoes are a lot more manageable
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Bathing suit (you should be aware that not all swimming pools in the region are heated. Whilst this is not a problem for much of the year, it can be too cold to swim in Dec and Jan. Please do not hesitate to ask if you’d like to know which of your hotels are heated or not).
• India adapter for your electrical devices (some but not all hotels have this facility in the room); A voltage converter if your devices are from the US.
• Painkillers; Anti-diarrhoea medicine, such as Imodium; Mosquito repellent; Any prescription medication you are taking.
• Reading material.

Please remember to call your card-issuing bank to inform them of your travels, ensuring your card is not blocked when you attempt to use it in India.

If there’s anything not explained here that you’d like to ask, please let us know. No request is too big or too small and we’ll be delighted to help you prepare as best possible.

• Hello – Namaste
• Thank you – Danyavad/Shukriya
• OK – Acha
• 1,2,3,4,5 – ek, doe, teen, char, panch
• How are you? – Aap kaisey hai?
• I’m good, (and you?) – Main theek hun, (aur aap?)
• How much is this? – Ye kitna hai?
• Where is the bathroom? – Bathroom kahaan hai?
• I’m lost – Hum kho gaye hain
• Do you speak English? – Kya aap Angrezi bolte hain?

Indian Rupees are a protected currency; you can’t get them outside India. We recommend exchanging your money for rupees at your hotel. ATMs are available in all towns and cities,and your guide or driver can help you locate one. Do let your bank know you’re travelling to India to avoid them freezing your card. You can pay for meals out and extras at the hotels on your card. We recommend you carry cash for small souvenirs, refreshments and gratuities.

Sockets in India accept Type C, D, and M plugs. The voltage in India is 220v alternating at 50hz. If you wish to use any electronic devices from the US or any country with 110v, you’ll need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter. People coming from countries with 230v (such as Australia, Europe, and the UK) only require a plug adapter. It is increasingly common – but not guaranteed – for hotels to include adapters in the room.

Lunch venues don’t typically require a reservation. We recommend booking ahead for dinners out (24 or 48 hrs should do it, but trendy restaurants such as Indian Accent in Delhi can sell out weeks in advance). We’re only a text away if you’d appreciate our suggestions, or if you’d like us to make a reservation for you. Similarly, your guides/driver can make recommendations. Food and drink prices on Indian menus exclude tax which can be as high as 18 – 28%. Some places add a service charge, so check the menu.

Most of India’s tap water is unfit for consumption. Restaurants will offer treated drinking water, but it’s advisable for visitors always to drink bottled water. When buying bottled water from road-side vendors, make sure the seal is intact. Food is often the cause of visitor’s stomach upsets. Be careful of eating washed salads, fresh fruit juice (which may be mixed with water), and ice. Unfortunately, one of India’s problems is its lack of public toilets, which is blamed for the familiar sight of men relieving themselves on the side of the street. Besides, the public restrooms that are provided are usually dirty and not well maintained, and many of them are the “squat” variety. If you need the toilet, it’s best to head to a restaurant or hotel and use the facilities there. Make sure you bring antibacterial hand-wipes or gel with you. If you’re feeling under the weather during your trip, please call us – we can help. At any time we can arrange for a doctor to visit you. Your health, safety and wellbeing is our topmost priority, so please do not hesitate to call us day or night. Many of our guests visit India trouble-free, but it’s not uncommon to have one or two off-days, especially when you first arrive. You needn’t be embarrassed by letting us know and asking for our help. We’ve been victims ourselves on more than one occasion, and we know what it’s like and what to do to get back on track ASAP.

Indians are very forgiving toward visitors who aren’t always aware of the etiquette of Indian culture. However, to help you avoid embarrassing mistakes, here are five things to avoid in India.

• Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothing. Indians adopt a conservative standard of dress, particularly in rural areas. Western apparel, including jeans on women, is becoming quite prevalent in cities, though we recommend ladies avoid hems that fall above the knee or low-cut tops. Covering your legs and shoulders is essential when visiting places of worship. Exposed arms are not a problem; cap sleeves or short sleeves are fine, but thin spaghetti straps are not advised. A scarf is great to whip around your shoulders when you want to cover up.
• Don’t point your feet at people. Feet are considered unclean, and therefore it’s important to avoid pointing your feet at people or touching people or objects (particularly books) with your feet or shoes. If you accidentally do so, you should apologise straight away. Also, note that Indians will often touch their head or eyes as a show of apology. On the other hand, it’s a sign of respect to bend down and reach an older person’s feet in India.
• Try not to pass objects/food to people with your left hand. Indians consider the left hand unclean as they use it to perform matters associated with going to the bathroom.Therefore, you should try to avoid your left hand coming into contact with objects/food that you pass to people.
• It’s good manners to take your shoes off before entering someone’s home, and it’s a prerequisite before setting foot in a temple or mosque. Shoes are sometimes also removed before entering a shop. If you see shoes at an entrance, it’s a good idea to take yours off as well.
• Don’t be offended by intrusive questions. Indians are inquisitive people. Their culture is one where people can freely ask questions that we might in the west find offensive – anything from your age to how much you earn for a living, all upon first meeting!). What’s more, you should feel free to ask these types of questions in return.

You’ll have the same driver throughout your journey with us (unless distance doesn’t allow, for example, if you’re taking an internal flight or train journey). His primary responsibility is to transport you safely while sightseeing and from place to place, as well as keep the vehicle clean and replenish the bottles of water we include. He is not your guide. Our drivers have a basic to intermediate understanding of English, sufficient for communicating about bathroom breaks or a start time for the next day.

Our local guides are fluent in English, and you’ll have a different one in each destination. They are very experienced, knowledgeable and passionate about their respective cities. If you’re not happy with your guide – for any reason, even if you merely don’t click – please let us know as soon as possible so we can put things right.

Many of our guests are curious whether the driver and guides will expect to eat with you. No, they would not. While you have your lunch, they would have their lunch nearby. You are not responsible for the cost of their meals. An allowance for your driver’s meals and accommodation is factored into the price of the vehicle.

Aside from our guides, we also have representatives. You wouldn’t spend much time with them, but they would be present whenever you arrive or depart from a place. They are there to assist you with checking in and checking out, as well as set times to begin sightseeing. They would also accompany you to the airport and railway station, to help you navigate (please note, however, they’re unable to attend you inside the airport, as in India airports are strictly passenger-only). Your driver communicates with them when he’s on his way to their city, so they would be ready and waiting for you at the hotel when you arrive. While most of our guests appreciate the help of the representative, others have expressed they felt it wasn’t necessary, however, the representative does play a vital role in ensuring your experience is seamless.

For example, if the airline misplaces your baggage on arrival, he or she is there to help. When checking-in, they ensure the hotel is holding the reservation and that they provide the correct room category. Despite having reconfirmed on multiple occasions beforehand, it has been known for a hotel to make last-minute changes to accommodate other guests on the day. If a hotel has received a group reservation after we placed ours, they may try to move us to an alternate hotel, or provide a twin-bedded room rather than king-bedded). Similarly, when checking out, if the hotel mistakenly charges you for breakfast or something similar, they’re there to put things right. Our representatives make sure this doesn’t happen and that all runs smoothly, though it’s a bit behind-the-scenes, so guests don’t see a lot of what they do.

At first, driving in India does seem completely bonkers! However, we assure you that there are logic and system in place. To start with, all our drivers at Volds Travel have full clean driving licenses, with years of experience. They are skilled on the road and know the routes like the back of their hand. Nevertheless, India is a vast place and not well sign-posted, so it’s not uncommon for drivers to ask for directions along the way. Please don’t be alarmed if your driver winds down the window and asks a local for directions at a fork road; this is common practice in India and not a reflection of inadequate knowledge. He is doing this to ensure he takes you to your destination as quickly as possible.

Indians drive on the left side of the road. However, if there is space on the right side and it’s safe to drive, it’s very acceptable for the driver to use this lane. Your driver would move back to the left in plenty of time if there’s any oncoming traffic. You may at first be irritated by the constant horn honking. Surprisingly, it’s usually not a sign of aggression; in fact, we believe you will find the majority of Indian drivers to be very patient. Honking in India is a defensive move, it’s letting other vehicles know they’re there. It’s saying “hey, I just want you to know I’m here and I’m overtaking you”. Your driver will limit his honking as much as safely possible for your comfort, though it is the norm in India and your driver needs to honk.

You will see a lot from your window while driving to your next destination. You’ll catch sight of local villages, busy towns and much more. At any time, you can ask your driver to stop the vehicle, so you can get out and stretch your legs, photograph an exciting scene, use the bathroom or have a refreshment. Your driver will point out suitable places to break along the way.

Along with innumerable choices on where to shop for your souvenirs and gifts, you’ll be offered a plethora of unsolicited advice about how to shop and how to avoid commissions. We encourage you to use your best judgement on how and where you buy.

Your guide and driver are often paid a commission by a store that you shop at. Despite that, you’re usually best off letting someone make a small commission rather than shopping alone: the final price will be lower than what you would’ve negotiated if you’d gone through the process by yourself. Tourists often think that if they shop alone, they’ll save, as the shopkeeper won’t add commission; that’s not true, the price would be the same or more!

Hotel staff have a reputation for misinforming guests about shopping. They may tell you not to follow your guide’s advice and cite the fact that they receive commissions. They’ll not mention (and may even deny) that it’s the hoteliers themselves who get the most significant financial kickbacks from the stores they recommend.

We have long-standing relationships with a handful of reputable handicraft shops in Rajasthan. These shops are committed to offering quality products. If you face disagreement with one of them, we’ll ensure a timely and fair resolution. If you prefer not to shop, do not hesitate to tell your guide: for any member of Volds Travel, it should take only one ‘no’. If you buy alone, ask for a written guarantee that they’ll provide a refund if necessary, and get this signed and dated by an employee.

Tipping can be a delicate subject. What is customary in one country may be viewed quite differently in another. We understand that it can be confusing or even frustrating for those travelling from countries where tipping is uncommon. Equally, we appreciate that our guests are keen to find the right balance and be respectful of Indian cultural norms. With that in mind, we offer some guidance below.

In India, tipping within the tourism and service industries is very much part of the culture. However, we emphasise that gratuities for your guides and driver(s) are optional and entirely at your discretion. We encourage you to tip only when and as much as you feel comfortable with, based on your experience of the service received. If you feel you have received exceptional service, you may wish to increase the amount accordingly. If you choose not to tip, please rest assured that Volds Travel pays all our guides, drivers, and representatives fairly, reflecting their expertise and experience. While tips do contribute to their income, they are not solely reliant on them. Culturally, a low tip may be interpreted as an insult, more so than not tipping at all. If you wish to tip but only have a small amount of change at the time, it is better not to tip.

A tip will be gratefully received in any currency, though rupees are preferred.

If you are pleased with the services provided, then as a general guide to local tipping norms, we recommend approximately ₹1500 – ₹2500 (around US $18 – $30) per day for your guide and ₹500 – ₹1500 (around US $6 – $18) per day for your driver, depending on your satisfaction from average to exceptional. You wouldn’t tip each day; instead, you would offer the tip at the end of that associate’s service when saying goodbye (e.g. you might have the same guide for two days or the same driver for ten days). We will explain at the time how long a particular team member will be with you.

If your visit includes a safari in Ranthambhore National Park, we suggest ₹500 per safari for your naturalist and ₹300 per safari for your driver. Should you be fortunate enough to have a special wildlife sighting and feel that your naturalist and driver contributed significantly, you may increase the tip at your discretion.

You may also choose to tip our local representative ₹100, who will assist you with checking in and out and discussing your sightseeing plans. There are no expectations here – the decision is entirely yours.

At restaurants, 10% of the bill is typical. However, do check if this has already been added as a service charge.

Upon checking out of the hotel, you may wish to tip between ₹100 and ₹300 to each staff member who has assisted you most during your stay. Some large luxury hotel chains do not encourage individual tipping; instead, guests are invited to leave one tip at the end of their stay, which is then shared amongst the staff. We suggest enquiring about the tipping policy when you check in.

At temples, a small offering of ₹50 is customary, with ₹10 for the shoe handlers. Ultimately, tipping is a personal gesture of appreciation, and for that reason, we find that most of our guests prefer to tip as they go. However, if you would like us to include tips in advance to be distributed on your behalf, or if you would rather leave one consolidated tip upon departure, please do let us know.

Yes. A tourist visa is required for entry into India and must be obtained prior to departure. There are currently two options available, an electronic visa (eVisa) and a traditional visa stamp.