Important Travelling Tips During Your India Tours

While planning vacations to India there are lot of things that you need to consider but the absolute best information you are going to get will come from those with first hand knowledge. Here is some

opinionated potpourri regarding your tour to India, that will help make your journey more relaxing, safer and enjoyable.

Climate : India essentially has temperate climate with variations from one region to the other. The hottest season lasts from March to June, when it is warm, dusky and unpleasant. Monsoon season occur in most regions from June end till October. While cool weather lasts from November to December.

Entering India : Visa and Other Formalities - You are required to carry valid national passport and identity proof of yourself while traveling to India. Do remember that there is no provision for visa on arrival in India. Citizens from Bhutan and Nepal do not require visa to enter the country. Apart from that there are several regions in the country that require special permit to enter.

Credit Cards : The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates.

Clothing : We recommend you to pack your bag according to the season of your visit to India. For summers carry light cotton clothes with a pair of good slippers. For winters you required to carry woolen sweaters or leather jacket, especially if you are going for the north India tour.

People in India are still orthodox and conservative. Men can wear anything, but women are advised not to wear short skirts, especially if they are visiting the rural areas or the small towns.

Religion : People in India are really religious sensitive. So we advise you to respect their religion and appreciate their cultural practices and rituals. Women are requested to avoid wearing revealing dresses. They should properly cover their heads with a scarf; while visiting any of the religious places in the country. You must also remove your shoes before entering any of the religious place.

Tipping : There is no need to tip the taxis and auto drivers in any part of the country. If you want you can give tip to the waiters in the restaurants and hotels.

Beggars : Begging is strictly prohibited in the country and so you are requested you to avoid beggars. If you are traveling in taxi or car, roll up your glasses otherwise and give them a tough look.

Food and Medical Kit : Be extra careful while eating and drinking in India. No matter how hungry or trusty you feel – do not eat from open road side stalls that are exposed to flies and avoid water from local local taps. We recommend you to always carry a bottle of mineral water wit you.

Please do carry a proper medical kit with an anti malaria tablets, analgesics, anti emetic and anti diarrheal tablets. Antihistamines if you suffer from allergies as well as broad spectrum antibiotic, band aids, antiseptic creams etc. Make sure you use sunscreen lotion before leaving. Also take sun hats and sun glasses with you.

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Kerala Backwaters : Romantic yet unforgettable

Kerala Backwater is an exhilarating tourists destination that enable traveler to experience the most exotic topography ranging from pristine beaches, aromatic plantations, amazing wildlife, and the colorful culture traditions, together located in vicinity on this narrow strip of land in the southern part of India. The various tour packages available also give you the opportunity to enthrall your senses with the dynamic temple architecture of Kerala, admire the traditional art form of Kathakali dance, explore the local handicraft items and savor the lip smacking cuisines of Kerala.

Kerala Backwater has been declared as one of most exotic eco location in the country. The one experience that you must not skip on your Kerala tours is the night on Kettuvallam – the traditional houseboats, your leisure home on the wondrous backwaters of this palm fringed state. As you sail on the serene backwaters of Kerala, the beauty of calm waterways and quaint streams and inlets along the cost of Kerala will enchant you.

Some of the popular backwater destination in Kerala includes Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kozhikode and Kochi.

Alappuzha : Begin your journey from Alappuzha, the popular backwater destination and the Venice of the East. An complex network of canals and lagoons in Alappuzha, especially that forms a part of the Vembanad lake is a place if you really want to see some astounding beauty. Scenes enroute are equally enchanting – fishing villages, lush paddy fields, Ayurveda camps, and the busy fishermen's. The major attraction here is Kuttand, the rice bowl of India, which is the only place in the world where farming is done on land below the sea level.

Kumarakom : Yet another inspiring backwater destination on the banks of the Vembanad lake, is Kumarakom which is also the favorite haunting destination of the migratory birds. It is one such place in Kerala where some of the interesting rare and endangered species of birds can be observed and photographed at the close quarters. Tune yourself with the melodious bird songs and please you eyes with amazing sceneries of immense natural beauty complemented with coconut groves, mangroves and rice paddy fields.

Kollam : Popularly referred to as Swapnadesham by her faithful admirers, Kollam is popular as the ancient center of cashew trade in India. The one thing that most appreciate is immense natural beauty of this place, which has yet not faded out even a bit. The backwaters in the Ashtamudi lake and its channels are still as attractive as they were many years back. Step out of the boat and explore the numerous tribal hamlets, enchant with the local people, learn about their culture and taste the traditional food of Kerala in one of the places, particularly the sea food.

Kozhikode : Kozikode is one of the less explored regions of Kerala. So you can expect lot of hidden surprises here at every step. Elathur, the Canolly Canal and the Kallai river are the popular boating destinations here. You can also make a visit to the Kadulundi Bird Sanctuary and Korapuza, the venue for Korapuzha Jalotsavam.

Cochin : Cochin locally known as Kochi is one of the best natural harbours in the world. All the islands that form a part of Kochi are interconnected by the network of lakes and canals. Passing through them and viewing the Chinese fishing nets, especially during the sunset, is one sight that you will cherish forever.

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