Frequently Asked Questions

We have tried to address some of the concerns that the travellers often carry, especially if they are they are travelling to India for the first time. 

  • Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance (don’t forget your emergency insurance contact details), air tickets.

  • Passport & Visa: It is the responsibility of the traveller to be in possession of a valid passport & a valid Indian visa. Please note strict guidelines on the following official online visa website only: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html - There have been reports of other unofficial websites that the travellers should be aware of.

  • Travel Insurance: It is mandatory for all the travellers to have a valid travel insurance while taking a trip with Incredible Indian Tours. Your trip price does not include travel insurance. At the group meeting on the very first day of your trip, please provide your Tour Leader with your Travel Insurance details along with emergency contact numbers as well as your Next of Kin details.

  • We respect your privacy and your travel insurance details stay with us only to be used in case of an incident that requires travel insurance company to be contacted. In case you do not carry a valid travel insurance, you will not be allowed to travel with Incredible Indian Tours.

  • Photocopy of above documents.

  • Mobile phone/Tablet/ipad - There are long journeys usually to be had in India by road or train, so reading material is a great idea to have.

  • Spare camera batteries.

  • Power bank.

  • Plug adapter.

Sunscreen, hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, Health vaccinations/Personal Medication/First Aid kit

  • Long and loose fitting breathable clothing (cotton & linen) are best in summers. Winters (December - February) could be pretty cold with temperatures at some places going down to 0 degrees. You should consider packing a good quality jacket, thermal inner wears & a beanie. Please check weather of the area you are planning to visit and pack clothes accordingly.

  • It is best to wear comfortable walking shoes / sturdy sandals.

  • Consider packing a bathing suit if you are travelling in warmer months or if you are going to coastal areas like Goa or Kerala.

  • Respectful Dress Standards: India is a conservative country, especially in small towns & rural areas. A modest Dress code is expected as per the details below –

    • Shoulders & knees to be covered at all times while you are in public - minimum of half sleeves & three quarter trousers.

    • Unless, you are at a beach, no spaghetti straps / low necklines, please! If so, carry a stole or scarf around your neck, else, you will attract stares.

    • Best is to observe locals to get an idea of the respectful dress standards.

ATM card (widely available and easy to access): Please consider the following -

  • Visit a well-lit ATM during day time. Avoid going to ATMs after it is dark.

  • Make sure none is peeping into your space while you are using the ATM card. If possible, request your fellow traveller, group leader or your driver to accompany you. In small towns / cities, the concept of personal space / privacy etc. is very differently understood / perceived.

  • Credit cards (widely accepted in big cities)

  • Cash (for emergencies)

  • Money Exchange: We do not recommend you change money at the airport. Past travellers suggest they got much better exchange rates in town. You should ask for some small denominations (10, 20, 50) as small change is always handy in India for tips, making small purchases in local markets, etc.

  • Day pack to carry (camera & accessories, sun protection, toiletries etc.)

  • TSA approved lock for your suitcase or bag.

  • Money pouch to store your valueables. Avoid bringing valuable jewellery with you. Some of the hotels do provide the facility of in room electronic lockers.

  • Alarm clock and torch / flashlight.

  • Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper; at times, you may find yourself walking through a noisy street.

  • Binoculars for spotting wildlife

High Season (November – March)

  • Pleasant weather – The days may be warm but evenings & mornings can get nippy & sometimes very cold. The real cold months would be December & January with temperatures sometimes going down till 0 degree Celsius in some parts of Northern India.

  • Temperatures climb steadily from February.

Shoulder Season (July - November)

  • Passes to Ladakh and the high Himalaya open from July to September.

  • Monsoon rain-showers persist through to September.

  • The southeast coast and southern Kerala see heavy rain from October to early December.

Low Season (Apr–Jun)

  • April, May & June and unbearably hot. From June, the monsoon sweeps from south to north, bringing draining humidity.

  • Delhi-Belly: In case you face initial digestive upsets, please do not panic. This could be simply due to you getting used to the spices / ingredients along with heat & humidity that you are probably not used to back home. This is a minor stomach bug & is popularly called “Delhi-Belly”, which is easily treatable. All the hotels on the trip have a doctor (GP) on their panel. Also, there are plenty of pharmacies around.

  • Malaria: Malaria could be prevalent in some parts of India during summer months & monsoons, which lasts till September. So far in our travel career, we have not seen any traveller falling prey to Malaria, if proper precautions are taken:

    • Please consult your doctor while you are planning your trip to India.

    • When outdoors in the evenings, wear shoes & clothes that cover the arms & legs, & use mosquito repellents (sprays & ointments) which are easily available in India.

    • When sleeping in camps, use a mosquito net over the bed.

    GENERAL NOTE: When visiting India, we also suggest travellers to get vaccinated against Typhoid, Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B.

  • Precautions(Health & Hygiene): Although, we exercise caution while selecting hotels or restaurants for our travelers, you as a traveler need to consider a few points so as to remain healthy:

    • Always carry hand sanitizer & wipes and use them adequately, after handling money, going to washroom & every time just before you are going to touch food.

    • Please be mindful of anything that you put in your mouth, for example, camera strap or postage stamps.

    • Drink plenty of water; carry a hat, a pair of sunglasses & sunscreen, especially if the weather is warm.

    • Use Oral Rehydration Salts in your drinking water, at least every other day on the trip.

    • Consume Fresh lime & water with salt & sugar several times during the trip.

We always guide our travellers to restaurants / eating outlets which are safe and carry a decent reputation in the market.

Indian food could be spicy but when ordering in restaurants / hotels, you do have the option of toning down the spices. Regarding street food, we recommend specific places that are clean & safe to eat.

  • Please do not eat uncooked vegetables or fruits which can't be peeled.
  • Please do not eat from roadside eateries or at railway stations or bus stations

In big cities & large towns, continental, chinese, italian cuisine is easily available. If do have options in case you want a break from Indian cuisine on your trip.

  • Veg v/s Non-veg food options: India is a paradise for vegetarians. However, some of the places of our visit are also known for some yummy non-vegetarian specialities. It is important to highlight that if the weather is warm & humid, vegetarian food is more likely to be a safer option, as it is easier to digest. Choice is yours!
  • Drinking Water Guidelines: Basically, the safest drinking water is Mineral water which is easily available. Check for the bottle's seal to be intact, especially if you're buying it at a railway station or bus station.
    • Please do not brush your teeth using tap water or accidentally inhale or swallow water in the shower.
  • Private Air conditioned Cabs / Mini Coaches: Private air conditioned cabs / mini coaches for our inter city travel that usually lasts for around 5-6 hours. On rare occasions, we might have to drive a little longer, for example, around 7-8 hours but with adequate number of breaks.
  • Cycle Rickshaws / E-rickshaws: We also use cycle rickshaws or e-rickshaws (maximum half an hour) to get a feel of a city or town, a truly local & fun-filled experience.
  • Open Jeeps / Canters / Shuttle Bus / Golf Carts: Open top jeeps or canters are used for game drives at national parks / tiger reserves. Open jeeps are also used on village excursions / safaris.
  • During sightseeing within a city / town, we sometimes use jeeps / shuttle bus / golf carts (on shared basis & for maximum half an hour) to drive from the parking to the monuments. This is due to logistical or practical reasons.
  • Flights: We use flights for long distance travel on our trips in India. Most of the domestic flights allow a baggage limit of 15 kgs per person. If you have heavier luggage, you will need to pay the excess at the airport for your internal flights.
  • Train Journeys: On some of the sectors, we also travel by air conditioned trains with reserved seats for our day travel. This is a wonderful opportunity for our travelers to get an insight into world's largest rail network.
  • Motorized Boats/Sail Boats: Some of the activities which are a part of our sightseeing involve boats as well. For example, boat ride at dawn in Varanasi. Sail boats have always been a highlight on our sailing & camping trips on the Ganges.
  • As a responsible travel company, we do not support any of the transport means that involve elephants or donkeys or horses. In most cases, their state of health is a matter of concern.

Unfortunately, the fear factor related to Asian countries & with special reference to India is hyped and hence is very high among the travelers coming to India. By & large, it is safe travelling in India, with a few precautions which are also a part of common sense that one is expected to have while travelling anywhere in the world.

Clothing

  • Avoid provocative clothing, else you will attract stares / lustful gazes.  It is suggested to wear minimum of half sleeves & three quarter trousers. Necklines should not be visible while you are in public. If you are wearing a top with a low cut, please carry scarf around your neck.
  • Best is to observe Indian girls / ladies to get an idea of the respectful dress standards.

Accommodation

  • Please lock your hotel room as soon as you enter it. The concept of privacy or personal space is understood differently in different parts of the world.
  • In case you need house keeping or maintenance staff to enter your room, please ask the reception to ensure they carry it out while you are out of your room.

Transportation

  • Make sure you have a pre-arranged arrival transfer to pick you up from the airport, especially if your flight is landing at odd hours.
  • For getting around within a city, try and hire a taxi through your hotel.

Activities & Excursions

  • Avoid walking alone through deserted areas, especially after it gets dark. If at all needed, please request your group leader / fellow traveller to accompany you.
  • Do not hitch on a motorbike or take a lift from any unknown individual. Definitely NOT RECOMMENDED!

Local Interaction

  • Indian girls / ladies do not get into friendly conversations with unknown men walking on street, unless they (females) are with their husband / brother. If you happen to interact with strange men, make sure you are not being over friendly. There is a Bollywood saying – “Hansi to Fansi” which literally means “if she is smiling, she is interested”. Some men tend to bring this reel life element to real life while interacting with western women.
  • Indian women never ever drink with unknown men. You MUST NOT accept any of the offers of going for a drink with unknown men, no matter how friendly & respectful they appear. This is certainly not a safe idea.
  • Above all, do not worry too much. Be confident, stay alert & enjoy travelling through India!
  • Smoking: Smoking at public places in India is strictly prohibited. If you want to smoke, please make sure you do so in an open space and that you are isolated from any of the non-smokers.
  • Alcohol Consumption: Consumption of alcohol at public places is strictly prohibited, except licensed bars or pubs or restaurants. Legal age to serve alcohol is 25 years. However, each of the states may have their own age restrictions.
  • Prostitution is illegal in India.

The following days are celebrated as National Holidays & are declared as "Dry Days". Alcohol is not sold legally on any of these days:

  • 26th of January: Republic Day
  • 30th of January: Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary.
  • 15th of August: Independence Day
  • 2nd October: Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary

To enjoy India, one has to have loads of patience, good sense of humor, large heart & the willingness to go out of your comfort zone. If you have all this, this could be the most life changing and life enhancing trip you could ever visualize.

If at all you have any concerns which have not been answered above, please send us a query at contact@incredibleindiantours.com

Realistically and honestly, though not mandatory, it supports and augments the low pay scales in India and inspires excellent service. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that the basic wage of an individual is a combo of the monthly pay packet, plus a tip. Since tourism industry works only 6-7 months a year, the service providers on the route always look forward to this tip. Moreover, a tip is a way of showing gratitude towards the people who have worked tirelessly to make our trip a memorable one.

We shall provide more specific tipping guidelines (how much and to who) with trip notes once you a book trip with Incredible Indian Tours. Just to reiterate that tipping is solely is at your discretion.

At the time of booking a trip, we provide our travellers with the list of hotels which are a part of their trip. We encourage our travellers to have a look at hotels' website for a clear understanding of the facilities/amenities available at the hotels along with hotels' policy on check in/check out, credit card policy, etc.

Hotels

  • Accommodation: We generally use 3-4 star hotels along with comfortable boutique hotels or heritage properties.
  • 3 Star Hotels:
    • Rooms have TV, en suite bathrooms, hot & cold running water. Mid range hotel bathrooms usually don't have hair dryers. Basic toiletries are available & you may would like to carry your own.
    • Some of these hotels may have electronic safes. In case an electronic safe doesn't exist, please store your valuables in your luggage properly locked.
    • Hot water supply in mid range hotels could be erratic. It could take several minutes to drain out the cold water which is there in the pipes before you get hot water. Use the bucket in your bathroom to collect this cold water. In some hotels, hot water is available only during the morning & evening - this is to save electricity. Sometimes, it could simply not be available due to electricity issues. Some of the hotel bathrooms have individual geysers which need to be switched on 10-15 minutes before you go for a shower.
    • Bucket shower - Most bathrooms usually have a bucket as this is the traditional way of taking a shower & a lot of Indians still prefer it.
    • Toilet paper rolls are provided in the hotel bathrooms but these are often pretty small. Ask hotel reception or room service for additional toilet paper.
    • Some may offer complimentary packaged drinking water & free wi-fi whereas some may charge for it.
    • Some of these hotels may also have a swimming pool & a spa.
    • Usually, there's a multi-cuisine restaurant.
    • On a 2 nights' stay or longer, some hotels offer to clean your room only if you ask them to do so. Please communicate your choice clearly to the reception.
  • 4 Star Hotels
  • In addition to the facilities in 3 star hotels, there is a mini bar, tea & coffee maker, electronic safe, hair dryer and a better level of overall comfort & service in the hotel.
  • Heritage hotels (erstwhile mansions, forts & palaces converted into hotels) are more popular due to their unique character & history attached to them. These might not be super efficient but still carry the age old charm to attract visitors.

Private Toilets & Public Facilities

  • Private Toilets: All the accommodation provided on a Incredible Indian Tours trip (else mentioned otherwise) comes with an attached western toilet, wherein toilet paper is provided. However, one of the main parameters for selecting accommodation is cleanliness & naturally, the attached toilets are also clean. When out of your hotel, please carry your own toilet paper & hand sanitizer as they may not be always provided. On rare occasions, during rural visits, it may not be possible to get Western toilets. In that case, Indian Squat toilets are available.
  • Public Toilets: During sightseeing in a city, you may be required to use washrooms inside a fort or a palace & these might not be as clean as you are used to due to a large number of people using these.
  • During our inter city travel, we usually stop at mid way restaurants which have fairly clean washrooms. You are often expected to pay (a 10 rupee note is fine) to use these toilets. Sometimes, it is also easier to find "bush toilets" on long deserted stretches of road. Do carry a sarong which can be held up to ensure privacy.
  • Always carry your own toilet paper & hand sanitizer.

Laundry

  • Laundry: Yes, laundry is very much possible in the hotels where you are staying for 2 nights or more & this is against a charge.
    • Make sure you check the pockets of your shirts / trousers before you hand them over for laundry.
    • Use laundry bag provided in your hotel room or use an ordinary plastic bag to handover clothes. Don't handover your fancy laundry bag (if you carry one) to the hotel staff.
    • If you prefer to do your own laundry (particularly undergarments), bring some detergent & portable peg-less clotheslines.

  • COMMUNICATION ON ROAD (MOBILE, INTERNET/WI-FI CONNECTIVITY AT HOTELS)
  • Mobile networks in most parts of India are really good. Indian prepaid sim cards are easily available. Internet connectivity is generally very good in urban areas and could be a little slow in rural areas. Most of the hotels offer free internet connectivity. Some of them do charge for this service, especially high end hotels.
  • If you want your personal internet connection, a prepaid dongle usually costs around 1000 INR & then you have to top it up with prepaid data packs. Alternatively, you can create wi-fi hotspot using your mobile phone (use a local prepaid sim) - there are some fantastic offers available in the market. Vodafone, Airtel & Reliance are popular service providers.
  • If you want to buy an Indian prepaid sim, you need to submit photocopy of your passport & Indian visa along with passport size photograph. It takes at least 48 hours for an Indian prepaid SIM card to get activated.
  • Important: The above mentioned rules regarding prepaid sim are not under our control and are subject to change, without prior notice.

SAFETY OF BEING IN A GROUP

With a local tour leader accompanying your group, you are better placed to know the safest way to enjoy your trip. And don’t forget, when you travel solo on a group tour, you’ll have a bunch of new friends to watch your back (and your stuff).

LOCAL LEADER

Local tour leader who is full of local knowledge and experience. He/she is responsible for taking the hassles out of your trip so that you could have the best possible experience.

MAKE SOME FRIENDS

There may be other travellers from different corners of the world on the same trip with whom you will share your experiences and stories.

VALUE FOR MONEY

One of the perks of going on a group tour is sharing expenses and that’s how these are great value for money.

LOGISTICS AND CONVENIENCE

You need not worry about any of the tour logistics. Just sit back and relax – we along with our tour leaders will take care of all the operational part for a convenient and experiential trip for you.

CUSTOM ITINERARIES

You could either choose any of our pre-existing itineraries and we can operate it with minor tweaks (if you wish) or we could offer you a customized itinerary from scratch.

PICK YOUR STYLE

Within your budget, we will choose the best possible hotels for your comfort and convenience.

PERSONALIZATION

We will pick and choose activities/sightseeing that suit you so that you could have the best possible experience.

PRIVATE DEPARTURES

With private groups, you have the flexibility to choose your own departure date. We just need to cross-check if the departure date is feasible considering operational practicalities.

LOCAL LEADER

You could also choose to hire services of an accompanying Tour Leader from the beginning till the end of the tour.

A tour leader accompanies the travelers from the beginning till the end of the trip. He is a trained professional with local knowledge and experience. His job is to facilitate your travel and help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. He is one point of contact for any of your concerns, requirements, requests related to the trip on ground.

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