Before you travel to India

Almost every visitor needs a valid passport and an Indian visa arranged before travelling. For many nationalities the Indian e-Visa is the simplest route: you apply online before you fly. Check the category, the validity, the number of entries and the length of stay allowed for your nationality, and make sure your passport has the validity and blank pages the Indian authorities ask for.

At immigration you may be asked for your passport, visa, return or onward ticket and other supporting details. Rules change, so check the current official requirements before you leave and complete every formality in good time. If your journey includes Nepal, Bhutan or Sri Lanka, or you leave India and come back, ask us about the entries you will need.

India’s currency is the rupee (INR). Change money only at authorised banks and licensed money changers, and keep the receipts where they are given. International credit and debit cards are widely taken by hotels, restaurants and larger shops in the cities; cash is still the way to pay in local markets, in small shops, for tips and in the countryside.

Cash machines are easy to find in cities and tourist towns but scarcer in remote areas, so carry some rupees in small notes. Tell your bank before you travel, so that your card is not blocked for use abroad.

Personal clothing, the usual travel equipment and reasonable quantities of your own belongings are generally allowed. Some things need declaring or special permission — large amounts of cash or valuables, certain medicines, wildlife products, weapons and other controlled goods.

Never carry a bag or a package for someone you do not know. If you are unsure whether something must be declared, check before you travel: customs rules and duty-free allowances change, and the official Indian customs guidance is the place to confirm them.

Days in India keep their own rhythm. Banks and government offices work daytime hours and usually close on Sundays and public holidays. Shops and markets often stay open well into the evening, especially in the cities and tourist areas, and restaurants keep to breakfast, lunch and dinner times, though these vary.

Museums, monuments and sights each have their own hours, and many close one day a week — the Taj Mahal, for example, is closed on Fridays. Public holidays and religious festivals can change opening times too. Your Rang Travels team plans around all of this, and will tell you the timings on your route.

Dress as you like, but modest clothing is appreciated, particularly outside the big cities and at religious and traditional places. Light cotton is best in the heat; in winter, and anywhere in the Himalaya, bring warm layers.

At temples, mosques, gurudwaras and monasteries you may need to cover your shoulders and knees, and to take off your shoes. Comfortable walking shoes make sightseeing far easier, and a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are worth packing. For safaris, trekking and time in the countryside, wear practical clothes and closed shoes.

Tipping is usual in Indian tourism, but it is always your choice. Many travellers tip their guides, drivers, hotel staff, porters and waiters when they are happy with the service. There is no fixed amount: it depends on the service, how long it lasted, the place and the size of your group.

In restaurants, check whether a service charge is already on the bill before adding anything. Tips are best given directly to the person who helped you — and your tour manager or Rang Travels representative will gladly advise you on the custom along your route.

Drink bottled, filtered or properly treated water, not tap water, unless you have been told it is safe. Take care with food hygiene, especially somewhere unfamiliar; wash your hands often, and carry hand sanitiser for sightseeing days.

Protect yourself from strong sun with sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and drink plenty of water in hot weather. Bring your regular medicines and any prescriptions. Before you travel, ask your doctor or a travel-health clinic for advice suited to you and to the places on your journey.

India is many cultures, and customs change from one region to the next. Dress modestly at religious places, take off your shoes when asked, and ask before you photograph people. Follow the instructions at monuments, wildlife parks and protected areas, and do not touch religious objects or enter restricted areas without permission.

In crowded places keep your passport, money, phone and valuables secure, and do not accept food, drinks or packages from strangers when you are unsure what they are. Above all, remember there is no single Indian way of doing things — your guide will always tell you what is right in each place.