Climate

India is a vast country with complex seasonal and geographical variations in climate. Generally, the best time to visit India is during the months of October through to April. The Monsoon season starts in mid May and continues through to the end of August. Most of the game sanctuaries are closed during the Monsoon period. During the summer months of May and June, the lower plains of the South and the desert areas of the North are very hot and either dry in the North or humid in the South, while the hills and mountain regions provide a cool sanctuary.

Health

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to India, although it is strongly recommended that you protect yourself against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Cholera and Malaria. We advise you to consult your Doctor or the British Airways Travel Clinics, allowing at least 4 weeks before the date of travel for all medical advice. Some areas including Bhutan and Nepal may be at high altitudes so please check with our staff before confirming your itinerary. An inoculation against Yellow fever is required if you have visited any infected areas within 5 days prior to your arrival in India.

We strongly recommend that you carry mosquito repellent lotions / cream.

Electricity

The electric current in India is 230-240V and electricity is widely available in the main towns, cities and tourist destinations. Sockets are the three round-pinned variety, similar (but not identical) to European sockets. European round pin plugs will go into the sockets, but as the pins on Indian plugs are somewhat thicker, the fit is loose and a connection not always guaranteed.

Currency

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travellers cheques you may bring into India, provided a declaration is made in the currency declaration form given to arriving passengers. However, cash, bank notes and travellers cheques up to US $10,000 or equivalent need not be declared at the time of entry. For safety and convenience we would advise that you take the majority of your money in travellers cheques. It is advisable to change your money through authorized banks and hotels. Hotels are probably the most convenient option, as their rates are usually only a little poorer than the banks. Always keep your receipts, as you will need them at the end of your trip if you wish to convert your rupees back to your own currency. The units of Indian currency are the rupee and the paise. There are 100 paise in the rupee. Paper money comes in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees and coins are available in 50 paise and in rupee coins of 1, 2 and 5. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants and government shops, as are travellers' cheques in US dollars or Sterling.

Tipping

This is entirely at your discretion. However, the following may be helpful. If service is not included in the bill, 10% is usually the accepted amount. Hotel and railway porters will expect about 50 rupees for one piece of luggage and about 200 rupees for a trolley full. At the end of your stay if you wish to tip your sightseeing guide and driver, an acceptable amount for the guide would be approximately between 400 - 500 rupees per day; and for the driver, it would be approximately between 200 - 400 rupees per day.

Photography

India is a kaleidoscope of colour just waiting to be photographed, so wherever you travel be sure to carry your camera and an ample supply of colour film. Popular brands and speeds of film, especially the common 35mm format are widely available and not expensive.
With the exception of inside the Taj Mahal, the airports, and other restricted areas, you may photograph to your heart's content although many popular sites will levy an additional charge for the use of your camera, or video camera which may cost a little more.