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FAQS AND TRAVEL GUIDE

TRAVELLING IN INDIA AND THE SUBCONTINENT

Complex and dazzling, India is a place where destination knowledge is important. With our help, travelling to the Subcontinent is easy and fun. From our offices in the UK, US and India, SOS Travel House provides expert advice, tailor-made itineraries and on-the-ground support. We smooth your path so you can enjoy the splendour and magic of this exotic region in full confidence

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that all travellers purchase adequate trip cancellation, interruption, Covid-19, medical and baggage insurance prior to travel. It is imperative to carry the details of their coverage on tour. During the planning you may wish to check with your private insurance carrier regarding the terms of your coverage (or lack of coverage) outside your home country, including emergency medical evacuation.

HEALTH

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travelling to India, although it is strongly recommended that you protect yourself during travelling against the following: 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 our travellers to carry mosquito repellent lotions / cream during holiday tour.
Taj Mahal

PASSPORT, VISAS

Passports are required for all travellers. You will need a full 10-year passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date of tour. Passports may be obtained by post from any Passport Office located in the travellers home country, and also through main post offices. Obtaining a passport may take up to 30 days time, therefore travellers are advised to obtain passports well in time for their travel, bearing in mind additional time may be needed to obtain a visa. Visas are required in advance of travel for entry into India, Nepal and Bhutan. Visas for travel to Sri Lanka and the Maldives are received upon arrival into those countries.

VISA FOR INDIA – US AND CANADA PASSPORT HOLDERS

Visas are required for travel to India. As a British passport holder you have the option to apply for a double entry e-Tourist Visa (valid for 60 days) or a regular one year multiple entry tourist visa for India.

Please be aware of fraudulent online Indian visa websites. We request all our clients to apply for an e-TV (e Tourist Visa) only through the official website:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

REGULAR SIX-MONTH MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA

If you are travelling in and out of India more than once in six months or travelling to India more than once on the same trip, then you need to apply for a six month multiple entry tourist visa.

To apply for Regular Six Month Tourist Visa please log on https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/

APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR REGULAR SIX MONTH VISA WHEN APPLYING DIRECTLY
  1. Once you have began completing the form, please make a note of your ‘Temporary Application ID’ provided at the top of the screen.
  2. Always request a 6-MONTH VALIDITY VISA, as the visa will be valid from the date of issue and NOT the date of travel.
  3. ‘Given Name’ must include all names as shown in your passport the Indian High Commission will may reject the application if middle names are missing.
  4. Please complete all contact details including telephones numbers.
  5. Countries Visited: This MUST be completed taking into account the country stamps that appear in your passport or your application may be rejected.
  6. The photos must be 50mm x 50mm, which is not the standard passport size. The full head to chin must be visible, and that this distance measures between 25mm and 35mm.
  7. You only need 1 referee in the United Kingdom; this is in case of an emergency.
  1. Please complete the sample visa form
  2. Post the completed visa form along with a two photos of 50 mm x 50 mm in white background and passport
  3. Visa processing time is 5 working day

VISA FOR INDIA – US AND CANADA PASSPORT HOLDERS

Canada passport holders may obtain visas through the Consulate-General of India. US passport holders may obtain visas through Travisa Outsourcing. The Indian Embassy and Consulates in the US have outsourced the Indian visa processing to Travisa Outsourcing. SOS Travel House is available to answer questions about the application and visa requirements for India, however Travisa requires travellers to complete the visa application online and mail the application with passport and photos to Travisa directly.
Indian Bride

VISA FOR INDIA – US AND CANADA PASSPORT HOLDERS

Bhutan visas are only available through an authorized travel company. SOS Travel House obtains visas for all travellers to Bhutan. Visa applications and documentation will be forwarded to clients during the booking process, completed and returned to SOS Travel House before your departure.

Visa for Nepal – UK, US and Canada passport holders
Applications for visa to Nepal may be obtained through the Nepal Consulate or consular section at the Nepal Embassy. While we encourage travellers to obtain visa in advance of travel, visas may be obtained on arrival into Nepal from the Immigration authorities at all entry points (with fees payable in £ or US$). Contacts in the UK, in the US or Canada

www.nepalembassyusa.org

For US and Canada passport holders seeking complete visa worry-free application process, we suggest CIBT global visa and passport company. Please log in under SOS Travel House’ special account 42757 for discounted rates. CIBT provides visa processing for all destinations around the world.

CLIMATE

India is a vast country with complex seasonal and geographical variations in climate. Generally, the best time for your holiday in 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 of India 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 India are very hot and either dry in the North or humid in the South, while the hills and mountain regions provide a cool sanctuary for summertime holidays. Please look at the regional weather chart in the Booking Form or check with our Travel Consultants for more detailed weather information for the particular area you will be visiting.

WHAT TO WEAR

If you want to keep yourself cool in the Indian sun, a good supply of cotton clothing is essential along with a comfortable pair of open sandals. An effective pair of sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat will protect you against the strong rays, and it is advisable to use a high factor sun cream. In the cooler months, you will require some warm clothes such as light sweaters, jackets or shawls for the evenings. If your tour takes you to the mountain regions of India, then you will require warmer clothes. As it can sometimes warm up during the days, layers are always a good option along with comfortable walking shoes.

For visits to the Game Parks, we recommend our travellers to wear light woolens and a windcheater as the early morning excursions can be quite chilly, with heavier clothing during the winter months of November to February. Khakis, browns or olive greens are best for blending into the environment. When visiting places of worship and mausoleums there are certain Indian religious customs to be observed. As a token of respect, it is customary to remove your footwear before entering all temples (a pair of light socks is useful if you prefer not to go barefoot), and dress should be fairly conservative, i.e. shorts are not really acceptable. In Jain and Hindu temples leather goods such as belts, shoes and bags will not be permitted.

CLIMATE

India is a vast country with complex seasonal and geographical variations in climate. Generally, the best time for your holiday in 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 of India 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 India are very hot and either dry in the North or humid in the South, while the hills and mountain regions provide a cool sanctuary for summertime holidays. Please look at the regional weather chart in the Booking Form or check with our Travel Consultants for more detailed weather information for the particular area you will be visiting.

VISITING TEMPLES

While visiting places of worship and mausoleums there are certain religious customs to be observed in India. As a token of respect, it is customary to remove your footwear before entering all temples. In Jain and Hindu temples leather goods such as belts, shoes and bags will not be permitted.

THE CITIES

Indian cities are bustling and exciting, and in most areas, quite safe. There is little danger of being mugged on the streets here, but don’t be offended if the locals stare at you – the Indians are friendly and hospitable people and just curious. Almost all city-dwellers speak and understand English, and you will find all the street and shop signs in English as well. Should you get lost, the local people are so obliging that often you’ll find they will not only give you directions, but walk you all the way to your destination!

PHOTOGRAPHY

India is a kaleidoscope of colour just waiting to be photographed, so wherever you travel be sure to carry your camera. 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. Before you travel to India, please notify us if you plan to bring a tri-pod apparatus with you to India as there might be approvals required in advance of travel for getting Professional Equipment.

CABS AND CARS

The majority of hired cars are chauffeur-driven in India. Hiring a taxi is not a problem and they are quite reliable. To avoid any confusion over cost, settle the fare before you set off.

GRATUITIES & 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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 traveller 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 tour 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, 200, 500 and rupees and coins are available in 50 paise and in rupee coins of 1, 2 and 5 & 10 All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants and government shops, as are travellers’ cheques in US dollars or Sterling.
Rhino
Taj Mahal
GRATUITIES & TIPPING
GRATUITIES & TIPPING
GRATUITIES & TIPPING
GRATUITIES & TIPPING
GRATUITIES & 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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

Taj Mahal

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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 300-500 rupees per day and the driver 500 rupees per day.

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