Frequently Asked Questions

India has a vast range of climatic conditions from tropical in the south to alpine in the north. Most of the country outside the Himalaya region is at its best for travel between August to March. At this time, days are mild to warm and nights are comfortable and pleasant. From April onwards the humidity level rises with the temperatures and with the onset of the monsoon in June travel can be difficult in places. The advantages of travel outside the peak season are reduced tariffs, and fewer tourists. At virtually any time of the year, some part of India or other will be suitable to visit.

All of our itineraries can be customized to whatever requirements you wish; indeed this is where our knowledge and experience help us to stand apart. The pre-designed itineraries we offer are found on the Tour Packages webpage in our website www.lih.travel. These are all tried and tested over more than a decade of operations in India. If one of these programmes looks right for you, all you need to do is contact us and once we have your arrival dates and a little more information, we will customize your India trip in well organized way and will send you detailed tour program. You may find however that with the vast array of travel options in India you would like to visit other centres, take a little more time in one place or less in another, or indulge in another area of interest altogether. In this case please contact us to discuss the ideas you have.

After you finalize your India trip with selected destinations and hotels, we just need a formal email from your end to book your India trip with us and allow us for making reservations for requested services. Once we book all your hotel reservations and other services we will send you a formal Official Tour Package Confirmation details specifying all final hotel names, traveling dates and final tour itinerary. Then after, we will be asking you for an advance transfer of 30% as a token amount of guarantee to book your tour with us and rest of the 70% amount you will be paying us after arriving to India. So this will keep the transparency between you and us.

If you book a complete tour with us, we will be providing you private English speaking chauffer and car (Sedan or SUV as requested), private English speaking or your preferred language speaking professional guides, Complimentary water bottles (if specified) during your drive from one destination to another, airport transfers and hotels reservation on your name. Formal detailed tour program confirmation with booked hotels will be sent to you BEFORE you make the payment to us.

1. Safety and security.
2. Clear Communication & All Inclusive Price
3. Numerous Activities Suggested to Do
4. Clean hotels with electricity/hot water.
5. Safe and experienced driver.
6. Informative professional tour guides.
7. Unique India experience.
8. We deliver you what we commit

Yes, driver will take you outside for lunches and dinner at a good and hygienic restaurants and he will drop you back to the hotel after you having your dinner.

Regarding the national parks and sanctuaries, Bharatpur and Sariska Sanctuary is open throughout the year. All other sanctuaries and National park in India are open from October to March (Each Year).

Indian destinations are well connected by flights, vast network of trains and of course by road. If you have sufficient time, you should usually travel with a combination of road and rail so as you can get to see more of real India. Of course after the recent aviation boom, now there are so many flights possibilities for the modern jet set tourists.

The monument entrance fees are usually not included in the tour cost. It is not a problem when the same is included but when it is not, you need to keep small change for the same. Usually you need to take the tickets yourself but can request the guide who would be happy to oblige. We also have detailed lists of monuments with the entrance fees and camera charges. Do request us for the same if you want to have a good idea when the same is not included in your tour cost. At times we do not include the same as this might lead to misunderstandings when the tour is too tight on time.

We have a panel of guides with ranks and only use them, and in most cases they would be satisfactory. Government licensed guides are always preferred by our company. There are training courses and exams for the same and chances are less that you will be unhappy if you go with one. Their daily rates and wages are Government fixed. Note that the guide usually is there during lunch and it is not an obligation to buy him/her lunch.

It is Rupee, being equal to Rs. 100 paise. The Paper money is in denominations of Rupees: Rs 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 & 5. Coins are available in Rs. 5, 2 and 1.

In general Indian people like to be photographed with foreign tourists. You could in general take photos of public, market, streets, building, etc without any hesitation. However, while shooting ladies, close-up of people, it is advised to seek permission first. At the monuments and wildlife sanctuaries, it is usually allowed by paying a prescribed camera fee. In case you wish to make a documentary or movie, in that case a special permission is required which has to be obtained from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in advance. At the airports and railway stations, usually photography is not permitted.

During summer months, light cotton and during winters, warm clothing is a must. As India is a warm and humid (coastal region) country, light colour lose fitting long garments would do well. While visiting temples and mosques, one should have preferably shoulders and head covered with a scarf or handkerchief as well as legs covered till knees, specially in case of ladies. One is usually expected to enter without footwear inside a temple. Of course one can even try Indian outfits (like Qurta – Pyjama, Salwar Qurta, etc) which are cotton clothes, being very comfortable wears. While visiting the wildlife sanctuaries, one should wear only beige, khaki, white or camouflaging clothes (not the bright coloured ones). At beach destination like Goa, easily you could use beachwear, shorts, etc.

Now all public places in India are declared non smoking zones, hence you must look for proper place which is meant for smoking.

At starred hotels, in general, it is quiet safe where they provide you filtered water, however, you should usually stick to the mineral water at all places. However, never try the same from roadside taps, or open air restaurants, etc. As you are in a different country and your stomach is not used to this water, it is best to only use bottled mineral water.

Well, you can start by ignoring them completely and if they get too persistent give them a stern look. If at all you must give them something, pay a small amount of Rs 10 or 20.

Animal – Tiger; Bird – Peacock; Fruit – Mango; Tree – Banyan; Game – Hockey; Four headed lion is the official government emblem.

No. India is justly famous for some of the world’s best food and here you can enjoy it in all its glory. Food hygiene standards in hotels and resorts are now near world class and a few sensible precautions will minimize any chance of getting sick. As you travel around you can safely eat at small local restaurants along the way. If you wish to eat Chinese or Continental style cuisine, this is available at mid range to deluxe hotels throughout the country.

No specific vaccinations are required to enter India unless you are entering within six days of having visited a yellow fever infected area. The majority of visitors to India return home with perfect health having had no problems at all. The most common complaint is a stomach upset for a day or two-usually the result of a change of diet, different Beer, or simply the change of lifestyle, most case are rarely serious and recovery is swift. Dust can be a problem to travelers who wear contact lenses. If you are taking prescribed medicines, split your supplies between your hand baggage and your main baggage. Make a list of the generic properties of the drug and keep with you. If you are over 65 or you think you have any physical disabilities, then you should talk to your doctor about the trip to ensure it is suitable for you. Once on the trip please tell us any concerns you may have regarding health concerns, we can then ensure your specific needs are met. If you are undergoing specific medical treatment please inform us. It is your responsibility to ensure you have an adequate supply of any medication they may be taking. Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is available everywhere and is cheap. However always check the seal.

India has a very traditional and religious society. Its cultures and customs are very different to western cultural ideas. We ask you as guests in this amazing country to respond to these sometimes-bizarre differences with sensitivity and respect. We do request you to dress conservatively – both men and women should wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders (when visiting mosques and temples). Nudity is totally taboo, when swimming please do wear a swimsuit. Try to avoid any public display of affection. When entering mosques, temples and places of religious worship or private homes – please remove your shoes. Always ask permission before entering. Mosques may have limited visiting times for non-Muslims.

India can be described as a shopper’s paradise with products such as hand-woven rugs, inlaid marble, semi-precious stone jewelry, silk fabrics, brassware, etc. India’s diversity is expressed though the creation of master craftspeople. Each state has a unique handicraft to proudly reflect the inherited and improved skills to near perfection. Souvenir shops and art & craft emporiums are to be found everywhere. Consult your guidebook or the local guides and people. Usually the “street markets” do not guarantee the products and they do not accept credit / debit cards. Genuine products can only be guaranteed at a government showroom or branded showroom, i.e. Cottage Industries, etc. Shopping can be one of the ways to interact with a local. For people who like to bargain, shopping is a true pleasure. For others, fixed priced stores are a relief. Whatever transaction you prefer, we hope your purchase that was made in India, will remind you of your trip. Yes, the guides do take you to shops and showrooms, while you are on tour. You can say “no” when you don’t want to visit the shops or not interested in shopping with a guide. But when you do visit the store with the guide, you do not necessarily pay a higher price for a substandard product. As this is a worldwide phenomenon, we accept it too with its “blues”. What we have done for our travelers who want to shop with the guides and at the same time want to be sure of the price and quality of the product, we have selected a few stores both privately owned & government owned (but in both cases Government recognized) at important destinations, where we are sure of three things;

1. Quality of the product
2. The product if too heavy should be delivered at your doorstep without any extra cost even if the extra cost needs to be added to the price of the product.
3. The product is insured before sending to you so in case of damages while on transit you are reimbursed appropriately.

As for price, some are fixed price & some are bargain shops. So go ahead and have FUN!!! For lists of authorized shops do let us know.

Passport

You must be in possession of a valid passport, which will not expire for at least six months after your journey is due to end. It should have to clear pages for entry and exit stamps as well as your visa. A wise precaution is to carry a photocopy of your passport kept separately, extremely useful in the event of loss or theft.

Visa

All visitors to India require a visa that must be obtained from an Indian High Commission or Consulate. You would need to use two addresses in India and do let us know for the same as it is normal to give our company’s and our director’s address on the same.

Insurance

While traveling in India it is important that you obtain good personal travel insurance from an insurance agent in your country. A suitable policy will include an unlimited amount for medical, hospital and additional health associated costs. Most policies cover loss of baggage, personal money (usually limited) delay and curtailment. Do make sure your policy covers you for unexpected cancellation of your trip in this unlikely event you will then be covered for financial cost. You should carry your insurance policy with you at all time, preferably in your relevant details in a separate place, with your passport photocopy.

Exchange Money

Tourists are warned that changing money through unauthorized persons is not only illegal but also involves the risk of receiving counterfeit currency. For exchanging money our company representative will advise you registered foreign exchange center where you can exchange your money in Indian rupees with finest available exchange rates.

Tipping

Tipping is an inherent part of life in India.  It is one of the most effective ways to communicate how you felt about the service provided. It is common practice to tip porters, drivers, wait staff, toilet attendants and guides. It is not necessary to tip rickshaw drivers. Please note that you are not obliged to tip and it is entirely to your discretion.

A general idea would be as follows:

• Some hotels include service charges on their bills. In such cases tipping is not necessary. Where this is not done, at tip of 10% is customary. If you are in a big group and the food bill is high, the tip on the total can come down to 5%. The porter who takes your baggage to your room is usually tipped INR.50 per bag or INR.100 to INR.200 per trolley. (These estimates are for 5 and 4-star hotels and are proportionately less in 1, 2 or 3 star hotels.)
• Don’t tip unreasonably and unnecessarily in a hotel. The NEWS soon spreads in the hotel and by the time you checkout there will be a group of them saluting you to expect something.
• Tipping of your private driver depends on his services and courtesy, which is generally paid at the end of your itinerary from INR 500 – INR 1000 @ per day.
• Tipping of your Guides depends on his services, knowledge about the places, and courtesy which is generally paid at the end of your each destination sightseeing from INR 700 – INR 2000 @ per sightseeing (depends on his services provided to you).