India at a Glance

A country where history, culture, colour, cuisine and nature exhibit more diversity than nearly anywhere else in the world. A country of amazing paradoxes, where bullock carts and jets co-exist in perfect harmony. A perfect fusion of the modern and the archaic.

A country of over a billion inhabitants, over a thousand deities, over a hundred languages. India is all this and more. For a visitor, she is a mesmerising mix of natural beauty, creativity, spirituality, boisterousness, warmth and colour.

From a tourists standpoint, you can marvel at monuments as picturesque as the Taj Mahal, ride an Elephant up the Amber fort, or let time stand still while cruising the Kerala backwaters, or just laze on a beach in Goa.

India has all this to offer and more Join Nax Travels on a voyage through India we promise you will want to come back for more.

India is a vast country with a history that goes back five thousand years. Its vast geographical diversity, heritage and culture, fairs and festivals, and monumental attractions that span a sub- continent cannot be condensed between the two covers of any book. The sub- continent of India lies in South Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north, it is bordered by the world’s highest mountain chain, the Himalayas, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country’s 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm-fringed beaches.

Side by side with the country’s staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local traditions. Thus, the towering temples of SOUTH INDIA, easily identified by their ornate sculptured surfaces, are associated with a great many crafts and performing arts of the region. In the desert of KUTCH, GUJARAT, on the other hand, a scattering of villages pit themselves against the awesome forces of nature, resulting in Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a profusion of jewelry and ornamental embroidery used to adorn apparel and household linen. In the extreme North is the high altitude desert of LADAKH. Local culture is visibly shaped by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of India culture can be observed in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the north eastern states of Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture. In the central Indian states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh tribal village life has resulted in a variety of artistically executed handicrafts.

India’s mountains provide heli-skiing, river running, trekking and mountaineering. Its beaches provide lazy sun bathing as well as wind surfing and snorkeling, and its jungles provide shooting wildlife- with a camera! Modern India is home alike to the tribal with its anachronistic lifestyle and to the sophisticated urban jet-setter. It is a land where temple elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments are the backdrop for the world’s largest democracy where atomic energy is generated and industrial development has brought the country within the world’s top ten nations. Today, India is a nation where fishermen along the country’s coastline fashion simple fishing boats in a centuries old tradition while, a few miles away, motor vehicles glide off conveyor belts in state-of-the-art factories.

Arrival Formalities

On Arrival in the Country, you will have to complete immigration/customs formalities at every airport. Airport departure taxes apply at different levels for neighbouring countries and may not be included in the cost of your tour. On Indian Airlines flights checked-in baggage allowance in economy class is 20kg per person and in business class it is 30kg per person. Kindly ensure that any knives, scissors, sharp implements, canned food and batteries including camera batteries are carried in your checked in baggage. Request the security officer to have your camera and film carried around the X-ray machine as these can damage undeveloped film.

Airport Tax: Passengers embarking on journey to any place outside India will have to pay an airport tax of Rs. 300. For journey to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives = Rs. 150.

If the visa, for stay in India, is for more than 180 days, a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be obtained from the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office within 15 days of arrival. Four photographs are also required for registration. The foreigners registered at Foreigners' Registration Office are required to report change of their addresses. All persons including Indian nationals are required to fill in a Disembarkation Card, at the time of arrival.

Departure from India

All persons, except nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, leaving by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at the time of departure.

Exit Formalities

Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India must surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the Registration Officer of the place where he is registered or of the place from where he plans to depart or to the Immigration Officer at the Port/Check post of exit from India.

Foreign Travel Tax

Passengers embarking on trips to any place outside India from a Customs airport/seaport will have to pay a Foreign Travel Tax (FTT) of Rs. 500 and Rs. 150 on trips to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Srilanka and Maldives. No tax is payable on trips performed by ship from Rameshwaram to Talaimanar and in case of transit passengers, provided they do not leave the customs barrier. Transit passengers travelling by air who have to leave the airport on account of mechanical trouble but continue their journey by the same aircraft and the same flight number by which they arrive are also exempt from FTT. Transit sea passengers leaving the ship for sightseeing, shopping etc. during the ships' call at any of the Indian ports will not be required to pay FTT.

Customs

Custom Regulations: All personal objects which are required in India are free from duty. Under this heading fall personal jewellery, presents up to a value of Rs. 600, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 0.95 l alcoholic beverages. Professional material and articles which have a high value can only be imported duty free if the traveller gives a written undertaking that these articles will be re-exported. Those without any dutiable goods or high value articles or foreign exchange more than US$2,500 or unaccompanied baggage which needs to be declared, can walk through Green Channel at the airport on arrival. All others need to pass through the Red Channel. Goods up to Rs 750 (Rs. 12,000 for persons of Indian origin) for personal use or as gifts are exempt from duty. Beyond the free baggage limit, the duty rate is 52% plus 2% special duty.

Visitors are generally required to make an oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They are also required to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from the Customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airline during the course of the flight.

There are two channels for clearance :

Green Channel :
For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage.

Red Channel :
For passengers with dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles to be entered on the tourist Baggage Re-Export Form.

Dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high-value articles must be entered on a Tourist Baggage Re-Export Form (TBRE). These articles must be re-exported at the time of departure. A failure to re-export anything listed on the TBRE becomes a payable duty levied for each missing item. The following duty-free possessions are permissible- clothes, jewellery, camera and up to five rolls of film; binoculars, a portable musical instrument, a radio or portable tape recorder, a tent and camping equipment, fishing rod, a pair of skis, two tennis rackets, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars,.95 liters of liquor, and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20). Depending on the attitude of the customs' official, one may or may not have to enter a portable computer on a TBRE form

Currency Allowed In India

There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or traveller cheques a tourist may bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. This will enable him not only to exchange the currency bought in, but also to take the unspent currency out of India on departure. Cash, bank notes and traveller' cheque up to US$ 1,000 or equivalent, need not be declared at the time of entry. Any money in the form of travellers cheque, demand drafts, bills, cheques, etc. in convertible currencies, which tourists wish to convert into Indian currency, should be exchanged only through authorized money changers and banks who will issue an encashment certificate that is required at the time of re-conversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Exchanging of foreign currency other than banks or authorized money changers is an offense under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act 1973.

Leaving India

Exchange Indian currency before you depart. Banking facilities, for the conversion of rupees into foreign currency are usually located in the same airport hall as the check-in counters. Its best to access these facilities before immigration as they are not available thereafter. All animal products, souvenirs, and trophies are subject to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The export of skins made from protected wildlife species is not allowed. Such items cannot be imported into many countries, including the United States. As a rule, avoiding such souvenirs that could be made of animal skins (except crocodile-leather goods) is best. Generally, items more than 100 years old cannot be exported without a permit from the Archaeological Survey, which has an office in Delhi. Reputable shops will provide you with the required permit or help you procure it. Indian Customs will detain items without permits if they are believed to be over 100 years old.

Embassy Information in India

The United States Embassy
(Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, tel. 011-6889033) is open weekdays 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM for consular services.

The Canadian High Commission
(7/8 Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, tel. 011-6876500) is open Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM -12:45 PM and 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM for consular services.

The British High Commission
(Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, tel. 011-6872161) is open weekdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM -4:00 PM for consular services.

For lost passports or emergencies, a duty officer is available 24 hours a day at each embassy.

Time:

GMT/UTC plus five hours 30 minutes


Electricity:

230-240V, 50 HZ

Weights & measures:

Metric (see conversion table)

Tourism:

2 million visitors per year

Airports

The international airports in the metro cities extend services ensuring that the traveller on business can continue working even during his wait for boarding an international connection, or when transferring between international flights. These facilities include restaurants, business centers, rest rooms and telephone booths. Business centers are furnished with state-of-the-art equipment including word processors and tele fax. Airports also offer tourist duty free & handicrafts shopping, snack bars, nursery and baby care rooms, and an art gallery too for art lovers. Duty free prices in the airport shops are very competitive, giving one bargains on international merchandise.

Some Important Do’s And Don’t’s

All foreign nationals have to pay their hotel bills in foreign currency only, in cash, travelers’ checks or credit cards. (However, Indian rupees are accepted if supported by proof of certificate of encashment in India of foreign currency or travelers’ checks).

Concessional- tickets like Indrail Pass, Youth fares, Discover India Fares and Air Fares are to be paid for in foreign exchange only.

Do not purchase air/ rail/ bus tickets through strangers or unauthorized travel agents/ tour operators.

Do not hire any type of transportation from unlicensed or unapproved operators.

While shopping, sightseeing or going to and from transportation terminals avoid touts and brokers. Be aware of unscrupulous shopkeepers, if you feel that you are being abused do not hesitate to consult the proper authorities.

Taxi and auto-rickshaws fares keep changing, therefore, they do not always conform to readings on meters. To avoid confusion, insist on seeing the latest fare chart available with taxi/ auto-rickshaw drivers and pay accordingly. Taxis and auto-rickshaws do not have meters in all cities, but where they do, insist on the meter being flagged in your presence. Incase the driver refuses to cooperate, seek the assistance of a policeman. Where there are no meters, ask assistance at your hotel and agree on the tax fare in advance.

How to plan your tours:

We are pioneer travel agents and tour operators of India provide tourist guide lines and various tour options to explore indian destinations with our travel assistance.We provide car rental, private taxi, hotel bookings, multi-utility vehicles, multilingual tour guide, sightseeing tours and all kind of travel arrangements. Visit at our itineraries http://www.naxtravels.com/itineraries.asp to chalk out your tour plan or you may write us.. your choice of destinations to design a tour for you with travel period and budget to: admin@naxtravels.com