2009 Itinerary
Day 1: India’s Graces
Tour begins: The Oberoi, New Delhi. Transfer from Indira Gandhi International Airport to your landmark hotel, The Oberoi, New Delhi, renowned for gracious service; it's set right in the heart of the city. Due to flight schedules, you will probably arrive at the hotel after midnight local time. You may want to travel a day early to ease the effects of jet lag and relax a bit before Tauck’s India tour begins – just mention this at the time of booking.
Lodging: The Oberoi, New Delhi, India
Day 2: Explore New Delhi
Explore India’s capital city with an insider guide; a sightseeing excursion shows you the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, and India Gate, commemorating Indian and British soldiers. Stop at the Gandhi Smriti Museum, paying tribute to the inspiring leader who forced change through non-violent protest. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the 234-foot-high sandstone Qutb Minar Victory Tower, built in 1193, and Humayun’s Tomb, set in beautiful gardens. This Mughal creation popularized Persian-influenced architecture and was an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Discuss favorite sights at the welcome dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi, New Delhi, India
Day 3: Discover Old Delhi
Take a trishaw ride past colorful bazaars, sacred temples, and colonial monuments through the winding streets of Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India from the 12th through the 19th centuries. See the sumptuous Red Fort palaces, the symbol of Indian nationhood. Visit India’s largest mosque, the white marble Jama Masjid, and see Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site. Spend the afternoon as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi, New Delhi, India
Day 4: Ceremonial rituals on the Ganges
Fly to the ancient city of Varanasi built on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Since the 6th century BC, this city has been a key destination for pilgrims who seek blessing and purification in the river’s holy waters. A sightseeing tour visits Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon, and the National Museum, home to a priceless sculpture collection dating back to the 3rd century BC. Tonight, enjoy an unforgettable ceremonial dinner at the Peshwa Haveli, and take a boat ride in the River Ganges to witness ceremonies amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings – one of the many highlights of Tauck's India tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Radisson Hotel Varanasi, India
Day 5: Ganges River cruise and fly to Khajuraho
Rise early for a cruise on the Ganges River to view the Varanasi sunrise ceremonies on the Ganges before flying to Khajuraho for an overnight stay. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site's impressive millennium-old Chanella temples, known for their exquisitely detailed sculptures.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Grand Temple View, Khajuraho, India
Day 6: Orchha / Train to Agra
Your India tour continues to historic Orchha, where ancient palaces, temples and cenotaphs speak volumes about India's Mughal empire. Once inhabited by royalty, today the eerily silent ruins are home to briliant green parakeets and chattering langurs. Travel aboard a train to Agra today, home of the magnificent Taj Mahal. Your rooms in this luxurious Oberoi hotel offer a privileged view of this stunning man-made wonder...what a sight to wake up to!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India
Day 7: Experience the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
An early morning visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal is followed by a guided tour of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, witness the medieval lifestyles of 16th- and 17th-century Mughal emperors. This afternoon, join us if you wish on an excursion to the walled imperial city of Fatehpur Sikri for in-depth exploration of this remarkably preserved site.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India
Day 8: Enjoy royal treatment in Jaipur
Arrive in Jaipur for a two-night stay at the former palace home of a Maharaja, the Rambagh Palace. See the sights of Jaipur today, including the City Palace Museum and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. Attend a special evening fit for royalty tonight, celebrating India's cultural traditions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Day 9: The palaces and pavilions of Jaipur
A highlight of your India tour, today's sightseeing includes the many gems of Jaipur, from the massive gateways and pillared pavilions of Amber Fort to a tour of Amber Palace, with its magnificent domes and hall of mirrors. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure, pursuing what interests you most in Jaipur.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Day 10: Scenic lake cruise and a world-renowned resort stay
Fly to Udaipur to continue your India tour with a tranquil cruise on Lake Pichola, taking in views of island palaces, ancient temples along the shore, and the old walled city. Enjoy a two-night stay amidst the romance and splendor of your palatial lakefront resort, rated the "number one hotel in the world" by the readers of
Travel + Leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India
Day 11: Discover the treasures of Udaipur
Visit the 18th-century fountain gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari, and the Jagdish Mandir Temple. View the City Palace, a labyrinth of richly decorated courtyards, frescoed galleries, and marble temples. Learn the art of dressing in a sari and turban this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India
Day 12: Sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea
Fly to Kochi (Cochin) in the state of Kerala, on the southern tip of India, home to coconut groves, paddy fields and wide beaches. Cruise its inland waterways before setting off on a spectacular sunset cruise on the Arabian Sea. Enjoy a performance of the renowned Kathakali Dancers prior to dinner tonight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Le Méridien Cochin Resort, Cochin, India
Day 13: Traditional cuisine and more in historic Kochi
Kochi (Cochin) dates back to the 15th century, boasting myriad historic sites. After a lecture on southern India's unique heritage and cultural diversity, see the Dutch Palace, Jew Town, St. Francis Church, and Fort Cochin, the oldest European settlement in India. Visit the home of an acclaimed Kerala chef for a cooking demonstration and dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Le Méridien Cochin Resort, Cochin, India
Day 14: Kumarakom Lake Resort
Explore the small villages of coastal Kerala as you make your way to your lakefront resort on the picturesque island of Kumarakom to continue your Tauck India tour. Attend an evening of local cultural entertainment tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kerala, India
Day 15: Cruise on a Kerala houseboat
Board unique houseboats for a cruise along the canals of Kerala, often referred to as the "Venice of the East." An unforgettable martial arts demonstration tonight entertains you tonight; there is no other ancient martial practice in the world that can compete with its training system and application techniques.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kerala, India
Day 16: Welcome to Mumbai (Bombay)
Fly to the "City of Gold," Mumbai (Bombay), surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Explore this legendary city during a two-night stay at your landmark waterfront hotel, an architectural masterpiece adjacent to the triumphal Gateway of India, another highlight of your India tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai (Bombay), India
Day 17: Elephanta Island temples
Visit the Gateway of India, and then cruise to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the rock-cut cave temples with sculptured interiors dating back to the 6th century. A highlight is the Mahesamurti, a triple-headed Shiva statue. Following an afternoon spent as you please, join us this evening for a farewell cocktail reception as your unforgettable Tauck India tour comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai (Bombay), India
Day 18: Journey home
Tour ends: Mumbai (Bombay). Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Taj Mahal International Palace & Tower to Sahar International Airport. Most international flights depart between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Book Tauck’s memorable India tour for in-depth discoveries of the privileged world of the maharajas!
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, motor coach, sightseeing, luggage handling, admissions, the services of Tauck Directors, local guides and drivers are included. Airport arrival transfers are also included from the airport to The Oberoi New Delhi Hotel for all guests who provide Tauck with their flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. All airport departure transfers from the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers to the airport in Mumbai are included regardless of the day or time of flight.
Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort. At the Oberoi Amarvilas, the Oberoi Rajvilas, the Oberoi Udaivilas and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, a triple request will be accommodated in one double and one single room.
Tauck Director – Each tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck World Discovery.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff, local guides and driver are included.
No Options Sold – Tauck’s price includes special dinners, entertainment, sightseeing and most activities. Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities, based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour – Six on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. Most international flights arrive in Delhi between 11 PM (day 1) and 3 AM (day 2). We have rooms reserved for all guests beginning at 12 PM on day 1 so they can immediately check-in and get some rest. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the
Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. Therefore, it is important for your own protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to
Tauck Travel Protection on this website for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees (if applicable), import duties on high value items (see Customs and Tax Free Shopping below) and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director and local drivers are not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group. We will be using multiple coaches and drivers during the course of the journey, so any driver gratuities should be provided at the end of each segment.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Travel Document Requirements – U.S. citizens will need passports that are valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the tour and current visas for India. Your passport must also contain two blank visa pages.
For U.S. citizens:
Tauck has partnered with Zierer Visa Service for processing visas to destinations in which U.S. citizens are required to have entry visas. Over the past several years, Zierer Visa Service has effectively processed hundreds of visas for Tauck travelers. Tauck will automatically send a visa application once a reservation is made and the deposit received. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to the Zierer Visa Service. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination and will be stated on the application.
For more information, or to download a Zierer Visa Service application, please log on to the Internet website,
www.zvs.com. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process will take several weeks
Citizens of other countries should contact a consulate or embassy of India to determine if visas are required.
Tauck strongly recommends that guests’ passports be valid for six months beyond the completion of their tour. It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport, as well as to leave photocopies of your travel documents and identification papers with someone at home.
Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children less than 21 years of age who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for
download guidance for writing this letter.
Air Conditioning - All of the hotels on this tour provide air-conditioning. The motor coaches used on this tour are also air-conditioned for your comfort.
Clothing and Packing – When packing for travel to India, we suggest you select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. In India, delicate fabrics do not stand up well to laundering facilities except at deluxe hotels. Plain cotton or cotton and synthetic blend clothing is the most practical and is the coolest in summer. It is best to avoid synthetic fabrics that do not “breathe. A hat with a wide brim will help protect you from the harsh sun. During the fall season, a collapsible umbrella comes in handy. During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets are necessary.
We do not advise you dress in shorts, mini-skirts or tank tops unless you are on a beach. In small towns and cities, people may tend to stare if you expose too much skin. Most Indians dress in modest clothing. To respect Indian sensitivities, when in public we recommend that women wear skirts below the knee or longer or relatively loose slacks. Avoid wearing sleeveless blouses and tight pants. Young women and teenage girls, especially those dressed in tight or short dresses, may attract undesirable attention. Men should avoid going shirtless; trousers are preferable to shorts. However, shorts and sleeveless tops and blouses are perfectly acceptable attire in the warmer, tropical Kerala.
These suggestions are especially important when visiting rural areas or tradition-bound urban areas. Women should consider wearing loose pants and a long blouse. When visiting places of worship, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders, short pants or short skirts; a long skirt, dress, or slacks are recommended. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if women are wearing a sleeveless top. Head covering is not required. Men should also dress appropriately for a holy sanctuary. Shorts are discouraged. All visitors will be required to remove their shoes in temples and mosques.
For the welcome and farewell dinners, we recommend “smart casual” to suit a tropical climate.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Shoes that are easy to slip on and off when visiting places of worship
- Hat (a wide brimmed hat is recommended)
- Sun screen
- Sunglasses
- Eye drops for the dust
- Camera, extra film and batteries
- Soap leaves, travel packets of tissues, and hand sanitizer (toilet tissue is not available at some sites)
- Bathing suit
- Binoculars
- Light jacket or sweater
- Mosquito repellant
- Travel alarm clock
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this itinerary is 1,721 feet (525 meters).
Health – Travelers to India should be in good health and able to walk moderate distances over varied terrain. This is a rigorous journey that covers over 2,000 miles (3,218 kilometers) and includes six on-tour flights. Various modes of transportation will be used to highlight different aspects of India’s culture and geography, including airplane, train, motor-coach, rice boat, rickshaw and 12-passenger sightseeing boats.
Much of the sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot and it is strongly suggested that you pack sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in to fully appreciate what India has to offer. There is a significant amount of walking on this journey; however, the pace of the itinerary has been carefully planned to intersperse sightseeing with leisurely days to ensure our guests have a most enjoyable time. We regret that wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this tour.
Due to the ancient nature of several of the sites you will visit during your sojourn in India, stairs and walkways are sometimes dark, uneven, steep and/or slippery.
It can also be quite warm when sightseeing at Fatehpur Sikri and Elephanta Island, but using sun protection, including wearing a hat and sunglasses, and drinking lots of water can help minimize the impact of the weather.
We advise that you always drink bottled water with an unbroken seal. avoid having ice in your drinks, and clean your teeth with bottled water.
Public toilet facilities are few and far between. Guests are encouraged to take every opportunity to use a clean toilet in places such as hotels and restaurants. Most hotels catering to an international clientele provide western style restroom facilities.
Smoking is not permitted on the motor coaches. Hotels in India do not always have designated non-smoking rooms, but your preference will be forwarded to the hotels and every effort will be made to accommodate your request, although it cannot be guaranteed.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Guests needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
Guests bringing a quantity of medication with them are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs officials.
Currently, India does not require visitors to have any particular shots or immunizations unless the visitor is arriving from Africa or other area where yellow fever is prevalent. In these cases, they do require that visitors show proof they have received a yellow fever inoculation.
Many doctors will recommend that travelers to India receive a number of shots or preventive medicines for such diseases as malaria, polio, typhus, tetanus and hepatitis C. Confer with your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to allow time for any inoculations to take effect.
Always keep mosquito repellent with you and be sure to pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn.
For all vaccination and inoculation information, guests should contact their personal physician, the public health service in their area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded “Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at
www.cdc.gov.
Luggage Restrictions:
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Due to space limitations aboard the motor coaches, only one average-sized piece of checked luggage per person, with an approximate combined dimension of 54 in (137 cm) for height, width and depth, and weighing a maximum of 50 lbs (23 kg) is allowed.
In addition, guests are limited to one carry-on bag not to exceed 15 lbs (6.8 kg).
There will be two occasions when you will be required to pack an overnight bag during your India sojourn. The first such occasion will be for your two night trip to Varanasi and Khajuraho from Delhi on day 4 of your itinerary. You will be reunited with your checked luggage upon your arrival in to Agra on day 6. The second occasion is on day 9 when your checked luggage will be collected late in the evening to be transported by luggage van very early on the following morning from Jaipur to Udaipur. You will travel by airplane from Jaipur to Udaipur.
For your convenience, you will be provided with a duffel bag upon arrival in India. Packing an overnight bag on these occasions will ensure the safe and timely arrival of your luggage at your next destination, and we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Checked Luggage - General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kgs, per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage – General
Although oversized bags and carry-on luggage with wheels are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.
Currency and Exchange Rates - Visitors to India who bring foreign currency equivalent to more than $10,000 USD must submit a Currency Declaration Form (CDF) upon entry into the country.
The currency used in India is called the rupee and banks, hotels, and authorized money changers can exchange foreign currency for rupees. Receipts (called “encashment certificates”) should be retained, as these will enable the traveler to reconvert the balance into dollars, or any other foreign currency, at the time of departure from the country, provided the receipt is no more than 30 days old. Most large cities have ATMs which accept Visa and MasterCard as well as American Express. The ATM network is ever expanding, and in some states you can find them even in some smaller towns. International airports have currency exchange booths that are always open for arriving or departing overseas flights.
Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM or credit card at locations abroad.
To obtain the latest currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website
www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – All personal objects which are required in India are exempt from import duty. This includes all personal jewelry up to a value of 600 rupees, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 0.95 liters of alcoholic beverages. Duty-free camera film is limited to 25 rolls for still cameras and 10 reels for movie cameras. Professional material and articles that have a high value can only be imported duty-free if the traveler guarantees that these articles will be re-exported. “High value” articles, particularly computers and camcorders, but also cameras, typewriters, tape recorders, VCRs and other electronic items which a traveler brings to India must be declared on entry, be listed on the traveler’s passport, and be duly exported at the conclusion of the visit. If “high value” items are not re-exported at the time of departure, duty must be paid. In the case of certain electronic and computer goods, duty can be as high as 100%.
For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at
www.cbp.com.
Citizens of other countries should refer to their own countries’ rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
Dining – Tauck has designed your sojourn to India to include a balance of western-style menus and impeccably-prepared regional fare. Indian food is typically served family style and is intended to be passed and shared. Rice is the basis of Indian meals, with a flavorful array of spices and sauces enhancing every dish. Curd or yogurt is served with most meals; it is a natural aid to digestion and helps temper the spicy food. Beverages include tea and coffee, lassi (a yogurt-based drink), as well as soft drinks and beer. Most meals will be served in hotel restaurants where cleanliness is good and service is attuned to the international traveler. At all of the hotels on this itinerary, the amount of spice in the Indian food has been adjusted to suit a more western palate, but you may always request more or less spice when you place your order.
Indian cuisine includes many vegetarian dishes. Good quality vegetarian food is easily available. We suggest that you eat non-vegetarian food only in upscale restaurants since meat is cheaper and can be of questionable quality in smaller establishments. India, being a primarily Hindu country, does not offer beef on most menus, but pork, mutton, and chicken are common.
Minor stomach ailments are the most common affliction of visitors to India. Although it is a nuisance and can dampen your enjoyment of the trip for a few days, following the general precautions outlined below will minimize the chances of your getting sick. We strongly recommend that you drink only bottled water during your travels through India. It is also a good idea to always wash your hands before and after eating. We suggest that you eat fruit you can peel and make sure fresh fruit has been washed in bottled water.
However, if you succumb to a stomach ailment, you may want to try the following remedies to alleviate your discomfort:
- Drink plenty of fluids and take some electrolyte salts if the symptoms persist.
- Drink lassi to help tone down the bacteria.
- Eat plain rice, or try a simple khichdi-an easily digestible mixture of rice and lentils.
- Drink plenty of coconut water. It is cooling and naturally sterilized!
Electrical Current – The electrical current in the hotels in India is 220v, 50 Hz, AC. If you plan on bringing electrical devices with you, it is suggested that you bring an electrical converter with an adapter plug set.
Local Customs:
Eating – In India, people often eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean and is generally not used to eat or to handle food and money.
Feet - The soles of your feet pointing towards someone is considered offensive, so care should be taken not to do this. In the same vein, feet should not be placed on furniture. If you accidentally touch someone with your foot, it is common practice to apologize. It is also customary to remove your shoes when entering a private home in addition to places of worship and burial.
Garlands -- If you are given a garland of flowers, remove it after several minutes to demonstrate your humility.
Greetings - Handshakes are not a common method of greeting among Indians. The Indian greeting is to put your hands together in front of your chin (as for praying) and incline your head forward, saying "Namaste".
Language - The official language of India is Hindi in the Devanagri script. The individual states are free to decide their own regional languages for internal administration and education, so there are 18 official languages spoken throughout the country. English is widely spoken in India.
Personal Space - India is densely populated and people are accustomed to being crowded. However, except in packed buses, strangers avoid touching each other. Cross-gender touching is especially offensive, although it is not uncommon to see same-sex friends holding hands or hugging.
Religious Places - Most temples and mosques prohibit shoes inside the building and signs are sometimes posted when this is the case. Some Hindu temples do not permit non-Hindus to enter. A visitor should ask if there is any doubt and observe other visitors for guidance. In Sikh temples, called gurdwaras, white/saffron head coverings for both men and women are required (and sometimes provided). Priests in gurdwaras also offer the visitor blessed food, which should be accepted with the right hand to avoid giving offense. The food should either be eaten or given to someone else.
It is customary to enter any religious place with the head slightly bowed.
Special note: The visit to Jagdish Mandir Temple requires the removal of both shoes and socks.
Street Scenes - Guests will have expectations of poverty before arriving in India, but unless you have previously traveled to a developing country, it is hard to suppress one’s shock. You will encounter people, including children, begging in the streets. You will see street scenes which may be unusual, including animals sifting through garbage in the streets. You will also see prosperity and middle class living. Being prepared for these different experiences will better enable you to enjoy your exploration through this colorful, vibrant and hospitable country.
Photography - Special permission of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, is required for use of tripod and artificial light. Photography in the wildlife sanctuaries is allowed on payment of a prescribed fee. In Delhi, videos are not allowed at Humayun's Tomb, and camera fees are imposed at both UNESCO sites visited in Delhi. Videos are not allowed in the Taj Mahal complex past the first viewing area; guests may store their cameras. Costs incurred for photography are at guests' expense.
Your Tauck Director will advise you of all known camera related fees and rules for each city traveled.
Time Zones – All cities on this journey are located in the same time zone. They are 5.5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). In June, Delhi is 9.5 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.timeanddate.com.
Weather - The climate in India varies depending on the location and time of travel. In northern India, the weather during the late fall and winter months of October through March is dry with temperatures averaging 45° Fahrenheit (7° Celsius), in the early morning and evening, and 70° to 75° F (21° to 24° C), during the day. However, as you travel south to Mumbai and then Cochin, temperatures rise, with daytime temperatures averaging 75° to 80° F (24° to 27° C), in Mumbai to 90° F (32° C) in Cochin.
India is known for its rainy season, when monsoons make headlines. However, from October through March – the best time to travel – on average no more than one inch of rain per month falls on the cities visited on this journey to the subcontinent.
|
Average Temperature |
| |
Delhi, India
|
Varanasi, India
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
69 / 45 |
21 / 7 |
73 / 47 |
23 / 8 |
| February |
74 / 50 |
23 / 10 |
79 / 51 |
26 / 11 |
| March |
84 / 59 |
29 / 15 |
91 / 60 |
33 / 16 |
| April |
96 / 70 |
36 / 21 |
102 / 71 |
39 / 22 |
| May |
102 / 78 |
39 / 26 |
106 / 79 |
41 / 26 |
| June |
101 / 82 |
38 / 28 |
103 / 82 |
39 / 28 |
| July |
94 / 80 |
34 / 27 |
92 / 79 |
33 / 26 |
| August |
92 / 79 |
33 / 26 |
81 / 78 |
27 / 26 |
| September |
93 / 76 |
34 / 24 |
91 / 75 |
33 / 24 |
| October |
91 / 67 |
33 / 19 |
90 / 68 |
32 / 20 |
| November |
82 / 55 |
28 / 13 |
84 / 57 |
29 / 14 |
| December |
73 / 47 |
23 / 8 |
76 / 49 |
24 / 9 |
|
|
| |
Agra, India
|
Jaipur, India
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
73 / 43 |
23 / 6 |
71 / 49 |
22 / 9 |
| February |
78 / 46 |
26 / 8 |
76 / 54 |
24 / 12 |
| March |
89 / 55 |
32 / 13 |
87 / 63 |
31 / 17 |
| April |
101 / 67 |
38 / 19 |
97 / 74 |
36 / 23 |
| May |
107 / 77 |
42 / 25 |
103 / 80 |
39 / 27 |
| June |
105 / 83 |
41 / 28 |
101 / 83 |
38 / 28 |
| July |
95 / 80 |
35 / 27 |
91 / 79 |
33 / 26 |
| August |
92 / 78 |
33 / 26 |
89 / 77 |
32 / 25 |
| September |
93 / 75 |
34 / 24 |
92 / 75 |
33 / 24 |
| October |
94 / 62 |
34 / 17 |
91 / 69 |
33 / 21 |
| November |
85 / 49 |
29 / 9 |
82 / 59 |
28 / 15 |
| December |
76 / 44 |
24 / 7 |
73 / 51 |
23 / 11 |
|
|
| |
Cochin, India
|
Mumbai, India
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
88 / 73 |
31 / 23 |
85 / 66 |
29 / 19 |
| February |
88 / 75 |
31 / 24 |
85 / 68 |
29 / 20 |
| March |
88 / 79 |
31 / 26 |
88 / 72 |
31 / 22 |
| April |
88 / 79 |
31 / 26 |
90 / 77 |
32 / 25 |
| May |
88 / 79 |
31 / 26 |
92 / 80 |
33 / 27 |
| June |
84 / 75 |
29 / 24 |
89 / 79 |
32 / 26 |
| July |
82 / 75 |
28 / 24 |
86 / 77 |
30 / 25 |
| August |
82 / 75 |
28 / 24 |
85 / 76 |
29 / 24 |
| September |
82 / 75 |
28 / 24 |
86 / 76 |
30 / 24 |
| October |
84 / 75 |
29 / 24 |
90 / 77 |
32 / 25 |
| November |
86 / 75 |
30 / 24 |
91 / 73 |
33 / 23 |
| December |
86 / 73 |
30 / 23 |
88 / 69 |
31 / 21 |
|
|
| |
Khajuraho, India
|
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
|
|
| January |
76 / 51 |
24 / 11 |
|
|
| February |
82 / 55 |
28 / 13 |
|
|
| March |
92 / 64 |
33 / 18 |
|
|
| April |
101 / 73 |
38 / 23 |
|
|
| May |
106 / 81 |
41 / 27 |
|
|
| June |
99 / 80 |
37 / 27 |
|
|
| July |
88 / 76 |
31 / 24 |
|
|
| August |
85 / 75 |
29 / 24 |
|
|
| September |
88 / 74 |
31 / 23 |
|
|
| October |
89 / 68 |
32 / 20 |
|
|
| November |
84 / 58 |
29 / 14 |
|
|
| December |
78 / 51 |
26 / 11 |
|
|
|
Average Rainfall |
| |
Delhi, India
|
Varanasi, India
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
Inches |
Millimeters |
| January |
0.8 |
20 |
0.7 |
18 |
| February |
0.8 |
20 |
0.7 |
18 |
| March |
0.6 |
15 |
0.3 |
8 |
| April |
0.8 |
20 |
0.2 |
5 |
| May |
1.0 |
25 |
0.5 |
13 |
| June |
2.8 |
71 |
4.5 |
114 |
| July |
9.3 |
236 |
13.6 |
346 |
| August |
9.3 |
236 |
9.4 |
240 |
| September |
4.5 |
114 |
7.8 |
198 |
| October |
0.7 |
18 |
1.3 |
33 |
| November |
0.4 |
10 |
0.4 |
10 |
| December |
0.4 |
10 |
0.4 |
10 |
|
|
| |
Jaipur, India
|
Mumbai, India
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
Inches |
Millimeters |
| January |
0.4 |
10 |
0.0 |
0 |
| February |
0.3 |
8 |
0.0 |
0 |
| March |
0.3 |
8 |
0.0 |
0 |
| April |
0.2 |
5 |
0.1 |
2 |
| May |
0.6 |
15 |
0.5 |
12 |
| June |
2.3 |
58 |
23.3 |
592 |
| July |
7.8 |
198 |
26.8 |
681 |
| August |
8.0 |
203 |
19.2 |
488 |
| September |
3.3 |
84 |
12.1 |
307 |
| October |
0.6 |
15 |
2.4 |
61 |
| November |
0.1 |
3 |
0.9 |
23 |
| December |
0.3 |
8 |
0.1 |
2 |
|
|
| |
Khajuraho, India
|
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
|
|
| January |
0.5 |
13 |
|
|
| February |
0.6 |
15 |
|
|
| March |
0.4 |
9 |
|
|
| April |
0.2 |
4 |
|
|
| May |
0.4 |
9 |
|
|
| June |
4.8 |
121 |
|
|
| July |
11.2 |
285 |
|
|
| August |
11.8 |
300 |
|
|
| September |
5.9 |
149 |
|
|
| October |
0.8 |
20 |
|
|
| November |
0.3 |
7 |
|
|
| December |
0.3 |
7 |
|
|
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.weather.com.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests
Tauck Travel Protection.
Guests choosing to purchase the non-refundable Tauck Travel Protection will have cancellation penalties waived.
Click here for more details.
Guests choosing
not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$1,000 per person
59-8 days before departure
$1,500 per person
7-1 days before departure
$2,000 per person
