India the most fascinating
holiday destination in the world offers a holiday package you are
looking for. To the north of India are the mighty Himalayas offering
unmatched beauty against a back-drop of snow clad mountains. On
the western & eastern coastlines are the virgin beaches with
a tropical ambience of coconuts palms, white sands and a hinterland
of lush green rice fields and meandering rivers. There are island
resorts, rain forest & coral reefs. There are back waters, lagoons
and waterways of great beauty and forest with wide variety of animals
& bird life.
India is vast sub-continent with a rare admixture of races people,
languages, customs and traditions. It is a land of great variety,
seemingly of contradictions, where the past of thousands of years
is living and vivid. The people, their colors, the intermingling
of the past and the present are India's greatest herm.
The history of developed civilization in India can be treated
to the early years of 3rd millennium B.C. The ancient culture
known as the Indus Valley Civilization in this sub-continent was
highly developed having trade relations with Sumerian & Babylon.
This was followed by the invasion of Aryans from central Asia
from 2nd millennium onwards. In 4th century B.C. Alexander invaded
India, but withdraw soon after. Other than Hindu religion two
great religion came into being are Buddhism and Jainism in 6th
century. The great Ashoka spread Buddhism in eastern world.
India reached it's golden age under the religion of Guptas from
320 A.D. onwards during which period literature, the art, music,
sculpture and architecture had reached unprecedented heights,
much of which is evident even today.
The Muslim invasion started from 8th century onwards and from
12th onward stayed to rule pockets of territories in North India
till Mughals came and set-up a vast kingdom. The absorption of
new culture of Arab, Afghan, Turkish and Persian origin can be
seen mainly in the art, architecture and literature of North India.
With the growth of freedom movement from the early years of 20th
century, India became a free nation. Resurgent India has today
a composite culture going back 5000 years yet reaching out to
the modesty of scientific age.
We at HOTELINE have developed tours
suiting to your choice and budget, COME AND VISIT INDIA THROUGH
THE EYES OF HOTELINE.
Dress - Casual wear is suitable for travel in
India. Light cottons are recommended from spring to autumn. In
winter however you will need warm clothing and preferably a windcheater.
Early morning and late evenings are very cold in Rajasthan in
winter. People in rural India are quite conservative. It is advisable
for ladies to wear modest clothing.
Hoteline provide you the information
regarding the dress code depending on the period of your travel
always along with the finalized itinerary.
Currency - The decimal system of coinage is
used in India, with 1 Rupee = 100 Paise. Bank notes are in denominations
of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 & 1 rupee. Coins are in
5, 2, 1 rupee and 50, 25, 10 and 5 paise denominations.Value vis
a vis US Dollar - 1 USD = Rs. 47/- It is not necessary to purchase
local currency prior to your arrival in India. Foreign exchange
counters at the hotels provide the same official rate of exchange
as the banks or the airports. It is therefore not necessary or
recommended to purchase local currency at the airport. However,
it is recommended to purchase small denominations for use as tips
or for small purchases. All credit cards are accepted at the city
hotels you will be staying at. Smaller hotels and wildlife park
lodging accept cash in local currency only. Restrictions - No
Indian currency may be brought into or taken out of the country.
There is no restriction on the amount of Foreign currency that
may be brought into India. However, if you are carrying more than
US$ 10, 000.00 or its equivalent, the same must be declared on
arrival in the Currency Declaration Form. All visitors to India
are advised to change money through AUTHORISED MONEY CHANGERS
and to obtain a receipt for all such transaction, because it will
help you to reconvert unused Rupees into foreign currency at the
time of departure.
Credit Cards - All Major Credit Cards are normally
accepted in most city hotels, restaurants and merchant establishments.
In small towns, jungle lodges and villages, you may be asked to
pay in cash. Some establishments add a handling surcharge on payment
by credit card.
Cuisine - In the city hotels restaurants serve
European as well as Indian and Oriental cuisine. In the more remote
areas and smaller hotels and palaces the food is basic and mainly
Indian. We suggest that in these areas you request vegetarian
food since this tends to reduce the risk of stomach upsets. The
hotels that we use are keenly aware of the western visitor's reaction
to Indian food and they take great care in the area of hygiene.
While health problems can occur, these are usually minor and often
result in the change of diet and time zones.
Entry Procedures : Citizens of all countries
including Common wealth Countries require visas to enter India.
Multiple Entry Visa will be required for those intending to visit
the neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Burma, Pakistan, Bhutan,
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh. A tourist visa is valid
for 3 months stay in India. It can be extended for a further period
of 3 months. A visitor whose stay extends over 90 days must register
with the Foreign Registration Office and get an exit endorsement
on the Registration Certificate from the same office before departure.
Customs and Regulations on arrival:
a. Tourists who do not have any dutiable goods or unaccompanied
baggage can pass through the green channel, while others must
go to the red channel for customs clearance.
b. Importation of : 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gms of
tobacco: Alcoholic liquor upto 0.95 litres is permitted duty free.
