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GENERAL
INFORMATION FOR TOURIST: ABOUT
INDIA
Visa :
All foreign tourists visiting India must be
in possession of a valid passport and visa. An Indian visa is
readily available from Indian Consulate in the country of your
origin. Visa fees may vary from country to country.
It is recommended to obtain a multiple Entry
Tourist Visa since this simplifies the procedure for visiting
neighbouring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka. Indians holding
foreign passports would also have to obtain an Indian Visa before
entering India.
Requirements for Visa
1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months
2. Correct visa fee
3. Two passport size photographs
4. Supporting documents, where necessary
5. Duly completed application form
Weather :
October to March is the best time to visit
India. It is true, The winter months (November to February)
have bright, sunny days and are pleasant throughout India.Up
north, in the capital city of Delhi, the temperature may vary
between 4 °C (minimum on the coldest days) and 20 °C. The desert
region of Rajasthan also extremely popular in the winter months,
follow a similar temperature pattern. This is also the time
for winter sports and a white Christmas in the hill states of
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttranchal. In Maharashtra
south and east India, December and January are pleasantly cool,
never very cold.
Fast Facts:
| Country Name |
Republic of India |
| Area |
3,287,000 sq km |
| Population |
968 million |
| Capital City |
New Delhi (pop 10.1 million) |
| People |
72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian and 3% Mongoloid.
|
| Languages |
Hindi and English, plus 15 other languages
and more than 700 dialects. |
| Religion |
82% Hindu, 11% Muslim, 2% Buddhist, 2 %
Christian, 2% Sikh, and 1% Jain |
| Government |
Constitutional democracy |
| Currency |
Indian rupee (Rs)
|
| Time Zone |
Five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT/UTC
|
| Country Code |
91 |
| Electricity |
230V to 240V, 50AC; sockets take plugs with
three round pins, similar to European sockets. |
Health:
Tourists coming to India via Africa and South
America or any other yellow fever infected area must have yellow
fever vaccination certificate. No other vaccination certificate
is mandatory though you may like to consult your doctor for
innoculation against typhoid, and meningitis. Inoculations for
cholera and hepatitis A and anti-malarial pills are recommended.
Shopping:
The Indian craftsman has been perfecting his
art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from
generation to generation. Each region has its own specialities,
each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular skills.
The results is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern
aesthetics. Silks, spices, jewellery and many other Indian products
have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would
travel thousands of miles, willingly enduring the hardships
and privations of the long journey in other to make their purchases.
CARPETS: India has one of
the world's largest carpet industries, and many examples of
her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout
the world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced
by the Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely
made, and can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one
would pay in the west. Each region will have its own specialty;
such as the distinctive, bright coloured Tibetan rugs, available
mainly in Darjeeling.
CLOTHES: Clothes are very
cheap to buy, and can be tailor made in some shops, usually
very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons,
himroos, brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks
of silver and gold thread, set with sequins or semi-precious
gems ...
JEWELLERY: Particularly of
Rajasthan (Kundan), is traditionally heavy and stunningly elaborate.
Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems can be bought and mounted.
Apart from diamonds, other stones include lapis lazuli, Indian
star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarine. Hyderabad
is one of the world's leading centres for pearls.
HANDICRAFTS AND LEATHERWORK:
Once again, each area will have its own specialty; the vast
range includes fine bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver),
canework and pottery. Papier Mache is a characteristic Kashmir
product, some decorated with gold leaf. Marble and alabaster
inlay work, such as chess sets and ornamental plates, are a
specialty of Agra. Good leatherwork buys includes open India
sandals and slippers.
WOODWORK: Sandalwood carvings
from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Madras, Indian walnut
from Kashmir. These are often exquisite and make excellent presents.
OTHER BUYS: Foods such as
pickles, spices and Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper,
Orissan playing cards, musical instruments- anything that takes
your fancy.
NOTE: It is forbidden to export
antiques and art objects over 100 years old, animal skins or
objects made from skins.
ABOUT NEPAL
Visa:
Visitors from six SAARC countries (India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Srilanka, Maldives, Bhutan) will not have to pay visa
fee to travel Nepal. Chinese tourists also will not have to
pay visa fee to travel Nepal. Tourists from rest of the countries
visiting Nepal for three or less days will not have to pay visa
fee. Visa fee has been waived to those tourists re-entering
the country within one year of 15 daylong stay in Nepal.
Tourist Visa
A visa is required to enter Nepal except for INDIAN Nationals.
You can get a visa at the Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates
abroad or on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport
(Only international airport of Katmandu, Nepal - TIA) upon arrival
or at any entry point. Children under 10 years need not pay
any visa fees.
Two-passport size photo is mandatory.
Single Entry: Usd 30 for 60 days
Multiple entry fee: Usd 80 for 60 days.
Fee exemption of tourist visa
- Children below 10 yrs.
- Descendant's upto the age of 16 years, holding foreign passports,
of Nepalese parents or either of their parents is a Nepalese
citizen.
- Citizen of Nepali origin, after having obtained passport for
the first time from a Nepal based foreign mission, until the
period of his departure to a foreign country.
Weather:
Monsoons occur in Nepal between the months of
June and September and often result in floods. Because of its
elevation, most of Nepal is brisk with the highest elevations
being quite cold. Trekkers will want to visit Nepal from October
to November and March to April to avoid monsoons and snow. Nepal’s
autumn is generally better for viewing than the spring when the
air is hazy, but spring is still worth a visit.
Currency:
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee.
One American dollar is worth approximately 78 rupees. For updated
currency conversion on the rupee.
Shopping:
Shop for prayer wheels, tea bowls, religious
paintings, Tibetan articles, bronze and copper items, shoulder
bags, wooden masks and statues, sweaters, bamboo flutes, carpets,
hats and caps, block prints, violins, woven cloths, used camping
gear, Be aware that you cannot export precious stones, gold
or silver. Small jewelry items may pass if you're wearing them,
but it's still risky.
Voltage:
230 V; Plugs C & D. You will need a voltage
converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances.
We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.
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