Detailed Trip Notes
Suitability
Suitability
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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Tour Itinerary
Budgeting for your Tour
Other Sightseeing & Activites
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Excursion Prices
Delhi - Metro - 32 IRS, Old Delhi by rickshaw - 100 IRS, Jami Masjid shoe cover charge - 20 IRS
Udaipur - Boat hire on Lake Pichola - 300IRS, Bike hire 200 IRS - , City palace entrance charges 75 IRS
Pushkar - Camel Safari 500 IRS
Jaipur - Rickshaw for visit to City Palace and Hawa Mahal 200 IRS, City Palace entrance 300 IRS, Observatory entrance 100 IRS , Hawa Mahal entrance50IRS Excursion to Amber Fort by car 350 IRS, Entrance to Amber Fort 150 IRS, Amber Fort elephant ride 1050 IRS per elephant (2 pers)
Agra - Rickshaw to Taj Mahal 200 IRS return, Taj Mahal entrance fee 750 IRS Rickshaw to Agra Fort (return) 200 IRS Entrance fee to Agra Fort 300IRS Rickshaw to ‘Baby Taj’ 200 IRS Entrance fee to ‘Baby Taj’ 110 IRS Rickshaw to Fatehpur Sikri Rs 100 (one way) Fatehpur Sikri entrance fee 260 IRS.
Varanasi - Sunrise visit to the Ghats by boat 500 IRS, Sunset Arti Ceremoni by boat 600 IRS, Sarnath entrance fee 105 IRS
Kolkata Car to Flower Market & Clay Modellers village 250 IRS
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Tipping
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
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Local Staff: Accordingly you should allow approximately £20.00 GBP for tipping.Your tour leader will account to you for any organised tipping
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Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Foreign Exchange
Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: Indian Rupee
Recommended Currency: US$ or GBP
Where to Exchange: Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability: ATM’s are available in the larger towns and cities.
Credit Card Acceptance: Very rarely, only in the larger outlets.
Travellers Cheques: Well known TCs are generally accepted in most banks
Additional Information: Be careful of accepting worn or ripped notes, as they may be difficult to change.
Camera and Video Fees: Bear in mind that at some sites there is an additional camera charge. Video filming fees up to £5 per site may be payable.
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Local Costs
| |
UK |
India |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£1.50 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£6.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£8.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Single entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens – other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Indian Visa: It is no longer possible to obtain an Indian visa directly from the Indian Embassy. You must either apply for a visa through your travel agent or through the Explore Visa Service. Alternatively, you can go through to VFS global http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk (the company who the Embassy has outsourced its visa service to) online, by post or at the centre after prior appointment. If you are applying through visa swift then please do not pay for your visa through the on line Indian application, please send your payment into Visa swift so that they can submit the payment to the Visa Centre when they take your passport.
You must hold a valid passport to enter India. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date you
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Vaccinations & Protection
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, infectious hepatitis, typhoid and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria (eg. Paludrine, Chloroquine, Mefloquine etc.). Though not compulsory, travellers may wish to immunise themselves against Japanese Encephalitis.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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There is considerable variation between the different regions of India but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June- September. At altitude, temperatures can become quite cool at night and may drop below freezing between December and February so warm clothing is necessary if visiting Northern India (including Delhi) at this time.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
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Clothing
In general only lightweight clothing is needed during the day, but bring warmer clothing for the winter evenings from mid November to mid February, (esp. December and January) when a windproof jacket and several warm layers are also recommended. Hotel heating arrangements are not on a par with UK standards and from December to February thermals may be useful. Local people may be offended by western styles of dress and brief shorts tight fitting clothing etc. should be avoided by both men and women.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes & sandals
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Equipment
Tents (with mosquito screens), mattresses and 2 blankets per passenger are provided locally for the Ganges river camp - we recommend briging your own sleep sheet or lightweight bag. Bring a torch and a personal water bottle.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
General Information
In order to allow as much flexibility as possible for you and to keep our prices exceptional value, many of the sightseeing options and excursions are left optional.
As we travel by sailboat, an ability to swim is recommended, although life jackets are provided on the boats. Conditions at our overnight beach camps on the banks of the Ganges are basic and during the days sailing some of the ‘comfort’ stops will have ‘bush stop’ facilities only!
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
