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.
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.
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
Entry visas are required by UK, AUS, NZ, USA, CAN citizens – Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
Please Note: 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. All visa information is subject to change. As of July 2009 all Indian visa applications require an additional health card to be filled in when applying for the visa. Please make sure you obtain one of these cards along with your Indian visa application. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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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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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepititis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. You may wish to immunise against meningitis.
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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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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
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- Sept. In the north, temperatures can become quite cool at night and may drop below freezing between December and February so some warm clothing is necessary. Hotel heating arrangements are not on a par with western standards.
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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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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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Trek Kit Bag
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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Clothing
Pack mainly for ‘Hot Conditions’. Select your clothing carefully, bearing in mind that temperatures are hot most of the year. You should bring a light jumper/fleece for cooler evenings. You may also consider bringing a small umbrella or waterproof between October and December when the chance of rain is greater. We recommend loose fitting shirts, trousers and underwear (nothing tight or made of nylon). Local people may be offended by revealing western styles of dress. Brief shorts tight fitting clothing etc. should be avoided by both men and women. Laundry facilities are available at most hotels.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals/trainers.
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Equipment
Torch, insect repellent, sun hat, sunglasses, sun cream and a water bottle.
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Personal First Aid Kit
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
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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
Trip Summary
This comprehensive insight into India’s cultural, religious and architectural diversity takes us from the Bay of Bengal across the country to the start of the beautiful Malabar coast at Goa. Starting in Kolkata ( formerly known as Calcutta) we enjoy the sights of India’s intellectual centre, before journeying south by train, to the devout heartlands of Orissa, where we explore the magnificent temples of Bhubaneshwar, Konarak and Puri, including the majestic Jagannath Temple. We then travel away from the coast, to the cultural treasure house of Central India. Then it’s across the Western Ghats, to the stunning white beaches of Goa for the opportunity to relax by the tranquil waters of the Arabian Sea, or take a boat trip in search of dolphins, before we continue our journey north. Flying into the bustling city of Mumbai, home of ‘Bollywood’, we journey by train to the famed Ajanta Caves and their staggering wall frescoes, before discovering the Hindu Olympus at the Ellora Temples. Our journey’s end sees us once more back in Mumbai, after an epic odyssey through some of the best of India’s natural and cultural treasures.
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Country info
Area: 3,288,000 sq. km.
Population: India 1 billion.
Language: Hindi, English.
Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist.
Local time: GMT + 5.5.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v AC 50 Hz. Type C and D plugs.
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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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Maps & Books
Recommended Maps: India 2, South Neller Verlag 1:150,000.
Recommended Books: ‘The God of Small Things’ by Arundhati Roy (Flamingo), ‘South India’, C.Niven (Lonely Planet). ‘On an Indian Pilgrimage’ by Geoffrey Moorhouse, White Mughals (W.Dalrymple)
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Toll Free USA - 1 800 715 1746 
Toll Free Canada – 1 888 216 3401
This is the North American website
