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
Mamallapuram Temple tour Car and entrances 500 IRS, Return taxi to Pondicherrry 2150 IRS, Visit to Hope School 350 IRS
Madurai Meenakshi Temple entrance 5 IRS, Gandhi Museum entrance 50 IRS
Mancombo Traditional wooden canoe ride 200 IRS
Kochi Harbour Boat Cruise 300 IRS, Kathakali Dance 250 IRS, Mattancherry Palace entrance 90 IRS, Synagogue entrance 5 IRS, Tripunithura Hill Palace, taxi and entrance 500 IRS,
Mysore: Taxi to visit Maharajas Palace 200 IRS, Palace entrance 250 IRS, Chamundi Hill entrance 100 IRS
Hampi: Entrance to Elephant Stables and Vittala Temple 250 IRS
Goa: Spice plantation tour 350 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 £20 for 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
There is considerable variation between the different regions of India, but the climate is in general, tropical. In the south the temperature never falls below 20°C and often rises to 33°C even during winter months, November- February, the most pleasant months of the year. October and March are warmer still and summer, April-September, is very hot. South west monsoon falls between June-August. North-east monsoon falls October-December.
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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
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
Bear in mind that the area is tropical with high humidity. Lightweights are needed all year round with some warmer clothes for cooler evenings, particularly in winter (November-March) in the Nilgiri Hills. Due to the high chance of rain between October and December, it is advisable to take a rain jacket or umbrella during this time. Casual clothes are the most practical: tight fitting garments, brief shorts and skirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention. Shoes must be taken off for temple visit and you must always cover up arms and legs when going inside. You may want to take an old pair of socks to the temples as the floor can get very hot and difficult to walk on.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes and sandals.
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Equipment
A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies.
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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.
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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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