All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going.

There have been some recent changes to the Indian Visa process. Some nationalities are now required to apply for a Visa in person. There may be delays in obtaining a consular appointment and processing your Visa. It is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers, such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected – though not compulsory – and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour.

Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip when there is an opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your trip guide will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD1-2 per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your guide for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture.

Also, at the end of each trip, tipping is appreciated if you feel your trip guide did an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, USD20-30 per person per week can be used.

Your guide may offer to put together a tipping kitty on the first day or two of your tour to tip drivers, bellboys, guides and other service providers throughout the trip. Less than USD20 per person is generally collected for the entire trip; this is optional but offered for your convenience. Your guide will keep track of all tips given for transparency and will return any leftover amount to the group on the final day.

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate in any of the trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your guide, who will take note of your insurance details.

When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that The Operator requires a minimum coverage of USD200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. They strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance they require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number

Allow USD340-445 for meals not included.

India is a country that is very different to anything you will have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During their time here, your guides have come to love this large and wonderfully different country, but they know that you should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way.

In India, there are very different attitudes to timekeeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. Trains will sometimes be late, plumbing can sometimes be temperamental, and power will often just vanish. Optimistic menus turn out to have only one dish available, and everyone, just everyone, will want to know your name. However, if you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a healthy sense of humour, then your guides know that you - like all of them - will be captivated by what India has to offer.

TRAIN

Travelling in India by train is an experience. Distances in India are long and Indian trains aren't the world's best, but travelling in these adds a fascinating new dimension to a visitor's experience in the country. There is virtually no better way to get to make friends with the people and see the spectacular views of the diverse Indian countryside. The chaos at the Indian Railway stations is a replica of life in India.

The Operator uses a combination of AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier and sleeper class (for overnight journeys) and AC Chair car or second class seats for day journeys.

There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways, but on long-distance trains, an attendant will appear in your coach and ask if you would like to order food. Regular stops are made at stations where food is also available, and on some trains, many vendors board the train selling chai, cold drinks, crisps, and biscuits.

Don't expect pristine western standards anywhere in India, but you'll find AC2, AC3 and AC Chair class fairly clean by Indian standards, with both western-style and squat toilets usually in a reasonably sanitary condition. Sleeper Class and 2nd class toilets may be a different matter! Bring your own toilet paper and hand wash soap or liquid.

Indian trains are quite safe to travel on, even for families or women travelling alone, and you are unlikely to have any problems. However, having said that, theft of luggage, although rare, is not unheard of, so just for peace of mind, you might like to take along a chain and padlock to secure your bags (readily available at all Indian stations).

Generally, Indian Railways are very efficient, but Indian trains do run late, and sometimes it's hours rather than minutes. Make sure you have something to occupy your time – a good book, magazine or photos of your home country and family to show the Indian travellers also waiting for the train.

ROAD

Travelling by road is certainly not what people are used to in Western countries. Rules are not always followed, drivers appear to speed, do not stay in their lanes, overtake in seemingly dangerous situations, and rarely use their mirrors or driving lights at night. The horn, however, is used very frequently and can range from the latest Bollywood tune to Britney Spears! Although the government is investing large sums of money in improving the road infrastructure, there is a lot more to be done. As a result, some roads are poorly maintained, potholed and uneven. This gets even more pronounced, particularly during and after the monsoon. Travel time is very long in comparison to Western countries, and short distances can take a lot longer than at home.

A variety of styles of hotels/guest houses are used in India. These can vary in terms of service, efficiency and cleanliness. In many instances, they might not be like what you are used to back home. Power cuts can and are a regular occurrence in many places, especially throughout North and Central India. Although a number of hotels have generators, there may be times when these won’t work. It is also recommended when you are in your room to lock the door, as staff will sometime enter without reason.

Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing a room. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.

The tour includes internal flights:

• One-way economy flight from Mumbai to Goa

Flights into and out of India are not included. 

Airport transfers

Meals not listed

Optional activities