F.A.Q.s

Once in a lifetime experience to discover IncrEdible India.
10 Day Culinary Cultural Travel Adventure

From visas to ATMs and food to weather, photography and what to pack, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about travel in India.

Passport, Visa, and Entry Requirements

In order to enter India, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of return.

We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.

U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter India. You may choose to apply directly to the Indian consulate for an E-Visa.

If you're not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Indian consulate for specific entry requirements.

Tour Pacing and Mobility

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with some hills and stairs.

Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.

You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of luxury Coaches, trains and small boats.

Curry Trails Tour and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.

If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact Ranjan directly at ranjan@newdelhirestaurant.com

Transportation and Arrival Information

International round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Delhi. A representative from Curry TrailsTours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included.

The tour includes flights from Jaipur to Cochin, Cochin to Goa, Goa to Mumbai, and Mumbai to Varanasi.

The tour included a houseboat cruise through the Kerala Backwaters.

All other included transportation on this tour is by private luxury motor coach.

Baggage Allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which includes internal flights withinIndia.

Contact your international airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.

Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.

Please note that the flights included on the tour will have baggage restrictions as low as 33lbs for checked bags and 15lbs for carry-on bags. You will be responsible for any costs associated with overweight baggage.

Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing and Packing Tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.

A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.

Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities.

Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.

You may want to pack dressier attire when you attend high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov

Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.

Take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.

Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.

Outside of your hotel - Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they're cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.

Public restrooms in India can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.

If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.

If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Curry Trail Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure in writing.

Cuisine

In the northern regions of India, you'll encounter a great deal of flavorful meat dishes, as well as kebabs and biryanis. In tandoor cooking, probably the most popular cuisine in this region, vegetables, paneer (Indian cheese), or meat is marinated in spiced yogurt and cooked over coals. As many Indians are vegetarians, meat-free options abound. Meals are usually served with rice or bread, such as unleavened roti or deep-fried puri. Many of your included meals will be buffet style, which will allow you to try a variety of new dishes. Get ready for a culinary adventure.

Electricity and Air Conditioning

India operates on 230 volts and uses a type D plug with two small, round pins and one larger round pin.

We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter. All hotel rooms provide hairdryers etc. Housekeeping can provide you one if not included in your room.

The strength of the air conditioning in Indian hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.

Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Electricity and Air Conditioning

India operates on 230 volts and uses a type D plug with two small, round pins and one larger round pin.

We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter. All hotel rooms provide hairdryers etc. Housekeeping can provide you one if not included in your room.

The strength of the air conditioning in Indian hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available all hotels, though some charges may apply which is rare.

There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.

Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time Zones

India is 12:30 hours ahead of Pacific Time (PT) and does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

When it's 10:30 am in San Francisco 12 midnight in Delhi next day.

Currency

You will use the Indian rupee on this tour.

Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, though you may want to order some currency from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex, before you arrive.

Travelers may carry up to 25,000 Indian rupees into the country when entering through an airport. Travelers may bring up to 25,000 Indian rupees out of India unless continuing on to Bhutan or Nepal.

It is best to exchange your currency at the hotelreception.

If you wish, you can also obtain rupees through a currency exchange booth at the airport upon your arrival in India. Keep receipt of your exchange.

Cash and credit Card/ Debit Card is the preferred method of payment across India. All larger vendors accept international debit and credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, American Express and Discover.

Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won't confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Warning - Do not let a vendor take your credit card out of your sight. Be aware of scams.

Tipping

In each city at the conclusion of your tour, it's customary to offer your hotel staff, Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.

We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.

If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.

Curry Trail recommends a tip budget of $30 per day per person to cover restaurant staff, hotel staff, tour guide, tour director, driver and others. This can be paid in advance to Curry trails before departure for a central distribution of tios by Curry Trails

International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate you understanding.

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