India

An amazing subcontinent…Incredible experiences that only happens in India…

India’s vibrant contemporary wave-lengths with a mix of ancient cultural heritage create a compact travel experience encircling luxury, adventure, enchantment and escape—a sublime destination where all the senses come alive to produce an ecstatic environment.

The term ‘India’, is a derivation from the ancient historical name of the Indus Valley Civilisation & the famous ‘Indus River’. Geographically located next to Nepal, China and Bhutan in the North, Pakistan in the Northwest and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the East, India is the seventh largest country in the world covering a total area of 3,287, 263 sq.m. The country stands with over a billion people within its borders, & is the second most populous country in the world. Amazing India, this country is a perfect blending of tradition and modernity, with a myriad of cultural and geographical diversities, India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world. Whether it is historic palaces, cultural heritage sites, majestic temples, vibrant colorful markets, lovely sea beaches, desolate deserts, forested mountains, snow capped peaks, and even a spiritual search for self discovery or somewhere to release your demons…the great continent that’s India probably has it all! Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Vaishnavism and Christianity all make up the rich fabric of religion in India.

Much of the Himalayas are in India, namely: Arunachal, Sikkim, Uttaranchal, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir and the Eastern Karakoram. Most of India’s Himalayas have peaks above 7000m and are waiting to be explored with promises to make your India adventure holidays a lifelong experience.

Stroll into the Taj Mahal bathed in silvery moonlight, or experience a new dawn on the banks of the River Ganges, as the first rays of the sun turn the water to luminescent pearl, camels silhouetted on a distant dune, or wild blue poppies on a Himalayan hillside. India will open your eyes to a world of unknown beauty. Feel the soft folds of a silk sari, touch your hands together in the Indian greeting of ‘Namaste!’, and feel emotions by the kindness of the people you meet. Hear the distant roars of a tiger in the jungles of this huge country, the bittersweet melody of a Rajasthani folk song, the tolling of temple bells clanging across a lake, or the cry of the colourful Hoopoe bird. Breathe the pure mountain air of Ladakh, or the gentle breeze of the Andaman Islands, delight in the scent of jasmine in the air, as girls with flowers in their hair stroll by, and inhale the mouth-watering aroma of a Goan fish curry. Taste the sweet lime tang of a nimbu panni, India’s most popular thirst quencher, especially in the summers & taste the fiery punch of green chilies, or the cool of a coconut kulfi ice cream. Some come alive to the feel of their senses. Let the essence of India awaken yours.

The Indian subcontinent has plenty of scope for adventure tourism & the varieties are just so many with a galore of options. India’s rich history of royal legacies, folklores, classical music, folk dance, arts and exotic cuisine, & the colorful tapestry of its palaces create the true spirit that is India today…

Annapurna Travels & Tours takes you to India like nobody else…we show you how the heart of India beats from the inside…
 

Important Things to know about India

Capital: New Delhi
Population: 1,000,000,000
Languages: Hindi, English and 22 regional languages
Currency: Indian Rupee (Rs)
Religion: 80% Hindu, 14% Muslims, 2-4% Christian, 2% Sikh, 0-7% Buddhist, 0-5 % Jains

Geography
The Indian Himalaya is not exactly one whole chain of mountains, but is more like a massive layered cake of several different ranges. The major Himalayan mountain ranges divide the Indian Sub-continent from the Tibetan Plateau. From Nanga Parbat in the west, these mountains spread over 2000 kilometres to the borders of Sikkim and Bhutan in the east. In Kashmir, the mountain ranges give way to the subsidiary ranges that make up the heart of Kashmir's lakes and valleys, whilst to the north and east lie Zanskar and Ladakh, commonly referred to as the Trans-Himalaya zone, marking the geological transition between the Indian Sub-continent and the Tibetan Plateau. To the south-east stretch the lower ranges of the Pir Panjal and the Dhaula Dhar which eventually tie in to the high, snow-capped mountains of the Garhwal Himal and beyond to the most easterly extension of the Indian Himalaya, Nanda Devi, the Kumaon Himalaya and the Panch Chuli Group. Sikkim is one of India's new states, and lies to the east of Nepal, a projection northwards from the Indian plains, and isolated from the surrounding countries (Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet) by high ridges.

Electric Supply and their applications:
The electricity supply in the Indian Subcontinent is 220 Volt and 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second). Plugs are mostly two or three round prongs as found in most European countries (not the UK) and more rarely, flat prongs as found in use in the United States. If your electronic device uses 110 Volt 60 MHZ electricity, you may need a voltage converter.

Time Zone
The time in India is GMT +5:30 hours.

The jargon used in India
The national language of India is Hindi, although there are around 15 other languages spoken (and listed on some of the bank notes). Generally in India many people speak some English and India is an easy kind of country to get friendly with the local folks. We recommend that you take a pocket phrase book and learn some basics such as common greetings. Your efforts to speak a few words of the local language will be rewarding & get you good receptions in most places you visit.

Climate
Many of India's mountain areas are affected to a certain degree by the monsoon, during the period from June to mid September. However, Ladakh and Zanskar lie in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and escape the worst of the monsoon's influence, & this is the best time to trek in these regions. This area is referred to as a high altitude desert. The part of the Indian Himalaya which encompasses the Vale of Kashmir and Manali has a modified monsoon climate and normally experiences periods of rainfall until mid-July. The Dhaula Dhar Range, the Garhwal, and eastwards to the massifs of Nanda Devi and Panch Chuli, tends to get the main brunt of the monsoon weather, & trips hereabouts can only be done by the end of September when the area normally gets its most settled and pleasant weather in the higher valleys. Similarly, Sikkim is adversely affected by the monsoon, and we do our trips in to the south and east sides of Kangchenjunga on either side of the monsoon - in April and November.

Currency
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee. For up to date exchange rates visit: www.xe.com

It is not possible to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in India. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Delhi using your debit or credit card.

Visa Requirements
A passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity) and a current Indian Visa are required for extensive holidays that have a mix. More detailed information on visas can be found on our website on the trip page for your holiday.

Vaccinations
You should attend your own doctor and dentist for a check-up. Your doctor will have access to the most up to date information on the required vaccinations for the country you are visiting. In general we recommend vaccinations against the following: Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis ‘A'. Malarial prophylaxis is not required whilst in the mountains. An anti malarial regime may be recommended for other rural areas - please check with your doctor. It is always good to leave home well prepared to avoid glitches to what would otherwise be vacations that dreams are made off.