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• fleece, trousers, jacket and
warm hat (essential late Oct-Feb) until sun is up
• hat to protect head and neck from sun
• good quality ‘wraparound’ sunglasses with retainer
• small ruck-sack to keep belongings together and dust out of
camera etc
Animals:
The best advice is not to handle them at all, aside from other
risks they may carry a variety of parasites and skin disease.
Don’t feed wildlife it can encourage unnatural dependency and
disease.
Responsible Tourism:
India’s resources are limited, please use as little water and
power as possible. Carry rubbish away with you and decline plastic
bags (buy or bring fabric ‘shoppers’), apart from being unsightly
wildlife can be injured or poisoned. Common sense and common
courtesy should prevail in all your actions. Don’t buy animal
products, and satisfy yourself that wooden items are from a
sustainable source.
Inoculations and Malaria:
Always seek the advice of your doctor at least two months before
travel. Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria are
generally advised as in most of Asia and Africa. It makes sense to
get a hepatitis booster within 6 months for long term cover. A
range of anti-malarial drugs that reduce the risk of contracting
malaria is available (please see your doctor/travel clinic),
however avoidance of bites is the most effective prevention.
Mosquitoes are most virulent during and immediately after monsoon.
In the evening opt for long sleeves and trousers, light coloured
close woven material is ideal, avoid perfume or after-shave and
protect yourself with a good insect repellent (the Indian brand
Odomos is effective if you run out). At night a mosquito net
(especially an impregnated one) gives good protection, along with
mosquito coils or ‘buzzers’.
Water and Diarrhoea
Bacteria multiply quickly in a hot climate, diarrhoea is commonly
your stomachs reaction to the unfamiliar germs. When not
accompanied by other symptoms it should pass within 24 hours, but
it is essential to replace lost fluids and salts, so be sure to
take re-hydration packs. Only bottled water should be used for
drinking, and always check the seal. Pay particular attention to
personal hygiene, wash hands often, especially before eating and
after handling money, keep cuts clean and covered, use bottled
water for tooth brushing. Be wary of salads, prepared fruit and
ice.
First Aid and Medical Treatment
If in doubt concerning any medical issue you should always seek
expert advice. It is sensible to carry with you an adequate supply
of any regular medication in your cabin baggage, also antiseptic
cream or wipes, plasters, a sealed bandage, diarrhoea treatment
(always read instructions), re-hydration sachets, insect repellent
and bite soothing cream, aspirin or paracetemol.
Clothing
(see also On Safari) ‘beachwear’ away from the poolside or beach
usually won’t cause offence but will make you the centre of
attention, shorts and T-shirts are fine but even men shouldn’t go
topless. Roads and tracks are often unsurfaced and uneven so
trainers or all-terrain sandals are a good idea. When visiting
temples women should keep legs, chest and shoulders covered, and
men should wear trousers, always remove your shoes before
entering.
Laundry
Most hotels and lodges offer a laundry service, cheapest out of
the cities. This is often same-day and cheap but clothing will be
vigorously washed, delicate items should not be handed over.
Communications
The ISD/STD phone booths will usually be cheaper than hotel rates
and are open almost all hours in some areas. Internet facilities,
sometimes broadband, are increasingly available in some larger
hotels and cities. Mobile phone coverage is growing but in more
remote rural areas network signals can be very variable. Post can
take several weeks to reach its destination, put postcards inside
envelopes and ensure that stamps are franked.
Cameras
There is a small charge (~50Rs) for still cameras, and a larger
one for video (~200Rs) in National Parks. In Bandhavgarh and Kanha
the fee for 500mm lenses or above is now ~2000Rs. Colour print
film is quite widely available (except APS) but check the use-by
date and storage conditions before buying. More specialised
supplies should be brought with you from home (remember to check
your camera batteries). Lens cleaning materials are invaluable.
Ask before taking photos of people or religious sites.
Money
Rupees cannot be carried in or out of India, a mixture of cash and
travellers cheques provides the best degree of security and
flexibility. US dollars and sterling are the easiest currencies to
exchange, with American Express being the most accepted travellers
cheques. US $1 bills can be very useful for tipping until you have
a stock of 100Rs notes. Exchange rate is approximately 79Rs/ £1
and 45Rs/$. Travellers cheques and credit cards cannot be relied
on, especially at Bandhavgarh and Kanha, and ATM’s remain uncommon
outside of major cities.
Time Difference
Indian Standard Time is 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT and 10 ½ hours
ahead of American EST.
Visas
Are required and must be issued by your Indian High Commission/
Embassy before you travel.
Electricity
The voltage fluctuates between 230-240V AC; some sensitive
equipment will need a surge protector. Round 3-pin plugs are used
(a European 2-pin fits relatively well), bring a universal adapter
from home.
Useful Things to Take
A stock of $1 bills (for tips, until you have rupees), torch and
batteries, insulated water bottle, mosquito net (if visiting more
‘basic’ camps), notebook and pens, adhesive tape, alarm clock,
wet-wipes, small ruck-sack, universal sink plug, fabric shopping
bags, bags for laundry. |
