Wander Across India (Oct/Nov) – What to Expect

Wander Across India

October 22nd – November 5th, 2023

It’s time to get excited!

Soon you’ll find yourself in magical India, embarking on a carefully curated trip that promises the ultimate travel experience! The following information is designed to help you prepare for this adventure. Please read the page carefully and let us know if you have any questions at all.

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to India. Your passport should be valid until at least May 2024 and it should have 2 full empty pages.

If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.

Visa Information

Every traveler to India needs a visa, however, citizens of the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries may easily obtain an “e-visa”. With the e-visa, you can simply take care of the procedures online.

Overall, the process is very easy, takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately $50 USD. You should apply for your e-visa 30 days prior to the tour. We will send out the detailed instructions to obtain the visa through the official government website once the dates get closer.

Canadian citizens need to obtain a visa from the Indian Embassy/Consulate. To apply for this visa, please make an appointment at BLS – the official Indian visa processing agency in Canada – at your earliest convenience. BLS will provide you with the visa instructions.

Arrival / Departure Airport

Please note that the arrival and departure airport for this tour is Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and your flight to/from India should be for this airport only.

Additional Immunizations

Currently, India doesn’t have any immunization requirements. However, it is always worthwhile to consult with a healthcare professional about other optional vaccinations that might be beneficial for you during the tour. These may include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Malaria and Meningitis.

Country Information

What Should You Expect?

Known as a mesmerizing, vibrant and incredibly diverse country, India promises an exceptional trip. Throughout our 15-day journey, we will track majestic tigers in Ranthambore, lose ourselves in the charm of ancient Bundi, bask in the romance of Udaipur, witness the holy ceremonies in Varanasi and revel in the vibrant chaos that is Delhi.

What truly distinguishes this country, though, are the abundant encounters with its diverse culture. From the sensory explosion of local markets, the soul-stirring melodies of traditional music, to the spicy symphony of regional cuisine, the memorable moments will soon pile up.

India is a developing country with its own unique features. You might see cows wandering through city streets or find yourself in crowded markets where the concept of personal space seems to vanish. You might also stumble upon local festivals, weddings or religious events and if so, undoubtedly be invited to participate. This journey through India is a chance to learn about and understand cultures that are unlike any other, making for an experience you won’t forget.

Tour Style

This Wander Across India tour is a laid-back experience. We have a plan in place, however, that plan is never set in stone and remains flexible.

Accommodations and Transportation

We’ll be staying at a variety of accommodation – good mid-range hotels and friendly family-run guesthouses. Rooms will be simple but comfortable and with attached bathrooms.

Traveling around the country, we’ll use private vans for most of the trip, with our trusted drivers. Driving around this country is not easy and they do an awesome job. We’ll also take 2 internal flights on reputable local airlines.

So Many People!

Indeed there are. With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, it is only natural for there to be huge crowds and a complete lack of personal space. Crossing the street can take a while because of all the people, not to mention the cars, buses, motorbikes, vegetable carts, cows, donkeys and dogs. However, we believe it’s all part of the fun!

We will say, dealing with the lack of personal space is quite odd at first but once you adjust, we think you’ll have a good time with it. Give a quick smile and nod to those staring at you and the chance is high you’ll receive a smile back!

So Many Questions!

Often times people will call out to you, asking you questions, trying to start a conversation, asking if you want to buy something, begging for a few rupees and so on. Yes, it can be a little challenging to handle, but it’s just how life works in this country given the very poor economic situation.

We personally answer their questions quickly and make it clear from the start that we’re not interested. “Do you want to come to my shop?” — “No, not interested, thank you.” That kind of response usually works fine. What you don’t want to do is shut yourself off from everyone and refuse to speak to anyone at all. It’s far better to reply politely and keep on moving…and sometimes, these questions can actually lead to rewarding interactions as well!

Expect the Unexpected

In India, you should be prepared for transportation delays and other changes due to any number of unforeseen circumstances during our trip. It’s just a part of the India experience and there’s certainly no reason to get frustrated when it happens. Just take it all as it comes, stay positive and you’ll see that every hiccup in the trip will turn into a rewarding adventure. It’s all about the mindset.

Facts About India

➜ Population: 1.408 billion people

➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Hinduism, being the religion of 80% of the population. Islam is the main minority, accounting for 10% of the popular. There are also Sikhs, Jains, Baha’i, Christians, Zoroasters and Buddhists around the country.

➜ Languages: India is home to an array of different languages, with Hindi and English serving as the two official languages. However, the country recognizes a total of 22 languages, highlighting its rich diversity. Even with this array of languages, basic English is commonly spoken throughout the country and is often used for communication between different language-speaking groups.

➜ Politics: India operates as a federal parliamentary democratic republic, where the President, Droupadi Murmu, is the head of state and the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is the head of the government. The President has a largely ceremonial role, with the Prime Minister and their cabinet having executive powers.

Food and Water

Tap water in India is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. It’s also best to use bottled water to brush your teeth.

We will always have bottle water available in the vehicle.

All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug from food are slim. Usually, a stomach bug is caused by contact with a little tap water (brushing teeth, water left on a plate that was cleaned with tap water, etc.) or because our systems are simply not used to the ingredients used in the food. Even if you eat a lot of Indian food at home, it’s quite different when you’re actually in India!

We’ll go over this again once you arrive in India and we’ll provide more tips on how to avoid coming into contact with tap water.

Money

The local currency in India is the Indian Rupee (INR). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 82 INR.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $10 – $25 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.

As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are everywhere in country. This is the easiest so that you don’t need to carry around large amounts of cash.

However, check with your bank at home as some banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.

If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices that are located all over the country.

**US dollars are not accepted anywhere in India. You must make purchases in the local currency.

**Credit cards are accepted at some restaurants, cafes and shops in cities and larger towns. In more rural areas, cash is generally the main payment option.

**Please do not change money at home before you arrive. India recently removed certain bills from circulation and if you end up with the old bills, they will be worthless upon arrival. Once you arrive we’ll get you to an ATM or a trusted money exchange office.

Bargaining

➜ Do you have to bargain? – Technically no, but in reality, yes. You should bargain for almost everything as that is just how shopping works in this country. By not doing so, you’re bound to pay much higher prices than you should be paying.

➜ Exceptions – Packaged items sold in a general shop (bottled water, soap, shampoo, snacks, etc.) have the prices, set by the government, right on the package. Check the package and you’ll see, for example, “Rps 20” or “MSRP 20” which means, 20 rupees, and that’s what you should pay. For everything else, there are no set prices.

➜ Getting ripped off – Everyone, including your guide, will get ripped off during this tour. It’s unavoidable. But it’s usually just a small amount and nothing to get too upset about!

➜ The Bargaining Rule – The average salary in India is about $3 – $5 USD per day. So, you can always ask yourself, “would a local person pay this amount?”. This is how you know that something like a juice shouldn’t cost 320 Rupees ($4 USD), almost a day’s salary. You’ll quickly learn what things should generally cost and what is worth bargaining over.

➜ Souvenirs and gifts – When it comes to shopping, it’s always a good idea to explore multiple shops before making a decision. This allows you to compare prices and quality to ensure you’re getting the best value. Feel free to ask your tour leader what something should cost and we’ll let you know. We will always have reliable recommendations for shops in all the destinations we visit.

Tipping

Tipping in India is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:

➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – 100 INR if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Our drivers – At the end of the trip, we recommend that everyone gives a $50 USD tip for our drivers. We will collect this on the last day and give it to our drivers before we say goodbye
➜ Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative

*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals are already included.

Safety

India is a lot safer than what most people think. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.

➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.

➜ Scams – Most ‘scams’ in India are nothing major. People will approach, ask where you’re from, compliment your shoes or ask how long you’ve been in India and then simply try to get you to a shop where they earn a commission. Or they might tell you the place you’re looking for is closed and try to redirect you somewhere else. If it doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. But they’re never aggressive. A simple ‘no, thank you’ usually works. Life here is difficult for many and people try all sorts of ways to earn extra money as a way to survive. If you start talking to those who approach, typically you’ll find they are nice people and easy to talk to.

➜ Beggars – Beggars are common given the economic situation. However, almost all begging is organized and most of the money you give will go to a mafia boss that controls that area. Women holding a baby might approach and say, “No money, only milk for baby.” They want you to buy powdered milk, which they sell back to the store for cash (to give to the mafia). If you want to donate money to help people in India, we can provide a list of reputable organizations.

People and Interactions

➜ Don’t be shy – Even though many Indians will approach with an ulterior motive, you don’t want to get into the habit of thinking that everyone is out to rip you off. It’s definitely not the case and interacting with the locals is always a highlight. A simple smile, wave or a head wiggle will often lead to some great interactions!

➜ Women travelers – For the women in the group, be sure to smile and wave at local women during the trip! Indian women come into less contact with foreigners and are always interested in talking to foreign females. This especially goes for teenagers/younger women who speak better English than the older generation. A simple ‘namaste’ can spark some great conversations.

Weather

During this trip, we can expect relatively consistent weather. October is an ideal time to visit India, with very little rain and warm temperatures. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:

➜ Delhi: 91F/33C high – 70F/21C low
➜ Agra: 93F/34C high – 64F/18C low
➜ Ranthambore: 91F/33C high – 64F/18C low
➜ Bundi: 95F/35C high – 73F/23C low
➜ Udaipur: 93F/34C high – 68F/20C low
➜ Varanasi: 91F/33C high – 72F/22C low

Clothing and Packing

Taking comfortable, light clothing is the best idea, especially clothes that you’re not particularly attached to. It’s a fact that some of the items you bring probably won’t make it back home with you as travel in India can be hard on your clothes.

While shorts are okay in major cities, you’ll almost never find Indians wearing such items. It is generally better to dress slightly more conservative, with lightweight pants or long skirts and shirts that cover at least part of the arm. More western attire (short skirts, tight clothing, tank-tops, etc.) tends to draw unwanted attention. Please note that in order to enter some religious sites, you must be wearing pants and have your shoulders covered.

➜ Laundry – Almost every hotel offers laundry service and it usually costs around $10 USD per load.

We recommend packing the following items:

Pants (3-4 pairs – comfortable, lightweight, dark colors)
Shirts (6-7 short-sleeve shirts, 3-4 long-sleeve shirts – loose fit, comfortable)
Shorts (1-2 pairs)
Swimsuit (one of our hotels has a pool)
Underwear/Socks
Shoes (sneakers/closed-toe) & Sandals
Warm Clothing (1-2 sweaters and a jacket for cool nights)
Toiletries
Medicines (bring sufficient amounts of any medication you take)
Small Daypack
Gadgets & Chargers
Ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper, bring a few pairs)
Sunglasses
Hat
Shawl

The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around country with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.

If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.

Additional Information

Cameras/Drones

You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into India as a tourist. Please note that foreigners are generally not allowed to fly drones in India and they will be confiscated upon entry. If you wish to fly a drone, you must get a special permission from the Department of Telecommunications to operate in a dedicated frequency band, as well as hold a remote pilot certificate and be registered in the DigitalSky portal.

Outlet Adapters

India uses a different plug outlet than you will find in most other parts of the world. You will need Type C and/or Type D plug adapters as these are both used throughout the country. It is highly recommended to purchase these adapters in advance.

As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.

Staying Connected

As India is a developing country, strong internet is not quite widespread. While almost all of the accommodations have Wi-Fi, the connection can be poor at times, so be prepared to be offline more than you’re probably used to back home. In general, the internet access will work and you’ll be able to do whatever you need to do online, but it might take longer than normal with the potentially spotty connection.

The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase an E -SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.

We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.

Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.

Is There Any Free Time?

Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.

WhatsApp Group

We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.

That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!

If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com