Useful Travel Information

Visa

You will need a tourist visa for India. Visa's are valid for six months or one year from issue and can be obtained from the Indian embassy. For peace of mind you may wish to contact your local travel agent to help you with this.

Travel Insurance

You must have adequate travel insurance to purchase a holiday through South India Tours Ltd. Please ensure that your insurance is up to date. South India Tours cannot be held responsible for any shortfall in your holiday insurance.

Health Advice

It is always advisable to visit your local GP for advice on inoculations which may be necessary when travelling abroad. Please ensure that you do so in plenty of time before your visit.

Local Airports

We will provide transport to Lakeside from the local airports of Tiruchirappalli (2 1/4 hours) and Madurai (1 3/4 hours), or from the local train station at Dindigul. Please contact us with any queries regarding flights and local airports. You will be picked up from the airport at the start of the tour, all airport transfers included in the price.

Currency

The currency in India is the Indian rupee. This is, at present, a restricted currency and cannot be bought abroad. You will need to change your sterling/euros for rupees at the airport on arrival and change any remaining rupees back on departure. Credit cards can be used in an ever increasing number of establishments but cash is still the easiest form of currency. It is now possible to withdraw money from the ATM in most towns.

Travel Light

You will not need a great deal of luggage. Some hotels on the tours can do your laundry for you and there are laundry facilities at Lakeside.

Local Customs

• Please remember that Indians take their religious faith very seriously; cover your legs and upper arms when visiting a place of worship so as not to cause offence. You will need to remove your shoes before entering a place of worship; feet are seen as unclean so please try to avoid pointing them towards other people or a religious image;
• If eating with your fingers, please use your right hand and if possible refrain from licking your fingers;
• Nudity is not acceptable in India, even on the beach, so topless-sunbathing willl cause offence; If in doubt as to what is acceptable please ask your local guide who will be happy to explain the local customs
• On occasions you may experience short 'lapses' in electricity supply, but please treat these as part of your Indian Adventure!
• The rules of the road in India are more lax than you may be used to so please take extra care when crossing the road.

You will want to experience as much of India as you can during your holiday; we are always happy to help and advise but cannot be held responsible for things beyond our control.