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THE Rendezvous WELCOME
One of the many extra services that singles us out from the crowd is our "meet and greet service". All clients arriving at a destination are met by our representative who will accompany them to their hotel, assist with their check-in, hand over all tickets and vouchers and brief them on their tour. Clients arriving at international airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Goa, Varanasi and Kathmandu are met after clearing immigration and customs; at domestic airports they will be met at either the luggage collection area or just beyond the barrier and at the railway station on the platform or just outside the exit gate. Representatives are on hand each time clients check in or out or depart for sightseeing. They are available to provide that extra assistance, reassurance or advice in all matters from ticket reconfirmation through baggage assistance to restaurant bookings.
24 HOURS ASSISTANCE
Clients are given emergency contact numbers in Delhi and where ever they are traveling, who are available at any time 7 days a week.
TRANSPORT
Transport used in India is varied as the landscapes to be found here. Indian Airlines is the Government owned domestic carrier and has a fleet of Boeing 737, AB300 and A320 aircraft. In addition a number of private airlines (Jet Airways & Sahara Airlines) now operate Boeing 737 aircraft on certain sectors. India has one of the largest rail networks in the world and clients can be offered air-conditioned travel on most commonly traveled sectors. Air-conditioned cars and coaches are available and on the roads may be seen every conceivable form of vehicular traffic, from ox and camel drawn carts to indigenously built cars, buses and trucks. Certain itineraries may require unique and specialized forms of transport, so when necessary jeeps, boats, elephants and even cycle rickshaws are used for wildlife viewing; camels and camel carts for safaris, and horse-drawn carriages or even bullock carts offered to clients in certain areas.
TRAVEL MANAGERS AND GUIDES:
When required, we draw upon a panel of carefully chosen escorts to accompany clients. These escorts are experienced and capable in the field, specialists in at least one subject and many know a foreign language. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of Indian lifestyles, and their main function, apart from handling all the travel logistics of a tour, is to help interpret the country and explain its enigmas. They are selected for their capabilities and experience and they will also take care of any contingencies whether they are of a personal nature or affecting the whole group. Any person wishing to conduct or "guide" visitors around historical monuments must be licensed by the Government of India. Some of our escorts hold these licenses and those who do not will be accompanied by licensed guides during sightseeing excursions. Individual clients will be accompanied by a licensed guide on each sightseeing tour.
ELECTRICITY:
The electric voltage in India and Nepal is 220AC 50 cycles and the round 2 or 3 pin plugs are most commonly used. Most of the larger hotels have adapter plugs which can be obtained from their housekeeping departments but we would suggest clients bring adapter plugs with them. Some parts of the country are subject to power cuts particularly in summer, but all of the larger hotels have their own generators and clients should not suffer any discomfort. Most tented camp accommodation does not have electricity at all so clients should carry an adequate supply of batteries / torch.
ACCOMMODATION
The quality of hotels and lodges in India varies considerably from area to area. Hotels offered have been selected for their service, comfort and ambience. Here there is a unique opportunity to stay in accommodation as varied as magnificent palaces of erstwhile princes or "pension" style homes. Many of the game parks offer comfortable tented camps, while in the remote area overnights tend to be comfortable but simple. Some of the palaces that have been converted into hotels have a degree of variance in the rooms offered and many of the smaller hunting lodges are unable to offer large groups of travelers the same kind of rooms. Except for some tented camps, bathrooms are ensuite and rooms are furnished with twin beds. Double beds can be requested at larger properties. Almost all hotels used have swimming pools. No matter what accommodation is offer, be it a deluxe palace, a rustic jungle lodge or a mountain tent, clients will have high standards of comfort, cleanliness and hygiene.
FOOD AND DRINK:
Western style a la carte cuisine is available in most cities. Hotels chosen will usually offer a variety of international menus. Hotel restaurants can guarantee their food quality and kitchen hygiene and eating in other places is not recommended. Visitors who stick to Indian vegetarian dishes seem less likely to suffer stomach upsets. Smaller hotels, lodges and tented camps do not offer a la carte menus but have substantial table d'hôte meals. They are usually obliging and will temper the food to clients' choice and taste. Though the tap water is filtered in most cities, it is not advisable to drink tap water under any circumstances. Bottled mineral water is freely available but should be purchased from a reliable source, preferably the hotel. Mineral water from roadside vendors or stalls may not be genuine. India and Nepal produce very good gin, vodka, rum and beer. Imported whiskey, wine, cognac and other drinks are available in most hotels but are expensive. In Nepal only the larger hotels have bars that are stocked with a wide range of expensive imported drinks. Local drinks are served throughout the country - run, vodka, gin, whiskey and two brands of beer are available.
ROOMS - SINGLE, DAY AND FOR EARLY OCCUPANCY
Single rooms are limited at small properties, lodges and tented camps, but are usually available in larger hotels. Check out time is 12 noon and if arriving early rooms should be reserved from the preceding day. Day rooms are not available anywhere.
CLOTHING
Emphasis should be on comfort and informality. Jackets and ties are not mandatory in any hotel restaurants so clothes should be lightweight and casual. Ladies should not wear shorts or halter tops while sightseeing or walking around public places outside the hotel. Cotton/synthetic mixes can be very comfortable worn during the day. From October through March, evenings will be cool and in certain areas cold, making a sweater or a warm jacket necessary. For any outdoor events long trousers will be comfortable. Closed, low-heeled walking shoes or sandals are advisable, as the pavements are uneven and dusty. Socks are useful when visiting a religious place where shoes have to be removed. A wide-brimmed sun hat is useful to have at hand as the Indian sun is very hot, even during winter months. Certain religious monuments do not permit above the knee bare-legged visitors and will provide wrap around sarong type garments for anyone wearing shorts. Game parks will be cold during the early mornings and late evenings. For tours including game viewing a thick sweater and anorak or war jacket, woolly hat or scarf and gloves are necessary. Clothing should blend in with the background to increase changes of spotting game. Shoes should be comfortable and a pair of track or training shoes is ideal.
LUGGAGE:
Loading and off-loading of bags at airports and railway stations is manual and cases will get thrown around quite a bit. During long road journeys bags will bump around and get dusty. It is important that luggage is securely fastened. Straps are always useful and should be used. All bags should be locked whenever left in hotel rooms, storage or go as checked-in baggage on journeys. Travel documents, passports, airline tickets, any form of money or valuables should not be left lying around in rooms, unlocked bags or in a vehicle. These should be deposited in safe-deposit lockers wherever available or carried. Most hotels offer free safe deposit facilities.
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
Import or export of local currency is prohibited but there is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency a visitor may import provided that it is exchanged only through authorized dealers. Receipts must be retained for currency transactions in order to re-exchange local currency on departure at the airport bank. All hotels exchange foreign currency at the prevailing bank rate for that day and is therefore the most convenient place to exchange currency. Most hotels and large shops accept a variety of credit cards. Game park lodges and smaller properties do not exchange currency or accept credit cards.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH
Immunization against polio, tetanus and typhoid is recommended. The best protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Long sleeved shirts from sunset, insect repellents, insecticides and sleeping under mosquito nets if necessary all help. Mosquito activity is low in January. Proguanil and Chloroquine are recommended for malaria prophylaxis and anti-malarial medication should be taken before and during the stay and after departure according to prescription recommendations. The sun is very strong even during the winter months and the head, neck and face should be protected accordingly. Dehydration can be a major problem during a visit to India so plenty of fluids should be drunk. The most refreshing and rehydrating drinks are fresh lime with soda or fresh coconut water. All large cities have modern medical facilities but at remote locations there will only be first aid facilities and any serious illness may need evacuation to the nearest medical facility.
CLIMATE
India is a large country and surprises travelers with its varied climate. The northern part of the country, excluding Kashmir, Ladakh and the hill areas, have similar weather for most of the year; with approximately two months of monsoon rain between May and September. During the winter months there is usually strong sunshine in the daytime. In the evenings temperatures can drop by up to 15 degrees. The southern half of the country, including Goa, is always hot and has more monsoon rain than the north. Being in the Northern Hemisphere, India's winter months are October through to the end of March. In Nepal the cold season is from October to March. During the day the temperature averages between 50ºF to 77ºF. October, November and February/March are particularly pleasant, although it is fairly chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
SECURITY
Common sense should prevail and precautions taken as in any major city. Unless safety deposit boxes are available, always carry travel documents, travelers cheques, cash and any other valuables with you at all times or keep them locked in a suitcase. Only carry small amounts of cash and keep a close eye on handbags and wallets. We recommend that you do not walk at night - take a taxi.
The filming or photography of any airport buildings, military installations, vehicles or uniformed personnel is strictly prohibited. While on long distance drives, filming or photography near bridges and culvert may also not be permitted. Please check before you film or take a photograph. Filming and photography from any aircraft is also not allowed. Before filming or photographing women, please check that you are not inadvertently causing offence.
PLACES OF WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS
Almost all Hindu temples will permit the entry of foreigners to the inner sanctum and should this not be permitted the local guide or escort will advise accordingly. Shoes will have to be removed or covered with overshoes usually provided at the temple door before entering any Hindu, Sikh or Muslim place of worship. Some temples will not permit any leather items inside, including camera cases, handbags and watch straps. Should this be the case the local guide will ensure safe custody of the items. It is customary to cover the head before entering a Sikh place of worship. It is not permitted to bare legs in a mosque, and we recommend that shorts or halter tops are not worn while sightseeing.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES
A departure tax is payable by every visitor departing from international airports in India. This is INR 150 per person to the neighboring countries of Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives and INR 550 elsewhere. From Nepal the international departure tax is 450 Nepalese Rupees.
VISA AND HEALTH REGULATIONS
All foreign visitors to India require visas and must be in possession of the relevant valid visa on arrival. All visitors coming from endemic yellow fever areas must possess valid health certificates.
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