If you have a medical prescription for tablets or medicines, it is advisable to bring the same with you in case of loss. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please bring a spare pair. Stomach upsets are rife among the visitors to the Indian subcontinent. It is wise to avoid drinking tap water & use bottled mineral water; avoid having ice cubes in your drinks; do not eat salad vegetables except at major International hotels & restaurants and try to eat only cooked vegetables & fruit that you have peeled.

Our experience has shown that a very effective way to counteract digestive problems is to start each day with some natural yogurt (sometimes known as 'curd'), easily obtainable at your hotel.

It is advisable to take ' Lomotil ' in case of stomach upset but should be taken only after a doctor has recommended the same. Insect bites cannot always be avoided, but they can be discouraged with the help of repellents. If you do suffer from mosquito bites, then we recommend, you take antiseptic cream to soothe the discomfort.

Hospital & Doctors' fees in India are pretty high. So you are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover these & other emergencies. Please ask for details with your local tour operator or wholesale agent.

It is advisable to take toiletries such as elastoplasts, general antiseptic creams, freshen up towelettes, headache tablets & your own preferred brand of soap, shampoo, which may not be available locally. It is difficult to obtain toiletries in more remote regions.

In Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta & Madras, local English newspapers are available. Some newspapers like the Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal & the Independent are available a day later than the issue.

Visas are currently required for all nationals. The same has to be obtained from the nearest Embassy or Indian Consulate in your home country. A double entry visa is only required if entering India twice.

Kindly be advised that rules, regulations & costs are subject to change & if you are unsure, please check with the High Commission or the Embassy.

Certain areas in India are still restricted for travel for foreign tourist. These areas being the Laccadive Islands, Sikkim & the entire region of Eastern India i.e. Assam, Megahlaya & Manipur etc. The permission to visit these areas, some of which have just opened recently, can be obtained by applying formally in writing to the closest Indian Embassy or Consulate. For trekking in Sikkim, the applications should be submitted with the concerned authorities at least six weeks prior to your arrival into India.

You are officially restricted to taking only 5 rolls of film into India. We recommend that you take your full quota, preferably each of 36 exposures. Film is very expensive in India.

A word of warning - there are many people selling film around the tourist attractions. The film on sale is usually old or hot & sometimes already exposed so please check the date of expiry and seals on the boxes being offered to you.

A U/V Filter & a camera dust cover or polythene bag help to protect your camera & lens. Remember to take extra film batteries.

All film should be hand carried & hand inspected at airports. No other method can completely guarantee safety from baggage inspection equipment. Video cameras may be used in India but must be declared with the customs on entry to the country.

The filming or photography of Airports, Military Installations, Police or Soldiers is forbidden. It is always better to request village folk for permission to photograph them in their surroundings.

POSTAGE

You can entrust all letters & postcards to the hotel reception. They will advise you of the postage & arrange all letters, Etc to be mailed.

Prohibition is in force in two states - Gujarat and Bihar, although you may come across a dry day during your visit to India. Where prohibition is in force this means that. you may not possess, carry or consume liquor without a valid permit. There is a special " All India Liquor Permit " for foreign tourists visiting these states, which is issued by the Government of India Tourist Office.

Please apply for this permit in writing to the Government of India tourist office in your country.

Unfortunately you will not find many Anglican, Catholic & Methodist Churches in India, neither will you find any Jewish Synagogues in India except in cities like Delhi, Bombay, Poona & Cochin. Hinduism, Islam & Buddhism are the three most important religions throughout the country.

Spanish & Portuguese influences remain in Southern India however, and you will find a few Catholic churches in Goa, Cochin & Madras. For tourist visiting Mosques & Temples in India during sightseeing, we would request that you avoid wearing skirts & shorts as this at times hurts their religious sentiments.

You should keep all Travel documents, Travelers cheques, Cash, Passports & other valuables with you at all times, or make use of the safe deposit boxes in some of the hotels & lodges. Treat any bargaining with street hawkers with a considerable degree of caution.