Enjoy the exciting
trekking route of
Chandratal - the Lake
of the Moon in the
Himalayan highlands







Male tigers have
wider forepaw
pads than females.
This difference is
often used by
biologists in
determining the
gender of tigers
when observing
their tracks







The Indus is the
longest river and
the third largest
river, in terms of
annual flow, in the
Indian Subcontinent.
It provides the key
water resources for
the economy of
Pakistan







The habitat of a
Hoopoe is an open
cultivated ground with
short grass or bare
patches. They spend
much time on the
ground hunting
insects and worms







Elephant calves
are born nearly
blind and at first relies,
almost completely, on
its trunk to discover
the world around it







Camel Safaris gives
you the chance to
explore the mirages
of the desert

Before You Leave


DOCUMENTS / PASSPORTS:

  • A passport valid for at least 6 months after your travel ends is required.
  • Please note that you must have two blank pages for each country in your passport to make sure there is room for the proper visa and immigration stamps upon entry. (Two blank pages are defined as a front and a back of one page). If this requirement isn’t met, your visa might not be administered, and there is the possibility that you will be denied boarding on to your flight and/or entry into the countries visited.
  • U.S. citizens currently require visas for India.

You are responsible for obtaining your own valid passport AND the proper visas prior to your
departure from the U.S.A.

  • Applications for an India visa will require two color passport-sized photographs. Home or machine photos are NOT acceptable.
  • Classic Escapes is happy to suggest options for obtaining visa(s). You will be responsible for sending the proper paperwork and payment to these sources directly, as Classic Escapes is not involved in that administrative process nor does our listing of companies below signify a loyalty or specific endorsement of one service over another.
Company Name
Address
Phone
Website
Travisa Passport & Visa Service
See website for various locations in U.S.

800-222-2589See website for other numbers

www.travisa.com
Worldwide Visa and Passport Services, Inc
Miami and Houston

305-774-0070 or

713-961-3131
www.passport.com
Zierer Visa Service
See website for various locations in U.S.

866-788-1100 See website for other numbers

www.zvs.com

If you choose not to use the suggested visa services, you may elect to obtain your visa directly through the proper consulate office. Further information can be found at: www.indianembassy.org.

Foremost, allow sufficient time (up to 6 weeks) if you need a new passport to be issued. You will need two recent photos, plus proof of citizenship or your expired passport. The application fee for an adult first-time passport is $75 plus $25 execution fee for a total of $100. The application fee for a renewal passport is $75; there is no execution fee if you provide your expired passport. The processing time for new and renewal passports is 4-6 weeks. For an additional $60 fee, you can choose to expedite the processing time with door-to-door delivery of your new or renewal passport in about 3 weeks. Call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 877-487-2778 for information or email them at npic@state.gov. You can also visit their website at http://www.travel.state.gov/ for further information. Frequent travelers should request a 48 page rather than the 24 page passport when renewing.

When you travel, we recommend that you make two copies of your first passport page; keep one copy at home in the unlikely event that your passport is lost, and take one copy along to use as an ID when cashing traveler’s checks should you leave your passport behind in the hotel safe deposit box.

SINCE AIR TICKETS MUST BE IN THE SAME NAME THAT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT, PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED ON YOUR CLASSIC ESCAPES PROGRAM IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
A valid passport and an onward/return ticket are required. Visas are required for India.

INOCULATIONS:
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless you are coming from or passing through contaminated areas. There is a possible risk for malaria if visiting the wildlife parks so you should take necessary precautions. It is also suggested that you have an up-to-date tetanus shot. You may also want to take inoculations against Hepatitis A and/or B, and Typhoid. Please consult your physician, local health authority or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) or via their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel for any addi­tional health precautions. For outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s web site at http://www.who.int/en/. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/iht.

Dengue, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, leishmaniasis, and plague are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases. There have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza in poultry in rural areas of the states of Maharasthra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. There have been no reported cases of the H5N1 virus in humans, however. Updates on the avian influenza situation in India are published on the Embassy’s website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsinfluenza.html. For additional information on Avian Influenza, please refer to the Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html.

CUSTOMS:
The usual duty-free regulations apply for India; that is, 1L of alcohol and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. You are allowed to bring in expensive items, such as video cameras and laptop computers; they may be entered on a 'Tourist Baggage Re-export' form to ensure you take them out with you when you go (although this is not always policed). Technically you are supposed to declare any amount of cash or travelers checks over 10,000.00 on arrival. Officially you are not supposed to take any Indian currency into or out of India; however, a number of travelers have been told that they can import a maximum of 5,000.00. If you are entering India from Nepal you are not entitled to import anything free of duty. The export from India of any object more than 100 years old is prohibited, making the required export clearance certificate difficult to obtain. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act bans any form of wildlife trade. Please don't buy any products that further endanger threatened species and habitats - doing so can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment.

FOOD AND WATER:
The finest of India's cuisines is as rich and diverse as its civilization. It is an art form that has been passed on through generations purely by word of mouth, from guru (teacher) to vidhyarthi (pupil) or from mother to daughter. Most Indian cuisines are related by similar usage of spices, with the blend known as curry being best known. Often, Indian cooking is distinguished by the use of a larger variety of vegetables than many other well-known cuisines. Within these recognizable similarities, there is an enormous variety of local styles.  Food customarily forms the crowning part of most festivities and celebrations. Whatever the occasion,  Indians eat with great gusto and are adept at finding reasons to feast and make merry. At traditional and festive meals, the thali (plate) or banana leaf is decorated with rangoli (a design drawn with white and colored powders around the edges).

Avoid all tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.  Bottled water is recommended and available everywhere (hotels tend to provide bottled water free of charge and Classic Escapes provides it during meals and in the buses.) Be sure to use bottled water even when brushing your teeth. Be prepared to purchase bottled water from a reputable source and NOT from a street vendor. (It is common for street vendors to re-fill discarded water bottles with normal water), and carry a plastic thermos or bottle to be refilled at clean sources. You will require considerably more liquid than you normally do, and while there is ample beer, non-alcoholic sodas are also available. Avoid eating raw vegetables, fruit which you cannot peel, and food from street vendors.

IN SHAPE:
To enjoy your trip to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Your exploration of India will include some walks, some strenuous and at either high altitudes or humidity levels. These walks last several hours but are given at a decent pace in order to closely examine the culture, flora and fauna of the area. Always bring along water, bug repellant and a good hat to protect yourself during these adventures.

HEALTH ABROAD:
Your program includes some of the most exciting and awe-inspiring areas of the world, yet they may not always conform to U.S. health standards. You will receive information on optional health insurance coverage and we highly recommend you register for this coverage.

HIGHS AND LOWS:
Unless you are exploring India’s mountainous region, there is not a great diversity of altitudes to worry about. However, the phenomenon known as altitude sickness can occur even at relatively lower levels. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlates with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of concentration, nausea, swelling of ankles, and in extreme cases, hallucination.  Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, heavy food and strenuous physical activity. Citrus fruits and bananas may diminish the effects. If you do not feel well, take it easy. Put your feet up; drink plenty of clean (boiled or bottled) water.