Travel Tips

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India

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Bhutan

Dubai

INDIA

Passport: You require a valid passport from your country and a visa to enter India. Citizens of Bhutan and Nepal, who do not require a visa. When you apply VISA, your passport validity at least 6 months. VISA fee in cash, Supporting documents, Two passport-size photographs and Duly completed application form. Please visit: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
Airport & Customs: Sharp objects, liquids, matchboxes and lighters, batteries and some electronic items are not allowed in your cabin baggage in domestic flights in India so pack in check-in luggage. You can carry only a single piece of hand baggage on domestic flights. Indian law prohibits the export of antiques more than 100 years old. Always recommends to keep receipts to proof of purchase when leaving the country.Free allowance 20 kg for Economy class and 30 kg in First class are allowed in Domestic Indian airlines
Business Hours:
Government Office: Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 17:00 hrs.
Banks: Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 14:00 hrs, On Saturdays, 10:00 – 12:00 hrs.
Shops: In major metros, you may find malls and department stores open until 20:00 hrs, seven days a week. Hand-made things are very famous. It is famous for silk fabrics, hand knotted carpets, bronze, wood, leather items and jewellery. We would be happy to provide you expert shopping assistance.
Currency & Time: Rupee Symbol: ₹, Currency code: INR Coin denominations: 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees., Note denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 2000 rupees. Credit card are accepted by most of the hotels.
Time: GMT + 5 hours and 30 minutes
Climate: In India, there are huge variations according to the region and the season. The coolest months are from mid-December to mid-March, temperature from 20°C to under 10°C according to region. In summer, it varies up to 45°C according to region. The West Coast and the north-east get the heaviest rain.
- Winter – You may require jacket/warmer/woollens items during visit in India.
- Summer – Light cotton clothing, sun hats or caps, and sunglasses are recommended.
- Monsoon – You may require a raincoat or an umbrella or both
Health: Certificate is required for Yellow fever if arriving from infected areas. Most hotels have a Doctor on call but advisable to have a course of pills. Carry sting relief cream, pills for stomach upsets and insect repellent. In summer, sun heat is very strong.Tap water is not recommended for drinking and avoid food sold by roadside vendors because undercooked foods.
Cuisine: Indian food is very famous and delicious specially ‘Mughlai food’. In large part of India ‘Thali’ (Metal plate) is also famous with different varieties. The Indian hotels also provide a fair selection of international cuisine as well, and in the major cities. You are also very likely to find Thai, Italian, Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian and Japanese restaurants.
Electricity: Electric Supply works on 220 Volts AC 50 Hz in India. Please check before use it. Note: You will probably need to get an adapter for your devices “all-in-one”.
Communication: English is widely spoken language. India has cellular phone systems. Internet facilities are also easily available in most cities and tourist centres, in cybercafés and business centres, but free wireless connectivity is rare.

NEPAL

Passport: Tourist entry visa can be obtained from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate. Tourists who visit Nepal must hold a valid passport and visa. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal) and many more…

Tourist VISA

Visa Facility	Duration	Fee
Multiple entry	15 Days	US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry	30 Days	US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry	90 Days	US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency

VISA extension fee is also available for 15 days or less with the cost US$ 30 or equivalent and for more than 15 days in US$ 2per days till 150dyas maximum in single visa year can be extended.
Please visit: http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

Airport & Customs: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the port of entry at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance else others pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.
Export- Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal’s cultural heritage items and belong here. It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old. You can verify, The Department of Archaeology (tel: 4213701, 4213702) at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar. For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office; tel: 4470110, 4472266.
Free allowance 20 kg for Economy class and 30 kg in First class are allowed in Indian airlines.
Business Hours:
- Government Office: Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 hrs. within Valley. Outside valley, its starts from 10:00 – 17:00 hrs from Sunday to Thursday
- Banks: Sunday – Thursday, 10:00 – 15:00 hrs, On Friday remain open until 12:00 hrs. within Valley. Outside Valley, its start from Sunday – Thursday; On Friday remain open until 12:00 hrs.
- Embassies and international organizations: Its open 09:00 – 17:00 hrs. Monday – Friday
- Shops: In Cities, you may find malls and department stores open until 20:00 hrs. and are usually closed on Saturdays. You can shop at colourful, crowded bazaars, on the roadside, in air-conditioned hotel arcades and bustling modern malls.
Currency & Time: Nepalese Rupees symbol: रू, Currency code: NPR Coin denominations: 1, 2 rupees., Note denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees. Credit card are accepted by most of the hotels. Time: GMT + 5 hours and 45 minutes
Climate: In northern Nepal summers are cool and winters are severe, while in the south, summers are very hot while winters are mild to cold. Nepal has five seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. … The Kathmandu Valley has a pleasant climate with average summer temperatures of 20°C – 35°C and 2°C – 12°C in winter.
- Winter – You may require jacket/warmer/woollens items during visit in Nepal.
- Summer – Light cotton clothing, sun hats or caps, and sunglasses are recommended.
Health: Nepal does not require any particular immunisation for your visit. Please consult your physician and get a complete check -up before your departure. Most hotels have a doctor on call. Carry sting relief cream, pills for stomach upsets and insect repellent. In summer, sun heat is very strong. Tap water is not recommended for drinking and avoid food sold by roadside vendors because undercooked foods.
Cuisine: Nepal is not only known as a popular trekking destination but is also known for its varieties of delicious delicacies that are culturally distinct. Thousands of years old recipes passing down from generation to generation. Famous food is Dal Bhat, Newari khaja, Momo and many more delicious dishes.
Electricity: Nepal operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Please check before use it. Note: You will probably need to get an adapter for your devices “all-in-one”.
Communication: English is widely spoken language. Nepal has cellular phone systems. Internet facilities are also easily available in most cities and tourist centres, in cybercafés and business centres.

SRI LANKA

Passport: All Holiday or Business travellers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering into Sri Lanka from Jan 2012. The facility for applying Business Purpose Visa is at present available only at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration and overseas missions.
Please visit: http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information.

Travellers who do not require a VISA-

Airport & Customs: It is apply for travellers coming into the country or leaving; The following items are restricted i.e.; Fire arms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, Medicines except for personal use. Goods for commercial or trade purposes. Plants, birds and their products. Sharp objects, liquids, matchboxes and lighters are not allowed. Import permit must be obtained prior to travel. The normal free allowance while flying he government-owned Indian Airlines is 20 kg in Economy and 30 kg in First Class.
Business Hours:

Government Office: Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 17:00 hrs. (Some open on Saturday morning).
Banks: Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 17:00 hrs. (Some open on Saturday morning).
Shops: In Cities, you may find malls and department stores open until 19:00 hrs. and are usually closed on Saturday. There are small to luxurious shopping centres. Handicraft items is very popular in Sri Lanka; you must have while visiting, have a look at makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus which are most evident in brass work (boxes, trays) and handloom & wood carving as well. Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world’s gem producing countries – blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, aquamarines and topazes.

Currency & Time: Sri Lanka Currency symbol: රු, Currency code: LKR Coin denominations: 1, 2, 5 and 10 Rupees, Note denominations: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 Rupees. Time: GMT + 5 hours and 30 minutes
Climate: Sri Lanka’s climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. Generally speaking, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka enjoy temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F) while the upland areas are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20°C (60-68°F). Best time to visit the west and south coasts as well as the Cultural Triangle is between December and April, while on the east coast the climate is at its finest from May through to October.
Health: Who travelling from Africa or Latin America to have a valid certificate of vaccination for Yellow fever and Meningitis prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. Hepatitis A, Polio and Tetanus shots should be up to date. Tap water is not recommended for drinking and avoid food sold by roadside vendors because undercooked foods.
Cuisine: Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its particular combinations of herbs, spices, fish, vegetables, rice, and fruits. The cuisine is highly centred around many varieties of rice, as well as coconut which is an ubiquitous plant throughout the country. A meal in Sri Lanka is called “rice and curry”.
Electricity: Sri Lankan hotels have two types of plug bases; either the UK (Type G) or India (Type D). Note: You will probably need to get an adapter for your devices “all-in-one”.
Communication: In Sri Lanka, Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages. English is generally understood by most people and is easy to get by. English is spoken at all hotels, major restaurants and shops. Internet facilities are also easily available in most cities and tourist centres, in cybercafés and business centres.

BHUTAN

Passport: All tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan with a minimum of 6 months’ valid passport. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. For more details visit: http://www.mfa.gov.bt/visa Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity.
Airport & Customs: All arriving passengers and visitors are required to fill in the required details and submit the customs declaration form upon arrival at the Paro Airport. Visitors are advised to be cautions while purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance as customs authorities will not allow any old/used items to be taken out of the country unless certified as non-antique. The normal free allowance while flying is 20 kg in Economy and 30 kg in First Class.
Business Hours:
- Government Office: Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00 hrs.
- Banks: Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 14:00 hrs, (Some open on Saturday Morning)
- Embassies and international organizations: Its open 09:00 – 17:00 hrs. Monday – Friday
- Shops: In Cities, you may find malls and department stores open until 20:00 hrs. and are usually closed on Saturdays. Bhutan is famous for hand-woven textiles of raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, Dapas, handmade paper products or finely crafted goods of silver. Can be bought; exquisite Buddhist thangkha paintings. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
Currency & Time: Bhutan Currency symbol: Nu, Currency code: ngultrum Coin denominations:50, Nu.1, Ch.20, Ch.25, Note denominations: Nu. 1, Nu. 5, Nu. 10, Nu. 20, Nu. 50, Nu. 100, Nu. 500, Nu. 1000. Time: GMT + 6 hours
Climate: The centre enjoys sub-tropical climate with very cool winters while the northern parts of the country have harsh climate including snowfall two to three times every winter. … In the high mountain regions, the average temperature varies from 0°C in winter to 10°C in summer. October to December is the ideal time to visit Bhutan as the air is clear and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder but Summer time is from May to June.
Health: As a minimum a traveller should have a tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A inoculation. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers coming from – or in transit through – a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Most hotels have a doctor on call. Tap water is not recommended for drinking and avoid food sold by roadside vendors because undercooked foods.
Cuisine: Bhutanese cuisine employs much red rice, buckwheat, and increasingly maize. Buckwheat is eaten mainly in Bumthang, maize in the Eastern districts, and rice elsewhere. The diet in the hills also includes chicken, yak meat, dried beef and lamb. Ema Datshi: This is the National Dish of Bhutan.
Electricity: Bhutan hotel runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three pin power outlets. Note: You will probably need to get an adapter for your devices “all-in-one”.
Communication: Dzongkha is a national language and one most widely spoken. English is also spoken by the majority of Bhutanese, making communication very easy. Internet facility is also available.

DUBAI

Passport: All visitors should have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival in Dubai. In case your passport is valid for less than 6 months, you will have to renew it before applying for Dubai visa.Please visit: https://www.emirates.com/visa for more information.
Airport & Customs:
Prohibited: All mentioned items are prohibited; Hammers (all types), Nails and drills (all types), Any sharp tools including screwdrivers, Scissors (all types) or blades (bigger than 6cm), Personal grooming kit items longer than 6cm, Any sharp objects or swords, Laser guns (all types).
Restricted: Gifts whose value does not exceed AED 3,000. The Number of cigarettes should not exceed (400) cigarettes, (50) cigars, (500) grams of tobacco (minced or pressed for pipes), minced or pressed tobacco for smoking, tobacco or mild-tasting tobacco. Exceeding the above will be dutiable.The normal free allowance while flying is 20 kg in Economy and 30 kg in First Class.
Business Hours:
Government Office: Sunday – Thursday, 08:00 – 16:00 hrs.
Banks: Sunday – Thursday, 08:00 – 16:00 hrs.
Shops: Dubai’s shops are rarely closed although Friday morning is the one exception, when most stores are shut as it’s the holy day. Larger malls are open 1000-2200 and often even later during festival periods. Dubai’s souks are open Saturday-Thursday 0700-1200 and 1700-1900, and Friday from 1700-1900 in Cities.
Currency & Time: Dubai Currency symbol: د.إ, Currency code: AED.Coins: فلس50, د.إ1, Banknotes: د.إ500, د.إ10, د.إ100, د.إ5, د.إ20, د.إ50, د.إ200Time: GMT + 4 hours.
Climate: Dubai’s weather is warm all year round with two distinct summer and winter seasons. The lowest average temperatures are around 20⁰C in January, while the summer months (between June and August) have averages of around 30⁰C.
Health: All travellers should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to Dubai destination. Also make sure new baby born would be vaccinated like measles-mumps-rubella with report. You make sure you have comprehensive insurance for Dubai trip.
Cuisine: In Dubai, every year organise food festival. Meat, fish, and rice are the staple foods of the Emirati cuisine. Usually, Dates are consumed with meals. Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be supplemented with cardamom, saffron, or mint to give it a distinct flavor. Shawarma and Al haress is very famous.
Communication: Arabic is the official language for both written and verbal communication in Dubai. English is the most widely spoken language in Dubai, especially for business, trade and hospitality tourism.Internet facilities are also easily available in most cities and tourist centres, in cybercafés and business centres.
Famous Items to buy: Dubai is famous for many things, can be shop i.e. Dubai Dates (Dried Fruits), Persian Rugs & Carpets, Oudh and Bakhoor, Arabic Attars (Perfume Oil), Pashmina Shawls, Gold Jewelry & Coffee and Arabic Coffee Pot.